Things I Love in LA

Despite planting roots in North Carolina, I'm a California girl at heart.  Born and bred in northern CA, I have close ties to southern CA, too. We're heading out there for Christmas this year so I thought I'd showcase some of my favorite places and things to do in Los Angeles:

Bob's Big Boy in Burbank.  One of the last original restaurants, this place is the OG diner experience:

See's Candy is my favorite sweets shop.  Sure, you can get it out here at the holidays, but it's not the same. The black and white shops are always a highlight of a visit back to California. My favorites are too numerous to mention -- I love scotchmallows, bourdeauxs and anything with nougat and nuts!

The LA Farmers Market (adjacent to the Grove shopping center) has a great donut shop. Jake was taken with this pink iced number.

The hike in the hills of Los Feliz and the Griffith Observatory is great. Views of the city and the Hollywood sign make it a fun way to get some exercise.

Charley Harper

from CharleyHarperPrints.com

When we were in Costa Rica last month, we spent an amazing day hiking through Monteverde Cloud Forest. One of the most biodiverse places on earth, it is truly one of the best places I have ever been.

Browsing the interwebs last night, I found a Charley Harper poster inspired by Monteverde! I was thrilled -- both Jake and I love his work and to find a piece that really spoke to us was parfait! It's winging it's way to me now....to find an affordable frame is my next goal!

747

We booked our winter vacation to Costa Rica this week and Jake's immersed himself in hotel research. The Hotel Costa Verde features a guest room in an old 747 fuselage! Pretty cool stuff. It's a little pricey or we'd totally be booking it!

They Grow 'Em Bigger in California

To the right: a dinky lemon from the grocery store

To the left: a massive lemon from my grandma's meyer lemon tree in LA smuggled back via airplane. I'm currently enjoying some lemon water flavored with them - tastes like sunshine!

Rhode Island Wedding

We're back from the Northeast and the wedding. It was lovely - set in the Aldrich mansion on the water in RI. The weather cooperated perfectly, Sunday was even downright hot which I understand is a rarity for April in New England.

Congrats to the couple and have a lovely European honeymoon.