California Dreams--traveling to Orange County!

We tried the viral Ace Hardware Store pies and they are WORTH the hype! So yummy, 

Axel loves going on adventures with us!

he gets to go on tons of walks with his bestie, Ruby (my parents' dog)

He gets to go to some doggo-friendly restaurants with us, and some even give him a menu! (below)

Going to Balboa Island in a pet lyft with Axel was amazing. We would absolutely do it again!

I still can't believe that my husband got us special invitations through some work contacts to a local (to Orange County during our vacation) screening of the new Superman Movie!

We fellt like such VIPs, it was really cool. 

Above, the viral Ace Hardware Store Pie that I found about through social media. I highly recommend getting some when in CA!

Above, we had a lot of home family dinners with my husband grilling and my mom and I helping with sides and picking up groceries!

Of course, I love looking at books on vacation and picking out some to add to my library wish list!

How BEAUTIFUL are these clearance doc marten boots that I got from the mall? I'm so glad I got them in person because I was able to try on both the 8 and 9. The 9 was way more comfy for me!

I made meatballs and sauce for my family one night! We had enough for leftovers too. It was a hit! new tradition, maybe?

Thrifty Ice cream is way more common in CA! We had fun trying lots of flavors and getting my sister and her boyfriend into it too after we left and they found it in the freezer. 

Sandwich at the house that I put together for an easy lunch. 

We did a sushi night bday dinner for my husband! 

My mom and I did a day trip to Lido. It was just okay, I'm not sure I would want to go back.

The view was pretty but nothing worth the trip!

The boutiques were all really bougie and overpriced (to us) without anything super exciting to offer.

Even though I was super curious about visiting a store version of the Real Real, it was crazy in person. Pieces were hundreds and thousands of dollars, mostly runway pieces, and nothing I would ever be interested in! 

The sizes were also very limited, mostly small sample size clothing on the floor. 

I'm loving this anthro clearance dress I found with my mom in CA! It really fits nicely and is pretty comfy!

Having a roof top to hang out at night was really cool! Ruby loved it. 

It was our first time being in CA for July 4th. My husband made a strawberry shortcake with the strawberries I picked at the farm, which was pretty exciting!

Axel made it to the beach for the first time and he is a HUGE beach fan. He loved doing the zoomies in the sand. 

I wore my vintage snoopy Joe Cool flag tee for July 4th this year!

Axel needed a bath after getting super sandy! (above)

We will be dreaming of this Pistachio Basque cake until next year, guaranteed! It was absolutely heavenly! 

The other pastries were good, don't get me wrong, but that basque cake really knocked our socks off!

Here's a look at my husband & my travel capsule wardobe (above)

My thrifted 90s sweater was perfect for chilly nights and mornings by the water!

Some yummy swordfish with the family!

Goats!

My first time ever farm picking strawberries! This was an extremely special memory I feel lucky to have made with my friend and her two cute sons! I had the best time!

Beach doggo!

Grilled salmon family dinner

Axel running around the beach was a definite highlight for me!

Being able to take a vacation with your dog makes things so much better!

 The drive is long, and stopping can be rough (depending on the rest stops) but I am so grateful to be able to do these family CA trips and make some really happy memories (and escape the staggering AZ heat)! This is our 3rd time doing this! Would you ever do a summer trip with your family and/or pet? Let me know! xx