Where the Wild Things Are

The Arts District is definitely one of our favorite places to haunt on the weekends. Just when we think that we've seen it all, there's always a new alley to explore or a new cafe to try whenever we visit. After grabbing breakfast at yet another cliche trendy cafe, we stumbled upon a lush corner that made us feel like we were transported to a futuristic Indiana Jones film complete with motorcycles to make a quick getaway if need be. Finding some peace and quiet was the perfect way to end our Fourth of July weekend.

Staying Zen

"Let go or be dragged" is one of my favorite Zen proverbs. I definitely struggle with letting go, especially of control. After a rough couple of months of feeling like we were dragged by life towards one direction, we gladly welcomed celebrating our anniversary in Portland where we hoped to find some peace and quiet. The Japanese Gardens was the answer to our weary souls. We left behind our stress and woes with each step that we took deeper into Washington State Park towards the Japanese Gardens. Our breaths were taken away as we explored every nook and cranny of this intricate garden. As we admired the view of the waterfall, koi pond, and beautiful greenery, we didn't talk much but that was more than okay with me. It reminded me of how comfortable we were already with silence in our early dates. Being in such a beautiful and peaceful place was the perfect way to kickoff our stay in Portland.

Market to Market

What better way to kick off the Summer season than with ice cream, fresh flowers, and hanging out on patios? We couldn't think of a better way and so we took to one of our favorite spots to bring in our least favorite season.

The Sweet Return

We all know (maybe a little too well) how awkward first dates can be. The opposite can be said about our first date, which lasted a record-breaking thirteen hours. We should've known then that we were meant to be. If that wasn't enough of a clue, the fact that we both showed up wearing heathered grey v-neck t-shirts and dark skinny jeans pretty much sealed our destiny. The Getty Museum will always hold a special place in our hearts--not only because of its gorgeous architecture and stunning views of the city, but also because it's where our story began. Over the weekend, we tried to recreate the magic on the anniversary of our first date.

April Showers

We didn't let a little bit of gloom and drizzle dampen our adventurous spirits over the weekend. Our breaths were taken away as we approached this empty field and were greeted by a still and quiet beauty. We romped around undisturbed until we couldn't risk our cameras getting any wetter and our boots any muddier.

Bien Fait

After a morning of having our plans thwarted, we couldn't think of a better way to spend the afternoon than in cozy, soft basics. We found ourselves combing the back alleys of Pasadena again and ended up in a construction zone in our usual chase of the sunset. Being the rebels that we are, we crossed the line (literally) and were undisturbed while trying to capture the beautiful light that was flooding in through the trees and unfinished buildings.

Blank Space

Summer vibes are in the air with plenty of sunshine and clear blue skies to keep our spirits high. We followed our stomachs to the Packing District in search of green juices and delicious Indian food. Despite overspending and being disappointed with both, we instead found another excuse to indulge in our love of people watching and looking for the hidden corners in a crowded space. We couldn't have asked for a better Sunday afternoon.

Such Great Heights

We took a cue from Mother Nature and indulged in the summer vibes she threw our way. With the sun high in the sky, we headed towards the coast to catch a break from the heat. The closer we got to the coast, the further away our worries seemed to be. Whatever worries we had left when we arrived at Manhattan Beach were quickly washed away with mimosas and sangrias over brunch. After filling up on breakfast chimichangas, we made our way to the pier where we blissfully played in the waves and soaked in the sunshine. As if the beach wasn't a beautiful enough of a view, we headed to Hilltop Park in Signal Hill to catch the sunset. Sitting in the grass while literally feeling like we were on top of the world was the perfect way to end our summery day. If this is a preview of what summer is going to be like, we can't wait to spend our days lounging in linen t-shirts and birkenstocks.

Mountain Top

Craving a break from reality, we thought we would find clarity and peace while hiking at Eaton Canyon. Despite being in the midst of the tall trees and pretty waterfalls, we felt out of our element and out of sorts. After cooling off with some lavender honey ice cream, we picked up our bad habits of searching for another dingy and grimy corner of Los Angeles to romp around.  In all of its forbidden glory with its winding steep staircases and hidden alleyways, The Brewery became our new mountain to climb and explore. With a strict permit only policy, exploring and shooting required a great deal of stealth and cunningness. Like ninjas, we creeped and shot guerrilla style until we finally reached the top of our mountain. As always with a long hike, the view was definitely worth the climb. We were rewarded by a breathtaking view of Downtown LA and finally found peace in the decaying beauty around us.

Shades of Blue

After a hard week back at work, the rain gave us a good excuse to stay in and rest. Our cozy weekend began with lattes and brunch at Lamill Coffee in Silver Lake. After a failed attempt to explore, we retreated back indoors when it started to pour. We didn't let the rain dampen our spirits though! When the rain finally let up for a bit on Sunday, we got some fresh air and explored a nearby lake. The tranquility and stillness after the storm was so intoxicating. Everything was a cool shade of blue and we tried to soak up as much of it as we could before it started sprinkling again.

Old Haunts

Realizing that San Francisco was only a train ride away from where we were staying, we decided to go into the city for an afternoon of fun in our favorite area, the Mission District. Once we got there, we stuck to Brandon's tradition of grabbing lamb and beef schwarma from Ali Baba's Cave. Whenever we're in a new city, we always set out to find a good coffee place to get our caffeine fix. We found ours at Four Barrel Coffee, which was also a cool space to hang out. After filling up on good food and drinks, we perused through some cool thrift stores along Valencia before ending our visit at hipster hill in Dolores Park--another place that we love to haunt when we're in the area. We really enjoyed revisiting our favorite spots in the Mission and keeping on with our traditions. We cannot wait to go back again hopefully soon.

The Great Outdoors

Instead of giving each other big gifts for Christmas, we decided to go on one last adventure together in 2014. We couldn't think of a better way to end the year than with a drive along the coast of the state that we adore. On our first trip to San Francisco together in September, we flew and missed all the beauty that's in between LA and SF. While packing, we realized that going on a roadtrip means never having to pick your favorite sweater or pair of boots because you can bring them all!

Less Traveled

The city of LA has been glorified to no end. It's a place where dreams are made of; a corner of the world where the sun shines all year long; a melting pot of diverse cultures; and a blank canvas to graffiti artists. It is also our home. With so many tourist attractions, it's easy to get sidetracked by the glamorous sights this great city has to offer. While we do frequent Melrose Ave and Sunset Blvd, we also find ourselves (literally) taking the roads less traveled, combing alleys and empty streets for hidden treasures. The LA River is a gem that reflects a more accurate view of the city that we know and love. With its many layers, it is the perfect balance of the grunginess of LA and the softness of CA. After walking through the alleyway speckled with graffiti, the first sight of the water took our breath away. Because of its covert entrance, the river is a tranquil place to escape from the infamous traffic jams and the constant stress of finding parking. It is a spot that we know we will visit time and time again. Because of its vastness, we may never finish exploring LA, but we relish in the idea that our adventures will never be over.

Go Outside

After getting our recurring fix of a good chicken sandwich and fries at The Kroft, we explored the Anaheim Packing District. Sitting on top of a railroad track, the packing house is a mecca of good food and drinks with a variety of vendors and restaurants. We had fun spending the afternoon in this cool space relaxing in a swinging bench, enjoying live music, and being surrounded by pretty plants. We paralleled the diversity of the food with our outfits--channeling Japanese and British vibes. After soaking up the last of the sun rays of the Fall afternoon, we continued the relaxed feel of the day with coffee, dinner, and a walk in the park.

Life in Color

After our weekend at the beach, we thought we would ease back into life in LA with a quick trip to Silver Lake. Chain link fenced views of the city skyline; street islands that make you feel like the center of the universe; and randomly glaring wall art are all part of the appeal of this quirky city that we love. $5 moscow mules at our favorite bar and vegetarian indian food made for an easy and perfect bookend to our usual sunset chase. Nostalgic of our past skulls phase, we had fun playing with and wearing this scarf especially when the wind and sun caught it.  This trip was just enough taste of the city for us before our upcoming trip to Las Vegas where instead of chasing sunsets, we'll be chasing floating lanterns and drinks. The weekends just never seem to come quick enough.