Total Getaway.

Exactly a week ago to the hour, I was packing my bag and running off to borrow a tent for a little weekend camping trip with my friends (& best travel companions) Monica and Vanessa!!  It was only a 30-hr vacation, but I have to say it was the best 30-hr escape I've had in a lonng time! Since we got back both Vanessa and I edited together our own J.T. road trip video, compiling our own video footage and photos.  It's pretty cool watching both to see the different footage!! So watch, enjoy, and then make a trip to Joshua Tree yourself :))

The Lorax from GoldenGirl Olive on Vimeo.  V is for Olive Blog

Clearly, we had a particular soundtrack to this road trip because Vanessa and I did NOT conspire to both use songs from Foster the People.  But I will take credit for introducing them to my latest obsession!!

One of the main purposes of this trip was to visit this place called the Integratron that Vanessa had seen featured in a documentary.  Built back over a magnetic field back in the 40's, this acoustically perfect building was scientifically designed to heal and nurture the body through sound.  Our curiosity was sparked and the little hippies inside us were psyched to explore what they refer to as a "sound bath."  I am a skeptic of many kinds, but the Integratron was super rad and after a 30-min sound bath and baby nap my friends and I emerged from the dome feeling renewed inside and out!  Anyway, I highly recommend you check it out if you haven't heard about it.

Hope you have WONDERFUL weekend!!

See MORE Photos AFTER the jump!!

Summer Days and the Livings Easy..

Back from the countryside.  I spent the last ten days in my hometown for my brother's high school graduation shindig.  Usually I'm ready to get back to my Los Angeles lifestyle, but something about that damp heat in the air had me wishing my stay could last a little longer.  There is something about humidity that really makes summer feel like summer. Or maybe I was wishing my stay would last a little longer because I felt like I had time traveled back into my teenage years between hanging with my brother, his gang of friends, go cart racing,  drinking cheap vodka with OJ, and TP-ing houses under the starry night sky.  Either way, I have to admit, I think it was just what the doctor ordered.

Me and Grandma with my brother on his Grad Night.

The tres generations cooking in the kitchen..

Anyyyway.  I'm back in the city of angeles and even though I felt small tear slide down my cheek as I departed from Chicago, Sunday was a quick reminder of why I love Los Angeles :)

Here's a little look into my day.

An [8 am] chirping text from my brother pulled me from my much needed sleep, but since the kid is beyond hard to get in touch with I figured I'd call him while he wasn't busy and then get started on my day.  However, when I'm low on sleep it takes me immensely longer to jump into motivation mode.  So rather than do any real work, I went into my creative mode.  I had went thrifting with one of my best friends when I was back in IL and found this sweet jean jacket that I wanted to become a vest.  As a side note, the best thrifting (aka cheapest) is definitely in the midwest.  So anyway, I pulled this bad boy out of my suitcase, got to snipping and ripping, spent a good hour adding studs, and well, presto!

[10am] I surfed the web, its my addiction, got inspired and decided to draw while watching Food, Inc.  I only made it three quarters though the movie - it was making me depressed and nauseous, not to mention I was going to miss the farmers market if I didn't start getting ready.

[12pm] I walked to the farmer's market, filled up on samples and loaded up fresh vegetables and fruit for the week.

[2:30pm] I made a quick switch into my shorts and gym shoes, slathered on some sunscreen, grabbed my earphones and water bottle and headed to Runyon Canyon for a quick hike.

[3:30] Fourty-five minutes after arriving at Runyon, I scurried back to my apt, jumped into the shower, got ready in five fast minutes and headed out the door to meet my friend Lonnie at the Gramins Chinese theater for the XMEN movie.  And because I have this tendency to always be late I ended up running half way there, at least until I was mobbed by tourists.

[7:00] After the movie- which was great by the way, we grabbed a bite to eat at Boho and ended up running into some friends I hadn't seen in a while. All and all a good relaxing Sunday spent catching up with some of my friends and getting back to my favorite LA activities.

P.S. If you enjoy "a day in the life" posts check out V is for Olive's DAY IN THE LIFE !!

[xo] Natasha