Travel Log/Worthwhile Activity: Seaside Strolls and Famous scenes at the Embarcadero in San Diego, CA

There are some things that remain beautiful, serene, and intimate. Seaside strolls are one of those things for me. I have been to San Diego a few times. I recall wonderful seafood (mmm fish tacos and grilled calamari) and beautiful ocean view via La Jolla (posted here).

I didn't have as much time in San Diego when I visited last month.  But I did get to walk along North Harbor Drive in the Embarcadero with my family.  If you have an interesting in ships, you can definitely pass by the "Star of India" and view an old beauty that is nearly 200 years old.

It is also nice to pass by a few famous scenes including a 25 foot statue of the "Victory Kiss" between the nurse and the sailor.

I also love the re-enactment of Bob Hope entertaining the trips.

This is definitely a great chance to witness pieces of American history (for free!) and catch some typical Southern Californian sunshine.  Enjoy!

Have you visited the Embarcadero?  What else is a must visit there?

CnC Living Travel Log: San Diego, Laguna Beach and Malibu Vistas

Hello lovely blogger buddies!  I've definitely missed reading your blogs the last few days.  We spent our last few days sans wireless access and then traveled 22 hours back home (ouch, I know, ouch).

I wanted to share a few favorite sites from the cities we visited.
Definitely visit them if you're in Southern California!

San Diego - Torrey Pines for gorgeous views

San Diego - San Diego Museum of Art, Balboa Park for great architecture

Laguna Beach, Orange County to peek at sea lions

Malibu, Los Angeles - Getty Villa for serene views and Greek and Roman artifacts (a few more pics tomorrow!)

San Diego, LA, and Orange County Food and To-Do suggestions!

Happy weekend to you my dears!

I realized that we are less than a week from flying to Southern California and we really need to plan our to dos (and more importantly to shop and eat!)


To Do

LA
We'll pay a visit to the Getty obviously.  I love the views and serenity of the space.  $15 for parking seems kinda brutal though.

Also looking for some great places to shop - but seriously have no clue since my experience is limited to the Beverly Center and South Coast Plaza!  Any cool stores with vintage clothing?
Coquette is supposed to have great designer vintage pieces right (like the clutch below)
I'll take any store with cool pieces (doesn't have to be designer!)

San Diego
San Diego Museum of Art is a definite to-do because my cousin is getting married there and they graciously paid for the guests to see the exhibits as well.   I'm going to check out the Toulose -Lautrec exhibit.

Will also drop by Noon Stationary (remember Pink Argyle's post here)- nice to browse this lovely shop in person!

To Eat

San Diego
I just know I'm getting fish tacos.  Place TBD based on my cousin's recommendations.  Hmm what else is a must eat?  Yay and I get to meet Mo!

Orange County/Irvine
I'm visiting the fabulous bestie and she has good Lebanese and Vietnamese places in mind.  Anywhere else that's a must visit?

LA
Latin loveliness
We'll definitely be eating at Mario's.  The saltado de pollo, picante de marisco's and aji (green spicy sauce) is out of this world.  Possibly my favorite non-fancy Peruvian place ever.

Picture from Yelp

We're going to my husband's favorite Wahaccan place (forgot the name though)
Mmm, mole...

Burgers
Umami Burger has been the hot burger place apparently.  I'd definitely like to visit and try the SoCal burger (mmm oven dried tomato, caramelized onions, and home made American cheese - yes please!)

I remember reading about this Saigon burger at Kalbi Burger on Love and Lemonade and was totally fascinated.  I loved pickled carrots and on a burger - refreshing and delicious!

Nina's professional picture

Then of course the classic In 'n Out burger - animal style!  Seriously I don't eat this much beef in a month so can probably do 2 of the 3.  Hmm which two...

Food trucks
Kogi and Nom Nom truck.  Korean/Mexican and banh mi are only among my favorite foods ever!
Any other stalk-worthy trucks?

Picture from Nom Nom

I'd be eternally grateful for your shopping, browsing, and restaurant/food truck recommendations  in these areas!

Guest Post: {Shop Highlight}: noon stationary, San Diego - Lovely handmade jewelry, hair candy and letterpress stationary

Pink Argyle is one of my first and dearest blogger buddies.  She is the sweetest lady and also has great style, a love for cupcakes, and an eye for lovely finds (check out her invitations and the mini bamboo steamers  and other details from her Chinese banquet - so cute!)  I'm glad to have her here and happy to meet her in September!

♥ ♡

Hello Chic n’ Cheap readers! I’m so pleased to be guest blogging here, as Chic n’ Cheap has been a great blog buddy and avid supporter of my blog, Pink Argyle. I hope you enjoy my guest post about a local favorite shop of mine, noon designs, where I purchased all of my bridesmaids’ gifts.

[The interior of noon designs. noon designs is located in the Ocean Beach neighborhood of San Diego, California. If you look close enough, you can see that the entire wall is covered in unfinished cootie-catchers. It’s amazing in person!]

I married my partner in crime of 8 years this summer on July 3rd in a colorful Southern California vineyard wedding. Planning my wedding was at times stressful, but quite honestly one of the happiest times of my life because of the constant influx of creative energy from myself, my blogger buddies, and from the talented vendors and artisans I met along my journey.

One of my favorite finds was noon designs, a local shop in San Diego that sells handmade jewelry and letterpress stationery, run by two talented artists: Nora Farrell (the jewelry designer) and Maie Liis Webb (the graphic designer).

[Maie was on site when I was shopping, and gladly showed me her letterpress printer, which is right in the shop next to the cash register!]

[She designs everything from wedding stationery to business cards. You can view more of her work here.]

I picked up a lot of fun goodies for my bridesmaids and our friends who were making toasts at the wedding, including pearl earrings, pink swarovski crystal earrings, and handmade fragrant soaps.  The ladies at noon designs packaged them up in cute tissue paper and brown twine, and labeled the copious pairs of earrings I bought so I would know which package was which! It was hard to choose what to buy, because the shop is chock full of cute, affordable (earrings were an average of $32,) stuff from independent artists in San Diego.

[They had a plethora of colors and pieces to pick. All jewelry from noon designs]

[These smell sooo good! Soap from naiad soap arts]

Super cute hair candy, hair pins from Acute Designs]

[All photos by Mo of Pink Argyle]

[A note about pricing: prices you see in these photos may be different if purchased in the online store, because noon designs gives a small discount in its San Diego shop.]

I was really happy to have found this local gem and give my bridesmaids and friends something special they could wear at the wedding and in the future.

What’s your favorite shop to purchase gifts?