If you read my recent blog post about all the emotions I’ve felt lately while trying to get pregnant, then you probably recognize that some time away in a new place is what my husband and I needed to recharge our spirits.
We just returned home from visiting my brother and sister-in-law in California, where we spent a week soaking up some much-needed sunshine — it literally snowed in North Carolina the day I flew out here … in March … insert side-eye emoji — and being super touristy.
This was my husband’s first time on the West Coast, so we had to hit up the essential LA tourist hotspots.
As soon as we arrived, my brother (also known as our tour guide) took us to Hollywood Boulevard and to see the Hollywood Sign.
Naturally, I had to pose with Walt Disney’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Fun Fact: Even though we were in Anaheim during the first part of our vacation and I am a HUGE Disney fan, we did not go to Disneyland. That sh*t is way too expensive right now as we’re trying to buy a house. Sorry, Walt.
“All happiness.”
I have put my hands inside Judy Garland’s handprints every time I have gone to Hollywood.
Fun Fact: My first visit to California was in 2007 when I was 17.
Justin and I spent our second day in Los Angeles exploring Santa Monica.
We enjoyed lunch on the pier at Mariasol, which served delicious Mexican cuisine.
Obviously.
After lunch, we walked to the end of the historic pier where people were fishing.
I will forever be thankful for fellow tourists who see you trying to take a selfie and offer to take the photo for you.
Look at how cute this little guy (or girl … IDK) is.
This is my obligatory photo of myself gazing off toward the distance.
Don’t worry, there’s more.
The water at Santa Monica was FREEZING. I can’t believe there were people actually playing and swimming in it.
Hi, husband! Even though it was chilly, he was very excited to dip his toes in the Pacific Ocean.
After Santa Monica, we ventured to Downtown LA so I could check something off my travel bucket list.
A visit to The Last Bookstore was a must. It is California’s largest used and new book and record store, and it has all sorts of quirky character. Just my style.
You can literally get lost in this place.
We took the next day off from sightseeing, but that night we had dinner at The Magic Castle, a private dinner club for members and their invited guests.
My brother was able to score an invitation for us from a friend who is a member.
This evening was probably one of the highlights of our trip. It was such a unique experience, and Justin and I thoroughly enjoyed every magic show we saw. Plus, it felt good to get dressed up and have a double date with my brother and sister-in-law. Since they live on the opposite side of the country, we don’t get to see them often.
For our last full day, we drove to Venice beach, which my husband wasn’t all that impressed with.
It was cold and foggy that morning, and Venice was just … dirty.
At one point, I had to pee so badly that I resorted to using one of the public restrooms on the beach. If you’ve ever been to Venice, you know how filthy these can be. Plus, most of the doors don’t have locks, so it’s highly likely that someone is going to fling the door open while you’re taking care of business.
And the best part is, I almost dropped my phone in the toilet.
Let’s just say, all sorts of explicative, NSFW language was coming out of my mouth as I watched my phone fly through the air. It all happened in slow motion, but it was as if my hands wouldn’t work fast enough to catch my phone before it hit anything that would require me to disinfect the device with straight bleach.
Thank God I caught it, though.
Honestly, if it had fallen into the toilet, I would have just left it there. Like, bye, I don’t need you anymore.
However, Venice was great for people watching.
After Venice, we headed to Beverly Hills.
Does anyone else have Weezer’s “Beverly Hills” stuck in their head? No? Just me? K, cool.
Beverly Hills … That’s where I want to be (Gimme Gimme)
Living in Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills … Rolling like a celebrity (Gimme Gimme)
Living in Beverly Hills
OK, so the story behind this lovely (and embarrassing) picture is simple.
I am obsessed with the movie “Troop Beverly Hills,” and I wanted to recreate the iconic scene of Phyllis and Hannah dancing in the grass.
Nailed it.
After acting a fool in front of the BH sign, I treated myself to a cupcake at the Sprinkles Cupcake ATM. What???
I swear, they have everything in Cali.
Shoutout to my husband for taking these (unprompted) photos of me using the cupcake ATM. He’s the real MVP.
It’s lemon, if you’re wondering.
Rodeo (pronounced like the cattle herding sport, according to my hubby) Drive.
For our last night, we had another double date with my brother and sister-in-law.
This time, we ate delicious Korean Barbecue. The meats are grilled on an open flame directly at the table, which makes for a fun (and different) experience if you’re not used to it. Like me … I’m not used to it.
Southern sunsets are some of the best I’ve ever seen.
Traveling is great, but there’s nothing like coming home. We were ready to get back to Charlotte to see our pups (and demonic cat) and start looking for a new house.
The next few weeks are going to be super busy for us as we start this next chapter of our life together and (hopefully) become homeowners. Wish us luck, because the housing market here in Charlotte is cut throat right now — houses are going on the market and within a few hours they have multiple offers on them. Yikes!
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