I think I might be the worlds pickiest foodie, but I'm in {love} with Gilt's new Taste because let's face it, not being in the city anymore has some disadvantages. Where else can I find an urban picnic and Bottarga anyone?!

Outdoor summer movies, urban picnic, now just need to find my picnic partner...

che bel film

The other week, I took my hot date to the Newport Beach Film Festival (I'll take any excuse to see an Italian film.) to see Basilicata Coast To Coast. We laughed, I cried (no, not really), there were Pisa ice sculptures at the after party e abbiamo bevuto molto {molto} vino.

             

{leaning tower of pisa ice sculpture- because sometimes in life thats all you need}

Early Monday morning music- Low vs. Diamond  live at The Troubadour

seriously, how cute are these guys (especially the lead singer)!

{photo credit}

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 2:2-4

It's interesting for me to see how God has worked in my life over the past year. This week I was fully prepared to have an emotionally challenging week. A week of second guessing, filled with confusion, more or a less a dark cloud that I, in all honesty, just didn't want to deal with. The past months, this has been my prayer request, whenever people would ask me what I needed prayer for- the strength and grace to deal with the next round of obstacles- was often my response.  I share this because a year ago, I was at the darkest place I'd ever been in my life. I didn't know what to do, what to say, who I was, what was going on. For lack of a better word, I was lost.  

A year later (and yes dad's are always right) I'm in the exact opposite place that I was less than a year ago. God has completely changed everything about my life. I've been so blessed and filled with so much hope this week. In many ways I feel like a little child on Christmas morning, so excited to see how God continues to work in my life, so excited about not only the overly amazing people he's blessed me with, but moreover the excitement of where he's taking me. The excitement of getting to know people deeper, their challenges, their struggles, their hopes and dreams.  This week I learned that there good people, {and good men} who have been in my same situation. We can't choose what others do to us, but we can choose how we handle a trial, we can choose who we turn to in the midst of that trial. I chose to turn back to God and I've never felt my heart changed more than it has felt this week.

Ironically, this week of all weeks.

                                                     {photo credit}

I'm so excited, tonight I'm meeting up with an old friend from College to go see the Angels game! Added bonus, this little lady just happens to be working the game. I'm looking forward to a night with more old friends, beer, baseball and of course, an excuse to look cute and show off my new do {I'm rockin' some serious Spiteri curls!}  

Scenes

{*from the not so recent weekend}

Not having a computer that I can call my own is making it a little difficult to blog in a timely manner, but I finally have some photos from our trip to San Francisco.

There was food, lots of it and there was wine- copious amounts as scheduled, and there were friends, best friends, in abunance.

 I believe I have the worlds most amazing friends (and sister and sister's boyfriend). People who have been there for me through life's greatest moments and equally life's more challenging times.

They've been there to cry with me, celebrate with me, laugh with me, keep me accountable so what better way to turn 30 than with some of the people that I love most in this world?

*the rest of the photos are here

   {part of my birthday goodie bag waiting for me at the hotel- and yes, the champagne made it home in one piece}

   I {love} these women

Foreign Cinema is amazing. Equally amazing is Jenn trying to get them to play Breakfast at Tiffany's {a week early} Isn't that what best friends are for!?

   New York Times Food section eat your heart out {pun intended}

{nom}

{love}