Sherman Library and Gardens- Corona Del Mar, California, USA

Natural light wood large garden pergola with large green trees and palms in the background, lavender color wisteria draping off of roof. Bushes below in various shades of green and some with flowers blooming.

I have driven by this little garden many times over the years and thought,,,, I should check that place out.  It seems very inviting as you zoom past it on PCH. Looked it up online numerous times and saw they had a café on site, etc.  Finally after years and years and years of this garden being on my ‘to visit someday’ list, someday arrived.

It was a sunny, temperate spring morning after many days of rain and gloom.  Perfect timing for a stroll through the garden and a hopefully delightful lunch. This walled garden has a small footprint, a little over a city block.  Even with it’s diminutive size, they still pack many different sub gardens into the limited space, as well as a research library, a little shop, a café, and an event space. 

dance troup in garden practiving

The garden is a busy community meeting place.  When I arrived at 10:30am, there was a lecture- presumably advice on planting gardens – a dance company rehearsing for an upcoming performance, as well as several intimate groups of people out enjoying the sun and the flowers.

Cafe Experience

Pictures of food from the restaraunt 608 Dhalia Cafe, which is at Sherman Library and Gardens. Farm to table food. Image of vegetable quiche, biscuits, beet salad with pea puree, lavendar color spritzer drink and a chocolate cake with whip cream and strawberries.

I strolled straight ahead, as I was meeting a friend for lunch at the lovely farm (and garden) to table 608 Dahlia café.  Executive chef, Jessica Roy, is very talented with fresh veggies and there are some inventive vegetarian dishes on the menu.   Seated out on the patio we have a nice view of the central garden and fountain.   Pleasant staff took our order.  A must have is the small batch buttermilk chive and gruyere biscuits, which are served with whipped butter and orange blossom honey.  As they are fresh baked, it takes some time for them to arrive.  Worth the wait, besides, how bad is it to sit relaxing in a beautiful garden environment.  The biscuits are hard to describe, flakey, but also doughy and very buttery, with a good sharpness from the gruyere cheese, delicious! Nice that they have a few mocktails on the menu The wildflower spritz was refreshing with a pretty lavender color topped off with a tiny edible flower picked fresh from the garden.  One of the fresh and inventive dishes is the heirloom beets with whipped herb goat cheese on top of a pea puree.  Topped with cute tiny popcorn.  Our main was a perfect sized slice of seasonal vegetable quiche with a large salad on the side.  Crispy cheese caps the creamy egg filling and hand rolled crust.   Fresh picked herbs from the garden adds an extra layer of flavor.   Of course, with my sweet tooth, dessert is always on the table.  The chocolate cake was dense, but moist.  Delightfully decadent, served with a contrast of fresh berries and cream.  Even though we were extremely full, it was so delicious we kept devouring the cake.  At least we had a gorgeous ramble ahead of us. 

Tropical Conservancy

Lunch being over, we were ready to wander about the various collections of flora.  Heading out across the central garden we turned right towards the tropical conservatory.   It is definitely tropical, hot and humid inside.  A small pond greets you upon entering and you can say hi to the fish wandering about and the turtles sunning themselves. 

There are some interesting flora about the space. A plant with blooms that brings to mind rows of pointy teeth on a bloody base.  The Pinstripe Calathea plant with its large leaves and surprising pink rose shaped branch.  The orchid that looks like a dancing doll in a pretty pink dress and elaborate headdress.  My favorite are the hanging vines, they give me a creepy southern swamp vibe.  

Other Gardens

Decorative picture of formal garden.

Exiting the tropical conservatory and turn right to the formal garden.  It is a small structured garden with shaped hedges and old style statues.  Carry on to the right and you will find a container garden- the sensory garden- filled with orchids and edible plants.

Around the back of the conservancy you will find a small carnivorous plant garden,, which of course I had to inspect.  As a child the idea of plants eating bugs was delightful to me. I wish this was a larger section of the garden, and they had more variety of carnivorous plants. As far as I could tell, there were quite a few pitcher plants and one or two venus fly traps. I did happen to spy a few bugs in the pitcher plants. I really want to know what a sucking bladder trap is!

Heading back through the formal garden to the sun garden with its inviting shaded benches and colorful wildflowers.  It calls to my bohemian sensibility.  Future visits will find me lingering under the shade tree relaxing and absorbing the beauty of nature. Take some time out to relax and recharge. The small pond seems to be home to a very cute otter (statue) standing alert and watching over his realm. I spy an very interesting tree with spiky trails jutting out from purple and red berry-esque clusters. I love its otherworldly and menacing nature. We continue around the corner and saunter about the specimen shade garden with a small water feature and an interesting pelican statue.  We make our way over to the gift shop to window shop.  We finish the garden visit off sitting at a café table in the tea garden nibbling our leftover biscuits and having a nice chat next to the ornamental pool and fountains outside of the gift shop.

Sherman Garden and Library is located off of PCH in Corona Del Mar (California).

2647 East Coast Hwy, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625, United States

Do not be tempted to park on PCH, as there is a free parking lot behind the garden and you won’t have to deal with the heavy traffic on PCH trying to exit your car..  (if that lot is full there are 2 more paid parking lots off of Dahlia and 4th street across from the garden. )

Sherman Gardens is open from 10:30am to 4pm.  There are 2 entrances, one off of PCH and one from the back parking lot.  Admission is only $5 dollars.

Mystic Museum, Burbank, CA, USA

There is this cute little neighborhood in Burbank on a span of Magnolia Blvd roughly between Cahuenga and N Buena Vista.  Many alternative shops, including some vintage clothing, comic book stores, cafes etc.  In amongst the other stores is the Mystic Museum. This was my 4th trip to the Bearded Ladies Vintage Oddities to visit the Mystic Museum, but was foiled again.  Every time they have been changing over the Mystic Museum exhibit.  Coming to save the day is a new installation a few blocks down the road -The Lost Toys, but more on that later.  

5 pictures of a store called Mystic Museum. One shows the entrance the other 4 are of the inside of the store. It is here to visualize the gist of the article.

Mystic Museum is housed in what is a fun, funky, esoteric shop.  An engaging and unusual immersive experience that is more than a traditional store.  There are 3 three unique chambers that have interesting displays and décor that is meticulously curated for each of the niches.  Interspersed throughout the spaces are small trinkets, clothing, home décor, art, antiques and some esoteric supplies for sale.  So even though am disappointed with exhibit being closed, it is still worth a slow exploration of the shop, taking in all the nooks and crannies.

First room is Wiccan and Gothic inspired with a selection of Tarot card decks. I take a few moments to peruse, but I have plenty of decks I love and no need for a gimmicky deck.  Wiccan books, home décor, creepy candles and clothing are scattered about on gothic furnishings and a few black coffin shelving units.  Cut, creepy squishmallow (I think that is what they are called) Kreeptures by Killstar, a red witchy candle and a vintage style black cat pillow stand out, but overall great collection of goods.

Interior of the Mystic Museum shop. Many vintage cabinets and tables containing esoteric products.
Interior of Mystic Museum. Used to show the interior of the store with vintage medical equipement.

The middle store has dim mood lighting and feels like a creepy old haunted house. Filled with vintage medical equipment, skeletons, taxidermy, herbs and crystals, etc.  All merchandise is thoughtfully laid out on heavy dark wooden tables or hidden in ornate carved vintage sideboards and cabinets. Of particular interest to me on this trip were the phrenology head busts, the ornate child’s coffin hidden away under a table.  Of course I always stop by and visit the little doll house with a taxidermy mouse tidying up the place. 

Interior of the Mystic Museum Camp Horror section. Image is of an interior cabin feel. Image is used to enhance the paragraph explaining this room.

Last shop is Camp Horror.  It is an homage to my least favorite horror genre, the 70’s/80’s slasher flicks.  I know I am in the minority amongst horror fans, but these films make me laugh.  The most famous of course is set in a camp, but to me it’s overly campy.  You do feel as if you have walked into a cabin in the forest with wood walls, fireplace, mounted deer head and heavy log benches. A few nightmare inducing mannequins are lurking in the back of the store.  There are a few small trees to give the outdoorsy feel and an ominous sign hanging from the wooden beam ceiling which warns you that “it was the woods themselves”.  

Didn’t leave empty handed, picked up Mystic Museum Ritual Bath Salts,, checked out at a vintage cash register façade and now on to the Lost Toys exhibit. It is in walking distance, across the street and down 2 blocks (past HalloweenTown), but not in the pouring rain, so decided to drive over.  Plenty of parking right in front, so wasn’t soaked by the time I entered.  Incredibly friendly staff greet you as you enter.  Pay your fee, receive your ticket, a postcard and a game voucher- there is a interactive game throughout the exibit, scan QR codes, answer questions and plop your filled out voucher for a chance to win a undefined prize.  It isn’t a giant place, think the size of a small strip mall storefront, but is jam packed with gack.  The space is divided into a few segments. 

Image is from the Lost Toys exhibit. It depicts a childs scattered room with 80's horror items strewn about. Prominent is a large stuffed blue monster.

One of the rooms was a colorful, psychedelic kids room.  A giant blue stuffed knock off of the Wild Things Monster overtakes the room. It is filled with essential 80’s ephemera – Goosebumps, Gremlins, Cabbage Patch Kids, Alf phone, cassette tapes, bean bag and an old television playing silly commercials.  

3 images of the interior of the Lost Toys exhibit. Dark and mysterious looking One is of a gold statue and creepy mask, one is of numerous vintage devil statues and last is a long view of the room.

The second immersive space has a vintage feel with low lighting.  This space is brimming with vintage Ouija, spirit and talking boards. Tucked away in one of the cabinets is a collection of classic ceramic devil figures and vintage devil graphics. The room features a dark bronze Baphomet statue, a symbolic goat god adopted by esoteric societies.  He is overseeing the activities of the room alongside his confidante, with a creepy old Halloween mask, white and horned with an evil grin.  The atmosphere gives off a spooky vibe. I can envision a spiritualist group huddled around the table at the center of the room, communing with the spirits.  High class women in their exaggerated puffed sleeved jackets and ankle grazing skirts with a bump at the butt and men all buttoned up in their 3 pieces suits and bowties.  A dark room with candle light gently glowing in recesses and alcoves.  The flamboyant medium takes center stage as she dramatically calls out to the spirits…. tables start turning or levitating, specters materialize as she channels a departed soul.  After the spectacle, there is a chance for the believers to commune with the spirits, their fingers resting gently on the possessed planchette moving slowly on the spirit board.  

Collage of 3 images. Used to explain the meaning of the article. 1 with many different toys and movie posters. One is image of the box and contents of the coffin bank, last is a collection of horror monster pez dispensers.

In addition to the 2 immersive rooms there are cabinets, shelves, floors, walls filled with random toys, collectibles, advertisements, posters and just random knickknacks and bric-a-brac.  Exiting I spy a collection of Monster and Halloween Pez dispensers and a few hidden movie posters of classic old B films like Attack of the 50 Foot Woman and The Day the Earth Stood Still.  Overall fun experience.  Hopefully one day I can actually visit the Mystic Museum!

For location of the Mystic Museum, see below. Click here for more information on the Mystic Museum.

Japanese Garden, Long Beach, CA

Attending California State University back in the 1980’s I happened upon this little oasis on campus.  Back in those days, it was outlying, feeling like a forgotten part of campus. There was no pyramid, no parking structure, no dorms.   Being over 30 years ago, can hardly remember the first time finding this hidden gem and how I happened upon it, but it has always stayed in my memory and calls me back from time to time.  So,on a beautiful sunny morning I had some errands to run for the costuming side of my life and decided to take a little detour for a dose of beauty and serenity. 

Entering the traditional enclosed garden through a covered archway you are greeted by a pair of fu dogs welcoming you to spend a little time to unwind in their garden.  Being a fan of the traditional fluffy dancing dogs (Chinese Lion Dancers), I picture these little guys jumping up to say high and give a little bow.  

A few steps in you are transported in to a — picturesque— encompassing landscape of the tress and the pond.  The serenity of the garden washes over you and you can feel the stress melting away.   Glad to see students slowly roving around the grounds, sitting and studying or clumped over the lake feeding the koi- which were also happy to see the students!

Image of a Japanese garden with people leaning over koi pond feeding the fish

There is a circular winding path that veers off to the right and left around the large koi pond.  I choose the left side and first sight is the lovely bright pink Japanese Camellia trees in full bloom. Yummy smell and brilliant color catches your eye.   A few steps further along you reach the wooden zig zag bridge which is a nice platform for observing the dazzling and delightful koi.  There are koi of all colorings here with reddish orange, black and white, yellow, etc.  My favorite are the Kohaku: translated from Japanese as red and white. They are a white-scaled koi with large red markings. In the large pond, there are numerous beautiful fish with all colors and different patterns. I love how the scales shimmer in the sunlight and contrast with the underlying rocks of the pond. Not certain if it is due to being a Pisces, but I have an affinity with koi fish. I even have a koi fish tattoo.  This pair was circling around the platform. Certain they were not popping by to say hi, but looking for food.

Continuing along the path you reach a rock garden. In Japanese they are called karesansui gardens, which translates to dry landscape.  This patch of small rocks is preciously raked in a repeating half circle pattern.  I used to own a mini Zen (as it was marketed) garden with a wooden platform, sand, small rock and a cute, tiny rake.  It was more of a mess than a meditative accessory.  I can appreciate the precise attention needed to keep the rock garden pristine, but at this point in my life, it is the least interesting portion of the garden.

Japanese bamboo fountain in a japanese garden with a stone japanese alter in background.

Resuming my stroll down the path is a small rustic looking bamboo fountain. The gentle sound of flowing water create a peaceful and serene atmosphere until the clacking happens as the bamboo tips over and spills out.  Online has a few Japanese names for this contraption, but the most common is Shishi Odoshi (which, according to Wiki translates to deer frightening) and was used to ward off animals that might eat your garden.  When I attended University here, the animal on campus was cats.  Wonder if the cats still wander about.  Every institution I have spent time at, there has been an animal, CSULB was cats, Long Beach City College had an abundance of rabbits and both Cal State Fullerton and UCLA had squirrels.  The former having an army of them that would stand at attention along the planters waiting for food and the later having sneaky bastards that would steal food.  I had a squirrel once stole my bagel. The damn thing came up and took the whole bag and ran off with his haul!  I digress.  Am hoping if the cats wander into the garden in the late evening hours, the ShiShi Odoshi will warn them to scamper off and to not bother (or eat) the fish.

Japanese dolls with traditional dress. Colors are mostly gold, red and black with the doll faces and hands being porcelain white

Up a stone path to the left is the tea house and garden. The tea house is a very small structure that seems to house rotating exhibits.  The current exhibit was about Hina Matsuri, which is a yearly celebration held in March.  Called Dolls Day, or Girls Day and according to the information posted, celebrates the happiness, growth and good health of girls. In my travels, I have seen Hina dolls, but didn’t realize they were associated with a specific holiday.  There is a hierarchy of dolls displayed on tiered shelving covered in a red cloth.  Am drawn to the third tier with 5 musicians ( the gonin bayashi), maybe it is their short bob haircut that calls out to me, but I like the gals on the right with their black clothing.  The red trim on the full, wide sleeves contrasts to the delicate white ceramic hands.  Am also liking the exaggerated shoulder with the sleeve sneaking out from underneath gives me ideas about jacket or shirt designs.  It was nice to stumble on this extra tidbit while wandering the garden.

Continuing along the path, you cross over a small curved bridge.  Look to your left and you will see sweet small waterfall that feeds the pond flowing out under the curved bridge.  I have always loved the sound of water cascading and stop on the bridge to listen for a bit.  When I entered the garden it was a nice sunny day, but turning to look at the stream, the sky is starting to look ominous and stormy. Decided I better move along a bit quicker. Venturing on you emerge from the tree lined path to an opening showcasing the beauty of the entire garden.

Exiting back through the traditional archway, to the right are some bonsai trees (there are also a few larger trees on display in the garden, to the left, before exiting).  Bonsai refers to container or tray planting.  According to Encyclopedia Britannica’s website, the practice started in China over 1,000 years ago, but I have always associated it as a Japanese tradition.  The trees are meticulously pruned to create unique open branches on a hearty stem.  The container in which they are grown is also important, as it needs to compliment the size and coloring of the tree.  Love to look at them, but seeing how often I kill plants, this is not a hobby for me.

 As a storm seems to be brewing, alas, it is time to leave.  I am feeling refreshed, having left the hustle and bustle of the world behind for a few minutes.  It is indeed a peaceful and tranquil place full of little hidden treasures and tons of beauty.  As I cross the street to the carpark, the drops start to fall and am grateful to hop into my car and be out of the rain.  As the temperature suddenly dropped, slush started to fall from the sky.  Hail I suppose, but once it hit my windshield it was slush!  California weather is always unpredictable, but this year has been especially fickle. 

Here is the link to the website and the google loction link

https://www.csulb.edu/earl-burns-miller-japanese-garden

https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3316.0471317218316!2d-118.12200468465744!3d33.785281039198125!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x80dd31db8fa57337%3A0xe6252a78b7a2d410!2sEarl%20Burns%20Miller%20Japanese%20Garden!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1680295730996!5m2!1sen!2sus

The Bunny Museum

Cute and Quirky Museum

Unfortunately the Bunny Museum was burned to the ground in the California fire January 2025 and all the bunnies are sadly gone. They are raising funds to rebuild and I am hoping to visit again one day (but it won’t be quite the same).

Another Monday out on the road. A friend was having a birthday meetup in Pasadena, so headed out to have lunch and hang out a bit. As usual, I wanted to explore and wander a bit. Since I spend quite a bit of time in Pasadena area, was wanting something new. Close by was the Bunny Museum, which I had never visited before.

I have heard about this museum for many years, but recalled previously it was only open by appointment. Good news, it is now a museum opened 7 days a week. When you walk in the door, you get the feeling that this won’t take too long, it is only a few little rooms. But, little do you know, it is a whole house full of bunnies, floor to ceiling, over 43,000 bunny items!!! Housed in an old art gallery and photo studio in Altadena. The museum opened at the owners residence in Pasadena in 1993, but have been in the new location in 2017. They were awarded a Guiness Book of Records for the most bunny items in 1999 and again in 2011. The museums collectors have meticulously placed the 1,000’s of bunnies in curated goups around the numerous rooms and hallways. Every inch of the house is covered in bunnies from floor to ceiling. As you enter, turn to the right and you will find a “dining” room and kitchen covered in bunny dishes and food products. Step out onto the patio to see garden statues, zen bunnies with a water feature. Then back out into the house, where you can wander down the long hallways and 6-7 rooms of tons and tons of bunnies. In the far back is a “secret” room that is not kid friendly, where you can see some of the more cruel aspects of society and some fun horror movies posters. There is also another closed off room filled with fluffy cuddly plush and some real rabbits hopping around (with a few cats, as well.) There are interesting little antidotes, fascinating facts and information scattered all around the museum. I would recommend stopping and taking some time to learn a little bit more about bunnies.

This is a tiny sampling of those bunnies that I found interesting, but there is a bunny for everybunny in this museum. Everything from sweet, cute and cuddly to morbid, scary and horror to shiny and smooth ceramic. Miniscual to giant. Crazy to Zen. Pirates to well loved characters to the Easter Bunny well all know and love (to eat). Bunnies pop up in so many ways throughout our lives. I was surprised by the number of bunnies that have been part of my life from childhood through to adulthood.

I also was a little taken aback by the number bunnies encountered in my professional life– Bugs Bunny, Winnie the Pooh’s Rabbit, Alice’s White Rabbit and Thumper were scattered all though out the museum, with Bugs having his own curated section.

One room housed holiday bunnies- Christmas and my favorite- Halloween bunnies. It was a nice display of pumpkin bunnies and witch bunnies that tended towards the cute side of Halloween. Also included bunny skeletons (fake) and Zombie bunnies. Overall a good collection displayed with some orange fairy lights to set the mood and overall ambience. space and room to wander around the museum at your leisure.

I have a prediliction to the creepy, scary, quirky, and oddball sectors of life and there was plenty to find, mostly in the off limits room. With horror movies, Donnie Darko, David Lynch, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, playboy bunny references, Kozik smoking bunny, and scads of creepy bunnies,,, it was in heavan (or hell). A grouping of Jackalope brought me back to my childhood camping and reading about the Jackalope at the gift store. There was a small reference to animal testing which I am wholeheartedly against, as well as a display of lucky rabbit feet, which I will have to admit I owned as a kid in the 70’s, before I know better.

It is nice that you can wander the museum freely with no time constraint. You can take your time to examine all the bunnies, read the information cards to learn about all things bunny related. I didn’t know that I liked bunny rabbits, but after visting, I realized how much influence they have had in my life. Donnie Darko is one of my favorite films, David Lynch one of my favorite directors and have collected Dunny figures (which I didn’t notice any at the museum). There are thousands of bunnies that were not my style, but was still able to find so many funky, odd, vintage, etc., it was worth the couple of hours hanging out.

I am an advocate for no testing of animals and the mascot for the movement is a bunny rabbit and it was nice there was a bit of education about that at the museum. I use the bunny free application to check on companies that are against animal testing.

Also managed to be visiting during the end of Chinese New Year in the year of the rabbit.

Claremont Village

Shows the name of the city which the article is about - Claremont.

Claremont Village Day Trip

In need of a little excursion? Claremont Village is a cute little day trip from Los Angeles. With cafes, restaraunts, bars, boutiques, art galleries, museums and gardens, there is plenty of variety for a full day of exploration and wandering.

Was in need of a tall narrow curio cabinet. I found myself scrolling through Facebook marketplace and whoola, there is exactly what I was looking for, and cheap, to boot. Of course there was a small little glitch, it was in La Verne, CA, approximately 1 hour north (on a good day without traffic) of Long Beach, CA. So this is why I found myself travelling from the beginning to the end of the 605 freeway on a dreery Monday morning. Even on a Monday, LA traffic reared its ugly head, mostly due to a long trail of street sweepers impeding the flow. I arrived in the sleepy town of La Verne and found myself in the middle of suburbia on a dull and overcast day. Lots of winding streets and some spectacular views of the snow capped mountains. Managed to acquire the cabinet and wedge it into the truck. Mission accomplished, but now I wanted to stretch my legs and grab a snack before the long drive home. Grabbed the handy dandy Google maps to see what there was of interest close-ish.

Close by was a cute little district near Claremont colleges – Claremont Village. It is a very walkable 10 block area with some interesting shops, cute cafes, a few bars and numerous restaraunts.

Claremont Village seems to encompass Cornel Ave and College Ave E/W and First-Fourth Street N/S. Drove around the streets to get a feel for the area and found street parking on First Street near Indian Hill Blvd. Here is a link to the map of the village: http://www.thevilclare.com/map.pdf

First store I visited was Gallery Soho. It is the Pomona Valley Art Association’s gallery. As a gallery goes, this one is more artist centric, with the artists managing and running the gallery. All 3 of the people working that day were artists with work displayed in the gallery. One with assemblage/sculptural work, the second one worked in various medium and was showing off her wonderful stained glass pieces, which was her newest work. The third was what looked like pen and ink intricate dotted portraits. All 3 were very talented and passionate about their work. Getting to chat and interact with the artists made it feel more like it was an opening every day. There was a vast array of styles, as well as mediums displayed, from painting to photogaphy, and assemblage to stained glass. It is a gallery where anyone will find something they can connect to and quite possibly the artist will be there to chat with and explain their inspiration and process. For more information or to keep up to date on PVAA’s happenings visit – https://pvaa.net/

I visited on a Monday and the mood was quite calm with the grey skies and limited crowds. I envision the weekends are loud and lively and quite energetic. Mondays unfortunately make for a bit lackluster afternoon, as many shops, as well as the museums and garden are closed. Of those that were open, found a good selection of unique shops, including boutiques, vintage and eclectic stores. The clothing boutiques are not my style (nor my size), but if you need to get outfitted for a music festival you will be happy to find some unique, hippyesque clothing. Nectar did impress me with there mission to help local kids in need by donating a percentage of sales to charity. More my style is the rather extensive, dark and moody comic book shop – A Shop Called Quest – and was able to pick up a few issues I have been waiting for. If you are needing a fun and clever gift, Claremont Village has you covered with bright, cheerful store called The Grove, filled with loads of fun, funny, and colorful collections of stickers, candles, notebooks, pillows, sweatshirts– too much to list! On the ecclectic side, Budhamouse Emporium is instilled with mystical vibes carrying a large selection statues, wall hangings, crystals, candles, incense (and burners) with friendly and calm staff.

There was curated vintage store -Vintage Odyssey, which at the moment had a sweet grandmother vibe, but not in a old fashioned way, but more nostalgic with pastel tones and cut glass/crystal items. Attached to this was a garden shop. I liked meandering through the gardens with brick, stone, wood and dirt paths working well together to give off an eccletic and bohemian ambience. Nice variety of plants and they will pot the plant for you- pick out a pot and a plant and in two shakes they will have put them together in a nice tidy package for you!

Wandered over to the Claremont packing house, as there was a review that stated Iron and Kin Coffee had the best chai tea they have ever had. Being a fan of chai, thought I would give it a try. I ordered with oat milk, and it did not dissapoint. Creamy, dark black tea filled with spices and heavy on the ginger, which made it stand out as a contender as possibly the best chai I have had in California. The packing house seemed deserted with the exceptions of Iron and Kin, which was quite full, a testimant to the quality and taste of their coffee and teas.
It was an overall chill, relaxing afternoon exploring the quaint Claremont Village. I will definitely be making a trip back- not on a Monday. Might possibly end up on a weekend jaunt to see the museums, gardens and shops that were closed. Sooooo stay tuned for Claremont Village part two in the not too distant future.

Guo Pei Exhibit

San Francisco – Legion Of Honor

The Guo Pei exhibit in San Fransico was extensive, overwhelming (in a good way) and magical. Whether sophisticated, traditional, whimsical, avant guarde, or dark and moody, exquisite design and intricate details punctuate all of Guo Pei’s creations. More art than fashion, it seemed appropriate to be viewing the dresses in galleries along side canvases, statues and antiquities. Her ability to paint with fabric and thread, as well as the sculptural qualities of her dresses felt at home in the gallery spaces. I was fascinated by the 3 dimensional quality of the needlework, incorporating various techniques of layering thread and fabric to create a style reminiscent of the old world, but firmly planted in modern times. The exhibition included works from her first Paris show through to her 2020 runway show. Even though there is a unifying thread of obsessive detail, unsurpassed craftsmanship, fanciful creativity, and a slight playfullness, you can sense the distinct narative for each collection.

An extrodinary designer, with her team of very talented aritsans are creating masterpieces of fashion and art. Her atelier, Rose Studio, in the art district of Beijing. Often taking years to make one dress, they have the price tag to match. Her outlandish pieces are rarely sold, but according to Savior Flair magazine one sold at auction recently for over 800,000 USD. A Vogue article* indicated is takes almost 3 million dollars to put on a runway show.

Very thankful that I had the opportunity to see these Guo Pei visions in person. I look forward to seeing (if only digitally) where Guo Pei’s imagination takes us next.

If you want to know more about the designer Guo Pei, there is a documentary film entitled “Yellow is Forbidden” which is on-demand on several platforms.

* Vogue article by Brook Bobb April 23, 2018

October 24

Heritage Museum of Orange County, Santa Ana, Ca

Raven Society- Poe Themed Experience

Great atmospheric local for the Raven Society’s Poe inspired marketplace.

We were able to tour the Kellog house on the Heritage Museum of Orange County grounds. The tour guides of the house had some fun ghost stories around the house. I always love hair art and they had a large intricately woven piece on display. The vintage kids and men’s clothes on display are a nice touch to their respective rooms.

Was nice to see a variety of spooky and cute horror artists works and jewelry in the marketplace. There were also many home poured and scented candles and handmade potions available. Loved the cute packaging and the yummy bunuelos from Dona Barbara’s Benuelos De Viento. Overall fun afternoon amongst gardens and time honored houses.

October 23

Woolf and the Wondershow Theatre, Downtown Los Angeles, Arts District

Cages. Just go see it. Amazing effects, great music, overall unbelievable live theatrical event.

October 22

Marvelous Garden in Corona Del Mar, CA

Halloween at Roger’s Gardens

I first went to Roger’s Gardens over 20 years ago. It is less of a garden, although you can buy plants, and more of a magical experience. Roger’s Gardens was at the forefront of immersing the client into a a themed shopping experience, not just a nursery to go buy plants. It has transformed from a garden into a destination to take family and friends both human and furry kind. The highly curated decor items for holiday seasons are set in mesmerizing, enveloping displays. There are also high end gardening tools, flower services, as well as a large variety of plants, including adorable seasonal color bowls and hanging moss planted with a bounty of green and color. A few years back they added the Farmhouse restaurant, a farm to table dining experience

October 20

Legendary Puppet Theatre

It is nice to see the Bob Baker Marionette Theater is sold out for the Halloween Spooktacular and the specialty Halloween shows. This is the longest running marionette theater in the United States, and an institution in the LA arts scene. Opened in downtown Los Angeles in 1963, they have moved to a new home in Highland Park. I had attended a show that was advertised as the last of the puppet shows many years ago and was sad to see it’s long run ending. Was so happy to see the revitalization, with a move into the new theatre.

The Halloween Spooktacular was a fun show and good for both adults and children. (we went to a weekday evening show and it was mostly adults.) The show has an overall vintage feel with songs like Sheb Wooley’s The Purple People Eater with a cute one eyed, one horn purple flying purple people eater! A great evening of fun songs and cute and spooky marrionettes.