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.

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For your Wanderlust…

As expert travelers, we all know that there is no cure for our wanderlust until the next adventure, but I’ve found that these travel & lifestyle blogs can really help:

• A Modern Wayfarer
• Mister Weekender
• Miann Scalan
• The Love Assembly
• Vagabondish
• The Culture-ist
• HonestlyWTF
• Tuula Vintage
• Thrillist

Each blog has a unique take on the different facets of travel. The Culture-ist has some great think pieces and photo essays, Thrillist is known for their love of adventure and crazy attractions, Tuula Vintage and The Love Assembly combine fashion and travel in a flawless manner, and my new favorite, A Modern Wayfarer, has great personal posts in addition to interviews with other rad globetrotters!

Check them out and let me know what you think! Also, if you have any other recommendations leave them in the comments below! I don’t think you can ever follow too many good blogs! 🙂

“True adventure begins when everything goes wrong.” -Yvon Chouinard

NOLA: Spring Break 2014

NOLA/ Nawlins/ New Orleans was hands down one of the craziest cities I’ve ever been to. Admittedly, we did get there just in time for Mardi Gras 😉 …But trust me, this city has NO shortage of activities. 

The Big Easy treated us very well, and if you haven’t been yet, you are missing out on, what is in my opinion, one of the best cities in America. 

New Orleans is beautiful–inside and out. I was swoon from the get-go. The culture of this place is unparalleled to any other city I’ve been to in the U.S.. The music, the food, and the pure love of life that exudes from every street corner is something to revel in.

My friends and I were in New Orleans for 5 days and by the end of the trip we were all wishing we lived there. The vibe of NOLA is super relaxed and if you just let yourself wander, you’ll stumble into the most incredible things and truly get the most out of this city:

• The French Quarter
• Bourbon Street (Hand Grenades & Huge Ass Beers)
• Frenchman Street (Live music >>>)
• The French Market & Shopping District (The flea market and vintage shops are to die for!)
• Take the trolley up and down Canal Street (Hop on, hop off, get lost!)
• Any and every side street (Seriously, they’re all great and have something unique to offer.)
• Hole-in-the-walls for local food (I can die happy knowing I stumbled upon the best Creole food in New Orleans…)

Who’s been to New Orleans before? I’d definitely like to go back again and would love to hear more suggestions!

PS- If you want to see more pictures from my trip, check out my Instagram and Flickr! xx

Why Do You Travel?

Why do you travel? 

To understand yourself outside of yourself. To know your place in the world. To realize what you can do, who you can be, and how you can help. To break through the bubble you’ve lived in–whether good or bad–know that there is more out there, there is more to life. To see the injustices, the beauty, the creativity, the sunrises and sunsets. To hear the accents, the music, the rumble of the city, the roar of the jungle, the silence of the woods, or the calm of the ocean. To feel the pain, the joy, the suffering, the kindness of loved ones and strangers. To step outside, around the corner, buy a one-way, ride your bike, take the train, or just take a walk. To rediscover your home, or adventure to a new one. Open yourself up and don’t be afraid to be afraid. To absorb as much as you can. From the architecture that surrounds you, from the artwork in museums, from the foods you taste, and from the friends you make. To look up. At the clouds, the stars, the ceiling. At the beauty of exploring a place you’ve never been. To look down. At the grass, the cobblestone, the sand, the snow, the dance floor. To revel in each unique experience. 

That is why I travel.