If only every day could be like this!

Today was my day off after working nearly 10 days straight and you'd think I would start off by sleeping in and enjoying a hot cup of coffee but it wasn't like that at all.

I made my way to the gym at 7:30 a.m. to meet my personal trainer, Rob Owens. I've been training with Rob off and on for about a year now and I decided it was time to change up my routine and get my ass kicked once a week in addition to my own daily workouts. Well that's exactly what happened. Ever worked out so hard that your eyes start to cross and you're seconds from collapsing in a pool of drool and sweat? Today was one of those days. But, I survived and made my way to pick up my friend Rachel to have breakfast at this cool new place that just opened up in West Oakland called Brown Sugar Kitchen.

My morning just got deliciously better with a hot cup of coffee by Blue Bottle and a display of delectable pastries and desserts to drool over as I read through the menu. What I loved about the breakfast menu is that you can actually build your own breakfast. It's hard to make up your mind with yummy items such as cheesy grits covered with poached eggs or fluffy biscuits with strawberry rhubarb jam. I had all of the above with tender, juicy strips of bacon, poached eggs and potatoes. Rachel gave me a sampling of her biscuit paired with the strawberry rhubarb jam and I nearly fell over in ecstasy. The pastry chef treated us to some of her waffles which was accompanied with brown sugar butter and I believe it was apple cider syrup. I highly recommend trying these waffles! They're light, airy and will melt in your mouth!

They've got an awesome staff and we had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Tanya, who I felt like bowing down and admitting my unworthiness for such a fabulous breakfast! We both stuffed ourselves for (brace yourself) a total bill of $17.50. I can't remember the last time I had breakfast for 2 for under $20.

After breakfast, I dropped Rachel off and made my way over to Piedmont Springs, where I booked an hour in their combo room. The combo room is a private room with a sauna and outdoor japanese style hot tub. I brought me some detox gel to slather on during my sauna and facial products to nourish my tired, dry skin!
The combo room costs a mere $20 per person which is well worth it in my book. It's large and you have the freedom to wander between rooms and there's nothing like taking a nice hot bath out amongst the trees and peaceful environment. I showered right outside next to the tub and made my way over to Grand Ave. for a spontaneous pedicure at The Nail Shop. I won't be going back. While the space is impressive, the service isn't all that great. I can't understand a word these ladies are saying to me and it took me damn near 10 minutes to figure out that she was telling me to pick out my polish. There was no direction whatsoever. And honestly, I could have done a better job in the same amount of time. She clipped my toenails but didn't even buff or shape them. So they just look all uneven and square. The polish was all over my toes too. The price was $15, but I've had better for the same price. Don't waste your time!

My last bit of indulgence brought me to Michael Mischer's chocolates for one of his divine, heavenly bars. I chose the designer bar with 65% cacao, toasted almonds, pecans, pistachios and sunflower seeds. I managed NOT to eat the entire bar. You can also enjoy some refreshing gelato in addition to designer bars and tasty truffles! I love this place....especially when they are sampling!

I don't know if I could have asked for a better day! It was somewhere around 75 degrees and I decided to finish my day off by searing some ahi and watching a few of my netflix that have been sitting around for a while. I highly recommend "Something the Lord Made." A very touching and true story!