10 Days In Los Angeles

April 21, 2024 by Genevieve Scarano in Travel

Golden hour is in full swing — the setting sun looks like sorbet from Griffith Observatory. My sister and I take a moment to appreciate the view of downtown Los Angeles on our left and Santa Monica on our right. The Hollywood sign is also behind us and I can’t believe I’m seeing it IRL and not on a postcard.

This is one of many moments I won’t forget about my trip to Los Angeles. Spending time with Roma was so much fun, she was the best host and we went to so many cool places during my stay (more on that below!). There’s something unforgettable about catching up with your sibling while you’re walking along the beach, enjoying cold drinks, and watching the waves.

I arrived at LAX on a Tuesday night. After two flights and a three-hour layover, I was finally on the West Coast. My sister picked me up and we went to get something to drink and eat (definitely needed after a 10-hour travel day). What I wasn’t prepared for was the warm-ish weather. It felt great to leave my puffer jacket in the car and eat outside before heading home to rest.

The first few days went by at lightning speed as I slowly settled into Los Angeles and a three-hour time difference (I live in New York and I was trying so hard not to fall asleep by 9 p.m. on most nights).

We went to Santa Monica Pier to walk on the boardwalk, Venice Beach to see the canals, and lost our voices at The Hollywood Palladium while watching The Kooks play songs from their Inside In/Inside Out album. It wasn’t 2006 anymore, but it definitely felt like it was as the crowd was singing every lyric to "Naïve" and “Ooh La”. We love concerts and let me say, Los Angeles is a great hub to see your favorite bands and solo artists.

Another highlight of my trip was the food scene, it’s so hard to pick a favorite spot when I went to so many! There was honey hi in Echo Park — a cozy lunch spot where I ate a delicious miso bowl with jasmine rice, chicken, rainbow carrot ribbons, spicy cucumbers, and daikon. Saint Coffee Shop in Studio City has the best iced lavender latte and scones if you need a lil’ pick-me-up during the day. And, if you want Tijuana style tacos, stop by Tacos 1986 in Beverly Grove (these, by far, were the best pollo asado tacos I’ve ever had).

Malibu was the last place I went to on my trip. Roma and I got in her car, rolled the windows down, and took a scenic drive to this beautiful beach town. On the way, I enjoyed views of red and orange canyons, high mountains, and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. After grabbing lunch at Malibu Country Mart, we stopped by Broad Beach. I’ve never seen the Pacific Coast or walked along the shore — it felt so good to spend some time there and take in the coastal scenery.

Leaving wasn’t easy (my sister and I live on opposite coasts), so any IRL time we get is so special. I will be back though and can’t wait to explore more of Los Angeles and the West Coast.

Hello Winter

January 30, 2024 by Genevieve Scarano

Snow crunches under my feet and a chilly wind caresses my face as I leave my apartment and go for a walk outside. Way above, the bare trees hover next to the sky and the sun is out and about, despite the temperature being thirty-something degrees.

Winter is here and it can last a couple of months, especially in New York. Sometimes I have to take a moment to stop and admire the gorgeous snow globe around me. Even though I’m so darn cold and bundled in a puffy, marshmallow-like jacket, I’m grateful for the snowy scenery around me. It helps me to slow down for a few minutes, take time off my phone, and admire nature.

Don’t get me wrong — I love the other seasons too. I miss spending time at the beach or pool, going for a hike when the leaves change colors, and listening to a thunderstorm while I’m cozy under a blanket. Winter though is something else — there’s hot chocolate, holiday lights, snowy trail walks, cute sweaters, skiing, and curling up on the couch with magazines.

Whether you spend time indoors or outdoors, winter can be the great season you want it to be. There may not be late sunsets or lush greenery, but this time of year can be beautiful in so many ways.

We may sometimes think, “oh I really don’t like when the days get shorter and darker,” or “do I really have to put on thick socks and heavy boots,” or “ugh I have to defrost my car for the millionth time,” but it’s in those moments we can reframe our thinking to what winter is trying to show us: a break from all the movement and creating space for whatever we need.

This could be self-care, working on our relationships, or setting new goals for the year ahead. We may wish spring could instantly show up, but there is no growth without the winter season. It’s the colder and shorter days that lead to more sunlight, warmer temperatures, flowers, and us taking those next steps.

January 12, 2024 by Genevieve Scarano

under construction, coming in 2024!