The Big Draw LA Returns with "Make Your Mark in the Park" this Sunday!

The Downtown LA Drawing Festival promises creative fun for the entire family (and it's free)

Photo: RymanArts.com

During the last few weeks I've probably been a little way too busy for my own good. There are so many projects I've involved myself with, and most importantly, there are two little boys who need my EXTRA attention right now that this blog has truly been neglected... but I'm baaaack!

I'm back because in between all the madness, I still love to write about fun things and share with my readers (however many of you are still there) about unique events in my dear city of Los Angeles.
One of those unique events (which I attended for the first time last year) is the Big Draw LA's "Make Your Mark in the Park"-- a free drawing festival for families where kids and adults alike can test their artistic abilities through a series of drawing opportunities!
The Big Draw LA is a month-long art celebration that takes place each year. It's hosted by Ryman Arts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to offering Southern California teens free art instruction.
The Big Draw LA's flagship event is the "Make your Mark in the Park" festival and here's why you should check it out:
You think you've got skills in making paper airplanes (and decorating them too)? There's gonna be a station for that.
 You want to test your tape drawing talent? Rolls upon rolls of colored tape will be provided.
Curious to see how well you can decorate a bike? It'll be CicLAvia weekend so there will be plenty of opportunity for that!
Plus, there will be booths and tables for other fun projects like Styrofoam print-making and drawing costumed models.
All in all, the Make your Mark in the Park Festival promises to offer guests of all ages a really neat opportunity to delve in the art of drawing through different mediums, all while enjoying music and the LA City Hall Tower as the backdrop.

The Big Draw LA's Make Your Mark in the Park Festival

Sunday, October 8, 2017

11:00am - 4:00pm

Grand Park Block 4

Downtown Los Angeles

I was there last year and I sure don't want to miss it this year. See you there?

Last day to hang out at Katy Perry's "Witness" Pop-Up shop!

The Kim Sing Theater in Downtown LA will be open until 8pm for a Katy Perry Pop-Up Shop

 

I like Katy Perry. I think she's cute and she certainly has a great voice. I was also proud of her for standing by Hillary Clinton during the presidential campaign. But all politics aside, I think she's a talented All-American superstar. And although I would probably never actually purchase tickets for one of her shows (I get my Katy Perry fix on KISS FM), I would certainly return to the Kim Sing Theater with some fun outfits for a super cool summer photo sesh. 

The Kim Sing Theater located at 718 N. Figueroa St. in Downtown Los Angeles is totally decked out to match Perry's eclectic and colorful style. 

Earlier this week, Perry hosted a Facebook Live stream that ran continuously for 96 hours as a way to promote her new album "Witness" at the Kim Sing Theater. There were cameras recording her every move and a gazillion fans logged in to watch her. Once she left, they left the facility intact and opened it to the public for fans to check it out.

Today will be the last day Katy Perry fans can head out to check out the pink vanity set where she would apply her make-up. They can hang out on the hot pink swing she used to relax in, or the all-white room where she rested. Heck, you can even take a photo of the bedroom that was built for her (the mattress she used is still there) and then you can spend a little more time (and money) at the merchandise shop. 

Enjoy!

No Apology for Enjoying Breadologie!

 A new bakery in town is making me break my diet...But I'm ok with that #sorrynotsorry

Ok. So I've been absent from my blog for quite some time now. I've been working on a bigger project that focuses on highlighting other LA moms and not so much my own life and lifestyle (more details if you keep reading). This, while still working full-time and managing a house full of boys!
Anyhow, last year, when Toby was practically still a newborn, we were driving around our neighborhood and came across a bright yellow sign that read: "Breadologie Bakery".

My husband pulled into the parking lot and stopped by the shop to see what the bakery was all about (I was curious too). He came out moments later and said he'd told the owners that I would be interested in writing about this new bakery once it opened to the public...Mind you, he usually stays out of anything blog-related so it was hilarious that he would go and pitch my blog (probably felt embarrassed to walk in during construction)...lol!

Well, as it turns out, one year later, I --did-- stop by Breadologie, met Steffi Gutierrez who owns the bakery with her husband Charles and fell in love with their croissants and artisan bread.
They have such an exquisite selection pastries and such a cool vibe that it almost makes me want to pick up my daily morning coffee and sweet bread there... except, they've been so busy with their wholesale orders, the storefront is not open everyday. Still, it's worth a visit. They have cookies & cream croissants, raspberry almond brioche donuts and even introduced a brand new Rocky Road croissant...OMG...So good!

Now to my project... I just launched www.MommyInLosAngeles.com -- an online magazine for local moms focusing mainly on local moms.
I haven't officially announced my new editorial venture but I'm sharing it here because my last "WOWMOM" profile story is all about Breadologie co-owner Steffi Gutierrez.
Check it out!

In the meantime, make it a point to stop by the bakery if you're ever in the San Fernando Valley.
Here in LA, we're always waiting for the next delicious thing to awaken our senses (and a cup of coffee) and this place is perfect for that...

 More information: Breadologie Bakery

Thanks for reading!

How to attend the Ultimate Tailgate Experience for Monday's Rose Bowl Game!

Here's how you can attend Ralphs ULTIMATE TAILGATE EXPERIENCE!

Who's ready for the Grandaddy of them All!?
The annual Rose Bowl game will take place on Monday, January 2.
USC and Penn State will face off for the third time in Pasadena (their last game at the Rose Bowl was in 2009 and the Trojans won...yay!)

It's really exciting to think of game day, especially if you have a fun tailgate party to attend.
Back in October, I took my boys to the USC vs. UCLA game but we spent more time at the Ralphs tailgate party, which was So. Much. Fun. They had an incredible array of food, drinks & live entertainment, we almost wanted to stay there all day!

Well, Ralphs is once again offering shoppers an opportunity to enjoy their amazing pre-game bash on Monday!
You can get one free admission to the Ralphs Ultimate Tailgate Experience at the Rose Bowl Game when you purchase $25 of participating items at Ralphs!

When shopping at Ralphs, look for participating items with this label!

Tickets to Ralphs tailgate event cannot be purchased. In other words, you have to buy qualifying items. You can see participating vendors and other rules here!

If you're anything like me, spending $25 at the grocery store is not hard at all, especially when you've got a family of four...hehe.
If you plan it right, a trip to Ralphs this weekend may get you more than one ticket and you've got yourself a date at one of the biggest American College Football events of the year!
I certainly plan on making it out on Monday... See you there?

 Oh! and don't forget your Trojan gear... the boys' outfits are ready to go!!


This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

A Family Outing to the Rose Bowl Flea Market

The Rose Bowl Flea Market offers LA families a fun way to spend a Sunday morning

The saying "One man's trash is another man's treasure" couldn't have felt more accurate on the day we made a trip to the Rose Bowl Flea Market a few Sundays ago.
The truth is, we never intended to visit the flea market.
Paul and I had planned to jog around the Rose Bowl and take turns pushing the kids on their stroller, except, Paul forgot a key adapter and once we arrived, there was no way to connect the seats to the stroller! We were not going to make Benny walk for 3 miles so we walked across the parking lot instead, to check out the ever-so-famous Rose Bowl Flea Market.

Where should I begin?
It was definitely a fun family outing.
For starters, there's a $9 admission fee per person.
My first thought was, geez, eighteen bucks to get through the door, just to shop for old stuff!?
Well, we started by ordering lunch. And of course, we each wanted something different. Good thing there was food for all tastes.

Next, we started walking the dozens of aisles with stuff for sale.
There were many local vendors selling their homemade crafts, which I actually loved.
We tasted and bought a slice of the world's most moist cake, which was delicious.
We saw such things as taxidermy bats, an old carousel horse, Christmas ornaments and bric-a-brac to last a lifetime.

There were some fabulous vintage finds, like glamorous fur coats, authentic bomber jackets, old school mickey phones and decades-old chandeliers.
The kids loved it. Benny had ice cream as he walked and explored junky stuff, like empty Pez containers and asked questions about antique dolls that looked rather creepy.
We bought very little but enjoyed a whole lot, especially because my husband has this ability to make friends and chatted up a storm with several vendors.
Open on the second Sunday of each month, the Rose Bowl flea market has been around for 45 years and features 2,500 vendors every month.

It offers a pretty cool way to spend a Sunday morning in LA County, but be prepared to shell out some cash (an old Ghostbusters pin that Benny liked was offered to us for $50). But it wouldn't be labeled the "shopping place of the stars" for no reason!

The Big Draw LA-- A Monthlong Series of Art Events for All Ages!

The Big Draw LA is a public drawing celebration spanning Southern California and linked to similar events worldwide during the month of October.  Click here for a listing of Big Draw events near you!

I work in downtown Los Angeles, next to city hall. 

Many times during lunch break I walk three blocks up Temple street to Grand Park, a newly-designed, four-level park that was once a hub for drug addicts and homeless people. 

Today, it's a serene and carefully manicured public space with a modern playground and outdoor musical instruments. There are uphill walking paths and bright pink lawn chairs and there's a huge splash pad with a water fountain at the top level.

Every time I walk to Grand Park, I tell myself I need to take the kids there.

Well, I took them this past Sunday because I wanted them to "leave their mark at the park". 

It was an event that launched the first of The Big Draw LA series, hosted by Ryman Arts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering the artistic talents of kids. 

The Big Draw LA is a series of drawing activities where the public – people of all ages and abilities – get to make art at a wide variety of venues — from museums and parks to unique locations in neighborhoods. These events are organized and led by community-based organizations across the region. If you missed this past Sunday's event at Grand Park, you still have time to make it to several other "Big Draw" events happening this Fall. 

Here's a glimpse of some of the stuff we did on Sunday:

1. Observed artists of all ages draw live costumed models. If it hadn't been for the fact that I had to watch both kids, I would have probably tested my drawing skills too!

2. Watched little cuties use charcoal pencils and pastels to draw LA City Hall, which served as a great backdrop to the event!

3. Enjoyed the colors and paint soaked rollers involved with creating unique prints!

 

4. Spent some time watching Benny use markers to draw a snake... this was incredibly cute!

5. Stood underneath a paper plane-decorated pavilion where kids had a chance to create and decorate paper planes!

6. Entertained by my son's attempt to make a "dragon plane" beneath the paper plane pavilion. The final products were displayed on a string (see below)

7. Added my own doodles to this unique display of black paint on white butcher paper

I can't imagine what the next event will offer!
For more information on The Big Draw LA, visit their website:  www.TheBigDrawLA.org

Ryman Arts brings together students from 150 neighborhoods in Southern California and provides them the opportunity to obtain professional studio art instruction, as well as college career guidance at no cost to the students or their families. Read all about it here.

Thanks for reading and see you at the next Big Draw event!

Burbank's Bob's Big Boy Burgers!

A special shout out to my use of alliteration on this post's title, dont cha think?

I see my use of words beginning with the letter "B" and I Become Borderline Boastful. Ok. Done.

The Bob's Big Boy Burgers joint in Burbank is the real deal. It received the "State Point of Historical Interest" designation in 1993 by the state of California and the owners have made sure it lives up to its designation with careful preservation of its design, look and props.
Recently, Benny was apparently craving a cheeseburger and asked that we take him to "FLAT MURGERS". 
He meant Fatburger.
And since we were in the Burbank area, my husband Paul convinced Benny to give Bob's Big Boy a shot. What a good idea it was!
We enjoyed an early lunch outdoors and Benny pretty much loved his cheeseburger, one that was fairly accompanied by his first-ever root beer float.
I had a salad with frequent sips of my husband's incredible, INCREDIBLE chocolate milk shake, that arrives in a silver tin goblet (and a cherry on top).
It's a great place to dine with the family and enjoy the "1940's transitional design of streamline modern style while anticipating the free-form 50's coffee shop architecture."

 

 

Bob's Big Boy Burgers
4211 W Riverside Drive
Burbank CA 91505
(818) 843-9334

Our Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey Circus Experience

We went to the Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey Circus last week at the Staples Center. It was opening night and I received a few media passes in exchange for a review on my blog.

The show, the stunts and the comedy were ALL truly spectacular. After all, the circus known as "The Greatest Show on Earth" has to, in some way, live up to the expectation of its name alone. My baby Toby was totally in awe with the performances! My 3-year old Benny had tons of questions like, "Mama, what happens if she falls?" and "Mama, is the floor slippery?" 

The Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey Circus offers a close-up look at human agility and ability. From the most critical viewpoint, there's no question the show is fantastic and has an immensely talented cast of performers. It's a colorful, vivid and fast moving experience. 

This year's show, "Out of This World", is a space-themed adventure where audiences get to see a lot of bright, neon action! Imagine such feats as stuntmen dressed as astronauts, balancing beams atop a moving wheel and giant planet-looking spheres draped in unique, bold, space colors that suddenly unveil female contortionists inside... It's awesome!
I watched a giant pig go down a slide, which made me laugh out loud and seeing the clowns run around with their hats on fire made my son Benny have one of those never-ending and contagious laughing attacks. 
Now to the not-so-good part: Getting into the circus, which will offer nightly performances in three different arenas through August 7, may be uncomfortable and distracting-- and not necessarily in a bad way, although at first it may feel intrusive. I'll explain.

When we arrived at the Staples Center in Downtown LA, a huge group of animal rights protesters stood in front of of the main entrance trying to get everyone to think twice about going inside.

Their argument: wild animals should not be forced to perform and travel in what they describe as "cruel" conditions.

Side note: The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, PETA, took the Ringling Brothers Circus to court over their use of elephants during circus acts and as of this year, the circus no longer featured the pachyderms.

Nonetheless, there's still a lion and tiger act that's quite impressive but had me sweating and feeling WAY. TOO. NERVOUS. 

The lion tamer, a wildly brave Alexander Lacey, was probably nervous too, on opening night.
I wasn't the only person to sense this but the cats were getting aggravated and starting to act aggressive. A lioness at one point growled and clutched its fangs at Alexander. One of the tigers was refusing to cooperate. As the performance progressed, the cats seemed increasingly irritated.
The truth is, the big cats are simply out of their element. I kept thinking "OMG. How traumatizing for kids if the cats decide to rebel and attack their tamer!"

Throughout his performance, the tamer had a whip and lashed it out frequently, which made me wonder: How often does he give these wild cats a physical reprimand during rehearsals? 

For as much as the circus provides a chance to get a close glimpse of human interaction with wild animals, I kept telling my husband that I feared it was only a matter of time before one of those animals snaps, causing chaos and tragedy in front of thousands. What was once perhaps a passing thought started becoming a very permanent idea: the circus is not a place for wild animals. 

With this in mind, I'm not dissuading anyone from going to the circus. The horse show will make anyone proud of what humans can achieve with domesticated animals. The popcorn and snacks for sale carried up and down the stands make it fun and a perfect excuse to have a cheat meal. 

The circus is such an important element of American entertainment history (Ringling Brothers is 142 years old) that it's worth giving your children the chance to experience it, just be understanding of the protesters outside. They've definitely got a point too. 

Ticket information here.