HOLLYWOOD HIKE

The Hollywood hike is a must for people who live in L.A. I mean how can you live in this city and not want to see the sign up close? It's a simple hike, all uphill, and it's mostly paved. If you want a little challenge like we did you can take this short cut up a rather steep dirt/rock path instead of taking walking all the way around. I didn't get a picture of it but I think if you look on yelp there should be one. You come across it in the beginning of the hike, and let me tell you it had be huffing and puffing from there on up. Like I said it's a fun and easy hike I just wished that the view of the city wasn't so smoggy,  nonetheless it was beautiful. Afterwards, we rewarded ourselves with food from Urth Caffe. I liked the food but that Spanish latte was better than anything I've ever tasted. I swear to myself that anytime I'm near Urth Caffe I will stop to get myself a latte, that's how yummy it is.

VENICE BEACH

The only thing that makes me want to go to Venice is this little stand along the corner of the boardwalk called Poke-Poke. They have the best poke I've ever tasted so far in California. Sure it's no comparison to the ono poke bowls back home but I say it's pretty close. I also tried an acai bowl for the first time. I know I know, I'm super late but I was always hesitant to try it because I thought I wouldn't like it. It was good but it's not something I'd crave. I'm not a big fan of coconuts, bananas, and blueberry but everything other than that I really enjoyed. 

HAPPY AUTUMN

I'm welcoming Fall with open arms this year. I'm excited to finally experience a something other than Hawaii's tropical weather. A new season calls for a new flower arrangement bought to me by none other than my boyfriend. 

For the past few weeks I've been working and going to the gym 6 days a week. It's actually quite impressive for me. I've always gone to the gym, but next to Kevin "the gym rat" my workouts only consisted of cardio. He's got me eating real good healthy food and doing a lot of weight training, so when Saturday (cheat day) rolls around best believe we feast. Last week our cheat day choice was Seoul Sausage Co. I recommend  getting the sausage and the flaming balls. The store is small and there's limited space to sit but the food is delicious. You won't be disappointed, I promise. 

LOVE AFFAIR

Echo Park

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Grand Park

Out of boredom my boyfriend and I went to explore the city on Friday. Going sightseeing in a city you're unfamiliar with is actually quite invigorating. It's amazing I'm still amused with the fact that I live here even after 3 months. This city is filled with endless beauty and adventure. I don't think I'll ever get over it. I have a love affair with life & L.A. 

LATELY...

Please excuse my absence, it's been a busy couple of weeks. I'm about 3 weeks into my new job and it's leaving me restless and lazy. I was off to a rocky beginning but slowly I'm getting the hang of things. This is my first retail job since I worked at Polo Ralph Lauren in 2010/2011, and let's just say I'm missing my old cushy front desk job. I totally forgot how it felt to be standing up for hours. I never realized how good I had it at W Salon.
Besides work, we had my boyfriends family come over last weekend. I was extremely excited to have his sisters and his cousin here. I've been missing my girls back at home and although it was just for a weekend it was nice to have female company. If only they were all of age we could've had a wild night out, but quality shopping time was just as good. Now that they're gone Kev and I are trying to ease our way back into the gym. I swear, whenever we start to get dedicated with working out and eating right we end up having guests over and it completely throws us off track. Well here's to a new week and new goals. 

NEVER FORGET 9/11

I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to go to New York City. These pictures were taken 9 years after the September 11 attacks and in the first photo where you see a construction site is where the Twin Towers once stood also known as Ground Zero. I hope to return to New York one day to see the National Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center site. R.I.P to the people who lost their lives on 9/11. 

LOST WEEKEND

   

 

Excuse my absence for this weekend was filled with unexpected events. Kevin's cousin from Las Vegas decided to come down to L.A. and crash with us for the weekend.  Every time someone comes down we feel like it's in obligation to be good hosts and show them around the city. We bought Ryan to numerous places such as Manhattan Beach, the Boiling Crab, Hollywood, and LACMA Urban Light. But the highlight of his stay would have to be us partying it up at Hermosa beach. I did not expect us to have so much fun with just the three of us. We went to a bar called Patrick Molloys and it was straight poppin. The dance floor is small but the dj was good and to my surprise the people I met were friendly or just really drunk. If you knew me, you'd know that it doesn't take a lot for me to start dancing but I must admit those Hennessy and Patron shots did us well that night (especially for my boyfriend.) Happy 24th Birthday Ryan! I hope you enjoyed your stay at Casa del Krystal & Kevin.

EATING IS MY FAVORITE PASTIME

What can I say? I'm a food enthusiast and so is my boyfriend. We stumbled upon the Corner Bakery Cafe at Manhattan Village while waiting for an appointment at the Apple Store. I still find it strange that the only Apple store near our apartment is located at this shopping center. Trust me, if you saw it you'd be thinking the same thing. It's nice and clean but it lacks good stores. It seems more like a place for older people to shop. Anyway at Corner Bakery, I ordered some kind of panini (forgot what kind) and Kev got chicken pesto. Both were surprisingly delicious especially with the lemonade. It's definitely something I'd crave again.