Cinespia Saturday

I experienced Cinespia for the first time tonight and loved it! I went with some girlfriends-two that had been before and another newby like me. Since it was my first time, I followed the lead of my friend Alicia who knew all the tricks. We purchased our ticket in advance and got there hours before the gates open. We found our place in line by 5:30 and were close to the front. Part of the fun is to get in line early so you can 1) get the best seats and 2) start the party early! People  brought food and drinks and it was a huge picnic for an hour and a half. The gates open at 7 and you walk through the cemetery schlepping your picnic to a grassy area at the west end of the cemetery. A huge mausoleum wall is where the movie is projected but doesn't start until 9. We settled into a good spot near the front and ate/drank more. The movie was Alfred Hitchcock's "The Man Who Knew Too Much". I loved it! I don't think I've ever seen one of his films but it was so good and really enjoyed watching Carey Grant and Doris Day as older actors. I'm definitely looking forward to doing this another time or two before this summer is over!

If you go, I'd suggest a couple things:

-Bring layers, it was hot in the afternoon but freezing and damp once the sun went down

-Pack plenty of snacks and remember  alcohol is allowed

-Don't forget blankets, towels or chairs (something to park yourself on)

-Grab a trash bag for anything you finish 

It was a great night for only $13!!

In line

Volunteer Year - April

April's volunteer opportunity was actually set up through work, so I was able to enjoy it with co workers. Our time was spent at Project Angel Food, a non-profit privately owned company that makes meals and delivers them to people in need. Food is provided to clients with HIV/AIDS, cancers and disabilities. Food is not provided to clients at the shelter, it is prepared, packages and sent out for deliveries. The kitchen is state of the art and runs on donations only with a handful of team members, drivers and chefs on staff. Everyone else that helps out donates their time to cut, bake, clean, and pack meals to go out. The drivers deliver throughout Los Angeles county and serve about 3,000 clients.

If you're looking to donate your time but don't feel comfortable enough to go out into the community, this is a great alternative because its a closed environment but touches lives all over Los Angeles. They're always looking for help with both morning and afternoon shifts. Lemme know if you sign up for a shift, I'll try to join you! www.angelfood.org

Straight [Road] Trippin!

Two weeks ago I completed a 6,000 mile road trip with my brother. It was for the fun of it but also because our other brother was getting married in North Carolina. We mapped it out to be completed in 11 days and included 3 days in NC for the wedding and family time The trip allowed us to stop into some places we never would have seen otherwise, meet really neat people, eat some amazing food, listen to excellent music and appreciate the beautiful sunsets and landscapes God has given us! The states we drove thru were in this order:

Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma,

Arkansas, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina,

South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi,

Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California

Being the parsimonious person that I am, I was able to get us great rates at hotels along the way. We got 4 free nights and an amazing rate of $39 for 2 nights at our overnight stops. While in NC, we stayed at Brennan & Arin's beautiful and brand new, four bedroom home! The only thing that really took a toll on our pocketbooks was gas. Once we got to NC though, we took the roof rack off my car which really helped us get better gas mileage. It was such a great trip and I am so glad we did it instead of flying. I took a ton of photos along the way to chronicle the madness. Here are a few of them:

The start of our adventure-Ozzie the dog did not join us.

Vintage shirt, Merrell long sleeve, Active pants, Asics running shoes, Raen sunglasses

We met up with our cousin in Arizona

Forever 21 beanie, blouse and leggings, vintage flannel, H&M flats 

Ummmm, there was nothing to do while driving through Texas so I entertained myself.

Vintage flannel, Raen sunglasses

My "happy to find an antique store" face.

!!!!!!!!!

Forever 21 jacket and shoes, vintage blouse, American Apparel pants

The married couple

Vintage dress, Jessica Simpson heels

Wrightsville Beach, literally coast to coast for us!

Forever 21 sweater and cropped pants

I was able to stop in and visit Buster Brown's family in Mississippi

Forever 21 dress, Toms flats

Met up with my old friends Keith in Austin, I loved this town!

Forever 21 jacket, pashmina from Paris street vendor, vintage flannel, Matix jeans, Asics shoes

Pizzeria Bianco - a must in Phoenix 

Some of my treasures I picked up along the way.