Anja Got Married!

As I'm sure you're aware, if you've been reading this blog or have looked at my Instagram or have talked to me since May, one of my best friends got married in October. I've been to a lot of weddings and I can honestly say I have never been to a wedding that filled me with so much joy and love as this one. Just look at these two! The love they have for each other radiates out of them and bounces off of everyone around. I swear, the room gets brighter when they walk in. They're so special to me, and I was honored to be a part of their celebration.

Mandy and I headed to Chicago a few days before the wedding, so we had a day of just exploring Chicago before it was time to head to Grand Rapids for the main wedding festivities. We wandered over to the most magical children's park I've ever been in, said hi to the Bean, and enjoyed walking around in weather that actually resembled fall.















Once we arrived in Grand Rapids we had Anja's bachelorette party, in which dueling pianos played a cover of the remix to Ignition for her and we eventually met up with the groomsmen despite actively trying to avoid them (Grand Rapids is pretty small). Easily the best bachelorette party that's ever happened in the history of the world. Hands down.






See? Proof.

The next day we got our nails done as the last bit of pre-wedding prep, went to an apple orchard, and had the rehearsal dinner.





And then it was the big day! So many tears were shed, it would have been impossible not to because there was so much love in that room. I'm also happy to report that my photobooth props photographed well, because I'm not going to lie I was quite stressed about that.















Then it was time to come back to LA! I already have big things planned for Chicago, how could I not when these guys live there?



Also, if you were wondering, yes I did carry my bouquet halfway across the country so I could put it on my shelf in the glass I got at Three Dots and A Dash. I regret nothing.



<3

CHICAGO: Food Edition

I think Shake Shack was the culinary highlight of Chicago for me, but we got to eat so many delicious things. A close second was the tea tasting at Adagio, which was amazing because we got to learn about the history of tea, the make-up of different blends, and proper brewing methods. Also, I'm heart broken because my new favorite bar Three Dots & a Dash is too far away for me to become a regular.



Velvet Taco!

Shake Shack!

Dinner made by Anja and I!

Round 1 at Three Dots & a Dash

Round 2 at Three Dots & a Dash

Tea tasting at Adagio!

The teas we tasted



Doughnuts from Glazed and Infused!



<3

CHICAGO: Anja's Engaged!!

The biggest news from my trip to Chicago is that Anja and Chris are engaged!! They had gotten engaged like two days before I landed in Chicago, so I got to hear the news in person and be there to celebrate with them. They have such a beautiful love story and I'm so happy for the both of them. It would have been a happy weekend anyway, but that announcement made it a joyous weekend!


First snap from Chicago

The ring! 

Calling a friend to tell them the news

Brunch

Me and the Bean!



Millenium Park!



<3

It's Always Sunny in DC: Food Edition

This was the first place we ate in DC, and it was the cutest place I've ever seen. I wanted to Instagram every corner of it. Every detail was beautifully styled, from the boards listing the menu items, to the bar, to the tables, to the menu that was designed to look like a newspaper. If you're in DC, stop whatever you're going and to go Ted's Bulletin right now.

Chicken Caesar wrap from Ted's Bulletin

Key Lime Ted's Tart. That's right, Ted's Tart. Definitely not any other kind of tart you might be thinking of so don't get it twisted.


Another day we had lunch at Teasim, where I had this salmon bento box. I'm not a fan of brown rice at all but this was delish, especially with the beet puree.



And I finally got to try Dunkin' Donuts for the first time! (Sidebar: How can America run on Dunkin' when we don't have it in California? Just sayin'.)


My last dinner in DC was at Plan B Burger, which was excellent. I got the Cuban burger and I highly recommend it.





Not pictured is the ramen we had my first night in DC which was almost as good as Daikokuya, and the sweet tea I had at Ted's (because as I was technically south of the Mason/Dixon, I was in the South). Also not pictured were the strawberry filled chocolate almond milk popsicles Sunny made! I'm so sad I'm going to miss out this summer because Sunny's popsicle game is on point.

<3

It's Always Sunny in DC: The District Sleeps Alone Tonight

The one touristy thing I felt like I had to do before I left DC was see the monuments at night. Sunny brought it up when we were planning out the trip and I latched onto the idea, so my last night in DC Sunny, her boyfriend Evan, and I had dinner and then walked through all the monuments after the sun had set. The little walking tour Evan gave us was great, we went from the lavish World War II memorial to walking along the pond towards the Lincoln Memorial, and then through the much more somber Korean and Vietnam War Memorials. I didn't go by the monuments in the day, so my opinion doesn't mean much, but I feel like this was the best way to experience them.








It was a lovely night walking through the city with friends.

<3