lights...camera...burgers?

"Let's Make a Deal"

Today was a fun adventure & definitely one for the books. My mom and I today decided to attend "Let's Make a Deal" with Wayne Brady, and what a treat that was. Being fans of the show we knew we had to dress up to be a part of the audience and dressing up we did... I dressed up as "Julius Cesar" and my mom as a "Movie Star"

Mom & I waiting in line to "Let's Make a Deal"

The show is filmed in Sunset Bronson Studios in Hollywood, Ca. The staff from beginning to end were friendly, courteous, fun, energetic, and an all around blast to be around (quiet the contrast from the crew from The Marie Osmond Show). Wayne Brady is a very funny, keeps you on your toes kind of comedian, and he really makes the show. The show regardless if you are trying to win money or not you get sucked into wanting the contestant to win big yelling "curtain 1!" "curtain 2!" "big box!" "take the money!" haha. Id recommend anyone that has a few hours and is in the Los Angeles area to catch tickets to this game show...

Sunset Bronson Studios, where "Let's Make a Deal" is filmed 

My audience no.19

lining up to get into the studio

Dancing, clapping, and screaming at the top of our lungs worked up an appetite at "Let's Make a Deal". Being in LA and having a craving for hamburgers, only one thing could come to mind... UMAMI! I have been to umami a couple times, but it was my moms first time. We decided to make the drive down to the grove, and have some umami. Absolutely delicious! haha the truffle burger and the truffle fries were sending my taste buds on a ride.

The Grove

Umami Burger, The Grove 

Truffle Burger, Umami Burger 

Truffle Fries, Umami Burger

After lunner (when you eat between lunch and dinner), we made our rounds through the stores that they have at the grove. Our sweet tooth kicked in and ice cream was what it craved. Ice cream from Bennette's Homemade Ice Cream located at the Farmers Market hit the spot. At $4 a scoop it's not cheap, but man did it taste good, especially on the first day of summer! haha 

The Grove 

Cookies n' Cream, Bennett's Homemade Ice Cream

If the first day of summer was any indication of what this summer is going be like, it's going to be a fun one. 

hellman wilderness park

Hellman Park Trail

Hellman Park Trail is a 5.5 mile loop trail located near Whittier, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible from January until January. 

Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

Hellman Park Trail

hellman park trail (alltrails.com)

Going to the gym is always a drag, love the results but the repetitiveness always gets to me. Today i decided to go to my local foothill mountains and get some hiking done. My friend Cindy Lopez, joined me as we took our exercising outside of the gym. Hellman trail was a trail that was near by, and moderately easy. I'm not a beginner hiker, but I'm no expert either, so this trail was just perfect for me. This trail gives you amazing views of the Whittier area, as well as the unfortunate smog that we are blessed with here in Los Angeles. Nature is ever present in this trail, lots of birds, rabbits, and bugs haha.

how do you get here?

- Hellman Trail Park is located in the City of Whittier, Ca.

- If you are traveling down the 605

1. exit on Beverly Blvd. 

2. turn LEFT for Beverly Blvd.

3. Turn LEFT onto GREENLEAF AVE.

4. destination will be on the LEFT

parking?

There is a small couple parking stalls that are located right at the base of the trail. If you want to try your luck at getting a parking spot, make your way there. If not, park along the residential area (be courteous since this is still a residential area) 

Hellman Park Trail 

Hellman Park Trail 

Hellman Park Trail 

Hellman Park Trail 

Hellman Park Trail

Hellman Park Trail

(stay tuned because i will definitely be visiting here again)

the marie osmond show

what an experience. living in close proximity to tinsel town, it's always a fun trip to go visit the live set of a talk show. This week we decided to visit "Marie", which is Marie Osmond's talk show on the Hallmark Channel. 

"...This new Hallmark Channel Original Series marks the long-overdue evolution of the iconic Marie Osmond to the daily talk show world. To be sure, the woman has done pretty much everything else in her glorious and storied career: movie star, national variety show star, recording superstar, Broadway star, Las Vegas stage shows-stopper, and so much more. But with “Marie,” she may finally be growing into a role that fits her better than any other. Here, after all, is a woman who has not only known great fame but also great tragedy. The talk show will afford Osmond an opportunity to share in the lives of others, both the famous and non-celebrities alike. With the one-hour daily lunchtime show on Hallmark Channel, she will impart her insights on surviving all of life’s roadblocks and detours, along with heartfelt advice about how to deal with great adversity and move

forward with dignity, humor and optimism."

- www.marieosmond.com

Avenue Six Studies (Van Nuys, Ca)

What I liked:

- First and foremost, Marie Osmond is hands down down to earth and has an exceptional work ethic. She was beyond polite, and courteous to the audience… Really taking the time to interact with us and thanking us for being a part of her studio audience. 

- Free stuff! It's not much, but it's definitely a nice take away from the trip.  We received a workout dance DVD and emergency preparedness food

- Even though the studio was on a smaller scale, it was very intimate and allowed for a very personal experience with Marie Osmond. 

On the set of "Marie"

What I did not like:

- There is a definite sense of disorganization With the way the audience members are checked into the studio and seated into the studio. I highly recommend them to work on a first-come first-served basis. 
Tip!: If you do ever received tickets to the showing, make sure you check to see if your ticket is a "priority" or "line voucher". There is a huge difference…Priority seating will be guaranteed to get it, while Line Vouchers will be used as filler seats

- If you showed up early, it did not guarantee you a seat up in the front

- As ridiculous as it seems, the clapping does get annoying…

- The crew maybe new and inexperienced to this season one of "Marie", Didn't seem as friendly. 

After taping wrapped 

Marie Osmond cutting cake for her crew members 

thirsty thursday: hollywood

Brittany Hampton is definitely my ride or die haha through thick and thin we always get into messes and adventures. Tonight was no different! 

Our night started out to Tiki Ti...

Tiki Ti

exterior of TiKi Ti

4427 W Sunset Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90027

323.669.9381

Wednesday - Saturday 4p-2a 

www.tiki-ti.com

"The Tiki Ti is a Polynesian-themed tiki bar on Sunset Boulevard, in the Los Feliz district of Los Angeles. It is considered by many to be the very epitome of the Tiki tavern style...Established in 1961 by Ray Buhen, the Tiki Ti's only employees, Mike Sr. and Mike Jr. Buhen are also the sole owners. The bar is a well known stop as an underground landmark, often serving as a prelude stop before attending other clubs in the popular Silverlake/Hollywood area. The bartenders are known for their "heavy" pours and specialty drinks like the "Blood and Sand," where patrons synchronously yell "Toro, Toro, Toro" while the drink is topped off with tequila, an homage to the 1941 Tyrone Power film about bullfighting. The other chanting drink is the "Uga Booga" where patrons yell "ooga booga" as the drink is being prepared…Their drink menu does consist of over 80 exotic drinks—many of which are originals. Drink names are colorful and include Yellow Bird, Laka Nuki, Bayanihan, Bonnie & Clyde and the Missionary's Downfall, just to name a few."

TiKi Ti (wikipedia)

interior of TiKi Ti

TiKi Ti Menu

Needless to say, this is not my typical "hangout" spot but definitely a great place to start the night or spend an evening relaxing. If your looking for the typical bar experience, I recommend skipping out on Tiki Ti. The drinks are a little pricey, but they do have a good taste to them, a little too tropical tasting for MY taste however.

one of these is "Ray's Mistake" (recommended by the bartender)  

After a quick stop at the Tiki-Ti, we made our way out to Hollywood Blvd to hit up some bars and clubs. We found some overpriced parking (which is anticipated in Hollywood on a Thursday night). After a quick walk, we were approached by a promoter to go to Outpost, with little expectation were quiet surprised by the place. 

Outpost

1624 Cahuenga

Hollywood, CA 90028

323.464.7678

www.outposthollywood.com

"...The Outpost is also now a western-themed sports bar-cum-saloon (opening today) overrun with flat screen TVs and all kinds of Old West awesome, from cowboy boots filled with cocktails, to walls blanketed with lassos, steer skulls, and antique saddles."

thrillist

If you're visiting on a Thursday night you're in for a treat!...NO cover charge, 2 for 1 Happy Hour (before midnight), and CHEAP & rather delicious appetizers. We ordered mozzarella cheese sticks and chicken fingers, which were quiet appetizing. Overall the Outpost offered a great environment, well mixed drinks, and a good atmosphere to really have a great time. 

Already having had a good amount of drinks at Outpost, nothing could have felt better than a brisk stroll down Hollywood Blvd. Brittany and I, made our way down Hollywood Blvd to a bar called Five0Four. 

Five0Four

6541 Hollywood Blvd

Hollywood, Ca 90028

323.960.0224

"A New Orleans style bar and restaurant in a lush patio space serving classing New Orleans cocktails and American cuisine with a New Orleans flare!"

five0four 

This place is an absolute blast! They have amazing daiquiris that would quench any thirst, and ill go as far as saying they're the best daiquiris I've ever had, chilled to perfection, & they don't slush up as quickly as a traditional daiquiri. Five0Four also hosts some amazing kamikaze shots that as Brittany would say "gave me life."

Overall, the night had a bit of a slow start with TiKi Ti being a little less exciting than anticipated, but the night definitely turned around once we got to Hollywood. Outpost and Five0Four really did a number on my liver, but I'm glad I had my best friend Brittany there to really set off the night.