A Letter to Myself One Year Ago

"If you could go back just one year, what would you tell yourself? What advice would you offer about everything you've experienced?" - Journal prompt from Sometimes Sweet.

I'm a big-time reflector. I am constantly going back to "where I was one year ago." It keeps me in check. It helps me realize two things:

1. Life is short.
2. A lot can happen in a year.

One year ago, I was living in San Diego. I had recently started dating a man who was a real breath of fresh air. It was around this time last year when things started to change for me. I started letting go of the fear of falling. I was finally ready to put my heart back out there.

He challenged me. In a good way. And it was at this time that I really started to come into my own. I started saying "yes" to new opportunities and experiences and started saying "no" to people and things that didn't align with where I was in my life. And I was at peace with that. For the first time ever.

I started putting my foot down and started standing up for myself. For my dreams. For what I believed to be right. For my previous pains. For my spiritual practice. For my fears. For my body. For my mind.

It was a wonderful, scary, beautiful time of my life. So many transitions were taking place. I had no idea which things were going to stick and which would dissipate. I get this gut-wrenching feeling in my stomach when I visualize being there in those moments one year ago. Gut-wrenching in a positive way. It was all so pivotal for me. So exhilarating. Even with all the challenges that come from uprooting your life again and settling down in a new place with new people, I just felt so alive.

So, looking back... there are some things I'd want to tell my "one year ago" self:

California is for you. It's the place where you flourish most, where your spirit radiates. Think about the people who you connected with. When you leave San Diego in late October, those people will continue to be a part of you. Remember the lessons they taught you. You will think about them each day. You will miss your memories. Your bonding. Your laughter.

And my gosh, you will miss the weather. Stop complaining about it being sunny and warm all. the. time. In September, you will be faced with a tough decision. As you find your purpose and decide to take a new route with your career, know that you are making the right choice to leave. And this will continue to be proven to you through the following months. Though you have to trade the palm trees, Pacific Ocean, and wonderful new friends for this opportunity to start a new business, you'll see these people again. And they will be the most supportive, loving, encouraging people during the journey you embark on.

But, most importantly of all, just remember the way San Diego makes you feel. That feeling never changes. From the second you first visited, to the way you feel one year later just thinking about it. Remember that feeling and carry it with you everyday. That's the feeling of passion. That's the feeling of your soul belonging. That's the feeling that will continue to remind you what it feels like when you're aligned.

Continue to let that feeling guide you. Be around the people who ignite your spirit. Do the things that ignite your happiness. Serve the people who ignite your purpose. Live in the place that ignites your soul. Never settle. No matter how hard it can be sometimes, you know how your heart wants to live. Follow that.

2013: The Best Year Yet

2013 was the best year of my life. What's even crazier is that it followed the absolute worst year of my life. How does that happen? It's pretty phenomenal when I think about it. When I think about the way life works.

Life, the Universe, God, whatever you want to call it… hands us events and circumstances when we least expect them. Some of these events shape us, some completely change our life, and some leave us never to be the same again. The events that took place last year left scars that will forever remain a part of me. They caused me to change the way I live, the way I think, the way I make decisions, and the way I am.

2013 was the year I learned to say "no" to others. To do only what was true to myself. To honor my being. To stop pretending. To stop chasing. To stop settling.

2013 was the year I learned to say "yes" to myself. To give myself the go-ahead. To encourage myself. To go after my dreams like there was no tomorrow.

I think I may always look back at 2013 in awe, pleasantly surprised by all the beautiful, new moments that found their way into my life in such a short period of time. Proof that life really does unfold naturally, organically, and perfectly the way it is meant to when you live a life in harmony with your true purpose.

San Diego was the most gorgeous setting I could have asked for during this period of self-reflection. It inspired me, lifted me, and propelled me out into the big, endless, adventurous, exciting world that was always surrounding me, just waiting to be discovered. And as this year comes to a close, I can say with confidence that my time in San Diego is not over ;)

My journey is still just getting started, despite it being the end of one year and the beginning of another. All of our years are connected. They fluidly roll like the ocean's waves, one into another and so on. And at the end, we have one vast, beautiful body of water to look out to. Each year brings in new sets of waves, new currents, new freshness. Some years are spent surfing the waves and others are spent paddling back out in preparation for a new set that will take us even further.

I'm ready. Are you?

Happy New Year! Sending love and wishes for health and happiness to you all!

My San Diego Year in Review

So much can happen in a year. So much. That is one thing I know to be true in this life. Last year on today's date, December 5th, I arrived in San Diego after driving three and a half days from Virginia. One year later, and here I am, homesick for California as I live the gypsy life (Just kidding. Kind of.) bouncing all over the Eastern seaboard while I work on my life coaching certification. A lot has happened since I arrived in San Diego last year. A lot.

Let's take a trip down San Diego Memory lane, shall we? I've picked out a few main events during the past year. Click whatever tickles your fancy and enjoy the ride :)

I finally made it to my dream city and wrote an early move reflection.

But some days are harder than others. A lot harder.

Luckily, randomly running into this guy put a giddy grin on my face. (GO NATIONALS!)

I dated a guy who taught me one of life's raddest lessons!

I spent my birthday in my favorite little town, Laguna Beach.

I grieved my mother's death after one year.

And gladly chopped my hair off in her honor!

I played tour guide when someone very dear to me came to visit.

Had my first-ever official show for my jewelry line (that I am not currently selling)

Spent a blogger friend's birthday in the desert & had a Palm Springs girls weekend!

Went to the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach!

I made a trip up to Los Angeles to see Dane Cook & eat yummy vegan food!

Here's a glimpse into My California Home.

And lastly, a montage of My San Diego Story.

It was the greatest year of my life thus far and these posts begin to explain just why. Live your dreams, my friends, and be open to all the wonderful opportunities that are out there just waiting for you.

Step out into the World

One year ago yesterday was the day I left the East Coast for my new home in San Diego. San Diego was the greatest adventure of my life thus far. It was full of exploring.

Exploring my way through life.

I explored places and neighborhoods and foods and drinks, and through all of those things, I met people who have forever changed my life.

Quitting my job, packing up, and moving all the way across the continent to a state where I had only a few acquaintances was one of the biggest risks I have ever taken. But it was worth every second. It was worth every night I found myself in tears because of job woes or the baby black widows that took over all of my windows (yep!) It was worth every awkward first date to find out what I really desired in a partner and every hot 90 degree Summer night with no A/C. Everything that happened to me in San Diego, challenged me. Whether it was good or it was bad, it challenged me and tested me and showed me my true self.

I was checking more things off my bucket list in a matter of months than I had in most years of my life. I found the true meaning and feeling of happiness. Finally.

But I think you all know those things by now, if you've been reading for a while.

The point of this post is to reach out to those of you who are searching for that fire in your soul. You're longing for it to ignite but need something to set it all on fire. I know you're out there. Shoot, maybe you're reading this and didn't even realize until now that you're still looking for that fire within. Here's my advice to you…

Go.
Do.
Step out into the world.

What ever it is that's been tugging at your heart (for me, it was moving to San Diego) go and do it! Don't put it off. Life is too short. The time is now to LIVE. What ever it is, no matter how out there it may seem, take the first step now.

The greatest gift you can give yourself is finding and loving yourself. And it's often a lot easier said than done. So, stop caring what other people think. Do this for you. Step outside of your comfort zone. Push your own limits. Because I guarantee you, if you go full throttle and don't look back, you'll blow your own mind.

:)

Driving Cross Country: California & Arizona

One of the greatest recommendations I could give someone is to drive cross country. At least once. I've now done it four times and I can honestly say, I've appreciated it more and more each time. Maybe it's because I'm different. I'm older. I've learned. I've lived. And each trip cross country was made for a different reason.

But the way it feels to drive from one state into another. From one time zone into another. To cross the Continental Divide. To enter the territory of Native American Tribes. To look several hundred feet to your left and see another country. To watch the temperatures change. And my favorite - to watch the landscape of this country grow and twist and shift. The colors, the textures. I can't even put it into words.

Cross country trips are exhausting. Physically and mentally. But, even after the thousands of miles, gas station/truck stops, traveling with a cat (that I'm allergic to!), checking in and checking out of hotels, seeing two horrific truck accidents, and drinking two V8s for dinner because there's nothing else to eat/drink, I wouldn't have traded it for the world.

The drive from San Diego to the Arizona border is one of my favorite legs of the trip. You wind through the mountain range [okay, so the lack of guardrails did not make me the happiest driver] and then as soon as you come out of the mountains, boom... it's pure desert. I love the desert. It was at this point that I took my hands off the wheel [and may or may not have crossed my arms at one point] because it's literally a straight drive along the 8. You look to the right and see the black wall that separates the U.S. from Mexico. You look to the left and see the beautiful, pure sand dunes. No one else is on the road. It's just you, the road, the blue sky, and pretty sand!

Oh, and there was also a hay fire. Naturally, as soon as I saw the smoke from far away, I shrieked, "Is that a tornado?!" It's to be expected coming from the girl with recurring tornado nightmares. It was instead a horrible hay fire.

The first stop was just across the border in Yuma, AZ. A town where the super friendly gas station worker said the employment rate is so high he's just lucky to have a job. Another reason why I love driving cross country. The people you encounter. Their stories. Their communities.

After getting back into the car with my Arizona iced tea [when in Arizona, do as the Zonies do] reality started to sink in. I said to my cat, "Stella, I have a feeling we're not in California anymore." The sun started to set as we approached Phoenix. Looking in the rearview mirror at the jagged mountains pressed against the orange sky... it's heavenly. The Border Patrol officers and their adorable dog weren't a bad addition to the already gorgeous surroundings. Just saying...

We got a late start to the trip [I mean, did you see all of those boxes in yesterday's post?!] so Phoenix was the stopping point for Day One. I slept for about two hours that night due to Stella going haywire in the hotel room after being pent up all day and staying up to read. I'm crazy, I know. But Day Two was going to be the day I most looked forward to!

The drive through Arizona is a long one because you drive halfway across, all the way up, and then halfway across the other side. However, Arizona HAS to be one of the most naturally astonishing states. You start with the desert, get up into the mountains, then hit beautiful Sedona, into Flagstaff, and then level out into the old, sleepy historical towns such as Winslow, Arizona.

We took a quick trip off the road to drive to the 50,000 year old Meteor Crater. We didn't pay to get the tour but it was still so interesting to drive to the top of the crater! The picture below doesn't do it justice. I loved the drive from the crater back onto the freeway. Nothing but nature!

The final stop in Arizona was in Winslow! I totally recommend stopping in this tiny, tiny town. It's a blast from the past [it was right along Historic Route 66.] Winslow is best-known for being mentioned in The Eagles' song, "Take It Easy."

"Well, I'm standin' on a corner

In Winslow, Arizona..."

That song just so happened to come on my Pandora station during the trip :)

Well, that's it for California and Arizona! To read about and see pictures from my trip through Arizona last year, check out the post here. Stay tuned for the highlight of my trip...

Peace Out, California Love

I can't believe I used to live in San Diego. I can't believe it's a thing of the past. A story to tell. Memories that I made.

Last Monday, I drove away from my house in San Diego and headed East toward my new journey. Soon, I'll share some pictures and stories during the cross country trek but for now, here are some memories from a few of my last moments in SD.

Wonderland. The most perfect place on Earth.

Wonderland is an "ocean pub" in OB that has the most stellar view in all of San Diego, if you ask me. Some people like their fancy schmancy places. I prefer a laid-back, fun environment like this one. This place is so cool that they even do a nightly "sunset toast" and on this night in particular, we toasted to the mermaids. Sigh.

I will miss Wonderland, OB, and this view.

It's no secret by now that OB [Ocean Beach] was my favorite spot in San Diego. It's edgy, eclectic, and has my favorite sunset at the Pier. So, I had to make a few more stops prior to leaving. OB also has the best spot for tacos! South Beach Grille.

I had my first and last California bonfire [until I go back!] My friends kept asking me what I didn't get to check off my list while living there and having a bonfire on the beach was one of them! So, a wonderful farewell bonfire was had and it was everything I dreamt of and more :)

I had never felt so torn leaving a city before. I invested so much of my heart and soul into San Diego. I had no idea that the Universe would have other plans for me. I left San Diego with so many wonderful, everlasting memories and friendships. San Diego helped me realize what I need in my life and what kind of people I want to be surrounded by. The pictures above encompass all of those things.

Until next time, San Diego.

World Peace & California Love.

Always.

My San Diego Story: A Montage

A couple days ago, as I started packing up my place in San Diego, and saying my sad goodbyes, I started looking back on the months and months worth of pictures I had taken during my journey in Southern California. I wanted to document the joy, lessons, friendship and everlasting memories that this wonderful beach city has brought into my life. Join me while I look back :)

Song: "I Lived" by OneRepublic

Thank you, San Diego and Southern California for the most memorable journey.

I lived :)

Follow me on Instagram [@chelseasunset] to see my journey cross country as it unfolds, starting today!

What I Will Miss About California

The people:

I think it goes without saying that people in California and Southern California specifically are, well, different. I will miss these people. The laid back, beachy, anything goes, but I still have a valid, educated opinion attitude. I hope that I find a similar crowd of like-minded people in DC but I'm skeptical. I truly think this is the thing I'll miss most about living here. I always felt at home. I felt welcome. I felt like finding myself was encouraged here. I never had to fit inside a box. Some of the world's most open, loving, and accepting minds are in San Diego. And, because of them, I can honestly say, my life has been forever changed.

The views:

I moved to San Diego because of its pure, natural beauty. The ocean, the valleys, the mountains, the city. We have everything here. Even after every sunset I saw, the next one was even more captivating. Nature inspired me more than ever here in San Diego. I was inspired by the palm trees cast upon stark blue skies just as much as I was inspired by the colder January months accompanied by the chilly bay breeze. 

The food:

San Diego is known for its Mexican food and I have to say, San Diego also knows how to do sushi better than any place I've been. I branched out a lot in California and tried a great variety of restaurants, even before I went vegan. I was opened up to a whole new world and I have been inspired to find new cuisine and restaurants in DC that I love equally as much!

The neighborhoods:

SD was also the first city where I really branched out of my social/dating circle. I got to see all parts of San Diego County. The DC area is even more spread out so it really takes a lot to get to know all parts of town. Being in San Diego, it didn't take much to understand the vibes of each neighborhood. Little Italy differed from Hillcrest and that differed from La Jolla, Coronado, Gaslamp, Mission Bay, etc.

The fashion:

I never knew I'd miss guys wearing black socks with Vans so much. It goes without saying that California fashion differs from the rest of the world. Fashion trends are born here and, sadly, many never make it around to the rest of the world. I am going to miss men wearing tank tops. Who knew?

The breweries:

I learned more about beer in the one year of living in SD than in all my other years of living. Craft beer is a culture and SD knows what's up. I will always be partial to Ballast Point but so many of the other local breweries (Stone, Coronado, Green Flash, etc.) will always be my favorites. It is SUCH a unique city to live in for this very reason.

The slang:

In San Diego, I never was judged for saying words such as, "Dude," "Wonky" and "Homie" all the time. I can see why that is not going to fly in the streets of Georgetown. Doesn't mean I'm going to change the way I speak...!

The pace of life:

I grew up in the most political and governmental city in the world. It's no wonder I moved to carefree California. Meeting so many native San Diegans who literally just went with the flow and took life as it came, helped "mellow" me out (another word we San Diegans use a lot.) I promise myself I will keep this pace of life as I go onward, never getting stuck in the crazy DC hustle and bustle. 

I think that no matter where we live, we can create and thrive in the environment best for us. Don't listen to what others tell you is "right" or "in your best interest" for you and your career. Just do what feels most in-tune to your nature and your path. Find the people in your city who will lift and support you. Most importantly, create a life that lifts and supports your own goals. I will never live a life that doesn't support my true self ever again.

When One Door Closes

I am about to embark on a new journey. At the beginning of December 2012, I made the trek from Virginia to California to my new home, San Diego. I "knew" a couple people through blogging and had some memories here as my brother called this same city home for a few years, but that was it. It had been a dream of mine for nearly a decade. I quickly fell in love all over again with America's Finest City.

It was in San Diego that I learned to love myself. I learned to forgive myself. I learned to open up my heart again. I learned to try new things. I learned how to be completely uncomfortable. I learned how to conquer fears. I learned more about myself in almost a year than I had my whole life. I prefer the road less traveled and feel inside out and upside down when I'm on any path but that one. And the best part is, I've finally accepted that about myself. It's never felt so good to not only accept myself, all my quirks, flaws, and lessons to learn, but to love myself for them.

It's kind of like finding your own written signature. Growing up, you're taught how to write: How to hold the pencil, each letter of the alphabet, how to write your name, how to write in cursive, and then eventually, you start signing your name. In most cases, this signature of yours changes a bit throughout the years until you find something that really sticks. Then it's you, it's yours. That signature is you.

Well, throughout my life I was guided and taught. By my parents, my siblings, my friends, my mentors, and by life. About two years ago, when I was at a huge crossroad in my life, I found a counselor who, looking back, helped me create a breakthrough during the most painful part of my life thus far. She challenged me, listened to me, made me question things I had never thought about, and through our time together, I really woke the hell up. 

Aside from helping me develop my process of healing, she also helped me tremendously with starting to finding my purpose, something I had struggled with. Through some extensive journaling, exercises, and discussions about my Myers-Briggs Profile [INFJ!] I realized that I really had not been living to my truest potential, my truest calling, my truth! I played around with the idea of going into certain INFJ-appropriate professions since the event planning/marketing route just never felt very "me" despite my crazy attention for detail and need for having everything planned. However, those ideas never really panned out. I trusted that when it was right, it would come to me but, for the time being, I needed to move. I needed to stop putting off my dream to live in San Diego.

I moved to San Diego. With my cat, some belongings, and some memories already made in this new city of mine. I spent a great deal of time studying, reading, and in seminars about finding my purpose, my true potential, and living a life of positive vibes and energy. I was being given all the "life tools" I needed and finally developed my "signature." 

I started making some new friends, and met a dude who intrigued me, challenged me, and started to open my heart up for the first time in years. After applying for many jobs, I began an internship coordinating events in the surf industry, the industry I wanted to work in since I was little. I'm sure it sounds exhilarating, and don't get me wrong... working surf events really was a dream come true for me but I started to notice how out of harmony my life was becoming. "Work" started to consume my life. I was working about 60 hours a week. My runs through Balboa were no longer existent, I was getting sick, had no social life, and my meditations and reading practices I had established weren't happening anymore. There's a period on my blog back in April where all I seemed to write about was the importance of balance.

I realized the importance of living a life in harmony with your values, your dreams, and your purpose and this "internship that might turn into a full-time job" was taking top priority and, because of that, everything else started to shut down. Since this was a start-up company, taking a long time to start up, I decided that if I wasn't going to get paid, it was time to find something else. However, the company decided they could pay me but that didn't change the fact that if something doesn't feel right, it's not right. I suffered with insomnia and migraines for two weeks straight after I started getting paid. I felt so conflicted and uncomfortable working for this company. All the harmony I had worked so hard to instill within my heart felt like it was being ripped apart with a chainsaw.

Long story short, the Universe loves to teach me lessons the hard way. Mainly because I'm stubborn and that's the only way to really hand it to me. I knew deep in my soul that this was not the career path meant for me. I had known for some time. I knew where I should be headed instead but yet there I was, still working, not in harmony. The longer I worked for this ego-driven company, the more conflicted I felt. I knew I needed to leave. But then there was the worry of not having a paycheck. Well, like I said... the Universe always seems to handle the rest. I had been feeling pretty intuitive that something was going to happen on the job front and sure enough, one day, just as I was about to head home for the evening, my supervisor decided to show up and tell me the company is too in debt to afford me any longer. And that was that.

And it was in that moment that I felt my faith. I smiled, packed up my office, and left 5 minutes later, never to return again. I left, completely unaware of what was going to happen now but with total trust in the Universe. I remember saying that in my head as he delivered the news. I kept saying, "I know the Universe has a plan. I know it." I was relieved. I was at peace. I was happy to be on my way out the door that day KNOWING the Universe had a BETTER plan for me!

As soon as I got home, I shut the door and dropped to my knees in the middle of my living room and said, 

"Alright, Universe. Let's do this!" 

...to be continued.

Soaking Up All That's Around Me

I know that many of you know that big changes are happening over here in my life. And, yes, I've been pretty quiet about what exactly those changes are. I'll finally be talking about the next phase of my life starting next week.

For now, I'm in total limbo.

My intuition won't shut up lately and while I'm so grateful for having the gift of strong intuition, it sure keeps me up at night and wraps my thoughts around and around like an endless vine.

Life is so bittersweet and melancholy all at the same time right about now.

But it reminds me about the precious gift of life. And how we never truly know when a day will be our last. So, for now, while I soak up all the wonderful things around me, I challenge you to view the things around you differently too.

Today, this Friday, is the last one of its kind for me. 

Wonderland.

As I move forward, I work on being the best woman, the best sister, the best daughter, the best friend, the best colleague, the best mentor, the best girlfriend that I can be. Period. I just want to be a light. 

I am beyond grateful for all the gifts and lessons that I've been given to this day. They've helped me get where I am. I know without a doubt that the people who have been placed in my life, even if just for a moment or two, were placed there for a reason. I'm grateful for the ones who broke my heart, hurt my feelings, and let me down because they made me even more grateful for the people who never did. For the jobs that made me realize what I hate doing and for the apartments that made me realize how much stronger I am than my fears, well, take that.

Life is to be lived. And I think it goes without saying that I have lived one hell of a life thus far and I can't wait to see what the future holds. A huge thank you today to my family, friends, and the ever-so-amazing Universe for never giving up on my never-ending dreams.

My California Home

It's hard to believe this place has been mine for a year now. My home. In San Diego, California. This home has been full of blessings and challenges all at the same time. It's one of the greatest dreams I've ever had -- to live in San Diego. I'll never forget the feeling of having those keys in my hand for the first time. It was the start of my most important life journey.

In the Spring, I spent a lot of time out in my backyard. Below is the table where I photographed all of my jewelry for After Sunset. It's where I wrote many blog posts and applied for my job. It's where I was sitting when I received many texts that put such a big smile on my face and where I was sitting when the wonderful guy who took these pictures told me he was booking his flight to come visit.

This home is the place I'd return to after going for a run in Balboa, laying out on the sand in Mission, or watching the sunset at Tourmaline. It's the place where I felt a flood of emotions as my life here in San Diego really started to develop. It is the place where I spent countless nights writing, reading, Netflixing, crying, not sleeping, thinking, dreaming, achieving.

Stella settled in well and found one of her favorite spots to be on the little sliver above the clock on the wall. She and I really bonded here. She's been a part of my life for two and a half years now but here in San Diego was the first time it was ever really just the two of us. She sleeps by my side, at my toes, or above my head on the pillow each night and I wouldn't have it any other way.

This is also where cooking became a new hobby of mine. Baking has been something I've loved for years now, but I spent a lot of my time here trying new recipes which quickly turned into some of my favorites. It's where my lifestyle changed from pescetarian to plant-based vegan and where I've concocted the most delicious green smoothie elixirs ever.

And it's the place where I later found out, thanks to the medium my dad visited, where my mom comes to visit often. She's here with me and Stella. She's seen the challenges, heartbreaks, and pains that have come throughout the span of this year living out here on my own. She's seen the breakthroughs, successes, and happiness too.

When I signed my lease one year ago, I had no idea what was in store for me and my new life in San Diego. Looking back, I went through such an elaborate spectrum of emotions within these four walls. I've never been more scared, confused, enlightened, happy, and excited than I have been here.

This may not be the house I grew up in but it's the house where I grew.

All photography credit goes to the one and only Jonathon, one of the greatest lights throughout my life.

To see his portfolio, check out his website.

Visiting Old Hollywood

Growing up, it was no secret that I loved acting, Hollywood, and Marilyn Monroe. Just ask my college friends... my entire bathroom was Hollywood/Marilyn themed. I swear, my previous life was during the Old Hollywood glamour days. I'm absolutely sure of it. So, whenever I'm in Los Angeles, Grauman's Chinese Theatre (recently renamed to TCL Chinese Theatre) is a must!

Grauman's (it'll always be Grauman's to me) is home to nearly 200 Hollywood celebrity handprints, footprints, and autographs, hosted many movie premieres, as well as the Academy Awards back in the 1940s. (And, yes, I did do a project on this Theatre back in college. Just in case you were wondering.)

While the majority of visitors are bombarding the most recent additions, (this time it was Harry Potter and Twilight. Seriously?) I spend my time over where the classic Hollywood stars are, starting with my girl, Marilyn.

One: 2006 | Two: 2013

I find it quite funny that this was for Gentlemen Prefer Blondes :)

Then, I had to go visit some of my other old friends!

Cary Grant was such a dreamboat and I'll never forget my mom's love of Doris Day. Growing up, I remember her always singing Que Sera Sera to me, a song that's so special to me today :)

There's always something so magical in the air when you're in Hollywood. Again, maybe it's just all that deja vu from my past lifetime, but it's such a special place for me to visit. Knowing all the history there. All the dreams. All the monumental moments. How wonderful it would be to take a step back into time and walk Hollywood Blvd in the early 1950s...

Have you been to Grauman's before? Who's your favorite person to go visit?

Being Vegan in L.A.

...is the best. When I was vegan on the East Coast, I got those weird looks when someone found out. San Diego is pretty vegan-friendly (Thanks, California) so I love that servers in restaurants actually give me awesome vegan substitutes and suggestions when ordering off their menus. But L.A. has a plethora of straight up vegan restaurants. On Saturday, I decided on only two after doing some extensive research and Yelping.

For lunch, we went to M Cafe de Chaya off Melrose. Awesome, clean, bright vibe immediately upon entering as I was greeted with a smile, which is always nice! I had looked at the menu already online so I had a general idea of what I might order. I decided to take a gander at what they had behind the display glass. And let me tell you... I saw vegan sushi and desserts galore. Hold me back!

After asking for a recommendation (and seeing those Yelp pictures) I went with the Macro Burger which also came with the freshest, most delicious sweet potato fries I have ever had. Ever. And that sauce? My mouth is watering. Here's the description of the delicious burger in case you're not already hungry: house-made whole grain brown rice & vegetable patty, special sauce, lettuce, soy mozzarella, tomato, pickles, onion, and alfalfa sprouts on a toasted whole wheat bun. I've had a lot of veggie burgers in my day and this was... the best! Hands down.

To top it off, I also had the choice of which green tea or lemonade I wanted. I went with the most popular choice, the watermelon mint lemonade! Are you kidding me? Talk about refreshing! Angels were singing after my first sip. I wanted so badly to try one of their green juices but I had plans for later... And I was pretty full after that meal!

After spending the afternoon in Hollywood, there was one more vegan stop I had to make before heading Downtown for Dane's show. Ladies and gentlemen, Cafe Gratitude! I had seen this place all over Instagram thanks to some of my fellow green juice junkies and enough was enough, I had to try it for myself! There are four locations in California and we went to the L.A. location, on Larchmont Blvd. This building is absolutely gorgeous. I didn't get a photo of the entire outside, but I was able to find a beautiful image that a photographer captured.

[photo credit]

We were seated out on the eclectic deck where our server greeted us with the "Question of the Day." I was in love already. Another reason why vegan, raw foodies put the biggest smile on my face. So, the question for us to ponder was:

"What are you overcoming?"

I wish you could have seen how bright-eyed I got in that moment. My mind was flooded with thoughts and ideas of things that I was currently (and still am) overcoming, as life had quickly taken a turn recently.

After we ordered, I just started to take it all in. I looked inside where I saw the chalkboard with the question written on it. I looked at the other patrons on the deck; some with their dogs, some with friends, some with dates. I noticed the pretty lipstick shades the two ladies next to me were rocking and the fun outfit of another girl nearby. There I was, in the middle of the City of Angels. A city so large with people from all walks of life. There's truly something for everyone there and I found my place. In those moments, as the sun sunk down into the California horizon and I excitedly anticipated my order, I felt at home.

It's crazy how you can find "home" in so many different cities. But not every city.

Certain cities speak to certain souls.

Finally, the drink I had been talking about for days arrived for me at my table. And again, angels sang. He got the Marvelous (I think) and I got the Cool. (The way the menu works is that each item is named a different adjective and it starts with I Am... So, when you order you say: "I Am Cool.") Pretty fancy, huh? :)

This delicious treat that I had been dreaming about was a mint chocolate chip milkshake with Vitamineral green and raw cacao nibs (100% raw, vegan, and delicious of course!) I loved how the mint was REAL mint, not the mint syrup you get at most other places. It was so absolutely tasty that I tried my best not to inhale it but, well, you know how that goes...

Sigh. I am grateful for Cafe Gratitude and their positive vibes all around. Even their vintage milk jars filled with water with the words "Love & Gratitude" etched into them were a beautiful added touch.

Moral of the story: I can't wait to live in Los Angeles. Job well done.