mayanrocks.com » travel
Innings Festival.
Tuesday, November 7, 2023

innings festival 2024

Phantogram, Hozier, and Young the Giant??? Yes, please.

WastedYou tell the truth when you could’ve liedAnd troubles are on the rise ’cause you’re in disguise, ohAnd if it isn’t meThen pack your bags and leave

I couldn’t utter my love when it counted
Ah, but I’m singing like a bird ’bout it now

Oh girl, I’ve got that silvertongue
Got, got that silver, silvertongue
Drives you into delirium
Got, got, that silver, got that silvertongue like

PNW.
Monday, November 6, 2023

Deane, Sarah and I haven’t vacationed together since we went to Portland nearly seven years ago! Sarah has since moved to Seattle, so Deane and I are planning to visit her and  further explore the pacific northwest. I asked Sarah if she lives by the waving bear farm, and she said we could totally go there! I think the bears might be hibernating for the winter, so we might have to visit in the spring LOL. I just google mapped the farm and it’s actually a couple hours away from Seattle. Is this like when my mom asks me to get her potato balls from Porto’s because she thinks any place in LA is close to me???

Jingle Ball.
Sunday, October 29, 2023

jingle ball nyc 2023

New York in December, anyone???

Bathing Suit Bottom.
Thursday, October 26, 2023

chat

On our flight home from Hawaii once, I accidentally tucked the back of my dress into my chonies after using the airplane bathroom, and when I walked back to my seat, Shi untucked my dress and was like, “We can see your underwear!” and I was like, “It’s a bathing suit bottom!” Fifteen years later, they won’t let me forget it.

Also, I never know where we parked the car or where anything is since I never put things back in their place. My sister’s husband is always like, “How were you two raised in the same household???” 😅

Limit.
Monday, September 25, 2023

When someone asks me what my limit is for an *NSYNC concert (it’s $1,000 for Beyoncé):

mean girls - the limit does not exist gif

chat

Be More Pacific.
Saturday, September 23, 2023

I love Filipino Kare Kare, and this restaurant makes it with BRISKET. I have to try it! BRB, looking up flights to Houston.

Pineapple Cup.
Monday, September 11, 2023

starbucks hawaii pineapple cup

Pammie is home from Hawaii, and she brought me back an exclusive tumblr from Starbucks (that I had before but accidentally cracked one day) and a tiny replica cup because she knows I like miniature things 😆

I’m back at my sister’s house, so now I can referee fights between her and her husband instead of my parents 😅 JK, anytime anyone is fighting, I just pretend I’m sleeping LOL 😴

pretend sleeping gif

Cronut.
Monday, August 28, 2023

cronut

I went to Vegas partly because I needed a change of scenery, but mostly because I had to try August’s cronut flavor of the month (@ Dominique Ansel Las Vegas)

Parking at Caesars was $25, so this donut cost over $30, but it was worth it 😋

Queen B.
Sunday, August 27, 2023

Our club level tickets gave us access to the Twitch lounge. I paid more to see Beyoncé at Dodger Stadium, and these tickets came with so much more. We had private food vendors, a private bar and private bathrooms! Our seats were even padded. Love the Allegiant. Can’t believe the fucking Raiders have such a nice ass stadium.

Queen B was so good! I might have to go to her birthday show in LA next week. Except I felt severely underdressed at this show in Vegas. I’ll be prepared and dress up next time. I’ll wear thigh high silver boots more than once, right? 😜 My work has a suite at SoFi, too, but I doubt they’d let me use it! My coworkers used the suite for a Rams game once, but parking was $100 🤯

beyonce renaissance tour

This is my third Beyoncé concert, and def not my last! Should I start planning my Doja Cat show outfit now??? 😸

Sign.
Saturday, August 26, 2023

allegiant stadium

We saw this car and took it as a sign to buy Beyoncé tickets (@ Caesars Palace)

allegiant stadium

We out here ✌🏼 (@ Allegiant Stadium)

SAN → LAS.
Thursday, August 24, 2023

SAN → LAS

Vegas for the weekend ✌🏼

Tourist Things.
Saturday, August 19, 2023

yorkie

My parents are in France right now, and instead of sending us pics of delicious food they’re eating and beautiful sights they’re seeing, my mom is sending us pics of the dogs she’s meeting. This is my future LOL (JK, I’m already like this).

chat

Maui.
Wednesday, August 16, 2023

aloha

Hawaii is one of my favorite places to vacation, and I’m so saddened by the wildfires happening in Maui right now. Chel shared this google doc with links to directly help families that have been affected. Please donate if you can!

Cronuts.
Saturday, July 8, 2023

dominique ansel blueberry jam graham cracker cronut

I once went to Dominique Ansel Bakery in NYC, walked right in and some guy was like, “Ma’am, there’s a line” and I looked and there was a whole ass line outside the bakery 🤣 I guess I wasn’t the only one who wanted a cronut 20 years ago! When I saw there was a Dominique Ansel inside Caesars Palace, I had to brave the 105° weather and go.

Their July cronut is blueberry jam with graham cracker ganache and it was sooo good! The best cronut I’ve had before this was at Kettle Glazed in Hollywood, but this one knocked it out of the park. I mean, Dominique Ansel invented the cronut

Sphere.
Thursday, July 6, 2023

msg sphere vegas

I have a view of the new MSG Sphere from my room at The Palazzo and it’s incredible! I’m def gonna come back and go to a show there.

Airport Fries.
Thursday, July 6, 2023

the counter

me: Are the fries at The Counter skinny or big?
Dennis: They’re skinny like you.
me: Skinny fries are my favorite! Okay I’m not gonna go to dinner with you guys when we get to Vegas. It’ll be after 9pm and I’ll be sleeping LOL. I’m just gonna grab something at the airport.
Dennis: I lied before. The Counter’s fries are big. Now you have to eat dinner with us!
me: Joke’s on you. I like ALL fries!

I love a good french fry, and Eater came out with The Top 10 French Fries in LA. I’ve been to 3/10 of those places (Majordomo, République, and Father’s Office). Anyone want to eat some french fries with me???

Vegas.
Wednesday, July 5, 2023

vegas flight

One last hurrah before I go back to work on Monday ✌🏼

In-Yun.
Monday, June 19, 2023

korean snack box

I didn’t know that liking your husband would hurt this much.

We watched a Korean movie (@ AMC La Jolla), and I got us some Korean snacks to eat while we cried. They even referenced one of my favorite movies, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. If you’ve never seen it, these two people erase each other from their memories after a painful breakup, and they still end up finding each other again. You can’t fight fate…

Jessie was off today for Juneteenth, so she invited us into her Korean world LOL. IDK guys, the Padres are opening next season against the Dodgers in South Korea, and she might go there solo and not come back ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Chi Town.
Wednesday, August 10, 2022

cheers

Cheers to a much needed mini vacay with Pammie and Donna! The last time we vacationed together was three years ago in Kauai, so this trip was long overdue!

downtown chicago

On Friday night, we missed our Nobu rooftop res because it took us 45 minutes to be driven 2 miles. Downtown Chicago traffic is no joke, especially during Lollapalooza weekend.

chicago booze box

We ended up at Booze Box, a secret bar in the basement of a sushi restaurant. Right when we walked in, this japanese lady pulled open a side gate and led us down some sketchy ass stairwell into the coolest little dive bar ever. The music, drinks and late night maki def hit the spot.

chicago river boat tour

I couldn’t go to Chicago without going on a river boat tour à la My Best Friend’s Wedding (that scene gets me every. damn. time.). While there was no slow dancing or tearful realizations, I honestly was so impressed by the beautiful architecture. The only other time I visited Chicago was over a decade ago for a weekend in the dead of winter. All I remember was that it was St. Paddy’s Day and they dyed the river green. It was too cold to really do anything back then. Even though it rained the day before I arrived this time, the weather was absolute perfection.

starbucks reserve roastery

starbucks reserve roastery

starbucks espresso martini flight

Coffee and vodka? Yes, please (@ Starbucks Reserve Roastery)

Later that day…

Donna: Why is my heart racing???
Me: Maybe it was that flight of espresso martinis you downed? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

nobu sushi

I’m that friend who only orders california rolls at sushi restaurants.

While Pammie and Donna enjoyed the (mostly raw) tasting menu at Nobu, I feasted on this glorious 28-day dry-aged prime ribeye.

nobu sashimi salad

nobu miso black cod

nobu sushi

If my A5 wagyu isn’t prepared this dramatically, I don’t want it.

nobu wagyu

nobu whisky cappuccino

The best thing I ate at Nobu (and possibly my entire life) was this whisky cappuccino dessert. Holy shit, you guys. Once that whisky foam hit my lips, I left my body, floated up to heaven, saw my grandparents, came back down, and finished off the remaining layers of espresso gelato, toasted cinnamon crunch and cardamom cream. Their recipe is posted online, but why go through all that trouble when you could just take me to the Nobu in Malibu??? 😏

chicago clark street dog

Since we all binge-watched The Bear, we wanted to try an authentic italian beef sandwich. One of our uber drivers, Kendrick, told us that the best one was at Clark Street Dog. We could kill two birds with one stone and get a chicago dog there, too. He warned us not to ask for ketchup, as if he knew about that one time I asked for it at a steakhouse and was shamed by my entire table. As he drove us around, he also pointed out where people had been recently shot and what areas to avoid walking at night unless we wanted to get popped! So full of useful information, this guy…

chicago clark street bar

We ordered our food and headed over to the attached bar for picklebacks, mules, and quite possibly the worst thing I’ve ever put in my mouth – Jeppson’s Malört. According to our bartender, Evan, it’s a Chicago tradition for out-of-towners to take a shot of what can be accurately described as “rotten grapefruit with the lingering after taste of a tire fire” (among other things). He also suggested we hit up the nearby L&L Tavern where Jeffrey Dahmer and John Wayne Gacy used to troll for victims. Who doesn’t love a good murder bar??? I’ll have to come back when I’m not stuffed with italian beef.

chicago kasama

chicago kasama

chicago kasama

We woke up at the butt crack of dawn to stand in line for an hour before this restaurant opened (sorry for anything I said before I got some cold brew in me 😅). Kasama is the only michelin-starred filipino restaurant in the world, and respect had to be paid.

chicago popcorn

This trip couldn’t have come at a better time. I got to celebrate an unexpected promotion at work and have a little fun before conference season starts up this week and I’m blacked out for the next couple of months. Excuse me while I cry into my empty Garrett Popcorn tin…

Stormy.
Wednesday, July 27, 2022

la to chicago

Me checking the weather before my trip tomorrow:

wtf blink 182

The Chi.
Saturday, July 23, 2022

chat chicago

Excited to get some italian beef in me next weekend. Any other Chicago recs besides an underground donut tour? 😂

Innings Fest.
Monday, February 28, 2022

It feels like we only go backwards, darling

Hello
I’ve waited here for you
Everlong

Tame Impala x Foo Fighters (@ Innings Fest)

NYE.
Saturday, January 1, 2022

prince waikiki nye fireworks

It’s a good thing I didn’t have to leave our hotel room to see these fireworks, because I barely made it to midnight Hawaii time!

Happy new year from this old broad (@ Prince Waikiki)

LAX → HNL.
Monday, December 27, 2021

LAX to HNL

See you in 2022 ✌🏼

Meow Wolf.
Sunday, September 12, 2021

las vegas area 15 meow wolf

las vegas area 15 meow wolf

las vegas area 15 meow wolf

pacific social

las vegas area 15 meow wolf

Escaped the LA rain this weekend and wound up in this fever dream (@ Meow Wolf Las Vegas)

Island Vibes.
Wednesday, August 11, 2021

southwest honolulu

Even the trio of babies having a crying contest throughout our entire 5-hour flight couldn’t break my aloha spirit (they really tried, though!).

hawaii aloha

Retail therapy (@ International Market Place)

leonard's bakery malasadas

We stumbled upon the greatest food truck ever in a Walgreen’s parking lot (@ Leonard’s Bakery Malasada Truck)

leonard's bakery malasadas

I’ve had malasadas in LA before, but they don’t even compare to the pillowy deliciousness that is Leonard’s. This was my most favorite thing I ate during the entire trip… even better than the garlic butter shrimp we waited two hours for at Romy’s! The mango gummy bears from Lin’s Hawaiian Snacks were a very close second.

halona beach cove

Getting our daily dose of vitamin sea (@ Halona Beach Cove)

likelike hwy

The scenic drive up the coast to North Shore was such a welcome contrast to the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. It felt like we were in Kauai again!

waiola shave ice

I tasted the Obama rainbow and it was presidential AF (@ Waiola Shave Ice)

honolulu pineapple

It’s a well known fact that drinks taste better when served inside a pineapple (@ Diamond Head State Monument)

xtreme parasail hawaii

Pops went parasailing for the first time at 67-years-young (@ Xtreme Parasail). Pammie rode tandem, while I just came along for the boat ride and the shirtless captain.

prince waikiki sunset

Hawaii is three hours behind LA, yet I still never woke up early enough to see the sunrise! Ha. I did catch this sweet sunset every night, though (@ Prince Waikiki)

hawaii japanese den den drum gif

Did you even go to the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet if you didn’t leave with a karate kid drum???

hawaii vaccines

Display this in a bigger font for the people in the back (@ Hawaii Theatre)

southwest airlines mask up

Cheers to a great (and safe) trip! Till next time, Hawaii!

Vacation Mode.
Monday, August 2, 2021

ala moana sunset

Home for the week (@ Prince Waikiki)

Surge.
Monday, June 21, 2021

uber surge

I’d rather hitch a ride and pay with my life than pay uber $100 for a 10-minute ride home from LAX! (I grabbed a $25 cab instead and lived to blog about it.)

Heatwave.
Saturday, June 19, 2021

vegas weather

vegas airport

vegas palazzo view

When it’s triple digits in LA, what’s another 10 degrees???

Going Green.
Monday, June 14, 2021

Is it too late to start dieting for my Hawaii trip in 2 weeks???

Recipes: Baked chicken breast cobb salad with ranch dressing // Avocado sweet potato toast // Chicken salad lettuce cups with avocado oil mayo // Air fryer brussels sprouts

Vaxxed.
Thursday, April 29, 2021

vaxxed

Vaxxed, waxed, and ready to relax!

Hawaii trip officially booked. Is it summer yet???

Pancakes & Parolees.
Sunday, March 7, 2021

cracker barrel

yuma prison

yuma prison dark cell

yuma prison dark cell

prison bunkbeds

yuma territorial prison cemetery

ocean to ocean highway bridge

scooter jump

My first road trip in a year, and all I got was a jar of fried apples and a sunburn from the prison yard.

Outside Lands.
Sunday, August 16, 2020

osl 2011_memories

Outside Lands 2011 with Pammie, Chris and Jessie was def my most favorite festival ever. So much has changed since then, and at the same time, not much has changed at all…

I was supposed to be in Nashville this weekend, and I’ve died a little bit inside every time a show has been canceled this year. Is it 2021 yet???

where does it hurt meme

Contagion.
Monday, March 16, 2020

passport philippine airlines

Because I didn’t get enough coronavirus exposure during my recent visit to Seattle, I’ve spent the last few weeks traveling through the Philippines.

I’m back home now where I’ll be self-quarantining and working remotely for the next 14 days! If anyone needs me, I’ll just be in my apartment tending to my sunburn and wishing I was back on a yacht off the coast of El Nido instead of here in LA where it’s raining outside.

If you’re reading this, please send Jollibee.

Seattle.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020

lax to sea

On my flight to Seattle, the flight attendant was walking down the aisle greeting everyone happy valentine’s day when he stopped in front of me and asked, “Are you traveling alone?” I said that I was, and he was like, “Can you switch seats so that this couple can sit together?” I meannn.

Morning view (@ Hyatt House)

Blown away (@ Chihuly Garden and Glass)

This museum was across the street from our hotel and so worth the visit! I’ve always admired Chihuli’s sculptures in Vegas, but his featured work here is incredible. The way he transforms glass is pure poetry.

Seattle is so fetch (@ Cobb’s Popcorn)

The stickiest of the icky (@ The Gum Wall)

We stood in a long ass line that wrapped around the building for this chowder… or shall I say Pammie stood in a long ass line while I was off buying crab claw pens at a souvenir shop (@ Pike Place Chowder)

I actually forgot that I had eaten here during my first trip to Seattle… We only tried the New England style chowder, and I didn’t think it was anything to write home about. If you’ve had the chowder from Boudin’s or Blue Bayou or even the cafe downstairs at my work on Fridays, you aren’t missing much.

Skip the chowder line and head across the street instead (@ Beecher’s Handmade Cheese)

Between the mac and cheese, grilled cheese, poutin and cheese samples, I was in heaven! Although no one should ever consume all that dairy in one sitting. Don’t ask me how I know.

Ooh baby, I like it rawww 🎶 (@ Elliot’s Oyster House)

One last stop under the bridge! Till next time, Seattle (@ Fremont Troll)

Popeyes.
Sunday, November 10, 2019

popeyes chicken sandwich

I got to try the elusive Popeyes chicken sandwich, and I didn’t even have to wait in line or get stabbed to death! It only cost me 15,000 Southwest points (@ McCarran Airport)

Super Kauai.
Monday, September 2, 2019

Aloha! It’s been a busy month since I got back from Hawaii, but my paradise playlist is still in heavy rotation, and I’ve been dreaming about that island life ever since…

“timbers

It was hard waking up to this view every morning, but I managed somehow (@ Timbers Kauai Ocean Club)

“hualani’s

First things first (@ Hualani’s)

skinny mike's shave ice

Excuse me, miss? There seems to be a mistake. I believe I ordered the large shave ice. Hello! (@ Skinny Mike’s Ice Cream & Shave Ice)

Two things you should know about me:

1. I will reference So I Married an Axe Murderer till the day I die.

2. I stay ready with that mini Tajin in my purse.

“david

Congrats to my dear friends, Donna and David! I had originally planned to go to Chicago for Lollapalooza that week, but I went to Kauai for their vow renewal instead and had the greatest time!

I was still in high school when they first got married twenty years ago. If my sister and I were running late to class, we’d skip first period and hang out at their apartment instead. Donna was a bad influence on us then, and she still is today! Ha. She dared me to jump off a cliff into the kids’ pool at the resort we were staying at. She jumped first, but she’s also a foot shorter than me! I’m pretty sure my tailbone is still at the bottom of the keiki pool, you guys.

“blue

Touring the Na Pali Coast by boat was my most favorite part of this trip!

blue ocean adventure tours napali coast dolphins kauai

We got up close and personal with dolphins, snorkeled with sea turtles, and explored these amazing sea caves. Shoutout to Captain Kalen of Blue Ocean Adventure Tours for the dope playlist and all the laughs! Def book a tour with them if you’re ever in Kauai.

blue ocean adventure tours napali sea caves kauai

This raft tour was pretty wild. You basically sit on the side of an inflatable zodiac boat with nothing but a rope over your foot and the hand of God keeping you in as you zip up the coast at crazy speeds!

I was surprised Pammie agreed to join me because she is notorious for getting sea sick (Caborette Booze Cruise 2015, anyone?). She thought she fully prepared herself this time around, but no amount of ginger pills, essential oils, sea-bands or prayers could keep her from getting sick. All things considered, she and her husband still had fun!

kauai backcountry adventures bamboo grove

This magical bamboo forest led us to the lazy river where we went mountain tubing.

kauai backcountry adventures mountain tubing

They all float (@ Kauai Backcountry Adventures)

If you’ve never gone tubing down an old sugar plantation irrigation system, then I really don’t know what you’re doing with your life.

hamura saimin kauai

We hit up this hole in the wall, Hamura Saimin, after Jessie told us it was her husband’s favorite restaurant in Kauai. While we were waiting for a table, I noticed Jason Momoa’s kids in line next to us (because I’m a creep and I know what his kids look like). They were accompanied by a local who was super friendly with everyone in the restaurant. We were seated at a communal table next to them when Jason Momoa strolled in and sat down behind me! I started sweating, partly because I was eating hot noodle soup in the humidest place on earth, but mostly because I was sitting back to back with Khal fuckin’ Drogo, and I could feel his goddamn body heat!

My friends stayed in Kauai longer than us and saw him two more times! I knew I should’ve extended my vacation…

Pioneertown.
Sunday, May 19, 2019

palm spring windmills

pappy and harriet's pioneertown palace

pappy and harriet's pioneertown palace

Lucius – Feels like a Curse

You talk about today, like the girl who got away
The only one you ever wanted

Day trippin’ (@ Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace)

Love this intimate desert gem! Anthony Bourdain featured it in an episode of No Reservations, and Paul McCartney has played here. It’s def worth the visit, especially if you’re nearby in Palm Springs or in Joshua Tree where I had the best nap sound bath of my life.

Weekend Warriors.
Monday, April 29, 2019

When your sister invites you to an NBA playoff game, you book a flight that morning and meet her in SF!

blue bottle ferry building

Local brew and bay views (@ Ferry Building)

mr. holmes bakehouse san francisco

Puff puff pastry (@ Mr. Holmes Bakehouse)

cha cha cha mission

San Fran staple (@ Cha Cha Cha)

Chike took us here during our first trip to Outside Lands, and their cajun shrimp and sangria keep me coming back every time!

Klay and Curry and KD, oh my (@ Oracle Arena)

oracle warriors vs rockets playoff win

Warriors, baby! Not bad for my first NBA game ever. Thanks to Pammie for a great weekend! You the real MVP.

left my heart in san francisco union square

Till next time, SF! (@ Union Square)

PTO.
Monday, August 27, 2018

puerto vallarta zipline

puerto vallarta zipline

My parents ziplined through the jungles of Puerto Vallarta while I put in 12 hours at the office today! Seriously tempted to use those five weeks of vacation time I’ve been hoarding…

Baja.
Monday, August 13, 2018

baron balche winery - valle de guadalupe

baron balche winery - valle de guadalupe

(@ Baron Balche, Valle de Guadalupe)

baron balche winery - valle de guadalupe

(@ La Escondida Puerto Nuevo)

baron balche winery - valle de guadalupe

Much needed daycation! Def need more of these in my life…

Treasure Island Music Fest.
Friday, May 18, 2018

treasure island music fest 2018

Tame Impala, Lord Huron and SF ♥

Tame Impala – The Less I Know the Better

Lord Huron – When the Night is Over

Innings Fest.
Wednesday, March 28, 2018

innings festival

Lord Huron – The Night We Met

Sylvan Esso – Coffee

Young the Giant – Cough Syrup

Local Natives – Coins

Head and the Heart – All We Ever Knew

culinary dropout

culinary dropout - moscow mule

(@ Culinary Dropout)

cornish pasty co - cottage pie - tempe arizona

(@ Cornish Pasty Co)

pizzeria bianco

(@ Pizzeria Bianco)

arrogant butcher

arrogant butcher

arrogant butcher

(@ The Arrogant Butcher)

tempe beach park bridge cinemagraph gif

(@ Tempe Beach Park)

We escaped the LA rain and road-tripped it to Arizona! The first of hopefully many Innings Fests did not disappoint. Good weather, great bands, amazing food…

Waffle House.
Wednesday, March 28, 2018

waffle house directions arizona

Turn right after Waffle House??? These are my kind of directions!

I got lost going to work once (ok twice) because the house that I turn left at took down their white picket fence, so I drove right past it. I still can’t tell you what the name of the street is, but they put their fence back up, so we’re good! Ha.

Innings Fest.
Friday, March 23, 2018

innings festival tempe arizona

Tempe, I am in you. And I’m about to get all up in your Innings Fest (@ Tempe Beach Park)

Viva Las Vegas.
Monday, February 19, 2018

I thought most of the people flying on Valentine’s Day would be on their way to see loved ones, but the majority of the passengers on my flight were headed to see Bruno Mars. Or at least that’s what their hooligans jerseys led me to believe…

las vegas - chinese lunar new year - linq promenade

I managed to snap this without getting elbowed in the face by all the asians with selfie sticks. My mom was one of them. Just kidding (she forgot hers at home).
(@ The LINQ Promenade)

I’ll have to make my way back here, if only for Virgil’s Real BBQ. And maybe that cute guy covering Stone Temple Pilots inside.

las vegas - chinese lunar new year - bellagio conservatory and botanical gardens

If money grew on trees… (@ Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens)

o by cirque du soleil

O…MG (@ Bellagio Theater)

Infinitely better than the Luzia show I just saw in LA, but The Beatles Love is still my #1.

las vegas bellagio fountains gif

The guy standing next to me was belting out God Bless the USA during the entire water show. You’re lucky this is a gif (@ Fountains of Bellagio)

Pops zip lining into the weekend like (@ SlotZilla Zip Line)

We lost my dad for 24 hours somewhere between the zip lining and the poker room at the Orleans.

fremont street tips sign

Put the $5 I won off of Britney slots towards his tip (@ Fremont Street)

rollin smoke barbeque las vegas

CAUTION: They rub their meat (@ Rollin Smoke Barbeque)

Checked this gem off of my BBQ bucket list! Standouts were the beef rib (my go-to), brisket burnt ends and the “dam” hot arkansauce.

las vegas - wish you were here - palms casino resort

Till next time! (@ Palms Casino Resort)

Rise Festival.
Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Lit 🔥 (@ Rise Festival)

Loved, loved, loved ♥

Stacked.
Monday, October 9, 2017

seven magic mountains - las vegas

Stacked (@ Seven Magic Mountains)

I ❤ NY.
Sunday, August 20, 2017

nyc plane sunrise

Ohhh, so this is what 6am looks like…

nyc subway

Our trip to NYC wouldn’t be complete without me getting us lost on the subway. Again.

top of the rock nyc

Morning view (@ Top of the Rock, Midtown)

bar moga omurice nyc

I felt a little dirty recording this food porn (@ Bar Moga, Greenwich Village)

grand central station nyc

Trainspotting (@ Grand Central Terminal, Midtown East)

shack shack madison square park

shack shack hot chick'n

The OG Shake Shack (@ Madison Square Park, Flatiron)

There are five Shake Shacks in LA, but we still ate here three times during our trip! We even schlepped across town with our luggage on our last day to get one last Shackburger and their limited edition Hot Chick’n when we found out we were flying out of the JFK terminal that doesn’t have a Shake Shack. We’re kind of obsessed.

gallow green nyc

gallow green nyc

Rooftop vibes (@ Gallow Green, Chelsea)

I was worried it was going to be humid all weekend, but the weather was perfect for a rooftop cocktail or two (these are both mine).

raclette nyc

Melt my heart (@ Raclette, East Village)

This was our favorite meal of the trip (don’t let the fact that we ate at Shake Shack three times fool you). Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, the waitress came back midway through our meal to give us a second scrape!

mighty quinn nyc brontosaurus rib

Checked the brontosaurus beef rib off my BBQ bucket list ✓ (@ Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque, East Village)

Tame Impala (@ Panorama NYC, Randall’s Island Park)

This was def one of the smaller music festivals I’ve been to, but Tame Impala brought the big show with their lasers. Our lyft driver thought we were at EDC!

magic jewelry aura photo

Best $20 I ever spent (@ Magic Jewelry, Chinatown)

Pammie and I got our auras photographed inside a tiny Chinese jewelry shop, and that pink ass cloud = my mind being blown.

oculus nyc

The Westfield mall I used to work at wasn’t quite as nice as this one, but they both have Wetzel’s Pretzels (@ Westfield World Trade Center, Oculus, Financial District)

wtc memorial nyc

Ground Zero (@ One World Observatory, Financial District)

The last time I was here was a couple years after 9/11. There used to be a steel beam cross where this memorial now exists. They did a beautiful job!

Sunday cycle (@ Central Park)

Pammie wanted to ride bikes through Central Park, and it was one of the highlights of our trip! We rode from the Guggenheim to Strawberry Fields and stopped along the way to enjoy the scenery.

guggenheim nyc

Gaining perspective (@ Guggenheim Museum, Upper East Side)

imagine strawberry fields nyc

Strawberry Fields forever (@ Central Park)

plane tv

Before we knew it, it was time to fly home. Anyone who knows me and my sister knows that we’re complete opposites. She’s a Potterhead, while I’m more Homicide for the Holidays! But we always have fun when we’re together. I can’t wait for our next trip!

Panorama NYC.
Friday, July 21, 2017

panorama nyc 2017

One more week!

Joshua Tree.
Monday, March 6, 2017

camp temenos - pioneertown - vintage trailer - airbnb - 1950 spartan mansion

Home for the weekend (@ Camp Temenos)

pioneertown motel

Wild west (@ Pioneertown Motel)

integratron

On Sundays, we sound bathe (@ Integratron)

integratron - interior

Salvation Mountain.
Monday, March 6, 2017

salvation mountain

salvation mountain

salvation mountain

salvation mountain

BRB, getting saved ✌ (@ Salvation Mountain)

Panorama.
Tuesday, January 17, 2017

panorama nyc 2017

Tame Impala in NYC??? Yes, please.

Portlandia.
Monday, January 9, 2017

ace hotel portland

(@ Ace Hotel Portland)

pine state biscuits the reggie portland

(@ Pine State Biscuits)

punchbowl falls - portland punchbowl falls - portland

(@ Punchbowl Falls)

multnomah falls

(@ Multnomah Falls)

the commons brewery - portland the commons brewery - portland

(@ The Commons Brewery)

cheryl's portland bloody mary toast

(@ Cheryl’s on 12th)

portland japanese garden portland japanese garden

(@ Portland Japanese Garden)

voodoo donuts

(@ Voodoo Doughnut)

portland district tryst portland district tryst

(@ Tryst)

pdx socks ace hotel portland

Adventures in Arizona.
Saturday, December 24, 2016

After a couple years of entering an online lottery, Shi won a permit to hike The Wave in Arizona! We flew to Vegas and road-tripped it the rest of the way to Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and The Wave.

Here’s a little video I put together of our trip. I kept it under a minute to fit the whole thing on insta, so I cut out the part where I fell down and also the part where Shi got pulled over, among other footage! Ha.

upper antelope canyon arizona

horseshoe bend arizona

the wave arizona

Magic.
Wednesday, August 17, 2016

airplane

cosmopolitan bamboo pool

Hardly working (@ The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas)

Our advertising department was in Vegas for less than 48 hours, and it took me longer than that to recover.

Big Sur.
Monday, November 16, 2015

big sur

“The cure for anything is salt water—sweat, tears or the sea.” (@ McWay Falls)

It’s impossible to capture the beauty that is McWay Falls in a photograph (we came back three times to try!). It would have been perfect during magic hour, but we opted to test our friendship instead at Pfeiffer Beach. More on that below! Ha.

big sur

big sur

Hello, Big Sir (@ Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park)

Across from McWay Falls, we stepped into this magical forest where we were happy to have the sun on our face and wood between our legs.

big sur

big sur

big sur

Beer tastes better when you drink it in a river! Just ask this babe (@ Big Sur River Inn)

big sur

You can find this Spirit Garden, a breakfast pizza that tastes like heaven, donuts topped with more donuts, and most importantly, the only cell phone signal you’ll get for miles and miles here (@ Big Sur Bakery & Restaurant)

big sur

They say that “nepenthe” is a potion used by the ancients to induce forgetfulness of pain or sorrow… I should’ve had more of these! (@ Nepenthe)

big sur

“It’s only 2.3 miles,” they said. “It’ll be fun,” they said (@ Pfeiffer Beach)

We wanted to catch the sunset at the beach, but the parking lot was full. We parked on the main road with 40 minutes till sunset and started our 2.3-mile trek. It was all downhill from there (figuratively and literally). I was wearing boots that were def not made for walking! I tried to run in them, and my hip flexor failed me LOL. I arrived just after the sun disappeared below the horizon. Luckily, Shi’s hip flexors worked perfectly fine, so she made it there in time and was able to snap this photo. After the sun set, we had to hike those 2.3 miles back uphill to the car. It was pitch black. Every tree looked like a bear. We were legit scared. And cold. And my phone was dead. We had brought scarves and beanies and portable battery chargers in preparation, but they were all in the car! We are the worst road trip duo ever, and it’s a miracle we made it back home alive! Ha.

big sur

When in Roman pools… (@ Hearst Castle)

A road trip up the California coast isn’t complete without stopping at Hearst Castle for a quick tour and a soft pretzel.

Afterwards, we drove back to LA in the rain and sighed at each and every smogless mile in between. Till next time, Big Sur!

Big Sur Bound.
Friday, November 13, 2015

trash bags text

I did more cleaning in the hour before Shi came over than I’ve done in the six months since she was last here! Off to Big Sur…

ACL.
Tuesday, October 13, 2015

austin city limits 2015

austin city limits 2015

austin city limits 2015

austin city limits 2015

My Austin City Limits trip was cut short due to my grandma’s passing, and Anthony had the time of his life those first few days without me. He hit up the Dirty Sixth with Austin locals he made friends with and ended up giving one of them my Friday wristband. They saw all the bands I wanted to see. I’m bummed I missed Tame Impala and Leon Bridges among others, but luckily I didn’t have to wake up at an ungodly hour on Saturday and wait with him in that 4-hour line for Franklin. Day-old brisket reheated in a hotel microwave and eaten in my chonies still tasted better than any BBQ I’ve ever had in California!

I flew in Saturday night and met up with Anthony at an Irish pub downtown. Fado is the official US soccer bar in Austin, and it’s surrounded by gay bars on 4th Street. My uber driver was convinced he was taking me to see my gay friend once I told him where I was headed LOL. I mean, it would explain so much… After US lost to Mexico, we hit up Firehouse (a cool little speakeasy inside a hostel) and Rainey Street. I loved, loved, loved it there. Rainey Street is a block of old houses converted into themed bars. We stayed till last call, and all I remember from that night is a lot of Ludacris and stanky legs. You don’t realize how drunk you are until you’re walking the hotel halls in nothing but your dress slip looking for a beverage machine so you could wash down some tylenol at three in the morning.

We didn’t wake up early enough to stand in line for BBQ before the festival on Sunday, but we stopped by Torchy’s Tacos before we made our trek to Zilker Park. There was a lot of walking. Like. A LOT. Before, during and after the festival. In nearly 100 degree heat. And in sandals that had 0% arch support (but were 100% cute, obvs). This was definitely not Portland where we had a local friend with a car, ample public transportation, and weather that was 50 degrees cooler. The highlight of my day happened just before BØRNS’ set when the sun disappeared behind the only cloud in the sky for half a minute and everyone cheered. BØRNS, Sylvan Esso and Hozier’s sets were very close seconds. So were those two snow cones we each had.

Before I knew it, it was Monday and time to check out. Anthony hit up the gym in the morning while I stayed my ass in bed. We ate lunch at Valentina’s Tex Mex where Anthony had brisket tacos and I had a beast of a beef rib with the most beautiful smoke ring. We strolled down South Congress afterwards and drank micheladas for three hours at a bar inside Hotel San Jose. We got to the airport early to watch the Chargers lose, and I asked the TSA guy if the Starbucks was before or after the security gate. He ruined my mom’s life and told me that there’s no Starbucks at all, because Austin is all about supporting local businesses. I get a Starbucks mug for my mom whenever I travel, and she’s just gonna have to be happy with the mug I got her during my layover in Phoenix!

All things considered, I’m glad I was able to take a break from life and escape for a couple of days. I’ll def be back to explore this little town again.

Bet.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015

the office kelly kapoor juice cleanse

…or me on a juice cleanse.

I’m doing it partly in preparation for all the BBQ and bad decisions I’ll be making in Austin next week, but mostly because I bet Anthony that I could lose twenty pounds by the time we went to ACL or I’d pay for his BBQ at Franklin. These last five pounds can’t be zumba’d off in a week, so I made a game-time decision to bring my juicer out of retirement yesterday.

I can’t wait to go on vacation! And also eat solid food again.

ACL.
Saturday, August 1, 2015

mindy kaling - austin - husband gif mindy kaling - austin - husband gif
mindy kaling - austin - husband gif mindy kaling - austin - husband gif
mindy kaling - austin - husband gif mindy kaling - austin - husband gif
mindy kaling - austin - husband gif

…or me in exactly two months. Austin City Limits, here I come!

What else should I add to my ACL to-do list???

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