Before our trip to SoCal I blogged a list of things I wanted to do so here's what I got to (almost everything!):

*family -check

*sunshine -check

*the ocean -in Santa Barbara after a great lunch at the Chamomile Cafe in Carpinteria

*Christmas -check

*birthdays -check

*new year -check

*loads of raw restaurants!! -check

*Camarillo outlets: Betsey Johnson, AG, and more! -check

*Santa Monica promenade -twice!

*Juliano's Raw -loads more then I should admit!

*Rawvolution -oh my goodness the raw chocolate mint cheesecake! I even bought a tank top!

*Real Food Daily -tasty with some raw options!

*Disneyland -check. Way busier then we hoped but we had so much fun. Eliot keeps asking when we can go back.
                    He was so fearless! Eliot went on Tower of Terror, Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain. Seriously.

*Malibu- Cross Creek -nope

*gym -Yes and no… I didn't go to 24 Hour Fitness as I had planned but rather went to a yoga/pilates studio in the valley with my mother-in-law. Her instructor kicks all kinds of butt! So love her! I also had fantastic workouts running through Woodland Hills and later in Ojai. Can I tell you about the difference in air quality? Wow.

*Au Lac- nope.

*Cru -Wow. Amazing service, amazing food, beautiful atmosphere at night. I really liked this little place in Silverlake.

*Santa Monica stairs -Yes! Gorgeous foggy Santa Monica day. As those who live there know it can be sunny and bright
                                    at 14th Street but at 7th completely cold and foggy. The stairs are at the end of 4th. Pretty
                                    crowded for a chilly December day! Loved it!

*The beach -drove by it, sat in the sand, loved it.

*Tarina Tarantino -Brought in an online coupon for a discount. I bought a few hair accessories.

*Marc by Marc Jacobs -Love the cheapy stuff. I bought compacts and fingerless mittens, an umbrella with hearts all
                                      over it and more. Score.

*friends! -Tried so hard to see people and very thankful for a couple meet ups with familiar smiling faces. Hugs!

*Leaf -I only got here once when I thought it'd be my staple while staying in the valley. Just got so busy! Still great!
          Funny story: As I was ordering a very impatient LA girl was waiting so I told her to go ahead of me but
          guy had already started my stuff so she huffed and puffed shifting the weight on her feet saying, "Shit" under
          her breath. (But still audibly, hello?) Anyway, sorta typical regional behavior. When she did get her drink she
          turned into evryone's best friend with a flashy smile and big "Thank you!" Are you kidding me? ha

*Madeleine Bistro -Had a brunch here with just me and the husband which was nice and then extra extra lovely was
                              when my (not vegan) inlaws took us back for a beautiful dinner. The food was incredible!!!
                              Thank you again!!

*Montana Ave -Met a dear friend here for girl talk and people watching. One of my favorite places for people and dog
                         watching in LA.

*Ojai -So wonderful! The park, sweet Catherine and her equally groovy daughter Molly at Bhavantu, ran in the sun,
          the Sunday farmer's market, Serendipity toy store and all!!

 California by Joni Mitchell

Sitting in a park in Paris France
Reading the news and it sure looks bad
They won't give peace a chance
That was just a dream some of us had
Still a lot of lands to see
But I wouldn't want to stay here
It's too old and cold and settled in its ways here
Oh but California

California I'm coming home
I'm going to see the folks I dig
I'll even kiss a Sunset pig
California I'm coming home

I met a redneck on a Grecian isle
Who did the goat dance very well
He gave me back my smile
But he kept my camera to sell
Oh the rogue the red red rogue
He cooked good omelettes and stews
And I might have stayed on with him there
But my heart cried out for you California

Oh California I'm coming home
Oh make me feel good rock 'n' roll band
I'm your biggest fan
California I'm coming home

Oh it gets so lonely
When you're walking
And the streets are full of strangers
All the news of home you read
Just gives you the blues
Just gives you the blues
So I bought me a ticket
I caught a plane to Spain
Went to a party down a red dirt road
There were lots of pretty people there
Reading Rolling Stone reading Vogue
They said "How long can you hang around?"
I said a week maybe two
Just until my skin turns brown
Then I'm going home to California

California I'm coming home
Oh will you take me as I am
Strung out on another man
California I'm coming home

Oh it gets so lonely
When you're walking
And the streets are full of strangers
All the news of home you read
More about the war
And the bloody changes
Oh will you take me as I am?
Will you take me as I am?
Will you?

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