happy friday + fun art spots for kids in los angeles...

Happy Friday! I often get asked for recommendations for fun, creative art studios for kids in Los Angeles. And since schools are releasing for summer, I'm rounding up NINE of my all-time favorite places to take my girls. Summer is such a great time to play, explore, and try new things, and these are a few great spots to do just that. Click on each one below for all the nitty-gritty details (like hours, location, and specific class offerings!), but first I'll tell you a bit about each one and why we love them...

happy friday + flower fields...

Happy Friday! Yesterday, I was on CNBC which felt very fancy and a fun thing to have gotten to experience. But now, I am READY for the weekend and to slow down just a little bit! Last weekend, my family and I went to the Flower Fields in Carlsbad, CA (just north of San Diego). My in-laws were in town, and they love gardens, so we figured we'd bring them to the biggest garden of all in a sea of ranunculus (one of my favorite flowers!). It was pretty magical...

oh joy day trip: row dtla

Happy Wednesday! Today, we're taking you on a day trip to one of the coolest upcoming spots in Los Angeles, the Row DTLA. I was there for a conference recently and there are SO many amazing boutiques, restaurants, and shops. We didn't have enough time to stop everywhere, but here are a few of our favorite spots to hit if you find yourself looking for a fun adventure...

Oh Joy Day Trip: Silver Lake (Part 2)

We're hitting up Silver Lake again for today's Oh Joy Day Trip! Last year we shared a few of our favorite spots on Sunset Blvd. And because there are SO many amazing and new spots to pick from in this neighborhood, we're back today with a few more. Here are three new favorites that are all in walking distance from each other so you can spend the afternoon shopping and snacking...

how we celebrate birthdays at oh joy!

Ever since I started growing the Oh Joy team, it was important for me to celebrate everyone's birthday in a fun way every year. It started off with decorating their desk with a fun theme (often photos of their celeb crushes) and going out to a fun lunch. But in the past couple years, we started a tradition of doing a group activity after my team surprised me with a class at Cirque School! Here's a look back some of the birthday team trips we've taken!

Flower Arranging - This was one of my favorites because we learned some fun tips but also came home with these beautiful arrangements! 

Mini Golf - This one was just hilarious!

Pottery Class - We've done both making pots from scratch and also ones where you paint pre-made pieces.

Cake Making or Decorating - It's always fun to make something you can go home and eat after!

Hip Hop Class - We got moving and decked out in 90's style for this one.

Nail Salon - It's always a treat to get a mid-week mani!

Bowling - It can be hard to find a bowling alley that's open in the middle of the day, but when you do it's pretty fun cause no one is there! ;P

Also, others we've done...

Virtual Reality - We went to a VR place yesterday for Jess' birthday, and it was SOOOO fun! We got in teams to go to these alternate realities and work together to conquer missions. I so want to go back!

Massages - Always a treat to get a massage in the middle of the day!

Movie - This is a fun one if there is a movie out with an actor that the birthday girl really loves.

Cirque School - This is the one that started the activities. It was probably also one of the hardest ones!

It's also VERY fun to all wear some sort of coordinating outfits (the same color, stripes, overalls, 90's gear, etc)

Oh Joy Day Trip: East Valley...

 

For today's Oh Joy Day Trip we're East Valley bound! We've got you covered from coffee to one of the cutest shops around. Come check it out...

Oh Joy Day Trip: Highland Park...

For today's Day Trip adventure, we're taking you to Highland Park! It's a historic neighborhood (that is VERY up-and-coming) in Northeast Los Angeles that has fun shops and restaurants are all in walking distance of each other. Here are a few of our favorite places to go...

{field trip} sanso in frog town...

Happy Friday! To end the week, I'm taking you to one of my favorite new plant shops in the Frog Town area of Los Angeles called Sanso. It's a plant AND design studio that has lots of lush greenery and beautiful planters and vases. It's pretty much a garden oasis dream come true. Come see...

tips for vintage shopping at the rosebowl flea market...

One of my favorite things happened this past weekend...the Rosebowl Flea Market. Every second Sunday of the month, Los Angeles vintage lovers head to Pasadena for this day full of scouting for treasures! I usually go every month and find it to be so inspirational and fun! I now bring my oldest daughter, Ruby, and it's fun to show her all the cool things out there that still have lots of life left in them. Today, I'm answering some of the most common questions you guys have asked me when I go to the flea market...

Oh Joy Day Trip: Echo Park (Part 2)

Last month, we featured a few of our favorite spots in Echo Park! But there's more! Since we had so many, we've broken them into two parts and here is the 2nd part with a couple more spots...these ones located on Sunset Blvd. in Echo Park (between Silver Lake and Downtown LA). Stop by this pairing if you're meeting a friend for lunch and some shopping after...