Category Archives: TRAVEL

A VACATION DO-OVER IN OJAI

October 20, 2014

Filed Under : TRAVEL

OJAI VALLEY INN / THE STYLE EATER

A few weeks ago, Kyle and I went on a Palm Springs + Sedona + Grand Canyon trip. I’ll use the term “went on” very loosely seeing as Kyle got flu symptoms literally on our way to Palm Springs (first leg of the trip). We arrived at the amazing Korakia Pensione, where he spent the ENTIRE time (2.5 days) in bed, while I laid by the pool solo in between checking his temperature and replenishing canned chicken soup. HASHTAG NOT IDEAL. We ended up canceling the rest of the trip (red rocks of Arizona, I hardly knew ye).

Moral of the story is: my parents felt bad for us and said we could crash their trip to Ojai the following weekend. God bless parents. Ojai is one of my favorite places on the planet, so of course we tagged along. We had lots of good food, laid out at the pool all day every day, rode bikes, got massages, went to the farmer’s market, did a little shopping (yes and yes to Summer Camp and Modern Folk Living), and generally oogled over the beauty that is the Ojai Valley Inn (where we stayed). THANKS MOM AND DAD.

So that’s all she wrote for summer. It’s been real (real hot) and I’m totally and completely ready for fall now.

OJAI VALLEY INN / THE STYLE EATER

OJAI VALLEY INN / THE STYLE EATER

OJAI VALLEY INN / THE STYLE EATER

OJAI VALLEY INN / THE STYLE EATER

OJAI VALLEY INN / THE STYLE EATER

OJAI VALLEY INN / THE STYLE EATER

OJAI VALLEY INN / THE STYLE EATER

OJAI VALLEY INN / THE STYLE EATER

OJAI VALLEY INN / THE STYLE EATER

OJAI VALLEY INN / THE STYLE EATER

OJAI VALLEY INN / THE STYLE EATER

OJAI VALLEY INN / THE STYLE EATER

OJAI VALLEY INN / THE STYLE EATER

OJAI VALLEY INN / THE STYLE EATER

OJAI VALLEY INN / THE STYLE EATER

OJAI VALLEY INN / THE STYLE EATER

OJAI VALLEY INN / THE STYLE EATER

OJAI VALLEY INN / THE STYLE EATER

OJAI VALLEY INN / THE STYLE EATER

OJAI VALLEY INN / THE STYLE EATER

OJAI VALLEY INN / THE STYLE EATER

OJAI VALLEY INN / THE STYLE EATER

OJAI VALLEY INN / THE STYLE EATER

THE NOLITAN

August 7, 2014

Filed Under : TRAVEL

the nolitan

the nolitan lobby

On our last trip to New York, we stayed at The Nolitan and loved everything about it. The convenience, oh the convenience! It’s right in the heart of Nolita and within walking distance to almost every place we wanted to visit. Bless it’s heart for being across the street from Black Seed and Butcher’s Daughter.

Not only that, it’s pretty dang good looking, am I right? That lobby with the buttery leather sofas! The whole hotel is very modern, with clean lines and great decor. Same for the room we stayed in as well. Stylish, but so, so comfortable. Ideally, I’d like to move right in and pay rent on that corner unit with the floor-to-ceiling windows. Sighhhhh.

THE ROOF! Oh, but I already told you about the roof.

I’ll be back, Nolitan!

NYC photos here, plus all the food and shops here.

NYC: ALL THE FOOD & SHOPS

July 28, 2014

Filed Under : TRAVEL

Ok maybe not alllllll the food & shops, but these are a few of the places we visited in New York that we loved (some favorites from before, some newbies). I couldn’t list them all because then we’d be here until next Tuesday and you’d probably judge me for how much I ate, but these places were all top notch experiences. I’m still trying to work off all the bagel weight, because don’t you think for a second that we didn’t have Black Seed Bagels more than once.

Anyway, after this mess of iPhone #foodpics below (plus a few shops thrown in the mix), there’s a lil breakdown of each place in case you fancy my unsolicited opinions. BYE NEW YORK, I miss you already.

NYC food / the style eater

Clockwise from top left: Black Seed Bagels, Cafe Gitane, Happy Bones, Rubirosa, Freeman’s, Jack’s Wife Freda

 

NYC food / the style eater

Clockwise from top left: The Butcher’s Daughter, Cafe Colette, Buvette, Navy, Buvette again, Roberta’s

 

NYC shops / the style eater

Clockwise from top left: Schoolhouse Electric, Steven Alan Home, Still House, Mociun, Joinery, Rag & Bone

And now, if you’re still tuned in, the breakdown:

FOOD
Black Seed Bagels: There must be something in the water here (get it? bagel jokes), because holy crap these bagels are GOOD. We went twice, in case you skipped over the part at the top of the post where I mentioned we went there twice. Don’t forget to order the lox or beet-cured salmon, please.

Cafe Gitane: Been here a million times but seriously, why does their avocado toast taste so good? This time we sat at the bar so we could watch the staff put together the toast. We took notes, tried it at home, and NO DICE.

Jack’s Wife Freda: We went to Jack’s at 5pm on a Thursday night (hey, we took the red eye the night before) and had one of the best meals of the trip. Ummm the beet dip with pita was next level and I never tire of a good brussels sprout dish.

Happy Bones: Don’t ever ask my opinion on a coffee place because I don’t drink coffee. But their ginger tea was super refreshing and their donut game was pretty on point. Plus, it’s so cute – those tortoise shell spoons!

Freeman’s: I was really excited to go to Freeman’s because it makes for a great instagram photo, what with the picturesque alley + string lights combo they’ve got going on out front. What made it even better was that the brunch was really great. I always say that you can’t trust a person who orders granola for brunch (aka what I ordered), but I swear, I had just eaten a donut from Happy Bones AND I was sharing Kyle’s smoked trout with hardboiled eggs and toast.

Rubirosa: Alex pretty much forced us to order the vodka pizza and I’M SO GLAD SHE DID. Let me set the record straight: I’m not a pizza person. I KNOW, I’m sorry. It’s not something I’m proud of. But holy crap, I enjoyed this pizza so much. The flavor was unlike anything I’ve ever had before. So if you go, I’m forcing you to order the vodka pizza.

The Butcher’s Daughter: This breakfast was the perfect detox after a night indulging in Rubirosa pizza. We ordered a few things on the menu, like the muesli and the avocado benedict, and everything was fresh, light, and delicious. Definitely order a juice!

Buvette: Paris? Is that you? Sure feels like it here. Also the waffle was pretty delicious.

Navy: Kyle and I had a romantic dinner for 2 at Navy and it was a perfect meal to end our vacation. The oysters were some of the best we’ve had and I’d really like to eat that mussel toast again.

Cafe Colette: This cafe in Brooklyn was pretty much the cutest place ever. Their fish tacos were really good and that’s saying a lot coming from a Southern California taco aficionado. Also, God bless their air conditioning system. We stumbled in super overheated and it was like a mini oasis away from the heat.

Roberta’s: When we got to Roberta’s, the hostess told us it would be a 2 hour wait. We made our way to the tiki bar in the back (yes, I said tiki bar) to wait out the storm, and 20 minutes later our table was ready. Talk about a happy surprise. Also, chewy dough, HELLO I like you.

SHOPS – and here’s the rapid fire round:
Schoolhouse Electric: for all the home decor and fixtures
Steven Alan Home: the best ceramics and planters
Rag & Bone: because duh
McNally Jackson Goods for the Study: really neat/fancy office supplies
Diptique: because everyone needs a good candle
Saturdays Surf NYC: a great men’s brand, but still wanted all the things for myself
Still House: ceramics and jewelry, what more could you want?
Love Adorned: jewelry, home goods, and a really good stack of Moroccan rugs
Joinery: a Brooklyn staple – great home goods and apparel
Mociun: heart swoons, alllll the heart swoons
Pilgrim Surf and Supply: because we were traveling with lots of dudes and this is perfect for dudes
catbird: best jewelry store IMO
Space Ninety8: a multi-story urban outfitters with a great roof top

New York, until next time.

NEW YORK CITY: PRETTY MUCH ALL THE PHOTOS

July 17, 2014

Filed Under : TRAVEL

NYC / the style eater

There’s really nothing I love more than a good ol’ trip to New York and holy heavens, this was a good one. It took me a solid 2.5 months to go through all my photos, but who’s counting really? I traveled there over Memorial Day weekend with my dude man Kyle, my best friend Jaymee, and her hubs Reis. We also spent a lot of time with my lady love, Alex, and her BF, Grant.

Anyway, this was my favorite trip to NYC yet, mostly because I got engaged, but also because we did really fun things, ate really good food, and spent time with really great people. Plus, throw in a full day in Brooklyn and then we’re talking about all the reasons why we need to move to NY asap. I also probably spent way too much money, i.e. all this stuff, but money doesn’t count when you go on vacation, is what I tell myself. I want to go back already.

A couple things to note: We stayed at The Nolitan Hotel and loved it, but I’ll do a full post on that separately. Plus, ALL the places we shopped and restaurants we ate at are coming later as well. SO STAYED TUNED.

NYC / the style eater

Washington Square Park and the impending downpour. I love how people aren’t fazed at all by rain. As an LA lady, I’m very used to seeing people bunker down inside until any and all weather systems pass through.

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

The rooftop of our hotel was my favorite place and we went up there as often as possible. What’s funny is that no one else goes up there. We were like the only ones who took advantage of the amazing view.

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

My babes (Alex and Jaymee) and I at Freeman’s. The one thing about this trip that I’ll note is that we had a very strict food itinerary that we stuck to everyday. I wasn’t about to miss out on my fave NYC eateries so I made reservations at almost all the places we went to months in advance. Give me allllll the foods. More about said food in a later post.

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

Beers and chips & salsa on the rooftop. Why no one else took advantage of that dang roof will remain a mystery for the rest of my days.

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

Oh Brooklyn, you really get me every time with your picturesque streets, amazing shops, and sweet cafes on every corner. Don’t mind me, I’m just on Craigslist looking for an apartment.

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

WE JUST PEOPLES. $10 to the person who can name that movie reference.

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

These two needed their coffee fix every couple hours. I love them.

NYC / the style eater

The Wythe Hotel rooftop! Gorgeousness everywhere.

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

And what’s a trip to NY without a stroll through Central Park? Actually we forgot about CP altogether on our last trip and were determined to make it this time. It was overcast with a 100% chance of thunderstorms and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

ALL THE SELFIES, ALL THE TIME. This photo was an update from the photo in this post, but we just weren’t getting our angles right.

NYC / the style eater

NYC / the style eater

And then after this selfie, he said “Hey, why don’t we go up to the rooftop one last time?” and then proposed. That kid, always something up his sleeve.

Food and shops coming next!

Last trip to NY here, here, and here.

ACE HOTEL DOWNTOWN LA

March 25, 2014

Filed Under : AROUND LA - TRAVEL

ACE HOTEL LA / THE STYLE EATER

Last weekend, we staycationed at the new Ace Hotel in downtown LA and if there’s one piece of knowledge that you take away from this blog, it’s that staycations are the best and you should do them often. I mean…being in total relaxation/vacation mode and only 10 minutes from your house? Talk about the easiest and most convenient thing to ever happen. Needless to say, it was lovely in every way and I took zero photos, aside from a handful of iPhone pics, most of which were instagrammed. Luckily, Jaymee popped by for a morning coffee (because, again, staycations are the best and all your peeps are close by) and did a mini photo sesh at the rooftop bar. I’m taking her on all my vacations. I love that girl.

ACE HOTEL LA / THE STYLE EATER

ACE HOTEL LA / THE STYLE EATER

ACE HOTEL LA / THE STYLE EATER

ACE HOTEL LA / THE STYLE EATER

ACE HOTEL LA / THE STYLE EATER

Anyway, it was such a great weekend. We laid out by the pool (very small pool) on the rooftop, drank lots of micheladas, shopped around the hotel, ate a TON, and vegged out. Our hotel room had a terrace so it was fun (and scary as crap) to sit out there and admire the buildings. The room itself was small but super hip and cute. Also, the bathroom fixtures and marble countertop were next level and I wrote down all the specs – that’s how I know I’m an adult. A handful of iPhone photos:

ACE HOTEL LA / THE STYLE EATER

ACE HOTEL LA / THE STYLE EATER

ACE HOTEL LA / THE STYLE EATER

ACE HOTEL LA / THE STYLE EATER

ACE HOTEL LA / THE STYLE EATER

ACE HOTEL LA / THE STYLE EATER

ACE HOTEL LA / THE STYLE EATER

ACE HOTEL LA / THE STYLE EATER

ACE HOTEL LA / THE STYLE EATER

STAYCATION STATS
ATE: Bar Ama for dinner (omg that Tex-Mex Queso, though) and L.A. Chapter for brunch (top notch avocado toast, pancakes, and granola with fruit & yogurt)
DRANK: Micheladas and Bloody Mary’s by the pool. Also, lots of water because it was 88 degrees.
SHOPPED: the new Tanner Goods store (so awesome and Kyle’s fave place), Aesop pop-up, Acne, and OAK – all within a block of the hotel
ROOM: Medium with Terrace
WORE: This kimono, ripped UO jeans, Isabel Marant/H&M tee, vintage Levi’s shorts, old Topshop sandals, and my new favorite bikini top.
MILES FROM HOME: 12

Regular photos by Jaymee