summer do list (in LA mostly)!

so immmmmma total jerk. this post is totally belated. i mean, a summer to do list. NOW? we are half way in! I KNOW I KNOW. i know. sorry. but better late than fall and well here you go?

LATIN SOUNDS @ LACMA: every saturday from 5-7. last concert 9/3/16

so did i ever mention i am half puerto-rican on my papì's side? well i am! i spent the first three years of my life on that tiny island and i am pretty proud of it. anyway, an afternoon at latin sounds at lacma is pretty much exactly what it sounds like: an outdoor latin jazz concert! lots of middle-aged happy people swaying their hips back and forth, front and back to the rhythm, kids embracing their inner gypsy dancing in circles, jumping all over the place while the rest of chill and soak it all in. for me it also feels like a trip down memory lane. growing up my dad played in a salsa band and i'm pretty sure my parents played me celia cruz while in the womb. so this is all very nostalgic, to say the least.

also worth mentioning: this event is BYOB/BYOW. i do believe it's even encouraged. ay papì!

it's also a great place for the boys to work on their dance moves...

inevitably the boys eventually tired of it and opt to roll around in the foliage. because toddlers. so what's next?!

HOW ABOUT A BIKE RIDE?!: i recommend riding home from your trip to latin sounds @ LACMA!

because parking really sucks...

and riding bikes does not! if you need more convincing, check this out!

SMORGASBURG: every sunday. maybe forever!

this summer must-do involves three things that make me very happy: shopping, food + people watching. smorgasburg, as some of you may know, is the LA expansion of the brooklyn flea + smorgasburg new york. so, enough said?

i of course wanted to try it all. we made one loop scoping out all of our options before committing. it was not easy!

took a detour to do a 'lil shopping. the wares are mainly vintage. good vintage at fair prices. LA is so good about that. but even i could not talk myself into yet another floral on white frock.

side note: white pumps. oh so summery.

i should warn you that while there is a beer garden, it is off limits to kiddos under the legal drinking age. insert super miffed face here. but i give smorgasburg a pass since they have a lot of other treats to offer, like this basil lemonade from the heavens, aka we have noodles. we can't wait to go back and try out the other vendors.

and maybe that white dress will still be there...

EXPLORING DTLA : after smorsgburg is the perfect time!

one of things i like best about exploring this area with littles is the abundance of open space. while a new business seems to pop up every week, it's still a very industrial borough, rife with urban landscape, and myriad of murals and street art rather than actual people. but don't get me wrong. it's not empty by any means. it's just enough people, and a nice break from the rest of LA, which perpetually feels overcrowded. here i don't have to worry about hovering over max + knox too much as there is little that they can break or be hurt by. this is invaluable for us at this stage of parenting as we try to teach our kids how to be more independent. and it's something they crave as well. we can let them walk about without much worry of running into people or touching things they shouldn't. sure, there may be a few sketchy looking alleys or sidewalks, and maybe we have stepped in not a water puddle a few times (ew) but for the most part, especially during toddler hours, it's pretty safe. and i'm down here a lot!

another thing this area boasts is great food options. a must try is wurstkuche. pretty much everyone else has the same idea so be prepared for a long line that is worth the wait. i recommend the veggie Italian sausage + truffle fries with curry ketchup. and BEER! if you have a sweet tooth, pie hole across the street is awesome. please try the horchata latte and thank me later!

and a pro mama tip if you are rollin' with littles: bring stickers! your version of a good time does not always jive with that of a three-year-old. stickers help.