[Oh, Snap!] A Beautiful Day Off at The LA Arboretum

December 8, 2014December 8, 2014Leave a comment

One benefit of completing less than half of my Thirty Before Thirty Bucket List is that I already have a substantial start on my list for my 31st Birthday next year. Even though I’ve kicked myself a bit on the things that were left half undone or completely neglected, admittedly I’m equally impressed with the caliber of quests I’ve accomplished. Between becoming quite a kitchen kitten with my pickles and olive oils, crafting candles, learning to use a DSLR, and covering both National and Internationally renowned music festivals – I’ve knocked a few pegs off my list and I’m itching to add more. One that I’m excited to continue into the New Year is my Resolution on hiking a new botanical garden, historic park, museum or arboretum to visit. With a ridiculously fun birthday weekend on tap, I planned ahead and took today (the day after my actual birthday) off of work to celebrate, relax and rejoice in whatever personal what I felt. So, Danny and I descended on a lovely day-venture at the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia.

The very first thing I noticed were just how many peacocks were roaming the area – and hummingbirds, butterflies, bunny rabbits and assorted wildlife. We had a wonderful time gallivanting through the African and Australian Outbacks, wistfully wandering around waterfalls and stealing every stunning view we could.

The most staggering thing for me were those multiple moments where I’d lost all sense of location, time and place; for all I knew, I was in Northern California or Utah, Arizona or Washington. For a second, I was transported out of the tug-of-war of Los Angeles traffic and personalities and delicately displaced into acres upon acres of lush rolling grass, rose gardens, carnivorous gardens, greenhouses, succulents and my personal favorite – the bamboo groves.

For more on the LA Arboretum, check out their website, Facebook or Twitter – or if you happen to live in the Southern California area or are plotting a visit, just store the GPS Info in your phone like, now. Fun fact: on the Third Tuesday of every month, admission is free!

[Eagle Walkin’ and Eagle Rockin’ v5]

October 24, 2014October 24, 2014Leave a comment

Leaves are changing, seasons are rearranging – and I’m falling in love with this town all over again…

[Oh, Snap!] Eagle Rockin’ and Eagle Walkin’ v2

April 30, 2014April 30, 2014Leave a comment

[Doing It Right] Birthdays, Beaches and Bonobo

April 18, 2014April 18, 2014Leave a comment

For birthdays I’m a huge fan of presence over presents, so yesterday – instead of buying a present for Danny, I took the whole day off work so we could simply be together in whatever capacity we felt. So, as we let the day drift away – our plans slowly but surely fell into perfect place. We started off by cruising the California coast line through Malibu into the Zuma and Leo Carrillo State Beach areas. It was a little overcast but since when were we going to let a little weather get the best of us? We spent a good hour or two climbing eroded rock formations in search of tide pools and signs of life.

After the beach, we cruised up the coast to Neptue’s Net – an amazing spot right on the PCH with clam chowder bread bowls that’ll blow your mind, not to mention a healthy selection of adult beverages. Then it was off to Ventura’s Majestic Theater to see Bonobo’s Northern Borders Tour – fully equipped with a live band featuring killer saxophone, string and drums sections. The show ended so much earlier than I was prepared for but it was a beautiful moment to be trapped in, however long it might’ve been.

[Oh, Snap] Eagle Rockin’ and Eagle Walkin’ v1

April 17, 2014April 30, 2014Leave a comment

In the last month since I’ve moved in with my boyfriend and away from the Miracle Mile area, I’ve seen the landscapes shift around me – both physically and mentally. Admittedly, the biggest real change is that instead of having multitudes of shops and consignment stores to both pop my head into as well as empty my bank accounts – I now have fleeting foliage and blossoms opening up to the sun, tree lined streets and smiling strangers. Over the last four years, it seems I fell into an incredibly comfortable pattern – and truth be told, I probably should have shaken it up sooner; I’ve fallen absolutely in love with my new ‘hood and have the pictures to prove it =) enjoy!