Magical Fabric Kingdom

{Be Warned.}

As a your friend, I have to give you a heads up. If you love fabric or trim or street tacos or LA, you must proceed reading at your own risk. 

You may be physically and emotionally affected by these photos. 

Don't be surprised if your heart begins to race, your jaw drops, sweat beads up on your forehead, or if you decide next time you visit CA you're travel itinerary must change.

I'm about to share with you one of the most life-changing experiences of my "sewing/crafting" life.

I had my very 1st visit to the LA Fashion District.  Namely, the fabric/trim section which is around 9th and Maple in downtown LA.  And I must ask you to refrain from spitting or cursing at Joann's next time you walk through the door with your 40% off coupon and think you're getting a deal.

(My Course}

My plan of attack consisted of the following:

1) Leaving the husband and boys back at the condo in Oceanside. Um, yeah...this part is self explanatory.

2) Charting my course.  I found the blogs Lil' Blue Boo and MADE to be extremely helpful. (Thanks girls!) Running a into a local friend--my sister-in-law Tanya's sister Chelsea-- didn't hurt either! I know, totally random and awesome. She pointed me in the right direction of her favorite shops.  (Thanks Chelsea! I also loved that we were both sporting these ginormous backpacks to stuff our treasures in.)

3) Driving myself to LA using my phone and my good friend Google Navigator GPS. (Yes, I went by myself. I guess my years leaving in the New Jersey/NY area toughened me up! Actually, it wasn't even as sketchy as I planned on, and I think its probably good for white girls living in Utah to feel like a minority every now and then!:))

4) Shop. I don't think my eyes popped back into my back until the next day. 

5) Beating traffic out of  LA.  I literally ran around like a wild woman stuffing my backpack trying not to get stuck in traffic.

Running? Really Toad? I hear you, but I also think you would have running right along side of me. Now its time for you to see what all the fuss is about.

Yes, that's $.99 a yard...) And the whole day I shopped the most I paid was $2.50/yd, and that was for 100% organic cotton!

I decided that talking about this unbelievable place is like having a baby...you really can't explain it or know what its like unless you've actually done it.  With that being said, I'll do my best to show you where you'll want to go next time your family takes a trip to the Magic Kingdom.  Just go North to YOUR Magic Kingdom. :)

{Yep}

What do you do with all of this? I have no idea. But I love it. 

I loved the helpers. (You know, the people who answer my random questions and cut the stuff.) Not only are were they a lot of help, and even posed for my pictures. Total keepers.

These were taken at a store called Target Trim. What a place!

And if you ever go in there, just will you tell Raffi "Hi" for me?

{Pit Stop}
I'd never seen a street hot dog wrapped in bacon before in my life. And I noticed that the locals LOVED them.

Here was my criteria for getting food off the street:
1) A woman had to prepare it. (Odds are they are a little more careful, although I know this is a stereotype--:))
2) The cleanest cart I could find.

And I found it.

My gal.

And my lunch choice. Steak street tacos. Ahh, I can't stop thinking about them. I should have eaten at least 3 more before I left. I'm not kidding.

{JJ's} 

This is one of Chelsea's favorite places and it quickly became one of mine too.  Not only did I go crazy on the fabric (my new batch of Camera Coats is going to be S.W.E.E.T.), but I got FOE (Fold Over Elastic=the elastic that everyone makes those baby headbands out of) for $.25/yd and they had every color you could imagine...and more.

The helpers at JJ's.

Carlos the cutter at Micheal Levine's.  He helped me with that sweet cotton laminate that I'll be talking more about very soon. (NEW Rain Slickies here we come!!)

(Line Heaven)
And just in case you were wondering, we did make it over to the other Magic Kingdom.  {Although for my husband it is less than magical...well, unless you're talking about the money in your pocket disappearing.;)}

 But more about the fam's adventures later.  Its time for you to start making a game plan for your trip to LA.  Unless, of course, you live within a 2 hours radius of it and then you can tell us your game plan!! (And if you don't have one, shame on you! ;)  Don't take it for granted another minute!) 



Your fabric lovin' gal,

Toady

Sun & Bears

{Hurray!}

After a cold, wet camping trip Memorial Day weekend...

we are more than happy to see the sun again! 

{The only warm thing we had that last weekend in May was Krispy Kreme's on the way home!}

{You Betcha}

So, when my fun friend Heather called last Monday morning and said that she had an adventure for us I was quite curious to hear what she had up her sleeve. 

A week a Bear Lake?!  Yep...she knew we'd be up for it!:) 

The forcast was great and I was packed and ready to go in about 45 mintues.  Not much could keep us from that Mediterranean blue lake water...not even play groups, swimming lessons, or lunch dates could stand in our way!

Getting away from the usual routine is so healthy...don't you think? I love that I can focus more on just being with and loving the boys.  Okay, not that we don't have our moments, but we worked out our little issues {like wearing swim diapers and not throwing rocks at eachother} and hunkered down for a good time.

{Wild Times}
Bear Lake is actually partially in Utah and partially in Idaho, but miles from a Redbox or Happy Meal.  I've never been to a place quite like it. 

The water is super shallow for at least a hundred yards out and so they pull the boats and other water toys out by tractor...

You really have to watch for deer, moose, or cows crossing the road, and you'd better not be in a hurry...they sure aren't.;)

Cave exploring is fun tourist attraction.  These natural limestone creations were straight out a gnome and troll movie. 

Water always seem to be a main attraction for our crew...

But if you ask Ethan, driving the 4 man bike wasn't far behind!

And who wouldn't love it if their mom pedaled the beast around! 

Bear Lake doesn't have a shortage of sand...whether its at the beach or park.
 


Jumping was also a great attraction!  The KOA charges $3/kid per day for anyone to jump...even if you aren't staying there. 

As you can see, Aidan loved to watch his reflection as he jumped.  The funny thing is that his body is in almost the exact some position when he is in the air as he when he is on the tramp! 

Just hanging back at the condo was alot of fun too...Ethan and I both "cheered" to Captain Jack Sparrow and the Black Pearl as we drank from these wine glasses.  

Aidan made his own fun by pulling up a kitchen chair and watching his train show {the lamest show on earth} while playing with his trains...

All three of us slept together in a king size bed at the end of each fun-packed day.

Yes, we slept hard.

{Pirate Problem}
The only real issue we had on the trip was concerning pirates. You may also have this problem if you have little matey's running around your place.  But if not, you might want to be on the look out.  Pirates have been lurking around us for quite some time now, and they aren't joking around...

Even aunt Diane came up for a night and tried to help tame one, but these guys were really meant business.

{Great Times}
Heather--I know you will read this at some point and I have to thank-you again for thinking of us.  We had a super great time. 

{Heading out}

For those that look forward to our annual Oregon expedition we'll be heading out at the end of the week.   Blogging may be a bit more sparce, but you know I won't leave you hanging.  Well, for too long anyway.

In the mean time you can make 4th of July trifles.  Its worth practicing this recipe several times...if you know what I mean.;) 

Hope your summer is full of adventure and fun! 

XOXO

Toady