Happy Easter!!

The best part about Easter for me? The family and the food. Especially the food.

My family slaved away in the kitchen for a better part of the day to put one of the best meals I've had all year on the table. TJ even pitched in by cutting the ham.

Grandpa, TJ, and the Ham

Eventually my grandma made me get TJ an apron so he wouldn't ruin his new white Express polo.
I think the Suzy-homemaker look suits him rather well.  :)

Meanwhile, grandma busied herself cutting her homemade corn tort, the absolute BEST part of the meal in my opinion. 

Grandma

The end result? Deliciousness.

 I definitely had my fair share to eat tonight, and I know for a fact that TJ went back for thirds. If I could have, I would have eaten more. A lot more.

At any rate, my sister and I hope you and your loved ones had a wonderful Easter.

P.S. I hope the Easter bunny was as good to you as he was to me. I've already eaten more than half by myself. 

Best. Chocolate. Ever.

Sunset Harbor House

So a couple of days ago I mentioned that TJ and I helped my dad out by going with him to get his oil changed at the Ford dealership... I also mentioned that he bribed us with breakfast, but I failed to mention where he eventually took me and TJ for breakfast.

He chose a cute little diner in Dana Point called Sunset Harbor House.

The waiting area is just outside the front entrance and equipped with two arcade games to keep the rowdy kids busy before mealtime.

In the far back of the restaurant is an area with a very beach-y theme complete with what most people would call outside furniture. (We have those same chairs in our backyard for our backyard BBQ parties over summer!)

Another charming feature of the Harbor House are the countless movie posters, both new and old. Especially old. My dad reminisces every time we come to the diner and it's rather fun to hear him describe the older movies I've never gotten the chance to see.  

All in all, breakfast was amazing and I could speak volumes about how charming this little diner happens to be, but I'll end with a simple: "try it if you ever get the chance because you definitely wont be disappointed."

P.S. The best part? It's open 24/7!

Throwback Thursday, Part 2

Because I love him so much and feel horrible for failing to fully introduce him in my previous posts, I thought it was about time I dedicate some effort to my wonderful boyfriend TJ.

That being said, I forged my way through the older photo albums on my laptop and came across these little gems from 2011. Though I have many pictures of TJ and I, the day these were taken was rather magical. Mostly because it consisted of a day date at the happiest place on earth: Disneyland.

We didn't take many pictures that day because, as season pass holders we knew we would be back... But I may or may not have forced TJ into what I like to call Princess-Land to take pictures with the fairy-tale characters. 

                           

He even had to wait in a 30 minute line. Which he was NOT happy about.

Although he can't say I didn't try...

However, seeing as I'm his little princess, (ask him, he'll tell you) he braved the line and we finally got to meet both Belle from Beauty and the Beast and Tiana from Princess and the Frog.

TJ, Belle, Me

Me, Tiana,TJ

Because he was a little embarrassed that he had to endure Princess-Land without any male back-up, I thought I could smooth things over with a little affection.

                                      

And guess what? It worked!

And we lived happily ever after. 

Everything's Better by the Beach

Including an oil change.

I went to work late this morning per my dad's request. He needed help getting to the Capistrano Ford Dealership for a routine oil change. (He promised breakfast, so my boyfriend and I agreed)

It was a bit overcast this morning, but how many car dealerships come with this kind of view??

On a clear day, it's amazing. I promise.

The inside of the dealership is also pretty amazing. It's HUGE and everything is spotless.

And so ends a pleasant daddy-daughter morning. (Plus the boyfriend who "wasn't dressed for pictures")

The Art of Hair

Although I've said before that I love to be primped and pampered in my downtime, that does not necessarily include taming my mane. I've had the same hairdresser for about 7 years now and I love her to death, but I have a hard time finding the time for a haircut. In all honesty, I have a hard time wanting to find the time for a haircut.

Last year, I went once. Yes, you read that correctly. ONE TIME in 365 days.

Which is why the last time I went, I couldn't remember which side I part my hair when I get it cut. Left or Right? Right or left? It was a 50-50 chance and guess what? I got it wrong. So I moseyed my way on down to The Art of Hair in Laguna Niguel and visited my hairdresser twice in one week. (Definitely a record for me)

I might not make an appearance every 3 months like a dutiful client, but The Art of Hair is the only salon where I will make an appearance. Ann is the best hairdresser I've ever had.

Ever.

  

Additionally, the interior is very chic and modern. 

WAY better than the salon where I met Ann. You know the cheap one in your local mall? Yeah, I clearly didn't always care about my appearance.

Obviously, Ann and I have moved on up in the world since then.

Throwback Thursday, Part 1

Hashtag, hashtag, hashtag.

For the record, I do not have an instagram. I know, I know.  I'm the last person I know- probably the last person on earth- who does not have an instagram. And no, I have not been living under a rock.While documenting one's daily life through pictures is both convenient and innovative, I prefer writing about my day and adding in pictures to complement the story.

But I digress.

The whole reason I created The O.C. and Me was to document my daily activities so that I can look back on my life and remember the shenanigans that my friends and I got into.

Given that my first few blog posts have been me ranting on and on about the weather, I figured the best place to start would be NYE of 2012 where I was in Arrowhead, loving braving the snow.

I really can't complain too much because I honestly had the time of my life. We all stayed at our friend's family's cabin and brought enough food to last us the week (nevermind that we were only there for two nights).

We had the the best time playing around in the snow, but eventually our playful antics turned into a full-on snowball fight.

But eventually we decided on a truce and made nice... In reality, RH was just mad that I won.

We barely got a chance to catch our breath before we headed out onto a nice, relaxing walk through the snow.

The following day, I was missing my boyfriend terribly and decided that the best way to alleviate my problem was to make another one.

Easy. 

 Well, it would have been easy without RH and HE being hooligans the entire time. Making a stand-in boyfriend is serious business.

The finished product... I think he looks pretty cute.

Attention All Chai Tea Latte Lovers

If I could, I would drink chai tea lattes everyday. It is my favorite drink at Starbucks and I couldn't love it anymore than I currently do.

The problem? My wallet hates it. In fact, it absolutely despises it.

Luckily, I've found the answer in my local grocery store.

While most people spend an average of $4 for their grande chai drink, I'm spending $4 for a whole carton of the liquid mix. 

Truthfully, the first time I made the purchase I was ecstatic, yet ready for a bitter disappointment. Normally if something seems to good to be true, it is. Let's just say I wasn't disappointed in the slightest and have been back for more plenty of times.

Not only is the drink accessible whenever you get the craving, it's super easy to make. Literally, just mix half of the liquid chai and half milk (or any other substitute that tickles your fancy).

My mixer is soy milk. Vanilla, specifically. (And I don't have to pay an extra $.60 either!)

 Now, simply stir until your drink turns a light beige color.

Et voila.

Enjoy. It's delicious, I promise. :)

Me and My Closet

Although I am aching for the sun to rear it's warm head, I have to admit that I'm going to miss the cool weather for one reason and one reason only: the fashion. Scarves are my favorite accessory to wear, but unfortunately they look ridiculous in the 95 degree Southern California summers. Therefore, I feel the need to take advantage of my collection whenever I can.

Today was no exception.

                                                     

I paired my brown scarf, blue jeans, cream tank top, and green cardigan with my new brown ankle boots that I purchased for $9 at Buffalo Exchange on Second Street in Long Beach. Since the boots were originally priced at $35, I quite literally feel as though I stole them from the unsuspecting store.

 The last noteworthy piece of my outfit today is my Kate Spade Gramercy Mini watch. I just got it a few weeks ago at Bloomingdale's and I'm in love. My wrist is extremely tiny and most watches look far too bulky on my small frame. This watch, on the other hand, fits perfectly. It's extrememly feminine and by my all time favorite designer: Kate Spade.

And what girl in the middle of a photo shoot can resist a selfie? I know I can't...

Excuse the conceit.