Peas and Queues: Ridiculously Cute Kid Clothing Line

I'm completely in love with the kids clothing line PEAS AND QUEUES www.peasandqueueskids.com.  Everything is ridiculously cute for both boys and girls, sizes 2T to 8T.  I'd even wear their outfits if I could.  I first noticed the line when I was shopping for myself at a really great boutique WEEKEND LOVERS  www.shopweekendlovers.com on La Brea, and noticed they exclusively carry the Peas and Queues line.  With school around the corner, stock up on the line now.

Bar Stella: Cafe Stella Opens Bar Stella For The Perfect Date Night

I've always been a huge fan of Cafe Stella at Sunset Junction in Silverlake and now there is yet another reason to love it, with the opening of BAR STELLA right next door. These two places make for a perfect date night.  Have a romantic dinner at Cafe Stella and then circle around the front to the gorgous Moroccan-inspired Bar Stella for a night cap.  Can't ask for much more than that.

My Must Haves: J Crew Polka Dots!!!

I'm completely obsessed with J CREW's www.jcrew.com/index.jsp polka dot line out now.  Flirty, fun and completely affordable.  Who wouldn't want some of this in their wardrobe? 

Uber: The App You Must Download Now

It's the weekend and I'm sure you have a dinner or party to go to.  If you don't already have it, you need to download the UBER  www.uber.com/cities/los-angeles#  app to your phone and have a town car or SUV pick you up for the price that is almost equivalent to a cab.  Once you have the app, all you have to do is request a pick up and they will show you all the nearest drivers to choose from with arrival times.  You can decide between an SUV or town car, but know that an SUV will cost a bit more. Uber will text you when the car has arrived and your off.  What's even better is they automatically charge the credit card you have on file (tip included), so there is no need to hassle with getting cash.  Check for rates on their site.  It's seriously that easy to drive in style.
 

My Vienna: Gelato & Coffee To Get You Through Summer

It got so hot in Los Angeles this week, I decided to take my boys to a new gelato, bakery and coffee shop, MY VIENNA www.myviennagelato.com in Beverly Hills.  My boys got a small cup with three different favors for under five bucks.  There were so many yummy flavors to choose from, my kids took about twenty minutes sampling (they were loving that!) and deciding which ones they wanted.  At this point, I was in serious need of a machiatto just so could keep up with their excitement over the gelato flavors.  I have to say a lot of other cafes don't know how to make a good machiato, but this one was perfect.  Spin Mlynarik,  My Vienna's owner and gelato creator really has done an incredible job of making Little Santa Monica feel like you're in Italy.

Pasquale Shoe Repair: Your Sole Solution

For all you moms out there who run around all day after your kids and your favorite pair of shoes fall apart, I have the perfect solution for you.  My secret for years has been PASQUALE SHOE REPAIR www.pasqualeshoerepair.com.  They seriously can make anything look brand new.  That is why they were voted the #1 shoe repair in world by W Magazine.  I have had everything fixed there, from my husbands boots, to top of the line hand bags, to my Jimmy Choo shoes which they died from turquoise to red.  They even custom made the boots Rihanna is wearing below for the 2011 Billboard Music Awards.  I'm telling you, whatever problem you may have, they know how to fix it.  So don't worry about running after those little rugrats!

Custom boots Pasquale made Rihanna for 2011 Billboard Music Awards

Kidspace: Galvin Physics Forests Now Open

Tug-of-War Giant Lever

After years of waiting, Kidspace Children's Museum has finally finish their expansion with the THE ROBERT & MARY GAVIN PHYSICS FORESTS  www.kidspacemuseum.org/explore/physics-forest.  This 3.5-acre facility offers thirteen new exhibits including a tennis ball launcher, roller coaster and bottle blaster.  My boys were so pumped for this because it's right up their alley in physicality but what they may not realize is that all these activities are teaching them physics as well.  Gotta love a little education during the summer when they're not in school.  If you're in the Pasadena area, this is a must see. 

Mom-i-cure At Bellacures: Organic Mani/Peti For Soon To Be Mommies

I have a solution for all you pregnant soon-to-be moms out there who still want to get a mani/peti, but are afraid of those chemicals.  BELLACURES www.bellacures.com is your answer with their organic Mom-i-cure. This special treatment uses Karma organic nail polish and cuticle remover (soy based), Made From Earth calming body lotions, and SpaRitual organic nail polishes.  What is also great about this place is that they give real massages, not those thirty second ones you get at most other salons.  What mom doesn't need that?  Mom-i-cure is available in all eight Bellacure locations (Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Larchmont Village, Santa Monica, Studio City, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, and Pasadena).  So  go and enjoy without any guilt! 

Some of the Sparitual organic colors to choose from.

My nails after a Mom-i-cure.

Cafe Gratitude: Venice's New Restaurant Hot Spot

I'm sure many of you know about CAFE GRATITUDE on Larchmont, but did you know a new one just popped up in Venice?  The new location feels very beachy and airy when you walk into this spacious organic raw vegan restaurant.  Cafe Gratitude is great because it's super easy to take my kids here and they have no idea that the meal they are eating is super healthy, they just think it's yummy.  You can't beat that!  Our faves are the I AM PRESENT seasonal bruschetta, I AM AWESOME eggplant parmesan and anything on the kids menu for my little ones.  All the fresh juices and shakes are delicous too.  Go see how being raw vegan isn't as hard as it seems.

I AM AWESOME

My Must Haves: Celine Envelope Clutch

Every Sunday I'm going to post things I've been eyeing and lusting over.  This week it's the Celine envelope clutch  In Los Angeles you can get them at NEIMAN MARCUS.  I have to say this one is a bit of a splurge, but well worth it.

Karen's Toys: Unique Toy Store

I don't know if you're like me, but I literally buy birthday gifts in bulk because every weekend seems to be slammed with kid parties.  So when I need to get a bunch of great kid presents, I go to KAREN'S GIFTS www.karens4toys.com.  They have three store locations in Los Angeles, so check out their site for details.  You can always expect good service and unique toys for ages infant to twelve years old.  Plus they wrap presents for free! You won't leave empty handed.

Bow and Truss: Just What North Hollywood Needed

Yesterday was the last night my niece was in town so we decided to try out BOW AND TRUSS  which just opened less than two weeks ago in North Hollywood. We loved it.  They have a 2000 square foot outdoor patio, lounge and bar area which is as aesthetically beautiful as the inside of the restaurant.  The menu is full of Latin American themes and some of my faves were the lobster ceviche, sea bass tacos, NY strip steak and of course their Latin-influenced cocktails.  This restaurant is exactly what North Hollywood needs.  Bow and Truss from Morgan Margolis and Knitting Factory Entertainment is not only hip and lively, but delicious as well.  If you're in North Hollywood, this place is a must go to.

Tough Cookies Children's Boutique: Best Kids Clothes in Sherman Oaks

If you want your little ones in super hip clothing before school starts again, TOUGH COOKIES CHILDREN'S BOUTIQUE  www.shoptoughcookies.com is the place to go in Sherman Oaks.  It has something for everyone ages newborn to size 14.  I've never left empty handed with all the latest kid brands. 

Kelly Wearstler Boutique: Chic Clothing in West Hollywood

So today was shopping day for my niece and me.  We hit Melrose Ave and checked out KELLY WEARSTLER BOUTIQUE for the first time.  I've always been a huge fan of her interior decorating and I now I'm obsessed with her clothing line.  Oh, did I mention her jewelry line is ridiculous too?  This lady is unstoppable.  What I love about Kelly Wearstler's clothing line is that she picks bold patterns, colors with unique and flattering cuts.  You'll for sure be a chic mama after buying something from this boutique.

Sweetsalt: One Of My Faves In Toluca Lake

So after my niece, Lukas and I went to Universal Studios (I recommend the front of the line pass - no waiting which is genius especially when your son wants to ride The Mummy five times in a row during the summer with a million tourist there!), we went to SWEETSALT  www.sweetsaltfood.com in Toluca Lake.  Now I go here all the time because it's literally a block away from my house and thank God it's not only convenient, but the food is incredible too.  If you have been here before you know they are open for breakfast and lunch, but you may not know they are now open for dinner which has a completely different menu.  Check their site for info.  My faves include the breakfast burrito, chicken & bacon lettuce cups and wild atlantic salmon for dinner.  Anytime I need to pick up a dessert for a dinner party, I always go here to pick up some of their incredible sweets .  This place is a must if you're in my neck of the woods.

Milo and Olive & Santa Monica Pier: Kid Heaven in Santa Monica

My 18 year old niece is in town from Austin, Texas so this week, I'll fill you in on everything I do with her.  Today we had lunch at MILO AND OLIVE  in Santa Monica and loved it.  The chicken meatballs and any one of their pizzas are crazy good.  It's very intimate and they don't take reservations, so get there early.  Then we went to SANTA MONICA PIER AND BEACH.  Even though it's a total tourist trap, it's still is one of my kids' favorite places to go in LA and a great place to throw birthday parties believe it or not (two years ago, I threw a joint party for them here).  These two places together are a perfect day for both kids and parents in Santa Monica.

Step Up Women's Network: 9th Annual Inspiration Awards

Step Up teen Becca with actress Busy Philipps

This June I attended STEP UP'S 9TH ANNUAL INSPIRATION AWARDS  www.suwn.org and I was incredibly touched by this nonprofit organization that empowers underprivileged teen girls by giving them the tools and confidence to go to college and be career-ready through after-school programs and female mentors.  There were over 800 guests the day that I attended the luncheon hosted by Molly Sims, where Step Up's Gillette Venus Goddoss Fund for Education scholarship winners Lulu Favela and Kalen Isreal were presented with college scholarships.  What moves me the most about this organization is their dedication to help so many young teens which so far has reached nearly a thousand girls.  Many of these young women would never have had a chance to achieve their dreams of a higher education without Step Up.  I personally know Step Up Founder Kaye Popofsky Kramer and have seen how passionate she and everyone involved in this organization is about truly making a difference.  If you want to get involved by volunteering or donating, please go to their website and make a difference yourself.

Step Up’s Gillette Venus Goddess Fund for Education scholarship recipients Lulu Favela & Kalen Isreal

Dream Collective Boutique: New Silverlake Boutique

I'm really into native jewelry and clothing so when I heard DREAM COLLECTIVE BOUTIQUE www.dreamcollective.com opened in Silverlake I got really excited.  I was instantly obsessed with the affordable jewelry by Kathryn Bentley.  Plus, they have a ton of super cute dresses and shoes (they sell leather moccasins!) that you really can't find anywhere else. I am hooked on this store.

School of Rock: My Kid Wants To Rock!

My older son has been wanting to learn how to play an instrument, so we decided to sign him up at SCHOOL OF ROCK www.schoolofrock.com.  The only problem was he didn't know if he wanted to try drums or guitar.  So when I called School of Rock they said he should try a free lesson of both instruments so he could choose which one he preferred. What I really like about this program is that kids get the opportunity when they are more advanced to perform at real L.A. venues like The Mint in front of an audience.  How cool is that?  I wish I got to do that when I was his age.  There are locations all over the United States to choose from so check their website.  Know that classes start for ages seven and up. Such a great experience for your little ones.  Go get their rock on!!

My son's friend Brandon jamming out.