I enjoyed a very relaxing Sunday ogling some of the most gorgeous homes in my area during the Dana Point Home & Garden Tour. It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for years, and this year I finally did - with great company to boot.

My dream house is a 1920s-1930s bungalow, or perhaps a Craftsman-style home, with a bright, open European-inspired kitchen, and a dining room with a long solid wood table for hosting dinner parties. A home that feels cozy and inviting, and truly like a home. With lots of “found” objects and great art.

I was excited to spend the day gazing and dreaming, taking bits and pieces from each home and using it to build my “dream” home in my mind.

Lots of museum-like homes, certainly, which doesn’t tug on my heartstrings in the slightest. But there was one from the 1920s with the best library that reminded me so of my grandfather’s den when he was alive. And the most spectacular ocean view. I would move in tomorrow…

I marvel at how life was in the 1920s. How small in scale the homes were compared to now, back before everything in America was about “bigger and more.”  I love the simplicity of that time.The thing I truly loved is that each home was so different and also had a rich history, which is one of the reasons I love living in Dana Point.

If you’ve never gone on a home tour but hope to one day, there are a few things you’ll find that I didnt expect: You’ll most likely to wear paper booties over your shoes (yes, like you’re going into surgery), and the docents will most likely be incredibly strict about the path you take through the house…so don’t go expecting to amble aimlessly throughout the house. There are arrows and everything. These are people’s homes though, so it’s understandable…

Love B-movies? Then you’ll dig this flick created by local director/writer/actor/musician/super cool guy Mike Merryman. I think it’s pretty great for having no budget! Check out the trailer here.

–Cynthia.

Gram Rabbit will perform their psychedelic dance beats at Detroit Bar tonight. Here’s a link to their latest video, “In My Book”. Their new album, Radio Angel, comes out November 13. 

Buell Motorcycles, founded by ex Harley Davidson engineer Erik Buell, is hosting a track day at Streets of Willow in Rosamond, Wednesday, October 17. Motorcycle riders of all levels are invited to spend the day testing new Buell bikes and/or riding their own. Riders are required to have a valid motorcycle license and proper riding gear. Registration is $100. The cost includes 1 track day, beverages, snacks, catered lunch, t-shirt, knee pucks and action pics. Orientation begins at 7:30 a.m.

If you can’t make it tomorrow, Buell is hosting another track day at Laguna Sec in Monterey on Tuesday, December 18.

Click here for more information and registration.

If you can’t make The Used show at The Grove of Anaheim tonight at 6 p.m., come hang out with the guys at a special “After the Show Party” at The Slidebar in Fullerton.

This will be the last chance to catch the screaming rockers from Utah before they head overseas for the International Rockstar Taste of Chaos Tour.

- KELLI SKYE

Banning’s Bikes in Fullerton is holding a basic skills clinic for women August 11 - 12 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. both days. The two day workshop will cover bicycle riding skills, cornering, pacelines and drills as well as road side repairs, nutrition and training. Bring your (mountain or road)bike and riding gear, if you plan to participate in the riding skills portion of the clinic. Participants will be able to test ride women specific bikes and check out the latest cycling apparel from brands such as Felt, Look, Speedplay, Castelli, Sidi, Canari, Motorable and Northwave.
Banning’s Bikes is located at 205 N. Harbor Blvd. Fullerton, 92832, 714-525-2200

- LAILA D.

Yesterday was the last day here for our quiet and efficient intern, Claire. She left this with our editor.

– Jit Fong

First, there was mochi, the traditional glutinous rice cake from Japan. Then mochi went kid-friendly with mochi ice cream. Now, there’s mochilato, mochi stuffed with gelato. Los Angeles mochi giant Mikawaya plans to open 200-plus mochilato stores to sell its new products. The first franchise has opened in Irvine.

Mochilato
14310 Culver Drive, Suite E, Irvine
(949) 559-1116
10 a.m.-midnight daily. Credit cards accepted. Free wi-fi.

(Pictured here: peaches and cream in front, hazelnut chocolate behind. Sorry, the hazelnut one is a little dented. I had put my fork to it and was just about to cut it when I remembered to take a photo.) Read the rest of this entry »

Just when I thought I could go home for the day, I see that Ms. Hilary Duff is coming to The Grove in Anaheim on Friday, Aug. 17 on her “Dignity Tour.”

Tickets go on-sale tomorrow, Saturday, July 28 at noon. Tickets can be purchased directly at the Grove box office (2200 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim) or via ticketmaster.

Even though SqueezeOC’s Matt Degan claims that Hilary is “so yesterday,” he’s totally going to be camping out in front of the Grove trying to score tickets.

The show starts at 8:30 p.m. and tickets are $42.50.

- KELLI SKYE

This strange pattern appeared on a fuji apple that Laila was afraid to bite into. She said that she’d been listening to Elvis records yesterday. The picture on the right is a reversed image of some paperback book. Funny the things you can find when you do a little research.

I’ve never been a big believer in the various Virgin Mary appearances. Not that they don’t look like what they’re purported to look like–but they aren’t manifestations of some supernatural causality.

Having said that, I think the King is loving Laila tender.