Travel Diary: California Week 1

Goodness, do I have a lot to tell you all..First of all my first week in California has been more than amazing!! While I always knew my family and I would have fun, I could have never expected for it to be this amazing! Everyday, so far, my mom and I have started our days early by going to Cycle House followed by a healthy smoothie at beaming. I cannot rave enough about both of these places, I don’t think I can ever leave them! I am currently obsessed with Cycle House because of the atmosphere, workout, and staff! After going to class everyday for a week, you truly feel like you are apart of the Cycle House family. I am yet to be disappointed by a single instructor! So far my mom and I have tried 5 different instructors, each were very different but held a similar class so you always know what you are getting yourself into but there are some variations in styles to always keep you on your toes! While each instructor had their own style and ways of teaching, my mom and I have been obsessed with every single one for different reasons! You really can’t go wrong with any class at Cycle House. Conveniently.. just around the block is the juice bar Beaming. My mom and I go to Beaming everyday after class for a post-workout healthy treat! Beaming brings me back every morning as I am always eager to try something new on their menu, it all just sounds (and is) so delicious! It almost seems too good to be true! After my mom and I start our days like this everyday..we go back to meet up with the rest of my family and go on with our exciting, adventurous day! Below I am sharing some of my highlights from each day and what I wore to run around California..

Wednesday (5/22):

Today we were so excited that some family friends staying in San Diego came to visit! To start our day..my mom, sisters, and I all met up with our friends at The Grove for some morning shopping! This morning we hit Nordstrom and Barney’s New York but due to some severe lunch cravings..we decided to head down to one of our favorites, Urth Caffe for lunch! My family and I have many more stores to hit at The Grove because the shopping there is fantastic. The outdoor shopping center contains countless amounts of fabulous stores to hit along with adorable kiosks everywhere! This morning I purchased a new phone case from one of the kiosks with a Beverly Hills street sign on it and my sister got one with colorful surfboards in Venice Beach (notice our choices in phone cases fit our personalities perfectly)! Urth Caffe is one of my favorite places because of the unbelievable organic food & drinks and the casual, but fun, atmosphere! While you are there you must try their Green Tea Bobba with your lunch..they are truly life changing. After we went to Urth, we decided to run over to Rodeo Drive for some shopping. While I didn’t purchase anything, it was so much fun to walk up and down the street and I did fall in love with a couple bags and some makeup at Burberry as you can see below! To finish off the day we went to dinner at 208 Rodeo and loved it. Not only was the food good, but just being in the middle of Rodeo Drive makes it worth going to!

To run around town today I chose to wear this relaxed California look by wearing this tee with shorts, wedged sneakers, and some fun accessories to be cute and comfortable!

T-Shirt: Sold out from PPLA Clothing, but similar here, here, here, here, here, here, and here

Shorts: Genetic

Necklace: Old from Saks, but similar here, here, here, here, here, and here

Shoes: Old from Ash, but similar here, here, and here

Sunglasses: RetroSuperFuture

Thursday (5/23):

Today we started off our day by visiting Warner Brothers for a studio tour. While I had already seen both CBS and Universal Studios in the past, it is always fun to see new sets and sound stages! This is definitely something I would recommend if you are a fan of Supergirl, Batman, Pretty Little Liars, The Big Band Theory, Two Broke Girls, or any other Warner Brothers Production! After Warner Brothers, we went to lunch in Larchmont at Cafe Gratitude, which I am now completely obsessed with. This vegan restaurant had a healthy menu with countless things I am still dying to try! After much deciding..I finally went with the Magical Black Bean Burger. I could not have been happier with my decision because it was the best burger I think I have ever had in my life (& no..I am not just saying that). My favorite part of the burger was the wholegrain bun with the amazing ketchup and mustard. They tasted like no other and it was the perfect balance of savory spices. I love Larchmont to walk around and shop as well! Here I purchased my first pair of Birkenstocks (They are so California..How could I not?) at the Birkenstock store. At first, I did not know what everyone was talking about..I mean they were comfortable but nothing special. Until my third wear..now they are already broken in and could not be more comfortable. The soles are now molded to my feet and fit like a glove..I love that I can just slip them on and honestly, I never want to take them off! Larchmont is great to drive around and see the beautiful houses as well as take a picture on the street with a perfect view of the Hollywood sign! Today I wore another comfortable, California look with a tank, jean shorts, my wedged sneakers, and a flannel tied around the waist!

Tank: J.Crew

Bandeau: Nordstrom

Shorts: Genetic

Necklace: Old from Saks, but similar here, here, here, here, here, and here

Shoes: Old from Ash, but similar here, here, and here

Sunglasses: RetroSuperFuture

Friday (5/24):

Today was a little more laid back as our friends left to go to San Diego. Today we just decided to walk up and down Melrose since our house is close to Melrose! Melrose is so much fun to walk up & down as there are so many fun places to hit! California is so dog friendly, even our dog, Lilly joined the fun ! This is literally all we did, all day for hours, because there is so much to do! Some of my favorite stores we hit today were Fred Segal, DASH, Nasty Gal, Joie, Marc Jacobs, and Theory (just to name a few). Some damage was definitely done to my wallet today..but it was well worth it of course!

This outfit was so comfortable..I practically felt like I was in my pajamas, so perfect for a ton of walking and shopping!

Tank: J.Crew

Bandeau: Nordstrom

Shorts: Garage

Sunglasses: Céline, shop them here, here, or here

Shoes: Stuart Weitzman

Hat: Janessa Leone

Necklace: Old but similar here, here, here, and here

Saturday (5/25):

Today my whole family was excited to welcome my dad to California! After my dad got in..we decided to go to the famous Roof Top restaurant at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills. Let me tell you..it’s worth the hype. I absolutely adored this place..if eating on the rooftop of Rodeo Drive by the most gorgeous pool isn’t enough, the food is to die for too. I got poached eggs with Salmon, salsa, and whole wheat bread and it was beyond perfect. After lunch we did some more shopping up and down Rodeo before going to meet some more family friends in Santa Monica for Dinner. Tonight we went to Blue Plate Taco. This was an adorable Mexican Restaurant right by the beach and pier with good food, and an even better atmosphere. My whole family loved being able to go to the Pier after dinner and walking around Santa Monica to see all the street performers and fun festivities! Today I wore my favorite cut-offs yet again with a nicer top to enjoy lunch at the Montage!

Top: Old from Sachin & Babi, but similar here, here, and here

Shorts: Genetic

Necklace: Old from Saks, but similar here, here, here, here, here, and here

Hat: Janessa Leone

Shoes: Old from Ash, but similar here, here, and here

Sunglasses: Céline, shop them here, here, or here

Sunday (5/26):

Sundays and California are definitely for Farmers Markets..Today after our spin class my mom and I went across the street to the Farmers Market on Melrose Place. The streets were lined up with the cutest tents full of breads, fruits, vegetables, jewelry, soaps, and about anything else you could think of! While I have been raving about almost all the food I’ve had..Farmers Market food is even better than you can imagine, the broccoli, corn, strawberries, all of it could not taste any better. It is so fresh and delicious, I’m not sure if I can go back to Louisville without it. In the afternoon, since my dad adores the beach we decided to go to Santa Monica for the day to ride bikes. We rented bikes from Shutters on the Beach Hotel before having dinner there. We rode our bikes for hours down to Venice, and then back up to Malibu along the coast. This was the most beautiful bike ride, as we got to see everything. We rode along the sand the entire time by Muscle beach, under the pier, and along all the shops in Venice. This is definitely something I would recommend followed by dinner on the Beach at Shutters!

Shoes: Asics

Shorts: Lululemon

Tank: J.Crew

Bra: Lululemon

Monday (5/27):

Today I went to lunch at the new Joan’s on Third location in Santa Monica! I love Joan’s on Third because of their Chinese Chicken Salad..it is so good and definitely something you have to get if you go there! After this my family and I toured USC as I am currently on the college search..I loved USC but we still have to see UCLA, Pepperdine, and FIDM. After USC my family and I were craving more beach time so we went to Manhattan Beach since this was the closest, and only beach we had never been to. This is the cutest Beach town as they have little boutiques, restaurants, and beach shops all up and down the beach! My family enjoyed the evening by having dinner at the Strand House and watching the sunset. The Strand House is definitely a must if you are looking to watch a beach sunset and enjoy some delicious seafood!

Shorts: Genetic

Top: Old from Rag & Bone/JEAN, but similar here, here, and here

Purse: Nasty Gal

Shoes: Birkenstocks

Necklace: Old but similar here, here, here, and here

Tuesday (5/28):

After a Kick-butt class with Aaron at Cycle House, my mom, sister, and I decided to go hiking at Runyon Canyon and let me tell you..this is a no-joke hike. My family and I started our hike by walking downhill and then up-hill, with the heat and steep hill, we definitely got a great workout in along with some amazing photos. From the top you can see an amazing view of L.A. and the Hollywood sign! It is definitely something that is very fun to do if you are looking for an outdoor scenic workout! After this we enjoyed a healthy lunch at one of my favorite salad shops, Sweetgreen! I love to build my own salad here with their wide variety of fruits and vegetables but what really keeps me coming back is their grilled chicken and whole wheat bread! We loved Manhattan Beach so much, we went back for more that afternoon. Today we went shopping up and down Manhattan and visited all the boutiques along the beach! This is something I would definitely recommend doing to see all the local shops! Some damage was done to my wallet here as well!