Someone told me there’s a girl out there with love in her eyes and flowers in her hair… Goin’ to California!

Hello fellow bloggers, I know it’s been awhile since I’ve posted (and I will take *full* responsibility), but I am hoping this post makes up for at least some of our lost time…

I just got back from a trip to Los Angeles (!!!) and would love to share some of the adventure with you!

• Hollywood Walk of Fame
• Hollywood Sign (HIKE)
• Santa Monica- Third Street Promenade, Ferris Wheel and Pier
• Runyon Canyon (SUNSET HIKE)
• The Grove
• WeHo
• Melrose- Urth Cafe, Paul Smith Limited, DASH, Japan LA, Vivienne Westwood
• Venice Beach
• Rodeo Drive & Beverly Hills
• Downtown LA- Art District, The Last Bookstore, Korea Town
• LACMA
• Universal Studios Tour
• Griffith Park Observatory
• Malibu Day Trip- PCH 1, El Matador State Beach

In my opinion, LA and the surrounding areas are INCREDIBLE. Before visiting, everyone I talked to who had been before me either LOVED or HATED this legendary city. Their gripes? Too much traffic, too much smog, too many people, too expensive, and way too overrated. Their likes? “I mean it’s California, so obviously the weather is going to be great and you’ll be by the ocean…But I mean, still, it’s not THAT great”

My small poll in no way, shape, or form did this place justice. Los Angeles is a melting pot of lifestyles and cultures. From bougie socialites and entertainment moguls to easy going surfers and students, you feel like you are traveling to a different country even though it is only a span of 20 miles. What I loved most though, is that, regardless of these differences, there is a common thread in this city: Anything is possible.

And you feel it. You walk down the street and you feel it. The people here are passionate. They love to live life. There is this gusto to learn and create. Simply being surrounded by this groove and mentality inspires you to not only do better, but be better.

So where do I fit in? Somewhere between Beverly Hills and the beach… A ‘Beverly Hippy’ if you will 😉 Until next time Los Angeles! …And there will *definitely* be a next time.

On Wednesdays We Drink Pink: White Girl Wine

Sooooo White Girl Wine is a real thing and I’ve already ordered a bottle… Or two… Or three… Fine, four.

Greetings from Sunny VA!

In addition to visiting Washington, D.C., I spent a little time in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.

http://instagram.com/p/n27O3BTH4S/

This city is super cute and has a really European feel to it…Although I couldn’t quite pin point what other city it reminded me of. Anyways, I loved just strolling around the streets here. Most of the buildings retain their original 1800s style and structure which is super impressive. King Street is the main road here, and if you follow it all the way to the bottom (which I did) it will take you to the Potomac River. There you’ll find an adorable boardwalk complete with more shops, cafes, and the like. I was lucky enough to stumble upon a local farmer’s market on my way to the river as well!

http://instagram.com/p/n3BTbgTH1K/

If you want to see more snapshots from the trip, you should check out my Instagram! I’ll be updating my Flickr soon!

Wabi-Sabi: “A way of living that focuses on finding beauty within the imperfections of life and accepting peacefully the natural cycle of growth and decay.”

Now Reading: The Anthropology of Turquoise

“In this invigorating mix of natural history and adventure, artist-naturalist Ellen Meloy uses turquoise—the color and the gem—to probe deeper into our profound human attachment to landscape. From the Sierra Nevada, the Mojave Desert, the Yucatan Peninsula, and the Bahamas to her home ground on the high plateaus and deep canyons of the Southwest, we journey with Meloy through vistas of both great beauty and great desecration. Her keen vision makes us look anew at ancestral mountains, turquoise seas, and even motel swimming pools. She introduces us to Navajo “velvet grandmothers” whose attire and aesthetics absorb the vivid palette of their homeland, as well as to Persians who consider turquoise the life-saving equivalent of a bullet-proof vest. Throughout, Meloy invites us to appreciate along with her the endless surprises in all of life and celebrates the seduction to be found in our visual surroundings.”

Have any of you fellow bloggers read this already? What are your thoughts? This will be my first read of the summer and I’m very much looking forward to it!

A Weekend in Detroit

Downtown Detroit

Store Front

The Heidelberg Project At Night

Side Street Graffiti

More Graffiti

Abandoned Train Station

Exploring an Abandoned Church…

Inside of an Abandoned Apartment Building

Detroit Rooftops

Detroit Rooftops Pt. 2

Dusk in Detroit

Tigers Game

Comerica Park

As a Metro Detroit native, it’s really a shame that I don’t get down to Detroit more often. Every time that I do visit, however, I’m reminded of just how powerful the city is. Although there is a lot of work that still needs to be done, the city is booming and the people are proud. What I like most about Downtown is that it has a character all its own. There isn’t a city like Detroit out there and our spirit emanates from every corner. My cousins and I had quite the weekend in the city:

• Driving around Downtown: Side streets, The Riverfront, Heidelberg project, etc.
• Breaking into Abandoned Buildings: Detroit has over 78,000 of them and as long as they are not schools or buildings that are being restored it is OK to trespass. We ventured inside of a church and a 15-story apartment building.
• Visiting The Henry Ford Museum: This museum is like stepping inside of a time machine! It’s super interactive which makes it impossible to not have a good time. There are all sorts of relics that showcase just how innovative the American people are.
• Attending a Tigers Baseball Game at Comerica Park: Great food, great beer, great company. The atmosphere inside of the stadium is amazing.

“Get sleep, eat sushi, and take naps as needed.” -Misao Okawa

Tips for living longer from the world’s oldest person.

Voyage D’Etudes

 

I love this blog!!! I just came across it today and have already spent the better part of my afternoon reading through the various posts. What I like most about Voyage D’Etudes is that it is a unique collection of  moments and memories which have been organically captured through photos, scraps, and objects during different travel experiences. Basically, this is everything I wish my blog could be! Read more here (and enjoy!)