LA, SD, Little Italy
in other words, all over the place. 🙂
Hi friends! Happy Monday! How’s the day going so far? I’m back home after an amazing trip to IDEA in LA. I’ll be back with a recap from the conference later today, but for now, I thought it would be fun to share some outside adventures and pics from the rest of the weekend.
(Ashley, Giselle, Heather and Bobbi!)
While I was in LA, I stayed at The Standard downtown, and the lovely Jess was my roomie. It was about a mile away from the conference, and was a cool, funky spot with modern aesthetic and retro details.
Some room pics:
The beds were low (and super comfy), and the shower was in the middle of the room.
Bobbi and I ventured up to the rooftop bar, and it had breathtaking views of downtown,
a biergarten, dance floor and lounge area,
and a pool.
The first night, I thought about going for a swim (= sitting on the step and reading a book) to unwind. I’m glad I checked out the spot first! I would have felt a little weird in my coverup and swimsuit surrounded by clubbers haha.
Pure Barre DTLA class
During lunch one afternoon, Jess, Ashley, Heather and I decided to hit up a nearby Pure Barre class. I’m always excited for the opportunity to take a barre class when I travel, and we were all excited to see a barre studio close by. Many of the barre-related IDEA sessions were full, so we still managed to get our barre fix for the weekend. Class was challenging, and the instructor was positive and energetic.
Dinner at Katsuya and Rosa
We ended up staying pretty close to the conference center and hotel for dinners, especially since there are a lot of delicious spots within walking distance. One night, we met up for a meal at Farm, the next night was sushi at Katsuya,
(my beauty of a lobster roll. I’ve been sticking with veggie or cooked rolls during pregnancy.)
and on Friday, a Mexican feast at Rosa Mexicano. They do tableside guacamole, which is always a win. 😉 Ashley and I shared entrees -my favorite way to dine because I want to try everything- and the salmon with kale and shrimp tacos were fantastic.
Saturday afternoon, I drove back to San Diego, which was pretty intense. We were SLAMMED with much-needed rain, but not the most fun time to be stuck on the freeway in a slow crawl of traffic. I think Californians must be like Arizonans; when water falls from the sky we don’t know how to handle it. Thank goodness for Audible and awesome playlists. The long drive was worth it to come home and see my favorite people!
Little Italy
We decided pizza sounded amazing, and headed to Little Italy to get our fix. Liv said, “I can’t believe we’re in Italy! Can you please get me another purple dress?” I can’t believe she remembered haha.
We shared salad + margherita pizza and ventured next door for dessert.
Liv chose carrot cake, the Pilot ordered a cannoli, and I rolled with the mango gelato aka this preggo’s dream come true.
Some more weekend happenings:
Livi playing soccer
(She looks so big and it makes me cry)
chicken tortilla soup for dinner
and a rainy adventure to Belmont park to ride the carousel and play some arcadegames.
(Learning the important life skill that is ski ball.)
Hope you all have a wonderful Monday! Still time to enter the White Plum giveaway!
I’ll see ya later this afternoon with a full IDEA recap and some of the things I learned while I was there.
xoxo
Gina
Something to do: This 2,4,6,8,10 workout! It’s one of my all-time faves, and an easy way to work up a sweat with no equipment.
41 Comments
Leave a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Fun! Lobster = best.
Thanks for that workout idea – looks like a goody!
It looks like you had a fun weekend! Your lobster roll is to die for!!
Oh. My. Goodness. Liv looks like a teenager in her little soccer clothes! Does it really go that fast?! I have a 1 year old and I dread every growth spurt.
right? it’s crazy :/
So fun to see see some of the photos from your weekend! Looking forward to seeing/reading more from your time at IDEA Blogfest. I must make it a priority to attend next year!! It always looks like so much fun. And yes, Livi is getting SO big! She just gets more beautiful by the day. You’re in trouble! 😉
haha i always tell tom he’s in trouble 🙂 i hope you can make it next year!
Liv looks so adorable in her soccer gear!! The soup looks delish! Recipe?:)
here ya go! http://fitnessista.com/2013/07/chicken-tortilla-soup-for-the-soul-a-reebok-giveaway/
Thank you!
She is getting so big and beautiful! Looks like you had a lovely weekend, gelato sounds wonderful!!
Hi Gina! It goes without saying that meeting you was such a highlight of the trip to LA. I wish there had been even more time. I’m glad we share the same food tastes, because getting a few things on the menu at dinner is way more fun than getting your own! And wow, Liv playing soccer? Big girl!! At least you pulled out the nice camera for a few shots of your fancy room! Happy Monday!! 😉
i’m so so glad i finally got to meet you!! hopefully we can hang out again soon 🙂 and yes, hooray for 3 photos that weren’t blurry iPhone pics haha
xoxo!
Fun weekend! That rain was supposed to make it’s way to AZ, but we only got a lot of humid and wind. I was really looking forward to a weekend of downpours.
What an awesome weekend! I’m so glad you had a good time at IDEA! That conference sounds like a lot of fun!
I love ski ball! Your picture makes me miss it. 🙂 So glad IDEA was such a good conference! Look forward to hearing the details.
That pool looks like heaven!
Isn’t it amazing the things kids remember sometimes?! Liv’s soccer uniform is adorable! She does look so grown up! How was your Yoga Teacher Graduation?
yes, it’s hilarious!
they had to postpone it to this weekend. our instructor had a family emergency
That all looks SOOOOOO Fun! 🙂
Liv is looking adorable in these pictures! I can’t believe how fast they get big.
right?! it’s crazy
Can’t wait to hear more about IDEA! That Mexican feast looks like it was delish – tableside guacamole is one of my favorites!
Wow, the hotel you stayed in looks SO boss, and the food is next level too. It sounds like overall this conference was a total smash hit for everyone! Love it.
xx Jill
Latest Post – NYC vs. SF Style: 3 Pieces, 2 Very Different Looks
Looks like such a fun conference-both the scheduled activities and unscheduled ones you fit in! Definitely want to try and make it next year. Can’t wait to read the full recap later today!
i hope you can make it next year!
A shower in the middle of the room sounds….interesting. I love staying places with a different asthetic than I would normally choose, it’s fun! Liv is getting so big!! It’s crazy how fast they grow. Thanks for sharing this little window into the fun stuff and I can’t wait to hear all about idea!
i was worried jess would probably have to see me naked haha, but there were curtains on each side 🙂
#howyougetreallyclosetoyourblogfriends
Wow! The Standard is gorgeous, but look at that guac! Looks like you had a lovely time!
the guac was the best!! hope you enjoyed the weekend
My quesadilla from Rosa Mexicano was humongous and also extremely delicious!! Such a good time 🙂
The Standard in LA is beautiful! And Liv has good taste…that carrot cake looks awesome!!
she LOVES carrot cake 🙂
I love that you were close enough to IDEA to fit that in AND your family stuff 🙂 Can’t wait to read your detailed IDEA recap later!
thank you, lovely! hope you enjoyed the weekend!
So much fun! I’m glad you made it home safely. The rain was no joke! I had a delayed flight and a very turbulent ride home. Which just made me extra happy to see my boys 🙂
yikes! glad you are home safely, too! so so happy we got to hang out this weekend 🙂
So glad you got to check out the rooftop! Hmmmm lets get that sushi again. Today.
Gah! Still wish I could have come to IDEA. Maybe next year.
Hi Gina! I was just in SD and had to suggest this gelato place in Little Italy that was INSANE. Have you tried Pappalecho? It’s just on the fringe of LI and it’s truly quality gelato. IDEA looked wonderful!
no! we’ll have to check it out!