Long Weekend

Since my parents are visiting for the month from the snowy east coast, B and I have been doing all sorts of things in OC with them! It's been so much fun to revisit some of our favorite spots and check out some new places.

We went to 4th Street Market in Santa Ana for dinner one night. I loved going there for dinner, because last time I went was for brunch and it was pretty quiet. At night though--wow. Santa Ana is such a vibrant little city! There's live music, street vendors selling jewelry and art, along with so many cool bars, restaurants and theaters!

We took my mom and dad to Taco Maria for my mom's birthday dinner. Taco Maria is BY FAR the best restaurant in Orange County--it should be, since Carlos Salgado was on 2015's list of Food & Wine's best new chefs! B and I first went there for my birthday dinner about 5 days after we moved to Orange County. Once I had a bite of the first dish (calamari tacos), I knew this was a place I would need to visit again and again! Seriously---we have used any excuse to go, especially with out of town guests :)

Taco Maria's amazing spicy peanut and grilled calamari tacos on a homemade blue corn tortilla. Delicioso! 

Fortunately, the weather has been amazing while my parents have been here. In the 80's and sunny most days! We took advantage of the great weather and the long weekend to go for a beautiful walk along the bluffs in Newport.

This beautiful weather has me thinking all summer-like! I couldn't help myself from getting some bright pink toes (OPI Strawberry Margarita) when my mom and I went to get mani/pedis!

My husband and I aren't super in to Valentine's Day, so it was nice to just chill with my parents. We went to Sherman Library and Gardens, which is walking distance from my parent's rental cottage in Corona del Mar, for an evening illuminated walk through the beautiful gardens before having a BBQ at home.

It is definitely going to be rough getting back to work tomorrow, but I am excited because this coming weekend we are taking a weekend trip to Catalina Island! I love this CA living!