Point Richmond, CA Part One: Little Louie's

       While in California my sister, Jessica took me to Little Louie's, a little deli and cafe in downtown Point Richmond.

 

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Jessica got the Chicken Breast Panini {w/pesto, tomato, & spinach} She let me have a bite. I was yum, yum, yummy! You can't go wrong with pesto.

She suggested I get the 49er Hamburger {w/bacon, avocado, & jack cheese}. So I did. Gotta take big sis's advice. :) And I was glad I did. Oh so glad.

It says avocado, but whoa! AVOCADO! There was half and avocado on there. It was creamy and buttery, delicious!

Now that's a hunka hunka burnin' love right there. I couldn't wait to take a bite.

Chomp!

You've got a little something... Right. There.

We went back for lunch again a few days later... and both got the 49er. 

Makeover for Mom

Before:

Not bad...

After:

Hot Mama!

I had her get her hair dyed a nice dark brown color {after we had already dyed it auburn, her choice, but it didn't come out so well} I picked out an outfit for her, from her own closet. I added the red ribbon for a little festive pop of color for the Christmas holiday. She had never worn her metallic gold wedges and was so excited to finally get them out of the box. I had no idea she had such cute shoes hiding in there! Way to go Mom!

A little eyeshadow, mascara, lipstick, and a curling iron was all I used. I just had to play up her already beautiful features. What a great canvas to work on. 

My beauty advice:

Always wear mascara. Even if you don't put on ANY other makeup, put on some mascara! It really opens ups the eyes, draws attention to them, and I think it makes you look more awake. 

{Future} Lady-killer

I have fallen in love. With my five month old nephew, Deus {pronounced Day-us}. He is my eldest sister, Sarah's, first born. He is so adorable! {of course, I'm not biased or anything...} With those dimples {from his mama} he is sure to be a lady-killer when he grows up. 

<3!

I Heart Sushi!

As 'payment' for shooting some family photos for my sister and her husband, I was treated to sushi and sake bombs at Takenoya in Santa Barbara.

I say SAKE! You say BOMB!

SAKE! BOMB! 

SAKE! BOMB!

SAKE! BOMB!!!

They're a little messy. 

After chugging it down I matter-of-factly said "I can feel it in my brain". Hehe.

This was the roll I ordered. I think it was a Hurricane Roll. I know it had tuna and yellow tail. I also know that it was DE-LICIOUS.

Nom, nom, nom.

Me and Adrian {brother-in-law} split a Red Dragon Roll. More delicious tuna. YUM!

This is my friend, Elaine's Rainbow Roll. It looks like there's some crab and avocado inside, and tuna with two other kinds of fish on top.

Is your mouth watering yet?

Elaine also ordered a Tuna Box roll. I tasted this one. It was by far my favorite.

Crab on the inside, tuna on the top drizzled with eel sauce and another creamy sauce. Finished with scallions and roe.

It was so good, Adrian and I ordered one for ourselves. :)

Now if only I could find good sushi in Fort Wayne.

South Coast Deli

My brother-in-law, Adrian took me to South Coast Deli in Santa Barbara, CA for lunch today. OH! EM! GEE! It was SO GOOD!

My sister and me both got 'The Phatty'... chicken salad with basil mayo, bacon, and avocado.

The basil mayo was so yummy, the bacon was all salty and crispy, and the avocado was perfection.

Adrian got the 'Italian 3-way', which was my second choice... Triple-decker turkey, cappicola & salami w/ provolone cheese, basil mayo, lettuce, tomato, red onion & pepperoncini. After the description, the menu reads "GOOD LUCK!"

It was HUGE.

Adrian could barely fit it in his mouth.

I totally had sandwich envy. Luckily, Adrian was awesome enough to trade me half my sandwich for half of his so I got to try both. :)

I thought about saving the last few bites for later. Ha!

California Trip: Top 10

If you didn't know, I am originally from California {Bay Area}. I moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana  exactly 1 year ago. This year,  I am going back home for an extended visit for the holidays. I leave on Monday, the 15th and I am so excited, I can hardly stand it. And I NEVER get excited. I can't wait to hug everyone, and I'm not that big on hugs either.

This is what I am really looking forward to doing during my stay:

1. Staying in Santa Barbara with my big sis, Sarah, brother in-law, Adrian, and meeting their new baby,  my first nephew, Deus.

2. Eating TONS of sushi at Sushi King in Alameda.

3. Helping prepare Thanksgiving dinner with my Mom. <3

4. Family get-togethers. My family is so crazy, in an awesome sort of way.

5. THE BEACH!

Clockwise from top left: Deus, Alyssa & David {my lil brother & his awesome GF}, Mom Jessica David Adrian & Sarah, Aunt Patricia & Grandma, Jessica & Elaine, Mom & Myself

6. Hanging out with Jessica {my other big sis} and Elaine. And ALL their doggies!

7. Exploring different parts of San Francisco that I have not been to and should. {I lived 30 min away for 27 years, sheesh!} Like the Seward Street Slides in the Castro. And shopping in the Haight.

8. Playing Rock Band 3 with Brian.

9. IN'N'OUT! 

10. And last but not least, the people I will be spending all my time with.

Clockwise from top left: Haight Ashbury in S.F., Double Double from In'n'Out, Super Dynamite Roll, Unagi Roll {both from Sushi King, Seward Street Slides in S.F.

Stay tuned for posts about my trip and the crazy things I get to see, do, experience, etc...

What would you do on a trip to California?

 Let me know, maybe I'll do that too. :)