My hectic work schedule does not leave a lot of room for vacations so I promised myself earlier this year that I would dedicate more time to traveling. Since I couldn’t take an extensive trip, I had to come up with a destination that I could go to for the weekend, but still manage to make a mini vacation out of it? I have a couple of close friends who live in Vancouver that I went to college with so I thought, why not pay them a visit? The best part is that I would be leaving the country all while being only a 3Read More →

audrey villalpando

My staple clothing item is… well fitting high waist denim. I would never leave home without… my makeup touch up bag and a hairbrush. I stay fit by… jogging at a local park and attending group classes like barre, yoga, and cycling. In my spare time I… love to experiment with new recipes. The first thing I do in the morning is… CAFFEINE! Whether it’s my morning matcha, cold brew, or tea–I must get caffeine in my system, stat. The one thing I’ll let myself splurge on is… a tasting dinner by an acclaimed chef. My guilty pleasure is… foie gras. My beauty essentials include…Read More →

summertime bucket list

We’re almost a month into summer which got me thinking about what I’ve done so far this season… Took an exotic vacation Watched the sunrise on the beach Had lunch at Gjelina (I’d been wanting to try that restaurant for a long time) Spent a day on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, had ice cream, and then strolled the Venice Canals. Got excited about a new TV Show (hint: Sharp Objects) Hosted a 4th of July get-together and watched the fireworks Attended a dessert festival Went Jet-skiing But it also made me think about all the things I would still like to do but haven’t had theRead More →

omg dessert goals

After my July 4th get-together where I overindulged on cupcakes and cookies, I had vowed to give up sweets for a little while…that was until I saw OMG Dessert Goals was coming to Los Angeles! I immediately purchased a ticket to the event held in DTLA and anticipated the sugar rush that was yet to come.. Omg Dessert Goals is a weekend long festival that started in New York City and has expanded to Los Angeles. Here you can sample the delicious treats by California bakeries and vendors. Before you bite into your snack, there are plenty of photo setups so you can get thatRead More →

Fourth of July get-together

Last week my boyfriend and I decided to have a Fourth of July get-together at our apartment in Downtown Los Angeles. The idea was to invite our friends over for an evening gathering with food, drinks, music, and of course fireworks! Setting the Summer Vibe  I wanted to set up a pretty holiday display so I considered my centerpiece options. I decided on a white ceramic pineapple cookie jar that goes great with my kitchen table and a silver placement that resembled nautical rope, but with an elegant twist. I added seashells around the centerpiece to carry out the summer vibe. Pineapple cookie jar: Amazon |Read More →

Patriotic Recipes and Entertaining Ideas

Fourth of July is the ultimate summer holiday. Friends and family gather together to BBQ, listen to music, spend the day in the sun and view the fireworks display that will light up the nighttime skyline. Whether you’re hosting a fancy soiree or attending a backyard cookout, we’ve created a list of patriotic recipes and entertaining ideas that will make your July 4th both entertaining and memorable. From starters, to red white and blue inspired desserts and drinks, we’ve got you covered! Once you’ve figured out what tasty recipes you’re going to make, set the theme of your party with our entertaining ideas. Next onRead More →

california airbnb's

Who says you need to leave the state to go on vacation? California is such a versatile place with the mountains, desert or the beach that you can choose where you want to go based on the mood you’re in. The following California Airbnb’s are listed in order from Northern California to Southern California and all offer a different experience and theme. We’ve included stays for every budget, ranging from $60 to $400. They all come equipped with the basic essentials and appliances so you don’t have to stress about packing and can bring the important stuff (swimsuits, suntan lotion, and sandals). These California Airbnb’sRead More →

Trip to Puerto Vallarta

I recently wrote an article about how to plan a spur-of-the-moment trip, which was based on preparing for my trip to Puerto Vallarta. I spent 9 days in Mexico, so you as you can imagine, I did and saw a lot of amazing things. I had so many trip-of-a-lifetime experiences, from dining on a deserted island, to exploring a brightly colored beach town, to tasting amazing cuisine–every second of this trip was a memorable one. I wondered how I would be able to include everything in one blog post so I decided to write about my trip highlights along with some history of this amazingRead More →

picnic on the beach

I’ve always wanted to have a picnic on the beach but it seemed like a lot of work. When I think of a picnic I think of homemade muffins, a variety of sandwiches and pasta dishes, and all of the prepping that goes into it. The other day my friend Kim contacted me and asked me what I was doing that day. Neither of us had anything planned so we decided to enjoy the beautiful Los Angeles weather and head to Venice Beach. We through together a picnic with an assortment of store-bought food and drinks. Before I left my apartment I thought about whatRead More →

hiking in Escondido Falls

Hiking in Escondido Falls is one my favorite things to do in Southern California. Whenever I need to clear my head, I make the journey to go hiking on this trail to get away from the city. I enjoy putting on my favorite playlist that I created for drives to Malibu and cruising down PCH to clear my head. The entire excursion is about 4 miles round trip and takes around 1 to 2 hours to finish. Escondido Falls is located in Malibu and sits high in the Santa Monica Mountains. Upon arriving, you turn right onto Winding Way and spot the small parking lotRead More →