All I want to do is have a little fun before I die (thank you Sheryl Crow for this revelation), but Venice Beach and Santa Monica are definitely the place to do it.  I arrived into Ontario, California last Sunday, rented a Prius and drove MYSELF through LA to Venice Beach.  I was so proud of myself!

It was a lovely drive, I wanted to see a sunset, and the one that accompanied me on my drive to the beach was beautiful, so beautiful I wanted to photograph it, however I was on a major freeway with no place to pull over (although I had contemplated it).  I remember coming up around a bend and seeing the setting sun, red sky and the LA skyline in the distance; I honestly teared up.

Once there, I planned to meet some hometown friends for dinner, but I had to find my apartment first (fun). Let’s just say I got to know Venice Beach really well that night, and may have driven down a walking only lane (thanks to Siri), with the choice to retract being either givin ‘er (yes, I said it) in the Prius out into traffic over a 1 foot curb (no joke) or being guided out in reverse by a sweet man; I chose the latter.

Thank you who ever you were; my hero! I definitely gave the locals something to buzz about, and carved a “decorative” edge into their gladiola bushes all the way down the lane with my side mirror, sorry….  Spring pruning?

I am not quite sure what all of these lovely locals did for a living, but there is a lot of money there, although no one looked to be working, or moving too quickly to get anywhere.  I was never more relaxed in my life, and I can’t wait to go back with Teddy and Vat.

The coffee shops, Intelligentsia in particular, made me the best coffee I have ever enjoyed.  They make each person’s coffee individually with such wonderful passion; as a result, I went there twice in one day for the $8.00 coffee.  Heck, it was worth it!

My goodness, the food was so fresh and healthy, right up my alley…

This is the exact basketball court where White Men Can’t Jump (1992) took place, awesome!

The shopping was incredible at Abbot Kinney and I managed to purchase a lot of fun things for Vat, Teddy and myself and fit it all in my carryon (I am still not quite sure how I managed this).

Californication viewers, recognize this?

The canals, are you kidding me?

The homes there were so luxurious, and the homeowners just open their huge windows and garage doors in their living rooms and let the sun (and us peepers) creep in while they read and love life, I loved living vicariously through them for the day.

I also had the Tsunami escape route down pat should one have occurred.

My last evening in Venice, was so wonderful, I enjoyed a bbq on the rooftop of the apartment facing the beach with some beautiful people, and although it was a little foggy and hazy I managed to capture a bit of a sunset.

…and I may have taken a few (or thousands of) photos.

The whole purpose of this trip, as you may have already read, was to visit and work with an amazing designer Promise Tangeman to rebuild my website.  As a thank you to her, I pulled together some uber talented friends to help make a care package for her.

Melissa Townsend, my incredible artist friend, painted Dagny for me to give to Promise, so amazing!

The lovely Nicole McInnis, owner of Oh Dina on Agricola Street, made this gorgeous, custom head piece, is this not the most gorgeous piece?  All of my lovely brides should have a custom piece made, seriously.

…and Anna Gilkerson of Makenew Boutique on Agricola Street, supplied this amazing bow tie and earrings (Strut Jewelry), you need to visit this second hand boutique, it is awesome!

I also included my favourite, a custom blend box of all 4, fragrances by 7 Virtues, it seemed only fitting that the people on the West coast be exposed to this wonderful product.

All in all it was an amazing trip…