California Trip Recap

Travel

March 15, 2016

Last week I returned from a quick trip to the west coast with a sinus infection and a ton of emails in my inbox, but I still felt came home feeling like the trip was just what I needed! Even though this winter has been milder and felt shorter than normal thanks to our Hawaii trip and the spring-like December, it’s still been WINTER and Winter and I just don’t get along.

I’ll fully admit that I’m sometimes prone to a case of the “winter blues”. The early darkness, the slower pace of having a seasonal business, and the sting of the cold wind hitting me in the face every time I stepped outside don’t do much for my morale. I struggle through winter most years and figured getting out of town for a little bit and escaping somewhere a little warmer wouldn’t hurt. It also happened that one of my favorite people lives in LA now, so it seemed like the perfect excuse to go west!

I only took my film camera with me on this trip. It’s SO light and easy to travel with, but I don’t have my “official” trip photos yet. My iPhone photos will have to do for now!

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I had been to Venice before, but just the beach/boardwalk area. I got to explore the neighborhoods and the canals a little bit this visit and I loved it! I wished I could pick up this cute little area and bring it home.

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We also went to Manhattan Beach! It’s another really cute beach-y area. It has a really laid back vibe that I loved!

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One of my favorite places I visited on my first trip to the LA area was to the LA Farmer’s Market. I went back this trip and had the most amazing tacos and a huge plate of nachos (not pictured). I could go there every day for lunch!! So many food options to eat your way through!

California Trip Recap_005Speaking of food, I ate SO MANY awesome things on this trip. LA has such a diverse food scene, so if you’re big into eating like I am, you’re basically in heaven while you’re there. My trip started with In N Out Burger, but we also ate Peruvian, had all you can eat Korean BBQ, ramen, and about a million different things at Abbot Kinney’s First Fridays (a food truck court with dozens of trucks).

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And…what’s a trip without a donut stop?? I found California Donuts via Instagram and made a visit mandatory. SO WORTH IT. They make their donuts fresh all day and there were no shortage of fun options. I chose a chocolate almond croissant donut and a Samoa donut with real samoa chunks! Delicious.

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After a few days in LA, we drove out to Las Vegas for WPPI. I’ve been to WPPI twice before. This time I didn’t stay very long. I was there just long enough to catch up with some photographer friends and hit the BEST BUFFET IN THE WORLD. The Bacchanal Buffet! We enjoyed a champagne brunch with treats like red velvet pancakes, mini churros, lobster tail, creme brûlée, pork bao, sweet potato tater tots, and more! Take me back!

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I can’t end this post without a shout out to my bestie, Jen. When I started this business, I really had no idea what lay ahead of me. I didn’t expect to get to go full time so quickly, or to be lucky enough to be published in print, or to get to travel so much for business. I also had no idea that I would meet so many awesome people because of it. These people have turned out to be the best surprise! I’ve made so many friendships through something that started with just a camera and a dream and it feels so crazy to think about how I wouldn’t have met a lot of them if I’d never decided I wanted to start something new. At the end of my life when I’m looking back, relationships are the things I’ll be most grateful for. Not money or becoming “well known” or any other superficial thing like that. I’m so glad to have gotten to know my friend, Jen and to have been able to visit her this month! Life is about making memories, and I’ve got so many with this friend who makes me laugh even when I have laryngitis. Thank you for having me!!

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I’m already ready to go back to California! Who’s with me?? I love it so much! Time to get started planning my next trip!

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  1. Jen Jar says:

    GIRL. You are one of the best things that has happened to me because of photography! Thank you for coming to visit 🙂 Looking through your pics made me remember just how much fun we had!!! Love you! <3

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