The Postal Service

Originally I was just supposed to come out to Los Angeles for six weeks one summer as part of a program at my work. I remember that summer my boss visiting and telling me, "don't fall in love with it out here." Los Angeles was barely even on my radar but that summer of sunshine and long drives to the beach made it hard not to fall hard for this city. The soundtrack to that summer was The Postal Service, their album that had just been released. To this day when I hear it I am filled with the feelings of excitement and possibility and change that I felt that summer. I was really excited when the band cryptically announced new things after being silent for so many years. Their one album has hatched lots of inspired covers like Iron and Wine's beauitful take on "Such Great Heights. They will be playing Coachella and I think there is even a new song or two. It's hard to believe I've been an Angelino for eight years now and that summer seems so long ago.

Children's Garden

I have been living in Los Angeles now for eight years. It's hard to believe it's been so long. When I first arrived I was sure I would return to New York in a couple years, tops. Now I can't imagine ever living again in my former city. One of my favorite places in all of Los Angeles has always been The Huntington Library in Pasadena. I've been coming here as long as I've lived here. I tend to always take the same route - starting in the desert gardens and ending in the Japanese gardens. I can't tell you how many times we've made this lovely trek.

My friend Dana and I visiting a few years ago

Recently we visited with my step-father who wasn't quite up to the steep decline and climb again that you have to make when you visit the Japanese gardens so he went another route. We were shocked to discover a whole area of the gardens we'd never even visited. This included the incredible Chinese gardens where you can sit and have tea and lookout on the various pools and the children's garden. This is one of the best hidden gems in Los Angeles for kids. I am not kidding. You walk through a lovely blue door and discover all sorts of interactive fountains, topiary shaped like animals, and all sorts of nooks and crannies for kids to explore. We had such a blast spending an hour in the unseasonably warm weather. I can't recommend this place enough if you have young kids.

Hank and some other kids enjoying the fountains 

To The East Coast and Back Again

Hank having perhaps a bit too much fun at a cemetery? 

So we had to go to a memorial service this past weekend and spend some quality time with family on the East Coast. Unfortunately tickets to Philadelphia were prohibitively expensive so that's why I found myself taking my toddler son on a six-hour flight to New York, and then a three hour car ride to New Jersey for a quick visit and then another hour plus drive to Pennsylvania. Not cute people. Hank actually did really well on the flight out but I am not sure I am ready to talk about the return flight yet. It was not pretty. Let's just say I cried to the woman sitting next to me at one point.

Instead I want to focus on the good points - our lovely weekend catching up with family and celebrating the life of my husband's grandmother and perhaps most importantly Hank getting to bond with his adorable cousin Dani. These two hit it off for the most part (there was the occasional "No Hank" or "Stop that Hank" from Dani. She is four months older after all, but for the most part it was too cute). Here are some of the highlights:

Hank and Dani "Sharing"

While we were in Philly we visited the Please Touch Museum. If you are ever in this area with kids I can't recommend this museum enough. It was filled with the most incredible hands on exhibits including an Alice in Wonderland area and an indoor carousel:

Me and Mike Getting Into the Spirit of the Museum

Alice and Wonderland Exhibit 

Hank Riding the Indoor Carousel

Playing Drums in the Music Exhibit

I didn't get a photo of the famous Franklin Fountain but oh my goodness this place is good!!! If you are ever in Philly run, don't walk to this place. Everything is made on sight. I had a hot fudge sundae that definitely changed my life a little. So delicious. 

Here are a few images of Hank and me travelling since this was a big part of our long weekend. 

In the Car 

Holding Hands

Classic Black Pumps

I am so relieved to see that the heavy, hookeresque (sorry but that's how I feel) platform heels that have dominated fashion for quite some time seem to be finally disappearing. In it's place are gorgeous, flat front heels. I think the perfect example of the shoe of right now is the classic Manolo Blahnik  BB Pointed Toe Pump. How classic is this? It feels like something that Marilyn Monroe might be wearing in this classic scene in Some Like It Hot. 

So much better than this:

Sorry that's just how I feel.

Magic Tree

 If you live in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles chances are you may have stumbled upon this magical tree driving around the neighborhood. I am not sure who lives here but every time I drive by at night I have to smile. The gorgeous tree is full of antique chandeliers that blanket their home in a warm glow. It is pure magic. A friend captured the beauty a while back on her instagram and I had to share.

 

Preschool!!!!

Day One at Preschool

Things have been awfully quiet around here of late because Hank started preschool. We have been anticipating this day for months and I had more than a few sleepless nights thinking about it - will he be ready? How will he possibly adjust to so many changes? What will I make him for lunch? (The lunch thing continues to be a source of panic!). He really did a great job adjusting. The first couple of days were a bit hard. A lot of tears were shed in this little classroom but none of them by Hank. I spent the first few days just hanging out with him and this week I actually left for a while. It's really going great and it's exciting to see your child learn to be in a classroom filled with other children.

 

 

 

 

Browsing at H&M

I continue to be blown away by this little guy. Onward and upward (and hopefully more posts).

Happy New Year!

Life lately has been a blur of holidays and visitors and catching up with family and friends. Here are a few photos from the last week or so. I am hoping to post more in the new year. Happy New Year!

Celebrating East Coast New Years (didn't quite make it to West Coast)

Hank at Whole Foods 

making popovers on xmas eve 

Hank's drawings on his new easel 

A crazy xmas present from grandma 

Enjoying the empty playground

Checking out the lights in the neighborhood

Horseback riding

Hank taking a break at the Whole Foods in Pasadena

Rain, rain, rain and some puddles 

Dim Sum with Uncle Bobby

Hank's favorite spot

Holiday week train ride