A So Cal Girl in the Desert

This past weekend I went back to L.A. It was weird. It felt like going home and being away from home at the same time.

My friend, Alyssa, picked me up at the Long Beach airport on Sunday morning, and we went to here house for a bit. I got to see her kids, which was great. They are so fun and cute. Alyssa and I had planned for me to come out about a month ago, when Virginia, another friend (we all worked together at JDA) announced she was having a bon voyage party at her place. Virginia is temporarily moving to Switzerland. Nice! So Alyssa and I decided I would crash the party as a surprise. And it was a surprise. Alyssa walked in ahead of me and said "I brought a friend...hope you don't mind." When I walked in behind, Virginia didn't even recognize me. I think it was one of those moments where the thing is completely out of context so you don't even realize what you're looking at. Once she saw it was me, she was very surprised. What fun! Her party was really nice. It was great to see the people I've missed, and great to meet some of Virginia's non-JDA friends I've been hearing about over the years. She provided a really nice spread, and we all hung out and talked.

My sister, Dana, picked me up at Virginia's place, and we were off to Moorpark, where she lives. It took us about an hour and a half, but we didn't mind because it gave us a chance to catch up. The rest of our evening was spent eating junk food (she said ice cream and Magic Shell was the vegetable) and gabbing. It was so nice to see her!

Monday morning we woke up and before taking showers or anything we went straight to Dana's favorite pet store, Healthy Pet, in Thousand Oaks. We were so excited! My sister and I are the only people we know who could spend hours in a pet store and not drive the other person crazy, so we're great pet store shopping companions. She's really gotten to know the guy who owns the store, and he has helped her lemon-of-a-golden-retriever, Hannah, a great deal. We shopped and shopped, and we ended up spending a FORTUNE. I won't tell you how much. I got Kermit and Rosie Rose tons of treats and things. Kermit's haul included a beer bottle toy that has a water bottle in it to make a crackling noise, vanilla flavored cow cheeks, greenies, dried duck breast, a flashing collar light, tuna biscuits, and a "Dog-on Television" DVD, which he loves to watch. Rosie Rose came away with a harness and leash especially designed for guinea pigs, new gourmet food, a talking treat dish, "just apples" treats, and a shreddable box with honey treat inside. Do I spoil my pets? Naw! My boys got t-shirts. Dana and I went back to her place and relaxed for most of the afternoon before going out for a great sushi dinner. I have yet to find a good sushi place in AZ, so I was very happy with the meal. After dinner we went back home and my sister got me hooked on this really great crappy and embarrassing-to-admit-you-watch show. She made me promise I wouldn't tell, so I must keep my sister pact--sorry!

On Tuesday we got ready and went to Beverly Hills for lunch (plus I had a Dr. appointment). We ate at Kate Mantalini. I had never heard of it, but my sister said it's really famous and all the stars go there. We didn't see any...oh, well! I had a great sandwich. Grilled Portabello with goat cheese and grilled lemon. It was fantastic! After some shopping at a nearby beauty supply store, it was off to drop me off at LAX. We were a bit early and were discussing what to do to kill some time, when I spotted a furniture store called "Casa Sweet Casa." I said, "Pull over! We have to go in there," since my husband and my decorating style is Spanish/eclectic. Let me tell you, I wanted to buy every single thing in the store! The designer gets antique doors from Mexico and makes them into all types of furniture. I ended up purchasing a king size bed. Yes! I bought a bed without my husband. I was a little nervous to do so, but it was too beautiful! I couldn't pass it up. If I have anything to say about it, we will be purchasing the rest of our home's furniture in that store, as we can afford it. I could spend a trillion dollars in that place. David, the designer and store owner, was a great help, and he said he could help us design our spaces and make custom furniture, or help us choose pieces that would fit best within our space. I'm sure he would! He could see the fire in my eyes! I only bought the bed because I want my husband to go back with me to pick out other pieces for the bedroom...we'll certainly need a dresser and nightstands. Woo-hoo! What a find. When I told my husband what I did, he was a little put-off at first, but once I described the store and showed him the pictures, he was almost as excited as me. We were in the market for a rustic/Spanish style king-size bed, and I don't think we could have done any better.

I was sad to leave my sister when we got to the airport. We had so much fun together. It was odd to be flying out of LAX to go home. I've been flying into LAX to go home my whole life. It was sad and happy at the same time. This trip made me realize that I really miss my family and friends and certain aspects of L.A., but there are other aspects of the area that I am glad to get away from. And I am so happy to call the Phoenix area home.