Monday, December 12

Christmas in Venice

This weekend was one for the books! On Friday, Doug and I had a date night. We headed over to Newport Beach and stumbled upon Woody's Diner. Burgers, fries, milkshakes...it doesn't get much better than that.




Then we strolled along the adorable streets of Newport Beach. 






And looked at the mansions on water boats.


Y'all, this was a 21st birthday party. See the blue lights in the back? That's where the DJ / dance floor was. 



We briefly considered sneaking in but then remembered the reason we were there...a couple months ago, my mom sent me a Groupon for a private gondola ride. Yes, they actually have gondolas in Newport Beach, complete with gondoliers, sparkling apple cider, and romantic Italian music. When I called to make our reservation, the lady told me to come during December so we could see all of the Christmas lights....it was stunning! 



This was another "Is this real life? Am I in a movie?" California moment. 



I took about 200 pictures, but I have no idea how to take a quality picture at night, so this is all I have to show :)



If you're in the area, I highly recommend it! Perfect for a romantic date night!

Then on Saturday, Doug's two best friends from high school came into town! Elliott is in town for a medical school interview, and Casey lives down the road in San Diego. We went out to dinner then had a bonfire, our new favorite hobby. I didn't take a picture, so here's a cute one from the old days :)

Good news ladies, Elliott's single! :)
Hope y'all had a wonderful weekend as well! Remember, the link-up for our Ornament Swap is on Wednesday! Get your posts ready! :)

19 comments:

  1. OH MY GOSH!!! That gondola ride sounds amazing. My boyfriend and I were actually given a gift card {if that's what you call it} to go on that exact gondola ride. Now I wanna make the reservation right away so I can see all the beautiful lights too! :)

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  2. Holy 21st bday party. Im pretty sure I had hunch punch at a fraternity house then stumbled to the bar for mine. haha That christmas lights gondola looked so fun!

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  3. What a perfect date night!! And holy cow! I would have wanted to sneak into that party too! I think I spent my 21st with my head in the toilet. Definitely not on some party boat! :)

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  4. The gondola ride sounds so fun!

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  5. Simply beautiful pictures! What a fun time with the hubs!! I miss those days when we could just go out, kid free! Of course I wouldn't trade my three ankle biters for anything. But I do miss those romantic dates. :0)

    I live in Cali, too, but up North. It looks NOTHING like your pictures up here!! :0)

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  6. Wow! That might be the best Groupon ever!! Looks like such a fun night :)

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  7. Seriously?! That looks insane!!! The party and the gondola ride!! We need to make a trip to Cali stat!!

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  8. that's the cutest little town ever...and those boats!! Great spot for a wedding!

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  9. Are you serious?! I lived in OC for eighteen years, and I never did anything like this! What a fun place!

    I am so jealous that you got to take a gondola right and see all the lights. It must have been gorgeous!

    xoxo,
    Joelle

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  10. We just signed on a place in Newport Beach tonight! I can't wait to live there!!!!!

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  11. What a great weekend! I have wanted to do the Gondola rides forever. I think Christmas time is def the time to go:)

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  12. That gondola ride sounds so romantic. That whole town looks romantic. I also really love your camera (why do I think that milkshake picture is so cool?).

    That party is ridiculous! I have a plan. You, me, Emma, Doug, Maisy, Pep, Emma's man, and the Pittsburgh Penguins rent that boat. Sounds perfect to me.

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