Just a few more photos from our weekend in Southern California…
We stayed in Long Beach, where I grew up, so I took my fellas out for pancakes at a spot I used to go in high school when I was on the crew team.
On Saturday afternoon, we drove into Los Angeles and, after a detour at the Grove and the old Farmer’s market, met friends in Venice Beach. They took us to a cool restaurant called Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing on Abbot Kinney while our boys stayed with a babysitter.
On Monday, after our big trip to Disneyland, we took it easy: we went for breakfast in Seal Beach and watched the surfers from the pier. Hudson has rekindled his romance with the swings. Move over slide.
The flight from Sacramento to Long Beach couldn’t be much easier, especially now that LB has a nice, new terminal. We used to make the flight from JFK and I really recommend Long Beach as an alternative to LAX. It’s just one small terminal, so it’s not ideal for long layovers, but it’s perfect for a simple landing.
Thank you for all of your wonderful travel questions! I’m going to be doing some side-work travel blogging (I’ll share more about that soon), so I really appreciate your help with inspiration. And, again, please don’t hesitate to toss out ideas for features of any sort that you’d like to see more of around here! I’d love to hear them anytime!
Here are a few things that have caught my attention lately:
The perfect shade (and length) of red nails on French Voguettes. Remember my hunt?
Do you hide or embrace your television? (We struggle with this.) Five elegant fixes to displaying a flat-screen.
Holy cow, this birthday cake is insane. How much would your five-year old love you?
I’m not at all over the trend toward Constellation-themed objects.
This customized birth print would make a nice gift for a new parent.
Happy Housekeeping secrets. And of course I still love Jenny’s solution to conquering the chore list. (Speaking of cleaning, need a discount on Method products?)
Did you read Bringing Up Bébé? What did you think? Will you read the new follow-up?
I can’t wait for Joslyn’s next progress report. This one was really inspiring.
This Mapmaking skill-share class (for designers and non-designers alike) would be awesome to take.
It’s nice to be reminded to help Hudson to do something by himself. He loves being given tasks.
And jawdropping pink lakes.
Have a wonderful weekend! Will you watch the Oscars?
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Spot on with this write-up, I seriously feel this site needs far more attention.
I’ll probably be back again to see more, thanks for the advice!
I love your red flats in one of the last photos! Where did you get them?
Thank you! They’re from Jcrew.
Beautiful pictures
What brand are Hudson’s shoes.
Love your red flats as well.
After seeing Hugh Jackman “Les Miserables” clip on Letterman the other night, I’m looking forward to watching the Oscars.
Thank you! His are Native. They make really cute rubber shoes. And mine are Jcrew. Have fun watching the show tonight!
Ashley-I just wanted to come and say thank you for writing such an honest and interesting blog. I love how you capture life and it is a pleasure to wake up to and puruse every morning with my cup of coffee.
Your family is beautiful and your approach to life inspiring without being pretentious.
Keep up the great work:)
Jenn.
What a nice thing to say! Thank you!!
such lovely photos!
curious, what lens do you use?
Looks like a lovely place, I’m very jealous of your sunshine!
wish we could display our television on an easel (but as you are too aware!) it’s not practical with a toddler. we need to get a wall mounting kit; do you recommend one?
We just bought one from Costco on Friday–the company is called Simplicity mounts. I’ll let you know if there’s any problem, but they look nice and slim. Fingers crossed…
Love all your links. Especially the one about the piñata cake. Amazing! Thank you. Have a lovely weekend. Yes, I’ll be watching the Oscars.
Leave it to you guys to make Long Beach seem super appealing to me
I need some 75 degree weather.
Her nails are perfection! The shade looks like the one I use on my toes- Vermillionaire by Essie, if you’re still on the hunt
XX Jesscia
Thanks, Jessica!
Makes me want to travel to Southern California… I would go more if my husband weren’t so partial to Northern Cal and so averse to the traffic going South…
I love your photos, especially the ones where your son is in them. What a cutie!
I love your blog and your style:) where is your jacket from?
Thank you, Sonia! The jacket is actually from Forever 21–I was so happy when I spied it.
Ashley,
Thanks so much for linking to my etsy shop and the birthdate posters! What a fun surprise to see my work when I clicked on the link!
reading your travel notes above & snapshots of L.A., just wanted to say that I published a post today All about L.A. which you might like. it’s an interview with lots of wonderful places mentioned throughout the city. Your blog is wonderful. thank you vanessa
Can’t wait to read through it all! Have it starred!
so fun! I want to go somewhere warm right now!
random note, but I was just on Cup of Jo and thought of you guys and wanted to say thanks for the baby in a closet encouragement:) I’m not 100% finished, but I’m due in a week or so and my little closet nursery makes me so happy. So much happier than a baby in my bedroom, or a baby in a bedroom with his/her already non-sleeping 2 year old brother. Here is an IG pic: http://instagram.com/p/V2NvdsryLc/
Guesting upon planets which can be complete or even extremely filled increases the probability of getting place into a great overflow chart. GOOGLE http://www.google.com
Love your photos and your links!
A motivating discussion is definitely worth comment. I believe that you ought to publish more about this issue, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people don’t speak about such issues. To the next! Kind regards.