I wish I could visit Spain once a month, but I’m seriously lacking the funds (and vacation time).

I’m so stoked there’s a super-cute Spanish restaurant I can visit any time I want, though, in Old Town Scottsdale. It’s called Pepin, and I went there last weekend with my family for my dad’s b-day.

It’s decorated with tons of Spanish art work, from posters to statues, and it has a little stage area and dance floor for flamenco and salsa dancing. If you’ve never seen flamenco, head there Friday and Saturday nights for their shows at 7:15 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.—it’s a really amazing dance. Then there is salsa dancing Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. and Sunday from 9 p.m.-2 a.m., and salsa lessons from 8-9:30 p.m.

As far as food, vegetarians rejoice—there are a ton of options, including the super-yummy Pasta Pepin, with linguini, tomato, onion, peppers, black olives and capers. Other food items, from what my family says, are very authentic and are generously portioned. Some of the favorites I heard were the Croquetas de Arroz Negro (crab and black rice croquettes with lobster sauce), paellas and Gambas a La Plancha (grilled shrimp with citrus aioli.)

Plus, the manager Xavier is very charming and worth going for alone.

Yea, spring weather! It’s beautiful now…I just hope it stays nice and perfect for a few more weeks before becoming scorchingly hot.

It’s a great time to check out the First Friday art walk in downtown Phoenix (and Rocko Socko and the G Spots at Space 55 at 9 p.m.), plus Art Detour, a weekend-long art event in downtown Phoenix where galleries are open to the public. Read more about it here.

February was super-fun-filled, with trips to Dave and Buster’s, Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon.

It’s supposed to be sunny up in Flag this weekend with no snow, and I highly recommend heading up north for some fresh air and beautiful scenery.

I got to check out “Eleven Minutes” at Harkins Valley Art a few weeks ago, and sadly, the movie is gone from the theater, but keep it in  your mind for when it’s released on DVD.

I went to see it because I’m a huge fan of “Project Runway,” and the movie documents season one winner Jay McCarroll’s first independent runway show during New York’s Fashion Week.

Besides how fascinating watching the fashion show come together was, the movie was also hysterical because of McCarroll’s lively personality and unabashed honesty. Even my straight male companion loved the film, so it’s for a wide audience. Learn more about it here.

Before I saw that, I checked out La Bocca Urban Pizzeria and Wine Bar first. The place was absolutely packed, and it’s no surprise considering it’s a little bit classier than most Mill Ave. spots, with a beautiful couch-filled patio, huge paintings adorning the walls and candlelit tables.

I was surprised that the menu items were so reasonably priced—my very filling pizza was only $9, and a delicious tiramisu dessert was $4. The pizza was my favorite type—soft and flaky dough and gooey mozzarella. There will probably be a wait during peak dinner hours, but it’s well worth it.

I also finally saw “Slumdog Millionaire,” right before the Oscars because  I knew the odds were in favor for it to win.

Maybe I am crazy, but I feel like it’s simply an Indian version of “The Kite Runner.” There were so many similarities, and I actually thought “Slumdog” contained some cheesier moments than “The Kite Runner.”

Yes, I thought the film was great, but I’m a little bit surprised about how much it was hyped up this year. Just sayin’.

Saturday, I head to my first spring training game of the season at Scottsdale Stadium. Yes, this is my favorite stadium because it’s within walking distance of my house, but it’s also close to Old Town Scottsdale, perfect for day drinking on the patio at Salty Senorita, Mickey’s Hangover and Ra Sushi.

And really, I couldn’t care less about whether the Rockies or Giants win…I’m more interested in what spring-y dress I’m going to wear for the first time this year.

See you there!