So many things to love about California...(part 3)

Favorite #3: The Farmer's Market. Who doesn't love a farmer's market? We spent the day back in Manhattan Beach browsing in the shops and enjoying the perfect weather, and got some unbelievably huge oranges to boot.

But first, my favorite meal of the day...breakfast! We had breakfast at Uncle Bill's Pancake House with, yet again, an ocean view! I'm getting spoiled.


I had a turkey patty, eggs over medium well, and Banana Buckwheat pancakes with loads of butter. Mmmmmmmm.




Then off to buy some beautiful oranges...still with the leaves on? That's a great marketing tactic.



I brought home as many as I could and made homemade juice with our fantastic juicer. Carrot and orange and ginger juice - mmm!

Favorite #4: A Day in Pasadena with Victoria. One I was very excited about...finally meeting my friend Victoria, who is a Mocha Club member, and my email friend for the past 2 years. We finally got a chance to meet, and Jen and I spent the day with her in Old Town Pasadena shopping! Victoria has some of the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen!

First we had lunch at Gaucho Grill...


Then we spent time perusing the shops and making funny faces with the sunglasses at Banana Republic. I don't know why I find it so hilarious to try on huge glasses that take up my entire face. I also some great new shirts at H&M. That store can be so 'hit or miss'!


That's supposed to be a peace sign. What the heck is my finger doing?


It was a lovely, yet tiring, day! We made the 30 minute drive from the valley back to El Segundo and geared up for our next day or relaxation - free facials and celebrity treatment! :) (part 4)

My wildflowers.

Well, I can now cross one thing off my "37 by 37" list - "Grow a flower garden in my own yard." Just 3 months ago, on Christmas Day actually, we built wildflower beds all along the fence and sowed seeds that we crossed our fingers would actually grow into something. Over the last few months I've expectantly crept into the yard each day, first waiting for the slightest sprout of green....then examining new shoots to see whether they were real flowers or weeds...and now seeing which new beautiful flower has emerged overnight to grace my world.

"Look at the flowers - for no reason.

It is simply unbelievable how happy flowers are." ~Osho

This was what they looked like on March 21st:


Pretty sparse, eh? Well this is March 27th!


And now, today...


So let me introduce a few of them, ok? First, these white ones are lovely and fragrant but I'm not positive yet what they are. Their scent is a combination of jasmine and vanilla. Mmmmm.


Here they are with some Blue Flax...


Peek-a-boo. This one was tucked away. Not yet sure what it is...


Then my purple Cosmos started to unfurl...



And this beautiful something...



My husband enjoying the morning...


And now, for my very favorite, so worth the wait. These adorable little cones...


Start to pop open...


And become beautiful California Poppies....




How can I not be happy...with all of this beauty outside my back door?

So many things to love about California...(part 2)

Favorite #2: Malibu. If you were a girl growing up in the 80s, you probably loved your Malibu Barbie. I dressed her in various bikinis and thought it was the coolest thing ever that she was the only Barbie with a tan line. So I've always wanted to go to Malibu...and in my mind, I probably idealized it as the place you live in your dreams, high up on a cliff overlooking the blue, blue Pacific with a lovely backyard with cabanas and those vintage-y patio umbrellas from Anthropologie and all you do is lay by the pool all day wearing Audrey Hepburn sunglasses. Wellll....that isn't the Malibu I experienced (surprise) but it was still sunny and beautiful. Oh...and a bit rocky.

Jen, baby Ava, and I drove with the windows down all along the coast and arrived at our destination, Paradise Cove, about 30 minutes later. I was told beforehand that I would love this restaurant because it's on the beach, and you eat with your toes in the sand! Let's just say it didn't take me long to get in the car with my seatbelt buckled.

As soon as we sat down, I removed my flip-flops so my toes could burrow into the sand and positioned myself to feel the sun on my shoulders. Ahhhhhhh.


I have to say, the food wasn't the main attraction at this place, but who could match my world-class Cobb salad from yesterday? Besides, the view made it worthwhile. I hung out with Ava so her mom could eat her lunch...


Then we took some lovely photos on the beach, which was only steps away!

So many things to love about California...(part 1)

There are so many things to love about California. I spent a week there recently with my dear friend Jen, her hubby Marshall, and their new baby Ava. Having not stepped on a beach in almost 2 years, it was a wonderful retreat for me, and I soaked up every minute...from the gorgeous sunsets to the sweet California beach life, to traipsing around town with Jen and daydreaming about what it would be like to live in Beverly Hills (decided I'd rather have my life), and eating the best Cobb salad in the luscious sunshine. Here are my favorite moments from the trip...split into parts, of course, because I took way too many pictures!

Favorite #1: Sunday in Manhattan Beach. What a day. I wore a flowy skirt, a tank top, and flip flops, an outfit which makes any day great. Then we set off in the perfect 75 degree weather for "the MB," which is the quintessential California beach town. We found a lovely cafe for lunch - Le Pain Quotidien - and ate al fresco. Here is where I had the best Cobb salad of my life, and they even had homemade organic lemonade with mint leaves and agave nectar. Only in California!


After a leisurely lunch, we strolled Ava around and went out on the pier to enjoy all the happenings of the perfect beach day - surfers, lifeguards, families, and even fishermen. We thought Marshall was just playing around with his HD camera but he was secretly getting footage to create this amazing video for me to send back home to my husband!





We just happened upon these unattended fishing rods at the end of the pier. I can't even tell you how sparkly that water looked in person - I actually drew in my breath.



For a peaceful closing to our day, we went to Manhattan Beach's "Strand" which is down by the sand, and we enjoyed one of the most gorgeous sunsets. You know how I feel about "the perfect time of day" too. This day could not have been any better.

Here's Jen's hubby holding baby Ava in the sunset...





A message for my hubby in the sand...






Next is Part 2: Malibu!