A Walk with Hammond…. #WordyWednesday

I thought it might be a fun project to take pictures as I took Hammond (aka–Hammy), my blogs mascot, on one of our walks we often do in San Marino’s beautiful Lacy Park. The park, where I grew up going to as a child, has about 5 acres that boasts a tennis court, in & outter loop walking trails, plenty of grass, sublime trees & of course, a playground.

Hammy & I usually start out at their entrance on St. Albans Drive, there lays the gorgeous rose gardens, which is easily as impressive as the gardens at nearby Huntington Library. I must say, it’s a little bittersweet when I notice their small little dip down to the bushes from the grass, I used to think that was the best & BIGGEST hill when I was little! Being a big kid now, I love to watch my pup roll down.

 

 

Hammy, above, is always very on alert when he hears kids nearby or a bike coming his way. Its so funny when we walk by the tennis courts & he acts tough as he goes right up against the fence, then if a ball hits, he runs away….only to try again, & alas, whimper away from the sound of the hit once again…

There’s usually a time in our walks that he will simply decide he has found the perfect spot of grass to take a break on. I made the mistake of giving him a treat the first few times this occurred, so, you can imagine some days there’s a few rest stops in hopes for a Minty.

The picture below, is one of my favorites. This lil guy simply loves to stop & smell the flowers. Wherever we walk, if he sees a garden, he will want to stop & take in their scent. At first, I thought he wanted to dig or play in other people’s plants & bushes, but nope. He has become my reminder for taking time to stop & smell the roses….

Happy Wednesday, & remember to enjoy the day like Hammy! 🙂 xo

 

2vLive Presents Demi Lovato at The Belasco Theatre!

The 2vLive concert streaming platform is in full swing & its second show, featuring Demi Lovato, is now in the books, & I am so excited to say that I was there to be apart of this awesome new approach to see your favorite performers.

While there have been opportunities to watch performances live streamed for a while now, what makes the 2vLive approach unique is that they offer customized concerts, an interactive platform that allows users to do things like buy merchandise without leaving the show, interact with other fans simultaneously watching remotely, and ask the performers questions during the performance via iPad.

If you’re unable to attend the actual taping, you can simply purchase a virtual ticket for $5.99 & still enjoy the perks like buying custom merchandise designed just for that gig.

The performance kicked off with an energetic, bubblegum-pop fun-filled set with up & coming singer, Temara Melek (below). She truly had what it took to get an already pumped up audience even more ready for a great night & her back up, all male dancers certainly knew how to make the girls go wild!

Nothing could compare to the roars & hollers when it was time for the beautiful Demi to hit the stage. Opening with radio favorite, Heart Attack, Demi looked like a classic rock grrl such as Pat Benetar & rocking blue hair. With 4 albums in just 5 years (not to mention movie soundtracks), Demi managed to cover many of the favorites from her entire catalog. She mentioned how fun it was to be performing for such an intimate crowd as oppose to her usual, large arenas, & that she could chat with us. She went on to make a shout out to her many devoted fans that she has the pleasure of seeing frequently, & that they know her older material, thus, when she launched into Get You Back & La La Land.

Some very poignant moments came when she was accompanied by piano. Her rendition of Rihanna’s Stay, which is becoming a staple at her concerts, was both stunning & haunting. Followed by the heartbreaking Nightingale; before beginning, she explained some hardships she has recently overcome, which includes the death of her father, whom she was estranged. His death inspired the start of The Lovato Scholarship Fund, helping those with mental illness.

Having seen her perform Skyscraper on TV, I knew it would be powerful, but nothing compares to hearing her perform it live. You could see tears fall as she sang the lyrics & everyone in the room was connecting through her, which Demi later mentioned was why she loves concerts; that one song can bring a room full of strangers together as we’re all there to reflect & sing along to the songs we love.

I am so happy I got to be at The Belasco Theatre to experience this, & look for Demi on her Neon Lights tour…I may just join you if you go! xo

(Disclosure: I was a guest of 2vLive for review purposes. All opinions are my own & it was great!)

Happy Birthday to…us!

Today is a very special day, folks. Its my birthday! Did you get me a trinket?? 😉 Those who know me probably know I love birthdays & astrology, not so much reading those horoscopes in the back of the newspapers, but to learn about what our date of birth indicates, how the stars were aligned when we were born & just general traits of ones zodiac sign. I also love to find out who shares my birthday, & if I think we are at all alike. I don’t particularly see it with the 10-26 peeps I have listed below, but thought it would be fun to send a shout out to them & notice what Scorpio traits they seem to have….xoxo!

While Hilary Clinton, born today 66 years ago, is a very educated force of nature, she, in true Scorpio form, isn’t afraid to poke fun at herself, either.

One of my favorite singers, Natalie Merchant, who is today, oozes such sexiness & intensity in her performances. Sex & Intense are Scorpio’s middle names.

While he enjoyed working for Hanna-Barbara, Seth Mcfarlane, who is blowing out 40 candles today, knew he wanted to have Family Guy be a prime time show. Although he dealt with some rejections, Seth kept at it in very true Scorpio form & carved his own path, which has become one of the most successful cartoons ever. Pretty cool, huh?!

And, Katy Perry, whom was born 10-25, is a true Scorp in that shes all about the death & rebirth; prior to her new album, Prism, coming out, she apparently made teaser videos burning candy & blue wigs to show us that a new Katy is ready to roll….

My years have definitely been super fun & full of new experiences thanks to this blog, so, today, when I enjoy a drink (or 2), I will raise a toast to you! CHEERS! xo

Join Me for Demi Lovato Live in LA! #TheDemiLovatoExperience

There have been quite a lot of young pop stars hitting the scene the past few years. While some I frankly think are much too provocative for their age & young fan base, I have always had such respect for Demi Lovato. Demi became one of Disney’s biggest pop stars with her hit movies, Camp Rock, Princess Protection Program & her hit sitcom, Sonny with A Chance.

Then, Demi very publicly decided to leave the limelight & The Disney Channel, as she faced her own demons. She did not shy away from sharing with her young fans that their idol had been battling mental disorders & bulimia, & she has since come back better than ever, with albums & singles selling millions, & while she admits she takes it day by day, she at last looks much more healthy & seems to be getting to a more peaceful place within her.

While I am one to totally admit that I love a good radio song, Demi is indeed one of my favorites. Her singles Give Your Heart A Break & Skyscraper are awesome, go-to power anthems that I (very badly) sing along to in the car. You can imagine how excited I am attending her concert this Monday at The Belasco Theatre in Downtown LA! The venue has undergone a major restoration, with 40,000 square feet of gorgeous architecture & world-class rooms where you will feel like a pop star yourself.

I would love to see you there, so why don’t you check out tickets, which are going quick, by clicking here & let me know if I will see you there! xo

(Disclosure: I have been invited to this concert & pre-party. All opinions are my own & I am so excited to see Demi!)

Enjoying the Fall…

I have been quiet lately. I miss writing something fun each day, introducing you to a food I am loving, a place I went. What’s new in your world? I have been busy but just enjoying the mundane stuff…working, taking Hammy to the park. This weekend I have some fun things planned, though, like Eek at The Greek (Congrats to my winner, Jen, who also will be going!), My birthday (I wanna get more of Richard’s Revenge), A Demi Lovato concert (info on that tomorrow), Another Hollywood Halloween & a Halloween party/wedding next week….heck, yeah!

So, I guess I am just enjoying fall. How about you?

California Girl… #WordyWednesday

I had a bit of a blah time last week, I was reminded of my auto-immune struggles as I just felt…pardon my French, like crap. But, on the plus side, I could at-least get out the door, & do what I had to do. Then, when I found myself on a lunch hour near Venice Beach, I was reminded at what an AWESOME state I live in.

Sometimes, I admit I forget that I live in such a desirable part of the country. I watch shows like The Kardashians or award shows & think, why the heck would people watch this? Then, I remember…oh, yeah, Mailbu & Calabasis aren’t within an hour of, say, Virginia, or Kentucky, or anywhere but LA, where I happened to be born.

While I have been to nearby Santa Monica & love their pier with the roller coaster, ferris wheel & fun, I had not yet visited Venice Beach, famous for its stretch of restaurants, bars, shops & the art booths & vendors that line the sidewalks. It was the day before a “Strom Watch” took effect for SoCal & it was beautiful for a quick stroll…

The amount of vendors were minimal, I spoke to a man who sells jewelry with the well-known “Evil Eye” symbol, famous from the Mediterranean, & he told me to return on a weekend to get the full sights. I still saw some really cool art & baubles, though.

The drive along Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Monica to Venice is one any visitor to LA needs to do…or, locals too…like me 😉 Its complete SoCal bliss. There’s also their famous Abbot Kinney district, which is known to attract celebrities, too, & don’t forget, eclectic arty fun like this ballerina clown….

Happy Wednesday! xo

Win A $30 Gift Card to Rubio’s!

Since moving down to SoCal, I have discovered a little gem of a place to get authentic fish tacos, nachos, even Sangria. Everything I love is usually just $6-8 dollars, and whats even better is, I can typically find a location nearby me even if I am not in Pasadena.

Where, you ask? Rubio’s!

I was so happy to connect with the Mexican food chain to bring you this post. With my “Free Eats” cards, I got the Salsa Verde Shrimp Tacos, which include avocado slices & their famous spices, along with rice & black beans. I treated my Mom to her meal of choice which is their Chicken Street Tacos combo plate, for under $7, you get three of their Street Tacos with beans & chips (or, if you’re like me, you can sub for rice.)

I also took an a la carte Mango Mahi Taco on a corn tortilla….one of the things that keeps me coming back to Rubio’s is their awesome, friendly service, no matter what location I visit. Whether your taco usually comes with a flour tortilla, or you prefer black over pinto beans, they never say they cannot make it happen for you

They also have vegetarian options, as well as a great kids menu. Recently, they introduced their very own Sangria drink & as a red wine lover, I am loving this libation 😉 Whether you’re looking for a casual spot for a quick-lunch or hearty dinner, or a place to jump into for take out (like I did), Rubio’s is the perfect place. Plenty of gluten-free choices, too!

How would you like to see for yourself?

Rubio’s has offered one lucky reader of mine a $30 gift card. To enter, simply LIKE their Facebook page & let me know in the comments. For an additional entry, make sure you LIKE Along Comes Mary, too! Enter by November 1st. Good luck! 🙂

(*Disclosure: Rubio’s provided me with their Free Eats cards for review purposes, & will be providing my winner with a gift card. All opinions are my own & I LOVE Rubio’s food.)

What Kind of God? Wants its Voice Heard in its Final 2 Weeks

I absolutely cannot wait to see What Kind of God? by veteran public radio host Steve Julian & am excited to let you know they’re offering discount tickets for the final two weeks of its run at the Lillian Theatre in Hollywood.

The first play in a trilogy Julian is writing as part of a new social awareness campaign called “Silence No One,” What Kind of God? explores issues including sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, teen sexual identity, and the cost to individuals and society of keeping silent.

“It’s a controversial topic, and people sometimes shy away from that,” says Julian. “It’s important to me, to the cast, and to the entire production team that our missive be heard – especially by young people – so we are discounting our ticket prices to $13 for the remainder of the run. This is a subject that needs be discussed as we all examine in whom we place our trust.”

The discount is available with the promo code “410.”

Reviewplays.com describes the play as “an explosive revelation of the darkest betrayals imaginable, rivaled only by the resulting implosion of the lives depicted…Pick of the Week,” and Campus Circle calls it “artfully crafted… thought-provoking… beautifully balances drama with the kind of institutional questions that should make you question.”

StageHappenings says, “A riveting evening …directed with finesse… Julian has a facility with dialogue.” Concludes AroundTownPasadena, “Thought-provoking and intelligent… incites discussion, which is the opposite of silence, and therefore a step in the direction intended by the playwright.

The cast of What Kind of God? includes Brett Donaldson, Emily M. Faris, Steve Julian, Robert Keasler and Katherine McGehee. Scenic design is by John Iocavelli, lighting designis by Michael Gend and sound design is by Cricket S. Myers. Aaron Lyons directs.

It continues on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays @ 8 p.m. and Sundays@ 3 p.m. through Oct. 20. Tickets are $23. Use promo code “410” to purchase tickets at a discounted rate of $13. The Lillian Theatre is located at 1076 Lillian Way, Hollywood, CA 90038 (1½ blocks west of Vine). For reservations and information, call 323-960-7787 or go to www.whatkindofgodtheplay.com.

(*Disclosure: I am very excited to see this show next week.)

Life Lessons, Tamales and More at 24th St Theatre….

The 24th Street Theatre has mastered the craft of entertaining young & old alike, whether you speak English or Spanish, are 5 years old or 85 years old…as long as you’re looking to have a giggle, learn, & maybe even get a tamale.

Oh yeah, & they are teaching children about life & death, too.

You might recall my posts when I first began featuring them, about their ground breaking, intimate play, Walking the Tightrope, which premiered in March & tells the story of a little girl & her Grandpa dealing with the passing of her Grandma. Its gone on to win countless awards & earn the most nods for this years LA Ovation Awards.

Their show last week was no exception. Hailing from Mexico, The Proyecto Perla Company brought to 24th ST, Pato, Muerte y Tulipán (“Duck,  Death and Tulip”). A 45 minute act filled with puppetry, paper, words & leaves that follows Duck & the adventures he sets out on with his new friend, Death. Together, these characters learn about what it means to have fun & truly be alive. While this plot may sound somber, I think the jam-packed house of youngsters (& parents, too) were proof that it actually was anything but. While some tough life topics are indeed covered, there were many laughs & smiling faces.

I was so impressed by how much fun everyone appeared to be having, the kids were well-behaved & so interactive with Executive Director, Jay McAdams, when he gave his intro speech. Many raised their hands when asked if this was their first time at the theatre.

This weekend, 24th will proudly introduce us to another company visiting from south of the border, Compañía Hecho a Mano will show us their Lágrimas de Agua Dulce (“Tears of Sweet Water”) which will introduce us to Sofia, a little girl living in a town plagued by drought & is forced to cry as her tears provide…sweet water, for the people.

I also am looking forward to November 2nd, when the theatre will hold their Dia de los Muertos event. Theres always something going on, like their premiere of Hansel & Gretel with a bluegrass twist next year, so check out their web-site here & if you don’t believe me, just ask blockbuster star, Jack Black, who is a long time supporter of 24th’s work & had this to say recently: “I saw Walking the Tightrope with my wife, children & parents. Three generations of my family experienced this show together & we were all blown away.”

Not bad, eh? 🙂 (And, don’t forget the tamales in the lobby!) xo

(*Disclosure: I work often with The 24th St Theatre on reviews & photography on behalf of this blog. Special thanks to them for these great opportunities to see their work!)

The Scarecrow Festival in Cambria… #WordyWednesday

When I happened to visit my parents up north in 2011 & we spent an afternoon in Cambria, little did I know that the adorable little town off the coast was in the midst of their now famous, month-long scarecrow festival. Every Autumn, the storefronts & streets become adorned with some of the most clever reincarnations of classic characters as well as scarecrows on bikes, going to school & even a fortune-telling scarecrow!

Thirty scarecrows kicked off the first Cambria Scarecrow Festival in 2009.  What those 30 scarecrows didn’t know then, was that they were initiating one of the most artful and unique scarecrow festivals in the USA. Growing each year, over 350 scarecrows lined Cambria’s business district in 2012.

For 2013, the scarecrows are even branching out. You may just see some popping up next door in San Simeon, home of the beautiful Hearst Castle!

These fun, & not so scary, characters will be up through October, check out their web-site here & so if you happen to find yourself nearby, make sure to stop off for lunch, a trip to Moonstone Beach & to say hi to all the scarecrows that await you! xo