The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Garden

When my parents came to visit in April we went to visit the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, it was such a nice way to spend the day. Upon entry to the 127 acres of beautiful botanical Gardens, you are greeted by peacocks, dozens of them! 

hey there buddy

inspiration for a painting? reminds me of the work of my dear friend Erik Otto

fresh air and bright, open blue skies 

The botanical gardens are divided by continent: The Americas, Asia, Africa and Australia, and then by area of interest. Plants from all around the world can be found here, including some that are endangered. You can see a map of the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens here.

look at this stylish crew

so peaceful and serene

so incredibly beautiful that it almost looks fake

the Meyberg Waterfall

i had to get in on the action, too

reminds me of Japan

We also stopped and had lunch at their cafe which has a 

beautiful view of the gardens. We had intended to only stay for 2 hours, but ended up staying here for about 4 hours just walking around, exploring and enjoying. 

Saturday Night

Organizing recipes and places to eat that have been torn out of past and recent months of Martha Stewart Living (yes, I just admitted to that), Sunset and 7X7. This is how I spent my Saturday night. Burning incense and listening to CDs that I made starting back in 2003 through to 2010, conveniently labeled by season and year, or in some instances, emotional state and year.

This peaceful, reflective moment uninterrupted by emails, humans, phone calls, texts or previously committed plans, allowed me to reflect. (What a concept these days.) 

We're so programmed to think that we have to keep pushing, wanting, gaining, working, harder, acquiring more, more, more, into our lives to be something, someone, that it isn't until we actually have a silent moment to be able to stop and see-- and be thankful for what we have, what we've accomplished and have experienced.. that we are humbled. 

What is it that I've learned thus far in my 31 years of life you ask? It's not the big things, it's the little things; the little differences, the small shifts you inspired in another's thoughts, a beautiful smile, a shared new experience, a genuine gesture, those moments when you had no fear, a moment when everything just felt so right on time, that you will always remember. 

Moon Girl

Outside, there's a spaceship

Blocks the sun

Forms a shadow hovering over me

Yesterday I had missed it

But today, there's a girl who shows me everything

I said: ohhh, she was the moment

I said: ohhh, she was the moment

I said: yeah, moongirl

Let's surf on the horizon

To the moon were the world will look much clearer to me

One day I'll be finished

But today, there's a girl who shows me everything

I said: ohhh, she was the moment

I said: ohhh, she was the moment

I said: yeah, moongirl

-Stellastarr*

Roatan, Honduras: Day 3

Day 3.

Boat trip! We spent the entire day cruising around the Caribbean waters, checking out different views of the island, and enjoying the warm sun and conversations with one another. 

Nic vs the undefeated chess champion of Roatan.

Pictures don't do justice do how beautiful this island is, it's so happy and bright, so vivid. I also remember how the air had that sweet smell of burning wood.

We stopped at this tiny island to snorkel and enjoy the view.

 As the sun began to set, we stopped at Hole in the Wall, a little restaurant on Roatan that is only accessible by boat. We enjoyed an all you can eat steak and lobster buffet, it was DELICIOUS. 

A Minute of Deliciousness: Avocado and Tomato on Toast

Avocado

Tomato

Smoked paprika

Freshly ground pepper &

Sea salt on toast

+

coffee.

Possibly one of the best breakfasts ever.

Roatan, Honduras: Day 2

Day 2. 

In Roatan, the animals get up early. Each morning we were awaken by birds, bats, and other little creatures that were scurrying across the deck of our villa. Breakfast, then out to the beach to enjoy the crystal clear, warm Caribbean water and some sun. 

On this day we took a boat from the shore of our resort to the West End, 

the popular diving destination on Roatan. 

I love this shot:) 

You can purchase an 8x10 here

After some walking around and exploring, we ended up at Sundowner's Beach Bar, a popular local spot where your chances of meeting an expat are-- extremely high. The crowd is friendly; I loved asking the expats what made them up and leave the States to move to Roatan. They all seemed very happy and had no plans of moving back. 

Purchase an 8x10 of this print here.

Sundowner's Beach Bar is a great place to start, or in our case, end a night catching the sunset, 

it was absolutely breathtaking. The cocktails were delicious, make sure to try the 

Monkey La La and the Zach Attack!

Now this is a sunset!

8x10 print available here.

Roatan, Honduras: Day 1

In February, a very good friend of mine had a destination wedding in Roatan, 

the largest of the Honduras' Bay Islands. 

The ol' packing routine.

Boarding the redeye at LAX.

We fell asleep in California and woke up somewhere over El Salvador. 

The clouds before we landed were spectacular with the sunrise. A quick 1 hour layover in 

San Salvador where we united with the rest of our friends that had flown in from San Francisco, and we were back on a smaller plane to Roatan which is about an hour flight from San Salvador. 

Hello Roatan! 

85 Degrees & Humid

We were picked up at the airport in Roatan and taken to the resort where we stayed,
Palmetto Bay Plantation. It's about a 20 minute ride, through town and up a dirt hill road, to get from the Roatan airport to Palmetto Bay Plantation. 

 Though it was overcast for a couple of hours when we first arrived, 

it was nothing but sunny for each day that we were there after.

The pic we took when we first arrived to let our families know that we made it safe :)

After a quick lunch, we headed out to the beach to enjoy a relaxing Day 1.