39 is staying in, binging Schitt’s Creek for the fourth time, eating your favorite pastrami sandwich, and finding joy in vacuuming all of your crumbs with the dream dyson you just got for your birthday (I’m clearly going hard this last year in my thirties).
I literally just got back to LA, stepped out of my car and dropped my cali burrito from SD on the floor. This pretty much sums up 2020 for me.
Double, double, seafood boil and trouble 🖤
I made these cupcakes once when I was dating my bestie’s brother, and their grandpa couldn’t get enough of them. I haven’t seen him in years, but his family would always tell me he still asks about the ‘cupcake girl’ even though my ex is married to someone else now. Sorry, Quinn LOL.
Sadly, their grandpa passed away this week, so I made his favorite cupcakes for my best friend and her family in memory of him.
Here’s the recipe for the greatest chocolate cupcakes and peanut butter frosting ever (according to Grandpa Oscar).
…or me when I found out that Taco Bell is getting rid of my beloved shredded chicken burrito (and more!) *cries in spanish*
It looks like we’ll be quarantining well into summer, so I’ve officially stopped working on my bikini bod and started carbo-loading for winter.
This homemade pasta and alfredo sauce combo was *chef’s kiss*
(via @heatherland_iaintdoinit)
I need you to be on this level if you’re going to watch the annual hot dog eating contest with me (I’m talking to you, Pamela Jean. Look alive!).
I had a lot of random jobs in my twenties, and for a brief window in 2004, I was a barista at Starbucks. It was a second job I picked up during the holidays for extra cash, and not one I stayed at very long. That was probably the last time I made my own coffee, and definitely the last time I woke up at four in the morning on purpose! Ha.
I mostly caffeinate with canned cold brew these days, but sometimes I’ll indulge in my most favorite iced coffee ever—Blue Bottle New Orleans. At $4 a pop, it’s not something I have on my everyday shopping list (a girl’s gotta pay her rent, after all). But they sell their cold brew kit online and are offering free shipping right now, so I thought why the hell not? What else do I have going on six weeks deep into this quarantine???
This homemade cold brew turned out way better than any coffee I ever made at Starbucks, and I didn’t even have to wake up before the sun to enjoy it. Win-win.
You guys, this quarantine is really domesticating us.
Also, never have I ever texted / facetimed / zoomed so much in my goddamn life. I can’t promise that this blog won’t devolve into just screenshots of me talking to people. Fair warning.
Legit traded two rolls of toilet paper for a breakfast burrito from Tacos Tu Madre.
If anyone wants to pick me up some short ribs from APL BBQ in Hollywood, I have some TP and other provisions I’m willing to barter!
On my flight to Seattle, the flight attendant was walking down the aisle greeting everyone happy valentine’s day when he stopped in front of me and asked, “Are you traveling alone?” I said that I was, and he was like, “Can you switch seats so that this couple can sit together?” I meannn.
Morning view (@ Hyatt House)
Blown away (@ Chihuly Garden and Glass)
This museum was across the street from our hotel and so worth the visit! I’ve always admired Chihuli’s sculptures in Vegas, but his featured work here is incredible. The way he transforms glass is pure poetry.
Seattle is so fetch (@ Cobb’s Popcorn)
The stickiest of the icky (@ The Gum Wall)
We stood in a long ass line that wrapped around the building for this chowder… or shall I say Pammie stood in a long ass line while I was off buying crab claw pens at a souvenir shop (@ Pike Place Chowder)
I actually forgot that I had eaten here during my first trip to Seattle… We only tried the New England style chowder, and I didn’t think it was anything to write home about. If you’ve had the chowder from Boudin’s or Blue Bayou or even the cafe downstairs at my work on Fridays, you aren’t missing much.
Skip the chowder line and head across the street instead (@ Beecher’s Handmade Cheese)
Between the mac and cheese, grilled cheese, poutin and cheese samples, I was in heaven! Although no one should ever consume all that dairy in one sitting. Don’t ask me how I know.
Ooh baby, I like it rawww 🎶 (@ Elliot’s Oyster House)
One last stop under the bridge! Till next time, Seattle (@ Fremont Troll)
My coworker Luis came up to me this morning with his cup of grapes and was all like, “Is that your breakfast???”
In unrelated news, I had a salad for lunch today.
BRB postmates is outside with my seafood risotto.
Let’s get some fuckin’ french toast (@ Republique)
Roger is my spirit animal.
I got to try the elusive Popeyes chicken sandwich, and I didn’t even have to wait in line or get stabbed to death! It only cost me 15,000 Southwest points (@ McCarran Airport)
Sake on Sunset with Deane and Sarah (@ Night + Market Weho)
Unsolicited fact about me: This is how I start every 4th of July.

Earlier this week, my coworker Ben walked in on me eating a pb&j uncrustable in my office (yes, I bought the multipack in the ‘kids meals’ aisle at Target, and yes, I have no kids). He told me that he makes pb & honey ones for his daughter who hates jelly, and I said I’ve never had that combo before. This morning, he made an extra sandwich for me when he packed his kid’s lunch! He even cut the crust off lol!
(I’ve also never had wagyu beef, white albino caviar, or fourchu lobster if anyone reading this wants to bring me something, too.)
Jessie’s birthday BBQ (@ Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs)
I missed pre-BBQ beers at Alpine because of stupid LA traffic, but I made it before they sold out of ribs this time! Can all my friends celebrate their birthdays here??? I would get on the 405 during rush hour for BBQ you.

Fuck, can I get pregnant from this??? (@ Slab BBQ)
Slab has been on my BBQ bucket list, but they usually sell out by the time I get off work. I’ve been sick at home for the past couple of days, so I finally went for lunch today. They usually don’t serve beef ribs on weekdays, but today was my lucky day! I’ve been following them on instagram since they sold BBQ out of their backyard, and their ribs and brisket were some of the best I’ve ever had! Def my new LA fave.
Just when I thought I couldn’t get any luckier, we were sitting outside Milk having dessert afterwards when WEEZER and Fred Armisen roll past us down Beverly Blvd on a flatbed performing Say It Ain’t So (my favoritest Weezer song EVER) like it’s no bigs! Only in LA…
Thanks to whoever gave me this nasty cough at work! If it weren’t for you, I would’ve never been in Fairfax in the middle of a Tuesday living my best life.

Today was a good day (@ George’s at the Cove)
Chargers playoff win. Bohemian Rhapsody takes the Globes. Parents’ 40th wedding anniversary. Amazing dinner and this view ♥
Happy early birthday to my favorite sister! (@ Monello)
FYI I can only eat pasta when it’s prepared tableside in a cheese wheel now.
I’ll have one… one of everything! (@ BJ’s Brewhouse)
Alicia and I drank our way through their holiday cocktail list. The blood orange pom fireball sangria tastes like Christmas in your mouth! It’s def going on the menu for any and all future holiday spreads.
ILYSM (@ Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs)
My most favorite BBQ spot in San Diego (and all of California) just opened a second location near the bestie’s house in east county. It’s bigger and less busy than its North Park flagship, and more importantly, it has a full bar (the original location doesn’t serve alcohol, but you can BYOB). It should def be on your BBQ bucket list! Also, if you don’t have a BBQ bucket list, how are we even friends???
If you thought I was gonna celebrate National Cheeseburger Day, you weren’t wrong (@ Shake Shack)
Breakfast Club (@ Flower Child)
My favorite girls met at an ungodly hour for breakfast so that the mamas could have extra girl time away from their six kids (four of which are twin babies!). I only had to worry about getting myself up in the morning, and I was still one of the last ones there! Ha. I haven’t laughed this hard in such a long time. No one will ever be as entertained by us than us ♥
Hardly working (@ SKX)
Birthday beers for Cal and Francis! I’ll let you guess which ones are for Francis LOL. Not gonna lie, some of his might not make it to the party 🍓🍑💦
Came for a sandwich, but stayed for the pride parade (@ Ike’s Place, Hillcrest)
The 4th of July fell on bottomless beer and lobster night this year (@ Viejas)
What a time to be alive.

I vote for lobster trucks outside every polling place! (@ Aviation Park)
Christine’s twin babies came early, so their big sister’s 2nd birthday party moved from Chuck E. Cheese to Denise’s backyard. No complaints here!
Can we just go on record and say that I’ve added a flat top grill, fire pit and pool to my list of must-haves for my future home???
Brunch with my fave girls (@ Breakfast Republic)
Quote of the day:
If Beyoncé can get cheated on, none of us are safe!
Shi will not rest, y’all! 😅
Sunday funday with Shi! (@ Smorgasburg LA)
I love when she comes up to visit (even if she eats all of my candy).
When asked if I want my tagliatelle topped with a big ass ball of burrata, the answer is always yes (@ Pasta Sisters)
Please and thank you (@ Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken)
Lord Huron – The Night We Met
Sylvan Esso – Coffee
Young the Giant – Cough Syrup
Local Natives – Coins
Head and the Heart – All We Ever Knew
(@ Culinary Dropout)
(@ Cornish Pasty Co)
(@ Pizzeria Bianco)
(@ Tempe Beach Park)
We escaped the LA rain and road-tripped it to Arizona! The first of hopefully many Innings Fests did not disappoint. Good weather, great bands, amazing food…
My morning raclette (@ Venissimo – Liberty Station)
…or what you eat when your lunch buddy is observing lent (@ Hopdoddy Burger Bar)
If I didn’t know the Impossible Burger was plant-based, I would have never guessed it was meatless! And this is coming from a girl who loves her meat. I’m not about to give up ribs or anything, but it’s nice to know there’s a worthy (albeit pricey) alternative out there. We usually go to the farmers market for lunch on Fridays, and I could get four mexican hot dogs (and a stomachache) for the price of one burger. Def worth it, though.
The guac is extra, and so is my boss (@ SKX Advertising Dept)
Were the tacos the best I ever had? No. But were the micheladas good at least? Still no. (@ City Tacos)
I should’ve known that this place was no bueno when I saw people drinking wine with their tacos, and the only mexicans eating there were the friends I came with.
Or as I like to call it… Thursday (@ Manhattan House)
Deane and her BF broke up today, so I drank her sorrows away with her since I’m such a supportive friend and all.
I thought most of the people flying on Valentine’s Day would be on their way to see loved ones, but the majority of the passengers on my flight were headed to see Bruno Mars. Or at least that’s what their hooligans jerseys led me to believe…
I managed to snap this without getting elbowed in the face by all the asians with selfie sticks. My mom was one of them. Just kidding (she forgot hers at home).
(@ The LINQ Promenade)
I’ll have to make my way back here, if only for Virgil’s Real BBQ. And maybe that cute guy covering Stone Temple Pilots inside.
If money grew on trees… (@ Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens)
O…MG (@ Bellagio Theater)
Infinitely better than the Luzia show I just saw in LA, but The Beatles Love is still my #1.
The guy standing next to me was belting out God Bless the USA during the entire water show. You’re lucky this is a gif (@ Fountains of Bellagio)
Pops zip lining into the weekend like (@ SlotZilla Zip Line)
We lost my dad for 24 hours somewhere between the zip lining and the poker room at the Orleans.
Put the $5 I won off of Britney slots towards his tip (@ Fremont Street)
CAUTION: They rub their meat (@ Rollin Smoke Barbeque)
Checked this gem off of my BBQ bucket list! Standouts were the beef rib (my go-to), brisket burnt ends and the “dam” hot arkansauce.
Till next time! (@ Palms Casino Resort)
Happiest birthday, Shi! I love you more than I love homemade waffles. And that’s saying a lot.
Weekly meeting (@ Tacos Tu Madre)
I didn’t even have to use my AK (@ Sweet Chick)
…or this week’s edition of Mayan burns the bread rolls. Just kidding (this was the second time I burned them this week). As soon as my mom smelled the smoke, she was like, “STRIKE 2!”
I’m sure my parents can’t wait for me to go back to LA tomorrow! Ha.
Staking my claim 👅 (@ Little Damage)