Last weekend I got to go to LA to visit the GAOOG. Special thanks to AO for being so supportive of this trip. It was a great time with sunshine and lots of wine and laughs. I didn’t want to be burdened by my giant camera for such a short trip, so I have only iPhone pics to share. And, yes, they’re mostly of what we ate. You didn’t think I was going to show you the dress we found, did you? Shame on you.
Tacos and flautas!
Nina’s
Our first stop after the airport pickup (holy traffic, LAX!) was Nina’s, a tiny little taco shop in West LA. Delish!
The next day, after sleeping in, we got up and went to get coffee (the GAOOG’s morning ritual involves a trip to Peet’s where, not only do the employees know my friend, they know how to make her very specific Americano. And if it isn’t made right – say because they hired a new employee – they will have it remade without our little Indian having to say a word). Then we headed out for a hike. Me in shorts and a tee shirt, the GAOOG in a long-sleeve shirt, long capris and a hat.
Hiking trail
View
View
Orange tree
After the hike, we headed to Olive & Thyme for lunch and snagged a small table (in the shade per the GAOOG’s request) outside.
O & T
Hummus plate for me, egg number for her
After lunch, we went back to SR’s apartment, showered and changed and headed out for a Dress Appointment. This Dress Appointment was just supposed to be to get the feel of things. We were just supposed to be seeing what she liked, what she didn’t like. You know the drill. In fact, we were supposed to be just scoping out the bridal world so we could go back to SR’s stylist friend and report our findings so he could come up with something perfect (and possibly free). Instead, we found The Dress. Gulp! First dress she tried on. Bam. Nailed it. Done and done. But first, we let the shop treat us to a little Prosecco. Cheers! After such an exhausting emotional afternoon, we headed back to SR’s apartment (after a short stop in a cute furniture store where we saw the First Lady of tv) for a little rest. I admit I snoozed a bit. For dinner, we went to SR’s favorite place, Cube, where we dined with SR’s fiance. I had a super pizza and a side of delicious baby broccoli with garlic. I forgot to take pics of it, but here is the tasty charcuterie plate we started with:
Meat and cheese
Cube
On Day Three, I really slept in. I mean, REALLY. It was heaven. I hadn’t slept that long or that well in ages. Was it the best part of the trip? Nah, but it was amazing. Ok, so day three we headed downtown to the Grand Central Market, a place I requested we hit up after I saw it featured recently in the New York Times. It did not disappoint. It’s a bit like Milwaukee’s Public Market, but not.
Market, as seen from the street
Market sign
Market
Stuff
This is where SR ate. It was super popular.
This pic is for Maggie & Bryan
A little B&W
More market
Market map
After the market, SR indulged me and drove us over to West Hollywood, so I could get a little shot of this. If you don’t know the significance, you should be proud of yourself.
Sur
Sur
After SR made her second of three jean changes of the day, we each got a mani-pedi and I got an amazing brow wax. Thanks again! For the evening, we decided to stay in because we needed to get a lot of wedding work done. We had champagne and wine and tacos (again!), watched Bridesmaids, which just serendipitously happened to be on, and tackled the color scheme, bridesmaids’ dresses, the photographer and the DJ. Phew. It was a lot.
We didn’t have a lot of time on my last day, so we just got coffee, drove around and looked at fancy houses (a hobby of mine) and went to Hugo’s for lunch. If the theme of this year’s visit was wedding and tacos, last time I visited the theme was open houses and turkey burgers. I ate so many turkey burgers last time I visited that LA is now inextricably linked in my mind with the poultry sandwich.
Hugo’s turkey burger
After lunch, it was off to JMB’s place because he nicely offered to take me to the airport because SR was otherwise occupied. I snapped this outside his place, figuring it would be the last green I would see for awhile.
Grass. In January.
Despite the traffic, I can see why she lives there. And despite the cold, I hope she visits soon.
life and puppies 
That was an amazing trip. I loved it all. Especially the green part.
That market looks awesome!
It was super awesome! I highly recommend it!
Firstly, sorry for my belated reply to this post!!! As per usual, I read it on my phone but I prefer commenting from the computadora so it took me a bit to get to it!
Oh boy that was just the best trip ever. I do wish it had lasted longer. I can’t thank you enough for all the help, for treating us to that yummy meal at Cube for suggesting we go to the Grand Central Market which I LOOOOOOOVED and for being there when I found The Dress!!! What??? How did that even happen??? Swoon.
And I miss Madison so much!! I can’t wait to come play with you there!! Maybe I will wait until summer though…
Then again the traffic out here really is wearing on me so maybe not.
Gosh, I heart you. Thank you for one the most fun weekends ever.
xoxoxo