Birthday week ensues, and I must say 25 has been pretty great to me thus far. I don’t want to say I was nervous about turning 25, because I definitely wasn’t; however, if I am completely honest, I didn’t welcome 25 as I did 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24. Before November 10th, I was almost sad to say goodbye to my early 20s. I had the best early 20s anyone could ever imagine. I graduated from an amazing school where I met my fiance, and the world’s most perfect friends. I landed an amazing job that allowed me to travel a huge chunk of the world. I found my furbaby, Tucker and became a Furmama. I was given unconditional love and support from my parents and sister. I followed my dreams to California. I accomplished a lot, and I am damn proud of it! Thinking about leaving this wonderful time makes me a little sad.

Now before you go thinking I am completely nuts, and 25 is still so young, please hit your breaks! I know I have a world ahead of me, and I am so young, and I will accomplish a ton (I know this), but turning 25 was sentimental for a number of reasons. So many amazing things happened at 24. I am sad to say goodbye to 24 because 24 changed my life forever. It allowed me to officially agree on forever with my fiance, and that in itself made my year. PLUS, I really liked saying I was 24. It had a nice little ring to it! 🙂 Every year, not only on my birthday but on New Years Eve, I get sentimental because I loved the year prior. I always tell myself “if this is how 24 or 2013, for example was, next year will be 100x better. Every year that little saying has lived up to its promise, and has been beyond 100x better. I know 25 will bring me and my loved ones nothing but happiness, success, and love. 

SO CHEERS TO 25! So far it has been fantastic. We kicked off my birthday celebrations on the 9th at Queenstown Public House compliments to my amazing parents. I had been dying to try the trendy restaurant since I pinned it on Pinterest prior to moving to San Diego. It was all I could talk about (food wise). The restaurant is a small restored Fishermen’s house in the neighborhood of Little Italy, and the owner’s restored it from the early 1900s. They kept the original flooring and window panels. It has an Australian and New Zealander influence, so it really hits home with great memories for my father and I, hence the reason he decided to include this meal for my birthday. The food was absolutely delicious! Sean and I left Queenstown, and almost called an Uber because we could not walk. We were so full! Luckily, we powered through, and walked home. We felt a little better, but not much. We ate so much food (no regrets)! To top it off, along with the delicious food, the decor is lovely! From the AstroTurf on the ceilings with beautifully constructed cotton lambs, to the perfectly fluffy wooden chairs. I can’t wait to take all of my hopefully soon-to-be visitors here!

On my actual birthday, November 10th, Sean woke me up to 25 beautiful pink roses! I felt like such a princess. We then had a relaxing morning eating my mom’s homemade birthday cookies for breakfast! My college roommates will tell you I enjoy eating the strangest of snacks for breakfast. I have been known to love cookies, vanilla cake with chocolate frosting, Doritos, and cookie dough. All paired with milk, well maybe besides the Doritos. I can’t even hide it! I still enjoy them every once in a while. I guess everyone has to have their guilty indulgences. Mine just happen to be Doritos and cookie dough! LOL. We woke up to a rather cold San Diego morning after gorgeous weekend weather.  After waiting for the sun to come out, we made our way to Hotel Del Coronado for some much needed relaxation, sunshine, and mojitos. Hotel Del Coronado never disappoints, and it was the perfect daycation. Plus, I am always in the mood for a good mojito. I guess it is the Cuban in me; however, mojitos are our favorite drink! 🙂

We ended my birthday at Bali Hai for dinner, and I can honestly say it is my new favorite restaurant in San Diego. The views were impeccable! The food was extraordinary. It was the perfect amount of polynesian fusion that catapulted me back to great times in Hawaii. I am dying to go back and try more on the menu. They even surprised me with a strawberry brownie, and we all know that means the world to me! Our spring rolls were heavenly, my roasted chicken melted in my mouth, and the fried rice…OMG I loved the fried rice. It was all around fantastic.

ALSO, a big thank you to everyone in my life who made the day so special. A huge thank you to my parents who did an amazing job of surprising me over and over again from cookies, to dinner, to birthday cards–My best friends Kylie and Alexa for sending the most beautiful flowers, and Ally for sending the cutest dinner party plates with the cutest sayings. Now all I need to do is host a dinner party.

Of course, I could never forget, a very special thank you to my fiance for spending the day with me, making me feel like a gorgeous princess, and living life to the fullest with me each and every day.

Another thank you to all of my friends who called, texted, wrote on my FB wall and Instagram. You all mean the world to me. Thank you for the constant love and support!

XO, Christina