Desert X 2025

We're in Coachella Valley! 

How to have a grueling weekend of relaxation in Santa Barbara

Village by the sea

Sunny blue skies.

This week in pictures | huis in san diego

Greetings from San Diego.

Getty Museum explained by a 9 year old

Take a virtual tour of the Getty Museum guided by Presley when he was nine years old.

Desert X 2023

We spent three days of our Spring Break trekking across the desert exploring massive art installations across the Coachella Valley known as Desert X.

Fancy schmancy affair

Last summer, Portia and I were summoned (courtesy of Resy) to have afternoon tea with Her Majesty Hello Kitty at the Hello Kitty Grand Cafe.  We are the Duchess and Princess of San Fernando Valley after all. 

That time we went to Disneyland

David claims it's the unhappiest place on earth. I tend to agree for all the obvious reasons.  However, I decided to give Dizzyland another chance after Portia begged to go with her two friends on a fine summer day in July of 2022. (The last time I went to Disneyland was in 2010 and 2016!)

  

Spring Break 2021

We followed my sis to the quiet, coastal town of Hollywood Beach, Oxnard where she rented a magnificent 6 bed/6.5 bath house on the beach for the week.  

Seaside life

During winter break, we took a little road trip down the coast to a little town called Cambria.  We've never been.  Turns out we REALLY like little (dog friendly) towns by the sea.

The Lego Movie 2

We got invited to The Lego Space in Hollywood to be a part of the The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part.  Everything is still awesome but Lego Duplo invaders from outer space are knocking down everything faster than Emmet, Lucy, Batman and their friends can rebuild.  

Kaiju vs. Heroes

Sunday's free museum day landed us at Kaiju vs. Heroes: Mark Nagata's Journey through the World of Japanese Toys at the Japanese American National Museum.  

Andy Warhol: Revisited

My Dad used to drive a Silver Shadow just like Andy Warhol.  I think that makes my Dad iconic too.

The kids had Friday off in honor of Caesar Chavez so we drove over the hill to Santa Monica in the late afternoon to Revolver Gallery to view Andy Warhol:Revisited 30 Years Later.  Bergamont Station has become a cultivated community of art galleries geared toward art lovers who want that one-stop viewing experience.  Where have I been?? I seriously don't get out enough.

Cock-a-doodle-doo

Welcome to Sriracha nation where rooster lovers come together to celebrate hot chili sauce!

Storks | Warner Bros. Studios

Two weeks ago, Portia and I attended an advance screening of Storks at Warner Bros. Studios! I'm so excited about this movie and hope it does really well upon release.

 

Sun, sand, and John Cena

I can't decide if I'm happy or bummed that the school year is starting in five days.  There is hope on the horizon, people.  After ten years, I'll have full rein of my days and more elbowroom to explore my options.  Will I get a part-time job? Aspire to be a sofa spud? Binge-watching the next four seasons of Game of Thrones is all I think about.  I'll finally have the time to put my homemaking curiosities to the test.  Does toothpaste really remove bathroom grout? Does baking soda and vinegar really clean the oven? So many vital questions that I need answers to.

Luxury on Lake San Marcos (you would think)

We fled the valley and headed to the lake.  We had a short yet blissful time in San Marcos.

 

PYO(pick-your-own) strawberries

It's that time of year at Underwood Family Farms, where Pre-k kids from all over the San Fernando Valley head to, for spring's strawberry picking.

Super Bowl Sunday at Disneyland

I forgot to mention our little trip to the mega, magical park hosted by our friends and Disney veterans, Jerome and Meiling! We were supposed to go on Presley's birthday but the rain postponed us to Superbowl Sunday.  It was a new experience going as a whole family since each of us has been at different times.  I forgot what it was like on this culty mouse land being surrounded by Mickey fandom, Disneyland social clubs, and hardcore enthusiasts.  It's hectic, surreal, and fabulous all at the same time.

I wish I had taken more pictures of us, especially on the DL side.  I was totally in the moment and taking everything in.  Did you know that 8:00 a.m.-DL-time is considered late in the mouse world?? Geez!!!

The Broad + kids in tow

A couple weeks ago we had a fun day, Sunday at The Broad! Being in the presence of contemporary art royalty blew my mind.  I was so impressed by the Broad's enormous collection all housed under a massive architectural beauty.

I finally uploaded some pictures...so up we go!