All in ONE weekend blog!

Catfish, Cupping, Upper West, 30th Birthday, Valentine's Day Feast = Quite the Eventful Weekend

 

 

Rent it, you will not regret it!

Catfish Review

Went in for an acupuncture visit, came out looking like this

I didn't have quite this many leper spots, but I had the same procedure done

It's called cupping, click for a more detailed explanation of it's benefits. 

After I got cupped, I spent a lovely day with my Adydu enjoying the almost 80 degree LA weather in January.

Saturday evening, Shane and I ate at Upper West, a newish hot spot on the west side.  The atmosphere and bar were fabulous.  The food was pretty good, minus the dessert which we shouldn't have ordered. 

We shared the Burrata- definitely recommend

I got the crab cakes - YUM

Shane got the beef carpaccio and the smoked bacon blue cheese fries - carpaccio was delicious (or so he said, I don't do raw beef) and the fries were good, but a little too soggy for our liking. 

For dessert we got the cinnamon sugar donut bites and they were overcooked.
Drinks were Excellente! 

Would definitely go back for drinks and apps!

Happy 30th Birthday to our dear friend Tessa!

Last but not least we celebrated Valentine's Day with my mom and Barn on Sunday!

Menu included Filet's (for the ladies)/Rib Eyes (for the men), Lobster, Farmer's Market String Beans and Roasted Rose Bud Potatoes Oh My! 

Topped dinner off with Secretariat, an inspirational Disney movie (true story), great for the whole family! 

Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours! 

XO, 

S

Jillian Rose

Has a nice ring to it, well it should.  It's the name of one of my dearest and oldest friends.  She shares her name with her photography company, Jillian Rose Photography .  I couldn't be more proud of her recent leap to owning and running her own photography business.  She's already off to an amazing start!  There is nothing more fun than watching a friend pursue their dreams and passion, while growing and becoming a true artist. 
So why the blog about Jilly.  Well yesterday I had the pleasure of her entrusting me to photograph her for her website and blog.  You see, people want to know who's going to be shooting them on their special wedding day or family portrait,  but the problem with most photographers is they are always behind the camera. We spent yesterday afternoon running around Santa Monica and Venice getting Jill out from behind the camera (where she's all too comfortable, you'll even notice it's in most of the pics with her) to being in front of the camera.  We had too much fun! 

Some favorites of the day...

I think I've recovered...

Hosting is one of my favorite things, but man can it be exhausting.  Sunday was our Third Annual Super Bowl Party.  I think we officially hit maximum capacity in the Ball House, even with our brilliant outdoor living room (thanks to my smart hubby, who saved me from having a panic attack when he came up with this idea), the place was packed.

Our patio converted...

Can you say standing room only? 

Fun was had by all, even our youngest and cutest guest!

Time to relax and have complete control of the TV until next football season!

xo, 

S

Custom Chucks!

Among many things, Shane and I are very LUCKY and grateful to have amazing friends. A few weeks back, our friend Danny flew Shane to Seattle for the Rams vs. Seahawks game!  It was such a nice gesture, we had to think of an extra special way to thank Danny. Shane often works with The Ave. in Venice. So I thought, how cool would it be to make Danny some Custom Chucks!

Check em out. 

The perfect gift for the man who has everything (or girl, I'm dying for a USC pair for next season).

Thanks again Danny, we love you!

XO, 

S & S

Ballin on a budget and keeping in shape!

It's actually not that hard in LA!  See the new pink is to have a gym, boutique studio for pilates, bar, cycling, circuit training, need I go... on every street corner.  The great thing about all these gyms taking over our city is NOT that everyone around me keeps getting thinner, but it is the new student introductions they all offer.  You see, I don't have a ton of dough left over after all my expenses have been paid, but I do fancy working out in these lovely facilities all over town.
For those of you in the same boat, I've found a way to work the system and keep things exciting.
Here's my workout tale...
I started with Bar Method over last summer.  I bought their new student intro, 1 month unlimited for $100.  Not bad when you go 3 or 4 times a week and classes run $21 individually, unless you can afford a crazy package. 
Then I did the two weeks unlimited at Yoga Works for $30 (this might not be the offer, they change it from time to time).  I went 6 times and totally got my bang for the buck.  Love this place.  In one class, some hottie granola bar serenaded us with his guitar while the instructor taught.  Amazing....
I supplement all this with walking around the Country Club a few times a week, which I now know is 2.5 miles from my house on Montana (thanks to Jillian's iPhone Nike Challenge App).
Then I joined Bodies N Motion.  Killer deal.  No sign up fee, $65 a month.  Great new, clean facility with a variety of classes.  Thought I'd do this for 6 months or at least the winter while I couldn't walk as much, but to my dismay they closed the Brentwood location. No promotion for them. 
So now today I'm trying cycling at  realryder cycling studio and I'm terrified.  I've never been to a cycling studio.  I tried it at the gym once a million years ago, but I hear it's hard and I will be sore.  The first class is free and I bought a package of 5 classes for $30 on www.livingsocial.com my new favorite local discount site. 
I intend to workout all over my neighborhood until I'm Giselle Bundchen or I've exhausted all my options, not sure which will come first. 

Wish me luck on my ongoing journey to stay healthy and in shape! 

XO,

S

Lots of catching up to do!

Happy 60th Birthday to G'Anne, Mom, MIL!

Last weekend we celebrated with a little pampering, a surprise party and finally by taking her to the Magic Castle for her actual birthday dinner!

 They've really improved their food, at least I thought so and the shows were great as always.  

Although I highly recommend going on the weekends because more areas are open and there's magic in every nook and cranny. 

A friendly game of LCR at the surprise party.  

Our new favorite party game.  

Click here to buy yours!

Okay, now for some real informative blogging. 

At the risk of throwing my husband under the bus, I'm going to tell you about his latest purchase and my new best friend and savior. 

Ta-da

Does your husband snore?  Wake you up at night with his snoring?  Forcing you to put in earplugs that fall out, roll around grumpy and finally move to another room or onto the couch for some rest?
Well loose sleep NO MORE! 
These work! 
At least they have for the last two nights and I've been able to sleep in our bed with my boos and wake up feeling oh so rested.  

I will let you know if it's a fluke or if this streak continues. 

With that said, snoring and all, I really do have the best husband.  I was feeling sicky and he went and bought out CVS.  Some Zinc, Echinacea, Ziacom and no more house guests and I feel like new.  Looking forward to a very relaxing weekend at home together! 

Happy Friday!

XO,
S

Great minds think alike?

TWINKIES...

(don't mind the horrible picture quality, soon I will join the rest of the world and have an iPhone and I didn't have to change to the shitty network to get one! woohoo)

Yes, that's my work partner and I in the same plaid PJs.  

This was not planned.  

We came out of rooms after changing for bed only to find that we were twins. 

It's not the first time and I'm sure it wont be the last that her and I have bought the same thing online without consulting one another. 
Maybe the old saying is true, GREAT, brilliant, amazing minds think alike! (or something like that)

 

XO,

S