We find ourselves in LA with a morning and afternoon open before the 2013 Design Bloggers Conference kicks off. What to do? Shout out on Facebook and wait. Amazing how social media works! A great reply from a fellow designer (thanks Rachel!) and 30 minutes later our new friend at the concierge arranged a rental car for us and we were on our way to Santa Monica. First stop: more coffee. Second stop: Santa Monica.  Not too long later (thankfully it’s a Sunday morning) we see ocean and hit Route 1 heading up the coast to look around. After a morning of sight seeing we hit the Santa Monica Pier just because we were there, and then go in search of brunch with a view. Some googling later we discover Catch at the Hotel Casa del Mar. Wow. Before settling into the menu Stacey and I do what any designer would do – get totally distracted by the design – grassy shades as room dividers, their choice in seating, the coffered ceilings – a nicely done space. But the real show stopper was the menu. Smokey Mary for Stacey and a Blood Orange mimosa for me. Yes please! Can’t say enough how yummy out brunch stop was, definitely on the list if we come back again. Next stop: shopping!