Beach Days

Happy Friday!

This summer, we spent a lot of time on the beach!

Well, especially our son James and I. 

We go during the week, while daddy is at work. 
(less crowded) 
Not fair to my husband, but we always make it up to him over the weekend, 

by doing something fun.

Until about 2 weeks ago, it had been particularly hot in LA. 

Above 100 degrees!

So the best place to be was by the ocean, where it is always much cooler. 

It has certainly cooled down quite a bit. 

Now in the comfortable high 70's low 80's, fall has definitely arrived. 

I never complained though, I love the beach 

and so does baby James.

We had the visit of one of my sisters from Paris. 

She arrived on August 23 and since then, it had been 

beach, beach, beach! 
Almost everyday! 

She stayed with us for two weeks and we had a lot of fun. 

Then my parents arrived and they also love the beach.

Mum and dad have been here for about a month and a half and we are having a blast! 

My parents are the nicest, most easy going people. 

We all get along so well and so it is a true pleasure 

to have them around. 

I wish they lived closer...

Bordeaux, France is not exactly on the doorstep.

Anyway, that is why I have not been able to do much blogging recently.

I would like to share with you a few photos 

of our beach days.

My husband is from Santa Barbara and we love the beautiful beaches there, but here in LA, 

we have a couple of favorite ones.

The private beach of Paradise Cove, in Malibu

Love, love it there! 

But we keep that beach for the weekend with my husband (longer drive).

My dad (papi) and baby James
having a splashy time!

My beach boy!

Paradise Cove has been featured in countless productions, over the years. 

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"The boys" in American Pie 2

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Rene Russo and Mel Gibson in Lethal Weapon 4

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Demi Moore and Woody Harrelson in Indecent Proposal 

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Front cover picture of Surfin' Safari,

taken by photographer Ken Veeder in a photo shoot, on the beach at Paradise Cove, that also produced the cover for the band's 1963 album Surfer Girl (below).

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For the fans of Britney Spears, the music video for her 1999 hit song Sometimes,
was also filmed at Paradise Cove.

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On the pier

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Marilyn Monroe posing on a cliff above the restaurant.
A framed copy of this 1952 pin-up of Marilyn, photographed by J.R. Eyerman, is displayed at at the Paradise Cove Beach Cafe 

Great view of the pier on this one!

Manhattan beach

It is so lovely there! 

A 30 minute drive from our home (Silver Lake) 
and we find ourselves in a true beach town. 
There is not a single thing I dislike about Manhattan beach. 

It is just perfect! 

The motto there is "Sun, sand, sea" and it is a hotspot for beach volleyball and surfing. 
Every August, the city hosts the Manhattan Beach Open Volleyball Tournament 
and the International Surf Festival. 

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Collecting sea pebbles

My dad always digs a little wading pool for James.
James never forgets to ask his papi:
"Papi, papi! Petite piscine!"

Running under the pier

Loving the sand!

Hanging out in his beach chair

Enjoying a delicious ice cream at the local creamery

We often stay until the sun goes down.

I love Manhattan Beach!

Have a great autumn weekend!

Thanks for stopping by,

Alexandra

The Beach Boys at The Arboretum

Hello,

Last Sunday I took my husband and baby to The Arboretum in Arcadia, to see 

The Beach Boys, 

at the 22nd Family Music Festival.

(Arcadia is a city in Los Angeles County, approximately 13 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles, 

in the San Gabriel Valley and at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains).

We love the Beach Boys in our family and neither one of us had seen them live.

I had got tickets as a Father's Day gift.
Free for children under 12

My hubby was really happy 

and we were very excited knowing that, 

at the age of 24 months, our son James was going to attend his very first concert 

and it was going to be 

The Beach Boys!

It was another beautiful Sunday here in sunny Southern California,

and our first time at the Arboretum.

The gates opened at 3:00pm for a 5:30pm concert on the Bauer lawn (see center of map below)

We arrived shortly after 3:00pm and got ourselves settled on the lawn, right away. 

We found a perfect spot. 

Close to the stage, but not too much. 

We had brought a blanket, a cooler filled with goodies 

and had not forgotten our hats and sunblock!

It was lovely.

Prior to the concert, 

while James was finishing his afternoon nap in his stroller, 

we were listening to some good tunes 

(they were playing some good old classic rock songs)

and we were sipping some nice chilled Chardonnay wine.

Cheers!

Before the show started,

I took a few photos to share with you.

View of the stage from our seating area.

Behind us, the fountain and the mountains.

The fountain.

While I was photographing, my husband and son James were sitting on the edge of the basin 

with their feet in the water

and James decided to jump in,

fully dressed!

He loves water so much, he could not help himself!

Everybody seemed to have a good time.

Food trucks were on the premises, beer and wine was available for purchase.

Hawaiian shave ice

Where you can find a darling little gift shop
and very clean restrooms.

Picture of the fountain from the other side.

Everyone was asked to close and put away their umbrellas.

The concert started on time and James was awake, 

ready for some 

Fun, fun, fun!

The concert lasted approximately 90 minutes

and it certainly was 90 minutes of 

Good Vibrations.

Dancing away!

The Beach Boys sounded great!

Mike Love and Bruce Johnston in the background.

We danced and sang during the whole show, 

beach balls were flying all around

and James,

who loves music so much also had a blast.

James playing after the concert.

It was a wonderful experience, 

the 3 of us together at a concert

and we cannot wait to go to another one.

In fact, Jack Johnson is playing at the Greek Theatre 

this August and 

hopefully we can get some tickets for it.

Here is a little bit of information about The Arboretum for you:

The Arboretum is 127 acres of plants, natural landscapes, wildlife and historic buildings.

It is home to plant collections from all over the world, including many rare and endangered species.

The garden is also the site of historical landmarks representative of major phases of California history.

There is a variety of gardens and landscapes like aquatic gardens, a herb garden, a rose garden and many more.

The Arboretum is also an official wildlife sanctuary where you can see peafowl, species of resident and migratory birds, aquatic creatures as well as numerous species of small reptiles and mammals.

The Arboretum Library is a bountiful resource for information about plants and wildlife.

In addition to concerts and tours, they offer activities and event that cater to every audience.

The Garden & Gift Shop is very cute.

I learnt a lot from their well-built website and read many reviews on the internet.

The Arboretum seems to be a paradise for nature lovers, botanists 

and gardeners alike.

I look forward to going back and exploring.

Thanks for stopping by,

Alexandra