Madera's Village-no regrets, just love.

Photo credit: Jeff Ozzavay, Madera's Village Facebook Page and ME.

They say, "When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade". I've always liked that saying so I made up a new version:

"When life hands you the opportunity to travel to a surf village in the hillside jungle of Nicaragua, YOU GO!".

You go despite the financial gloom lurking over your head, despite other people saying "Didn't you just get back from a trip?", despite EVERYTHING working against you.  I couldn't be more happy than living out my new saying. 

Great trips are made up of amazing new people you meet, new memories that will forever be in your mind, tasty food and lots of laughs. UNBELIEVABLE trips are made when not only this happens but when your expectations are exceeded beyond belief and you cannot put your trip and experience into words.

Madera's village, a boutique bed and breakfast, was just that- unbelievable.  It was an equal mix of relaxation and excitement and made me feel like I was at an "adult only summer camp" ( it has been referred to that many times).  There is daily yoga ( beach lessons and classes in their yoga pavilion room), the chance to surf, hammocks in every nook,  fish tacos that put anything I've had in LA to shame and an overall energy that you cannot find ANYWHERE.  The good vibes in the air and the inspiring conversation ( sometimes over a lot of pina coladas and rum) make every guest feel like they are part of the community there.  

Each initial stranger that we met upon arrival became a friend. With each new friend, there was this mutual understanding of what we all came here for and that was to be ourselves in paradise; that in some way or another we were the same.  It made me realize how great the world really is when you need it to be and how the universal nature of mankind is pretty rad. Whether it was a new friend helping me surf or the local Nicaraguan cook sincerely looking happy to be making breakfast, I found myself smiling at the happiness and kindness that surrounded me. 

Thank you Madera's for giving me a fresh perspective on life and people. I WILL BE BACK SOON. Seriously though. 

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Nica, PLEASE!

Dress: Ecote Sunglasses: Fake Raybans

Nicaragua, you are one beautiful piece of real estate my friend.

We started our Central America journey by heading into Granada and it was a perfect hello to a (near) perfect travel experience (more on an allergic reaction that resulted in an epipen being used in the middle of the beach later).

If Granada was a person, it would be like the family member waiting for you at the airport after a long journey holding a sign that said "WELCOME HOME!" It made us feel comfortable instantly and was a great introduction to the slow paced lifestyle of "Nica". We slinked around town taking in the colourful alleyways, vivd markets and degraded colonial churches.....and sweated a whole lot. It is HOT near the equator let me tell you. After a night of taking it all in, we were more than ready for beach bumming down the coast!

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arizona photo diary

Last bunch of photos from my time in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was pure relaxation mixed with a bit of tequila, wine, rodeos, good chats, hiking, and some home cooked meals. Although I have witnessed some pretty insane sunsets here in LA, Arizona's sunsets are next level. The pictures cannot even capture all the various colours that painted the sky. Let's just say that if you took a photo with your iPhone and wanted to instagram it, it would totally be #NOFILTER.

Cannot wait to go back!

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no bake energy balls

I am by no means a cook or baker. Frankly, I suck at cooking. Grilled cheeses and cupcakes are my "specialities" and I once lit my kitchen on fire (TRUE STORY). I am slowly trying to change that though and I think if I blog about some of the meals I try to create, it will help the process.


This is a recipe that basically requires zero skills and is not only a good snack but a great item to pair with a breakfast smoothie in the morning. I make these every Sunday and have them through the week!


Ingredients:
☻1 cup of dry oatmeal
☻2/3 cup of toasted coconut flakes
☻1/2 of almond butter ( or PB)
☻1/2 of chocolate chips ( not required but I mean...why not)
☻1/3 honey
☻1 tsp vanilla
☻ a scoop of coconut oil

Method:
Stir all the ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. Let the bowl chill in the refrigerator for a half hour. Once chilled, wet your hands and roll the mix into balls of whatever size you wish ( I make mine about an inch and a half tall). A friend and I did the math and I think there are about 130 calories in each ball ( don't quote me on this though). I normally get about 15-20 balls out of a batch!

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Marilyn wisdom

Dress: Free People, Jacket: Aritzia, Necklace: Speech, Shoes: Shoemint, Sunglasses: Charlotte Russe

“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.”
― Marilyn Monroe

Went to visit Marilyn Monroe's graveyard just before an Oscar viewing party I went to a few weeks ago! Only seemed appropriate that I would pay tribute to the original Hollywood star on Hollywood's biggest night.

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The Saguaro Scottsdale

Top: Bebe, Jean Shorts: Zara, Behaviour: Tequila Induced

If you want to know how to have a perfect Saturday then go The Saguaro in Scottsdale. The pool comes with great music, a lively scene and the hot dessert sun. If day drinking is not your thang (can you guess what we chose?) and you are best friends with SPF 80, come to see the decor at least. The hotel's invigorating colour scheme could give you a jolt of energy in the same way a double Americano can. It is full of life and full of some pretty cool art pieces as well.

Add in their restaurant, Districto, which houses 100 kinds of tequila, hand crafted cocktails and real-deal Mexican (we had fresh crab guacamole!)and you have all the ingredients for a Saturday siesta! Recommended.

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