Week in Review: Vacation in LA

So I know it's not a Thursday, which is when I do my typical Week in Review posts, but I have been traveling quite a bit and wanted to share about my time in Los Angeles.  This was the third year in a row that I got to attend the Grammys.  I can't believe I've been lucky enough to go once, let alone three times.  My trips to California are usually short, but I got to spend a week out there this time and it was wonderful!

I flew out two weeks ago this coming Wednesday.  This was my first time flying without a SkyMall magazine and I have to admit, I was a little sad to not be able to browse the catalog.

Thursday

My first day out in LA, we went to the beach.  It was chilly so I didn't take my sweater off, but it was so nice to be at the beach. 

I'm not one for selfies, but when you have a floppy hat, sunglasses and the wind in your hair, it's hard not to take pictures.

Then that night, I made the guys go get pedicures with me!

Friday

Christian had to work Friday so I took the time to check off an item on my bucket list: be part of a studio audience.  I went to the filming of the ABC Family show Baby Daddy.  It was so neat to see the process of taping a show.  Plus, they gave us pizza and candy!  Since Christian worked, I didn't have a car and wasn't sure how I was going to get to the taping.  I'm not old enough to rent a car so I researched and found the website RelayRides.  You can rent someone's car for anywhere from a few hours to several days!  It was a great experience and I definitely recommend it to anyone; it's so much cheaper than going through a rental company.  If you're interested in renting, just click here!

Saturday

We spent the day in Santa Monica then came back and went to dinner at The Culver City Hotel.  It is an historic hotel that shows black and white movies on the wall inside the restaurant.  While The Wizard of Oz was filmed, the munchkins stayed at this hotel.  I ordered the "Yellow Brick Road Lemonade" and it came in a mason jar.  I guess it's true, you can take the girl out of West Virginia, but you can't take West Virginia out of the girl.

Sunday

Finally, the big day!  Christian dropped me off at a hotel where a friend was staying to get ready with her.  Upon arrival, I realized I didn't have any bobby pins for my hair and was planning to do an updo of some sort.  Luckily, there was a Target less than half a mile away so I hiked over and bought some ... along with a last minute headband that ended up going with my outfit perfectly!

We got our wrist bands for the mosh pit then headed out to find lunch.

I was hoping that third time would be a charm at the show.  I was determined that if I didn't come home with a Grammy (which seemed highly unlikely considering I wasn't even nominated) that I'd come home best friends with Taylor Swift and Abigail.  Sadly, neither happened ... this year.

In front of the Staples Center

I LOVED this romper.  It's Cynthia Rowley and it was from Rent the Runway.  If you're interested in joining RTR, which I highly recommend, just click here!

Two years in a row with this one at the show!

All of the Huntington crew before the show!

We couldn't have planned this any better.  It was as if they said, "Let's put LL Cool J in the middle of all the Huntington people!" 

Most people know him as LL Cool J, but I call him Todd now.  As you can tell, we're pretty close! ;)  

We snapped a few, quick pictures on the stage after the show!

We also found a fake red carpet and took full advantage of it.

The obvious dinner choice of nachos and guac as a post-Grammys meal.

Monday

Hiking up to the Hollywood sign

Just the start of the journey!

It was crazy to look out and see how high up we had hiked and to see all of LA below us.

This was as close as we were allowed to get.

Tuesday

We visited the Grammy Museum and I was so excited to see The Taylor Swift Experience.

I have been obsessed with this guitar of Taylor's since the first time I saw it nearly a decade ago, so the fact I got to see it in person was SO. COOL.

All around downtown LA near the museum and the Staples Center they have these "records" in the sidewalk listing the big winners from each years show.  This was from my first time at the Grammys.

And here are the winners from last year's show.  It's really neat because they have the next several circles cut in the sidewalk, all they have to do is print the plaque of the winners and drop it in.

Christian had to work so I spent my last night in LA with some of the residents from back home.  We went to a Korean BBQ for dinner.  Brad Pitt and 4 of his kids were there, too!

It's hard to see in this picture, but Jodi was so red after the excitement of seeing Brad.

Wednesday

Sadly, my trip came to a close Wednesday and Christian dropped me off at the airport that morning.  I can't wait for my next trip!

Week in Review: Week 4

It's so hard to believe we're into the 4th week of the new year!  I think I finally have myself trained to write 2015 instead of 2014.  I probably just jinxed myself, though!

I got my first FabFitFun box in the mail and I'm obsessed!  Be on the lookout for a breakdown of all the items and how you can get your own box at a special price.

It's almost the end of January and we finally got our first snow!  I was so excited, especially because my parents went skiing for the weekend and I had to stay home and work.

After church Sunday, two of my favorite little buddies asked me to join them for lunch.  How can you say no to those faces?!?  I just love them.

During lunch, we had a photo shoot.  Dean, who's newly 6, would yell out faces for us to make.  At one point he called out, "Sadder, Angela, sadder!"

Speaking of being sad, this little baby tore her ACL.  She's on medicine and we're watching her for a couple weeks.  I really hope she doesn't have to have surgery.  It's so pathetic and heartbreaking to watch her hobble around.

That being said, Freedom still thinks she can do everything she normally does.  We've had to block off the stairs so she won't go up them.  As you can see, we only use the best for our little girl, the box for Dad's popcorn maker.

Be sure to follow me on Instagram!

Week in Review: Week 2

How has your week been?  This past week has been eventful and I can't wait to tell all of you about it soon.  Until then, here's a review of my (rather slow) week on Instagram.

My mom's birthday was last Thursday so I posted this picture from Mary's wedding.  I love this picture of the two of us.  I'm so lucky to have not only as a mom, but as a friend.

Temperatures really dropped last week and the heat at work just couldn't keep up.  I sent my parents a message about how cold I was and when I met them for dinner, my dad had sent me a blanket.  Isn't that the sweetest?

A new tapas place opened in Huntington, The Cellar Door, so we went there this week.  I was late because I went to a workout class so there wasn't much food left when I got there.  The few bites I had were good, though!  I fell in love with the decor.  How awesome is that chandelier?

Be sure to follow me on Instagram!

Week in Review: Week 1

How was your first week of the new year?  Here's an overview in pictures of mine!

I know I've already posted this picture once, but seriously, how cute is it? 

Josh actually asked to hold Christopher during Sunday School and neither one cried!

I've started taking Freedom out on longer walks, about 2 miles each, and I found her like this after one of them.  She stayed like this forever, even when I was fixing lunch in the KITCHEN. (Her favorite word)

My "weekends" are Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  This past Tuesday, Mom fixed soup for dinner since it was so cold out and Dad popped some popcorn in his new popcorn maker and we watched Modern Family on TV all night.

I left the couch for seriously 2 minutes to get more tea and I come back to find this: someone had stolen my blanket!  She runs our house!

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Week in Review: Week 42

I promise I was paying attention during the church service, but the sun coming through the stained glass was too pretty not to capture.

My favorite singer, my favorite city and my favorite number.

Tuesday was National Pumpkin Cheesecake day so I decided I should celebrate the holiday and make one.  Be on the lookout for the recipe soon!

My order from Kate Spade came in!  How cute is it?  The middle item is a ring holder that has a bow on it.

My work Twitter account is now verified!  I can check that item off the bucket list!

I think I might have a slight candle obsession.  To get 20% off your purchase at Diamond Candles, click here.

Someone has it right, it's always a good time for a nap!

It's very rare to get the two of them to in a picture together, let alone sit still and take a good picture.  I love these little munchkins so much!

How was your week on Instagram? As always, be sure to click the link to the right to follow me.

Week in Review: Week 41

How cute is this saying?  I couldn't resist sharing it and hoping it made someone else smile, too!

My dog may not like me all the time (I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that I insist on holding her like a baby or dressing her up) but she knows when I'm feeling down and need some cuddles!

I spent Tuesday evening at a friend's house planning her wedding and loving on these two babies.

"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain." - Dolly Parton  We were able to see the double rainbow from end to end.  I should've known that the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow is Target!!

My mom sent me a text of what she bought at the grocery store: red velvet ice cream.  It tastes like the real deal.

Kate Spade posted their Friends and Family code to save 30%!

I was trying to get some work done on the blog, but someone decided she needed to sit on my lap and the laptop had to be moved.

How was your week on Instagram? Be sure to click the link to the right to follow me.