love + merriment = family: yes to the dress

the month of october is a special one in our family. my parents anniversary, our anniversary and soon to join, my dear sister emily and her fiance salty. yesterday was the perfect way to start the month - wedding dress shopping for the bride. in an effort to make her nuptials and events proceeding, no frills just simple, sweet and lovely my sister requested that a day of shopping was her ideal for pre-wedding festivities. my mom, em, m, e and myself left sb at 8am, dropped e off in ventura with her auntie and favorite cousin and headed to la. we started at neiman marcus where we met our la resident sissy anna. the items selected off the racks were nothing short of spectacular. i have to say, as i sat in the dressing room, now a mama, nursing the littlest z and gazing at various shades of white dresses that hung on the rack, the girl in me couldn't help but be envious. this was such a special experience and i was so happy to witness it. needless to say, she found "the one." that was one productive hour. our day ahead was pleasantly altered as we realized lunching and accessorizing were the details now on the agenda. and as the sales woman so perfectly stated when she saw my sister in the perfect number "[it was] divine!"

next anna took us to a newer eatery, son of a gun, on 3rd. this inconspicuous looking joint was bustling with patrons by 1 o'clock. the menu - fabulous, the staff - so friendly and the decor tastefully nautical. dark wood tables, white linen napkins, jelly jar glassware and antique ship paraphanealia on the walls. again divine! highlights from the menu were the fried chicken sandwich with spice bbq sauce pickle slaw, heirloom tomato salad, roasted chiles with garlic aioli and bonito flakes along with what my mom said were the best fries she had ever had. the ladies sipped rose and espresso and i enjoyed a delicious arnold palmer (simple syrup for sure!). o.m.g it was all so fab.

on our drive home we followed a pink and purple sky as the 90 degree day came to a close and to make sure we had a slice of reality mila cried almost the entire journey. she was one shopped out muffin and had been the mellow apple of my eye all day long. evia had the best time with auntie, tio and cousin - we're so blessed to have our family. diegas fed us all upon our return with homemade cioppino and crusty bread. with the wedding approaching and the dress in possession, i think my sister slept well...truthfully after such a lovely day, i think we all did. so excited for you emi!