Now today was a LONG day. Today I woke up in Santa Rosa, hopped the bus to San Francisco (major points to the boyfriend who woke up at 4:30 to drive me to the bus stop!), flew across the country, landed in a city I’ve never been in, ran up and down the Rocky steps about 70 times, reunited with some of my best friends and then stuffed my face with pizza.
I’m exhausted just thinking about it all. I didn’t really take photos of my food today because it was incredibly boring and who wants to see another boring picture of oatmeal? Well……if you insist.
Yep. It’s pretty darn boring. I told you so. What was even MORE boring was my plane lunch, which was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, an apple and a vegan oatmeal cookie.
I was totally exhausted all day but then I somehow pulled myself together upon landing to sweat buckets at Sabrina’s boot camp. I was so excited that we got to play on the famous steps!
And then the workout…I almost died. Seriously. My butt was very much demolished upon the Rocky steps.
I don’t remember everything we did but it included suicide sprints and relays, walking lunges, plank push-ups and holds, tricep dips and then just endless sprints up and down the stairs.
Like I said, I almost died.
But….I survived. And then Anne showed up!
The last time I saw Anne was when she came out to California for an epic New Years Eve. Tonight we are sharing a tiny double bed in Sabrina’s house so we can cuddle and hold each other.
I love these girls!
Sabrina is pretty much the best hostess in the whole world. We each got a super cute little bag with fun toys in it like toothpaste and chocolate. A girl after my own heart!
Dinner was at Stella and was simply fabulous. It reminded me a lot of my favorite pizza place in Santa Rosa, Rosso.
At this point, I pretty much would have eaten cardboard and liked it. I was completely and totally ravenous….and it was only 6pm California time?
However, we all concurred that our meal at Stella was rather unbelievable. Right off the bat, I ordered the romaine salad, which had ricotta salata in it as well as cherry tomatoes, fennel and mint:
And then the four of us ordered three pizzas to share. Number one was the margharita, my personal favorite of the three.
Followed by the pistachio, which was very unique and equally delicious. This was Tina’s favorite!
And finally, the Tartufo…..a white pizza drizzled with truffle oil with an over easy egg cracked on top.
I clearly tried to get the server’s hand in motion as he smeared the egg. But it didn’t really work. Now it just looks like he had a ghost-hand. But the pizza was amazing!
I’m about to face plant the bed here in a second. Goodnight from Philadelphia!
Coco @ Opera Girl Cooks
June 3, 2010 at 9:03 pmSounds like you’re having a fantastic time!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat)
June 3, 2010 at 9:04 pmSeriously. Stairs are killer. No matter how many miles I can run, give me a few flights of stairs and I am huffing away. Pizza with egg!? Never seen that before but sounds great!
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run]
June 3, 2010 at 9:04 pmYou are so gorgeous, Jenna! Your make-up, hair, and top are just stunning tonight! I hope your the rest of our weekend is as fun + fulfilling as today.
Always,
Hillary
Suzanne de Cornelia
June 3, 2010 at 9:05 pmThe Rocky Stairs–how cool!!! Love the polka dot dress! Sounds like a lot of fun!
Jenn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog)
June 3, 2010 at 9:07 pmSO jealous of those pizzas! Cute swag bags, too! 🙂
Jenn
Ameena
June 3, 2010 at 9:07 pmWhen I travel across the country I usually feel like the day will never end!! Have a great time on your trip!
Kellie
June 3, 2010 at 9:08 pmWhat a fun-filled day!
lola
June 3, 2010 at 9:21 pmYou look so gorgeous!! you look a bit thinner by the way (not that you were ever fat!)
Jackie (Peaces of Earth)
June 3, 2010 at 9:32 pmYou are a trooper!! That is a seriously long day. I really want to run those rocky stairs!!!
Camille
June 3, 2010 at 10:06 pmYay! I’ve been there!
Lisa (bakebikeblog)
June 3, 2010 at 10:34 pmWhat a great evening! It all looks like so much fun!!
Crunchy Granola Gal
June 3, 2010 at 10:34 pmohhh I am a slave to quality pizza. looks fabulous, especially the tartufo pizza. enjoy the rest of your trip!
Katie S
June 3, 2010 at 10:35 pmLove the polka dots, girl!! Where’s the dress from?
zoe
June 3, 2010 at 10:58 pmah! you live in santa rosa? i live in rohnert park 🙂 ssu student! who works in santa rosa…at the mall. super exciting…and by super exciting, i mean really, incredibly dull! regardless — it’s neat to see a blogger who lives so close!
stairs = death. we did them in soccer in high school and i most definitely puked. twice. i tip my hat to you fooor sure! enjoy your trip 🙂
Helen
June 3, 2010 at 10:59 pmThose welcome bags are so cute, what a great idea of Sabrina’s. You must have been shattered after your flight and mega workout, well done for making it to the end of the day! And all three pizzas look yummy, the pistachio one looks very intriguing. Enjoy your sleep!
Amy
June 3, 2010 at 11:17 pmAnd now I need to eat a pizza with pistachios on it! or an egg! Looks delicious.
Love the gift bags!
Heather Rose
June 3, 2010 at 11:57 pmHoly early flight! Looks like a fun trip though, and that pizza looks amazing!
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs
June 4, 2010 at 12:23 amOoh that running up the steps thing sounds like the most evil workout ever!! You sure deserved that pizza after!!
Annie @ stronghealthyfit
June 4, 2010 at 12:27 amSounds like quite the workout! Those pizzas look amazing. Have fun in Philly, it’s a great city!
Evelyn @ cheers2healthy
June 4, 2010 at 12:36 amLOL your butt was demolished? Hahahaha I love reading your blog. Writing at its most entertaining 😀
Molly
June 4, 2010 at 3:07 amWow that pizza looks amazing! I’ve never seen one with an egg on the top!
Emily Eats and Exercises
June 4, 2010 at 3:21 amWoah – that workout sounds super intense! With or without the plane ride and lack-of-sleep that came before…
Hope you enjoyed your snuggling. 🙂
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
June 4, 2010 at 3:28 amSabrina is the best hostess! How cute!
amanda
June 4, 2010 at 4:15 amWow that sounds like a wonderful time so far. You have some of the best blogger friends too.
eatmovelove
June 4, 2010 at 4:17 amAHHHH Love the pizza. I eat SO late at night – like my dinner at 8:30 p.m….and then more snackage later…no wonder I can’t sleep…I know I should push my dinner up but I always get so behind…
Can’t believe you did the Rocky steps!!
Tammy (Defining Wellness)
June 4, 2010 at 4:25 amSo glad you had a nice, albeit exhausting, first day here in Philly. I’ve never been to Stella myself but have been eager to get there! I really enjoy the Steven Starr restaurants. And I’ve never tried Phileo before, either, but not for a lack of begging my husband to go every time we’re in Philly. 😉 See you this afternoon!!!!!
diana@mymarblerye
June 4, 2010 at 4:25 amJenna, you are looking more toned than ever!! And I’ve only recently discovered truffle oil at restaurants and I am addicted. It’s adds such a depth of flavor in the meal!! Have fun and I really wanna know why ya’ll met up!?! Is it just for fun?
Melissa Cari @ Miles for Markets
June 4, 2010 at 4:27 amI’m so happy you enjoyed Stellas! You’re off to a great start in Philly 🙂 Looking forward to meeting you today!
Kelly
June 4, 2010 at 4:35 amAww those bags Sabrina gave you guys are SO cute 🙂
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)
June 4, 2010 at 4:40 amPhilly is such a wonderful city! I love that you guys had a major workout out on the rocky steps. FUN (but hard!!) 😀
Kristin (Cook, Bake and Nibble)
June 4, 2010 at 4:56 amSounds like a long, but fabulous day! Enjoy!
xo
K
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
June 4, 2010 at 4:58 amThat salad looks great. Stella didn’t exist when I lived in Philly, so I’m sad I missed out. I guess it’s on the list next time I go back to visit! Looks like a great girls’ get-together. Those are so fun.
Erin
June 4, 2010 at 5:10 amGood food and good friends? Sounds like a GREAT trip! 😀
Tina
June 4, 2010 at 5:20 amI don’t know how you managed to do such an intense workout after all that travel. Yikes! It still sounds like an awesome time.
Lisa
June 4, 2010 at 5:42 amI can’t believe I live a few blocks away and have never been to Stella! See you later today!
M.E.
June 4, 2010 at 5:48 amyou’re stunning. Never go brown again, you’re born to be a blonde! (so people are even when it comes in brown naturally, but don’t ever touch that hair again!)
MMiller
June 4, 2010 at 5:48 amSo glad you did the “Rocky” steps right away…priorities! And Sabrina is a great hostess! All the little things you wouldn’t think to bring…or couldn’t bring! So sweet! So glad you are enjoying your trip to Philly! And after traveling all day….I would have gone to bed! So good that you hit the ground running!
Annie D. from Annie'sSimpleLife
June 4, 2010 at 5:59 amWOW! It looks like you’re having a great time so far!!!!
allison @ livingoneday
June 4, 2010 at 6:00 amhahaha i love that you and tina both said “face plant into bed.” its so funny reading all of your blogs and seeing basically the same things from your own points of view! looks like you had a great first night, and sabrina is too adorable with her goodie bags!!
Heather @ Side of Sneakers
June 4, 2010 at 6:02 amWhat an awesome hostess! Those gifts are such a cute idea! Oh my gosh, my butt would probably be dead after one trip up those stairs 😉
Molly @FuelHerUp
June 4, 2010 at 6:05 amSounds amazing!
Becca
June 4, 2010 at 6:08 amBrunettes vs blondes? You are all so pretty.
Brynne
June 4, 2010 at 6:09 amLOVE that blouse Jenna! So pretty on you – where’s it from?
jenna
June 4, 2010 at 6:17 amJcrew! thank you!
Jil @ Peace, Love & Munchies
June 4, 2010 at 6:21 amWhat a long – but awesome day!!! Those pizzas sound amazing!!!
jenna
June 4, 2010 at 6:25 amin love with your black and white top!! super cute.
kalli@fitandfortysomething
June 4, 2010 at 6:26 amwhat a great day-i think you could call it perfect!
anne
June 4, 2010 at 6:34 amJenna you look fantastic! Love the polka-dot blouse!
Kati @ Living Well
June 4, 2010 at 6:42 amLove your black & white polka dots! What a fun girls weekend :>
Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly
June 4, 2010 at 6:51 amToo cute! You are adorable…and look at those cute legs!!! 🙂
Robyn @ Frugal 'n' Fit!
June 4, 2010 at 6:55 amPizza with an egg on it? That’s crazy talk! Sounds good, though!
Diana @ frontyardfoodie
June 4, 2010 at 7:04 amhahaha, I probably would have run up and down the Rocky stairs 70 times too. SO cool.
Glad you’re having a good time!!
Lizz @ Leading the Good Life
June 4, 2010 at 7:06 amI’ve been craving a good butt-kicking workout lately! I’m just not sure I can do it alone. Sometimes I miss the days I played team sports!
I’ve been wanting to try an egg on pizza…looks delish!
Anne Marie@New Weigh of Life
June 4, 2010 at 7:08 amWelcome to my city!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing
June 4, 2010 at 7:10 amOh. My. Gosh. That pizza looks AMAZING!
Jessica, Haute Teapot
June 4, 2010 at 7:14 amLove the polka dots on you and anytime you have pizza, it’s been a successful day.
Heather (Heather's Dish)
June 4, 2010 at 7:15 ami’m impressed, what a great hostess! sounds like you guys had a great day 🙂
jennifer (take the day off)
June 4, 2010 at 7:20 amThat sure is a nice boyfriend you have…
Have a fun weekend with those girls. It’s great when blog friends become real ones!
Kelly
June 4, 2010 at 7:33 amHehe we used to run those steps for track and cross country practice in high school, they are brutal for sure. Welcome to philly!
Angharad
June 4, 2010 at 8:05 amUm bit of a weird comment for a food blog, but loving your hair! Very pretty.
Over easy eggs on pizza are one of my weaknesses – hells bells! I also love Philadelphia! I had a really good mojito there one time…
Cole
June 4, 2010 at 8:08 amThat pizza looks divine! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Amber K @ sparkpeople
June 4, 2010 at 8:22 amThose certainly sound like interesting pizzas!
Teresa
June 4, 2010 at 11:07 amYou are so pretty ! Glad you are having a fun time with the girls ! Those welcome make-up bags were so sweet!!!
Rebecca @ How the Cookies Crumble
June 4, 2010 at 11:40 amMMmmmm! Those pizzas look great! I had a dream about pizza last night!
Jessica
June 4, 2010 at 12:08 pmI want your polka dot dress! Its soooo cute! Where did you get it???
jenna
June 4, 2010 at 3:08 pmits actually a blouse—from Jcrew last winter!
Laury @TheFitnessRiot
June 4, 2010 at 5:27 pmHaha, lived here my whole life (suburbs 10 mins from city)…my sis lives right across from the Art Museum, she was sledding down those steps during our multiple snow storms this past winter! Never got a pic with Rocky since they put him up…so weird when you live somewhere you never do the tourist stuff….but I really want to , haa. Glad you had fun in the city of brotherly love!
Catriona
June 5, 2010 at 8:00 amIt makes me sad to see people buying plastic bottled water! I really recommend Klean Kanteen bottles. They don’t have plastics which leach toxins and are made of food-grade stainless steel. They last forever as well… Much more eco-friendly.