Back from California

I'm back from California. I got there Thursday afternoon and came home Sunday afternoon. I went there to see my friend Ellen who moved there in July last year. We packed a lot in while I was there. On Thursday night we went to a Mexican restaurant(my favorite!) and then went shopping at an outdoor mall called the Block. Lots of fun shops and restaurants. I found a cute spaghetti strap top at one of the stores.

On Friday, we went to Newport Beach. We just sat on the beach and people watched for a few hours. It was in the 60's so it was kind of cold for actually getting in the water. We ate lunch at the end of the pier in the picture at Ruby's. We got to sit right at the counter and watch everything in action. It was really good burgers, malts, and frys. I did burn a little bit on my lower legs and chest. The rest of me was pretty well covered. After the beach we headed to some really fun boutique shops. Newport Beach is really a pretty city. I found some funky red sandals at one of the shops for $10. After shopping we drove to find Sprinkles cupcake bakery. Yeah I got to go to a cupcake store! This is a really popular cupcake store. I think Oprah might have featured them on her show. The celebs dig this store too. It's very popular and there is almost always a line. I found out why. The cupcakes were gourmet, moist and delicious. I got the black and white cupcake. My friend got the red velvet cupcake. Here's a picture of it. Isn't it pretty? She let me have a bite of hers. I liked the red velvet cupcake the best. I bought myself a cute Sprinkles t-shirt. It's so cute in brown with pink lettering!

That night we ate at a local restaurant called Millies. After the big lunch and yummy cupcake we wanted something light and simple.

On Saturday, we went to Beverly Hills. We went shopping on Rodeo Drive. The only thing I bought was a Juicy Couture purse fob for my 14 year old daughter. I thought she would get a kick out of that. Then it was off to Hollywood. I got to see the Hollywood sign this time around. When I was there with my family in October, we couldn't find the Hollywood sign so it was kind of a big deal. We ate lunch at a place called Roan's house of chicken and waffles or something like that. We went from the one extreme of Beverly Hills to the other extreme off of Hollywood. It's a bad neighborhood but the food was really good. Then it was off to Hollywood. We parked at the Kodak Theater and walked around a bit. I bought some St. Patrick's day Mickey Ears at the Disney store for my boys and we soaked in the atmosphere of Hollywood. There were some guys break dancing on the street. I took some photos of them for my boys. They would have liked seeing the break dancing. We finished off the afternoon at a mall. I bought a pretty bracelet at Macy's for myself.

We had dinner that night at downtown Disney. We did a little shopping and ate dinner. I can't remember the name of the restaurant. I bought a really cute cupcake apron. It's a kid's apron but I had to have it. Downtown Disney is so fun!

On Sunday we ate breakfast at Kimmy's. It has a small little restaurant with a shabby chic decor. Good food and happy atmosphere. After our late breakfast we just be-bopped around to a few stores. My big find of the day was Easter grass for 90 percent off at Target.

I had a really good trip! The snow had all melted in Minnesota while I was gone but today it's snowing! I was hoping we were done with that. Oh well. I have some good California memories and I'm back with my family. It is so good to see my dh and kids again.

I will have an actual card to post tomorrow! I had a Stampin' Up! box waiting for me when I got home an I just had to play.