I have driven by this iconic Ferris wheel countless times and I *think* this was my first time here haha.

While Richard and I were traveling, Jax spent a few weeks at grandma’s house in San Diego. Instead of driving down there, we decided to meet my mom and brother halfway at Irvine Spectrum. I’m actually not sure if I’ve been there before, but it felt like my first time. I always see that Ferris wheel while traveling up and down the 5 or 405 freeways. I think it’s one of those things where you’ve seen it so much that you feel like you’ve been there.

After spending the day at the Irvine Spectrum Center, I realized that I don’t even remember the last time I hung out at a mall since the pandemic. It was really nice! There was almost everything you could think of to eat here: Mexican, Brazilian, Vietnamese, American, Mexican, coffee shops, all kinds of desserts, and also a bakery for dogs! We got a bunch of pupcakes and Jax seriously ate all the samples. Of course, there was tons of shopping and an ice skating rink with a Christmas tree to kick off the holidays.

We started with lunch at Fogo de Chao since my mom and brother have never gone. It was a beautiful day so we sat on the patio with Jax. It was my first time going during brunch and honestly, the only brunch item I got was the peppered maple bacon because I wanted to make room for all the Brazilian BBQ. Then we got coffee and a cake to go from the Hello Kitty Cafe. I didn’t know this, but they have a cafe inside the cafe where they serve the cutest alcoholic cocktails. It’s reservation only with no more availability that day so I’m gonna have to check it out another time! Before we left, we picked up macarons from Honey & Butter and made a quick run to Target.

I love doing “normal” people things AKA not creating content at restaurants and what not lol.