Life List Day 268 - Try Sprinkles Cupcakes

There's a chichi cupcake store in Beverly Hills called Sprinkles that I've been wanting to try. There's apparently always a line to buy these cupcakes, which run $3.50 each and are supposedly divine.

Today while I was in Beverly Hills getting my hair cut, I walked the half-mile or so to Sprinkles to try them for myself.

There was a line of about 10 people ahead of me - when I got into the tiny bakery, it smelled outrageously good - not sugary good, but something buttery/fatty/cakey good. Each day, they offer a dozen or so varieties, rotating the selection. I bought a red velvet with white icing, a white cupcake with coconut, and a chocolate with peppermint.

So far I've split the red velvet with my son. The icing was really delicious (and in fact, you can buy a "shot" of icing only for 75 cents) but, to be honest, the cakey part was just okay. Then again, I've never had a red velvet cake, so maybe this is all there is to it.

To give the other flavors a fair shake, I may have to take bites out of them before they get stale.

The sacrifices I make for this life list...

Life List Day 143 - Take a New Route

I get my hair done at Umbertos in Beverly Hills - a 50-minute trek that often turns out much longer thanks to traffic on the freeway. I should find someone who is closer (and cheaper), but I've been going to Gabby for over 15 years now, and I swear she's the best therapist I've ever had...plus she doesn't try to do anything crazy with my hair, and that alone is worth the drive.

Today, I decided that - rather than hop on the freeway like I always do - I'd find a different route.

I drove along the beach, and then zig-zagged my way down streets, trying to aim north and east.

I'm usually terrified to deviate from my usual route. I get lost so easily. Plus I like taking the same old way - even if it doesn't make sense to do so -because it's safe. I KNOW it. I don't have to think.

Anyway, I'm thrilled I tried something new. I got there in 40 minutes at the height of rush-hour traffic, plus I had a pleasant drive looking at beaches vs. concrete, and new stores and shops vs. places I've seen a million times.