Even the sandwich man at Whole Foods noticed I must be getting close. Thank you for pointing that out sandwich maker man.

On the up side, we’re eight weeks or less from having a baby. Yeah, it’s equally scary and amazing.

What’s not amazing? My GINORMOUS belly. Getting up from the couch is a whole new challenge these days. Thankfully Maternity Leave has officially begun… dun dun dun and today I’ve made it priority number one to take a nap. A real, cell phone off, no sound, after lunch, kind of nap. That might be the most glorious plan I’ve had in a long time.

Before curling up in a ball, how about an update?

I told you it was ginormous!

If you need me I’ll be on the couch,

1. A little miss who took naps on my chest for the first 2 years of her life. Heart melting 2. Salmon & fresh fruit…dinner of champions 3. I definitely used color pens & an emoticon for my grad school final 4. A lovely Newport Coast AM 5. Daydreaming=my favorite pastime 6. Miso soup on a mother-daughter date 7. Homemade lowquat jam 8. Let the creative juices flow!

What is the weather like for you? Warming up? Snow finally melting? Whatever it is, embrace the new wardrobe switches.

I discovered a place where you can find phenomenal coffee, specialty pasties, succulents in every crevice, a Farmer’s Market (Wednesdays and Saturdays) and a peaceful seat in the sun. I’m talking about The OC Mix or The OC Mart Mix (the names seem to be interchangeable). Scroll through the photos below and tell me you don’t want to go there. Just go ahead and try…

You can take a look at what they offer in the dining and shopping area HERE.

If you go, let me know what you think. Better yet, tell me what you try. There is no way to experience everything The OC Mix has to give in one trip. However, together, I think we can tackle it.

I’m thoroughly enjoying SoCal at the moment…

]]> http://www.breakfastbanter.com/2013/05/10/local-love-the-oc-mix/feed/ 0 http://www.breakfastbanter.com/2013/05/09/freshly-brewed-photos-lindsey-26/ http://www.breakfastbanter.com/2013/05/09/freshly-brewed-photos-lindsey-26/#comments Thu, 09 May 2013 15:00:05 +0000 Lindsey http://www.breakfastbanter.com/?p=3878 Photo time! Don’t just look at ours. Send us yours! Pretty please with cherries on top.

1. In case you forgot 2. Trader Joe’s love with my niece. We love the apple banana fruit leathers! 3. At the Del Mar Nationals with Casino (he is the horse) 4. I buy wine because I like the labels 5. Red Eyes from The Green Door 6. A gloomy day on Newport Coast 7. Veggie, basil, & parm bake 8. Picked up a new puppy nanny gig

Happy Thursday,

In the meantime I just keep getting larger and larger… oh toes, how I miss you!

Pretty soon it’s going to be time for baby watch 2013!

The next day (I was serious about this place) a couple friends and I strolled in for a bite to eat before work. Tina, the manager, gave us some recommendations and blew us all out of the water! You see, Dyanna, Charles, and I have a meal together a couple times a month and never have we all been happy with our food. Never. One of us always finds something lacking. Not at Champagne’s! My friends, we have a winner. Ding, ding, ding.

Dyanna started with the fresh squeezed orange juice and slurped the glass dry. Enough said. As our food came out we all “oohed” and “awed” at the smorgasbord. Everything looked good. Always a good first impression.

Charles’ went with Joe’s San Francisco Special, an omelet loaded with sausage, spinach, mushrooms, onions, and cheddar. There’s no way anyone would make it up (or down) Lombard St. after indulging in that beauty.

We’ve talked about breakfast burritos before, so there is no surprise that Dyanna settled on this beauty. A simple breakfast of eggs, bacon, avocado, potatoes, and cheddar wrapped up in a flour tortilla served with salsa on the side impressed Dyanna so much that she even tried the salsa and liked it. What? I don’t know if it is crazier that Dyanna tried it and liked it or that she doesn’t generally like salsa. I can’t comprehend such a state.

With our savory side covered, I ordered a stack of pancakes trusting that Tina wouldn’t steer me wrong. I couldn’t settle on buttermilk or blueberry so I didn’t. They stacked up both for me. I’ve had my share of pancakes but never has a buttermilk pancake melted in my mouth without the need for syrup. The fluffy insides paired with the slightly crisped edges prompted me to ask about the recipe. It turns out that Tina’s secret recipe calls for Alta Dena butter. They don’t stray.

So there you have it folks, Champagne’s for breakfast is a must. With a heated patio and quaint dining room you’re in store for a treat.

The patio, where we had an amazing before work experience, impressed Dyanna & me so much that we inquired about events and catering. Let’s just say that a future birthday dinner or get-together of some kind is happening there. We just have to keep under 30 people.

Tina, thank you for taking such good care of us! We will be back and you can count on the fact that we’re spreading the good word.

Happy Brunching!

It’s photo time. Woop Woop!

1. Brunching, what we do best. 2. Can’t beat it. 3. Some new artwork for the loft. 4. Hamburgers! Hello Protein. 5. Ohmygosh delicious shaved ice! 6. Waiting for aforementioned ohmygosh delicious shaved ice. 7. Drinks – yes, that is my scrumptious looking club soda in the front….wha wha wha.. 8. Surprise flowers, the best kind.

Here’s hoping your weekend is filled with sunshine and shaved ice!

1. My heart is bursting 2. Elegant white plates for the fancy occasion 3. My teacher name 4. Good old fashioned time with my cousin and Pop 5. A high 5 for the win 6. A typical day at the office 7. Storage Wars 8. My little Labrador Beagle

Lots of coffee, H2O, vitamins, and living in the moment.

Happy living!

Admittedly, I wasn’t trying to rant about my intense cravings for Key Lime Pie in the 28 Week “Bump Update” although looking back it totally appears that way. I mean, talk about a crazy pregnant girl. But my Pie Angel clearly spotted the desperation in my text. On Thursday last week I opened my door, somewhat unexpectedly to the UPS man and a medium sized box. Had I forgotten about something I ordered? Wouldn’t be the first time…

And let’s face it, when your life is as exciting as mine these days (Ahem…) receiving packages is easily the highlight of the day. So I tore into the cardboard with gusto and you should have seen the surprise when I discovered a PIE! A PIE! A real, cold, perfectly wrapped Key Lime Pie. I honestly couldn’t believe it.

As you can see the pie came with strict instructions. I’m definitely not one to bend the rules, and because you never know when you might need some heavy whipped cream I just happened to have the ingredients for homemade whipped cream on hand. Oh don’t you look at the screen that way – doesn’t everyone stock heavy whipping cream in their fridge these days “Just in Case”?

So I got to whipping…

And eating… and yes, it was magical.

We’re not going to discuss how much pie is or is not left, let’s just say it was throughly enjoyed. Every. Last. Bite.

What about you? Do you have a “Pie” Angel? Did someone purchase your coffee at Starbucks? Hold the door open when your hands were full? Surprise you with exactly what you were craving? Share the good juju! Lord knows we could all use a pick me up.

What are some essentials in your life right now, necessary or just handy to have around?