Happy Halloween!

It is such a strange time of year - halloween weekend. If this holiday came more often than once a year it would probably make me uncomfortable.

The best dressed award, I do believe, goes to little Tay because she managed to pull off two different costumes with one great look.

Is she a devil or is she a lobster?

Miguel and I were zoom zoom race car driver/pit stop man. Us, being procrastinator extraordinaries, found our costumes about 1 hour before we had to leave to go to Monster Bash. We pulled it together just in the nick of time. My friend Amanda, her bf Matt, Mike, Me and Erin all went down to the block party in downtown SD. It was a fun, crowded night. Love these people.

 I hope you all had a great, scary and safe Halloween!

Triple Chocolate Cake

This cake was created for a celebration. Just by looking at it you know something good is happening. I got this incredible recipe from my cookbook "BakeWise" and it turned out so amazing! The cake was rich and moist and the ganache frosting was h-e-a-v-e-n. This was my first time making and working with modeling chocolate. It is a challenge to say the least. It gets sticky and hard to work worth after about 5 minutes so you have to work fast. After beating it with my rolling pin multiple time (my neighbors probably thought I was beating someone up) I got it rolled out and shaped. I was so excited about the result of this cake - it is my pride and joy (for now).

The reason for this most fabulous cake was to celebrate Mike's mother's birthday. Our birthday's are just two days apart and she shares my loves for chocolate.

p.s. - what do you think of the new blog look? I thought I would change it up since my life is going to be in change up mode soon... eeek!

Launching my Directing Career

It is probably not going to work out. But, hey - it was fun!

Check out the video from our Mexico trip a few weeks ago. Its got the whole package - surfing, food, karaoke, margaritas (too many!), family pics, sunsets, awkwardness and all you could ever want in a movie.  I can't wait to go back in December, but for now, I am extremely happy laying on the couch in my pjs with Tay laying awkwardly on my shoulder and Mike engrossed in killing people in his video games. Life is good - here or there.

The Classics

Jiffy blueberry muffin mix. It was a favorite then and it is still a favorite now. My friend Brittany and I used to make these in the mini muffin tins and just dip them right into the jug of butter. No shame.

Now at 24, I'm still carrying on the tradition. It's the simple things. right?

Laying it all on the line..

This is it. I am moving to Paris at the end of January for a year long pastry program. It seems so surreal but I am beyond excited. I really feel like I am going to be living my dream. Remember the movie "It's Complicated"? I adored Meryl (not only because the movie was a crack up and one of my favorites) but because I found myself wanting to be like her. I wanted so badly to study pastry in Paris and I so badly wanted a bakery exactly like the one she had in the movie. It seemed so perfect and unlikely. Now, I am going to be doing exactly that!

I can't tell you how excited I am to be embarking on this new adventure and taking a giant step in the right direction but it was in NO way an easy decision to go. I have never been overly adventurous so living in a foreign country by myself was an idea I really had a hard time wrapping my mind around. I know I will probably be home sick and scared out of my mind in the beginning but at the same time, this will help me become a stronger and more self-sufficient person. I have so much support from my family and friends and I am so thankful but it doesn't make it easier to leave them. I will miss my family and friends so much and I hope they can come visit!

The hardest part of this all, is thinking about being away from Mike and Taylor for an entire year. Every time I think about it I feel like I will just break down crying. Mike has been extremely supportive and motivating for me but it breaks my heart thinking that we won't be in our little apartment with little Tay everyday and going to Mad Dog's Cafe for breakfast on Sundays or watching Taylor run like a speed demon on the sand at the bay. I know this is not the end of anything, it is just an adventure in our life together and will make us stronger individuals and a stronger couple. I love him so much and am really thankful that he supports my dreams and pushes me to pursue them. Maybe by some stroke of luck he will find a job in Paris and him and Tay will become Parians with me!  (I hope!!!)

Mike, thank you for being there for me and supporting me as much as you do. I love you and I am so happy and thankful for our life together. Like you said, this is just one year of adventure in our 100 years together.

At this point, I have a TON of planning to do. I need a visa. I need to learn French. I need to research the city. I need to find a place to live. I need to get some clothes. (It is going to be freezing when I get there!) Anyone who has moved and lived abroad, if you have any advice please do share! I would appreciate any guidance!

Oh Paris, I'm coming for you!

R&R

Life doesn't get better than waking up to a sunny mexican day in Punta Mita with the most important people in your life. I was so blessed to get to spend 10 days in Mexico with my parents, aunt, uncle and Mike. It was amazing.

Mita is the only place in the world that I feel completely at ease. My blackberry doesn't exist there, my iphone barely exists and I can just focus on my family, the sunshine, the incredible food, pacificos, surfing in 80 degree water, and letting everything else go. It really brings you back to what matters.

I could go on and on about how beautiful, breath-taking and incredible this place is but it will never do it justice. We spent Sunday night at our favorite restaurant to celebrate my 24th birthday. I may or may not have had one too many margaritas (oops!) but it was such a fun night and I got to practice my incredible dance moves like the "skier". Many thanks to Mike for taking care of me in my silly state of wanting to play a board game with myself and needing to go on walks at 3 am. Really Brit, really??? haha. All in good fun.

Other than that we spent our time surfing (or trying to), eating (lots of eating), drinking, and spending time together talking about life. I love my people and I love my place. I did miss my little Tay SO much. I am not excited to be back at work but it warms my heart to be back at my little apartment with Mike and Tay again. My little familia makes me smile. :)

Just like Pinterest

My friend Ashley's blog is like a little pinterest and I love it. She is the girl I told you all about that moved to Nashville a few months ago. I miss her dearly but love the few minutes stalking her blog everyday. She has quotes and pictures that I adore. Head over there and check it out. You may become as addicted to the cute-ness as I am.

Have a great week! :) 

Happy Birthday to Me!

Wooo 24! Photos from our trip so far. The sunsets never get old :)

We are celebrating tonight at our favorite restaurant. Right now, I am off to practice my non-existent surfing skills. Wish me luck!

This is the Life

I am in my absolute favorite place 

with my absolute favorite people

and my birthday is tomorrow.

Life is good. 24 is going to be good too.

Fall in SD

It is a beautiful thing. I never ever appreciated it until now and I am shocked at myself! It is the BEST weather of the year. Definitely. It is sunny and warm but there is a nice cool breeze and everything feel fresh. Ahhhh love it.

I'm embracing my new found love for the season and started by taking my little Taylay on a walk up to Kate Sessions park. It is one of the best spots in San Diego. It has a breathtaking view of everything! You see the beach, the bay, downtown and all of SD! Prime location for anything.

Even though I am excited about sweaters and scarves, I am so ready to bust out  my bathing suit and sundresses this week in Mexico...3 days!!