Beverly Hills What a Thrill-Part Three

On Saturday morning of our trip, Drew, Kate and I went on a road trip to Temecula, CA.  Temecula is a BEAUTIFUL area south of LA but north of San Diego and it has it's own wine country.  We had an amazing time full of yummy eats (1st In-and-Out burger ever), wine and yes, even Starbucks.  We visited two vineyards, Callaway and South Coast.  Both were great in different ways.  Callaway had some great wines and we ended up finding a new and unique favorite wine called Mourvedre...it was SO smoky...and D and I both fell in love with it.  South Coast was awesome b/c of the amazing chica that was serving us.  She basically told us the "menu" was bull and to tell her what we liked.  She then took all of the guess work out for us and just served us what she wanted.  It was just what we needed.  We also found a new wine there called Roussanne that we liked, lemon and tea after tones.  Here are some pics of Temecula.

It was a fantastic day trip.  After our stop at Starbucks we headed back to LA.  We then grilled out and chilled on their deck for the evening.  It was so nice getting lots of good friend time in. 

On Sunday we slept in a little longer then we had anticipated.  We were going to head to Laguna beach but b/c of the extra sleep decided to just hit Hermosa and Redondo beach for a bit.  Drew actually took a dip in the Pacific.  I put my toes in.  Michelle joined us on this outing b/c she didn't have any rehearsals.  We were happy to have her!
                                                           Drew heading in the ocean.

                                                              After his dip in the ocean!

That evening we headed to a fun restaurant in Santa Monica called the Library. Fresh, healthy food,  a good variety of beer on draft and cute ambiance. Again, another enjoyable evening in LA. I really liked hanging out in Santa Monica.  Drew definitely wanted to get me back to GA b/c I fell in LOVE w/ the West Coast. 

                                                  On the way to the Library in Santa Monica.

                                              Love this shot of Michelle ; )
Our last full day in LA was pretty lax.  We went for a long walk around Beverly Hills (it was amazing weather).  Then Drew and I headed to the GROVE in W.Hollywood to meet up w/ a childhood friend of his.  The Grove has lots of shopping, a farmer's market and a lot of restaurant choices.  I was glad we got to see it before we left.  Here is Drew w/ the gorgeous Jennipher.  She is an actress from Drew's hometown who has been in LA for a while now.  It was great getting to catch up with her.

 After our visit to the Grove we went back to Kate's place for one final meal and game night.  We were all so tired from dinner that the games didn't really happen.  The roomies did make me sign my name on the Walk of Fame : ). 

Our trip was amazing.  We got to laugh, relax, eat, drink, visit, laugh some more, sleep, and make lots of new memories.  Kate and Michelle were fantastic hosts.  I am so thankful for the time we were able to spend with them.  It was just what the Dr ordered!!  LA...until next time ; ).

Beverly Hills What a Thrill-part 2

I've tried to finish this post 2 times last month and it got deleted and it made me so mad I wouldn't write about it. So now I will attempt to tell you about the rest of our vacay from JULY...yes it was awhile ago and you probably don't care but it's really for me.

On Day 2 Drew and I met went to Warner Brothers studios to visit my friend Patricia.  Patricia and I worked together the summer of 2000 and haven't seen each other since.  We always kept in touch.  It was great to get to visit with her in person.  She was just as fun and beautiful as I remembered : ).  It was so much fun to get to see WB. I especially geeked out when she showed us much of the set from Gilmore Girls.  I was in HEAVEN. So much fun!

                                    Where Miss Patty taught dance : ) (ignore my uber white legs)

After our great visit w/ Patricia we headed back to BH's to grab Kate.  Drew, Kate and I headed to a Dodgers Game.  They played the Mets and we had a great time.  I did get kicked out of a concessions line which was kind of hilarious.

                                                    Kate and Drew @ the Game. On Day 3 we hit Rodeo Drive...and then we walked one street over to Beverly Dr.  It had the stores we could afford : ). Crate and Barrel, Gap, Starbucks...ha!

                  Drew and I outside of the Beverly Wilshire hotel! ps-we didn't plan to match...it just happens.
After Rodeo, we went to Santa Monica and checked out the pier area. I fell in love w/ the beach...I mean I already love it but it was a gorgeous day and I was charmed.  I especially loved the Trapeze artists on the pier...a dream was born...HA!.

We then hit Kate's favorite brick oven pizza place for dinner.  After dinner we went home and got dolled up to meet up w/ some friends.  We all went to a cute place in W. Hollywood and met up w/ buddies from college and my friend Patricia and her beau.  Marc and Karin were a year ahead of us in school and we've always kept in touch. It was so good to see them in their city!

                                                            Kate, Karin and Drew

                                                              Me, Marc and Michelle

Ok, I'm done w/ Beverly Hills for the night.  Tomorrow I will share our wonderful wine country trip and beach day. 

Friday Five-Best things about beach vacation

I LOVE vacation! I never get to chill and I am SO happy to be here.  Srry there are no pics to post but I am too relaxed to get up and grab the camera : ).

1. Family-I'm so blessed to have a great family on all sides.  We are at Hilton Head beach right now w/ my Hubs, his parents, my mom, his sister and her husband and 2 kiddos and our sister in law. It's awesome getting to spend some time together chilling.

2. Sleep-I've slept the past two mornings with no alarm waking me up. It doesn't matter that I woke up early but I was on my schedule.  It's so nice to sleep...I've needed it!

3. Food-On vacation calories don't count ; ).  You can eat and eat and eat...if you want! It's all about what makes you happy on vacay. Nevermind I'm in my bathing suit most of the time...I don't care : )

4. No schedule-I work a lot and over-schedule myself all of the time. It's so nice to be on my own schedule with no agenda.  Drew and I are getting to play on the beach, in the pool, board games, read, exercise(so far just him ), and enjoy our time together and with our fam.

5.  The Beach-I know I live by it but I don't get to go as often as I'd like.  The beach has always had a peaceful affect on me.  I find so much beauty in God's work.