A Weekend in LA LA Land: Los Angeles Travel Diary

Well mes chéries, you might have noticed I randomly popped up on the opposite end of the country last weekend. Story is, I nearly lost my shit last Wednesday (March 6). Now normally when people feel like their lid is about to blow off, they get away for a weekend somewhere nearby and peaceful. Unfortunately, my idea of an emergency escape was to spontaneously fly three time zones away…

Since I’ve already done all the main touristy things in Los Angeles on a prior trip, this trip was more for me to be in a relaxed environment far away from everybody and everything here so I could clear my head and get some space. It just happen so that my big was in LA celebrating her birthday and I had a few friends in town I should visit, so I spent my weekend away with them. Since it was raining most of the weekend, I didn’t get to cross a lot of things off my itinerary but I was able to hit up a few places I haven’t seen. You can find the videos on my Instagram highlight: LA☀️

After a two hour delay and hellish flight with a million problems that I will spare you, I landed in LAX mid-afternoon on Friday. This was actually my first time staying at an Airbnb by myself. The experience was interesting, especially because I grew up in a household that stressed the importance of being overly polite and self-aware (to the point of awkward) in someone else’s home. However, my host was wonderfully welcoming. I would definitely do it again!

Later in the evening, I went out to catch my sorority big’s birthday dinner at SUR followed by drinks at PUMP. If you’re a fan of Vanderpump Rules, you might find that restaurant name familiar…

The next day, we brunched at the cutest restaurant ever called Bacari W 3rd. You go through a hidden passage to an open courtyard and ranch house with rustic decor. Unfortunately, the rain called for tents that day so the photos don’t do the restaurant justice.

The food was absolutely delicious! I ordered a granola Greek yogurt bowl with clove honey and fresh fruit along with an ancient grains salad. The salad consisted of red, white, and black quinoa, red rice, black rice, kale (although mine came with spring greens? still upset), tomatoes, and citrus avocado dressing. Safe to say this was one of the most delicious meals I have ever had, and definitely gave The Butcher’s Daughter a run for its money.

Afterwards, I finally got the notorious LACMA Urban Light photos before heading off to shop at The Grove with an old friend who recently moved to LA. I was a bit sad that I didn’t have time to actually tour all of LACMA’s exhibit halls, but I guess that means I’ll have to make a trip back (and to see The Getty) next time.

Shirt: Zara
Pants: Banana Republic
Jacket: BCBGMaxAzria
Shoes: JustFab
Bag: Gucci

Walking around the shopping center, I realized it was very difficult to be excited about many things in LA because New York has spoiled me with everything and more. There were stores that I live only a few blocks away from back at home and no new designers I was excited to see. However, it was nice to be in a more spacious shopping setting.

Soon, us two New Yorkers were bored and headed to the farmers’ market. Fun fact about me, I loooooove any type of farmers/food market. Half the time, I don’t even purchase anything. I love people watching, looking at the displays of food, and smelling all the delicious smells. It’s a chaotic saturation of sense that make me feel both serene and incredibly alive at the same time.One store that caught my eye was a store that sold some of the world’s hottest hot sauces. I sadly did not bring any back in my carry-on but the memories of these labels will last forever.

After the market, we dined at Sugarfish. I’ve been dying, and I do mean dying, to go to Sugarfish in LA. I know we have two in New York, but it just seems like I had to taste it in LA first, ok?! The hype was extremely accurate, and I have only ever enjoyed one other sushi meal the same way I enjoyed Sugarfish. I’ll go into details in a Picky Palates post coming soon.

On my last day in Los Angeles, I grabbed coffee from Alfred Coffee in the Alley on Melrose with a friend from middle school. Since she currently resides in LA, she drove me through all the hottest spots in town up towards Griffith Park. Outside the observatory, you get a beautiful 360 degree view of the rolling green hills, the Hollywood sign, and all of Los Angeles. That view alone made me like LA just a little bit more.

The park is beautiful, and I almost wish I had the chance to hike the trails. After winding up and down the park, we finally found a lucky parking spot and made our way around the Observatory. When I was little, I wanted to be an astronaut. Outer space has always fascinated me. Sadly, I didn’t have time for the planetarium, but seeing the view and smaller exhibits in the observatory were good enough for now.

Shirt: Anthropologie
Pants: American Eagle
Jacket: All Saints
Shoes: JustFab
Bag: Gucci
Sunglasses: Givenchy

To close off my trip, we headed towards Venice to grab a meal at The Butcher’s Daughter (which I frequent at in NYC to be honest) and stroll up and down Abbot Kinney, a main road in Venice with all the cutest boutiques and food joints. It was cold and cloudy, and I was busy chatting with her so I apologize for the lack of photos. Google images the area if you so desire (it’s very charming!).

There you have it, my little weekend getaway to Los Angeles. I can’t say I solved all my problems when I was away. I also can’t say I got enough time or space from things I needed to get away from. However, it kept my lid on a little longer which is all I can ask for.

Things have been stressful lately. The numerous sources of my stress all have to do with external things out of my total control. As much as I try to keep it at bay, I know protecting myself or keeping my mental well-being in mind comes at a price, just like letting those external things govern me does as well. I feel like my head is just full of cost-benefit analyses spreadsheets except the cells aren’t filled with numbers but rather emotional price tags.

At the end of the day, I’ve been through worse. Sometimes life just has its ups and downs. And if I’m really having a bad time, I just remember that I could be Colton when he jumped the fence so…ANYWAYS. I hope you enjoyed this short travel diary of my trip to Los Angeles, mes chéries! I’ll see you in the next one.

Until then, bisou bisou…