LG washer & dryer

the samsung ones had to go back.  the washer failed to function after a few tries.

got ourselves a new set: LG.  it's wonderful.

once again, it's amazing how just spinning and tumbling can get clothes clean.

UGG erin booties

saw these adorable UGG erin booties in solvang today.

$50 for something that the baby can sport around in only a few times?

i dunno.

iced caramel macchiato vs. the ice cream

my favorite drink from starbucks is the iced caramel macchiato.  i have tried a few others but i always go back to this one. so when i found the ice cream version at the commissary (and for $1.50 after the coupon!), i had to try it.

the verdict: it was too creamy and caramel-y.  but i shouldn't say i hated it.  after all, this blogspot of mine is about "a few of my favorite things."  so, i will say this: if i had the choice between the original drink or the ice cream, i think the real thing wins.

shopping in california

oh, how i love living in california! went to koreatown galleria market before leaving LA. everything was so fresh and there were so many choices on everything. unbelievable! some things were legitimately pricey. but some were ridiculously cheap, too! in grand forks, we would have to drive 4-5 hours to go down to minneapolis for the "ultimate" korean grocery shopping experience, which still doesn't compare to some of the small korean grocery stores i've seen in NJ and WA. but galleria market had fresh korean produce for [literally] a small fraction of the cost than i'm used to paying in MN while living in ND. and i got so much more for the money, too. it felt like heaven. got peaches too~ my favorite! i bought a whole box of white peaches. the box is so big that some might not be consumed quickly enough and will probably end up going bad. but i just had to indulge in the purchase.

afterward, we also went to IKEA for the first time in a long while. lauren got to enter the great land of smaland for the first time today. she's never been able to go b/c: 1) we didn't have IKEA around, and 2) she had not been old enough (3 years old)/tall enough/potty trained. so today, she thoroughly enjoyed it. oh, it wasn't so pleasant in the beginning b/c it was the most packed and crowded IKEA ever. it took almost a half hour to find parking and another half to wait for smaland. but it felt so good to come out and see palm trees~ another reminder that we are in california, and that the weather is good and there are actually things to do around here.

creme brulee & surprises

usually not a huge fan of creme brulee b/c it's so custardy. but the one that i tasted tonight at cherch's was excellent. ghriardelli's chocolate creme brulee, to be exact.

and it was good/fun to surprise stella by showing up at her party. surprise visits are always fun for us (robyn & me). hubby says he doesn't like these surprises. he just goes along with it like he has no choice. but i know he secretly enjoys it too.