Good morning loves! I have quite the busy day ahead of me (you don’t even want to see my to-do list), so let’s get right to it!
Last night I met up with my best/roomie from college, Chrissy, for dinner at Seasons 52. Isn’t she a cutie? 
(I love the heavenly light shining on her face, haha).
I actually had no idea that there was a Seasons 52 in our area! I’ve seen it on other blogs, so I was excited to pay a visit. The design and overall feel of the restaurant was very welcoming, and everything on the menu looked delicious.
For some reason the flatbreads caught my eye, so I went with the Garlic Chicken Flatbread with balsamic red onions, roasted red peppers and mozzarella cheese.
It was good!! I wasn’t expecting it to be so thin – it was almost chip-like. But still delicious.
What I was most impressed by was the dessert spread (no surprise there). It was a tough decision because all of the Mini Indulgences looked and sounded great!
I ended up choosing the Blueberry Cheesecake, and Chrissy went with the Old-Fashioned Carrot Cake.
YUM. We shared very date-like bites of each other’s desserts, of course But…let’s be honest…I kind of wanted to eat about three more of these.
The best part of the meal was definitely being able to catch up with Chrissy. She can relate to this weird, early-twenties transition I’ve been going through, so it felt good to have someone who is just as confused as I am!
No matter where life takes us…nothing can take away our fond memories of apartment 296D!
tan burn free update.
It’s no secret that I’ve been spending a lot of time at the beach this summer. And you know what? This “tan free” lady has gotten a pretty decent amount of freckles color.
So, first of all, I feel the need to clarify that I never condemned getting a tan from the natural sun (It’s those indoor tanning beds that we need to kiss goodbye!).
BUT – I *do* think that it’s imperative to wear sunscreen. Up until this year, I was convinced that wearing sunscreen = no color whatsoever. Boy, was I wrong.
I kid you not when I say that not a day has gone by where I don’t cover my entire body with sunscreen at least every 2 hours when I’m in the sun. My point? You can get a safe and healthy tan while wearing sunscreen! So lather up, babydolls. Your skin will thank you.
Time to get to that to-do list! Which includes some more posts for today 
Buhbye. xoxo G
- Have you ever been to Seasons 52?
- Do you avoid sunscreen because you think you won’t tan?
I LOVE sunscreen. I always wear at least 15 and wear 30 on my legs. I’m already getting sunspots on my legs and I am trying to avoid them getting worse. I always slather it on and still get a tan.
I’ve been wanting to go to Seasons 52 in KOP. So many bloggers give it rave reviews, and those mini-desserts always look so fabulous!
I wear sunscreen on my upper body, but I’ve never burned on my legs without it. I’m horrible, I know :/ Hope you have a great day love!
I’ve never been to Seasons 52-never heard of it. I love mini desserts like that, though.
I always wear sunscreen. I’m ridiculously pale so if I don’t lather up I’m burning. And that’s never cute.
I read your blog every day (but have never commented) so I just wanted to say that I really enjoy it and I’m a daily reader!
I do have one question though - and this is totally NOT anything critical, you just write a lot about the things that are behind our food choices, trends, etc and I thought you would be open to a discussion!
I was reading some of your older posts and remembered one where you wrote about being a carnivore (nothing wrong with that) and believing that saturated fat from animals isn’t bad. You mentioned you were doing research on it, but I can’t remember if you did a follow-up post. Have you read The China Study? It’s got a LOT of studies and research concerning animal fat and protein, and it really changed my life actually! I was just wondering what you thought of it.
Gosh I want to visit S52 so badly! Maybe my next trip to Atlanta…
I’d love some more info on tanning and damage it does… there are studies out now that actually show any kind of tan is damaging to the skin. It’s frustrating because I live on the lake and am outside a lot…. I always wear spf 70 (yes, 70!) and reapply but I still end up getting a little color…so frustrating!
Dinner looks amazing. That flat bread looks like it covers the length of the table.
I always end up getting lines when wearing sunscreen too! I am fair skinned like you though - that is probably why!
Those pictures of the desserts we had make me want to go back and grab some more. Oh and I look frumpy. Yup - frumpy. HAHA! And I think I caught your contagious one big eye funny face you make - because that’s exactly what I’m doing in that picture. It was wonderfffulll seeing you Gracenut. <3 you!
I used to believe I couldn’t get tan while wearing sunscreen. Then my mom got skin cancer, and I started lathering up all the time…and still got tan! YES!!!
I have not made it out yet to Seasons 52 but I would have totally gotten the nom marshmallow topped dessert - not like you could go wrong with any of them.
Your poor burn!I know that I get a better tan when I do use SPF, lather it up!
That flatbread looks like a great choice! We don’t have a Seasons 52 near me, but I wish we did. Hello, dessert sampler!
I’m glad you’re wearing your sunscreen. I spend a lot of time in the sun and slather it on. I’m 26 and just had my 7th atypical mole removed a few weeks ago. Keep a close watch on all moles and freckles, too
I wear sunscreen when it is overcast…You’d think living in Washington, I’d soak up all the rays I could get, but in the long run - skin cancer and wrinkles aren’t worth it. I’ve been wearing at least SPF 30 (70 on my face) this summer and I’ve still managed to get some color without a burn. Is that little amount of color healthy?
You look so cute! I ALWAYS wear sunscreen and still get seriously tanned. And I do NOT like Seasons 52!
Oh man, I WISH sunscreen prevented tanning….more specifically FRECKLING. Kittie gets sun, her freckles make babies.
I always wear sunscreen when laying out but tend to forget to put it on when I go for a walk or run or just hanging out. When I lay out I put 30 spf on my whole body with 45 spf on my face.
I freckle too
I am an avid sunscreen putter-oner. I also go to the derm every 6 months to do a little freckle/mole mapping. She usually wants to biopsy something every year… scary 
Not trying to be annoying, but wearing sunscreen does not make tanning safe or healthy. http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Health/8-Truths-About-Tanning.html
I am a little sun addict myself though
My best friend wear SPF 70 everyday and reapplies to set a good example for her campers and is so dark. I wear SPF 45 and definitely get a tan.
Suncreen is a must…but I use a 4 or an 8 and still get no color. I’m resistent I tell ya! 15 on the face though fo sho!
How I wish we had a Seasons 52. Sigh…
I’ve been to Seasons 52 and it was good! I think I just got a basic chicken dish but my hubby got one of those flat bread pizzas and loved it! I don’t think we have on in Pittsburgh, though:(
I used to be an idiot about the sun and would indulge in those *evil* tanning beds and now won’t go near them! I make sure my make-up has SPF 15+ in it and if I’m out in the sun longer than 20-30 minutes I wear a hat or heavy duty SPF. Sun damage doesn’t show up until much later (aside from a burn, of course) and so I am just now seeing the damage I did to myself in the past 10 years and definitely want to put an end to that. I’m all for going out in the natural sun, but I definitely am a LOT more skin conscious now:)
I was totally part of the baby oil tanning club when I was I young teen. The early 20-something transition - is that real? B/C I was starting to think I was the only walking hot mental mess.
I have never been to a seasons 52, but I just saw on their website that there is one in Orlando. I’ll convince the hubby to take a trip
I specifically do want to get the flatbread pizza because I have seen it on so many people’s blogs and pizza is my number 1 food love. I do wear sunscreen when I go to the beach or outside for a long period of time, but if I want a little color I just put a lower spf on. However, on my face I put at least 30.
Those desserts look so cute. YUM. I have never been to seasons 52, I will have to check out next time I am in that area.
I wrote a story this year on tanning, where I spoke with a few different medical sources. In reality, any tan = damaged skin. Still, I’m a bit of a hypocrite, because I really do feel better with a bit of color on my skin.
Despite wearing tons of sunscreens, I am getting the worst tan lines from my bike rides! Awkward tan lines = badge of honor for biking so much?
I think I am the freak of my friend who ALWAYS wears sunscreen. None of my friends wear sunscreen because they “want to tan” and I always glob on the sunscreen and get twice as dark as them (why don’t they follow my example?! haha)
We don’t have Seasons 52 here in Canada so I’ve never been, but it looks amazing. Those mini desserts are so cute!
I always wear SPF 30 whenever I know I’m going to be out in the sun and I still manage to get a tan. I wish I could convince my mom to stop going without sunscreen to get a better tan!
I havent been to a seasons 52-dont have one here. bummer.
im like you-i finally convinced sean that by wearing sunscreen he could STILL get a tan. I fofficialy have a convert.
Hi ! I just discovered your blog and I really like it ! I like the fact that you really eat what you want, following your taste and not following strict rules !
I don’t know if you speak french (my blog is in french), but I will follow your food experiment from now on ! LOL
have a nice day
Camille
Loved Seasons 52! I had a flatbread too and it was so delicious. I was shocked at how thin it was too. But I loved it still.
I love how you show being safe about the sun doesn’t mean you have to lose color.
I’ve never been to a Seasons 52, but I definitely need to find one with food (and desserts!) like that. And I totally agree with you on the tanning front. This past weekend when I was at the beach, I slather on SPF 70 like it was my job and still got a little golden tan action.
I heave never been to Seasons 52 either - but it looks DEELISH. You go girl.
Okay - I admit it - I am in love with the sun. I love it. I do wear sunscreen if I am going to be out for more then an hour. I know - stupid me - but lathering up after I lather up my daughter is a drain for such a short time. I know, I know - horrible for me - but the truth:)
That flatbread looks delicious - I love thin, crispiness. And love your blue dress! I’m a big SPF girl now but I wasn’t always…I wear SPF 70 on my face now. Hahah - for real.
Seasons 52 looks delicious! I might have to pay it a visit next time I am in Philly! Love the baby desserts! I always wear sunscreen when I am laying out. I had a few moles removed so I have to be extra careful!
I have never been to Seasons 52, but it looks SO delicious! Is it a chain?
Good for your for wearing your SPF!
I have to backup Joanna…my dad’s a dermatologist and while I am guilty of getting some color too every now and then, if you get color at all, there’s been damage to your skin from the sun, regardless of how much sunscreen you wear! So any tan is unhealthy….unless it comes from a bottle, and there’s many derms who would say that to any chemical/bottle tans aren’t great either!
I wish there was a Seasons 52 in CT sooo badly! After seeing it all over the FL blogs, I have serious restaurant envy.
Hey Danielle! Thanks for reading and commenting
I appreciate the question because honestly, I have NOT been looking into this topic as much as I would like (I need a little kick in the behind, haha).
I’ve heard about the China Study and am definitely open to reading it. I’m also planning on reading a book called The Vegetarian Myth. I think that reading both of those will make for a great series of posts, actually!
The whole topic can be so confusing because like the China Study, the book Good Calories, Bad Calories by Gary Taubes contains a ton of studies/research that supports animal fat! But I think that the smartest thing we can do is look into both sides and make our own decisions, for sure.
Some related articles that I’ve come across and found interesting are:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/08/health/08fat.html?_r=3&oref=slogin
http://www.odemagazine.com/doc/64/fat-is-where-its-at/
http://www.sciscoop.com/controversial-saturated-fat.html
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/ also provides a ton of interesting information and articles on the topic.
Anyway, THANK YOU for this comment, and I hope that I can open an even further discussion into it in the future!! xoxo
Hey Joanna! Not annoying at all! Thanks for that link, actually.
I guess I should’ve been more clear…I didn’t mean that it’s okay to bake in the sun as long as your wearing sunscreen (although, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t lay out *at all!*). I just meant that if you’re going to be in the sun and getting color is inevitable, it’s better to protect your skin as much as you can! I mean, in a perfect world we’d all stay out of the sun completely, but that’ll never happen. So it’s at least better to wear some sort of protection than none at all! Which I’m sure you agree with, since you’re a sun addict
hehe
yup - I hear ya! Like I said to Joanna, in a perfect world we’d all stay out of the sun, but it’s at least better to have *some* protection than none at all! And there are so many girls who don’t wear any sunscreen because they think they won’t get any color, so I just wanted to prove that you still can