DESERT ROAD TRIP

One of the best things about living in Los Angeles, is living in a year round vacation destination. There is so much variety within such close distances, that it's definitely a must to get out on spontaneous weekend getaways.

We took my little Piccolo out for his first road trip, and got the chance to explore Joshua Tree National Park. Yes, Joshua tree in the middle of June might not be an ideally timed vacation destination, but we had most of the park to ourselves in the 110 degree heat. Fearing the inferno that would descend upon us at noon, I was actually motivated to wake up early and get to the park when it opened. Initally, we stopped at almost every rock and tree, breathtaking as they were. Each one begged to be photographed and captured in all of its stark desert glory. After about an hour, we started to become a bit more picky for which boulders and trees deserved their glamour shots. 

Lately it seems like Joshua tree has become the must see destination for perfect instagrams, yet the park proved even more impressive than any photograph can capture. The gigantic boulders dotting the arid landscape felt other worldly, the subtle colors of the desert creating perfect photo backdrops. The road that took us through the park had several highlights that were especially picture perfect, but even the drive through the lone flats was breathtaking.

Something about this wild west desert scenery took me back to the original cross country road trip I took almost thirteen years ago. The national park's desert splendor reminded me of the other national parks we saw driving through Utah and Arizona, on the way to Rhode Island. Driving through Joshua Tree somehow made me forget all about the cares of modern life, about my current life in LA and my beautiful condo. I was transported to simpler times, to the journey to the opposite coast at the innocent age of 23, all on my own. I remembered the freedom of leaving LA, of driving 3000 miles to start grad school, not knowing who I would meet or what experiences that would bring. And, this feeling reignited a wanderlust for new explorations, of getting out of adult comfort zones, and trying to relive life with that sense of spontaneity and adventure.

MIA

Wow, can't believe I have been MIA for so long! This year has definitely been a pretty crazy time with a lot of life changes. A big announcement is coming soon, but for now wanted to catch up with a few recent trips that I didn't get the chance to share. From our impromptu Joshua Tree weekend road trip, to a visit to Unique LA's recent summer sale, I have been busy photographing if not always posting. I also got a new Canon camera, so am practicing with all of its fancy new settings.

Glad to have a moment to breathe and post a few recent favorites on the blog, a moment of quiet before my next adventure starts.

A NEW DAY

Finally got the chance to try out my new camera in a beautiful setting, the Korakia Pensionne. Stay tuned for more stories from our weekend getaway. Such an inspired and magical setting, especially so in the unusually rain soaked Palm Springs. 

KORAKIA NIGHTFALL

I really couldn't get enough of photographing this charming Bed & Breakfast. I had read about this Palm Springs oasis (inspired by a Moroccan villa) on several blogs, and finally got the chance to visit.

It's definitely a romantic destination (no kids allowed) that embraces the luxury of peace & quiet. The two pools are intimately situated among Mediterranean style courtyards. I wish we had splurged for a suite, but all of the rooms were quirky with a vintage Moroccan vibe.

The grounds, the gates, the Moroccan furniture and the details really transported us to another time and another place. Only 2 hours from LA, I felt like I was back in Morocco, lounging in a bohemian courtyard enjoying a retreat from hustle and bustle of the city. I wanted to capture the beauty of this desert oasis with my new camera, as truly every moment begged to be captured. So many gorgeous details, whether rain soaked or under the morning sun, were perfectly styled to create such a bohemian vibe.

Our first evening was especially pretty. The rain had just stopped, and the lanterns glowed in the lavendar twilight. It was the perfect time to sit around the courtyard bonfire and relax with friends in this magical setting.

MOROCCAN BLISS

As Travel & Leisure wrote, "Korakia is an oasis within an Oasis that is Palm Springs."

Once you walk through the front gates at Korakia, you'll feel like you've traveled to a magical place...think Greece meets Spain meets Morocco. Korakia has a wide range of rooms to choose from and the breakfast is prepared to order every morning. This is the most charming, unique and relaxing little property in Southern California. Korakia provides the ultimate relaxation -- quiet pool side luxury in their intimate, vine-covered courtyards.

It truly is a Mediterranean style escape. The website promises, "Korakia Pensione offers a unique and relaxing getaway from day to day reality. Crafted after a Mediterranean-style pension, Korakia blends the silhouette of Tangier with a whisper of the Mediterranean. Lanterns and fire-pits flicker, illuminating the heated pools at night. Classic and foreign films glimmer on a nearby screen. A Moroccan daybed beckons for stargazing. Nightly turn-downs are done in the European tradition." Hope to be back soon!