The Lou | Weekend Recap

This past weekend, we took a quick trip across the lovely state of Missouri to visit St. Louis.  This was my first time in this lovely metropolis, and I had a great time thanks to some wonderful recommendations!

Our first stop was, of course, the Gateway Arch!  We traveled all the way to the top and got a great view of the city - I had no idea this was possible before I started researching.  But beware, this little trip up to the top is not for the claustrophobic!  You travel by steel pod (with only 4 foot doors) using some sort of pulley system that is a mix between an elevator, escalator, and maybe a forklift.

Next, we hit up the Central West End area - this is an uppity little area with great food and shopping.  We had brunch at a little spot called Crepes Etc.  I didn't get any photos of our food because I was starving and forgot.  Oopsies!  But, believe you me, this place is delish!  I had a savory crepe filled with sun-dried tomatoes, chicken, goat cheese and topped with gravy. YUM.

Next, we joined the rest of Garrett's family to watch the National Cross Country Championships that his dad and brother were officiating.  Those were some fast people, y'all!  And one guy was running without shoes on in sub-20 degree weather (the wind chills were below zero)! You can probably tell how cold I am in the photos... I was doing my best to use my hubby as a wind blockade.

 

{btw, you can totally see my 'ombre' hair in this photo} 

Following the race, we did a little shopping on the Delmar Loop. Highly recommend!  Then, we headed to a place called The Scottish Arms for dinner.  This restaurant, as alluded to by the name, serves wonderful Scottish fare (think pork, lamb, haggis) and has a huge selection of Scotch. Oh, and all the waiters wear KILTS.  Pretty amazing.

Phew!  We fit a lot into one day!  But I'm glad we made the trip, and I look forward to going back... maybe sometime when it's warmer.

Hope everyone has a lovely Valentine's day!  I'm looking forward to dinner at home with the husbalicious!

Put a flower in your hair...

I was in lovely San Francisco all last week for work.  I definitely got to see many different parts of the city thanks to my local friends and coworkers who gave me rides everywhere!

The first night I was there, I poked around downtown Burlingame - my home base for the week.  I found this great shop with unique (but affordable) clothing called Therapy.  They have several locations, so you should check them out if you're in Cali.

The next night, I went to a Giants game. I made it a point to ride The Guzzler (a Coca-Cola slide usually reserved for children).  It was totally worth it!  They also had a Fist Pump Cam that I thought was pretty genius.  Everyone got really into it!  Please notice the brilliant graphic...

I had the wonderful chance to hang out in beautiful Sausalito!  We had the most delicious meal at Fish, a seafood restaurant right on the water dedicated to serving sustainable fish.  The crab roll was absolutely splendid.  It melted in my mouth... like butta'.

After spending the afternoon in Sausalito, I spent my evening in the Marina District.  There was some great shopping - including a whole Benefit store.  A WHOLE STORE of the stuff!!  If you know me, you know my love for Benetint (see here and here).  I stopped in and fell in love with their new lipstick shade for Fall called No Competition.  It's a nice berry color, but not toooo dark that it scares me.

After I finished my shopping, I met a dear old friend and her lovely family at a taco place in the area called Mamacita. It was wonderful!  I had the fish tacos (I couldn't get enough seafood on this trip), and my friend raved about her carne asada tacos.  Here's a cute pic her husband took of us outside the restaurant (notice all the shopping bags I'm holding. Oopsies!).

All in all, it was a fun trip!  It reminded me how much I love true urban life. Can't wait for the next time I'm back in this blissfully foggy metropolis - hopefully, I can bring the hubby along (he was super jealous of all the amazing asian food and seafood I was having).  There's just so much more to do and see!  Alcatraz, anyone?!  

Your daily dose of British humor...

The last few nights, Garrett and I have been watching a great UK show called "An Idiot Abroad."  The basic premise is these guys...

(Ricky Gervais & Stephen Merchant)

make this guy....

(Karl Pilkington... the "idiot")

travel the world to see the Seven Wonders, while putting him in numerous uncomfortable situations.  Karl understands that traveling the world and being exposed to new cultures should broaden his thinking, but he sometimes just doesn't understand the big deal. Hilarity ensues...

Check out the clip below...

Vacation Recap by way of food.

Sorry friends for being so MIA last month!  I went on vacation, had visitors in BK, and moved halfway across the country to Kansas City.  I promise to return in full force now that we've settled in here. And I'll catch you up on the past month bit by bit. Here goes..

I've decided to share the Southern road trip we took in July by illustrating our many local food destinations.

First, in Virginia Beach, we found a lovely fish taco spot called Pelon's Baja Grill. If you ever find yourself in the VA Beach/Norfolk area, you must hit up this little surfer joint just off the boardwalk!  The fish tacos were to die for - as were the shrimp tacos, the homemade salsa, and the guacamole.  G and I also got to share this lovely dining experience with my old NYC friend, Lauren, who know lives in the area.  She's also 20 weeks pregnant with a precious baby girl!  But, of course, you can't even tell in this photo...

Next, we made a pit stop on the road at the famed COOK OUT! Garrett had told me stories of this place.  He told me about how everything you order here tastes just like your dad just pulled it off the grill.  And man, oh man, was he right.  Not only can you get a made-to-order burger, you can also get a pretty damn good shake.  Just choose from the 40 umpteen million flavors!  Sadly Cook Out can only be found in North Carolina - good thing we are going back there for Alex and Barry's wedding in August!

When we finally reached Asheville, NC - which is gorgeous, btw - we found a lovely Mexican/Caribbean place called Salsa's.  Have you ever had a curry sauce with your guacamole?  Well, let me just assure you that it's pretty delish.  Also, the pineapple margaritas weren't so bad either!

The following morning, we happened upon a wonderful brunch spot in Asheville called Mayfel's.  Crab Benedict with about a pound of butter in it? Yes, please.

I think that about sums up the highlights of our vacation food.  We were pretty successful!

Stay tuned to hear about wedding dress shopping in NYC!!!!

The greatest nation state. Ever.

The countdown has begun.  I am so ready for my trip to the Lonestar State.  I can't wait to show off Texas to my boyfriend and indulge in the some of the following...

1. Nature... love Austin for its beautiful hills and places like Hamilton Pool.

2. Mexican food....queso. pronto.

3. Miss Corrie...I get to be a bridesmaid in her Ft. Worth wedding while we're in Texas. Very excited to celebrate and bless her marriage to Marcus.  We've been friends for 15 years!  Wowzas. 

B*tches be crazy.

Love this article by The Daily Beast on the Craziest Cities in the country!  Glad to see Austin and NYC up there, but Cincinnati? Really??  Actually, there are a lot of Ohio cities on this list.  Perhaps I need to visit the Buckeye State....

Here's the top 20:

1. Cincinnati
2. San Francisco
3. Providence
4. Milwaukee
5. Las Vegas
6. Philadelphia
7. New York City
8. Tucson
9. San Antonio
10. New Orleans
11. Oakland
12. Austin
13. Cleveland
14. Louisville
15. Memphis
16. Denver
17. Portland (OR)
18. Pittsburgh
19. Seattle
20. Columbus

For the traveler like me...

If you're like me, when you go someplace new, you don't necessarily need to see every monument.  And one or two art museums will satisfy you.  So, when you are looking for that good story and/or photo, here is a great resource for just plain weird and (most of the time) very cool attractions: Atlas Obscura.

 You can use this source to find the hidden gem of a new city or something you've never known about in your own area!  I made my boyfriend drive me around our neighborhood until we found the Broken Angel mansion:

You can also add your own obscure stores, museums, and sights to the atlas. I just love the adventure and mystery of it all!