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EXPLORING LOS ANGELES | MY FIRST TASTE OF AMERICA

I was lucky enough to be going on a trip of a lifetime with my family in September/October 2015. This wouldn't be your typical relaxing by the pool with a cocktail in hand kind of trip, but instead would include hours of traveling, going to sleep extremely late and waking up extremely early to cram in what we could each day. After two flights lasting a total of 12 hours, we finally arrived in the 'city of dreams' : Los Angeles. We arrived late at night, picked up our hire car and drove to our hotel.

We stayed in the Best Western Sunset Plaza Hotel (Hotel Website Here) for three nights. The hotel was absolutely perfect for our short stay with big spacious rooms, comfy beds, and doors leading directly onto the pool. Breakfast was included and was incredible; every morning consisting of pancakes and lucky charms. The staff were also incredibly friendly and helpful throughout our entire stay. Another added bonus being the free wi-fi also! I would highly recommend staying here as the over all vibe is very relaxed and quiet, yet the hotel itself is situated right on sunset boulevard, making it in close proximity to pretty much everything!

I visited from the 17th - 20th of September. The weather was gorgeous with blue skies and constant sunshine. However, it was ridiculously hot which made being a tourist doing a lot of walking around very very difficult. If you go at this time of year i'd make sure you pack all your summer clothes and carry round water and suncream everywhere with you! While we were there we wanted to cram in as much as we could, making sure everyone within the group got to do at least one thing they really wanted to. Due to being there for such a short time it was more of a 'taster'.

Day 1 On our first day we enjoyed an amazing breakfast and then headed to Beverly Hills Mall, had a little shop about, and then walked through Rodeo Drive. Rodeo Drive is one of the most photogenic looking places i have ever been too. Palm trees everywhere, fancy cars etc. It is such a surreal place. After having a quick walk through, we then drove down to Venice Beach. Venice Beach is everything you expect it to be; beautiful, relaxed, and incredible. We walked along the shore line enjoying the beach itself and then walked through little stalls and shops on the beach picking up some trinkets! Then of course we checked out the 'muscle beach' part which didn't disappoint either. The over all vibe at Venice Beach is just so cool and i loved it there. Later in the evening we then drove to the famous 'Bob's Big Boy' to get one of their signature burgers and also attended the vintage car show that was going on there.

Day 2 On the second day we hung out a little around the pool in the morning, and then embarked on what seemed would be a quick walk to Hollywood Boulevard. How terribly wrong we were. It took us around an hour to walk as we kept having to make rest stops due to how tired out the heat made us.  But eventually we got there and were able to see what the most touristy part of LA had to offer. It was extremely busy and the heat didn't help. Over all i really enjoyed completing the Walk of Fame and it's another thing i can tick off my bucket list! We then went into the Hollywood Mall, and the view point to the Hollywood sign. Hollywood is such a surreal place, everything really does look like it came from a movie and is just so extravagant. After visiting Hollywood Boulevard we went back to the hotel to freshen up and then headed back down to Venice Beach for dinner. We went to C&O Trattoria by the Venice Pier (Restaurant Website Here), featuring an Italian cuisine that is just unforgettable. The restaurant is well known for it's 'killer garlic rolls' which definitely lived up to their reputation in being the nicest garlic rolls i've ever had in my eighteen years of living. This has to be one of the nicest restaurants i've been too; great food, great service, great atmosphere, and a unique decor. If you ever have the chance to go to Venice Beach and find yourself feeling peckish then this restaurant is a must.

Day 3 Our last day. We spent the morning packing our things and then relaxing around the pool for a little, before loading the cars up and checking out. We drove to Hollywood Boulevard and did some more shopping and went for a couple of drinks out of the heat. The time we spent at Hollywood Boulevard was short as we had a long drive through the desert ahead of us to get to our next stop: LAS VEGAS! (watch out for my Las Vegas post)

Thanks for reading! 

Jodie xx

WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS TO ME

Somehow it's that time of year again to drink gingerbread lattes constantly whilst trying to get through the never ending swarm of people to get your christmas shopping done for your loved ones. How fast has the year gone?!

What is the true meaning of Christmas? Christmas for me is about family and love. Giving and not always receiving. I think sometimes the meaning of Christmas can get lost and what it really is about. The best part of Christmas for me will always be seeing the smiles on other peoples faces (particularly when they are opening their gifts from me!) It's also about being that extra bit generous and helping others. Unfortunately today we live in world that isn't fair or always kind. There are a lot of people either spending christmas alone, or not fortunate enough in whatever way to enjoy christmas and have a smile on their face. For this reason i decided i wanted to give a little extra this christmas and help others who aren't as fortunate. I found out about a local organisation that encourages people to use old shoeboxes and fill them with small gifts that will then be donated to local people who are vulnerable or homeless. It's such a nice thing to do and isn't expensive! My nan also wanted to get involved so we arranged a day to go shopping and pick up some bits for the two shoeboxes we were going to make: a boy and a girl of the age of 5-6. Going of the suggestions the organisation had given us we went to places like Primark and pound shops to see what we could find. In the end we only spent £30 and managed to fill the boxes with so many things that we take for granted and some little treats! We also decorated the boxes with christmas wrapping paper, and the gifts were accompanied with a christmas card. Such a small and simple way of making other people smile this christmas!

If you are interested in producing your own or making up some little goodie bags to give out to those less fortunate near you, here are the items included in the ones i created:

- Shower gell
- Face cloth
- Hair brush
- Socks
- Hat & Gloves
- Fleece
- Toys
- Selection boxes
- Notebook & stationary
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Games

 I hope this post has given you some inspiration to do something extra this christmas & show love and kindness to others! 

☃ ☃ ☃ ☃ ☃ ☃ ☃ ☃ ☃ ☃ ☃

Thanks for reading, with love, Jodie x

FALL PICKS

It's getting to that time of year again here in the UK where you can wake up to blue skies and think that a cute skirt or dress may be the right decision, only to later regret that decision by becoming drenched in a sudden down pour and wishing you'd just stuck to jeans and a t-shirt. Here are a few pieces that i have been lusting over for the current ever changing weather, and the fall season.

The Denim Skirt - Perfect for the shift in temperature and those days that can be a mix of sunny and rainy. Due to its versatility it is a statement piece for this season. Style it with a cropped knit jumper on a slightly cooler autumn day with some black ankles boots, or with a crop top on a warmer day and some heels for a chic sophisticated look. Buy it here.

The Little Black Dress - For me a LBD is essential through out the year, but is most definitely my favourite staple piece for fall. As everybody knows black is always easy to style; keeping it monochrome with some white accessories or jacket, or adding a bold colour giving an interesting contrast. For those cooler days whats not to like about a simple black dress you can add a bit of colour too by adding a colourful bag or shoes. On a very cold day why not add more texture and an extra layer by throwing on a chunky knit on top or a faux suede tan jacket. Buy it here. 

The White Waistcoat - This is a perfect staple for the autumn transition. The clean white colour and sharp cut gives any outfit an elegant look, and is great for those days that are mild. If you require an effortless outfit that you can put together quickly but still look both smart and casual, then why not add this with some black jeans, a camisole, and some trainers. It gives you that extra layer you might need on those mild days, without having to wear a jacket that you will later regret wearing when it suddenly gets warmer. Buy it here.  

 

The Tailored Coat - A tailored black coat will forever be in style each fall. This particular coat with the added silver detailing of the buttons is very chic and timeless. It can be warn in so many ways; out for drinks on a cool evening? add this on top of a midi dress for an elegant look that actually keeps you warm! Keep it casual with ripped jeans a t-shirt and some trainers, or wear it with an auburn, mustard yellow, or beige dress for that autumnal feel and some knee high boots. The options are endless!  Not having it in your fall wardrobe is just... well, you get the point i'm trying to make. Buy it here.

Over The Knee - What's not to love about over the knee boots? Trust me. You need these in your fall wardrobe!!! Buy it here.

 

The Suede Skirt - It's no secret that suede is one of the biggest trends right now, and will continue to be through out the fall season. The trend inspired by 70's fashion in particular, gives a boho/hippy affect and whats not to like about that.  I love everything about this skirt. Pastel colours in fall?! This colour is perfect for the summer-autumn transition as it has elements of both: the brighter colours worn in summer but slightly more muted, and a thicker and more textured material often seen in fall fashion. On a sunny day that is slightly cool pair it with some ankle boots and a ribbed long sleeved crop top, continuing the boho vibes into fall. Buy it here.

The Chunky Knit - One of the most obvious pieces that should be in your fall wardrobe, but also perfect for transitioning. There's nothing I love more than wearing some vintage denim Levi's and a chunky knit, on a casual day with confusing weather. This outfit is the perfect representation of the transition from summer to autumn; autumn on top, summer on the bottom. Buy it here.

 

Faux Leather Leggings - A personal favourite. I love to wear them through out fall and winter to add a new texture to whatever look i'm sporting, and create more of a dynamic in various outfits. On a day when the weather makes it impossible to have your bare legs, yet not possible to wear a jacket, I like to wear these faux leather leggings with my favourite band t-shirt (Iron Maiden top available at Topshop) with some chunky boots for a grunge look, or the classic nude Pigalle 100's by Christian Louboutin for a more glamorous grunge look (if that's even a thing?!). For a more wintery day I would style them with an oversized white knit and tailored coat. Buy it here.

The cape - Basically a giant blanket to wrap yourself up in. I don't think you need to hear anything more than that to be convinced that it is a necessity for fall, but I shall give you a few ideas that could give you some inspiration. The great thing about capes is that they come in all different patterns and colours, so you have you a good variation to chose from. I love the dark plum colours that are often incorporated in make up through out fall, and I decided that this fall I wanted a statement piece of the same colour scheme. After searching through the internet I stumbled across this one and I couldn't love it more. The muted plummy/grey tones are great for someone like me who prefers to wear plain darker colours in comparison to brighter ones. I would wear this cape with a black high neck top tucked into a black leather skirt, and some black knee high boots.  Buy it here.

The leather Jacket - A leather jacket can do no wrong. I find myself living in mine until it is too cold to wear it without getting hypothermia. Leather Jackets will always be a staple piece to any wardrobe, as they can create a grunge look, or chic look and are incredibly easy to style as you can wear them with near enough anything. No matter what your personal style and preferences are, a leather jacket is a must.  Buy it here.

The Oversized Scarf - Now if you are someone like me who struggles to shy away from an all black outfit in the fall/winter months, then whats a better way to incorporate some of those autumnal shades like camel into your wardrobe. An oversized scarf works perfectly as a transition piece as you can usually get away with wearing it wrapped around you when it's a little chilly instead of having to wear a jacket that it is not yet cold enough for. And don't forget that it is pretty much an essential extra layer to keep warm if you don't want to freeze to death when the cold does kick in, in the UK. Buy it here.

 

The Perfect Ankle Boot - And for the last of my Fall Picks, of course it would be the perfect ankle boot. I think nearly everybody will view this to be a fashion essential. When those warm summer days fade into those rainy ones and you don't quite fancy having soaking wet feet, a pair of ankle boots are most definitely your answer. I guarantee you will not have them off your feet when the rainy days become permanent, gloomy, cold ones.    Buy it here.

If you managed to find the energy and will power to read this very long blog post without falling asleep or getting bored, then I'd like to congratulate you and hope you have gained some sort of inspiration for your transition/fall wardrobe! 

Thanks for reading & best wishes, 

Jodie x