On the fries, always ask for animal style

In-N-Out. It's a California institution.

Going to California on a big jet plane

Hi there. I'll be in California for a few days and may not have access to my regular blogging resources. I'll be back up to my normal frequency on Wednesday. Happy weekend!

The California Desk

Beautiful, striking and Golden.

Goodbye Ocean

I'll miss you.

Welcome to California

*sigh* I'm going to miss it here.

Hollywood Sign

Did you know that the Hollywood sign originally read "Hollywoodland"? It was meant to be a temporary billboard for a housing development in the hills in 1923. The "land" bit the dust in 1949 when the sign underwet a facelift afer years of deterioration.

{thx jcrew}

Love, California (pillows!)

My designer friend Amber once told me that if you put the Eiffel Tower on anything, it will sell. I think that the same holds true for anything in the shape of a state, or the island of Manhattan. Well, at least I know that it holds true for me. Because I want one of these.

Golden State of Mind

The United States of Cheese

This fancy little etsy shop sells cutting boards in the shape of states.

Awesome, right?

*Lesson learned: If you cut something in the shape of a state, people will buy it.

Look closely at the boards for my favorite detail... You can have your little heart of start custom placed to represent the town you call your own.

{via Cup of Jo via I *Heart* You via Happiness Is...}

Geography Pillows

Why am I such a sucker for all things geographical? Like these?!?

Pacific Coast Highway and My California Playlist

One of the gifts that I gave to my bridesmaids was a CD full of California songs. I also made a copy for myself which I plan on blasting with the windows down and the sun roof open as IKF and I spend a day cruising up and down Pacific Coast Highway.

Here is my California Playlist, for your own listening enjoyment:

1. California Soul - Marlena Shaw
2. California Gurls - Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dogg
3. California - Lenny Kravitz
4. California - Tom Petty
5. Walking in L.A. - Missing Persons
6. New York to California - Matt Kearney
7. Hollywood - Madonna
8. Hotel California (live) - The Eagles
9. Hollywood - Collective Soul
10. California Girls - The Beach Boys
11. Dani California - Red Hot Chili Peppers
12. California - Rufus Wainwright
13. California Callin' - Enrique Iglesias
14. Going to California (live) - Led Zeppelin
15. California Love  - TuPac & Dr. Dre
16. California (Tchad Blake Mix) - Phantom Planet


Enjoy!

Dawn in LA

Joanna August

Joanna August is a designer in California who designs dresses that can be used at weddings, as opposed to dresses for weddings... do you see the distinction?

Are you as in love with this dress as I am?

Palm Trees

Earthquakes

There have been little earthquakes almost everyday this week. Most of them I've missed because I was in the car or walking, but today we got three in a row, each at least 3.something. Which, can I tell you, is a little bit more interesting when you're sitting on the second floor of a one hundred year old building.

I heart California.

Avocado

I have a sentimental relationship with avocados.

For me they are more than a fruit... (vegetable?... nut?.... What are they exactly?)

Essentially, I don't care. I just think they are wonderful.

They are yummy. They make guacamole.

And once, when we were sophomores at BYU, Michelle brought a bag of avocados back from a visit to California, we made guacamole and sat around the kitchen table eating it and being very happy.

Avocados, for me, feel like summertime, California, barbecues, friends, family, relaxing, and that really beautiful color of afternoon sunshine.

Mmmm.

Sunny California

I had a great trip, but it sure was nice to come home to warmth and sunshine. And IKF.

SoCal

Pacific Coast Highway

*sigh*