oneleven

October 28 – November 3

On Tuesday, I went to Le Âme, a French Restaurant located inside the Global Ambassador Hotel in Phoenix. My first visit was for the hotel’s grand opening party about a year ago, and I’ve been wanting to go back ever since. We started with oysters, which were hands down some of the best I’ve had in Arizona (they are shipped in from Price Edward Island). For my entree, I chose the Steak Frites, a classic. The steak was cooked to perfection and the French fries were crispy and somehow not greasy at all. Adding to the charm, the restaurant had a display of fall decorations, making the ambiance feel cozy and festive. Between the impeccable food and the warm, seasonal touches, my visit was nothing short of magnifique.

With the new year on the horizon, I’m aiming to jumpstart my resolutions by integrating healthy habits into my routine now. This week, I started with two small changes. The first was tackling my finances and creating a budget for the first time. Let me tell you, it was eye opening! The second habit I started is writing in my personal journal. I’ve been writing a lot for work lately, but I realized how much I’ve missed writing for myself.

This weekend started with walking to CVS to pick up my prescription only to find out it was refilled at my old pharmacy. After walking back home, I drove to Downtown Phoenix to grab it. Since I was downtown, I decided to try a new coffee shop. Tucked away and easy to miss if you don’t know it’s there, Aftermarket is truly a hidden gem. The space has cool industrial vibes, featuring a curated selection of merch, a film lab, and plenty of eye-catching art. Everything about the shop feels intentional, from the branding to the layout, making it a spot I’m already looking forward to go back to. Before heading home, I made a quick stop at Last Chance, Nordstrom’s ultimate discount store. Imagine Nordstrom Rack, but even better deal. Luckily, it wasn’t too crowed this time, and I scored some great items. I found a Sonix phone case for $3, an L-Space bikini for $14, Skims shape-wear for $15, and a Marc Jacobs purse for $60! Not bad for an impromptu stop! I wrapped up by day at Trader Joe’s, stocking up on groceries and checking out their new seasonal items. Of course, I had to grab their stuffing flavored potato chips, a staple I get every year. Stuffing is one of my absolute favorite Thanksgiving dishes, and those chips are the perfect pre-holiday snack to get into the spirit.

On Sunday, my mom drove up for the afternoon. We started with lunch at True Food Kitchen, one of my all-time favorite spots. I couldn’t resist ordering their seasonal vegan pizza, which is always my go-to in the winter. The pizza is made with their signature homemade almond ricotta, sweet potatoes, and kale. After lunch, we did a little shopping at the Quarter, made a Target run, and finished with some thrifting. I scored two amazing finds at Goodwill. I picked up a Reformation skirt for $8 and a Lonely Ghost top for $4, such steals! This Goodwill has become one of my favorites. They always seem to come through when it comes to name-brand clothes.