When the end of a pandemic is in sight - you hop on a flight!
After feeling like I was trapped in a tiny box called Denver, my sky miles were calling. I have absolutely no idea why I chose L.A., not my typical style, but now you can catch me saying "hella" and "no cap" on the regular.
LA PACKING ESSENTIALS - "too cool to care"
- not one but TWO 80's cut off Harley tanks
- sweats - level up if you have a matching hoodie , xtra points for tie dye
- matching pants suit set - to be paired with none other than said cut off Harley tank
- Oversized vintage tee + vintage denim
- no bra
The best part about LA is that any + all attire is acceptable + the comfier the better.
Let me take you through your quick - quintessential LA trip. TRIGGER WARNING - ALL WE DO IS EAT
DAY ONE - SILVERLAKE SWEETIES
Start your day @ Moon Juice. These products have been a cult favorite for years so naturally the first thing I did was run over to Moon Juice Cafe IRL to sip on the adaptogenic Kool - Aid. Order : Matcha & a green juice.
Yeastie boys - enough said
Walking around the hood
DINNER @ NIGHT MARKET + SONG - OK Y'ALL. By FAR one of the best meals ya girl has ever had - and def the highlight of LA. HIGHLIGHT. From the cutie servers to the insane natural wine list to the food, the whole experience was 11/10. Would have gone back again but they have weird LA hours (*exclusive*) The best part was the 90's hits playing so loud that I couldn't hear what anyone was saying over the bops like "drops of Jupiter" by Train. This Silverlake spot is a hard MUST.
Order - Many glasses of orange wine (don't be us - just order the bottle) Pad See Ew + Panang Curry (with roti FML)
HOT TAKE: If you park over 2 hours in LA you will get a $68 ticket!!!!!! Cute!!!!
DAY TWO - BEACH BUMS - Santa Monica + Venice
Drove our asses to the coast. Drove around until we found free parking (always). Rented bikes from Venice Boardwalk Bike Rental + stopped at Erewhon ( again FML) and got goods for a lil beach picnic (raw vegan pizza 10/10)
We people watched, fell asleep on the beach, got sunburnt, and my heart was happy.
Venice food - rose cafe (I won't lie - we didn't go but I heard its 10/10 so I wanted to hit you with the recs.)
DAY THREE - WESTSIDE
Melrose Ave. + Koreatown
Just eating and hitting up some vintage shops. Oh and getting drunk on a rooftop + more eating
Pop up home - the store that my dreams are composed of...
VINTAGE SHOPS 2 HIT - SQUARESVILLE IN LOS FELIZ + WASTELAND ON MELROSE
Also had to share a Monty's 100% PLANT BASED BURGER....
9/10 worth the hype
Then off to Freehand rooftop bar @ The Standard hotel to grab some bevies. It was your standard rooftop drinks experience. Over priced and sub par but theres a rooftop pool! If you order a martini it WILL come in a plastic cup. I suggest a marg.
Then - KBBQ @ HAE JANG CHONG
DAY FOUR - TOURIST CHECK
But first BRUNCH
SQUIRL LA - Second best meal of the trip
HIGHLY RECOMMEND
Accomplished the Hollywood sign hike
Walked down Hollywood walk of fame & stumbled upon the biggest thrift store in America !!! And its family owned. They have everything you could ever want and as a vintage shop owner - I think the prices were v fair!
Sadly Griffith Observatory was closed, my favorite tattoo spot was booked (@jelly.losangeles) & I couldn't find a hot tub to save my life (I didn't even try). My favorite things to do on trips - especially in Cali, is just walk around the neighborhoods and marvel over architecture. Take a peek into peoples houses & yards & talk to their dogs. I love architecture in every city and a neon sign of any kind really gets me off, & there was plenty of eye candy in LA.
Then we dipped! Gained a lot of inspiration, lost a lot of money (jk money well spent) & realized I have no desire to go back to LA. My heart is already in many other parts of California, but it was nice to have a little basic bitch LA weekend <3