Monday, May 30, 2016

Have a Wonderful Memorial Day!

Will's handprint American flag
Hope everyone had a safe and blessed day.

Saturday, May 28, 2016

'Tumble Leaf' Celebrates Season Premiere at Au Fudge

Ahoy, Will!
To kick off its second season premiere of preschool-friendly animated series "Tumble Leaf," Amazon threw a fun party earlier this month at new, super-cool family restaurant and creative space Au Fudge in West Hollywood.

Centering on a little blue fox named Fig, the whimsical Amazon original series "Tumble Leaf" invites kids to explore the world around them with their friends. #Preschoolsquad at its best.

Will enjoys popcorn and comfy pillows while watching 'Tumble Leaf' at Au Fudge.
While kids could grab some popcorn and super-soft pillows to catch the newest episode of the animated series, there were lots of other activities that they could also enjoy. Both CC and Will got their faces and arms painted, decorated cookies, and CC made her own flower crown.

Gotta love flower crowns!
Children's arts and crafts company Seedling was also on hand with pirate ships that the kids could decorate. So cute!

Will colors his clothespin pirate from Seedling.
"Tumble Leaf" was a great show for Will. He loved watching Fig and his caterpillar friend, Stick, check out their little island. We look forward to catching more episodes on Amazon Prime.

Friday, May 27, 2016

Friday Finds: London Manori Necklace

I'm always looking for cute yet stylish reminders of the kiddos, whether it's a ring, a frame or this super chic necklace from L.A.-based jewelry design company London Manori.

I discovered them when I attended Club Momme's Spring Fest in April at the Fig House. I'm pretty minimalist when it comes to jewelry, so I was happy to find this gorgeously subtle gold initial necklace ($65 + extra charm). And not only was I able to pick a letter, I picked 2! (Don't want the kiddos to think I have a favorite!)

So now I have this pretty necklace and a lovely reminder of CC and Will whenever I look in the mirror.

Here's what it looks like on (I chose the 16" necklace, but there are also 18" and 20" versions.)


Also happy to support a Los Angeles business!

Monday, May 23, 2016

Tammin Sursok Launches 'Bottle and Heels'

Actress Tammin Sursok hits the red carpet with husband Sean, daughter Phoenix and some 'manservants.'
Deep in the gorgeously winding hills of Bel-Air on Sunday, "Pretty Little Liars" actress and mom Tammin Sursok launched her website "Bottle and Heels."

The lovely pink-hued moms' lifestyle site covers everything from motherhood (parenting stories, hacks, DIYs, kids' fashion) to travel, art, sex and fitness.

CC, Will and I get into the B+H party spirit!
And Tammin had all of those areas covered at the packed launch party, too! While moms could indulge in massages, mini makeovers from Blushington, cocktails from 50 Bleu and H2Rose, and "at your service" manservants (@manservants_co), the kiddos didn't miss out on any fun themselves.

Will decorates cookies at the Au Fudge station.
Will indulged in a little cookie decorating, thanks to a pop-up of Jessica Biel's new kid-friendly restaurant, Au Fudge. Books and Cookies, The Beach People and The BeatBuds were also on hand to entertain the kiddos.

Check out those hair sparkles!
CC headed over to the Sparkle Nation booth, where she had leopard-print heart stickers placed in her hair.

Cool clutches!
She even got to design her own clutch with iron-on goodies at Bow & Drape.

Bel-Air beauty!
The house itself was gorgeous, the epitome of L.A. glam. And, of course, the kiddos were fascinated by the pool -- and those super-cool floats.

You know you have L.A. kids when ...
We had such a fun time! Cheers to another entrepreneurial L.A. mama!

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Mother's Day at Malibu Farm

Malibu Farm
Mother's Day was pretty amazing, I have to say. The fam and I drove up the PCH to have brunch at Malibu Farm on the Malibu Pier, and it was just as gorgeous and delicious as I'd hoped it would be.

I had been to the Malibu Farm Café at the end of the pier for a baby shower a couple of years ago, and I was hoping for an opportunity to go back. This was it!

CC and Will take in the beach and Pacific Ocean.
While we waited for our table at Malibu Farm Restaurant (at the beginning of the pier), we walked up and down the pier, gazing at the water; strolled into the little gift shop; spotted Rory Kennedy(!) and her kids; and Will even got to ride the kid-friendly toy boat.

Here is Will losing his mind.
After about 35 minutes, we sat down at a booth that looked onto the pier and ocean. I love the casual white, beachy décor.

Will decided he wanted to sit at another table.
Not only that, but our food was amazing. The kids ordered yogurt with granola and fresh fruit, while Ian and I got the super-delicious coconut blackberry crusted French toast. Yum! It even came in its own piping hot black mini skillet.

Now this is how you French toast!
We had such an amazing time and will definitely be going back. It felt like a vacation getaway, and it was only 30 minutes from our place. (That's really good for L.A.!)

Malibu Farm Restaurant and Café
On the Malibu Pier
M - Fr: 11-9 | Sa, Su: 9-10

Monday, May 2, 2016

Dinosaurs Roar Into the Los Angeles Zoo!

CC and Will check out the Edmontonia.
The kiddos and I stepped back in time a few million years in April while checking out the newest exhibit at the Los Angeles Zoo.

"Dinosaurs: Unextinct at the L.A. Zoo," which runs through October 31, features 17 life-like dinos that hissed and even spat at us as we walked by. (Will and CC were both fascinated and a little freaked out by that. Of course, it was the kind of "freaked out" where they kept running back for more!)

We're going in!
For $5 extra per person (in addition to regular Zoo admission), you and your family can check out such realistic-looking dinosaurs as the long-necked Brachiosaurus, a feathered Citipati, a Diabloceratops (with a baby and even a nest of eggs), as well has the spitting Dilophosaurus.

Watch out for the spitting Dilophosaurus!
The movements, noises and the actual bodies of these creatures were so cool and realistic, it was easy to imagine that we were walking through a much safer version of Jurassic Park. I also loved that we got to see dinos that don't usually headline exhibits. (I mean, who's heard of a Utahraptor?)

Of course, we did get to see a T-Rex, which was a little Terrifying.

Someone was hungry!
Parents, just as a precaution, you might need to warn kids that one dino becomes part of the circle of life. Will and CC were more fascinated than anything, but they definitely remarked on the bloody teeth marks.

I don't want to spoil the whole exhibit, which also includes a fun fossil dig, so I'll leave you with just one more photo. The addition, honestly, is perfect for the L.A. Zoo, and I'm wondering if it will become permanent. If not, at least it's open through Halloween.

No doubt the zoo will get super-creative for trick-or-treaters!


The Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Tickets: $20 (general admission, ages 13-61); $15 (children ages 2-12)
Admission to "Dinosaurs: Unextinct" is $5 per person in addition to regular zoo admission.