Gertie Groupie

How crazy is it that I immediately booked a flight to Los Angeles as soon as Gertie posted on her blog about a book party there? It would have been nice to have more advance notice than 6 days in terms of airfare, but as Tim Gunn says, I made it work.  I met Gertie a couple of years ago when she came to Nashville for an exclusive  couture exhibit here.  I'd forgotten how much prettier she is in person; the pictures on her online don't do her justice.  I wasn't crazy about the pink hair from the blog pictures, but in real life, she totally rocks it!

The retro picnic included pink ambrosia Jello mold and addicting peach rum punch. 

I enjoyed seeing Gertie's garments on display.

I was happy to meet up again with my bizarro world twin Anh, whom I met through Pattern Review.  She came with another friend that she also met through PR.

Carla, Anh, and me.

 Crazier still, I was able to rope my sister Kim into flying out from Denver to join me.  She graciously served as my assistant/slave/photographer for the whole trip. 

Fried Pie Paradise

One of the many things that I obsess about are McDonald's fried pies.  There's a whole generation of young people who have no idea that McDonald's used to sell apple and cherry (my favorite) pies that were fried rather than baked (like they are now).  The crust was light and crispy and perfect, unlike the occasional offerings at the other chain restaurants.  There are a few McDonald's locations in southern California that still sell the fried pies, but I have yet to come across them in my travels.  In Hawaii, the McDonald's pies are still fried!

McDonald's, Polynesian style

Inside Hawaiian McDonald's