Wondering what to do in Downtown LA? Visit the Grand Central Market!

 The Grand Central Market: what to do in downtown LA

Need some ideas for what to do in downtown LA?

Los Angeles is quite the “happening” city with lots of great new places to visit! Have you been lately? First of all, allow me suggest that you should call it DTLA and you will be popular with all the cool kids. Second, go hungry because there are so many great places to eat you will need to save room!

Craig and I had heard about the transformation of the Grand Central Market in to a food lover’s paradise and we finally took a couple of hours to go visit. Travel tip: If you can, go during the week and just before lunch to beat the crowds and the lines. There are many terrific restaurants where hungry eaters line up for quite a while!

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A Breathtaking Visit to the Tulip Fields in Washington

spectacular display of flowers

tulip fields in Washington

A visit to the tulip fields in Washington should be on everyone’s adventure list!

Our daughter Alex has lived in the state of Washington for nine years and because of this, I have known about the spectacular tulip fields for years. You should be aware that a visit to the tulip fields is a wonderful way to spend the day, but it is an adventure in timing. First you need to plan a trip to Seattle, then you need to plan to go in April, then you hope it doesn’t rain and make everything super muddy, then you need to hope that they will be blooming when you arrive!

tulip fields in Washington

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Empty Nest: New Update for the Fixer Upper Renovation

fixer upper renovation

The outside stucco color is a vanilla malt, the doors are a fabulous color of persimmon, and the trim is a chocolate-brown.

More news on the fixer upper renovation!

Oh boy, there is a lot to talk about. I started reviewing older posts from as far back as September. My video makes it fun to see the old house and I was so optimistic that we would be completed in seven months but the reality is more like nine months. What is a couple of months when we have a lifetime of enjoyment ahead of us!

My original video:

If you receive this post via email, click HERE to see the video.

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Savor Laguna: A fantastic foodie walking tour in Laguna Beach!

view of lagun from Wyland
The view from the deck of the Wyland Gallery, downtown Laguna Beach, CA.

 

A walking tour in Laguna Beach… yes please! Not only did I have the privilege of leisurely walking and eating my way through the charming streets of Laguna, but I learned a great deal of the history of the area as well.

Although I lived in South Orange County for 27 years, I must admit that my knowledge of the history of Laguna Beach was rather limited. However, Jeanne Lange of Savor Laguna dazzled me and the enthusiastic group of my fellow travel bloggers with wonderful stories of the founding fathers (and mothers). You will have to take the tour in order to learn of the original settlers, movie stars, artists and entrepreneurs who established this amazing beach town.

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Bye for now- I’m at the Women in Travel Summit

      I am headed to the Women in Travel Summit in Irvine, CA! Today through Sunday I am excited to travel back to the OC! I will be attending the Women in Travel Summit in Irvine CA. I look forward to meeting other female travel bloggers, to connect with brands, build expertise, and engage …

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The Blooming Cherry Trees at the University of Washington

Cherry Trees at the University of Washington

Cherry Trees at the University of Washington

The ethereal cherry trees at the University of Washington will take your breath away ~

Our daughter happily left our home in Southern California to attend the University of Washington in Seattle. Alex graduated and has been working and living in Seattle for total of 9 years. Our family has spent a great deal of time on this incredible campus and in the “Emerald City” of Seattle. Additionally, we chose to live in Seattle temporarily while our little fixer upper in Pasadena, CA is being renovated.

UW is an absolutely gorgeous campus, with grand architecture, massive green lawns, forests of towering trees, divine fountains and lovely gardens, however, the UW Quad is my favorite spot on campus.

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Saturday Morning Browsing: What’s New on the Web?

Saturday morning on the Web

Saturday morning

What’s new on the Web? You may not have seen these links.

Sitting in the quiet of the early morning, with a big cup of tea, Craig and I spend an hour catching up on what’s new on the Web. We each share with the other anything that would pique our interest. There is so much noise out there and I think it is helpful if someone else curates a few stories for me.

I don’t know about you, but I find a plethora of fascinating ideas, posts, news stories, photos and inspiration from hopping around the Web. Throughout the week I receive updates and posts from various news sources and from other bloggers. When you subscribe, the articles that are sent to you are literally custom made for your interests. Ah, the convenience of technology!

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Tulips & Mac N’ Cheese at Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market

 Pike Place Market

Spending A little Time in Pike Place Market

There are special places in Seattle that will always put a smile on your face rain or shine and Pike Place Market is one of the best of them. It is a “must do” when visiting the city! Tourists fill the isles looking at all of the delicious items that our found at the market. They especially like visiting the Pike Place Fish Market, where the fish mongers sing songs and throw whole fish.

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