Hiya! I’m Emilee Crites, and I’m a freshman student at Ventura College, studying Marketing & Social Media. I am what the kids call “chronically online”, so it makes sense for me to pursue an education in social media. I love to read (shout out to Emily Henry, Abby Jimenez, Stephenie Meyer, and John Green for getting me to this point!), musical theatre, listen to music, and rewatch my favorite TV shows. You can find me in locally-owned bookstores, at the coffee shop, or at my favorite artists’ concerts and shows. I can’t wait to bring you all kinds of content throughout my time at Ventura College!
When I decided to go back to school for the first time in more than a decade, I knew it would be a challenge, but I didn’t fully realize how much it would shift my day-to-day life. Between working full time, raising two kids, helping my husband run his business, and trying to still be a whole person in the middle of it all… some days feel like a total blur. This Reel is a little glimpse into the chaos, joy, exhaustion, and growth I’ve experienced in this season of my life. It’s not perfectly curated (because life isn’t). But it’s real, and it’s mine. If you’re in a chapter of life where everything feels like a lot, I hope this reminds you that you’re not alone. We’re all doing the best we can with what we’ve got.
There’s something incredibly magical about being in a room with people who love the same things you do. That’s exactly how it felt walking into Smitten Bookstore for the release party of Emily Henry’s new novel, Great Big Beautiful Life.
I went with three of my friends and honestly, just being surrounded by a bunch of other Em Hen fans felt like its own kind of celebration. It wasn’t just about the book (even though obviously, we were all really hyped for it). It was about being around people who know the feeling of falling headfirst into a story you love.
Smitten is not just your ordinary, run-of-the-mill bookstore. It’s a romance and women’s literature store, and let me tell you, the vibe is unmatched. The owner, May, has curated every book on the shelf with so much care, and it shows; you can see it reflected in everything that is offered at Smitten. The store isn’t just a place to buy books; whether it’s your first time there or you’re one of The Regulars, it feels like home — warm, inviting, and familiar. You can feel how much love and passion May has poured into this store.
Not only do you get to connect with other Emily Henry fans (or just romance fans in general), but Smitten runs a seriously great trivia night. Like, stump-even-the-biggest-Em-Hen-fans kind of great. Some of the questions had us second-guessing everything we thought we knew! A huge bonus: yours truly won a signed copy of the book for scoring 16/30 😎
One of my favorite parts of the night was just hanging out with my friends and chatting with other book lovers (iykyk!) There’s something so easy and fun about meeting people who instantly get why you’re so excited.
I left Smitten that night with my brand new book, and that giddy, can’t-wait-to-read feeling.
Events like this remind me why local bookstores matter so much. They’re not just places to buy books; they’re places to celebrate them — and to find the kind of connection that reminds you life is, indeed, a great big beautiful thing.
The book and podcast mentioned in this article contain some really heavy themesand topics. Reader discretion is advised.
Have you ever wondered what would happen to society if we no longer had access to meat? Probably not. But in this 2017 novella by Agustina Bazterrica, she has created a world that is faced with just that: all animal meat contaminated with a deadly virus, so now humans must turn to cannibalism as a solution. Throw in some major distrust in the government, overwhelming grief, and questionable choices by the main character, and you’ve got yourself Tender Is The Flesh. Follow along with us as we give you our unfiltered thoughts and opinions on the VC Social podcast.
Downtown Ventura is a (not so) hidden gem for bars, restaurants, and shops; it is the perfect spot to shop and soak up the sun and a prime date night spot. But with so many options and grand openings, how do you choose between them?
I’ve compiled a list of places that I think pass the “Can It Date Night” test based on their menu options, pricing, and ambiance.
The Yard Bar & Grill
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
The Yard Bar & Grill is Main Street’s newest restaurant addition. The forces behind Cronies are taking everything you love from their sports restaurants and giving you an elevated dining experience. And once you finish your meal, you can head to the back of the restaurant to their cozy speakeasy, The Hive.
Menu Options: The Yard has something for everyone; a variety of shareable starters, burgers, salads, tacos, and sandwiches. But the pièce de résistance: the pub fries.
Pricing: The Yard’s burgers and sandwiches run anywhere from $15.00 to $19.00, but they do come with a good portion of fries and your choice of sauce. Their appetizer menu ranges $7.00 up to $18.00 for their heartier options.
Ambiance: The seating at The Yard is very comfortable; they’ve somehow managed to take a more industrial setting (exposed brick and ceiling) and make it very cozy. I love the open air feeling, and the gorgeous wooden bar in the center of the room feels lux.
Overall: Yes, The Yard has a mid-priced menu with a huge variety of options, giving you plenty to choose from which makes this an easy choice for a date night!
If you’re looking for a cocktail bar that specializes in tequila & mezcal with a maximalist neon aesthetic, this is the place for you. The faces behind this new bar are no stranger to Downtown Ventura- they’re also the forces behind Strange Beast and Bank of Italy.
Photos from @jaguarmoonbaron Instagram
Menu Options: This is elevated bar food, with options like fried chicken tacos and a tuna tostada that is filling and pairs perfectly with their cocktail menu.
Pricing: The menu options range from $8 (fried chicken taco) to their tartara de tuna ($23), with plenty of options at different price points in between. The star of their menu seem to be their taco selection, with something for everyone’s dietary needs. Jaguar Moon also has a great cocktail menu, with mixed drinks ranging from $11 to $15.
Ambiance: This is just the coolest place; it’s vibrant and Instagram-worthy. Weekends seem to be quite busy, but for good reason.
Overall: Yes! Jaguar Moon definitely passes the “Can It Date Night” test. It’s a unique and “vibey” spot in Downtown Ventura, and is worth checking out.With so much to offer, Jaguar Moon should be on your list of places to go for a date night.
From the hospitality team that brought you Prospect Coffee Roasters, meet Model Citizen. You can find elevated interpretations of classic cocktails, and an array of menu items that feature locally sourced ingredients.
Menu Options: The Model Citizen menu “emphasizes local and regional ingredients, with a focus on preservation, to create fun, seasonal, and unique coastal dishes with flavors from California and the Mediterranean” (from the MC website). Their dishes are highly unique, with a lot of options that seem exclusive to their restaurant.
Pricing: Model Citizen’s pricing is on the higher end of this list, with options ranging from $9 (fries to share) to $66 (13 oz NY strip steak w/ frites). There are plenty of offerings in between, but they tend to run in the $16 – $20+ range. The cocktail menu also runs on the higher side, with mixed drinks from $14 – $21. That being said, the happy hour menu (which runs all night on Mondays!) has select mixed drinks for $10 and menu items from $5 – $15.
Ambiance: There’s a great balance between trendy and the laid-back charm that is Ventura. You can sit in one of their cozy booths, or relax at the gorgeous mid-century mod bar. Model Citizen has nailed the vintage-y, effortlessly cool atmosphere.
Overall: While it’s a bit on the pricier side, you can tell the food and drinks are locally-sourced and carefully crafted to be unique to their restaurant. While it’s a great atmosphere and has plenty to choose from, I’d recommend Model Citizen as a happy hour date.
VC Social 