The Locations, The People, and The Drama Are Real

Name that reality show. Ever since middle school when I started watching LC on Laguna Beach it's been my dream to go visit the coastal town. Eight years later and mom and pop made my vacation dreams come true. We were actually in Newport Beach just north of Laguna. To my surprise I liked it even better than Laguna! 

Since the trip I've been watching Laguna Beach and Newport Harbor trying to pick up on more spots I may recognize now. Mom too! I loaded up on episodes for us to watch on the plane ride home. I may or may not have bought a shirt at Laguna Surf & Sport....come on I had to support Stephen's old place of work. If you are ever taking a trip to either, consult me. Mom, dad and I all agreed we did it just right. We were there the perfect amount of town, visited each important area, got just enough beach and pool time and hit up all the best restaurants.

Started the trip on a sweet note with donuts from Roses. Seriously amazing maple old fashioned.

The perfect fuel for our bike ride all up and down Balboa Peninsula.

Took the ferry over the harbor for some more exploring. Got a frozen banana from, a staple for any trip to Balboa apparently.

Headed back into Newport to get the tuna and salmon poke from Bear Flag Fish Co.

Spent the rest of the day by the pool with a mojito in hand!

Amazing dinner at Javier's! I'm talking lobster enchiladas!!

Morning walk at Crystal Cove to walk off all the chips and salsa.

The whole Crystal Cove beach area had this 1950's Gilligan's Island feel to it, we loved it.  

Suckered dad into a healthy breakfast after our walk. This pink smoothie was all his decision.

I got a pink breakfast too, but went with the Pitaya bowl from Nekter. Recreating asap. 

Healthy breakfast was squashed after this, but lunch at Ruby's Shake Shack on the beach was no question. 

Dinner at The Beachcomber while the sun is setting is pretty hard to beat.

And to think I'm not a beach person...

With recommendations, we found ourselves the next morning at the most perfect breakfast spot.

Zinc Cafe and Market was giving me all kinds of inspiro for the kind of place I'd love to open someday.

Our orders were delivered and I immediately pulled out my phone. My parents were very patient with my food pictures this trip.

The streets don't look like this in Oklahoma. 

Spent all Saturday popping around Laguna. Unfortunately no Kristen, Stephen or LC sightings. Dinner at 230 Forest Avenue made up for it. Those are oysters with pomegranate granita btw. 

My cioppino was just a take a bite picture waiting to happen.

Full to our necks, but gelato was a must for our last night of the trip. 

Zinc day two because I was so obsessed. Who else has always wanted to eat an egg like this? Stinking cute.

Finally one last bite of the trip at Bear Flag. A repeat restaurant stop because it was that good too. Fish tacos this time and amazing pico and chips. I got hooked on Have'A chips at home little to know they are made right here in Laguna! 

Props to mom and dad for being the best travel partners and props to southern California for stealing my heart. Good thing we all agreed we must go back next summer, oops!

Annie

Bites of My Life

California dreamin' and lovin'. I'm on a high after our trip to SoCal. For not being the biggest beach person, I think California just sold me. I had done all my research on best restaurants, things to do and even compiled a list of all the hot places the cast of Laguna Beach and Newport Harbor were spotted at. I love it, don't judge me. 

Just mom, dad and I soaking up the California sun. I'd take a vacation with my parents any day. Today is a just a peak at some of my favorite California bites, stay tuned for the full recap tomorrow. 

-Started the Cali bites off right with donuts at coffee.

-First adventure of the trip was riding bikes around Balboa Island. We heard a stop at Dad's for a frozen banana was a must...it was, even if it was 10 in the morning. 

-Spent almost every afternoon at the pool with a good book and drink in hand. This trip finally got me back into reading. 

-Morning walks on the beach were a must. 

-Convinced my parents into a healthier breakfast option on day 2. The pitaya bowl from Nekter is getting recreated asap. That and pretty much everything else I ate. 

-Put our healthy breakfast to shame with burgers and hot dogs on the beach. 

-Dinner on the beach with the best travel companions. 

-Fell in love with the cutest market and cafe I made my parents go two days in a row. 

-You don't get this kind of view on walks in Oklahoma. 

-Color crush on this whole trip. The beach, the people and the food was all full of color. 

-Literally take a bite.

-Last bite in Cali at the best fish taco spot with ulti chips and salsa. 

Annie

Strawberry Shortcake Cookies

Uh huh hunni. Say hi to these little fluffy summery cookies packaged up to perfection! I whipped these bad boys out few Sundays ago when I was on my baking spree.  After consoling with my roommates if I should make lemon bars or these strawberry shortcake cookies, we all decided on the cookies. I turned to one of my favorite cookbooks for the recipe. Joy is my go to girl when it comes to desserts and her book, Homemade Decadence is chalk full of her best recipes. Exhibit A.

These cookies are described as a hybrid between a cookie and biscuit. They are light and fluffy like a biscuit, but also slightly crispy around the edge like a cookie. My favorite part is the fresh nutmeg that is grated in. Nutmeg adds an outrageously good edge to everything. You get the perfect little hint of nutmeg in the cookies, so don't skip this ingredient!

I'd normally use this part to gab on some more about who great these cookies are and why you should make them, but let's be honest, if it's a recipe post then no one reads the text. People (highly including myself) skip straight to the visuals. You probably aren't event reading this rant right now anyway. 

Strawberry Shortcake Cookies adapted from Joy The Baker's Homemade Decadence
yields about 20 cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped small
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsps. sugar
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
1 stick cold, unsalted butter
1 large egg yolk
2 tsps. vanilla extract
1/2 cup buttermilk plus
2 tsps. buttermilk
1 cup powdered sugar
2 Tbsps. milk or water
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Directions: 
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line two cookies sheets with parchment paper and set to the side. 

In a small bowl, toss the cut strawberries, lemon juice, sugar, and corn starch. The smaller you cut the strawberries the more evenly distributed they will be. 

In a medium bowl,whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg. Then, using a pastry cutter, two dinner knives, or my favorite-your hands, cut in the butter until you get pieces the size of peas. 

In another small bowl, whisk the egg yolk, buttermilk and vanilla. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients. Using a fork, stir until combined and the batter is moistened. Gently fold in the strawberries and juice with a spatula. 

Scoop the batter onto your prepared sheets. Bake for about 18 to 20 minutes or until slightly brown. Let the cookies cool completely before you try to ice them. 

For the glaze-whisk the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla extract. Add a little more milk if it's too thick. Using a fork, drizzle over the tops of the cookies. Serve slightly warm or wait until the glaze has hardened a bit. They will stay fresh for about 3 to 4 days!

Annie

Bites of My Life

I didn't even realize how many amazing bites I had last week until I put today's post together! Blondies, breakfast toast, calamari, burrata and peach board, the best fried chicken and an excellent croque madame are all pictured. The Campbell's lentil soup (not pictured) eaten on the couch in my pajamas while watching Bachelor in Paradise wasn't so bad either. 

I leave Wednesday for California and I'm itching to get out of town for a few days! If you have any Newport Beach/Laguna Beach recommendations please send them. I'm already planning on stalking LC, Lo, Kristen and Stephen's frequented places but I could use some more ideas.

-A little something something for my morning drink. Drank plain it tasted like a milkshake!

-Up close with the salted caramel situation that happened in my Fig Blondies posted last week!

-Doesn't get better than this. 

-Loved getting to share Keercha with you guys last week. Don't forget to order your sandals (15% off for TAB readers)!

-Excellent fried calamari and sister time at the new Tommy's.

-A summer picnic a la Packard's! Peaches, burrata, pesto, country ham and toast.

-Fried chicken, okra and good company always makes the trip to Oklahoma's oldest bar worth it.

-Obsessed with our new fringe friends. Oldest sis and mom also have one, we are so embarrassing and can no longer go in public together anymore.  It's like the Juicy flats circa 2006 all over again. 

-Such a lovely brunch celebrating my sweet Yelp bosslady and her baby on the way. The croque madame from Bonjour is a win.

Annie

Take a Step + GIVEAWAY

Take a step, get it? Cheesy right, I love it! Today we are taking a step into some of the cutest sandals. The adorable Keerti approached me a few weeks ago with her fab shoe line, Keercha, and I'm so excited to share her designs with you on Take a Bite!

Keerti is an OU grad like myself, currently working in Oklahoma City, and has an incredible eye for fashion and accessories inspired by her roots in India. Each summer growing up Keerti would travel to India to visit her family. With her niche for fashion she would pick up beautiful textiles and have them made into clothes from inspiration pictures she had. While on a post-grad trip to India, Keerti went full force into designing clothes and her adorable sandals. She even held a trunk show while there to showcase her designs.

I mean how fab are those clothes? I can't wait for Keercha to be a full blown line so I can get my hands on some of those babies. Now back in Oklahoma, and back to the grind, Keerti has big plans to dive head first into launching her brand. I couldn't be more proud, excited and jealous of her chasing her dream! Keerti and I got to sit down last week and gab about all things post grad, creative, local and fashionable! She showed me her inspiration and where she sees the brand going and y'all, it's going to be good. Keercha is about to be the next big thing.

Currently Keerti is looking to get her sandals sold so that she can move forward with getting her full fall collection launched. Gorgeous scarves and clutches are coming next! All of her sandal designs are shown below. Every pattern has a traditional Indian name attached to it.

Diya-Blue Diamond / Tani-circle flower / Myra-Black / Sari-Blue / Aniya-Pink / Rani-Colorful / Anui-Pink and Orange

If you would like to order a pair of sandals you can contact Keerti directly via email 

shopkeercha@gmail.com

with your size and color choice. All sandals are $39.99 but if you mention Take a Bite you will receive 15% off your order!

Now that we are all obsessed with Keerti's sandals, let's get know this budding entrepreneur a little better...

A: Give me some background on you (upbringing, school, interests).
K: Born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I’m Indian and my culture and heritage has been a huge part of my life and has influenced my sense of fashion. I graduated from Union and went to school in Dallas and then to OU for college and graduated in December 2014. I love to shop, travel the world, I am super artsy and creative as a person and I love accessorizing and basically giving everything I do (create) my personal touch.

A: Where did you get the idea for Shop Keercha? How did you get your start.
K: Fashion has always been a passion in my life and I’ve always seen myself as a creative person. The part of my day that I look most forward to is dressing up ever since I was five years. I love putting together outfits and accessorizing which got me to work on my own clothing line and it all started with me making my own clothes in India while I would visit my family for the summer and experimenting with different styles and fabrics got me more excited about new cloths and outfits. Once I got back and showcased my own outfits, I instantly had so many people wanting to know where my clothes were from and how cute and chic they were which eventually got me to design my own clothing line and set up a pop up shop to see people’s response to my designing and ideas. While I was in India, I went to pick out various fabrics and materials to work on about 25-30 outfits for the pop-up shop and while working on the clothing, I also thought it would be neat to showcase some accessories, so I thought why not shoes for the summer and that got me to work on my shoe line. I enjoy fashion and being able to play with fabrics and designs to create my unique look.

A: Where do you want your brand to go? What’s your 5 year goal?
K: I see Keercha as a brand with a large variety of products for girls our age. I envision a shoe line, clothing, and all kinds of accessories (jewelry, scarves, purses, etc.). In 5 years, I want to be a recognizable name in the fashion world, and I see myself as a successful young entrepreneur.

A: Describe your style in 3 words.
K: Chic, Classic and Colorful

A: Coffee or tea?
K: Tea

A: Guilty pleasure?
K: Desserts

A: Favorite bite?
K: Anything Mexican

A: Favorite rom com?
K: Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Now what I know you all have really been waiting for...the GIVEAWAY! Keerti is giving one TAB reader a free pair of your choice of Keercha sandals! All you have to do is head over to my Instagram, give @shopkeercha a follow, and let me know you did by tagging to friends! Winners will be announced Thursday!

These sandals are a must right now and the perfect way to hold on to summer for a few more weeks. I can't wait to strut them around Cali next week!

Stay tuned for all that is to come for Keercha, follow along on Instagram @shopkeercha! Keerti will be taking orders on sandals until she runs out! Orders placed at shopkeercha@gmail.com and don't forget to mention TAB to get 15% off your order.

Annie