Category Archives: excursions
Yesterday I awoke to another eight inches of snow. On top of the 2+ feet that still remained from the last snowstorm, everything seems devastatingly snowy to me. I find it both funny and sad how quickly the novelty-aspect wears off. The sun is shining today, so hopefully it will melt, melt, melt the aforementioned snow. In the meantime, I’ve been going through pictures and remembering times when I was warm!
When I needed an escape from Los Angeles smog (which I now miss, believe it or not!), my favorite excursion was to drive the two hours up into the mountains, and rent a cabin in Big Bear. Whether getting a bit of color on the porch, or sitting in front of the fire on a cooler evening, everything about Big Bear is relaxing. I love the hustle and bustle of urban living, but sometimes it’s nice to take a break, breath the fresh air, revel in the beauty of nature, and recharge.
A view like this is a tremendous stress reliever!
And besides my own home, there isn’t anything more cozy than a cabin.
Nothing says “relax” like a beer tasting.
Alpine sledding? Sure, why not!
Hiking? Yeah, I dig that!
Taking the ski lift to drink in the gorgeous scenery? Yes, please!
And it’s pretty magical to look up at the night sky and see it filled with stars!
Big Bear is a skiing destination during the winter and it’s quite lovely to visit then, but I prefer it during the off-season, when it’s perfectly sunny and warm, wonderfully green and blue, less crowded, and exceptionally serene.
Images by Lauryl Lane.
Last year, my husband and I flew to Cleveland, Ohio, to be with my maternal side of the family for the Thanksgiving holiday. My uncle/godfather hosted Thanksgiving Dinner at his elegant condominium home in a high-rise overlooking Lake Erie. Everything my Uncle puts his hand to is successful, and Thanksgiving Dinner was no exception.
As I posted yesterday about the Thanksgiving Dinner that I hosted at my new home in Denver, I realized that I never posted pictures from Thanksgiving Dinner last year, even though I was recruited to design the floral decor. Better late than never, right? 
I created one very large mixed floral arrangement for the table, using assorted holiday greens, multi-colored roses, alstroemeria and wheat in a stunning silver and glass pedestal vessel.
I also added mini bud-vases down the center of the table with assorted roses and greenery. My uncle and his wife have very classic, sophisticated taste, and my designs were suited to the style of their home and the way they set the dinner table.
As is usual with family gatherings, my mother lent her hand to penning the place cards.
My cousin announced his engagement to his long-time girlfriend over this Thanksgiving dinner, and in September, we all joined them back in Cleveland for the wedding. Holidays and weddings: definitely a few of my favorite things!
Images | Floral Design | Styling by Lauryl Lane.Despite this past weekend being incredibly busy, I took some time to see a fashion exhibit at the LACMA with friends. The exhibit closes on March 27th, and it was fabulous in every way, so I want to encourage all of my local readers to pop in and see it this week! If you are a history buff, a costume junkie, an Anglophile, or an artist or designer of any kind, this exhibit is an absolute must-see. It is Fashioning Fashion: European Dress in Detail, 1700-1915. Here are a few detail shots that I snapped with my phone:
Although I have several times pursued the costume & fashion exhibits at The Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Museum of Costume in Bath, I found myself again in complete awe of the fashions of yesteryear. The detail that went into the design and construction of these garments is absolutely mind-boggling, especially when you consider that every single little stitch was made by hand!
My favorite era in fashion is undoubtedly the regency era, and I was thrilled to see about half a dozen glorious gowns featuring the classic empire-waist and puffed sleeves. There were white muslins such as Josephine Bonaparte wore, ball gowns grand enough for the Bingley sisters, and this sweet yellow and lace number that seems perfect for the unassuming Jane Austen, herself!
Everything about this exhibition is brilliant: brilliant curation, brilliant styling, brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. What are you waiting for? Go now!!!
Fashioning Fashion: European Dress in Detail, 1700-1915
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323-857-600
Hours: 12-8 M/T/Th, Closed Wed, 12-9 Fri, 11-8 S/S
