Sunny and 75...or 85.

It's March and we're getting some 85 degree days here in LA.  For most people that means plenty of beach days but since I'm much more a pool person (and have one at my apartment), I tend to enjoy the day getting some work done and then taking a dip in the pool after catching some rays or getting in a work-out more.  Why not go to the beach?  Well, number one, I am DEATHLY afraid of birds.  No joke.  They scare the crap out of me and everywhere you look, they're surrounding you, especially at the beach.  Most people bring food to the beach and what does that attract?  Birds.  Second, parking is always a pain.  If you can even find it and then you're paying an arm and a leg.  We spent $40 just to park near Venice Beach a couple weeks ago.  That's a nice enjoyable lunch and drinks for two people!  Lastly, sand...it ends up everywhere.  I dumped my beach bag in my shower when I got home and I found sand in my bathroom for a week!  Enough with my complaining about my 'beach problems' because at the end of the day, it's an absolutely gorgeous wonder that I do enjoy on certain occasions.

Jamie & I at the Beach in Venice

That brings me to Spark's Birthday a couple weeks ago which started in West LA at Jamie and Spark's apartment for Brunch and Mimosa's with friends.  They had picked up some fruit and other snacks as well as Apple Fritters and Cinnamon Buns (Crack Buns because you won't be able to put it down, seriously) from C&M Cafe and they both were absolutely to die for!  Kalissa is a genius and if you haven't eaten there yet, you are definitely missing out.  She's got great sandwiches and breakfast options, everything from Pastrami to Vegetarian choices, and all that's in between, including sides, drinks, and desserts.  I've eaten quite a few items from the menu and loved or liked all of them!  She just started doing her Grandmother's cookie recipe and it's one of the best cookies I have EVER had.

After we had Brunch we headed to the beach, paid for our $40 parking space, and set up in Venice.  It was a perfect day, not too hot but just right to enjoy the sun without having to get into the very cold Pacific Ocean to cool off.  Once everyone else arrived we got a friendly game of Flag Football started.  I had thrown the Football around with some of Spark's friends and it had been far too long since I've done that because my arm was sore for days after!  I love running routes and doing the passing tree in the park; it's a great work-out and a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon after watching Football :)  Our team was winning at half-time so we took a little break for the teams to re-coup, grab some drinks and snacks, and welcome the newcomers.  

Winning at Half-Time during the Spark Bowl :)

Since I had to Bartend at Bar Lubitsch that night, I had to leave early but I was so glad that I went.  Spending the day with some awesome people, looking at gorgeous scenery, and playing Football, was totally worth my sand-covered bathroom, beach traffic, and just a few birds that we ran into.  In fact, I'm excited for our next Beach Excursion.  Who am I?!

*You can find more about C&M Cafe on their website right here: http://www.cmcafela.com/

Mom & Dad's September Visit to LA! Part 1.

My parent's came to visit me in Los Angeles for a week and just left last week Wednesday.  We're always kept so busy when they're hanging out with me here in LA, and this week was no different!

We made it to Carmel!

They flew in on Wednesday and came to Karaoke with me that night, so it was nice to have them there and see me doing my thing while Hosting Karaoke.  Then on Thursday they were able to head down to Long Beach/San Pedro to check out the USS Iowa Battleship and take a tour before I had to work at Irish Times that afternoon.  My Mom always loves to help me set the bar up so we got the bar ready for business and they relaxed while tasting some of our new beers.  No Irish Times visit would be complete without some traditional Irish fare, plus it was Thursday night Football!  That night we grabbed some Yogurtland on the way home and then had a little Game Night before getting to bed since we had an early morning that next day.

We drove to Carmel on Friday to spend the next two days with my cousin Sean, who is currently living there with his wife, Amanda and two children while he and Amanda learn Japanese since they'll be stationed in Japan come next year.  Little Olivia who is six is also taking Japanese classes, is one of the smartest little girls I've ever met, and her younger sister, Dru is four, and so adorable!  I could not get enough of them all weekend!

On Saturday Mom, Dad, Sean, Dru, and I went for a hike at Point Lobos.  It was so beautiful and scenic.  Once you hiked through the woods you got to the waterline and cliffs and it was just such an insane view.  The weather was perfect and we even got to see seals!  The hike was fun and after grabbing Lunch we went to this huge park where we played with the girls, once Olivia joined us, and spent the afternoon on the swing sets, slides and monkey bars.  If the hike hadn't tired us out, this certainly did ;)

Hiking at Point Lobos with Dru :)

That night we went to Dinner at Mission Ranch, which is where my Mom, Dad, and I went to about a year and a half ago when they were visiting.  There was no Clint Eastwood sighting that night, because it was a weekend night, pretty busy, and there was also a Wedding going on.  The girls loved the sheep out in the field and were so patient during Dinner.  The food was awesome and I got the Shrimp Fettucine since I knew once Mom and Dad headed back to LA with me, I was surprising them on Tuesday with a nice Dinner so I was saving the steak for that night!  It was a really good meal and awesome to get to spend some time with Sean and Amanda as well as see a little more of Carmel and Monterey. 

Dinner & Drinks at Mission Ranch in Carmel with Mom & Dad!

We all went to Church together on Sunday morning and after all the hugs goodbye, Mom, Dad, and I were on our way to Solvang to do some Wine Tasting!  More on Mom & Dad's visit in Part 2!

Sunsets in Los Angeles

I can't believe I don't take advantage of watching the sunsets when I'm just 15 minutes from the ocean.  Maybe it's because I'm afraid of the birds, and not a huge fan of the sand either.  It's probably also because finding parking takes at least 15 minutes and then you're walking an additional mile or two just to get to the beach.  Wah wah, am I really complaining about that?  Needless to say, when I do get to see a sunset, I'm completely awestruck by the beauty and colors in the sky.  I need to do it more often!

A little over a week ago I went to the first pool party I had been to in a long time.  It was definitely more low-key than the typical pool parties I went to in Hollywood years ago and I was really happy about that.  I asked Courtney from Afterbuzz if she wanted to come along with me since we had never hung out aside from Hosting and was also meeting up with a friend, Mark, that I gone to school with for 13 years back in Plymouth, Wisconsin, and it was our first time catching up since High School.  It was a celebration for his friends who had just wrapped a movie, and the party was in the Hollywood Hills just off of Laurel Canyon.  Of course, the house was stunning, and there was plenty of food to eat, BBQ, all the fixings and sides, with awesome people but the best part was the sunset we got to watch.  Then later on, we saw the Valley light up, as it got dark outside and it was just gorgeous!

Yesterday I helped Neil film a scene for his music video that's coming out next week. We had to shoot in Santa Monica on the beach, with the Ferris Wheel in the background, and nice natural light.  After he scared all the pigeons away from the car so I could get out (who throws pretzels around in the parking lot), we did our scene in four short takes and then it was on to his.  It was a quick shoot, and I helped Neil film one of the verses for his song using the camera dolly as we walked down the strand.  I couldn't leave without getting a picture on the beach, so I grabbed my phone and had Neil snap a shot.  Little did I know that I'd get my silhouette with the rays of light coming off the sun, hitting the lens, and creating a really amazing picture.  It required no filter and brought magic to the beach :) 

I just wanted to share these photos with everyone; check out more on my Instagram, so give me a follow.  Find me on Instagram here! 

Catalina Island :)

I can't believe it's already been a month since my 31st Birthday!  This past month has flown by and there's been so much going on especially in the past couple weeks.  I've been super busy with Acting stuff and am so excited for new projects coming up and working on my craft.  Back to my Birthday, Neil took me to Catalina Island and it was an amazing trip to cap off my Birthday week :)

Cocktails on the beach...

Neil surprised me with a trip to Catalina as we arrived in Long Beach and got our passes for the Ferry to Avalon.  On the Ferry over to the Island we saw a school of dolphins jumping through the water; it was so beautiful!  Unfortunately, we couldn't check into the Hotel so we got a great work-out in walking around with my bag (we could have left it at the Hotel but there was no security so we decided against it) and exploring the Island.  We walked through some of the shops and checked out some restaurants and bars for later and then decided hitting up the beach would be a good way to spend our morning!

We went to Descanso Beach Club which was a little bit out of the way and quieter with tropical beach music playing.  We ordered some fruity cocktails and enjoyed the sun and gorgeous weather.  The water was a little too cold for me and after an hour or two we decided to make our way back towards the hotel where we watched one of the World Cup games at a fun bar.  We explored a little more for options later that night and then picked up some groceries and were finally able to check into our Hotel at The Glenmore Plaza.

Magic Hour at Avalon Grille :)

Next on the agenda was Dinner at Avalon Grille.  We had scouted it earlier and found out they didn't have a corkage fee so we had picked up a bottle of wine and after catching the final moments of magic hour for a photo we were ready for our yummy meal!  We started with raw scallops in a citrus ponzu, and then I ordered the parmesan crusted mahi mahi with scalloped potatoes and vegetables while Neil got the sea bass.  Both of our fish was impeccably cooked and I absolutely loved the potatoes.  Of course, no Birthday Dinner is complete without dessert, and we got this ice cream cake with caramel and chocolate that was a perfect end to the meal.

Last moments in Catalina!

Neil had talked about Chi Chi Club since it was right across the street from our Hotel and so we decided to go there for some after-Dinner drinks and perhaps dancing.  We stayed for about hours and had an absolute blast and for the majority of the time we were there the club was empty.  It was a Monday night, in Avalon, so we knew it wasn't going to be bumpin' but we figured there'd still be people out.  So we set up on one of benches and then discovered free Pac Man & Frogger!  After playing video games, it was dancing time to burn off some of our Dinner, and then we set out to find some locals at a different bar.  Marlin Club was packed, with all the bar stools full minus two, and people playing pool, dancing, and drinking.  It was a divey bar but once again, we had so much fun :)

The next day we had Brunch at Avocado Cafe where I had an incredible BLT and then Neil said we had to go to Big Olaf's for ice cream before we left.  When we first got to the Island we had walked by Big Olaf's when they were making fresh waffle cones and wow did they smell delicious!  So after some ice cream and last minute shopping it was time to head back to LA after a wonderful trip.  On the ferry back to LA I even saw a shark!

We had such a great time and since it was my first time to Catalina Island, we really took in the full experience.  I can't wait to go back and check out more activities like kayaking, hiking, or zip-lining!  Thank you, Neil, for such a memorable 31st Birthday <3

Punta Cana! Part 3.

I couldn't believe the trip was almost over and we only had a couple more days in Punta Cana.  After getting sick on Wednesday night after Dinner at the French Restaurant, though I don't believe it was from the food but rather the ice in my Orange Soda, I was more determined to spend time by the pool and get in as many activities as possible.  Unfortunately, my drinking had pretty much commenced, and I stuck with lots of water and perhaps a glass of wine at Dinner or Chunky Monkey by the Pool.

Turtle Head

We stayed by the beach longer than normal on our last full day there, swimming in the water, I took my last dance class (each day was different, so I learned Salsa, Merengue, and Bachata), and read my book underneath an umbrella.  We made our way to the swimming pool that afternoon and all of us had water races, took pictures underwater, and basked in the sun while we floated in the pool.  That night we all went off and did some shopping.  Mom was looking for some jewelry so we bartered with the guy to give us a good deal and she found a bracelet she liked.  I found these super cute little Turtle guys, but there wasn't much else I really liked, so I picked up my painted Turtle and a Punta Cana shot glass for Emily and I's apartment and then met up with everyone and we all played 'Catchphrase' on our last night before we had Dinner.

Last day of Dance Lessons, Bachata Bachata!

That night we ate at the Italian Restaurant and I was able to order a dish similar to Fettucine Alfredo (at this point, I was missing normal food) although I tried all the fun sushi appetizers and gazpacho's they had including watermelon, cucumber, and even beet that was delicious.  But my favorite part of that meal was the giant wheel of fresh Parmesan cheese you had to scrape to get out!  I put cheese on everything I could, from my salad, to my crackers, to my pasta, to my sushi, to my gazpacho soups, and anything else.  After getting sick on Wednesday I stuck with a lot of fruits and veggies too, not eating anything too heavy because I didn't want to worry about not getting to enjoy the rest of the vacation.  Since I've been back in LA I've really been missing the fresh pineapple, mango, and watermelon!!

Mom & I before Dinner :)

We stayed down by the Lobby as long as we could, drinking and playing games and then finally made our way up to the room where a few of us had ordered room service and played Trivial Pursuit one more time before we would head back to the States that following afternoon.

The next morning we all went to Breakfast together, toasting with our Mimosa's to a wonderful vacation.  After packing up my suitcase (rolling clothes was the most genius trick ever) I tried to order a drink at the Lobby Bar since it had Sambuca in it but it was too strong so I stuck with one of my standbys, a Tanqueray & Sprite, which was refreshing, while we waited for our shuttle to take us to the airport.  We got to say our goodbye's to everyone, and get some snacks until our plane arrived and then as we made our way to the tarmac and boarded our plane, it was a bittersweet goodbye to the Dominican Republic.

Our Trip to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic!

All in all, the best part of the vacation was having fun in the sun, getting to order these tropical drinks and spend time with my family while trying new foods.  All that aside, we've traveled to different cities in Mexico on 3 different occasions, and I can't speak for anyone else, but I'd take a trip back to Mexico before I'd head back to the Dominican Republic.  And I'd much rather spend family time with cocktails and games right in good ol' Plymouth Wisconsin because when it comes down to it, it's not where you are, it's who you're with, and I'm pretty lucky to have such an awesome family :)  Thank you to the Wegner's & Wittkopp's for an excellent trip!

Punta Cana! Part 2.

The week my family and I spent in Punta Cana this July consisted of fun tropical cocktails, an assortment of themed restaurants (we got to eat at every single one), with days spent by the beach and pool, and nights laughing and playing games like Catchphrase, Trivial Pursuit, and Loaded Questions!

Tuna Tartare

My Dad and brother, Bobby, arrived on the second day and that night we had reservations for the Japanese Restaurant, Maiko, which I was really looking forward to.  The meal started off with a few different kinds of sushi and some tempura, and then the Habachi was started and we got fish, steak, shrimp, chicken, veggies, and rice.  After our meal we were moved to a different table and served dessert, and also celebrated my 'Belated 30th Birthday.'  It was one of my favorite Restaurants of the trip and I was happy to see my Dad trying sushi and eating shrimp for the first time ever!!  Way to go, Dad!

Wegner Family in Punta Cana :)

For Dinner on our third night we went to the Garden Grill where they had different types of steaks and a huge buffet.  I think I had 3 platefuls of food before my steak even arrived!  The steak was good but not even close to the Rack of Lamb I had the next night at the French Restaurant!  I've never had Lamb before so I was a little nervous but it was absolutely delicious and cooked perfectly.  I also had Lobster Bisque soup that night in addition to an excellent Tuna Tartare.  Because there were 11 people in our group they brought us extra appetizers and entree's so we were able to try everything, which was really cool.  Everyone else tried the Lobster but I stuck with my Lamb and amazing veggies that night.

No Jacoby Vacation would be complete without Family Photos at every possible opportunity so on the night we went to the French Restaurant, while we were all dressed up, we went down to the Beach to get some group photos even though that evening was a little overcast.  Say cheese!

During the day, we'd be by the Beach and grab drinks at the Bar, like Banana Mudslides or Blue Hawaiian's, and they served Hot Dogs so you felt like you were at the Ballpark!  We found a quieter pool a couple days into our vacation where we ended up spending most of the time when we were out in the sun.  They had Sambuca so one afternoon I sipped on that while I floated on a raft :)  The Hotel Staff also brought wild animals around to take pictures with, there were Parrots, Snakes, and even a Spider Monkey!  Of course, I love monkey's so as scared as I was, I got my photo taken with the Monkey! 

Cocktails by the Pool!

Clearly, time flies when you're having fun!

Punta Cana!

After my Birthday in June I had a lot to look forward to including a week-long vacation to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic with my family!  There were going to be 11 of us hanging out (my Mom & Dad, brother, Bobby, my Aunt and Uncle, my 3 cousin's, and their 2 girlfriend's, everyone coming from all over the US) all week long while we sipped Coco Loco's, had incredible meals, and enjoyed the beaches and activities at The Gran Bahia Principe in Punta Cana.

I met my cousin, Tyler, and his girlfriend, Monica, at LAX on Saturday night where we took a red-eye to Atlanta, Georgia, then had a 4 hour layover until we took our next plane ride into the Dominican Republic.  The moment we stepped off the plane it was warm and the airport was packed with people going through custom's and before we knew it, someone was grabbing our luggage and leading us outside.  I literally asked the guy if he was going to kill us, but since he spoke little English he had no idea what I was saying, and Monica was able to make sure we were going to arrive safely at the resort since she's fluent in Spanish.  It was about a half hour ride through the city and country, and very interesting, seeing how expensive gas was, all the resorts along the way, the apartments the residents lived in, and little shops and tourist spots.

As soon as we got to the Resort, everyone met us in the Lobby, we checked in and then headed to the room so we could go down to the beach and pool for a while to get some swim time in.  The water was a beautiful clear blue along a gorgeous sand beach, filled with umbrella's, chairs, and bars.  After swimming we got ready for Dinner and Mom and I made our way to the Lobby to meet everyone, but it was pouring rain outside.  To be honest, that was one of my favorite parts of the trip, it was a warm rain and it was really fun to be walking outside in it (lucky that the rooms had umbrella's in them since it rains nearly every day at some point).  We grabbed a drink at the Lobby then took a shuttle to El Pescador, the seafood restaurant, and once we got seated at our table, they came around with wine, told us to grab our starters at the buffet and then placed our order for Dinner.  This restaurant was my least favorite out of the ones we ate at because I was looking forward to really fresh fish and I was just disappointed with the choices and flavor of my meal and the meals I tried.  The buffet and some of the appetizers were really good but overall, I liked this meal the least.

Becky, Monica, Nicole, and I were ready for some Karaoke!

After Dinner we went to the Sports Bar where Karaoke was going on and since all of us had a few cocktails in us, the girls and I all went up to sing some Karaoke.  I sang 'Baby Love' and had Monica and Nicole as my back-up singers/dancers, and then we got a bunch of girls to sing with all of us, including Becky, Matt's girlfriend, for 'Wannabe' by the Spice Girls.  Since it was so busy in the bar we all went outside and played King's Cup, a fun drinking game, that has different rules for each card, including some strategy and word games.  We had a good time and after a late night snack we all were ready for bed!

Each morning we all went to have Breakfast at the Buffet before we got settled in at the beach for an hour or two.  Monica and I took dance classes in the mornings and I even went for a run down the whole beach one day when it was cloudy, in addition to taking some exercise classes on the beach.  I went swimming every morning, we all played pool games, and I tried to walk everywhere versus using the shuttle, so I was happy to be getting in some form of a work-out every day!

Catching some rays B)

And that was just night one...there's more Punta Cana to come!