Date Night at Seabirds

My husband and I have been on a dating streak lately.  3 months in a row! We have left our boys in the care of a close friend/auntie to go out for a few hours or so.  My husband has been very creative in planning our dates.  I am not really a dinner and  movies type of gal anymore, so this has been right up my alley.  For instance, last month we went on a bike ride and then for pizza and a walk at Balboa Beach.

This month he took notice of my 40 Before 40 list and planned a date night at Seabirds Kitchen in Costa Mesa, CA (http://seabirdskitchen.com/).  It's located at The Lab or "anti-mall" and is a pretty cool place to visit.

I first found out about Seabirds from my brother when it was a food truck. They serve vegan/vegetarian food. I fell in love with the Beer Battered Avo Tacos and Beet Salad.  When they closed the truck service down to open the restaurant, I sure missed the food!  Well, last night I was reunited with my beloved tacos :).  They were just as good as I remembered!  Just wish this place was closer to home.

Afterwards we stopped off at a little coffee and tea house called "Milk and Honey."  It's across the street from The Lab at another shopping/dining area called The Camp.  Two words:  Lavender Latte. Wow.  I will be waiting for the day I can experience this dreamy drink again.

It was a great night with great company and great food. :)  And one item checked off my list.

Avo Tacos with a side of guac and chips. Avo overload! Mango Lemonade sweetened with Agave to drink.

Sidewalk Paint

The weather here the last few days has been so strange! Very humid and warm, but not too warm.  It even sprinkled a little on Monday.  For my Southern California boys, a little bit of moisture freaks them out.  They wanted to play outside, but didn't want to get "wet."  I figured it was a perfect time to play under the awning in our front yard and try out a recipe I came across for sidewalk paint.

You simply mix equal parts of cornstarch and water and add food coloring.  I added a lot for more vibrant colors.  The results were super fun!  We took it a step further and experimented with chalk dipped in water.  My little one was amazed at how this step can change the intensity of the color.  Simple, summer fun.

40 Before 40

On July 2nd, I turned 39 years old.

On my birthday at the San Diego Botanical Gardens

With that, I was inspired my crafty friend, Cindy of My Creative Life and how she celebrated her 40th year.  She did so by trying 40 things she had never done before.  With some helpful tips from Cindy, I started formulating my own list of 40 things I would like to do before I turn 40 next year.  My list is more of things I have always wanted to or have done and want to do again, in a different way.  I am such a black or white person that this list will also be an exercise in flexibility for me.  I made the list with the knowledge I may not be able to complete these items.  Or maybe I will get bored with them and want to make a new list.  Also, life happens and there might be some roadblocks that prevent me from doing certain things.  I am giving myself permission to do what it takes to not stress about this list.  It's just for fun and breaking out of the box creatively and physically.

40 Before 40

• Cook or bake with lavender (Completed 1/17/15)
• Complete the Couch to 10K program
• Take a road trip to Phoenix (Completed 1/2/15)
• Write blog post #100 (Completed 2/18/15)
• Start a Facebook Group for my crafty friends (Completed 11/19/14)
• Go on a personal one month spending freeze
• Ride my new bike at the beach (Completed 4/7/15)
• Read "The Purpose Driven Life"
• Make an unusual ice cream flavor from "The Ice Cream Bible"(Completed 3/13/15)
• Climb Mt. Rubidoux
• Do a Whole 30 plan for one month
• Make Sangria (Completed 6/27/15)
• Go on a Facebook "sabbatical" (Completed Sept. 1-30)
• Try a completely new-to-me craft (Completed 2/7/15)
• Visit Torrey Pines
• Visit Crystal Cove State Park
• Read and learn how to use my Canon Rebel settings
• Read a book from each category that we are using for our home summer reading program
• Choose a month and complete a "Photo a Day" challenge. (Completed 4/30/15)
• Try oil pulling  (Completed 6/3/15)
• Take a class or attend an event at The Makery (Completed 2/15/15)
• Get makeup professionally applied
• Visit Whimzy (Completed 5/17/15)
• Eat at Seabirds brick and mortar location ( Completed 7/25/14)
• Make a homemade pie crust
• Participate in Operation Beautiful
• Try Buddha Hand  (Revised and Completed 3/31/15)
• Make homemade mole
• Make homemade jam
• Make and try Fried Dill Pickles
• Attend the Sawdust Festival
• Get a henna design on my foot/feet for the summer  (Completed 6/23/15)
• Sew a dress for Scarlett (Completed 9/26/14)
• Visit a tea house  (Completed 5/29/15)
• Make homemade tortillas
• Visit the L.A. Fashion District
• Try out a new haircolor for a day or two (Completed 5/17/15)
• Take a selfie a day for a month
• Watch 10 movies from AFI's 100 Greatest Movies of All Times (movies chosen randomly by others)
• Participate in a Good Morning Girls Study

So there you have it, my list.  I am excited to get started and take family and maybe some friends along for the ride!