the hollywood bowl.

{ready for a picnic}

have you ever seen the movie, "beaches?" it's pretty much my favorite movie...ever. i cry every time, and chocolate-chip ice cream has proven to be the perfect partner for, "the wind beneath my wings." in the beginning of the movie, bette midler is singing on the stage of the hollywood bowl in LA. {you can watch it here!} ever since, i've wanted to visit the renowned bowl. if not for my own experience, for the exciting idea that i was standing {kind of} in cc bloom's shoes.

this weekend? it happened.

some sweet friends from church gave us free tickets to see the LA philharmonic orchestra perform Tchaikovsky. Our program was complete with fireworks, the USC drum line, the LA children's choir and ballet performed by the American Ballet Theater. in a word? amazing. Tchaikovsky is well-known for penning the score to, "The Nutcracker," and "Swan Lake," music many of us have been accidentally exposed to over the years.

in all honesty? i was a bit nervous, especially before i realized all the neat perks our program had in store. i would never describe myself as, "cultured," and classical music goes right over my head. i love country music and bette midler for heaven sake! as far as i was concerned, Tchaikovsky was going to be accompanied by my nookbook and a bottle of lemonade.

it wasn't needed.

the hollywood bowl is absolutely gorgeous, nestled in the east hollywood hills. it's actually right off the 170, which is shocking.  the acoustics were mind-blowing, and the family atmosphere is incomparable in LA. we brought a picnic lunch and blankets {nights get chilly!}, and had a night more than worthy of bette midler. {sorry. i had to throw that in there!}

are you headed to the hollywood bowl?

1. don't use the parking that the bowl offers. it's insanely expensive/frustrating. there are numerous bus lines and shuttles that run the gamut around hollywood. at only $5 a person, you're set!
2. bring a lunch, and wine is welcome. food is a bit pricey, and it's more fun to pick up yummy deli sandwiches and macaroni salad from your local market.
3.  try the lemonade/garlic fries. okay. not at the same time, but they're both worth the price! {$10 for both}
4. keep it cheap. the bowl has hundreds of seats for you and your loved ones. you don't need to sit right up close. the farther you get from the stage, the more fun the atmosphere. in the summertime, nosebleed seats are only $1!! Can't beat that.

 {leading letters}

 {best friend waiting oh-so patiently}

 {lemonade!! watermelon lemonade!!}

{before the crowds// families + yummy picnics!}

 {ready for the show.}

summer, 2012

i can't bear the thought that summer is almost over. even though i love the fall, it's going to be hard to leave the long evenings and 80 degree days. the beach just won't feel the same, and ice cream will step aside to make way for hot chocolate.

in the midst of my nostalgic sunday night (gave a tour to some friends at the ol' alma mater...weird.), i decided to go back through the photos of summer. i'll be in nashville for the remainder of the week, so here's a bit of beautiful california before this blog gives way to tennessee posts.

summer, 2012

 {best sundaes. ever.}

 {excuse the hair in my face//it was a bit windy}

 {treats on a saturday}

 {watching the US women's gold medal soccer game}

 {two of my favorite people at the el coyote}

 {malibu trip}

 {someone pulled the fire alarm...in 100+ degree weather}

 {dodgers game with the ladies}

 {this is the, "we just bought tickets to africa" face.}

 {getting ready for a trip home//ice cream for breakfast}

 {filling the vases with flowers//saturday morning tradition}

{love/hate relationship with the glasses: i love, best friend hates} 

{helping the family move}

{in love with old photos}

{iliad//favorite bookstore} 

{berry cake? success.} 

{new hairstyle during june gloom}

lake hollywood.

i actually had never heard of lake hollywood {it sounds like something from a 'b' movie} until i found a website boasting images of homes in the hollywood hills. since i love driving and hollywood, i thought it would be fun to take a trip to the east side, rather than the west.

lake hollywood is off of cahuenga blvd, and climbs up beyond the 170 freeway to a little secluded place right below the sign. and when i say, right below the sign? i mean it. {there were a couple gasp/stop the car/it's so gorgeous moments}

there were quite a few joggers and cyclists as well, wandering up and down the twisty dirt paths. the reservoir was absolutely breathtaking. the dam looks over the LA valley, and the whole lake area feels like a bit of heaven in the middle of the city. i even heard birds chirping. um, has anyone else heard a bird chirp in LA? i didn't think so ;)

we spent another hour driving through east hollywood neighborhoods. houses are so eclectic and imaginative, a few times i simply had to drop my jaw in awe of human creativity. i honestly don't think i will put up with anyone calling LA ugly ever again. expensive? yes. but ugly? no. even the smog doesn't seem so bad anymore...

i can understand why ashton kutcher lives up here. if i was rich, i would, too!

 {this place.}

{hollywood neighborhood}