When the going gets tough, get a manicure!

Well this has definitely turned into a busy week for me! The past few days I haven't even been able to get into the Christmas spirit as I have been trying to finish up a project at work before I make the trek to Florida. Thankfully, I got a much needed break at lunch as I took my coworker, Meredith, to get our nails done in honor of her birthday.

While sitting at the nail station, the cutest little girl and her mother came into the salon. She was four years old and completely adorable in her red Christmas dress, sparkly gold ballet flats, sparkly gold headband with a bow and, of course, a cheetah fur coat. This little fashionista sat down next to me and we had quite the conversation. She informed me that her mother was taking her to see the Nutcracker Ballet in downtown San Diego this evening and obviously needed to get gold sparkly nails to match her festive accessories. Well duh! But seriously, she was very well mannered and was remarkable at keeping a conversation going for someone that age.

Following her lead, I decided to step up the festive-ness of my nails and opted to get snowflakes embellished with crystals added to my cherry red nails. It feels good to be four again!

To Afghanistan with Love

Tonight after work I went to my friend Meredith's house to make Christmas cookies for our troops in Afghanistan. Her brother has been up at Camp Pendleton for the past few months and preparing to deploy to the Middle East after the holidays. Although making cookies is a silly and fun way to spend a Monday night, I couldn't help but feel a little sad yet grateful for all of the men and women spending the holidays away from loved ones fighting for things beyond my comprehension. It really makes me appreciate all that I have and how lucky I am to see it everyday. Anyways, the cowgirl cookies turned out great thanks to Mere's recipe, and hopefully they make it there in one piece!

No Snow? No Problem!

This weekend my boyfriend, George, paid me a visit for a pre-Christmas celebration. Being from Wisconsin, he was skeptical about how festive a California beach town could really be for the holidays, but after an ice skating session on the beach in Coronado and a few tamales from the farmer's market, I think he started to warm up to the idea :)

The La Jolla Farmer's Market- Where George had his first Christmas

tamale and I enjoyed a cappuccino. 

 

After strolling around the market for awhile, we ventured over to Little Italy in downtown San Diego. Both of us had never been there before so we decided to take a walk down India St. and stumbled upon the most delicious Italian restaurant called Bencotto. Since they make their own pasta there, I (of course) had to try the gnocchi al pesto, and I was definitely not disappointed.

 

Friday night we met up with my coworker Katie and her cousin Cora to go ice skating on the sands of Coronado island. I enjoyed a delicious chocolate martini, before embarrassing George at my

lack of skating skills. Thankfully he was patient with me and by the end of it I didn't need to

hold onto the side boards :)

 

And of course, what Christmas season isn't complete without seeing a surfing Santa on the

boardwalk at Mission Beach?  Happy Holidays!