ww: thanks for stopping by but mostly stay classy.

It's Wednesday which means it's whatever! Everyone's favorite linkup that you too can be a part of! Just email the fine ladies in charge to get on the weekly mailing list. Now you know the secret.
This week's topic: someone or something you take for granted. And as I plan this out in my head, I know I am taking the easy way out. I am. For no good reason. Other than my desire to keep things in my life light right now. Also for no good reason. Because I feel like it, damn it. So the thing that I take for granted? San Diego. The city that I have lived in since 2001 - twelve years you guys. Nearly half of my life for those of us that are bad with math. I have lived in a college town, the beach, in the super-hip part of town, and now in the suburbs. 
And there are so many things I haven't seen or done it is actually embarrassing to admit! I've definitely hit up da clubs and bars if you know what I mean. We are becoming much more familiar with the local breweries. But my list of things I still NEED to do or do as a responsible adult is neverending. Here are a few things on my (or by default mine and Justin's) San Diego Bucket List:

• Visit Julian - a little mountain town about an hour east famous for apple pie.
• Go kayaking or snorkeling in La Jolla Cove. Or take a La Jolla Cave Tour. CAVES!
• Visit the Carlsbad Flower Fields.
• Take a haunted tour downtown.
• Go to another Padre Game at Petco Park.
• Visit the Little Italy Farmer's Market.
• Hike Cowles Mountain & Mt. Woodson.

My mija, Jenna, at the top of Mt. Woodson's "potato chip cliff."

Besides the bucket list, just getting outdoors and enjoying the amazing weather is something that we have been making a bigger effort to do. I mean, it really is amazing. Not that I'm going to get all crazy and visit the beach (SAND. SO MUCH SAND). But we are valiantly trying to get some fresh air and vitamin D. Because we are truly lucky to live in such a beautiful climate and although our couch is insanely comfortable and our netflix queue is neverending, nothing is as rewarding as spending a day outside in America's Finest City. 

Photo 411 linkup!

The lovely Erin of Shades of Gray and a Pinch of Pink is hosting a really fun photo linkup and I love me some photos. I am taking this opportunity to make a fool of myself because some of the ones I found are hilarious. Let's get to the shitshow!

#1 My Little Tyke Self

If you've ever wondered if the "bitchface" was a lifelong thing, here is your proof. And no, I sure didn't have enough hair for a ponytail until I was 4-years old. Thanks a lot, genetics.

#2 My High School Self

Post braces shot. Can you tell I was excited? And who in the hell ever let me cut or dye my hair?!? It hasn't looked like this in years!

#3 My College Self

This is the part of the photo tour in which I logged into my photobucket account that I haven't used since MySpace days and then I peed my pants. Because I was such a piece of work, I'm giving you two photos as my punishment for acting like such an asshole.

You guys, I legitimately wore those sunglasses out in public. Not to mention, at night. And then on the right we have the Emo Tiffany Phase which was awesome. This was not only when I discovered emo music, but also antidepressants. Thanks for the memories, 2005.

#4 My Right Now Self

Drunk, silly, and happy is how you will find me most of the time now (okay maybe not drunk most of the time, that actually sounded pretty awful). I've been having my moments of anxiety and stress, but overall you will find me giggling and being a total dumbass in a good way. Happy Tiffany is an even weirder Tiffany and you know what, I like it! I also really like my eyeshadow in this picture.

#5 My Furry Friend

Oddly enough I know someone who is actually a furry and I thought about posting his picture but I didn't want to give you all nightmares. Luckily, Erin clarified to use a PET so be sure to thank her for that. This bitch needs no introduction. Here she is blocking my access to food. She is slowly killing me.

#6 My Manly Friend

I didn't ask for his approval for this photo but I don't care because I love it. SO THERE. This be the man that makes me smile. So much. I cancelled my cable subscription to save some money so I was missing out on a lot of the Olympics which I obsess over. And you know what this guy did? He bought me an antenna so I could get NBC to watch the Olympics. Now if he could only assassinate the commentators...

#7 Where I Once Lived

Chino, California y'all. Okay, this is actually Chino Hills which is considerably nicer than regular Chino where I grew up and where my parents still live and one time their neighbors had a chicken coop in the backyard. In the suburbs. On a non-smoggy day we do have a lovely view of the San Bernadino Mountains, which Chino and the rest of the Inland Empire sit below. It's not an awful place like The OC made it out to be.

Image via chinohillsestates.com

#8 Where I Live Now

University Heights neighborhood of San Diego, California. How cute is that sign? On both sides there is an ostrich, which is apparently our city mascot which is wonderful because one time I dressed up as an ostrich. I LOVE this little neighborhood. I am a block away from the main strip which is home to a liquor store with one of the best beer selections in San Diego, an awesome bar with one of the best beer selections in San Diego, a fancy little cocktail bar, and my favorite dive bar in the entire world.

#9 What I Love

I love this picture and moments like this. It explains everything that is wrong but yet so right with my family and friends.

#10 What I Miss

These little monsters (nephew & niece) and my godchild. Life has been incredibly busy and isn't letting up any time soon. I miss having so much extra time to spend with the kiddos. But that makes the times I do get to see them even more special.

The Finest Happy Hour in AMERICA

I used the crappy artichoke photo in the upper right
to prove that there are HEALTHY options.

Living in America's finest city, we are surrounded by some of the best restaurants in the world. Which means some of the best happy hours in the world. Some of my favorites include La Puerta, Casa Guadalajara, and R-Gang Eatery. (I only included those because I like to pretend I have good taste in restaurants.) Although we have an endless array of options for amazing food and drinks at reduced costs, my friends and I have become weekly regulars at one of the best establishments in the city: Black Angus. You read that correctly. The Bullseye Bar, more specifically.


Wikipedia tells us that Black Angus is a steakhouse chain that has been around since 1964, making it a classic. And I love me anything vintage. We love The Blangus' Bullseye Bar for many other reasons:

• You can drink and eat more than any one person ever should for less than $20.
• There is never a wait for a table.
• Tuesdays feature ALL NIGHT HAPPY HOUR. Meaning we were there until nearly 10pm. 
• You can look like a hot mess (as I usually look after work even though I sit at a desk all day) and not one person in there will judge you (because you will still probably be the best dressed customer).
• We have "our" waitress that has our orders memorized (drinks AND custom food items) and you guys, this past visit she finally asked us all our names. So you know, it's not weird anymore.
• Also OUR WAITRESS makes us our own special garlic bread. See above photo. We are so in.
• THE REGULARS. Oh dear god. Wait, we are regulars. THE OTHER REGULARS.
• And finally, we bring to you the Fresh Berry Cowboy Cookie. One of the greatest things that will ever go in your mouth.

Should you choose to visit your neighborhood Black Angus, do be careful with the amount of food that you choose to consume. Otherwise you will be hit with an ailment called, "The Blangus." Yes, the nickname of The Country's Finest Establishment is the same as the abdominal pain/baby you will be faced with later in the evening. However, it is well worth the risk.

And no, this isn't a sponsored post. No one would ever have to pay me to eat here. I love it THAT much. Well not as much as these folks. Pretty sure they own Black Angus.

The Jonaks have a special kind of love for The Blangus.

A three-hour tour...

I'm finding it incredibly hard to believe that this weekend is over. Forgive me if I sound a little grouchy. I haven't gotten this much sun since 2003. Two days in a row in the sun? I'm a goner.

Saturday we celebrated Justin's best friend's birthday (also Justin, for those of you playing at home) by riding around in a boat on the bay, drinking beer, and stopping at bars to drink beer. It was incredible. It was a beautiful and breezy San Diego day spent with hilariously enjoyable company. I'd love to tell you more, but I don't remember many details.

The winningest shirt ever.

The winningest boyfriend ever.

Saturday night, bestfriend cousin arrived with tiny cousin godchild Riley. Jmeoww was thrilled to have the company of a tiny human and expressed her happiness by hissing. Every 3 minutes. She is such a pleasant creature. She also jumped out of the window onto the bed to stare down Mandy, just in case we forgot who was really in charge. By morning, this is what poor little Riley felt she had to do to protect herself. We really need to work on being nice to company...

While Mandy was at a bridal shower, Riley & I went to the zoo where we met up with my sister, my niece and my nephew. I hadn't seen any of these little monsters in nearly a month and I was dying to see them! While the zoo seemed like a good idea, it in fact was not.

These little things make my heart infinitely happy.

Besides the fact that it was one-million degrees outside, the World Famous San Diego Zoo also happens to be the most confusing place on the planet. It was also built on a very hilly terrain. So as you are trying to figure out how to find the damn hippos even though the sign is telling you to go six different directions, you have to choose to fly down a very steep hill or truck up the opposite direction. All in the middle of a jungle setting. With birds. They even FORCE you to go through an aviary at one point. Filled with giant, disgusting birds flying at your head. It's a little frustrating. And by frustrating I mean awful. And because we were situated at the center of the sun, the animals were smart enough to stay in the shade out of our view. Bold move, animals.

Needless to say, it wasn't the best idea to go to the zoo in the middle of summer. However the kids had a great time, and I got to have some love time with all of my babies. And that's all that really matters.

Linking up with Join the Gossip, Sami's Shenanigans, & five30three for Weekend Update!

Bricks & Bottles

Justin's birthday was technically Thursday but as he found out, in my world birthdays last a week. Because when my special day comes along, we celebrate like it's Hanukkah. But with more than eight candles, obviously.

Happiness is VIP parking for Volvos. Not only are we elite,
but also the safest drivers on the road mofos.

So Saturday we went to Legoland. Now why would two grown-ass adults choose to go to a place that is clearly designed for children? Because I had free tickets. Because folks, my loving lovable boyfriend is a geek that enjoys all sorts of geekery including LEGO and Star Wars. It's okay, he knows. And, not to be outgeeked, Legoland features a SeaLife Aquarium which I was totally pumped to visit because they have a new CLAWS exhibit of freakish crabs that I peed my pants over. There was geekery for both of us. 

Japanese spider crabs. AKA BIG ASS CRABS.

This is the bad guy, right?

We spent most of our time in Star Wars miniland where Justin reverted back to, well every day of his life because it's a joy that has never gone away. I asked a million questions that I would probably know the answers to had I actually watched the movies instead of falling asleep. I also tried my hardest not to laugh too loud at the little kids that were geeking out at the same level that my beloved boyfriend was. It was definitely one of those relationship moments where you realize, this is now my life. And it was awesome.

We also spent a significant amount of time in the biggest gift store which Justin kept apologizing for but, hello. SHOPPING. Not a problem! They sell mini-figures in a surprise package so you don't know which one you are getting and because I'm a sucker for those types of things, we bought two of them. I ALWAYS end up with the dumbest option and get super pissed and vow never to buy a stupid grab bag item again. This time, however, Justin got the one that he wanted and I ended up with a bride. A BRIDE. I get it, Legoland. 

It wouldn't be a proper birthday celebration without beer, beer, and more beer so we stopped in The Lost Abbey on the way home (Inspired Beer for Saint & Sinners Alike. It's like it was made for us.) Unknown to us, The Lost Abbey was having it's annual Christmas in July celebration. Meaning, SANTA! Meaning we had to pay to get in, but we were still able to enjoy some amazing brews and of course choose a couple to take home. Which of course, I am drinking right now and blogging in between Star Wars episodes IV-VI. Or as Justins calls it calls it, The Best Birthday Ever. 

I call this, "The Drunken Elf."
Attractive, I know.

Two of the best beers I've ever tasted.

Linking up with the lovely ladies of Join the Gossip, Sami's Shenanigans, and five30three for their weekend update bloghop.

So this mom walks into a bar...

Every few months, not nearly often enough, my mom comes down to San Diego to visit and relax. This time was extra special for two reasons: she was going to meet my boyfriend and she was lucky enough to deal with the aftermath of my little sister's car accident (she's fine, it's funny, I promise). My initial plan for when she arrived on Friday afternoon was to have a nice relaxing night drinking wine, eating mexican food, and watching Friday Night Lights. 

She raised 4 girls. She's seen it all.

Because Friday must've been International Opposite Day, instead of relaxing Friday night we ended up out in Pacific Beach at the request of my little sister's boyfriend. PB is where you go to get drunk or get laid. Not necessarily where I wanted to take my mom. Luckily, she has a great sense of humor and adventure and willingly drank beer, took fireball shots, and laughed at the skanky humans in the disgusting nightclub we ended up at.  There was also some sort of ladies soccer team there. In their soccer gear. Dancing. At one point, one of the more masculine soccer players started battling a guy on the dance floor and I (ALLEGEDLY) shouted, "Go, Lesbian! YEA!" Which was apparently the most offensive thing of the evening.

The next night after a lovely dinner in Old Town in which mom got to meet my boyfriend and approve of him (naturally), we got to help Brittany fill out her claim for her car accident. This is important because: my mom learned how to draw, Brittany learned how to spell, and Brittany learned that we do in fact live in Southern California (not Northern...seriously. We live 20 minutes from the Mexican border.)

As if that wasn't overdramatic enough, my precious JMEOWW decided to act like my mother was a third-class citizen. You see, since the invasion of the fleas (which that nightmare is finally fucking over and I can go back to being a normal human that isn't vacuuming and crying and scratching every second of the day) the meoww hasn't quite been herself.  When my mom has visited in the past, meoww has been very excited and lovely. This time, she was an absolute fucking terror.

Laser eyes prove she is not a real animal.

My mom, like a good grandma, always brings a few little toys for J. When she presented them to her, J looked at them and walked away. Like a true spoiled asshole. Then in the morning when my mom wanted to lay on my bed, J literally refused to move from the spot she was in. So I scooted her and she hissed. Naturally. Not once, but THREE times. Then she sat on the end of the bed and glared at my mother as if she was plotting her painful death. Then, because apparently she felt she wasn't getting her point across, she moved swiftly and violently back and forth between the windowsill above my bed and this nice little spot in the closet where she could keep her eyes on mom. Nice work, JMEOWW. 

After a nice breakfast and a little walk through one of San Diego's finer beaches, Ocean Beach (home to hippies and crackheads galore), mom headed home. Although it was probably not as relaxing as she hoped, it was a very lovely weekend and I truly hope that we didn't scare her away with venereal-ridden nightclubs and sociopathic animals.

Linking up with the lovely ladies of Join the Gossip, Sami's Shenanigans, and five30three for their weekend update bloghop.*

 *not featuring Jimmy Fallon, Amy Poehler, or Norm MacDonald.

Pacific Beach on Dwellable

Fancy Fridays: Let's go to the BEACH

Try and say "Let's go to the BEACH, BEACH" and not use your best Nicki Minaj voice. Not possible, right? Anyways, I have a confession to make. Actually it's not really a confession because I'm not really ashamed of it. I dislike the beach. I live in San Diego and I dislike the beach. I don't hate the beach because I appreciate the aesthetic and recreational value it offers others. I am a student of marine biology for shit's sake. I have to intrinsically like the beach. However, sand is my worst nightmare. And the sun has never been a good friend of mine. I've struggled with an interesting skin condition for years and rather than risk it, I've always chosen to take the easy way out and avoid the sun.

When I do hit the beach, it's for shopping or for the bars. One bar will typically turn into two, and you know the rest of the story. Therefore, a hat and sunscreen are absolutely essential for me, and should be for you too! The Maybelline babylips are my new favorite staple because not only do they offer just a touch of color, they also contain SPF 20. So practical and protected (and probably a little bit drunk) is how I do the beach!