when...

... this is the first thing your weary eyes see in the morning, how can you have anything but a lovely day?

my new wet dream

Not sure what it says about me when that God, I Miss NYC feeling to surges to insane levels over learning about a project such as this: Park Avenue Dumpster Pools. But here I am, sleepless at 4am on a Saturday morning wishing I could be there in August to dip my toe in these waters "with Grand Central Terminal and the MetLife Building serving as a backdrop". I mean, how INSANELY creative is that?

{ image via NYTimes }

magnolia magnolia

I am thrilled. Thrilled. THRILLED. Magnolia Bakery comes to Los Angeles today at noon.


Let me be the first to admit, I think this joint is overrated. I never really cared for their cupcakes when I lived in NYC. Shoot me, I know... I'm committing a sin in many people's eyes with this simple admission, but honestly, there was something too sweet about the frosting for my taste. But here's what it boils down to (1) Anything that makes me feel a little closer to the city I love is reason for excitement. And, (2) they have a flourless frickin' chocolate cake whose pan they "dust the pan with cocoa to keep this product gluten free”.

So, deardear Magnolia Bakery: I'm coming back to your arms. Please {for the love of chocolate} don't let me down. Thanks (!)

the first half

It's officially been six months of wedded bliss. We're getting our marriage-sea legs so to speak... talking and learning and exploring and growing and negotiating and talking and talking and talking. It's delightful. A journey with no end. I can honestly say, I've never been happier...

the baby space

+

We love where we live. And something told me when we first moved into our 1 bedroom bungalow that this would be where we had our first (if only) child. I've ran across a number of design posts about making it work in a one bedroom gracefully. But nothing has tickled my fancy more than Jordan Ferney's genius for her son on oh happy day. And it's transition from baby to toddler closet (read: room) is just delightful.

{ images via oh happy day }

And the winner is...

... lovely, lovely San Francisco. For its foggy goodness, delicious food, culture, walkability, and best of all... its a short drive up from Los Angeles. I predict a fabulous 3 day birthday weekend.

PS: Finding out a neighborhood's Walk Score is endlessly fascinating to me.

{ image via SF Chronicle }

the birthday

A few days ago my husband surprised me with the news that we're heading out of town for my 31st birthday. Hooray, hooray. Details are still up in the air, but here are our options:

or

or

or

Obviously, I am pulling for NYC (I have not been back since I moved home to Los Angeles in 2006). But, with only three days to play I'm not sure that's enough time to get in everything & everyone I will want / need / desire to do / see / have. Oh, NYC... I {heart} you.

{ images via: Vancouver, Seattle, SF, NYC (NYC & Company) }