GRATITUDE COLLABORATIVE MOTHER'S DAY AT AU FUDGE

We had so much fun creating this tablescape for the Gratitude Collaborative Mother's Day gift box launch. Baby Boy Bakery chose her favorite mom must-haves, and Oh Joy! designed the box, for this gift that benefits No Kid Hungry.

For the playful centerpiece, we curated a collection of tropical, jungle and desert in a sea of pinks and gold. Marnika Weiss did all of the custom painting and Clementine Floral Works provided the flowers. Hope you enjoy the photos by Billye Donye at Au Fudge!

Parrot on stand from Target; Toucan from West Elm

Snow globe from West Elm

Flamingo from West Elm

Leopard from West Elm

Llama from Target

TOLUCA LAKE'S OLIVE & THYME

I'd like to personally thank Melina Davies for bringing Olive & Thyme to Toluca Lake. She and Alex Eusebio of Sweetsalt are certainly responsible for establishing the neighborhood's food scene.

Walking into Olive & Thyme, you're enveloped in eye candy, with lots of little details: from the flowers (peonies on every table) to the vintage farm animals sweetly placed in each nook.

The gourmet restaurant and marketplace serves breakfast, lunch and dinner but my favorite is lunch. Their Cobb salad with spicy Russian dressing is a go-to. 

The case is always filled with vibrant salads and sides, as well as incredible cheeses and charcuterie.

The space is quite large and lends itself well to pursuing the marketplace filled with sweets, cookbooks and home decor treats. Our fave, Hedley & Bennett, is represented with mini aprons. 

Olive & Thyme is located at 3821 Riverside Drive in Toluca Lake. Closed on Sundays.

THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY ARBORETUM AND BOTANIC GARDEN

I'll admit it, I get jealous of New York and their incredible Central Park (it's only 843 acres of green oasis in the middle of a metropolis). But Los Angeles has its fair share of beautiful parks too. The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden is pretty stunning. At 127 acres it gives you plenty to look at, especially in the spring when the flowering trees are in bloom. But the highlight, especially with a toddler, was the peacocks who roam the property at their leisure. Being amongst the majestic creatures was like walking through a wonderland. 

The Aloe Trail on the way to the Africa Garden.

Gorgeous trumpet trees in bloom.

Over two hundred peacocks call The Arboretum home.

The grounds are very exposed to the sun so pack your sunscreen, hat, water, and bring a stroller for little ones.

The Arboretum maintains a calendar of kid events. The day before Easter they'll host egg hunts and hikes.

Food recommendations within 15 minutes: The Market on Holly (farm to table), Houston's (American), Saladang (Thai).