Trees and Flowers

When I was young, my family would often take walks around our neighborhood... usually after breakfast on the weekend. In my adolescent years, I always thought it was strange that my parents were so intrigued by the ways that people chose to landscape their front yards. Let me tell you, they can wax poetic about some trees.

As you might have guessed, I am now fascinated by all of the trees and flowers that I see when I take Baby Bee out for walks. "Wowa!" (read, flower) she exclaims, just as soon as I push the stroller past the Egyptian lilies outside our building. Something tells me that she will grow to love trees and flowers as much as I do.

Here are some shots of my favorites around our neighborhood:

Little Pleasures: Purple and Pink

Nighttime moisturizer

Pretty tools

       Egyptian lillies... I'm jonesing for nail polish in this shade. 

(Any suggestions?)

There's nothing like an afternoon snooze in the car.

Have a great weekend!

Little Pleasures: Here Comes Summer

Cherries galore

Days like this in La Jolla

Fragrant white jasmine all day long

Weekend lunches at Malibu Seafood

My Favorite Florist

I love having fresh flowers at home. They instantly brighten up a room, and make me feel cheerful each time I see them. The only setback is that it can be expensive to buy pretty posies each week. Enter Trader Joe's.  

Trader Joe's is just the best! If that store sold cute clothes and accessories, in addition to all of the great food, I'd buy stock in a heartbeat (is it even a publicly "traded" company?). Anyway, I've recently gotten into the habit of picking up flowers there during my weekly trip for groceries. I can truthfully say that the couple of weeks when peonies are available there is an exciting time in my life.

Have a lovely weekend!

Feeling Jazzy

Earlier this week, Baby Bee and I went for a walk in the neighborhood. Suddenly, the heavenly aroma of jasmine hit me. Scent is a powerful memory trigger, and whenever I smell jasmine, I think of spring. Five years ago, I had three pretty pink jasmine plants growing on the balcony of my apartment, but a harsh winter night extinguished their beauty. Maybe it's time to jazz up the balcony again. These sweet flowers are so charming, and can really brighten up your day!

Museum Monday: The Getty Center

The modern and graceful beauty of the West Pavillion

Buttery tulips in the Center Garden

A view through the trees

The Getty Center is truly one of the gems of Los Angeles. Ever since it opened in 1997, it's been one of my favorite places in the city. Admission is free (parking is $15), and you can easily spend all day roaming all four pavillions and relaxing in the various gardens on the campus. Of course, the changing exhibitions are always excellent, as are the permanent collections. Now that spring is just around the corner, I think it would be great to pack a picnic and head back up there with the family. Did I mention that the views of L.A. (both day and night) are spectacular?

Little Pleasures

Delicious almond cookies from Phoenix Bakery in honor of Chinese New Year

Pretty blossoms on a mimosa tree

The scent of cotton candy in the air while passing by a pop-up carnival

My new Elizabeth and James darkers

Have A Good Week

Hi there. Just a short post for today. I hope that you have a great week! Mondays can be dreary, but here's a pretty rose to get the week off to a good start.

Little Pleasures

The peachy glow that filters through the window each morning

Glam-tastic golden flats with edgy, spiky ankle straps

Fresh flowers to remind me that spring isn't too far away

Baby Bee's sweet little fingers and toes

Pretty stationery with my new favorite symbol on it