How I Met My Husband

Four years ago this month (I don't remember the exact date...maybe it was the 15th or something...this kind of thing has never seemed important to me) I met the man that would become my husband. 

And here is that story...

One of my dearest friends Gianna was celebrating her birthday. Gianna had moved from Long Beach to Santa Monica and even though the distance is not THAT far...it just wasn't the same and we all missed her immensely. 

G :)

Gianna decided to host a little get together combined with a big night out, and a sleep over for her birthday! Excited for a night out, my girlfriends and I got a little dressed up for the event. I decided to try these velvet pants that I had gotten on sale at Banana Republic...they didn't quiitttee fit when I had bought them, but I knew they'd fit some day and this was that day. Horray! Velvet pants on...Kim, Erica, Lili, and I climbed in the car together to make the 30min/1hour/1.5hour/2hour (depending on what time of day it is.;)) drive north to Santa Monica 

At G's little apartment, we enjoyed bratwurst, German beer, and spiced cake cupcakes that I made for the event. Yum. We were joined by her old friend Hugo, another friend Amanda, and Amanda's friend whose name I now forget.

Gianna and Hugo

Erica, me, Lili, and Kim

Amanda and Nameless :-/

I had been lately dating this guy that was, in a word, horrible to me and I was annoyed with him as always and he was ignoring me like usual and I was just ugh! So, I drank like 4 beers at Gianna's. This is A LOT for me.

All single and all ready to mingle ;)

I rode in a cab with Gianna and Hugo to the bar of Gianna's choice: Finn McCool's. Because of my FOUR beers, I was feeling quite outgoing. I strolled into that bar leading the pack and honest to goodness felt compelled to turn left instead of right. So, to the left I went!!

I walked along the length of the bar looking for a place to squeeze in to buy Gianna a birthday drink, but it was pretty packed. Near the back corner, a guy put his arm out to stop me and stop I did. "Do you need to slide in here for a drink?" asked the gorgeous guy posted up in the corner. "Yes, yes I do", I said. 

So I scooted in between this guy and his friend. They had won some earphones and when I inquired about them...they tried to give them to me. Haha. I declined, but thanked them for the offer. 

I ordered Gianna's beer...and a few others for everyone else (I was at my limit) and passed them back to my girlfriends, but continued to talk to these two guys.

They asked me if I was single and I explained I was dating this jerk, but that I was pretty much over it anyway. They laughed.

The guy on my right said he had to get home, but offered me his stool and said that the guy on the left should stay a while and chat. Excellent wing man. 

So, I sat down on this stool and turned to face the gorgeous guy and the world just disappeared. His name was Preston. And I loved EVERYTHING that he said. He was smart and funny. He was from Chicago and had a brother and a sister. Both were older. His sister had down syndrome and while he said it was challenging at times, he wouldn't change her for the world, because she'd taught him so much about life, love, and responsibility. Swoon. 

Preston had recently read "The Count of Monte Cristo" and said it made him walk around like he was a badass. Lol. The funny thing was that I had JUST read "The Count of Monte Cristo" and hated it, but I was enthralled that this guy in a bar would read such a lengthy book...and LIKE it. 

I may or may not have already been in love. ;) It was like there was no one else in that bar. I sat and talked to Preston for nearly 4 hours. Half of my friends left and I didn't even notice. 

Erica snapped this pic of us talking <3

One of my friends got sick at some point and Preston was overly attentive and helpful, which really struck me. He was SUCH a nice person! He bought everyone beers. He was generous! I didn't want to leave him. 

And Preston kept saying to me, "I can't believe you just walked in here. You are so amazing. And here I was JUST telling Chris that I was giving up on meeting girls in bars". 

I was already pretty convinced that he was the one for me. :D

Preston greatly admired my velvet pants and kept running his hand over my lower legs and saying "You are wearing velvet pants! So cool". haha. Score one for the velvet pants.

Unfortunately, the bar closed down for the night and it was time to go. I had to tear myself away from Preston. PRESTON!! Is there any better name??  I asked him to friend me on Facebook, but he didn't have Facebook...which I kind of hated and sort of liked. :P So, he took my phone number the old fashioned way. 

We said goodbye for the night just outside on the sidewalk and he kissed me goodbye. When he pulled away he said, "You don't know this yet, but I'm the last guy you're ever going to kiss". haha! I said, "ok...you tell that to all the girls, huh??" and he said, "No! I'm serious. I'm going to marry you! Just get rid of that jerkie boyfriend first." So, I said..."ok. We'll see if you call" and teasingly shooed him away.

Preston took off in one direction and I took off in the other with what remained of my girlfriends. 

Walking home on Cloud 9. Velvet pants. ;)

And while I wasn't entirely sure, I had a feeling that my life would be forever changed. 

I wrote my best friend a gushing email the next day all about how I may have met the guy I would marry and titled it: "Do yourself a favor and get some velvet pants" Haha. Indeed.

Solstice Canyon Hike

Twas a hot one in LA today, but that didn't deter my friends Marcy, Zoia, and me from setting out on a hiking adventure.

I actually chose this hike today by googling 'shady hikes in Malibu'. Lol

Solstice Canyon is an easy 3.2 mile hike on relatively flat ground that heads into...you guessed it! Solstice Canyon. I had actually hiked this hike years ago with Gianna, but I think we took the more challenging 'Rising Sun Trail' that has a much higher gain in elevation before settling back into the canyon.

We got a late start and convened around high noon. After chatting a bit, we headed north to Malibu and stopped at the cute Marmalade Cafe for a quick bite. Our waiter had other ideas on the 'quick' part. 

By the time we arrived it was nearly 4 o'clock, which suited us just fine. It was still hot!

This was a terrific hike and perfectly shady for a hot day and we got in some exercise without too much exertion. Nonetheless...I was still plenty sweaty. :P

Marcy loved this rock.

I loved this tree

One of the most exciting things for me was that we saw a rattlesnake!! I've never actually seen one in person and was so excited!

So excited that my hands were shaky! 

The hike culminates at the ruins of an old mansion built by Frank Roberts who was a successful grocer in the 1950s. It's hard to really get a feel for what the house looked like since so little remains, but it's still quite neat to see. 

The mansion was designed by well-known architect Paul Williams. Since this canyon was known to be sometimes ravaged by wildfires, the design included an elaborate pump system with water from the nearby stream. 

Unfortunately after Roberts' death, this system was not maintained and the house burned to its foundation in 1982. 

We wandered the ruined foundation and tried to imagine the house as it was while we walked 'room' to 'room'. 

Behind the house is a trickling waterfall. We explored and enjoyed the cooler air that water brings. 

The adventurous spirit overtook Marcy and she headed off trail to loop above the falls and back down in front of the house. Zoia and I followed suit. 

We strolled leisurely back towards the car, sweaty and happy with our hike. 

I went noir on this one ;)

Bit bright in the sun :P

Inspiration

I saw this picture on the left on Pinterest and thought I should try it...tada! Picture on the right. I think I need some red pillows maybe to make it pop more?

The original Pinterest image is this:

Lol. Like Indian blankets on your bed? Step 1. Get an Indian blanket. Step 2. Put it on your bed. 

Hehe. Thanks Pinterest! I think maybe just the picture would have sufficed. 

Happy Wednesday! I've been sick since Sunday with a stomach bug. Fingers crossed I'm on the mend. :)

To market, to market

Gianna and I ventured out today to check out the Abbott Kinney market. 

I've heard some buzz about this and since it's near my house, we decided to investigate. 

We hopped on the bikes and headed down to Venice. I always love choosing different streets to explore. 

The market is on the grounds of Westminster Elementary and once we got close, we were ushered in by a group of friendly men along the sidewalk. 

Honestly, the market was much smaller than I had imagined and there was barely anyone there. But, oh my gosh...everyone there was incredibly nice! Every single vendor talked to us with real interest. The man at the first tent even offered to watch our bikes. Another woman offered to do our numbers in numerology for free. It was just wonderful!

We walked around for a while and saw so much that we wanted to buy! Unfortunately, today was not the day for buying...only browsing. 

Our favorite tent was full of terrific Indian printed pillows, dream catchers, and rugs. 

I hope to go back someday with more funds!

From the market, we returned to Gjusta-a bakery we had tried on another bike adventure. 

GJusta was PACKED and about as hipster as a place could come. Haha. Gianna and I were cracking up at just how perfect everyone appeared. I felt like we were on a movie set-or as Gianna said 'a living instagram'. Lol! It was too funny. 

Gjusta has done an incredible job with their rustic decor and delectable food. 

We both ordered veggie sandwiches and hibiscus tea with baguettes and tapenade for later. 

I know that we'll be back-both for the market and the bakery!