Do-Rite Donuts

YUM.  Semi-new donut shop in Chicago: Do-Rite Donuts.

We Can Donut!

Ha, love the vibe this donut place is throwing down.  I will definitely be adding this to my bucket list.

Tweet

Tweet was the latest Breakfast Joint on our bucket list.  Originally, we were planning on staying in Des Moines until Monday morning, but ended up having to leave Sunday night so my brother could get back to work.  Well, Eric and I had already requested the morning off of work so we decided to check out Tweet.  It was probably my favorite morning date ever and it was the perfect start to my week.  We ate outside on the patio underneath colorful umbrellas and I couldn't get enough of the adorable tablecloth.  The food was excellent and yelpers agree giving it four out of five stars.  Definitely put this on your to do list.  Cheers to Monday mornings not spent at work.

Happy Birthday Eric!

For Eric's birthday we went to Gilt Bar and the Kinzie Chophouse!

Cell Phone Dump

This is my rockstar cousin, Ashley, with her Olympic Trials medal.  

Loved this reflection on a walk home.

A new favorite photo location.  Just me and my camera. 

We went kayaking!  It was amazing and I want to do it again!

My office view for the day -

Drinks after work at the BIG Bar

Kristin's favorite beer -

Love the table reflection -

City Target is here!

Revolution Brewery

We extended Eric's birthday to the weekend and celebrated at Revolution Brewing Co.  We got a great tour of the brewery and had a very good lunch, but the highlight was definitely these cool beer taps.

Doughnut Vault

The latest hot spot in Chicago - the Doughnut Vault.  We may or may not have waited (when I say "we," I mean Eric) in line for AN HOUR just to pay $3 per doughnut.  Pretty ridiculous, I know... but totally worth it!  

Others agree - they just won some big deal award and yelpers rate the Doughnut Vault 4 out of 5 stars.

Check out this youtube recently made about this gem.

Omaha

Couple shots from our little day date in Omaha with the Smith's.

Big Star!

Really need to try this place!

University Village Date

Three stops for our date in the University Village neighborhood - Three Aces (amazing gastropub - 4 out of 5 stars on yelp) + Lush (cute wine & spirits store) + Powell's Books (not shown).

La Jolla

La Jolla is a beautiful little area along the Pacific Ocean in northern San Diego.  The University of California, San Diego is located here and let me tell you, it is gorgeous!  La Jolla had the highest home prices in the nation in 2008 and 2009.  The average price of a standard 4 bedroom home was $1.8 million in 2008 and $2.1 in 2009.  La Jolla has tons of cute little restaurants and boutiques.  

This beach is called the Children's Pool.  It was once a popular swimming area for children until the seals and sea lions moved in.  Now, there is quite the interesting battle going on.  The beach is open to the public and there are no rules that prevent citizens from enjoying the beach, however, once you step an inch over a this man-made line, a very vocal activist group will shout at you "step away from the seals."  But once you get past this group, you will see signs saying "Donated to 'Save the Seals?' You just got suckered."  Apparently there is no proof that the money they are raking in each day from the tourists are actually going to any nonprofit.  

Ha, so long story short, this is a very interesting beach!

Don't worry, I didn't get too close!  The benefit of a zoom lens. :)

Eric and I just stood here listening to the waves come in.  So powerful, yet peaceful.  I miss that noise.

How cute is this place?

California streets.  You can't beat them.

This was our view from lunch.  FROM LUNCH!  Greatest lunch view of my life.  If you ever make it to La Jolla, you MUST eat at George's.  Wish we could have been there for a sunset.  Can you imagine how many photos I would have taken?