Guest Post: Lauren from Clean Up Nicely

Hey everyone! Today I'd like to welcome Lauren from Clean Up Nicely. Lauren is a native SD girl who recently moved to Chicago. Her blog is a really fun mix of fashion, life and lifestyle and definitely something you need to check out! :) 


Introducing Lauren... 

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Hi fellow Classy with a Kick readers! It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Lauren from Clean Up Nicely. and I am a recently departed San Diego native. I lived in San Diego for my entire life then moved to Chicago two months ago because I received a great job offer after law school. Needless to say, reading J's blog makes me yearn for all things San Diego - In N Out, baja fish tacos, Torrey Pines hikes, California burritos (if you know what I am taking about, then you understand), and most importantly, the beach.

My boyfriend and I started dating in San Diego and we are big fans of date nights. Now that we are both gone, we miss a lot of our fave San Diego places. So I thought I would pass along the knowledge because good date night places can be hard to find. I also provided some suggestions on appropriate San Diego attire for each date. If you experience these or have any ideas for good date nights in Chicago let me know.

*WARNING* My boyfriend and I are huge craft beer drinkers so there is a lot of places with beer on the list. To our credit, San Diego is home to the largest microbrews in the world. We just capitalize on that. :)


San Diego Date #1:

Quiksilver stripe shirt / Quiksilver jacket / Quiksilver short shorts / Diane von Furstenberg sand wedge / Minor Obsessions gold necklace / Ray-Ban ray ban sunglasses

My boyfriend and I had our first date at Tower 23 in Pacific Beach, an upscale oceanfront hotel/bar/restaurant with an awesome sunset view. What can I say? Great things start with drinks on the beach. Other phenomenal places to grab a beer are: - Shore Club (RedBull vodka slushies are trouble) - Wavehouse (fun to watch those riding the standing wave and amazing for concerts) - South Beach Bar & Grille (amazing fish tacos and bean tostadas)

San Diego Date #2:

Quiksilver long sleeve shirt / Quiksilver denim jean shorts / Minnetonka shoes / Quiksilver travel backpack / Ivanka Trump black jewelry / Leather hair accessory

Del Mar Racetrack is a staple in San Diego culture. It is home to Cirque du Soleil in the winter, and the San Diego Fair and the horse races in the summer. My fave is going to the horse races, having a cold drink, betting a few bucks with friends, and maybe even catching a great concert.

Here are some of the key dates for those to occur this summer: - July 18th: Opening Day - July 27th: Dashboard Confessional concert (free with race admission) - July 28th: Gourmet Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival (benefits Meals on Wheels) - August 4th: Cake concert (free with race admission) and Beer Fest - August 18th: Ben Harper concert (free with race admission) and Beer Fest - September 1st: Reggae Festival with Ziggy Marley (free with race admission) and Beer Fest - Every Wednesday: Free and Easy Wednesdays (free admission and half price beers)

San Diego Date #3:

Quiksilver long sleeve dress / Proenza Schouler clutch handbag / Jules Smith gypsy jewelry / Nelly Trend hair accessory

Downtown San Diego has really changed over the past 10 years and has grown into a mecca of edgy condos and amazing places to eat. Brian Malarkey from Top Chef created one of our faves, Searsucker, and can often be found there. A few other of our hauntings are: - Davanti Enoteca (you have to try the Truffle Egg Toast - Addicting! Thank god they have one in Chicago) - Neighborhood (Pasilla Steak Frites is a deluxe version of Carne Asada fries - and worth every single calorie)

Random sidenotes: - Each of these outfits were created by starting with Quiksilver clothing. I grew up working in a surf shop in San Diego and have always worn Quiksilver. San Diego natives wear surf brands, that's what we do. - They are also having an awesome summer sale online until July 13th so get your butt over there and get some good threads.

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Thanks Lauren! We miss you in SD!

**Remember, there is still time to win a Lace Necklace by playing a simple game of hide & seek! Read this post for more information and to learn how you can win!**