Big Sur

  

























Two weeks ago, lovely Anna and Mike came to visit, making them our first official East Coast visitors! They stayed with us in LA for two nights before we all headed up the coast to Big Sur.
We stayed in a house just off the PCH that was perched right on the edge of a cliff. We couldn't see another person or house for miles.

    























We opened wine at 3 pm, watched the most incredible sunsets, lived off of steak and lobster, and fell asleep each night to the sound of barking seals.

Joshua Tree National Park

Tim & I had a hard time leaving Hicksville while we were in Joshua Tree. But after a few mid-morning swims and the realization that we had already exhausted our instant coffee supply, we decided an outing would be in our best interest. We drove the isolated half hour to Joshua Tree National Park, and after getting a very long speech about the dangers of using our A/C in the park (killer bees, y'all- they love the stuff) we began exploring. 

It was 111 degrees in Joshua Tree that day, so we limited our hiking, but the park was stunning and gorgeous and also we saw the Salton Sea.

Hicksville

Ahh, Hicksville.

A hipsterific trailer park, grown-up summer camp, and secret desert retreat all rolled into one glorious sun-soaked acre. Tim & I *sort of* wanted to go camping(read: we wanted s'mores and stars but also running water and AC), so after some pretty specific google searches, we discovered Hicksville, Joshua Tree.  There is no address; directions are e-mailed 24 hours before you arrive, and the check-in/tour focuses mainly on how to operate the vintage jukebox and boozy vending machine.

After arriving and settling into our alien themed Airstream (yes, it does include an extraterrestrial communication center thank-you-very-much), we immediately changed into our bathing suits and began exploring the grounds. We found a miniature library (seriously, you have to crawl in, but it's surprisingly well stocked for a 6x6x6 foot cabin), an archery range (a bucket of arrows and bows on the front porch of said library), a ping pong room that opens up to the dessert(complete with a black-and-white photo booth), and of course, a hot tub on the roof.

We never changed out of our bathing suits, and spent the next two days perfecting our archery skills, figuring out how to make cinnamon rolls over an open fire, and staring at the stars from the rooftop hot tub. 

Washington Reid Gallery/UCPLA

Some of you know that I've started working with United Cerebral Palsy Los Angeles in their gallery! The Washington Reid Gallery exhibits the work of our artists-in-residence and we are working to expand our gallery's presence in the modern art community. 

Take a look at the press release for our upcoming show! If you don't know about Washington Reid Gallery and their association with United Cerebral Palsy LA, please feel free to contact me, or visit the website (here). If you are in the Los Angeles area, or know anyone in the Los Angeles area, please join us at our opening reception! 

                                                                









































































Opening Reception:

Washington Reid Gallery
6110 W Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232

June 22nd 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm

Spread the word, y'all!

Backstage at MidWinter

Last month, I flew to Atlanta for 26.5 hours to surprise my gorgeous sister (above), Charlotte, at her MidWinter Concert. I got pre-approved permission from Charlotte's dance instructors (formerly known as my dance instructors) to shoot backstage before and during the show. 

Also, the show included the sweetest father/daughter dance, choreographed by mine and Charlotte's first dance teacher ever. Sort of my Dad and Charlotte were the stars.

I had to leave at Intermission to catch my return-flight to LA, but on the way out, I caught a few extra (blurry) pictures from the front of the stage. 

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was spent with friends. Anna & Hailey (thankfully) each brought their families and filled up our tiny house with love. I made turkey pot-pies in ramekins and pecan pies in cast-iron skillets. Tim hung twinkle lights and, being short both a dining room and a dining table, moved his work desk outside so we could all eat beside the lemon tree.

                                                                 


Much thanks to each of these beautiful people for sharing their holiday with us.

Happy Birthday, Gorgeous

One of our last Friday nights in Charleston was spent at the Gruenloh home celebrating beautiful Anna's birthday. Mike made an amazing dinner (comma of course) Nat & Lily brought bubbles, Tim added to the couple's art collection, and I made Anna a really unfortunate looking (read: hilariously hideous) birthday cake, complete with pink icing and red sprinkles (seriously, I spent a good hour trying to photoshop this cake into oblivion). We played some really intense Uno games and lit sparklers at the end of the night.

                                                                 

I could never begin to say enough about Anna. She's the warmest, kindest, most up-for-anything friend a girl could have. She got the red wine stain out of my wedding dress during our reception in two seconds flat, lent me a dress for her own wedding day, painted my students faces for their end-of-year musical (and stayed for the whole performance) and hosted a going away party for Tim & I on her actual birthday. She is incredible and today, she's the thing I miss most about Charleston. Typically I reserve "happy birthday, gorgeous" for my husband, but I'm making an exception this time.