Sweet Nothings

I had a little Valentine's Day party! Take a peek..
(your surprise is at the end of the post...)

Sammy stopping to smell the roses...For moi?!I see pink elephants...
Christy & Jaden opening their gifts. Always my favorite part!
They baked these sweet treatsGive me a smooch!Hearts on the ceilingMy gift unwrapped!

When I was young, my mother surprised me with treats on Valentine's Day. A bit of chocolate, stuffed animal, candy hearts or stickers. I loved the anticipation of a gift. The surprise! Knowing it would look pretty, taste or smell good. (That's still how I roll.)

So, this Valentine's Day, I learned my favorite 9-year-old Jaden had bought me a Valentine's present with her allowance. That's when a funny thing happened to me. I turned into my mother.

I didn't realize it until I started putting this together. This is just like what my mom used to give me.

And she loved it!
BTW, Jaden bought me the pink elephant, because I simply adore pink pachyderms!
Don't think I forgot your present!
Click here to print a big coupon.
Happy Valentine's Day everyone xo

Romantic Beach Restaurants

For some fabulous reason, love is in the air!  Several guys have asked me for restaurant recommendations near the water, where you can take in the sunset and then walk on the beach.  Sounds lovely!  I asked, and many of you savvy Angelenos answered.  I've tried many of these restaurants too.


Click on the links to get a feel for each restaurant.  Some are very romantic, others are more casual, but right on the sand.  Don't forget to make your reservation for sunset and enjoy!




Laguna Beach 

Studio at Montage

Las Brisas

La Jolla


George's At the Cove

Malibu

Savory

Moonshadows 

Geoffrey's

The Malibu Beach Inn

Paradise Cove

The Chart House

Manhattan Beach 

Mucho

Second Story at The Belamar

Newport Beach

Beachcomber Cafe (Crystal Cove)

Wildfish

Blue Water Grill

Palos Verdes

mar'sel at Terranea

Santa Monica

Catch at Casa Del Mar

One Pico at Shutters on the Beach 

The Lobster

Topanga

Inn of the Seventh Ray

photo source: I took this in the summer at a friend's beach house in Malibu.

Love Is a Battlefield

Remember decorating shoeboxes to hold valentines? This box seems just like the ones I made back when I was a kid in the early 80's. The tissue paper with foil hearts covering the Reebok sneaker box.

Star Wars and Scooby Doo valentines from the boys.... My Little Pony or Lisa Frank from the girls.... The best ones had a lollipop attached.

Below is a grownup version for kids (in America.. whoa!) of the 80's. Kids Incorporated... Ok I'm stopping.

Check these out at jeanfrancisbean on etsy.com

Love Is In the Air

The weather here is gorgeous. It's all sunshine, a light breeze and 80-degree bliss. Exactly how I like it. Not too hot or cold. Goldilocks here is in heaven, so can you blame me for a bit of spring fever?

Give me a pink VW bus (that runs) and the ocean.

It took me a while to realize the V was photoshopped. I wish you could do that with a deck.

I love the colors in this photo from deviant art.

A bit of hi-lo. Cheap red suckers are my favorite treat on Valentine's Day. Of course I'd also be content with these patent leather fuschia YSL heels.

One of the main things I miss about Atlanta. Looking up at the cherry blossoms. I could do that for hours.
Or at least a few minutes.