Calm in California

I feel like my post title is reminiscent of "Sleepless in Seattle." ha.

Calm in California is pretty accurate, though. I've been feeling pretty good being in good ol' San Diego. If ever you want to go somewhere to unwind, drink a little beer, and move at the pace of a snail, Southern California is definitely the spot. The place that made me feel trapped about 2 years ago is now feeling pretty damn good with my bum ankle.

I've also taken the time to let my body rest. I've seen friends here and there, but I've stayed in more nights than going out. And "going out" has really just been lounging in a jacuzzi or watching a movie with my pals. I've cut down on the alcohol, and taken time to gaze at the sky and breathe my worries away.

I guess the point I'm getting at here is I wasn't taking care of myself in New York. I was becoming frazzled, drinking too much, and generally not being my happy self. I have a bit of time left in New York until my lease ends, but I'll be going back with a different mindset than when I left it. There are also a few factors that were bringing me down back in the city, but having time away from those factors sure brings clarity.

I know NYC is not the place for me (deep down in my soul, I've known this for awhile); however, I think I can enjoy the rest of my time there. And if it's still causing me too much stress, I'll find the escape hatch.

For now, I'll be in San Diego another 25 days or so--long enough to properly hit the reset button. 

Favorite Thing Thursday

Lately, my favorite things have been:

1. My Two-Week Stay in California

It's been a relaxing 2 week stay in the Golden State. I'll do a full post on this later, but sometimes California is just the perfect antithesis to NYC.

2. New Haircut (I Got Bangs) 

Sporting a new springy do.

3. This Dry Shampoo

This is the **best** dry shampoo I've ever tried! I managed to get through 4 days without shampooing--magnificent! Sephora sells a travel size if you wanna give it a go.

4. San Diegan Mexican Food

 No other city in the US comes relatively close to San Diego Mexican food. The slight doughy-ness to the tortilla, the perfected hot sauce, the ambiance of a well-worn taco shop--this is San Diego at it's absolute best. 

San Diego Eateries: Claire's on Cedros

Look at the french toast. GIVE into the french toast! 

Recently I've been getting out my front door more often in an attempt to:

1. Realize there are many unseen parts of San Diego and that I don't "know it all."
2. Play with my new camera which I am having immense fun with (I'll post about the camera later).

On that note...Yesterday, I went to brunch with Rachel, who has been a solid brunch friend of mine for a decade (yep, I can now count friendships by decades...ahhh!). We went to a place in North San Diego County, called Claire's on Cedros.

I will say, I always laugh at the "using jars as drinking glasses" trend. It's now part of the checklist for being trendy...but can we get over this trend yet?? I digress...

 I ordered a cappuccino, which was as BIG AS MY HEAD. The cappuccino was more of a latte, but wasn't bad at all. And I really can't complain about being served coffee that is head sized:

Claire's is definitely worth a visit because the french toast is delicious (order with a side of thick bacon) and the ambiance is not overdone (except for the jars).

Claire's also sells fresh jam, yummy cookies, and to-die-for deserts on the side (note the pumpkin cheesecake below). 

After brunch, Rachel and I were in the mood to go to antique stores and plant nurseries (I think we might be turning 50 next year?).

I think the man who owned the nursery thought I was a little insane snapping a photo of every plant I could. What he didn't know was that I was getting major camera practice in (I still have MUCH to learn).

If you're in the Solana Beach/San Diego area, Claire's is a great place to brunch before strolling down the street to antique markets. You'll also be a hop away from the ocean. Not bad for a Sunday afternoon!

Claire's on Cedros
246 N Cedros Ave
Solana Beach, CA 92075

Modern Times Beer

Looking for a place where you can have your beer and your 90s nostalgia too? Well, I have just the spot...

It's a brewery filled to the brim with such "OMG! I remember that!" items as...

A FLOPPY DISK WALL.

A counter made from VHS TAPES. I found The Crow and it made my heart happy.

Lamps on the ceiling.

San Diego: where you can drink your beer and lounge in your Jesus sandals. 

image from Modern Times  

I totally forgot to take a picture of my beer; maybe it's a testament to how good it was...I drank it before I could take a picture. If you're in the San Diego area, I totally recommend Modern Times, which has two 90s-licious locations.

The location I went to:

3000 Upas St
Ste 102
San Diego, CA 92104

In Sunny San Diego (Workin' Like a Dog)

I'm usually a social person; but between working two jobs, then finally quitting one and starting at the new job full time, and waking up at 5:45 am every morning for said job (ungodly hour!)...I sort of haven't had enough time for recreational activities. Womp womp.

I think I'm finally getting used to the schedule, though. So fun Ashley should be making an appearance once again (as opposed to workaholic, sleep-deprived Ashley). 

Anyway, here are the few recreational(ish) activities I partook in. 

The wee pup you see in this post is my friend's new dog! Her name is Bindi and she's adorable! Snapshots of Bindi: 

Besides playing with puppies, my other recreational activities have involved feeding myself with indulgent foods...

 The famed Sprinkles Cupcake. Yes, it's that good. 

 Coffee. I've been drinking copious amounts of coffee and am starting to believe the phrase above. So, I'm hearing voices???

Wine & Cheese night. I fully recommend the Stag's Leap Sirah. One of the best red wines I've had it a long, long time and from a winery featured in the movie Bottleshock. 

***

Hoping to eventually find a good work/life balance in where I can fully embrace San Diego as home again. I really don't think I'm there yet. And maybe I'll never get there? The next few months will tell a lot; especially if I'm honest with myself. 

It's difficult to explain it in words, but changing homes between two countries does a number on a person. I've tried my hardest to really embrace every moment, but I cannot ignore the fact that I've felt unsettled for the last 7 months of being back. At the end of the day, I've resolved to live a life completely true to myself and not everyone else's expectations. That's the best I can do for myself, I think. 

And there I go turning a fluff post into something very introspective and over-analytical. Typical Ashley. Just had to unload all these thoughts! 

In Sunny San Diego

San Diego has an annual chili cook-off in "SoNo," which is the border between South Park and North Park. Honestly, I'm not the hugest fan of chili, but I will say I had the tastiest chili of my life at this event (and the spiciest!).

 



 

What else have I been up to? Holiday stuff...

Oh yes, this has come out! Not ashamed.

 

Hibiscus Rose Tea from a new dessert place in North Park, called Swoon. Swoon, indeed.

 

Being in San Diego for the holidays also means hitting up Mexican food places, because well, Mexican food is a year round thing for us! Below are pictures of El Camino, a swanky Mexican place that seriously plays the best background tunes--think 90s hip hop mixed with 70s funk. Get down!

Spicy bloody marys with one of my fave married couples!



Hope your holiday season is making you smile a little!

 

As for me, I still have my good days and my bad days. Still in a phase where I feel I am figuring out things, whilst being slightly frustrated by jobs (still currently a temp). But I'm trying to keep a positive attitude, despite feeling constantly unsettled! I do believe good things are on the horizon. 

In Sunny San Diego

 (Sometimes it does) rain in Southern California.

 Hookah & 'Paris' tea. 

 Strange clouds. 

Hot chocolate in my favorite childhood mug. 

Trying out a pizza place in San Diego that was the "best rated" in the country. This is where internet ratings might fail a little. I mean, the pizza was good...but certainly not any better than NY pizza. 

Birria tacos from my friend's restaurant. YUMMMMMM.

My friend Christian and I drinking PBR to mock our other friends who hate PBR. We had a little debate that night about our respective sides on the issue. Totally deep conversations being had in San Diego.