[Oh, Snap!] An Afternoon at the Huntington Botanical Gardens

September 7, 20142 Comments

Between my father and step mom being in town, and Danny’s mom heading down for the day – we’ve been inundated with family time, and it’s been perfect! Last night we went out on the town with my family, grabbed some sushi and enjoyed downtown Pasadena. Today, we thought we’d try something new so we cruised down to the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens for a beautiful adventure. Revered as one of the world’s epicenters for culture, research and education – the Huntington itself is a Non Profit institution founded by Henry Huntington back in 1919, almost a century ago. During his lifetime, Huntington procured and collected an immense collection of art, classic and historical literature and my personal favorite – an assortment of botanical gardens from all over the world. From the Australian outback to the Jungles, to Chinese and Japanese Gardens to the Rose and Herb Gardens, and with over 120 acres to the Huntington – there’s a little bit of something for everyone.

To start, we wound around to the Chinese Gardens to admire the lush vegetation, incredible architecture adorned with sacred geometry and the most delicious iced jasmine tea I’ve ever had the pleasure of slurping down.

After spending an hour meandering through the Chinese Gardens, we waltzed down by the running river and into the Japanese Gardens, to find an area adorned with the most extensive assortment of bonsai trees I’ve seen in my entire 30 years of existence. I swear, some of the trees were nearly a century old and so incredibly miniature!

As we exited we were pulled into the canopies by the rose gardens while we caught our breath (it was almost 100 degrees out, mind you) and wouldn’t you know it but we stumbled right upon the full glory of their rose gardens, with so many different and beautiful hybrids.

Finally, as we left four hours later we had to stop and smell – and eat! – the edible herb garden; I tasted a flower that tasted sweet and peppery – I so wish I remembered the name right now, but it was as beautiful as it was delicious.

With the size of the Gardens themselves, here’s simply no way to see everything on the grounds but boy, did we ever try. Do you have a favorite local botanical garden that you enjoy? Whether it’s in the Southern California region or across the globe, I’d love to get some ideas on other amazing botanical garden’s to fawn over.

[Traveling Tales] Zion So Nice, We Visited Thrice – And Bits of Colorado and Bryce

July 29, 2014February 23, 2016Leave a comment

On the way back home from Colorado we made an executive decision to not just visit the park at Zion one more time – but to get some double duty in by visiting at dusk and during the day, all the while gallivanting through places Black Dragon Canyon, Red Canyon, Dixie National Park and Bryce Canyon while checking them off of our bucket list.

Before we left for Utah and Red Rocks, we went on a itty bitty adventure to Best Buy where I finally made the perfect purchase of a lifetime: a Canon 6D with a started lens, a 50mm f/1.4 (and yes, I’m in lust!!). I still need to get a wide angle lens to round out the camera package but holy hell, can this thing get those fantastic shots I’ve always wanted! The color, the depth, the timing (and OMG, the lasers at concerts!) – this camera turns every shot into verifiable gold. So, on the last leg of our journey we busted it out and much to our chagrin we captured some of the best nature photos that I’ve ever been part of. From the stars of Zion at night to the beauty of the Checkerboard Mesa during the day, I was swept up in Wanderlust from the second we left California and honestly – was slightly sad to return.

Colorado was equally extravagant with her lush rivers and winding roads. Driving along the Colorado River was a fantastic addition to an already amazing adventure and seeing the water diverge in the continental divide was beyond trippy.

Once we got to Utah, we couldn’t help but take advantage of the frequent Rest Stops and turn outs along the way. Starting with Black Dragon Canyon, we were in awe of the sweeping sand dunes topped by obsidian looking stones.

Cruising back closer through Zion, we roamed near Red Canyon and decided immediately that it was our favorite spot in the whole national park.

As the sun went down, we got to know the winding roads and breathtaking views of Bryce Canyon – and pictures barely do it justice. Last, but certainly not least – we doubled by Zion at night and I saw – not just stars – but galaxy clouds, I danced underneath beating bat wings and stood, silently, stunned by the wonder of our world.

The next morning, we took one last ride through Zion – comparing and contrasting the sweeping daytime scenery with our limited night vision. Forever thankful for the opportunity, we did one last circle around the park and picked up a few gems and minerals to remember the trip by. Also, apparently I have a new obsession now lol. This journey was my first formidable road trip – and is the perfect stepping stone for our trip to Salmo, BC next week for Shambhala Music Festival. Until then, I’m fine living on a pixelated diet of nature pictures and images of the wonder of our world.

I’m always looking for new adventures and ideas, so tell me – what’s your favorite road trip, or national park – and when do you plan to return?

[Traveling Tales] To Zion and Beyond

July 20, 2014February 22, 2016Leave a comment

Last Thursday, my boyfriend and I started on one of the most epic adventures I’ve ever been on – road tripping from Los Angeles, through Las Vegas, dashing through Arizona and then into St. George, Utah – a quiet little town near the border where we took refuge for the night. In the morning, we rose with the sun and galavanted our way through Zion National Park. To be honest, I was almost okay missing the first day of Global Dance Fest so we could relax and explore – but, hey – always another time, right?

After Zion, we passed through Bryce and then zipped and zoomed through Utah as fast as we possibly could. Don’t get me wrong now – its a lovely state…to pass through. By late afternoon we’d made it to the continental divide and Grand Junction, and by early evening we arrived at our AirBnB then it was off to the races for Global Dance Fest at Red Rocks! This marks my first time here and I’m in absolute awe of all the natural beauty I’ve witnessed in the last 96 hours. Today’s our final full day in town so we took full advantage of the morning – going into town, picking up brunch, enjoying some refreshments by the Creek. And now, we wait patiently for the third and final day of GDE; I can’t wait to dish about the festival but that can wait til it’s over. Until then, here are some of my favorite snaps from the trip so far!

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Now that Ive had a taste for the open road, historic parks and epic views of nature I’m already planning another trip – the only question is: where to??! What’s the last roadtrip you went on? Or, what’s next on your bucket list?

Ps. I couldn’t leave you hanging, here’s a quick sneak peak of the magic

[Doing it Right] SF + Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

October 7, 2013Leave a comment

This past weekend, my boyfriend and I gallivanted up to our home away from home – San Francisco – to attend the 13th annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in Golden Gate Park. The festival was started by Warren Hellmen, a philanthropic investment mogul with an affinity for the city of SF, bluegrass music and the community surrounding both. Though he passed away in 2011, his legacy – and festival – live on through a legacy fund he set-up. The event is entirely free and full of the most ridiculous intersection of people ever; but hey, who doesn’t like free, right?! I’d say that easily half a million people showed up, but it could’ve been nearly 750,000. Old hippies, young hippies (which, by the way – it actually costs of money to look that poor), families, stragglers, groups of friends, groups of couples, etc, etc. We only went for Saturday but that was plenty for me! I caught part of Elvin Bishop and then it was off to see Dave Alvin with Greg Leisz. We saw all of Boz Scaggs, who gained notoriety as the head guitarist and sometimes lead vocalist of the Steve Miller Band; he ROCKED! Then we sauntered over to see Los Lobos Disconnected – a unique, acoustic set by one of my childhood favorite bands; and finally, to wrap up the day we headed back to see Natalie Maines, a third of my childhood favorite country group the Dixie Chicks. Other than the festival, we spent the weekend eating amazing food with great company. I have to admit, it’s the first time I’ve been home with my man and resigned myself to just doing family stuff – and it was wonderful! If this is growing up, I can definitely get used to this. Now, onto the pics – enjoy!

Good morning, San Francisco!

Last time we were in the city, my man wrote a thank you note to my family; it was beautiful seeing it up on their wall!

Starting the day off right with some Old Vine Zin and fabulous cheeses!

HSB!

Golden Gate Park

[Oh, Snap] Cruising the PCH

September 4, 2013September 26, 2013Leave a comment

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

On the way back from San Francisco, we had two options for our drive: take the 5 and suffer through the dusty drabness that defines the middle of our state, or cruise down the Pacific Coast Highway and enjoy ourselves. Well, after doing the later I can firmly say that as in all of life – it should be about the journey and not the destination; and journey we did! Not even exaggerating, we stopped at every third turnout to catch a view of the stunning California Coast! Now, I grew up in the Bay Area, came down for college in the Central Coast and cruised on down to LA when I was done but never have I ever taken the 1 down the coast. Well, after yesterday I can check that off the proverbial bucket list and I have the pictures to prove it! We roamed the beach, found beautiful foliage and gorgeous coastal views; it really was like a dream come true…

Mailboxes in Big Sur

[Doing it Right] SHARKNADO in San Diego

August 19, 2013February 22, 20161 Comment

What happens when you combine 16 close friends, one condo in San Diego, copious amounts of shenanigans, amazing weather and good music? Well, some might call it a dream, others might refer to it as ridiculous – but for all intensive purposes, we’re choosing to refer to it as Sharknado 2013. On Saturday, we set our sights on the ocean and never looked back – traveling the high seas like a group of rowdy pirates with our drinks and our two step. Our hostess with the mostess recruited a bartender to serve us tasty beverages as we raged our way through the day and we brought assorted snacks to keep us healthy and happy. Plus – throughout the weekend we all lent a hand in the kitchen which saved us an epic amount of money. We assembled the meals by predetermined teams for the party and the end result was we all had the chance to contribute something equally delicious and awesome to the group. Sunday things culminated with an epic build your own Bloody Mary session, relaxed beats and some quality time poolside in the stunning San Diego sunshine. Per usual, I’ll be reveling in these memories for a while as I sit here, waiting patiently for my next adventure.

San Diego Sheraton Marina

Getting weird.

We’re on a boat!

Build your own Bloody Bar

The Gang

Of course, I couldn’t leave y’all without giving you something to groove to on this manic Monday so here’s a little dose of the music we were bumping over the past weekend – from dubstep to deep house, we found a place for it all and I hope you guys can find a way to do that, too!

Doing it Right: San Diego’s Museum of Natural History

February 14, 2013August 14, 20131 Comment

Most people develop their New Years Resolutions by the time January rolls around; then they’re on top of them, up and at’em and crossing things off their lists. I have a less manicured, equally pragmatic approach to resolutions – whereas mine typically come to me as the year rolls on. So far this year, we have not buying packs of cigarettes, walking to the gym instead of driving and now I have another to add to the list: I want to go to one new museum a month! Last month, I adventured out to the Getty Villa in Malibu to soak up some gorgeous rays and it set a wonderful tone for the day. I was surrounded by wonderful company and timeless works of art; and I wanted more! So, while I was down in San Diego last weekend my friends and I stopped by Balboa Park to take in the cacophony of museums. We finally settled on the Museum of Natural History – and it was a good call…between their Chocolate Exhibit and an Ansel Adams-esque Photography expose, we definitely got our fill of culture for the day.