This beautiful intoxicating flower is one of my favorites. The night blooming Cereus (pronounced like "serious"). A type of tuberous cacti. When healthy, this plant has several flowers that will start to develop  near late spring through early summer. Each flower will bloom for only one night! These past two nights are the beginning of many special nights to come. If we go out to dinner, we arrive home greeted by the strong sweet smell of these giant flowers. They are about 9" in diameter. Each stalk is covered with flowers that will all bloom on different nights. Sometimes I like to sit on my porch with a hot beverage and seriously enjoy the Cereus!
I put a side by side photo below of Monday night flowers and Tuesday night flowers. You'll notice the photo on the left has two flowers that are not open on the right. The photo on the right is of those closed two flowers "open". You can kind of see the flowers wilting in the background from the night before. I find them spectacular and breathtaking! They give me a big smile every time.  
I've attached a quick time lapse video I found. Enjoy. :D

The Local in North Hollywood, CA is a salon dedicated to creating a quality image, eco friendly environment and products, and community. Saturday June 1, 2013 was opening day. I'm proud to be part of this inviting community. The Local is an Organic Systems Concept salon. Organic Systems is a certified organic hair line for ALL services. Every stylist in here is a certified Organic Systems Stylist! 
Downstairs is the Beauty Parlour. Upstairs is the Barber...with their own separate back entrance. This whole salon space is like the "Cheers" of salons. Stylish and laid back. You can come down bring you lunch and simply hang out! On occasion, we feature goods from the local restaurants and cafes. It's always a surprise and a treat when coming to The Local. 
We are continually inspired to feel beautiful. When you feel this good on the inside (we will help you the out), life is a breeze.  The Local will be having its grand opening party Sunday July 14, 2013. Music, refreshments, and other special details to come..so stay tuned to the website or facebook page for details. All are welcome and invited. We're excited and we hope you are too!

A Cirque show in Hollywood? Yes. Last night I attended an up close and personal cirque show performance held at Cirque School in Hollywood, CA. These students have a passion for circus arts or just enjoy a different form of fitness. (Photos are not the best quality because you cannot use flash photography)

This show was quite inspiring. Not only to get fit but to be able to do something different and fun. Classes on stretching and flexibility to aerial arts are offered. You can can attend classes once a week or a few times a week depending on your obsession. 

Every three to four months there is a show put on by the students. They are comprised of first time performers to veteran acts of all ages. The schools motto for sign up is it's "for anybody with any body"! 

I highly recommend Cirque School to anybody ;) for strength and fitness or viewing pleasure.

I'm in a featured article in Beyond Black & White. It's titled Retro Chic with Sandra D by Demita Usher. Enjoy. Thanks Demita!

For many years we have taken our mom to the horse races at Hollywood Park for Mother's Day  brunch.  We love to dress up in our Sunday best...at the races. 


First post is at 1:00 pm. Our day starts around 11:00 am, after mom goes to church. This gives us enough time to go for a  round or two at the buffet and catch up on the jockeys and horses that will be racing. Typical conversation around this time is , "Who are we going to bet on?", right after, "I'm going to get one more cheesecake." There is usually a large group of us and we get to name one of the races. For that race, we are escorted down to the finish line where we can view the race up close. Afterwards we take a group photo. Sometimes with the winning horse, if there is time.


This year was extra special. After our race, our friends dad  invited us to visit the Hollywood Park ranch. Friendly ranch cats greeted us, got to see and pet some of the horses, and of course play with Portia the goat (my favorite).


This is a full day of complete fun. Eating, betting, yelling/cheering, and more eating is very exhausting and well worth it. After several years of hearing the threat of Hollywood Park to close, this year was the final Mothers Day at the races. Needless to say our race name was, "WHERE ARE WE  TAKING MOM NEXT YEAR?".