Where to Eat Wednesdays: Curious Palate

On Memorial Day, Zac and I went to The Curious Palate for breakfast. This is a great little place on Venice Boulevard in Mar Vista. I recommend it if you like fresh ingredients, amazing coffee, and a neighborhood atmosphere.

I've been here a number of times, but my order last weekend was my favorite so far. I got the Brooklyn special: a breakfast sandwich with salmon, egg, and cream cheese on sourdough.

What do you think? Will you try it out?

(PS- this was NOT on the diet I mentioned during last week's post!)

Do you ever go to the movies alone?

Tonight I went to see Gatsby. Finally. I couldn't wait any longer, so Zac stayed home with James and I went to the movies. It was kind of fun, although it would have been nicer if I wasn't sandwiched in between two strangers. I'm glad I went, and I'm really glad I saw the movie, but I kind of like having someone I can dish about the movie to after it's over. Next, I'll have to find a baby sitter and take Zac and I to see Star Trek- because I really missed having his hand to hold and his shoulder to rest on when I got uncomfortable in those theater seats.

Where To Eat Wednesday: Al Gelato

So I started a diet with Zac last week. Let's just say it hasn't been the greatest week in the world. But I'm seeing results already, so I'm encouraged to continue. Don't worry, the diet won't stop me from posting about amazing food finds in LA, and it won't stop me from being the devoted foodie that I am. So today I recommend that you check out Al Gelato if you're in the mood for some legitimate pasta.


Al Gelato was recommended to me by a friend a few months ago, so Zac and I went there for a date. It's a small, unassuming restaurant on Robertson in Beverly Hills, and I was surprised by the casual but charming ambiance. The establishment's name kind of gives away what they're known for, but the Italian ice cream wasn't what stood out to me. What I remember is the LINGUINE.

At first, I was a little disappointed when reading the menu and seeing that the pasta, although made in house, was served plain, aside from the basil that it's cooked in and the giant meatball that you can order as a side dish. I also thought the price seemed really high for pasta. But oh no. This handmade linguine is to die for, and the price was worth it given that I had about four servings of leftovers! Zac ordered a pizza, and devoured that faster than I devoured mine. So needless to say, if you're a pasta (and gelato) fan AND you're not on a carb-cycling diet like me right now, hurry on over to Al Gelato when you can!

Diaperless babies!

Have you heard of this funny trend of babies in Brooklyn going diaperless? In our modern and Western world, your first reaction may be disbelief, like mine- but hey, think of what our ancestors did before Huggies and Pampers existed! A quote from the article puts it this way:

"In non-Western cultures.. babies are held constantly and mothers are right there to recognize the relevant signals".. "It's not that little kids pee and poop all over the place, as Westerns might imagine.

Anyway, whether you agree with it or not, it's super interesting. Check it out for yourself.

(photo found via Pinterest- credit Jenni Jones photography)

His little personality

He is soooo sweet. I remember a friend asking me, when James was only a month or two old, if he was showing his personality yet. And I seriously thought, no way! He did a lot of sleeping that first month. But now, he's full of it. Personality that is. His current interests include: sticking his tongue out, wrinkling his nose, and prepping for bear crawls. Isn't he the cutest!?

Let's go to the beach

Isn't this photo amazing? Love the color.

(Rio de Jinero from a bird's eye view found on Pinterest, photo by Tony Kelly)