Ever since we went to Disneyland last month Eliot has added the Small World theme song to his set of go to songs. The others are, in no particular order:
1. Jingle Bells
2. Pure Imagination (from Willy Wonka)
3. MegaMan theme song
4. Super Mario Bros theme song
5. Or he makes up his own song. Like last week on our walk to school he sang all about fall and the leaves. Beautiful.
Feel very lucky that we were back in SoCal for another day at Disneyland.
In a funhouse mirror. I'm wearing a headband that has has a piece of cheesecake on it. I'm a head-cake. 
E in Mickey's musical auto!
Buzz ride is a fav
Woody's Round-Up, another big fav
We always wait in the long line for Peter Pan
Taking pics from the line
Have a beautiful weekend!
XO
A
At AuLac in Fountain Valley, CA you'll find a restaurant with a chef who doesn't speak. Chef Ito took a vow of silence many years ago.
Eliot and I went to AuLac after Disneyland last Wednesday night. Located in a strip mall of dull brown buildings it felt, I must admit, kinda magical to drive directly there and find it without whipping a u-turn or three. Let's just say I get lost sometimes even with a GPS in my car (btw this rental car was without said luxury). The staff was friendly and warm but when Chef Ito made his first impression on us I could immediately see why. He hid behind the bar, poked his head up with a red balloon pump in one hand and a small yellow balloon in the other hand. He wanted Eliot's attention. I told E to look up and he began to pump up the balloon revealing a happy face on the little gift. So sweet.
We were seated and while Eliot snacked on avocado and ran down the rest of the charge on my iphone I ate the raw vegan tacos and the "fried" raw vegan "rice" pictured below. I chose those two dishes after reading reviews and the menu was huge! All vegan cooked and raw means I was a happy woman. The fried rice was beautiful as you can see and the textures and flavors were so filling and delicious- big pieces of avocado at the base. Holy yum. You can taste the love and care from the presentation to eating to the way they packed my takeaway. Ah-mazing. And the best was still to come. I got three desserts.
1. a raw cacao shake to sip on on the drive back (I was tired)
2. raw vegan donut holes made with spirulina, coconut flour and melted gooey palm sugar. These were out of this girls raw world, one of the best things I've ever tasted. Ever. Ever. Ever. I want them right now. Warm. Soft. Good heavens.
3. Chef Ito put a lovely smelling oil on my wrist, walked Eliot and I out to our car, gave E a high five, we "chatted", he hugged me and he pushed pressure points up and down my spine and I told him we'd be back.
Thank you so much AuLac. You made such an impression on me. Big love.
We work out:
E likes to knock on the White Rabbit's front door:
I always take pictures of the lanterns above the teacups. I would like these in my backyard:
Eliot blasting Jesse. Luckily she's a good sport:
I felt just like this a few days ago:
Tea Cups
Sign
For my sis-in-law
Broom
Small World
Sleeping Beauty's Castle
Develop and Radiate Power-Pep-Appeal
Electricity Will "Do It"
Be A Somebody
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?
Are you taking a vacation this summer (or this season)? Where are you headed and who's going with you?
we are going to portland, seattle, santa rosa, mammoth and maui in the next few months. plus hopefully a fun los angles weekend for dinner, disneyland and family.
clothes! today i wore my pink vox t shirt! yesterday i had on a simple red t with a tiny little pocket. wednesday i wore a baby pink h&m t with a brown nest tank from doe. tuesday i wore my sweats all day, we had gym class so i had on my dark blue nike sweats and an amy tangerine 'go' t. monday i had on a button up that i got in portland when i was shopping with lydia. and if your reading this lydia, i don't think i'm going to keep it. it feels a little too bit costumey-rock-a-billy to me. and i've also worn my marc by marc jacobs red thermal with blue flowers on it and my love all creatures great and small t this week.
so my clothing experiment is going fairly well, i think. i have cheated a couple of times. for one i shopped in ojai, which i previously revealed. secondly, i bought a pair of black ag angel cords because they were on sale and i love them so. in addition on the same website i bought the cords, in order to get free shipping i just had to spend a little bit more, and i got sucked in and bought a super girl tee. lastly, i cheated a few days ago after getting am email from victoria's secret that some dresses i've had my eye on were on sale plus free shipping. in a moment of weakness (and stress) i grabbed a few. and a bonus treat was a butterfly bikini from jcrew that i bought to celebrate passing my personal trainer exam. eek! there was one more, also last week i was at target and bought a little white baby doll top with pockets and buttons. oh my, i don't think i should go on, i just remembered i went to the city two weeks ago and at h&m with my friend amy and i was enchanted by the low prices and newness and companionship (excuse excuses!) so i picked up a dress, a pink tee, a pair of brown shorts and a grey and pink striped mini dress. i am so weak when it comes to shopping! oh man, i just recalled another purchase at the gap of a pair of black shorts. it was hot and all my shorts don't fit! i have a lot of size sixes and with a belt it's not baggy cute, it's baggy ridiculous when i need a zero.
well, after taking a loose count of the items in my closet i have yet to wear, i could probably go another four months (it's already been a bit over two).
over the last few days i've worn my amy tangerine bliss top, a grey glitter dumbo tee from disneyland, i bought about four years ago i think. and today i wore my white thermal (again) and my old navy grey v-neck hoodie sweater, which i also think i've worn before. i've had to become much more organized in my crazy closet since i am in it full on now. i recently separated everything into sections of what i've worn from what i haven't.
i'm baring my soul and closet here and clearly i need help. i know, i know i'm only cheating myself! i really, really don't want to start over again. and i've worn quite a few things over again because they're personal favorites.
i do feel like this process is helpful. for the most part, i've been a little more creative with my purchases and outfits. wish me luck. because as you see i need it.
Heartshapedsky 