Summer Bucket List 2013

Memorial day weekend kicks off summer season for me. Even though we didn't do much
but nap, watch the telly *Behind the Candelabra was fantastic* we did have a rad time having a playdate with Kieran & Finn, celebrating Charlotte's 3rd birthday and hanging out with Antz Mom and sister Clinnie. Antz even fired up his new grill!

I almost died from cuteness when she held baby brother Finn. I can't believe he's 5 months already!

It's time to find a swingset for Liv so she doesn't have to play on our tree stumps during playdates!

Holding hands at the comic book store Thank You

I hope they stay homies for life!

Liv went to Charlotte's birthday party at Travel Town.

We picked up some new chairs and a new umbrella for the patio and Antz put together his new Stok grill.

Links & white corn

Our Summer Bucket List

1. As always, Beach days!! We don't go as much as I'd like but I have the worst luck because when we do, it's usually so windy it's too cold or the beaches we've been to are full of rocks. This year I'm heading north in search of the perfect beach *hidden away from the crowds*
2. Last year we didn't make it to a concert at the Hollywood bowl, so I'm super stoked to see Björk at the Bowl June 11th!!
3. Attend Liv's school Summer Masquerade Serenade *Antz made the poster*
   
   
   
4. Grill this!!     

Rosemary and beef kebabs

    5.  Have a family BBQ *Besides our Moms and Antz sister, no one has seen the new kitchen*
    6.  Braid my hair *I usually braid my own hair when we travel so I don't have to pack my flatiron or deal with hours of blow drying and then straightening my wig.* It's much easier to have braids over the summer, just wash and let them air dry, but it takes me about 3 days to finish them and very sore hands.

With Aimee in London

Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy

Lately my wig has been awful, I need to run to Drybar!!

        7. Go to Disneyland *for Liv's 3rd Birthday* I can't believe the last time we went was almost a year ago!

         8.  Have dinner at Knotts Berry Farm.  *I love their biscuits and Knott's jam*
         9.  Attend Tom & Jess's beach wedding

        10.  Attend the Renegade Craft Fair *one of my favorite summer events*
        11. Have a friends BBQ *and make a signature cocktail*
        12. Cook at least 5 recipes from my Pinterest board *and use my new crock pot*
        13. Take Olivia to see Monster's University
        14. Stage an intervention for Amanduh Bynes *we're all concerned*
        15. Buy this adorable sun hat for me, a Mexican dress for Olivia and Antz could use
new sunglasses too!

Kate Spade Hello Sunshine raffia sun hat

      16.  Go bike riding on the Strand

      Bonus: Swim/tan as often as possible!!

Any summer plans lovelies? Share them with me. I feel like we do the same thing every year. If I had the funds, I'd love to rent a beach house for a week or buy a backyard play set for Liv, similar to this one.

Monkey Mansion outdoor Playhouse

 Sheesh, Did you see that price tag??!!

Liv the Supermodel Geronimo Balloons / Art on the Move

As many of you may know by now, Liv has scored her second modeling gig *here's her first* with the fantastic Geronimo Balloons/Iartu Art on the Move Collaboration. Last March when I was visiting Jihan at her studio to pick up my birthday balloon, she asked if Liv could model for an upcoming project. I took this shot during the shoot but I never saw their photos.

Today she posted photos of Liv on her Instagram.
 

Beau-ti-full!!

My kid rocks so freaking hard!

For a limited time only you can book a two-day creative portrait session at the Geronimo Balloons studio in Downtown LA May 29 & 30 (yes, next week!). $145 per sesh and you'll receive 5-10 digital images that will be available for you to download. Email: ARTMOproject@gmail.com for details and scheduling.

If you aren't in Los Angeles, don't fret! They are taking Art on the Move global.

Los Angeles > France > Spain > Morocco > New York

I wish they would be in France during our vacation *in June 2014* so we could have a rad photo session in the streets of Paris. I get goosebumps just thinking about it!

Just in case you may not be familiar with the radness of Jihan and her magical balloons, please watch this incredible video. I am amazed at the level of craftsmanship and creativity that Jihan puts into every balloon. She's an artist!

Hunter & Fox presents: Geronimo Balloon Troopers from Hunter&Fox on Vimeo.

Happy Balloons!!

PS When Jihan walks confetti, glitter fall on the floor and unicorns soar through the air.

Rene the Incredible Contractor

I am so lucky to have found Rene. He's so unique, does fantastic work and is pretty much too good to be true. I have worked with other contractors before and the relationship has always felt constrained. Of course things go wrong during a project which is common but they way they are handled really shows you the character of the guy you hired. I couldn't speak more of how wonderful it was working with Rene. It's awkward having strangers in your house for weeks a time but I always felt comfortable with him. He was easy to talk to and when I brought up any concerns he was quick to reassure me. He also returned our calls and texts quickly *something other contractors seem to have a problem doing* I hope to hire him to fix our foundation next. So today he stopped by to finish one last project for us this morning and I *forced* him to take a few photos in the new lovely kitchen.

If we ever decide to start a band, we have our album cover right here!

He's stuck with us now!

Happy new flowers in the kitchen

We took a family shot together too. Liv adores Rene!

He invited us to his house for a BBQ and swimming next month. What a great guy! Thanks so much Rene!

Drumroll please....

I got Liv's school portraits today!!

What can I say, my kid is a pro! Thanks to Karen at Misha Lulu for her beautiful dress.

Antz and I went shopping for her birthday gift while she was at school. I cannot believe this child will be 3 years old in less than 2 weeks!! As per her request we are going to Disneyland. I'm kinda relieved we won't be throwing a party this year. Hopefully we'll be spending her next birthday at Disneyland Paris and then we'll throw her big super sweet 5th birthday party *that she will remember*

There's always money in the banana stand

Today the Bluth family frozen banana stand opened in Culver City.

"Mr. Manager"

"Kack-ka-kow!"

"Where'd you get that juice box?"

Antz & I are big fans of the show. I was hoping to see Will Arnett *AKA G.O.B.* even though I'm still mad at him for breaking up with Amy Poehler but there was just some random dude in a banana outfit. The line was ridic, about an hour wait for a frozen banana. I'm not fond of them anyway. We can't wait for the new season to start on May 26th on Netflix.

All the best shows get cancelled or end too soon. I guess it's better than dragging on for years until you end of hating it.

Happy Feet

Now I must watch Monsters Inc. with my kid for the millionth time!

The Best....

Documentaries I have seen.

This is one of my most favorite documentaries. I am a huge fan of Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Buff Monster and Invader *I even went on a Banksy hunt in LA* As much as I dispise tagging, I adore street art.

Exit Through the Gift Shop

Brilliant and insightful look into public charter schools and the admission process. All parents should be required to watch this film.

Waiting for Superman

I saw this fun film twice when I was preggers. Super adorable!

Babies

If you enjoy fashion, this is a great peek into the behind the scenes madness of putting together the most popular month's issue of Vogue. I immediately fell in love with Grace Coddington.

The September Issue

As a kid, my Mom bought me an origami set and I spent hours trying to perfect my paper cranes. I have been fascinated with the art ever since. It's mind blowing what some people can create with a piece of ordinary paper.

Between the Folds

The film is incredible. Tucked away in a tiny spot in a train station, this sushi restaurant is home to the world's best sushi chef. I hope to one day dine there.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi

This is one of the first documentaries I saw in theaters. Michael Moore is the Quentin Tarantino of docs. I love his ballsy moves and he asks the right questions *although no one seems to have the right answer* Riveting.

Bowling for Columbine

As controversial and neurotic as he is, I still like Woody. He's a great filmmaker and he's into jazz. This is a entertaining film.

Woody Allen A Documentary

This guy is all kinds of awesome

Bill Cunningham New York

I LOVE this guy!! You will spend most of the movie holding your breath and saying this guy is crazy but it's a lovely film.

Man on a Wire

*Update* I had to add one more. I was in tears while watching this documentary about the life of various aged ballet dancers around the world. They danced for coveted positions with prestigious ballet schools and companies. It simultaneously makes me want to put Liv in a serious ballet curriculum so she could possibly one day become a ballerina if she chose but also want to keep her from the horrors most dancers endure *rigourous, painful training, expensive, overly-competitive and ruining your feet!* Right now she loves going to ballet class and as long as it's fun and we can afford it, we'll keep at it.

First Position

These are all available on instant Netflix. Happy Thursday!