Allow us to introduce two of the coolest couples in the game! A chef, an event director, content director and a customer account specialist - the gangs all here! This panel enjoys all things magical and knows of the best places to jot down for your fall bucket list, along with narrowing down all the places that are near and dear to their hearts.
...And If you missed Part 1 and 2 of this Gucciinspired series then you've got some catching up to do, friends!
Are you ready? Lets get into it...
Photography by Cole Moser
Share a little bit about yourselves...
Saga: I am the Executive Chef at Zel's Del Mar. On the weekends our go-to is the beach to surf and run into the waves with our dog, Cayenne.
Becky: I am the Customer Account Specialist at The Venue Report. (In a few short words, Becky is the mastermind behind all things analytics/messaging!) We also regularly go to Culture Brewery in Solana Beach. It's dog friendly and they have giant Jenga outside! Riding our beach cruisers up and down the coast and hitting up the local farmer's markets is another go-to. Brunch at Priority Public House in Leucadia is a fav brunch spot.... and Zel's of course!
Tell us how you fell in love?
Saga + Becky: Our close friend actually set us up. She was my roommate at the time and bartending at the same restaurant where Saga was running the oyster bar. She definitely played Cupid by telling each of us that the other was interested... Even though we had never met (or seen) each other. Her little white lie built up some false confidence and worked! Seeing Saga with his daughter sealed the deal for me :)
Fun fact: After a few weeks of dating we figured out that my dad was Saga's Math Teacher 13 years earlier in middle school... Small world!
Favorite fall date?
Saga + Becky: Fall in San Diego is still pretty warm so one of our fav fall dates is to pack up our kayak with cheese, crackers and champagne and have a little water picnic while floating off La Jolla cove.
What do you love about fall?
Becky: I love the way fall smells. It's the calm before the holiday storm and being able to get out fall clothes and booties and start layering.
Favorite fall activity?
Saga: Camping along the lake at Lake Cuyamaca. Taking a day trip to Julien and walking around the little town with a carmel apple.
3 fall venues that everyone NEEDS to know about?
Saga + Becky:
1. The Holidays - 1960's vintage campers by the beach... Yes please!
2. Searsucker- Live music on Saturdays and unlimited mimosas on Sundays for brunch.
3. The local mountains here in San Diego! There are so many great spots off the Sunrise Highway. Cuyamaca and Mt. Laguna for camping. Paso Picacho has great trails to hike, Burnt Rancheria Campgrounds is always beautiful (where we got engaged!) and all about a 30 min drive to Julian.
Bucket list dreams for the holidays?
Saga + Becky:
COLD: Staying in the glass igloos at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resortin Finland and watching the Northern lights!
HOT: Relaxing in one of Playa Viva's Treehouse rooms in Mexico.
Next up is Mike and Melissa.
Mike + Melissa: We are Mike & Missy Simpson. M&M'S for short. While we're not out and about with friends & family, we're working on the beach, playing at disneyland and relaxing at home.
Share a little bit about yourselves!
Mike: I am the Content Director at The Venue Report. I’m an adventurer at heart who loves to explore & rock climb but always enjoys an easy Sunday morning. Fall Weekend Plans would include: Coffee, Michigan Football, Major Family/Friends Time and did I mention Coffee??
Melissa: I am the Marketing & Events Director for local San Diego non-profit, Project Athena Foundation. I am an avid reader and total nerd obsessed with Harry Potter & Gilmore Girls. Go-to fall weekend plans include lazy mornings, Michigan football games, hanging with family, and lots of coffee.
Tell us how you fell in love?
Mike: We met at disneyland... Waiting in line for indiana jones. I lived in san diego, she lived in irvine. Over the next year we traveled to see each other and looked forward to every single visit.
Melissa: Mike and I met at Disneyland in line for Indiana Jones. He tried to impress me with a story about trees...it didn't end well, he couldn't tell me any of the types of trees we were surrounded by but it did get us talking We lived over an hour apart, with him in San Diego and me in Irvine, so we fell inlove over long, late night phone calls and lots of mini adventures. On our second date we made a fort in his living room, complete with a "fire" on the iPad, "rain" on the iphone, and PS I Love You on the iMac (can you tell he came from Apple?!). I think it's safe to say I pretty much fell in love with him then.
Favorite fall date?
Mike: Spontaneous Saturday adventure to where ever the car takes us. Sometimes, it’s Disneyland, other times it’s some rock monument 200 miles away in the middle of nowhere bakersfield. Either way, the day ends with some ice cream and an epic story to tell.
Melissa: Since we met at Disneyland, it's always held a special place for us and in Southern California it sometimes is the only place that feels like fall. It's definitely a favorite date night.
What do you love about fall?
Mike: Hands down - Warm drinks the local coffee shop given Socal provides us with at least one (slightly) chilly day.
Melissa: Football, scarves, boots, and baking! Oh and pumpkins!
Favorite fall activity?
Mike: MICHIGAN FOOTBALL!!! Otherwise, the outside... Love how things change in the Fall Here in San Diego. It's so cool to see a cloud or two in the sky, or the palm fronds change slightly in color, or hoodies in a 70 degree breeze.
Melissa: Watching Michigan football with the family and buying pumpkin scented candles.
Top 3 fall venues?
Mike:
Wickaninnish Inn
Disneyland
& The Michigan Big House (Obviously)
Melissa:
Disneyland
My parents warm and cozy house
ANY pumpkin patch
Oh and Saddlerock Ranch to meet Stanley the Giraffe!
Bucket list dreams for the holidays?
Mike: To do what we try and do every year… For Christmas, find a secluded Utah Cabin, ski our hearts out then sit by the fire with the whole family. Then for new years, get out and discover somewhere new to watch fireworks and celebrate!
Melissa:
Ice skating at Rockefeller Center in NYC
NYE at the Eiffel Tower
Sitting in front of a fire place, sipping hot coco while it snows outside - The dream!
Photographer: Cole Moser, @colemoser | Styling: The Venue Report | Decor: Pow Wow Design Studio, @powwowdesignstudio | Plates, Linens + Cutlery: Hostess Haven, @hostesshaven
