adventures

Valentine’s Day in Los Angeles

February 17, 2015 by Angela

Last week we took a mini trip to Palm Springs to unwind a bit (which I require every few months or so, and wish everyone the same), so Valentine’s Day was more of an afterthought. We had an apartment viewing in the morning (and there will be many more, I think) and decided to walk around the neighborhoods a bit. Alfred Coffee is on Melrose Place (and in Brentwood, I’ve never been) and it’s every bit as trendy as you have probably seen on your LA-based friends’ Instagrams. They serve Stumptown coffee which is the best coffee. And now, they have Compartes Chocolates tucked away downstairs. We splurged on a couple chocolate bars in the name of Valentine’s Day (my choice based off packaging and his off flavor; his was better) and continued our apartment search (to no avail)…

And so you see our desire to splurge?

Donuts and coffee… Yes, yes.

How was your Valentine’s?

Pasadena, whole 30, + boho thrift style

January 30, 2015 by Angela

Last Friday night I told Kevin, Tomorrow we’re going on a sunrise hike. Sounds good, he said, in a tone that made it seem like we go on sunrise hikes… ever. We got up the hill at 6:30 and watched the sun rise over LA. It was chilly, windy, and the perfect start to a day left unplanned. One of the challenges in minimalism is to leave a whole day unplanned. I cannot remember any time in my life I’ve done this. Plan, plan, plan. We didn’t even plan to leave this day unplanned, it just unfolded that way. After our hike we stopped by a little coffee shop on fountain ave, got a delectable Paleo breakfast (the last days of our Whole 30 are reserved for yummy breakfast dishes) drove through the hills, sorted out some things at home, then continued to Pasadena for some wandering.

Outfit: Thrifted from top to bottom, except the purse, a boutique find in Larchmont. Especially proud of my $3 Levi’s.

One of my favorite discoveries in Old Town Pasadena was this little collection of shops in a shared space with exposed brick and minimal decor. It housed an ice cream shop, pie shop, florist, tea stand, and of course, a juicery. In case you’re wondering if I broke down on day 23 of my Whole 30, I didn’t–I was relegated to cold brew only. Pie, I miss you, I sure miss you.

In related news, our Whole 30 month is coming to a close today. We made it through 30 days of no processed foods, no added sugar, no dairy, no grains. If you know me, you know my sweet tooth is a little out of control. I think sugar runs through my veins. I blame it on my chocoholic father! So I’m really proud I did this for myself–just me, and I’ve learned a lot about food and what I want to eat. The sugar cravings haven’t really gone away, but I learned grain-free really isn’t so bad (well, sort of, I love cake. I want cake.) Tomorrow’s our 8 year anniversary and we will indulge in Stumptown lattes and baked goods and a fancy meal. I know that’s missing the point but I’m proud as can be and will be making healthier choices in 2015. This girl even signed up for the gym. And has even gone twice. How ya like them apples? (Actually, I prefer farmers market oranges. The sneakiest of desserts.)

Have a lovely weekend!

Portraits by Charity Hestead

January 12, 2015 by Angela

Charity just moved to Los Angeles and asked me to be part of one of her first creative projects here. I’d never actually been to Forest Lawn Memorial Park but was eager to see how she would translate her vision for golden hour portraits to a memorial park setting–one that could be seen as tragic or beautiful or for mourning or for celebration. I’ve been a little stressed out lately, mostly because I’ve been too busy to really envision how I want the year to go, and joked with Kevin before I left that maybe Charity could capture my sadness. (I can be a little dark, and yes, melodramatic, okay?).

But Charity did translate what I was feeling here, without really knowing it. Not sadness, because that really was hyperbolic, but of someone that is kind of emerging into a new state of mind, into the positive light of the new year. I feel like we told a story the way we (try to, anyway) when we’re writing.

Aside from that, I was able to play model for an afternoon and dress up in my best bohemian ensemble and walk along gardens in the early evening light. If you’re in LA, Charity is definitely someone to call for creative work–photography, writing, general lets-get-up-and-go type of adventures all around SoCal. Here’s to many more places to see and pictures to take! xo

Find more photos in her blog post.

Photography: Charity Hestead | Dress & Shrug: Free People, Thrifted | Kimono: Thrifted | Necklace: Flea market find

Explore: San Francisco

December 27, 2014 by Angela

If you haven’t taken a trip up or down the coast of California in your life time, you need to put it on your list. While you’re there Oregon + Washington will only make your trip more beautiful. I’ve been along the West Coast a couple times in my life, and each time it’s captivated me to the point that whenever I have a chance to plan a trip, it’s somewhere toward the Pacific. There’s so much to see, and on our most recent four-day adventure, we traveled from Santa Barbara to Big Sur, then to Monterey, Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay, and San Francisco. It’s a short stretch of coastline that’s new and vibrant at every stop. I’ve had a love affair with San Francisco ever since I was little and my twenty four hours there was one of the best moments of 2014. Time to finally share…

We drove in after a relaxing, but so so stormy, night in Half Moon Bay. The sun was shining and I jumped out of the car, ready to climb the hills of the city!

The entire trip, Kevin and I experimented with my new iPhone, meaning lots of shoddy panoramas. But at least it let me capture the length of some buildings.

We stayed near Fisherman’s Wharf and walked around cold and a little tired from exploring. Then the next day it was all about sightseeing. I’ve done touristy things in SF before, and for me the must-do is taking all of the city’s beautiful Victorians in.

I know you never really know a place until you live there and it’s a dream of mine to get a little closer one day. Maybe by way of a house as pretty as the Painted Ladies. I bet they never open the windows because their facades are photographed so much…

Here’s to hoping there’s another San Francisco trip in 2015!

Have you been? Please share!

Fall in the Northwest

December 3, 2014 by Angela

Early last month I spent a week at my dad’s house in Washington. I loved being home. I saw all my friends, instagrammed lots of fall leaves, and had lattes at each of my favorite cafes. I visited the Moorea Seal store, caught up with my old roommates, and celebrated an early Thanksgiving with my family, turkey and all. It’s raining here in Los Angeles now, but it was bright and clear at home. And cold.

I haven’t quite needed to take these scarves out on the LA streets since I’ve been home, but I was buried in winter layers last month. this was me baaasically everyday: a blanket scarf, ankle boots, and just a little bit top heavy…

Have you done any fall travels?

Big Sur, CA

October 13, 2014 by Angela

Sometimes you dream of doing something or going somewhere and build it up in your head: what you’d do, what you’d see, what pictures you’d take, what you’d leave with – but no matter how you prepare, you don’t know what to expect. Sometimes you build it up so high that almost nothing could really meet those fantastical expectations. Big Sur is a rare place that surpasses all those otherworldly expectations I set before we left. If you google McWay falls, you’ll see endless photos just like mine… but being there yourself at the edge of the ocean – it’s hard to explain; one day I’ll find the words – you just gotta try it sometime. Today I’m editing hundreds of iPhone photos in between projects. More to come…

After this, we headed a bit north to a state beach just before sunset. It was a short hike to the water over a small creek, through fields, under canopies of trees, and finally across pristine sand that turned into stones beneath the waves. Somehow it was better. And then there was Monterey, Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay, and San Francisco. There’s so much you can see in four days. Kevin and I had an amazing time exploring these places. Now it’s Monday and this morning LA was blanketed in fog and I went for a perfect walk but it’s back to go, go, go all week long. We got back from our trip last Tuesday and I can’t say I’m happy to be home. Going from three days of this – no setbacks, no negativity, just awe at the world being all those things I’d imagined but better – so much better than my pictures describe – I’m kiiinda having a hard time with it. I am looking forward to a few things though – editing more photos, some DIYs, writing, making Seattle plans… What’s your week look like?