Live Music: From a Church to the Cliff

I'm digging the live music I've seen recently...

Last week Ramona and I got to see Diego Garcia sing his heart out along with a Spanish guitar and cello at a sweet little church in Koreatown.

It was inspiring!

His passionate songs about romance and relationships, love and loss, connect you to something beyond yourself, and you can't help but feel the music. The experience. The now.

While in Seattle over Memorial Day weekend to visit my sister, Natalie, we roadtripped for a day to the Sasquatch Music Festival that was about two hours away at the Gorge Amphitheatre.

This iconic concert venue sits on a cliff overlooking a river, with green foothills glistening in the background. Along with the Hollywood Bowl in L.A., I think it's one of the most spectacular outdoor spots to see live music.

Oh, I got to see Beirut and Bon Iver play, and they both rocked!

High School Reunion in Vegas

Vegas has become a go-to spot for living it up with high school friends. I made the desert drive a few Fridays ago to see Ms. Erica, my partner in crime since sophomore year who trekked around Chicago with me when I visited in April (there will be a "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" adventure Part II!).

Vegas was a last hurrah of sorts, since Erica had just graduated from law school and was starting her intensive bar exam classes that Monday.

Drinks. were. in. order!

We met up with the rest of her gang, including her sweet boyfriend Blake and brother Chris, and snagged a coveted booth at Holsteins at The Cosmopolitan for eccentric burgers and famous "bam-boozled" shakes that come loaded with alcohol. My oreo shake with Bailey's irish cream was decadent, Erica's birthday cake version just like the famous treat!

This joint was buzzing, but we made our way to the casinos to do some gambling and properly take in Friday night in Vegas. Erica and Chris have some mad card playing skills, and you bet I was taking notes!

The next morning we lounged at the hotel pool, and it was like no time had passed -- we had our girl talk, our usual stacks of magazines and a cheery outlook for what was to come, whether it be passing the bar or collecting more adventures.

It's these small moments that reel me back to an earlier day, connecting the dots between then and now, that bring loads more meaning to my life.

High school reunions in Vegas, you're on!

Erica and me before the bam-boozled shakes at Holsteins

Juice Cleanse (aka 72 hours without food!)

Today makes one week since I aced my first-ever juice cleanse. I went 72 hours (that's three days!) without food, and I'm pretty ecstatic.

A proper cleanse to reboot my system had been high on my to-do list, but I worried about the no food ground rule. Could I go a day, or heck, three hours, without chewing ... something? Eek!

But alas, I had come down with a bad cold and my appetite dissapeared along with my energy, making it now-or-never timing.

Each morning I picked up nutrient-rich juices from Pressed Juicery, which offers comprehensive juice cleanse programs at three locations in L.A.

I did Cleanse #1, the easiest plan where you drink six special juices every two hours along with chlorophyll for hydration as needed and aloe vera an hour before bed for digestion. Two "greens," or vegetable-based juices, and two "roots" are joined by a "detox" juice and an "almond milk" concoction that is brilliantly left for last so you have something scrumptious to pine for.

From my hair that's miraculously shinier to my skin, legs and digestive system that's been a rock star, the cleanse has brought about some fantastic results.

I plan to do one every three or four months, and my mom is even thinking of having these little juices shipped her way so she can see what the new-age fuss is about!

Let's Be Spontaneous!

On Wednesday I decided to be spontaneous.

I saw The Pinker Tones, a cool electronica pop duo from Barcelona, at the El Rey Theatre with my friend Carlie -- though we had planned to hang out, we decided to check out the band on a whim since I scored free tickets.

We weren't sure what to expect upon entering the stunning art deco theatre that was pretty empty, but we got white wine and decided to hey, just go with it. The opening band took the stage with gusto and rocked out with fiesty pop songs that recalled David Bowie and fun, playful '80s tunes.

The Pinker Tones took the stage about 10 PM and slipped behind a huge white table that held iPads and techy devices to help them guide the energizing dance music from one song to the next. And there we were, dancing on the front lines.

Thank god I didn't lose my voice, as we became fans in a matter of minutes and expressed our vocal appreciation each time one cool dance song gave way to another.

It was a fabulous way to end a Wednesday -- and a wise note to self that I seek to expect the unexpected!

The Pinker Tones live at the El Rey Theatre

The Mission Inn

On Thursday I drove about 60 miles west of L.A., after breaking through horrendous "Obama traffic" as we call it (the President had just arrived in L.A. for George Clooney's fundraising party).

But my destination was well worth the three hour and then some drive -- I went to The Mission Inn. It's a gorgeous castle-like hotel and National Historic Landmark in Riverside near Palm Springs.

I'm now working with the hotel, and wow, I love its stunning hybrid architecure that goes from mission revival-style to gothic and features such cool elements as spiral staircases, bell towers, romantic balconies, a Spanish patio, flying buttresses and even two chapels. It's a kid's dream!

A favorite moment of the overnight visit was a docent tour at 10 AM where I explored the hotel's nooks and crannies with a knowledgeable guide while learning about its fascinating history. It has hosted royalty, titans of industry and big stars like Bette Davis and Clark Gable. President Richard Nixon got married there and President Ronald Reagan honeymooned at the hotel.

If only these walls could talk!

It looks like Europe!

President Nixon was married in front of this very fireplace

The chapel is beyond stunning

Chicago: Part II

After the excitement in downtown Chicago, I went to Brookfield for my cousin Casey's wedding at the Brookfield Zoo.

It was wonderful to hang out with a lot of my family who I don't see all the time since I'm way yonder in California -- I caught up and laughed with mom and dad, aunts and uncles, cousins and my grandparents who are amazing.

The rehearsal dinner was that Friday night, followed by the big day. Grey, damp skies threatened, but by the time the ceremony started that early evening, no showers would rain on this party!

The ceremony took place in a covered pavilion, with bright white everywhere from the walkway and platform to the chairs. The bride, Kelsie, stunned in a simple white halter-style dress with pretty little flowers adorning her upswept hair. They're a tall pair, and look great together. It was a lovely ceremony.

Then came some adventure -- we hopped on the zoo's tram and whisked away to the cocktail hour inside the monkey and gorilla exhibit! The big, burly gorillas and cute monkeys were just feet away in the trees or on the rocks as we enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and drinks.

The tram then zipped us to the reception location where we'd end the night with a nice dinner and dancing. I really enjoyed dancing with my little cousins, Emily and Jake, who are adorable and just really neat. A good time was had by all!

Me with grandma and grandpa just before the wedding ceremony.

Casey and Kelsie just before saying "I Do." Don't they look perfect together?

Jake and Emily, my comrades during the cocktail hour with the monkeys and gorillas.