I know that Favorites posts are usually a Friday thing. But it’s my blog and I can do what I want, m’kay?
I’m back from my vacation in LA. Okay, I’ve been back for almost a week but I’ve been feeling like a a hot mess since I got back.
Truth be told, I haven’t been feeling like my most productive, sparkly, self. Some of it is probably a hint of jet lag. On top of the time difference there I also I stay up WAY later in LA than I do here. The weather got chilly the SECOND I got back to New York. All I want to do is sit on my couch in a sweat shirt and eat soup.
But I’m back! And here to tell you about my LA trip.
For those of you newer to the blog: My best friend from college moved to LA after he graduated college 8+ years ago. While I wish he was still in New York with me, I’ve loved visiting him over the years. I also lived in LA for a very hot second after college in 2012. If you want to take a deep dive into the blog archives you can find some posts from that time 😂
Some highlights from LA:
spending time with west coast friends.
Over the years more and more of my friends have found their way to LA — and a few that I’ve met along the way are California natives. I always feel bad that I can’t see everyone when I visit LA. I’m so grateful for the people I was able to catch up with for coffee, matcha, dinner or a hike.
going to Drag Queen Bingo
GUYS, Drag Queen Bingo at Hamburger Mary’s was SO much fun — and also supports a local or national charity. The night we went our $20 charge for Bingo boards went to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, a charity close to my heart. The crowd was small the night we went and both David and I ended up winning a round of Bingo and received a little prize pack. I definitely want to go back the next time I’m in LA.
seeing the queens from Rupaul’s Drag Race on tour!
So the reason I went to LA when I did was because I wanted to see the queens from Rupaul’s Drag Race on tour with David. The show was UNREAL, I might’ve cried when Bianca Del Rio showed up unannounced.
Before the show we had a meet and greet with the queens — uh I was totally starstruck. They were all SO kind and looked gorgeous in person.
How hilarious and short do I look next to Eureka O’hara??
lots of celebrity sightings.
Okay, I can’t NOT mention seeing Chrissy Teigan at a Target. Only in LA! She was there promoting her new line and giving away free stuff. Two seconds later David and I bumped into Caroline Rhea IN THE SAME TARGET. What is life in LA?!?!?!!?
I did some workouts:
I didn’t force myself to work out in LA and took things day-by-day. If I felt like sleeping, I slept in. If I felt like moving, I found a class to take. I ended up hitting up:
▶︎ Training Mate: My favorite studio in LA, hands down. I’ve been there a number of times over the years and always leave in the best mood. The class is a killer, but it’s a good time because your instructor is some hot Aussie that makes terrible jokes. Read my full review here.
▶︎Bunda: I’m hoping to do a full Bunda review in the next week. Bunda is a butt focused fitness studio. You spend roughly half the class on a stair master and then the other half doing glute focused exercises on the floor. Overall I really liked the workout, although I felt a bit out of place as the vibe was very LA, if you get my drift.
▶︎ Bar Method in Weho: Surprise, surprise, I went to Bar Method while I was away. I like that I can meet someone for lunch after without feeling like a sweaty mess. Bar Method in West Hollywood is also conveniently located next to my favorite sushi place in LA, Izakaya, so it was perfect for me to meet David there for lunch afterwards.
▶︎ hiking Fryman Canyon: I’ve never been to Fryman Canyon before — or hiking anywhere in LA besides Runyon. I went hiking with one of my friends and he suggested we switch it up and go to Fryman. It’s a little less crowded than Runyon but still has great views.
going to Saved by the Max
Saved by the Max is a Saved by the Bell themed restaurant. I kid you not. I grew up watching SBTB every morning as I got ready for day camp. The restaurant is a fun dose of nostalgia.
Disneyland Halloween
Wouldn’t be a trip to LA without going to Disneyland!
Disneyland Halloween is the BEST. If you can ever plan a trip to Disney in October, DO IT and make sure you buy tickets in advanced for Mickey’s Halloween. The lines were super short on all the major attractions, I’m talking 15 minute wait to ride Space Mountain. There’s trick-or-treating for kids young and old throughout the park. The parade was super cute. And the Haunted Mansion is Nightmare Before Christmas themed. It’s a gooood time!
And I ate lots of tasty food
Genghis Cohen (Chinese Food): I dream about the turkey wonton soup when I’m not in LA…
Simple Things (cute sandwich + salad place): Get the BBQ chicken sandwich with tater tots.
Hugo’s (fancy diner — super vegan friendly): I love the huevos rancheros with vegan cheese. And the sour cream pancakes were GOOD (and vegan!)
Izakaya in Weho (Japanese): I love the lunch special so much I went twice in one week…
Robata JINYA (Japanese): David and I shared a bunch of plates here and everything was great. Highly recommend the shrimp toast and homemade tofu.
Swingers (24-hour diner — vegan friendly): I can’t resist ordering the vegan nachos here. Also loved their vegan cobb salad — their tofu is really really good.
M Cafe (macrobiotic healthy): Great place to grab a quick healthy lunch or dinner. I always get the veggie burger.
Real Food Daily (vegan):I love breakfast sandwiches, but it’s really hard to find a “Kayla friendly” one in New York (no dairy or meat). I got their Breakfast Sandwich three times while I was in LA — twice at the West Hollywood restaurant and once at the airport. Whoops.
Alfred’s Tea & Alfred’s Coffee: It’s totally cliche to go to Alfred’s — both the tea and coffee shops are very instagram-able. I still like meeting friends at either one for a latte or matcha. Especially blogger friends because they won’t judge me for taking ALL the pictures 😂 (thanks Jordan and Theodora for being judgement free)
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Your turn: Have you ever been to LA?
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