Awwwwwwwwwwww

I’m sure you all read the same feeds as me, but these orphan hedgehogs are seriously the cutest thing I’ve seen in a long while. Enjoy.

California Girls

Back from my trip to the west coast to visit the super Laura C. Sadly, I don’t have any photos or video to commemorate, but here’s a short list of do’s and don’ts (in no particular order) if you decide to make your very own trip. Much thanks to Laura for driving me all around LA and Ojai and for being such fabulous company.

1. DO bring a good book - Southwest got me to LAX early and traffic is always wonky coming in to the airport, so I enjoyed “The Golden Compass” while waiting for my ride.
2. DO visit DNA in Santa Monica for some fabulous discount fashions. Laura and I both bought regularly $120 jeans for $39!
3. DO check out the Santa Monica Pier Twilight Dance Series – free shows every Thursday in August. Patti Smith (with special guest Flea!) was awesome and the pier always makes for some great people watching. The Nutella Shake at Café Crepe on the Promenade after the show was the perfect late night treat.
4. DON’T watch the CNN reports on the earthquake in Peru during your visit. Having never experienced an earthquake, I was not pleased by the CNN “experts” who kept proclaiming that “California is due for ‘the big one.’” This counts as news?
5. DO drive up the PCH at night – no traffic, pretty lights and perfect sea air feel like a Volkswagen commercial.
6. DO visit the lovely town of Ojai – skip the super expensive spa for a class at Lulu Bandha’s (Kira’s Sweet Vinyasa was truly lovely), catch a show at Theatre 150, try the garlic pommes frites at Azu and have a veggie burrito at Jim & Rob’s Fresh Grill.
7. DON’T expect much of Hollywood and the Walk of Fame. Lots of people and most of the Walk is just a big mall. I did enjoy noting that several men had their girlfriends/wives shoot photos of them next to Hugh Hefner’s star, and Tom Cruise is apparently still popular with Asian women.
8. DO get dolled up and go for a fancy dinner at the wonderful Blue Velvet. We sampled the crispy tofu, figs and haricot verts, curried tempeh, a transcendent unknown triple-cream cheese and a collection of chocolate peanut butter desserts. All fabulous. Not too loud, very hip space, great menu and the coolest bathroom I have ever experienced.
9. DON’T expect to get in to the Standard lounge on a Saturday night. Way too many hip people want to be there, many of whom take themselves WAY too seriously.
10. DO enjoy one of many, many beers on tap from the Library Ale House. I recommend the Lost Coast Peach Heffeweizen - delicious with a salad and some sweet potato fries. We didn’t make it, but the Sunday Farmer’s Market in Santa Monica also looked like fun for the whole family (pony rides!)

PEI

Hello all. Hope you’re having a super summer. Just returned from 10 days in Prince Edward Island, smallest province of Canader, yet largest in terms of hospitality and relaxation. Above is a view from the porch of the house we rented. Biked and beached ourselves silly. Had the best oysters and mussels imaginable. Driving there was an experience, as was crossing the Confederation Bridge. We were in a 2.5 hr. line of cars coming back across the border. Something about Canadians getting 95 cents for their dollar as opposed to 67 cents and under in years past …