Fun at the LA Book Fair

Dave and I went to the LA Book Fair for about 5 hours on Sunday. We caught a panel on music lyrics with Aimee Mann and Joe Henry (they played a few songs each and spoke about their musical processes). Then we scoured the booths in the 90 degree heat until Dave's celebrity crush (Winnie Cooper from the Wonder Years) gave a reading on her new book "Math Doesn't Suck". She was actually really smart and inspiring - especially in light of recent Hollywood actress's exploits around town. When all was said and done, Dave had bought three books and I only bought one. Book fair was fun, but TOO HOT. It was pretty on par with the Printers Row Book Fair in Chicago, although it was a little more spread out. Also, I noticed a lot more organic food at the LA Book Fair Food Court. Still didn't stop me from eating California Pizza Kitchen. Yum!

Out in Venice

Saturday night, I met up with Jenn, Erin and Co. at this great dive bar in Venice. Then we played Nintendo Wii at Erin's new apartment - literally 100 feet from the beach. Awesome. You can hear the surf and smell the seawater from the living room. Love it. I rode my beach cruiser to the the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday and it was crazy-crowded, so I could only take it for about an hour. Friday, Silvana's friend Janet had a "divorce party" b/c her divorce went through. I admire that - you just have to own it and move on. The bar was a little cheesey, but they played great 80s dance music and it was fun to hang out with everyone. Oh, the cake photo above is from the bar in Venice. This woman, Buttercup, was having a birthday, so we become fast friends to get to that cake! Also - Jen saw Audrina and Justin Bobby from The Hills!! I was running late so I missed it, but apparently JB was really sweet to Audrina and holding the small of her back and guiding her through the bar. Hopefully, his bad-guy persona on The Hills is just an act.

I heart Jon Brion

More Jon Brion! Yes - I have a problem. This time, I dragged Bridgette, Jen Gaw, Nate, John Nein and Hollie. Angie and Matt have been all three times with me, so I guess they have a problem, too:) What can I say? Man is a musical genius.

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Saturday night was lots of fun, too. We went to the Village Idiot for a girls night dinner in West Hollywood and then ended up at Chloe in Santa Monica. Sunday, Angie and I went hiking at Will Rogers (and saw a GIANT rattlesnake) and then caught Forgetting Sarah Marshall, which was great. Especially great since he's one of the few celebrities I've actually met in person (at the HIMYM event at Palihouse). I also bought two identical sundresses at Anthropologie - one in black and one in white. Because I am crazy. And because they were so cute and perfect for the Santa Monica Farmer's Market.

Another night in Hollywood with the girls...

Sunday night, Hollie, Whitney, Silvana and I drove to Hollywood for a fundraiser for the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance. (None of us had heard of the disease at the time, but soon learned all the really sad details about this childhood disease in which tumors attack vital organs like the heart, kidneys and brain). Terri Hatcher (looking great)and Patricia Heaton (in rubber leggings!) presented and the entertainment was The Band From TV with James Denton, Bob Guiney (from the Bachelor), an actress from Cashmere Mafia, and a couple of actors from House and Heroes. It was a totally random night (at the Avalon), but we made it fun. Especially when I spent half the night trying to meet the lead actor from the TV show Chuck - didn't quite work up the nerve...When we left, there were a few paparazzi and one of the "stars" that none of us recognized made a big deal that she wouldn't "sign blank pieces of paper." For some reason, the person that took this picture completely left out Whitney who was standing next to Hollie - maybe she thought Whitney was one of the real stars:) Oh, the gift bag was a magazine, some incense, a $5 gift certificate to the Love Factory and a Fiji Water. Yup.

Happy Birthday Dave!

A bunch of pics from Dave and British Rob's birthday at Glow in Marina Del Rey. Luckily most of these seem to have been taken earlier in the night...Mom - that's what Dave, Silvana, JD, Eric Mills and Hollie look like...