Evening at Whole Foods for $5.

If you need some summer activity inspiration,
Take a $5 bill out of your wallet and go to Whole Foods...!

Rosanna and I were informed by her dad that the Whole Foods' target customer is someone who makes more than $150,000 per year. That's why their apples are 75 cents instead of 50, and that's also why you get to buy that 75 cent apple in low-lighting after you've had your wine tasting.

Since Ro and I do not, at all, make $150,000 we've stopped shopping there and we embrace Trader Joes, clearly the place that is within our means.

When we wanted a treat last night, Ro had the idea to have a $5 budget at Whole Foods------- but we found out SO MANY SECRETS WHILE WE WERE THERE!

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#1. you can get samples from the bulk foods. we took a 3 inch coconut chocolate bar and yogurt covered papayas.

#2. theres LOTS of samples. muffins, spreads, vitamin water, lotion, face tonic spray, soap (ours has a sink to try it out), bulk foods round two, etc.

#3. we split a calzone meal for $5.99 that came with a ginger-ale and salad: $3 each

#4. we also split some gelato for $2.49------ 1 scoop of coconut and 1 scoop of blackberry merlot. what!

#5. while eating our treats we watched the cooking class that was happening in the roped-off area directly in front of us and learned how to make pizza.

#6. shoot i think that's it.
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but we did spend a good hour or two there last night, and had a hilariously fun time.
for $5.
yes.

Sarah and Jason at the Grove in LA

We can let the fact that I put 26 photos on here speak for how much fun I had with Sarah and Jason. We hung out at the Grove in LA, one of their favorite spots, and we had the best time.

..................................................we took a million polaroids

Sarah and I went on a school trip to Europe together 4 years ago, and it was so fun to see her in love and getting MARRIED! i love what can happen in the span of a few years. look at how happy they are,

these are their favorite hats. i totally loved that they brought these--

this photo has high ranking as one of my
top top top all-time favorites

love it love it lovve it

so perfect------------ !

oh myyy oh my i love this one too--

we went up on top of the parking garage right before sunset, and WOW!

and i decided to shoot a ton of polaroids, which was fun

i feel like they're in Greece here. Which is ironic to me because Sarah and I were IN Mykonos, Greece together on our trip.

to the lovely Sarah and Jason,
thanks for being so authentic and fun. i loved getting to learn more about your story, and i'm SO EXCITED for your wedding! yes!!

-------- shannon

les Mis + John Williams at the Hollywood Bowl

One of my favorite favorite FAVORITE! things to do in LA is go to the Hollywood Bowl. Donny and I have gone twice in the past month: once to see Les Mis (so good!) and once to see John Williams (loved it!).

I think the picnic beforehand is one of my favorite parts, because I love food, but I also love beauty and people and creativity and walking up big hills and sitting on a bench under the stars.... so the Hollywood Bowl is an absolutely perfect place to spend an evening.

our subversive way of getting a non-creepy
picture of that cute dad with the baby.

our friend matt with intense binoculars

parents!

i was inspired to post these photos because right now I'm listening to byzantine chats, which reminded me of John Williams for some reason, which reminded me of these 2 lovely nights. the hollywood bowl is TRULY, truly, incredible.

love it!
shan

Shelley and Mark, Olvera Street Engagement Session

Shelley and Mark had their first date here, right on Olvera Street! Shelley grew up in Peru, so Mark wanted to show her the flair and culture in LA so she'd want to stay forever :) It was part of his game plan. Make sure Shelley doesn't move back to the jungles. Well, his plan worked, and they showed me each special place that they went on their first date a year ago. Surprisingly in my LA adventures I had never been to Olvera Street or Union Station, so it was fun for me to get my own personal tour guides!

Oh, so they're getting married THIS FRIDAY!
The whole time we were taking the photos this weekend I'd say, how many dayyyyyys? and they got super excited and told me SIX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't wait for their wedding. These are two beautiful people, and I'm glad to know them. :)

this is right outside their first-date restaurant

our conveyor belt series.

aww, glowing.this is my tribute to Caravaggio.

the light just seeped into Union Station.
i LOVE the drama! ,

aww :)

only four days guys! four days!stairs! to! nowhere!I asked Mark when he knew he wanted to marry Shelley. Well, I wouldn't say it was love at first sight, but lets just say... I couldn't breathe the first time I met her. Can we all stop and fan ourselves? That's adorable.

they gained big points by taking me out to an authentic Guatemalan coffee shop after our session. It was incredible! (BIG points.)this is in the back of the little shop. see? concrete jungles can be beautiful too.

see you guys again on Friday :)
good luck with everything this week,
and thanks for showing me more of LA.
I loved it.
- Shannon

a little party at the Veronese Tea House (a diversion from my Canadian adventures.)

I'm waiting for my dad to be done with a meeting, so I'm going to show you some photos from a birthday dessert I had a few days ago.

Rachel and I started off the day going to the LA flower market. Anyone who lives close enough should go to this place. I guarantee your life will be enhanced. Plus-- you might encounter a smokin hot man at 6am looking for flowers (or women like Rachel, as we see in this photo.)

Rachel and I decided that baby's breath is going to be our new way of doing floral art. So, for this party we used solely baby's breath, and it was really quite stunning! Baby's breath as the main deal. Mmmm mm mmm. (this photo was taken by ellen!)

Also taken by El, this is me opening a BOOT SHAPED PENCIL HOLDER from Blythe! As we can see, I was really really really stoked.
Here's the Biola part of my life who came,
Rachel Annie me Ellen Hollie and Den!

And the friends who I've known since high school! Lindsey and Blythe.

And my family (girls only.) My mom and Heather.

When we got back to Trop we realized we didn't take NEARLY enough photos, so we utilized our kitchen and did a few shots.Hol was the only one who dressed up for the party. She was a business woman...

Complete with a floral briefcase.
(look at her ruby ring! she's getting married in April!)

Hee. El.

ahh! gotta run!