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2020 San Diego Trip | Day 1

February 19, 2020 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

I did my packing three hours before I had to get to the airport. I’m not too sure what’s going on with me other than feeling a bit lazy in getting packing done, not to mention, Amy and I didn’t really fully plan out our days other than making sure food was accounted for.

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 1 | Houston to Phoenix | Hubcap Grill | Houston, Texas

Dad volunteered to drive me to the airport when he heard I was going so early. Nothing was opened when I got there so when Hubcap Grill opened, I went and got a small breakfast taco and water. I was pretty happy to see that I got the whole entire row to myself. I pretty much slept two and a half hours and spent the other time watching a movie.

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 1 | Phoenix to San Diego | Peet's Coffee | San Diego

When we landed in Phoenix I made my walk to the other gate. I read a few chapters and watched a bit more of my movie before we finally landed in San Diego. I stopped and got a coffee cake from Peet’s Coffee since I was starving.

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 1 | Westfield Shopping Mall | San Diego, California | Amy

Amy finally landed and we met up and decided to go to Westfield Shopping Mall since that’s where our lunch reservations were. We saw such gorgeous succulents on the walls. We walked into a few skincare stores before making our way to those chairs. We sat there fixing our makeup and catching up. I actually want one. They are super comfy!

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 1 | Din Tai Fung | San Diego, California

Our lunch at Din Tai Fung was so worth it. We got spare ribs, green beans, spicy pork and veggie wontons, pork Xiao long baos, and pork and crab Xiao long baos.

By far the pork and crab xiao long baos were our favourite. The best was when I dipped them into the spicy wonton sauce!

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 1 | Din Tai Fung | San Diego, California | Amy

Amy confirmed tonight that this was the best meal so far! Which I’m so happy to hear since I’m always afraid people won’t like the choices I make!

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 1 | Origins | San Diego, California | Amy Mellie Dee Facials

Since check-in wasn’t until two, we had time to kill. We went into Origins and decided to get a free facial. Since we sat across from one another we noticed the other was in our own bodies and thus these pictures came to fruition. It still gets us everytime we see it. I guess this is what I would look like if I had Sissy’s body. We ended each buying a few things. I got mine shipped home and I’m so excited to use them!

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 1 | Dog Park | San Diego, California

We took a dog park path to cut through to CVS. This picture makes it seem like she’s packed her bags and ran away with her problems which isn’t truly false since we are in another state.

After CVS we took an Uber to our Airbnb where we unloaded and took naps before heading back out again.

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 1 | Liberty Public Market | San Diego, California | Popup Dinner

We got our Uber driver to take us to Liberty Public Market. Where we were dropped off, we saw gorgeous half spheres everywhere! It was a pop-up and if I remember correctly, it’s $80 to rent a bubble and $109 per person for dinner. Oh and not to mention, four people minimum. Since we aren’t rich and definitely don’t have anyone but each other we decided to continue with our plans.

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 1 | Liberty Public Market | San Diego, California | Amy

Liberty Public Market has restaurants and shopping. I bought some cute earrings and even some popcorn. Minocqua sells these delicious potato puffs, jalapeno flavour is the best while Any opted for a sweeter type. You can order online as well and I’m hoping they deliver to Houston.

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 1 | Liberty Public Market | San Diego, California | Parana Empanadas Argentinas

We decided on a snack at Parana Empanadas Argentinas. I got the Spicy Beef flavour, “SB” as engraved on the empanada, which I thought was pretty cool. Amy got the Malbec empanada. Their chumichurri and Chipotle chumichurri was perfect. Their green olive sauce was pretty great too.

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 1 | Liberty Public Market | San Diego, California | The Hot Spot | Mosaics | Amy Mellie Dee

Afterwards we walked around and bumped into an art center in the art district! We could have made pottery, candles, etc. But decided on mosaics. I think they came out pretty well! Plus the conversations we had helped me connect more with her.

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 1 | Liberty Public Market | San Diego, California | Soda & Swine

Liberty Public Market was closing so we searched around for food and decided on Soda & Swine. They’re known for their cocktails here but we decided on a Granny Apple salad, broccolini, brussel sprouts, smashed potatoes, and scotch eggs. Everything was great and the atmosphere was nice. They were a little heavy with the salt but overall, it was still a great experience.

Tomorrow is a new day. This two hour time zone is making me tired. Night world!

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries, Travel Tagged With: American, Asian, Bars and Pubs, Houston, San Diego, Taiwanese, Texas

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Denver, Colorado | Day 2

November 2, 2019 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Tupelo Honey | Denver, Colorado

In the morning we forgo the breakfast plans and picked a Tupelo Honey closer to our hotel. Everything was perfect here. From their brussel sprouts to the shashuka and grits and shrimp and grits. I wouldn’t mind having one of these places back in Houston.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Denver Botanic Gardens | Denver, Colorado | Plants

Since the walk was kind of far we took and Uber to the botanical gardens. There’s not much to see since it is winter but they did have a couple of exhibits that were indoor.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Denver Botanic Gardens | Denver, Colorado | Dio de Las Muertos

They were also celebrating Dio de Las Muertos. They had so many things painted and lots of children activities in tents such as face painting.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Denver Botanic Gardens | Denver, Colorado | Frozen Pond

We skipped all of that and walked around and found a frozen pond. It still surprises me that this happens every year for the people that live here.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Denver Botanic Gardens | Denver, Colorado | Japanese Garden Snowy

My favourite part of the whole garden was the Japanese Garden. Everything was snowy here so it was beautiful.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Little Owl Coffee | Denver, Colorado

After the gardens Sissy wanted coffee so we took an Uber to Little Owl Coffee. It was a short distance to our hotel but the only thing I didn’t like was their lack of pastries. We saw pictures online but nothing in person so we opted to just lattes and mochas.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Walking on Snow | Denver, Colorado

We chugged our drinks and trekked on. I love being able to step in snow with my boots. I love the sound and the way it feels. No more after today.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Cooper + Dash Gifts and Gallery | Denver, Colorado

We made a couple stops to find souvenirs and ended up at Dash + Cooper. I love that there is a giant unicorn at the doorway. Emmy would have loved it!

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Milkbox Ice Creamery | Denver, Colorado

As we were walking back to our hotel, we stopped by Union Station to Milkbox for some ice cream. I got a peanut butter type while she got a vegan chocolate type. Both delicious and perfect treat for the cold weather.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Union Station at Night | Denver, Colorado

We showered and lazied about the hotel until close to our dinner reservations. As we walked to the restaurant we got to see Union Station lighted up at night. It was gorgeous.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Panzano | Denver, Colorado

We finally made it to Panzano for dinner. I’ve been looking forward to their brussel sprouts. If you haven’t noticed, that’s usually one of the things I have to order if it’s on the menu. The way this was prepped reminds me of the place I went to in San Antonio since they both use apples and pistachios with their dish. My lamb was also on point and being able to suck out the bone marrow was a huge plus for me.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Panzano | Denver, Colorado | Mellie Dee

We walked to another shop for a souvenir before calling it a night. We packed as much as we could and are now in bed. Night, world!

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries, Travel Tagged With: American, Breakfast and Brunch, Coffee and Tea, Colorado, Denver, Ice Cream, Italian, Sightseeing, Southern

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Denver, Colorado | Day 1

November 1, 2019 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

I’ve been dreaming of having a mother daughters trip since I was a little girl and it’s finally a reality. Sissy wanted to go to Tampa, I wanted to go to another state I’ve never been and Mum wanted Denver. We ended up in Denver, freezing our asses off.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Houston to Denver

I got to use a drink voucher and get a mimosa while I watched a movie I downloaded while playing a game.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Union Station | Denver, Colorado

We rode the train to Union Station. This place is gorgeous. Reminds me of something out of a Hallmark movie where they meet up and do their final kiss before the credits roll.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Pigtrain Coffee Co | Denver, Colorado

We ordered a light snack to share from Pigtrain Coffee Co. I don’t remember what the pastry was but it was perfect.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Hotel Indigo | Denver, Colorado

We walked to Hotel Indigo and checked in early. We dropped off our stuff and refreshed ourselves before heading back out in the cold.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Leaves Changing | Denver, Colorado

I love seeing the leaves change colours. I wish I could witness it with more shades but I guess this will do.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Appaloosa Grill | Denver, Colorado

We did a lot of small shops before stopping at Appaloosa Grill for lunch. They served fried pig ears but it’s not what I thought. The flavour was nice but the cut and size of each was too big. Else everything was good but nothing to rave about.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | State Capital | Denver, Colorado

We trekked back outside in the snow and walked passed the capital.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Squirrel | Denver, Colorado

I bumped into this squirrel who was very photogenic and even went to me and posed for me. Mum tried to do the same but it ran away.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Molly Brown House Museum | Denver, Colorado

We decided to do the Molly Brown House Museum. She’s a survivor from the Titanic and it was interesting to see how they used to live. They had such beautiful stained glass windows and I find those stoves to be adorable though I’m happy I don’t have to use one.

2019 Mother Daughters Trip | Hearth & Dram | Denver, Colorado

We went back to our hotel, took showers and relaxed before heading off to dinner at Hearth & Dram. This is connected to our hotel so it was a quick walk. We ordered a lot but one of my favourites is the best salad. Crazy, right?

It’s so early and they’re both asleep already. I guess I’ll head to bed soon too.

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries, Travel Tagged With: American, Bars and Pubs, Colorado, Denver, Museums

Baby Finn’s Baby Shower

October 19, 2019 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

Mum, June and I woke up early to pick up Sissy and headed off to Dallas. I slept most of the way to rest my eyes. It was nice not having to drive all day!

Wu Wei Din | Plano, Texas

We left with Brudda, Emmy, and Sammi for lunch at Wu Wei Din. The Xiao long bao aren’t the very best but still one of the bests in Houston other than Wanna Bao.

QQ Teahouse | Plano, Texas

We went next door to QQ Teahouse And it ended up being one of the worst teahouses I’ve been too. That’s all I’m going to say on that.

Baby Finn's Surprise Baby Shower

Sissy and I went and picked up surprise things for baby Ethan. Brudda went to bed and SIL was still at work. SIL’s mum, Jenny, and Le showed up. It was successful!! Sissy made the teddy bear and I made the decorations for the cake. We all are and talked and had a grand time.

Bols | Plano, Texas

We were supposed to go to the State Fair but ended up against it. We went and got Bols for dinner with Jenny and Le. This place is definitely one of the best ramen places we’ve been to.

Fat Straws | Plano, Texas

We stopped by Fat Straws for another Team but mostly for their mochi donuts. We got the blueberry, strawberry, black sesame, and matcha. We’re saving that for tomorrow’s breakfast though.

We’re back at the house watching the rest of the Astros game. All on the edge of our seats!

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries, Travel Tagged With: Asian, Chinese, Coffee and Tea, Japanese, Plano, Texas

2019 Cousin’s Trip | Day 4

October 8, 2019 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

Today was our final day and it wasn’t really a day where we hung out. We woke up, got ready and since Sissy, BIL and I have an earlier flight we left first while the others packed and got ready.

2019 Cousin’s Trip | Day 4 | Hash Kitchen | Phoenix, Arizona

We drove back to Phoenix and chose to eat brunch at Hash Kitchen. BIL ordered avocado toast the size of his face times two! They don’t skimp on bread here. Even the monkey bread was way bigger than we had thought! Everything was delicious and the decor made me happy.

2019 Cousin’s Trip | Day 4 | Phoenix to Houston

We headed off to the airport, found a magnet for Mum and waited by our gate. Sissy and BIL went and got their free upgrade to board earlier and they saved me a seat.

2019 Cousin’s Trip | Day 4 | Phoenix to Houston | Drink Coupon Jack and Coke

I got another free drink ticket and went with a Jack and Coke that was so dang strong. I forced myself to stay awake so that I can sleep tonight by watching a movie downloaded from Netflix. The movie is kind of like a Hallmark movie … unrealistic happy ever after.

2019 Cousin’s Trip | Day 4 | Pho Tan An | Houston, Texas

We told ourselves we wouldn’t eat for the rest of the day but we ended up getting pho and the like from Pho Tan An since it was on the way of dropping me off back home and them picking up their pups. I had the eggrolls and saved everything for the rest of the remaining week as lunch prep.

Our trip is over. We had a discussion last night and everyone was happy with how the trip was. Everyone got to do what they wanted except for a couple of things with good reason. No one fought and everyone compromised. We talked about having our next one in the Pacific coast. Maybe hike where there are waterfalls or maybe even Alaska since no one’s been. Cannot wait to see where we’ll be next.

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries, Travel Tagged With: Arizona, Asian, Breakfast, Breakfast and Brunch, Houston, Phoenix, Texas, Vietnamese

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