Of the moment // 3.4.16
One of the reasons why I blog is simply to have the space to write: getting things “on paper” helps me to process my feelings and organize my thoughts. I also love having a record of my life over the past few years: a place that holds all of my stories, my photos, the ups and downs of travel. But sometimes, I also just want to remember and share the little things that brought me day-to-day joy. Every Friday, I’ll give you a peek into the book I currently can’t put down, a great restaurant discovery, a fun new product or an inspiring quote: a few things that I think you might enjoy before we all take off into the glory that is the weekend!
I’ve been out in Los Angeles for the week on a work trip, which is probably more glamorous than it sounds (aka the above photo was taken at 6:23am while dealing with a very full inbox). I don’t mind traveling for business, especially when it’s somewhere warm and sunny–but the days are inevitably incredibly long (especially when working both East Coast and West Coast hours) and I seem to spend much of day either searching for wifi or an outlet. And because it’s LA, the rest of the time is spent in traffic! I honestly don’t love LA, but it was a cool experience to see the behind-the-scenes on a commercial shoot AND I got to catch up with a few good friends over tacos AND it was 70 degrees every day. Can’t complain too much!
Blooms
I have been dying to go to the Commissary at The Line Hotel ever since designlovefest posted about it right after it opened in 2014. I finally made it there this trip, and it was everything that I dreamed and more! Such perfect light and all of the plants–and the food is actually amazing (do not miss the steak breakfast burrito). And most fun of all, my roommate from my last place in Brooklyn was magically in DTLA and up for a co-working morning: we keep missing each other in NYC, but somehow we managed to make it happen in LA.
Looks
I have discovered my new favorite travel sneaker! Allbirds just launched their line of wool sneakers earlier this week, and honestly, I was a little dubious: I immediately associate wool with scratchy sweaters. But these are SO soft and comfortable, even without socks (it also magically minimizes odors). They’re also super lightweight and easy to flatten down to pack. Bonus: so many compliments! Moral of the story: I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to switch back to “normal” sneakers.
Eats
My friend Rex introduced me to tacos at Guisados, and they were SO SO SO good. I’m a sucker for a good fish taco, and these are definitely in my top five. But the real highlight was the horchata: I’ve been obsessed with horchata since high school, and it’s really tough to find in New York City. But the one at Guisados was creamy and cinnamon-y and quite honestly, the best I’ve ever had. I’m already craving a trip back!
Reads
Ok, so this is a little sad but I gave my mom the book Brooklyn for Christmas and because I thought I hadn’t read it yet (which is why I’ve put off going to see the movie!), she sent it back to me so that I could read and we could discuss. I brought it out to LA with me–the only book I brought me, and I didn’t even bring my Kindle because I knew I wouldn’t have too much downtime to read!–and as soon as I opened it…I realized I already read it. You know that sinking feeling of like, this all sounds too familiar–within the very first page! Anyway, huge bummer BUT I did really enjoy it the first time I read it and now I have no guilt about seeing the movie. And I splurged on issues of Vanity Fair and Vogue to make up for it!
Words
“And this I believe: that the free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world. And this I would fight for: the freedom of the mind to take any direction it wishes, undirected. And this I must fight against: any idea, religion, or government which limits or destroys the individual. This is what I am and what I am about.” -John Steinbeck, East of Eden
I’m having a mini-ADPi reunion with some college girlfriends this weekend–in Palm Springs! We rented a big house with a pool, and I can’t wait to catch up while soaking up all the sunshine.
