Spring is coming

Pretty soon we spring ahead on our clocks! I can't wait. I love warm nights when the sun lingers past 7:00 pm and the world is full of possibilities. We get a bit of a modified version of spring in Los Angeles since winter tends to be so mild but I still can't wait. Also it hopefully means Hank will sleep a bit later. To get into a spring mood here are some gorgeous clothes by Emerson Fry that will have you dreaming of spring too.

Weekend

Checking out the animals at the Zoo

 This was our first weekend home in a bit where we had no plans, except watching the Oscars of course. We ended up packing in lots of activities. Highlights included a costume pot-lock party at Hank's school on Saturday morning, an impromptu trip to Disneyland Saturday night and specifically Radiator Springs since Hank is fully obsessed with Cars now, and Hank and Mike's trip to the zoo. I am exhausted just writing it all on paper but it actually was a wonderful weekend.

Hank as an astronaut making a call at the school party 

Waiting for a Ride 

Another View of the Mater Ride

Radiator Springs

Treat for the Oscars

Oscar Sunday

When I lived in New York my cousin Robin and I had an Oscar tradition that I've tried to carry on during my time in Los Angeles, but my husband isn't always the most willing partner-in-crime. For years I would head over to my cousin's apartment in the East Village in the late afternoon (we never wanted to miss a single moment of the red carpet even that awkward hour when there are no celebrities and it's all Giuliana and Ryan and filler). We would both wear our pajamas, drink champagne and eat cheap Chinese food. It was literally one of my favorite days of the year. Mike will drink a bit of champagne and of course eat Chinese food but getting him to break down the pros and cons of Cate Blanchett's dress or that awkward Anna Hathaway moment is a lot tougher. Regardless I can't wait for Sunday.  

Vacation

We've been in Palm Springs. I am hoping to post more soon! Here is an old photo of Hank from Palm Springs two years ago.

FASHION FILM from Matthew Frost on Vimeo.

This funny film made me laugh out loud. The clothes are lovely and I love how it pokes fun on how fashion loves to take itself very seriously.

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