Los Angeles May 2015 Trip

A few weeks ago Dave and I flew to Los Angeles, California to attend our friend Mike and Angie's wedding (See previous blog).  We arrived at LAX airport late at night.  It was a nice homecoming as it gave us a chance to visit friends and family that we have been missing since our move to Oregon.

On Friday we drove to Los Feliz, had brunch at a very cute cafe called Home. Check out their website here.  It was definitely worth it with great customer service and yummy food.  After we finished our delicious brunch we headed just across the street to the salon where I had a haircut and style scheduled with my friend and fellow blogger Missy (Technicolor Cutie).   

Missy did an amazing job on my noggin and I highly recommend her!  If you are interested in scheduling her for your next hair appointment you can schedule an appointment online here!

After my hair appointment with Missy we then ventured onto Huntington Beach where we would be meeting friends from San Diego at Don the Beachcomber for a mini reunion.  We first stopped in at Hula Girls Shave Ice where I promptly got my dole whip craving satisfied!  You have to check out Hula Girls Shave Ice if you are ever in Huntington Beach.  We actually bumped into the owner's husband Jason and had a nice chat and he showed us some ohana love by giving us a pint of dole whip to share with our friend's.  Check them out online here. 

We arrived at Don the Beachcomber and the fun night began!

It was bittersweet to see everyone knowing that this would be a short visit but I'm glad everyone that came was able to put aside some time to visit with us while we were in the area.  Here I am with the lovely Vanessa.

Dave and his brother from another mother Jonny B!

My cousin Jill and I.

Me and my thrift sister Rosalynn.

Eleanora and I!

Dave, Ivan and Eleanora!

Dave, Jonny and Vanessa.

I was excited that my Uncle Don and Aunt Carla were able to come as well as I hadn't seen them since the wedding.  We decided that our visit was too short and that brunch on Sunday would need to happen.

Dave got peer pressured to go on stage and play the tambourine as part of his "birthday boy" duties. He actually celebrated his 30th birthday a few weeks prior but we considered this a belated birthday gathering as well.

Sunday was our last day in Los Angeles.  We spent the day with Dave's Mom Ana and her fiance' Rob.  We found out that they set their wedding date so we will be back in Los Angeles a few months from now for their wedding!  We had booked our flight home later in the evening so we were able to enjoy most the day with them.  Here are Ana and I on a morning walk to brunch.

Dave and his mom Ana.

Ana and Rob.

My Uncle Don and Aunt Carla joined us for brunch as well. In fact it was my Uncle's suggestion that we have brunch at this specific restaurant; Casablanca Restaurant.

This Mexican restaurant has been in business for more than 30 years.  The restaurant is filled with movie posters and movie memorabilia related to the 1942 film "Casablanca".  There was even a wax Humphrey Bogart statue!

They have amazingly good handmade tortillas!!!  They were so good and came with an equally good green salsa that had cilantro, cheese, and avocado.  That alone will bring me back.  Their brunch menu was very affordable and came with not only your main dish but with your choice of bottomless bloody mary's, sangria, or mimosa's!  And to finish the meal off you also received flan for dessert.

We are excited to return for Ana and Rob's wedding!  We of course did some vintage and thrift shopping while we were there.  I will be sharing my finds in a separate blog which you can look for next week.

Till' Next Time,

Suz

The Rosenberg Wedding, Eagle Rock, California May 2, 2015

Last weekend Dave and I flew to Los Angeles, CA for the wedding of our two friends Mike and Angie.  I met Angie several years ago when I first attended Tiki Oasis in San Diego and we have been friends ever since.  She was there the same nights that I met my husband Dave and was present (completely by chance) at the Bali Hai when Dave proposed to me.  Because of all her special present moments in my life we were sure to have her marry us when we got married last June.  When she got engaged I had told her I would be happy to pay the favor back by doing the same but luckily they had other plans and I dodged that public humiliation! (I don't do well in front of crowds)

The wedding was held in Eagle Rock, CA at the Women's Twentieth Century Club.  It was a truly beautiful spot to be married and the weather was gorgeous.

The building was vintage Craftsman style and was built in 1915 and considered No. 537 for the City of Los Angeles historic cultural monuments.

Everything was beautifully decorated! And did I already say the weather was beautiful?

The wedding ceremony was held outside in the yard just next to the venue.

And the reception was held inside the beautiful art deco decorated venue.

I loved her coral wedding colors and Polynesian floral choices.

The tables were labeled with Polynesian Islands as opposed to numbers.  Genius!  We sat at the Tonga table section.

This is a beautiful mural of Eagle Rock as it used to be.  My Uncle was telling us that the piece of the rock that looked like an eagle fell off a few years ago.

Their cake was beautiful and delicious!  It came from Porto's in Burbank, CA.

We arrived early to help set up but they didn't end up needing our help so we just sat back and relaxed and roamed around the venue.

I wore a 80's Hawaiian dress I thrifted a few months back.  The flowers in my hair were actually made for me by Angie for my wedding.

Getting there early has some perks as we got to pick out our seats for the ceremony and we got to visit with some of our friends that are mutual friends of Angie and Mike.  Here I am with my friends Natalie and Le'Ana.

Lisa and I.

Natalie and I were the "fan girls". I'm so happy I remembered to pack this as it got hot with all the fun dancing!

Dave with our friends Ken (who was DJing the wedding) and our friend Paul.

I loved that their signature drink was a Mai Tai!  These were dangerously good.

After the rest of the guests arrived we took our seats and it was time to start the wedding.

Here comes the Bride!!!

Angie's daughter Leanna, who was also the Maid of Honor, was so beautiful!

As were the Bride and Groom.

Angie smoochin' her Smoochie (aka Mike)!

Mr. and Mrs. Rosenberg!

I love this action shot!

Ken is ready to put on some good tunes!  I think I was less drunk off the drinks I had then I should have been because I burned it off on the dance floor.

They are too cute!

Everyone breakin' it down on the dance floor!

Cake cutting time!

One last photo of the four of us before we headed home for the evening.

I was so happy to be a part of my friend Angie's big day!  I love her and Mike so much and wish them nothing but the best in their new journey together as husband and wife.

Till' Next Time,

Suz

Mabelle's Retro Roundup: Interview and Customer Review

Several blogs back (I'm talking like three years ago) I thrifted this fantastic red rose vintage fabric. I'm still kicking myself that I didn't purchase the sister blue rose version of this fabric that I found the same day.  I should have bought both!!!  I had plans to take the time to either find a good seamstress to make a circle skirt out of the material or to attempt it myself.  I struggled for years to find someone that would make the skirt within my financial means and I never did get around to buying a good sewing machine or perfecting my sewing skills.

Then about a month ago during the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender I found what I was looking for.  I had stumbled across an Instagram post by Mabellesretroroundup.  It mentioned that she made circle skirts and she was definitely affordable and in my price range.  Her skirts start in price at $35.  I immediately contacted the business owner, Michelle, and asked if she did custom orders with the fabric provided.  She said yes and I quickly sent her my vintage fabric.  She was so quick in making the skirt and had it sent back to me in less than ten days!  Her work is beautiful and I was so happy with the outcome.

 I wanted to make sure I spread the word about her fantastic business so below is a little interview I did with Michelle.

Suz - How did your sewing business venture come about?

Michelle - My business began simply as a hobby.  I absolutely adore vintage clothing, specifically vintage/vintage-inspired skirts, but finding them in my size and price range was proving difficult.  I decided to teach myself how to sew so I that I may be able to make the clothing I wanted.  From there a friend wanted one made for herself, then another, and another, and before I knew it, it had become clear that it was time to make an official clothing business so that I could make these skirts available to everyone.  Mabelle's Retro Roundup officially started carrying skirts February 2014.

Suz - What makes Mabelle's Retro Roundup stand out from the crowd?

Michelle - Mabelle's Retro Roundup focuses on its customers' needs, allowing them to customize their skirts at an affordable price.  You can purchase a handmade skirt that fits specifically for your personality and body, plus in the fabric of your choice.  You can add a sash, pockets, decorative stitch, pom poms, and much much more.  My skirts are made with an elastic band for comfort, but it's hidden enough to give the illusion of a fitted skirt.

Suz - What attracts you to vintage style?

Michelle - It seems I've always been attracted to mid-century living and the lifestyle for as long as I can remember.  I enjoyed looking through my grandmother's photos when she was in her twenties and wished I could dress the way she did.  When I was sixteen I discovered rockabilly music which then opened the door to vintage clothing.  I've been appreciating and enjoying the retro lifestyle ever since.

Suz - Aside from amazing circle skirts, what other sewing projects are you available to offer?

Michelle - This year I introduced full gathered skirts which are perfect for fabrics that have vertical designs.  The most popular gathered skirt is the black and white stripped skirt.  I will also be making hair scarves and bandannas available later this summer.

Suz - What are your future aspirations or goals for your business?

Michelle - To be honest, I've already exceeded my initial goal.  I am so blessed and humbled that my hobby is now something bigger and it continues to grow.

Here I am in my newest favorite circle skirt!!  I absolutely love it!

I've already started searching out other fabrics and have thrifted the fabrics seen in the photo below.  The ice cream fabric was a score of a find for $5.00 for three yards of fabric!  I can't wait to have Michelle work her magic on these!

You can contact Michelle by email at mabellesretroroundup@gmail.com.  Don't forget to add her on Instagram (Mabellesretroroundup) and on Facebook (here) to get a sneak peek at her fabulous skirts!

Till' Next Time,

Suz