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The Best of LA . . .

My LA posts are coming to a close, but here’s one last post highlighting the very best of my trip to LA: What I’ll never forget, where I’ll definitely go, and where I’ll definitely eat again… next time! :)

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Best of LA

Arriving in style… Being picked up at LAX by a driver, holding my name on a sign!

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Best of LA

My Sneaky Husband… When I got to the hotel, my guest Jenny and I were chatting about what to do with our afternoon. But I kept getting distracted and glancing over at my open suitcase- there was some kind of tissue paper sticking out that kept catching my eye. I hadn’t packed anything with tissue paper? It was right next to the TSA inspection notice.. did they leave something in my bag?? Finally I stopped, mid-conversation, and walked over there. I tugged on the tissue paper and discovered a neatly wrapped present tucked underneath my jeans. It was this scarf. This soft, delicate, hand-knit, organic cotton scarf. Sometime, between 4 am and 5am on Monday morning, between getting ready to leave for the airport and loading my bags in the car, my sweet husband hid this thoughtful gift for me to find in LA. It was perfect for the breezy weather we had that week. You may remember me tweeting about this scarf a few weeks ago… I think I have a sneaky new follower on Twitter! ♥

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Best of LA

Room Service Pajama Party… THE best pajama party I have ever attended! Hands down! :) Pajama Parties are SO much cooler as an adult- I’m convinced! No drama, just fun & FOOD! ;) And oh, the food… :) I’m totally craving another grilled cheese with tomato & basil right now! ;)

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Best of LA

Meeting new friends and fellow bloggers… Not too many people I know in real life blog, so it was really awesome to just be able to spend some time with fellow bloggers – sharing ideas and inspirations, highlights and vents, hearing their stories and learning from their experiences! On Tuesday, after dinner with Rocco DiSpirito, we all met back in my room and swapped memory cards from our cameras- so we could all have a copy of each others pictures! They got so many awesome pictures, views, and angles that I would’ve never thought to get. Coming home and looking through all their pictures and seeing LA through someone else’s lens made me feel like I was there all over again. :)

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Best of LA

This is Mandy, on the left. She was the winner of Picky Palate’s giveaway. I am so honored I got the opportunity to meet her! She got in late Monday night, right as we were wrapping up our pajama party. I had not talked to her at all before the trip, but she came bearing gifts- she brought Jenny and me these adorable matching muffin tin and measuring scoop necklaces! I had seen them on her blog and thought they were the cutest thing ever- what a precious gift.

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Best of LA

On Tuesday, she had on the cutest, most stylish outfit- complete with a flower in her hair! :) And she had the COOLEST bracelet I have ever seen- I couldn’t get over it! :) I even took a picture! *blush* It came from H&M, a store we don’t have where I live, but I knew I’d be going to Atlanta soon- and they had one there. I totally had to get one for myself! :) On Tuesday night, right before bed, there was a soft knock on my door. It was Mandy… with the bracelet!! She wanted me to have hers. I couldn’t! …But she insisted. I gave her the biggest hug ever. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mandy! :) I am totally humbled by your generosity. And I have to be honest- I have hardly taken them off! :) They go with *everything* I own. :)

Oh! And guess what. :) Mandy is a professional opera singer! :) On the way back to the hotel, after dinner with Rocco, and our long day in LA, Mandy serenaded us with the most beautiful Italian aria I’ve ever heard. We were all completely mesmerized- she has the voice of an absolute angel. Mandy- it was an honor! :)

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Best of LA

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Best of LA

The Best Thing I Ever Ate – Part 1… Breakfast at The Griddle Cafe!! Pictured above are the Recess Time Buttermilk Hotcakes (a huge, indulgent cinnamon streusel topped pancake) and Mom’s French Toast. Next time I go back- I am totally ordering both. No doubt. :)

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Best of LA

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Best of LA

Meeting Sarah… So glad we got to meet Sarah from Tastespotting and The Delicious Life! She helped Bertolli plan our day in LA and it completely rocked. I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect day! As we were riding around in the limo, Sarah was pointing out all the other awesome landmarks and points of interest. Jenny and I asked for some suggestions on what to do on our couple extra days out there, and Sarah took the time to plan a complete, 2-day itinerary for us, with several options and suggestions, hitting all the highlights of LA. Best trip to LA ever. Thank you so much, Sarah! :)

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Best of LA

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Best of LA

Desserts from the World Fare busTAURANT! The brownie & red velvet cupcakes were incredible! Outta this world. So soft, so chewy, so decadent. Wishing I could ship these in by the truckload!

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Best of LA

The Best Thing I Ever Ate – Part 2… And OMG. The Butterscotch Bread Pudding from World Fare. We were all completely shocked by this bread pudding- totally speechless! It was SO good. I have had some good bread pudding in my day, but this. Wow! It was rich, and soft, and melt-in-your-mouth… Incredible!

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Best of LA

LA Farmers Market, The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills & Scoops! I want to spend an entire day at the Farmers Market and The Cheese Store- with a stop at Scoops in between! I’d have “the best coffee and doughnuts in LA” at the Farmers Market for breakfast, souvenir shop at all the little stores (like the hot sauce store and Three Dog Bakery!), have some Korean BBQ & gumbo for lunch, stop at Scoops for some afternoon ice cream, then spend my entire life savings at the Cheese Store. ;)

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Best of LA

El Matador Beach… Gorgeous. Definitely want to go back here when I have two full batteries and two full memory cards! ;)

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Best of LA

The Best Thing I Ever Ate – Part 3… Snickers Cake from Joan’s on Third. I’m still having dreams about this cake. Rich, chocolaty, delicious dreams.

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Best of LA

The Best Thing I Ever Ate – Part 4… Peanut Butter & Jelly Shortbread Cookie Bars. I didn’t know what good was until I had one of these. And the awesomest (or should I say most dangerous!) part ever? I can make them at home- any time I want! :D Try them. Try them, try them, try them. :D

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Best of LA

The Best Thing I Ever Ate – Part 5… Kouign Amann from BLD. I’m sorry I didn’t get a very good picture of it- it’s that delicious little cake in the bottom left-hand corner. I went on Saturday for brunch right before my flight left LA to take me back home. So I just snapped a quick pic with my cell phone. It’s a sugary, buttery, caramelized cake with insanely chewy, flaky layers. I wish wish wish I had gotten a picture of the layers for you! But seriously, after I took one bite, I just went to this whole other place…. Oh, the chocolate chip croissant and coffee cake were pretty good too! ;)

My Trip to Los Angeles, California | Best of LA

Coming home… :) The plane was so tiny, it didn’t even pull up to the tunnel to de-plane. We just used the stairs! Kevin was waiting for me at baggage claim and grabbed my luggage. When I got home, these were on my desk. :)

You.. Keeping in touch via Twitter and Facebook, and reading your comments, feedback, and suggestions while I was away was definitely my favorite highlight of LA. If it weren’t for you guys I wouldn’t never been given this opportunity. I owe you just as much gratitude and thanks as I do Bertolli. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Next time I’ll just have to insist that you all come with me. ;)

Thanks so much for looking! :)

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18 Responses
  1. Becky

    I just wanted to tell you how much I love my “Now Eat That” ccokbook by Rocco Dispirito that I won on your website. It has the calories, fat, and fiber listed so I can count my Weight Watcher points and stay on my eating plan. Everything looks delish (((even Rocco–blush blush ;)–couldn’t help myself)))so I’ll have to decide what to fix first. Thanks for giving me the chance to win such a wonderful prize. Have a great weekend, Becky

  2. Ana

    Oh, I’m so glad to see he gave you the scarf! I thought I recognized his name when he ordered it :o)

    I really hope you love it!

    Your pictures are gorgeous :o)

  3. Nancy

    Amazing photo’s (I am hungry now for sure!). Trip looked like a blast. I’m so jealous! I love your site! Thanks for the virtual trip I’m sure I’ll never get!

  4. Heather @ Mrs. Southern Bride

    Looks like so much fun. Those red velvet cupcakes look TO DIE for!!! Oh my goodness!! Yummy!

  5. Amanda Jones

    What an awesome time you must have had!! And that French Toast with the powdered sugar on top..mmm! That’s my favorite breakfast food, without a doubt!

  6. Janeybird

    Welcome back! Loved your updates on your trip! Thanks for sharing so much with the rest of us. Hey, isn’t it your anniversary!?!?!

  7. KajunKJ

    Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful trip with us. I have so looked forward to each of your posts. I know that you are safe and sound back home and really enjoying your memories! Hugs to you and your family including those cute little 4-footed babies!

  8. edy B

    Thanks for taking us along on your adventure. I’ve been away from CA for 7 years and didn’t really miss it since for 35 years we lived up and down the coast of CA.(I moved from AL to CA as a young woman ~ what a culture shock!!! ) And then you posted with such JOY and with all those wonderful photographs! You’re killing me with those food pics ~ I can almost smell the YUM!!!
    So glad you had the opportunity and shared it with us!

    PS~I stll love living in NM but CA lingers in my soul ….

  9. teresa

    Amanda!
    I have LOVED following your trip to LA!
    What a complete FANTaSY!
    I know you savored every minute of it!
    You are adorable!
    And that scarf that Kevin tucked into your bag was scrumptious!
    I could go on and on about all of the FOOD….
    and the places you enjoyed!
    But I’ll just say I am so happy for you that you had such a DREAMY trip!
    You and Kevin would LOVE Seattle too!
    And Bainbridge Island!
    You are precious….and Kevin is a lucky lucky man to have such a talented…spirited wife!
    xxooxoxoxox
    I know your fur-babies and Kevin missed you while you were in LA!
    xo

  10. Debi

    You are so blessed to have such a sweet husband! Treasure him always! That was very thoughtful of him to sneak in the scarf you wanted and to surprise you with flowers at home. That’s even more precious than the super-fun trip to L.A.!

  11. Julie

    Thank you, thank you for sharing this amazing trip with us. What an amazing opportunity!

    I’ve always wanted to be picked up at the airport with someone holding a sign with my name on it. And the food! Makes me want to plan a trip to L.A. right now.

  12. Laci Vivoni

    Wow! Your pictures have left me speechless and at least 10 lb. Heavier! Lol. I’ve never wanted to go to LA before, but I think you’ve changed my mind! Great post!!!

  13. Jenny Flake

    LOVE your Best of LA post girl!! So glad that we were able to meet and spend such fun times together. We really need to plan another trip this year don’t you think?!! lol! Have a great Memorial Day! Yay for the PB&J Shortbread Bars!!

  14. Kerry

    It looks like you had an amazing trip! I think I put on 5 pounds living vicariously through you! Your photos are awesome!!!!! If I could have half your talent then I know I’d be deliriously happy!

  15. Becky

    Totally Awesome trip. I’m sooo glad you had a wonderful time. I’m drooling just looking at the tantalizing goodies you tasted. What an awesome hubby… surprising you with the beautiful scarf and roses. I bet you will go back and visit soon. Thanks for sharing all your breath-taking photos.

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Meet Kevin & Amanda

Kevin and Amanda

We love to travel and to eat! Here we share our favorite quick and easy recipes, plus travel tips and guides for our favorite places around the world. If you have any questions about what camera I use or how I edit my photos, check out my photography tutorials.

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