Girls Weekend in LA Day 1

Last Spring Julie, Kara and I became really close friends. Our kids were in the same kindergarten class. We spent the spring/summer going to the park, pool, lake, 4th of July Pool party & girl night outs! We had so much fun together...and then Julie moved back home to Southern California. It was hard to loose such a close friend...so Kara and I decided we would go down to Southern California and spend a weekend with Julie and make it a "Girly" Fun Weekend!

So we started planning our trip back in November...we picked a weekend when the Daddy's could stay home on Monday and watch the kiddos. We really tried to get tickets to see the "Ellen" Show but they are impossible to get. I checked their website 2 times a day and when the tickets came available I requested them within an hour...and we waited for a call for weeks...no call...we were sooo sad! No such Luck! As backups we got tickets to Dr Phil and the Bonnie Hunt Show. Sadly we couldn't do both shows...so we picked the Bonnie Hunt. It was a lot of fun!

We spent the weekend talking, laughing, shopping, walking, EATING, touring, smiling, sleeping, & pampering ourselves! The trip went perfect...everything worked out in our favor! The weather showed rain on 2 out of 3 days there. We were worried because we knew we would be outside most of the trip. I am happy to report that the only time we felt rain was walking to the car at 10:30pm after our day of shopping! It rained during the night but never during the day...we were so Lucky!

Warning: Picture over load...and it was hard to pick some to post. We took so many fun pictures! We documented everything! Enjoy!!!

Day 1: Shopping and Pampering!

Kara and I arrived at 11:30am. The flight was on time and relaxing. We headed straight over to a beautiful outdoor shopping center called "Victoria Gardens." It was so nice and had every store we liked. We shopped and shopped! We took a lunch break at PF Changs. And then did more shopping. Then Pedicures and crepes for dessert! We stayed up late planning for our Hollywood day and talking. It was a great start to our fun weekend!

We all picked crazy outfits to try on...it was fun! These were at H&M.

After hours of shopping...it felt so good to relax and get a pedicure! Loved it!!!

Our new shiny toes!

After our pedicure...we went next door and had crepes for dessert! So yummy!!!!!!

Girls Trip Day 2- Hollywood

I was so excited for this day....

I have always wanted to see "Hollywood."

I love movie stars...probably too much!

Day 2: Hollywood

We had a nice drive into downtown LA/Hollywood. We arranged for our "Hollywood Home Tour".. while we waited for our departure we had lunch at California Pizza Kitchen. It was really delicious. For our tour, we rode in a van with an open top. It was really fun. We drove around for two hours. We went down sunset strip, Rodeo drive, Beverly Hills, Hollywood sign lookout, and through most of the stars neighborhoods. I was excited to see Jennifer Aniston's new home...even though we could only see the roof. We saw the house that Brad and Jennifer lived in before their divorce, Michael Jackson's house he died in, Elvis, Dr Phil (Beautiful house with greenery all over it), Beckham's, Tom Cruise, Tori Spelling's HUGE house, Cortney Cox (Her nanny drives a nice Lexus), Johnny Deps new house (He has a party that night so his house was hopping with people prepping for the party), Orlando Blooms (he had cops, helicopters at his house earlier that day), Jay Leno, National Security Offices in Beverly Hills, (they are too good for a normal office..they have to have a mansion), I know I am missing memorable ones..we saw over 70 houses. It was an awesome tour! Did you know that most of the stars drive Black or white Range Rovers around town. We stopped at the "Hollywood" lookout and took pictures. Did you know it originally said "Hollywoodland?"

After our tour, we walked around the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Did you know the stars have to pay $25,000 to get a star? Crazy...no wonder we couldn't find Jennifer Aniston's. We then walked around the famous hand & foot prints and signatures of stars infront of the Chinese theatre. In order to get a spot you have to have 5 blockbusters and been in the business 10 yrs. We walked around for awhile and then we asked if Brad Pitt had one and they told us his was by George Clooney and we realized we missed his because he just signed it with a "BP." No one was taking pictures by his because they didn't know it was his...but we DID!

When we bought our tour they gave us free tickets to see "Madame Tussauds" wax museum. We were so excited. It saved us $25. Gotta love that. It was fun walking around and taking photos with the celebrities. They were so life-like. We had fun! Right outside of the museum they had a special red carpet event going on...so we stood outside and watched the action. They had Disney channel stars. It was fun to see a red carpet event.

Finally we ended the fun-filled day with dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. It was so yummy! The cheesecake was amazing too. Kara and I fell asleep in the car riding home and we slept sooooo well that night. We were exhausted!

Hollywood was awesome!

Brad Pitt's Block!

We aren't single but we had fun singing!

Gotta kiss Brad!

Girls Trip Day 3- Newport Beach

Day 3: Newport Beach

Today was a very relaxing, slow paced day. We went to Newport Beach! It was beautiful. We rented beach cruiser bikes and rode down the coastline beach path. I have always wanted to do this and was excited the girls wanted to do it too. We rode down to another pier and then back. Round trip it was an hour and a half bike ride. I would love to have a house on the beach if I had a few mill!

The wind picked up just in time for lunch at Ruby's. I love this cute diner. The food is delicious and setting is beautiful at the end of the pier.

After the beach we headed to see the movie, "Valentines Day."

We ended the evening with face masks with cucumbers and all.

It was fun and relaxing!

Girls Trip Day 4-Bonnie Hunt Show!!!!

Day 4-Bonnie Hunt Show

One of the highlights of our trip was going to the Bonnie Hunt Show. It was a lot of fun. We waited in line for 1 1/2 hours and it was worth it. We were the 3rd group in line and got amazing seats right behind Don the producer. We even got the free hot dog and root beer! The guests on where: Parker Posey (actress), Matt Bomer (White Collar), and Brian Kiley (comedian). During the opening dialogue, they talked about the bachelor and acted out a dancing scene that was funny. After the taping ended, Bonnie Hunt walked around and I shook hands with her. We had a great time! It was on TV the following day and it was fun watching us on TV. You can watch the clip below. You can see us in the very beginning for one second and then in the last minutes we are on ALOT while Don is dancing. We are right behind him.

After the show, we went to lunch at Chipotle. And then sadly drove to the airport to go home. It was bitter sweet. We missed our families and knew they needed us home but we had such a great time with each other that we didn't want it to end. The weekend went by too fast and we had a WONDERFUL time! Julie was a wonderful host and we felt very welcome! Thanks Julie! And Thanks to our wonderful husbands who took care of the kiddos so we could have some much needed Mommy/Girly time!

ME on the Bonnie Hunt Show!!!!

We had a girls weekend in LA this past weekend...and one of the highlights was seeing Bonnie Hunt! It was soooo fun!!!! We are in this clip at the very beginning and then during the last minute of the clip. Don is dancing and we are right behind him. I was with my friends, Kara and Julie! We had a great time! After the taping, Bonnie walked around the audience for a minute and she shook my hand! Love it!

I'm a lucky lady!

My Hubby LOVES ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I came home from my trip I found this.....what a SMILE I had on my face! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!! ALL OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! Eric was out of town for my bday in December so he decided to make it up by celebrating my bday every month on the 22nd....so sweet!!!!!!!! I am being spoiled! I have wanted one of these bikes for a long time. (Basket and all). I love the one Eric picked. It is perfect...he did so GOOD! I can't wait to ride it around...I LOVE IT! Thanks Sweetie!!!!!