my best friend ellie and i have a bible study through the book of james every week at a different coffee shop. we alternate who choses which coffee shop and we attempt to surprise each other but i have a knack for guessing ellie’s choices. this past week, ellie choose le pain quotidien at fashion island (still proud of guessing this one) and though i’ve been there many times for lunch or coffee, it is especially wonderful for breakfast. the scrambled tofu was a great vegan option and the soy belgian chocolate was par excellence! i’m so greatful for friends who are up for anything! ellie, just wait for my next coffee shop pick 😉
- beautiful hymns at church
- spotify
- new journals to doodle in
- cafe graditude
- perfecting my favorite yoga poses (like bakasana)
- skype for far away friends
- acai bowls
- rediscovering homesick by kings of convenience
- honey hemp lattes
- frances and bernard on mp3
//photo taken in my backyard by me//
you know those meals that you talk about for months after and you daydream about whenever you’re hungry? this was one of those meals! i’ve been hearing people rave about gjelina’s for months but i never thought it would live up to, yet alone exceed, its reputation. it was truly one of the best meals of my life. i never thought fennel and brussel sprouts could be so luxurious but they were fabulous, as was everything else at the table (or so i heard). the desserts were also amazing and we ate them so fast, i unfortunately didn’t get any pictures! i’m happy to say that the wonderful cupcakes and cashmere has a recipe for a replica of one of the desserts we got here. already looking forward to eating here again!
abbot kinney has been one of my favorite streets in los angeles since my days dancing at yuri grigoriev school of russian ballet in venice beach. that was back when the pinkberry had just opened which has since closed (r.i.p.)… ah the good old days! now, my go-to places on abbot kinney are firefly, urbanic paper boutique, gjelina’s for lunch (post to come) and lemonade for snacks and drinks (which is coming to fashion island soon… yay!).
every once in a while on my walks around campus, i would bring along my pola if it was an especially pretty day. wherever i see these pictures on my wall, i am constantly reminded of how blessed i was to live in such a beautiful place. i think the first picture perfectly sums up new zealand: rustic and green with a limitless, sprawling sky. God bless new zealand
happy fourth of july to all my fellow americans! after traveling often and living in another country, i’ve learned to appreciate america so much more in random ways i never expected (like lower gas prices and our abundance of health food stores)! we americans sure know how to celebrate holidays with a bang and fourth of july is a perfect example of that! i’m in cambria relaxing with the family for the weekend but have a fun and safe fourth and be sure to light up a few sparklers for me 😉