LA Dawg: The Slaw Dogs.

Lillie and I were in desperate need for a night out together.

With her landing an awesome new job. And me being ever so busy and out of town. 

It had been weeks since we have had any hang out time. 

and so with that. we did what we do best. 

hot dog date nights. 

Recently the LA Times wrote an article about the boom in gourmet hot dog places. 

please. Lillie and I were on to that a long time ago. We are ahead of the times. Literally. 

However, thanks to their article it gave us a list of new places to check out. 

 per recommendation and convenience we chose to hit

The Slaw Dogs. 

This place did not disappoint. 

It had it all. Starting with an eager beaver {and attractive} of an employee giving us all the great recommendations. 

an amazing and huge menu of fancy and delicious hot dogs

and yummy choice of french fries 

Lillie chose the Mac N' Cheese Dog

you got that right. 

{btw. check out those hoops! so proud of my girl}

mac n cheese. on a hot dog. and it was good. 

I was torn between the pastrami dog {i love pastrami} and the picnic dog. 

I chose the latter. 

potato salad. a pickle. bbq sauce. onion rings.

wait what!? on a dog? yet it was sooo good. 

but beware. sooo messy. 

of course I have no shame and will always refuse utensils for food meant to eat with your hands. 

So far this has been our favorite hot dog place. 

Totally beats out the others in taste and yummy menu options. 

And of course like all of our hot dog dates, Lillie and I successfully sat there for hours. Catching up and chatting and of course constant laughter at how our lives are always so similar. 

so glad i have this girl in my life. 

Life List #5. CHECK.

Growing up we made lots of trips to Utah.

And on all of these trips I always saw big signs counting down the miles until we reached

  "Peggy Sue's 50's Diner"

I didnt know what this place was. But I figured if they had that many advertisements trying to get us to go there, then the place had to be good. 

I loved always trying to spot the diner as we passed. And just stare and admire. 

My parents are the type of people on road trips that only stop for gas and bathroom breaks.

So I never dared asked to stop and eat at Peggy Sue's.

Although I desperately always wanted to. 

And with that it was added to my bucket list.

As I made the drive to and from Utah during my college days, there just never seemed like a good time to make the stop and go. And because its on the bucket list I felt like when I finally made the stop it had to be the perfect time to go. It had to feel right. 

And then, I moved home. And came to the crashing realization that my trips to Utah were happening a whole lot less often. 

Which meant less opportunities to eat at Peggy Sue's. 

Which meant a very sad LeeBee.

This past weekend my friend Shylettera and I took a little road trip to Vegas. 

I gasped and then screamed when I realized this would be the perfect time to check it off the bucket list. 

A road trip with one of my best girl friends!? YES please!

On our way back Shy and I made the stop! 

Remember how I said I get excited over the little things in life real easily?? 

Yup. I was pretty dang giddy. And I think I was even shaking with excitement and nervousness. 

Why nervous? My whole life I have been waiting for this moment! And I didnt want Peggy Sue's to let me down! 

I had no need to worry. 

I LOVED it.  

Shy and I were both craving the same thing. 

biscuits and gravy. eggs. bacon. hash browns. 

best breakfast meal Ive ever had. EVER. 

Then we walked around and explored the diner. 

The original part of the diner. Everything else has been added on. 

It is just too cute!

Even loved the Dinosaur Park!

I dont know how I have been missing out on this place for so many years. 

I will never pass it on the road again and NOT stop. Its now a must!

Valley Ventures: Santee Alley

Last Saturday I ventured to Santee Alley with Rudy and Tom.

I have heard of this place before from Tom but didnt exactly know much about it.

We took the metro into Downtown

(which has become one of my favorite activities. love public transit into the big city)

and walked to the semi fashion district of LA. 

The streets were jammed packed with shoppers with tons of stores to go into.

But the real place to go is the actual Alley which definitely reminds me of NYC shopping for all things knock-off.

However, Santee Alley is A LOT more ghetto. I mean, this is LA...

aka I was like the only white person 

A highlight of the day was my continuation of being a hot dog connoisseur. And although I have only been to two LA hot dog places, I think I already found the best in town. Anyone that has been in downtown before can always smell the bacon wrapped hot dogs that are literally sold on every corner. 

wrapped in bacon, smothered in grilled onions and peppers and topped with ketchup and mustard.

the best are sold out of ghetto shopping carts with the grills placed on top from little ladies that dont speak any english. 

they are so legit. 

the are a must have with a stop in Downtown.

After hot dogs and Santee Alley, the three of us hopped back on the metro and headed to Union Station and Olvera Street. 

Other Downtown faves.

with a must have filled churro. sooooo gooood. 

i love lazy Saturdays wandering the streets of LA with two of my favorite people. 

LA Dawg: Carney's.

Remember my pursuit to find the best hot dogs in town? 

Well...still on it. 

Which lead me and my fellow hot dog loving friend to experiencing Carney's.

The biggest thing that has caught my eye with this place is the transformation from a legit railroad train to a restaurant. I think that is so awesome! I seriously loved going into the train to order our food. 

The restaurant even displayed pictures of the train when it was in working condition and then being brought to the Valley in the 70s. 

Lillie and I both went with the signature Chili Dogs. 

the chili did not disappoint. 

Although I am on my way to a hot dog connoisseur, I will fully admit to being a french fry addict. And these french fries tasted just like McDo's. Such a disappointment. I need me so good fries all the time. 

And with that, I will have to admit that I like the local better than the hot dogs themselves. 

Still a good place to go in my hot dog pursuit. And I would not mind trying their hamburgers. 

And of course, always good to have some Leigh and Lillie time. 

Valley Ventures: The Pantry.

After months and months of persuasion, my London roomie and member of the Terrible Quad M'kynzi,  finally made the trek out to California for a visit. We were way over on our lunch dates to Cafe Rio and Kynz had never been to California! 

A visit was much needed.

I always take it upon myself to show off the great sites of LA when visitors come.

Hopefully I did not disappoint. 

Of course between the two of us, Kynz and I took a ridiculous amount of photos together over the weekend (we were snapping photos like crazy, just like London all over again) Ill be showing off some of our photos and our adventures in a couple of posts. 

As part of our LA experience I took Kynz to The Pantry on Saturday morning.

I have never been before but it has always seemed like a landmark place to be.

I love that it is nestled in downtown LA and established in 1924, and eight decades later still has the ability to make you feel like you are walking into that era, your family diner. It is now owned by the former Mayor of LA Richard Riordan.

The line to get a table was out the door. I was intimidated and made Kynz wait in line while I parked. 

But dont let that scare you off, the line moved fast. 

We had a hard time deciding on what to order because it all sounded so good.

So we just kinda ordered it all and you cant ever go wrong with breakfast foods.

French Toast. Potatoes. Bacon Omelet. Toast.

Good and Good.

Update: I just got around to catching up on reading my blogs and found a fabulous post from M'Kynzi about her visit and a little post about myself. While Kynz and I were in London she liked to take lots and lots of photos. And because of that I really enjoyed sneaking into her photos as much as I could. She always complained about it and I just LOVED it. Look at her blog for proof of all of my "photo bombs" must of those pictures I have never even seen.
You love me Kynz!

i love him. on my own.

Three years ago I was in a little place called London. 

We didnt see too many plays (which I regret now) but I was insist on seeing two specific plays.

Phantom of the Opera as it is my childhood love.

And Les Miserables. 

I feel like I was super insist on seeing this play although I knew nothing about it.

 I just knew it was GOOD. and a must see. 

I went with four of my friends but ended up having to sit by myself. Which was not cool because like I said before, I knew nada about the play. And with unexpected and nonstop singing I could never get my head around the play. Leading to a little recap for me during intermission.

Nonetheless I was captivated.

Fast forward to the Summer of Dreams of 09. I worked on my tan all day at the Peaks while I read Les Mis!
And that is when I fell in love.
A story of love, sacrifice and devotion. Such a sweet and yet heart wrenching book but as I closed the last page just smiled and said, I loved that.
However, I was disappointed. I thought I would never be able to see the play again. At least not for a long time.

But alas, I dreamed a dream and it came true!
Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Tour!
No doubt about it that I would be seeing this fabulous play with Lillie. Luckily we convinced Christina to come with us.
My favorite duo and me!
Our night started off with dinner in Little Tokyo with Mr. Ramen.

yummy ramen noodle bowls.

order the mini bowls fyi.


loved when we rotated our bowls to try each others.
And then literally a race to get to the Ahmanson Theater on time for the show.
We were running a bit late that night. And you know me. I absolutely hate being late. And I was not about to miss any of the show!
I navigated well through the streets of downtown, drove kinda fast, and hyperventilated through the parking lot and sped up the escalators.

Our seats were ideal!

And snapped a few shots before we got in trouble.
The show did not disappoint!
(even sans revolving floor)
The music was incredible. I got teary eyed and the chills, happy and sad. Just loved it all and really didnt want it to end.
I am obsessed with Les Miserables.
Its my favorite.

The Book. The Play. The Music.
Its been nonstop soundtrack for days!
Anyone up for seeing it with me again?
 and im not even joking. 

next time...bring sunscreen.

A few weeks ago my friend Christina celebrated her 24th birthday.

One of the many things I love about Christina is that we have been friends since the 7th grade!

We immediately bonded once we discovered we were both members of the LDS Church.

We stayed friends through the years, even took a class together at BYU and thought she didnt like me very much. But our friendship then turned to really only facebook stalking. 

Christina moved back into the ward around January and almost immediately I feel in love with her and became the closest of friends. 

Some things I love about Christina:

She is the most thoughtful and sincere person ever.

She has a legit job! Career woman!!

She is nice to everyone. Ive never heard her say a negative comment ever. 

She is hot!

Has amazing dance moves.

Obsessed with The Bachelorette.

(thanks to me)

She meets me for lunch every Tuesday. 

To celebrate her birthday she invited me on a weekend trip to Catalina Island. 

She wanted to conquer her fears of the ocean with an underwater sea trek. 

But it got cancelled!

We were so bummed.

But still had a fun time. 

I havent been to Catalina since middle school and loved it so much! It is such a cute town and kept wondering why I never moved here to spend my summers! I would have loved that!!

Our activities included:

An early early morning boatride. 

Kayaking. 

A seagull snapping some nachos right out of my mouth.

(not pictured, but totalllly happened.)

Lunch. 

 I love me some fish and chips.

Not sea trekking. 

Beach time. 

With our afternoon activity cancelled, we decided to enjoy the warm weather and lay on the beach for just a bit. Due to some serious lack of sleep by both us (going to bed at 1AM and waking up around 4:40AM) our short jaunt to the beach turned into a three hour nap. with no sunscreen. We were passed out. Im pretty sure I snored. We didnt even have towels, just straight up laid on the sand, and I didnt even take my cover up off. The only times I woke up was to flip over and then eventually woke up because I could feel my skin begin to hurt. 

Needless to say I have had to endure a terrible sunburn, lots of advil to help the pain, and then shedding practically all of my skin. gross. 

Dinner at The Lobster Trap.

I tried clams and Christina enjoyed her lobster. 

Breakfast at Sally's Waffles.

Love you Christina! I am so grateful for your friendship. 

Thanks for an amazing birthday trip to Catalina.

LA Dawgs: The Stand.

 Some time in my life between eating Downtown LA hot dogs after every Laker game I attended,

and the week where I ate FOUR Dodger games in the span of five days,

I realized I love hot dogs.

And proclaimed them my #1 favorite food. 

you can keep calling me the all american tween. 

I love me some..

Dodger Dogs

Downtown LA Dogs

Costco Dogs

NY Central Park Dogs

J-Dawgs

And because of this love I have decided to become a hot dog connoisseur. And plan on trying all of the best hot dogs that LA has to offer. 

My first stop on this journey was The Stand. 

I ventured there last week with my dear friend Lillie. 

Let me just take a sec and share how much i love this girl. 

Lillie and I became closer friends when we shared a bunk in our London flat!

She recently came home from her mission and I could not have been more excited to see her. 

She has the hottest dance moves I have ever seen. 

I love how she says "suuure"

We match constantly!
(hopefully this doesnt jinx us)
We will show up to church, dances, activities, parties or just us hanging out in either the same outfit, or matching colors and styles. 

And we love matching!

I think my favorite thing about Lillie is that we are constantly experiencing the same life situations at the same time. The transition of being an adult, the struggles through finding a job and working full time, and our biggest similarity--boy problems. 

Because of this, we are able to talk about everything and anything and I am so appreciative of our chats. 

And so...we went and got hot dogs for some much needed Leigh and Lillie time. 

We were there for THREE hours. 

I think they got a little sick of us. 

But our verdict on The Stand...

we loved it!!

I loved the layout, design and especially the classic and vintage NY feel of the restaurant.

BBQ dog.
corn salsa and grilled onions dog.

and sweet potato fries. 

to.die.for.

We were also a huge fans of this outdoor seating with the trees and lights.
Ill enjoy some summer time hot dogs here.

and i loved these dogs. 

And they have $1 monday hot dog nights. yes please. 

I will be going back there often.