venice, california

After I left my blogger meet up weekend, I stayed with my friend Haley who lives in Venice, California. We did a little eating, a little rocking and a whole lot of shopping! I'd never been to Venice, but I'll tell you, I saw a lot. A whole lot. Abbott Kinney has too many great shops for my wallet, but if you find yourself in Venice, and I suggest going at least once, be sure to visit Skylark!

So, we went to the Promenade and shopped at Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie and American Apparel, then we went out on the boardwalk to a restaurant called Fig Tree Cafe. All of their food is organic, and I got fish tacos worth selling your grandma for!

The next day we went back out on the boardwalk in the daylight so I could see the craziness that is Venice Beach. I bought two huge rings for $2.50 each, I saw a two-headed turtle, caught a contact high from all the legal marijuana, and spied these decorated motor homes where the homeless beachcombers live.

Before we left the boardwalk, we went out on the beach for the drum circle that happens every Sunday. I definitely enjoyed it, and I really liked watching this Native American man dance with his feathers.

When we left the drum circle, we did a little more shopping (okay, a lot), then we went to a greek restaurant and I got the best authentic pita sandwich I've ever in my life eaten. Once we got back to Haley's apartment, she changed her clothes and did my eye makeup (I'm so not a girl) in preparation for the show at The Viper Room! We went to see her friend's band, Stevie Starlight, and it was an awesome show! We drove through Beverly Hills on the way there so I could see all the places I'd never be able to afford.

california, again.

Okay, before I go any further, I'm gonna warn you, there are a lot of pictures! I thought I'd finish showing you everything from my California trip in this one post, but there's seriously no way that's happening. It was hard enough to choose which pictures to use without overwhelming you, but I also figured that I should finish telling you about my blogger meet up fun before I introduced you to Haley, the friend (who isn't a blogger) that I stayed with for the second part of my trip. Haley pictures will come tomorrow. Now, without further ado...

On Friday we spent much of the day at the beach, and I must say, it was breath-taking! And yes, of course I took a picture of a bird!

Lauren and I took a picture of one another taking a picture. Kassi looks cute as always, and Brandi poses for our pictures. Chris loves her mirror sunglasses. I wish Kelly could have come, too!

Kassi's kids were our company and entertainment for the day. Tannyn and Tayli were our photographers, and Tyler left us to girl talk while he surfed. It must be said, Tyler is any mom's dream. Seriously, he's the most respectful and helpful 12-year-old boy I've ever had the pleasure of meeting!

We went to Brandi's friend's store Pretty in Pink in Costa Mesa, CA and I fell in love with so many things. I ended up only getting a double finger ring, but there was a tank top, a pair of pants, a few shirts and a dress that i really wanted! Then we went to the fair for my last bit of time with my three favorite bloggers before it was time for me to leave and go stay with Haley.

I had a great time with them, and I can't wait to do it again. I don't know if the next meet up will be in another state, or maybe at my house, but either way, I'm ready!

day 1 - laguna niguel

Day 1 was actually a really long day for me. I found out the night before I was supposed to leave that my first flight was delayed, meaning I'd miss my connecting flight from Philadelphia to LAX, so I had to get US Airways (who were very kind and helpful by the way) to put me on an earlier flight going to Philly...the only thing was, I had to get up at 5:00 that morning! So I ended up not going to bed in California until 5:30 Virginia time! I'd do it again though because we had so much fun talking vulgar, eating cheeses and drinking something delicious Dan made for us!

I actually don't really have that many pictures of day one, or any day for that matter, and I think it's because I was having such a good time, I forgot to get my camera out! Kassi's sweet little girls kept snatching my camera so they could play photographer, too, so the last two pictures are from Tannyn and Tayli!

Kassi's house, as well as Orange County in general, was so pretty! I couldn't wait to see the way she decorated it, after seeing pictures on her blog. Let me just tell you, the pictures don't do it justice! Dan (her hubs) and I beat Kassi, Brandi and Lauren back to the house, so I was a little nervous for the big meeting, but it went great, and I felt like we were old friends who'd known each other for years!

Here are some fun giveaways that I wouldn't mind winning! This one, and this one.

just the four of us

Well, I've only been home for 14 hours, and 7 of it was spent sleeping, but I'm already itching to go on another trip to hang out with Kassi, Brandi and Lauren again. I had so much fun on our blogger/friend meet up, and I just wasn't ready to leave! I knew they were amazing from their blogs and emails, but I was so excited to find that they were even more awesome in person!

I know, this isn't really the best picture, but like the rest of me, my arms are pretty short, so this is what I got! I've got lots more pictures to share, but to be honest, I'm still all groggy from jet lag and getting used to east coast time again, so they'll be showing up for the next few days.

So I took this picture in Costa Mesa, CA in the last few hours i had with them before I met up with my friend Haley who I stayed with for the last part of the trip.

And, in case you remember a previous post about my fears regarding the Philadelphia airport, I can tell you that it is nothing like people said it was. It's nice, clean, and has all the food you could ever want. See, I wasted all that time worrying about nothing! The flights there and back were fine (with the exception of the rocky landing in Phoenix) and I feel like a big girl having solo flying under my belt! Next flight, please!

much love monday: pendant lights

Yesterday I said that I've been having one long, drawn out blogging brain fart, and it's actually really simple; I'm so excited about my trip to California that I can think of little else. I do have a giveaway in the works, so I'll probably post that tomorrow and then announce the winner on Tuesday the 15th.

Last week I forgot about "Much Love Monday" until Tuesday, but I'm on time today! This Monday I'm loving pendant lights. I have the Urban Outfitters bird cage pendant light that was given to me for Christmas, but I'm still waiting for it to be installed in the breakfast nook area of my kitchen. I'm thinking I wouldn't mind having on in my dining room, too!

Back to the California trip... I'm going to have so many pictures to share when I get back, it won't even be funny! 1. I've already been told that Kassi is going to get Brandi, Lauren and I drunk on our first night there, so she can steal our wallets loosen us up! Weighing in at less than 100 pounds, it only takes a sip or two to get me tipsy. 2. I've washed most of clothes and packed half of what I need already, so the only thing to worry about now is navigating the dreaded Philadelphia airport! 3. I have to admit, even though I'll miss Chris, I know he can take care of himself, but I'm really getting sad thinking about being away from Flojo and the kittens (who have doubled in weight and are eating A LOT). 4. I'm sure once I get there I won't want to leave. Hopefully I won't cry as we're taking off on the way home like I did in San Francisco last November. Don't get me wrong, I love Virginia, but it's definitely no California!