Tag: Lifestyle

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Destination: Japan

FALL TRAVEL GUIDE

Team members began pre-holiday celebrations by taking a quick trip to Japan, yes you read that correctly, they were off to the Orient to relish in the natural landscapes and street scenes of Kobe, Osaka, and Tokyo before settling into the surreal season of giving with family and friends. I was immediately drawn to the evening street scenes, as there is something magical about being out at night, where the nonsensical and disjointed come together for absolute FUN!!!

Images of Tokyo Skytree Town taken from the observation tower in Sumida, Japan. Tokyo Skytree resembles a five story pagoda and is a the tallest structure in Japan. It is the second tallest structure in the world after the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

 

Tennōji-ku, Osaka has a sprawl of skyscrapers with a 6th century Shitennoji Temple centered around green spaces. But, this area of Horikoshicho is a retro-style, neon-lit entertainment zone where late-night crowds hit pubs and snack bars.

This age old custom of traditional dress to attend the temple for evening prayer is striking, but seeing these young ladies with their 21st century cell phones definitely adds to their charm.

Travel stylishly,
K

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Weekend in West Hollywood

When you have 36 hours to spend in a city, you become extremely attuned to each sight, sound and the smell of fabulously prepped food. There was nothing like spending last weekend cultivating tunes to create my “West Coast” playlist with music pilfered from Uber drivers and shopkeepers alike. I learned of a new station to play on “Tunein Radio”, and haven’t stopped playing KJAZZ 88.1 since returning from our trip, and it’s the only station I want to hear after a long, hard day at work.

Andaz West Hollywood
8401 Sunset Blvd, 90069
+1 323 656 1234

The giant guitar outside the Andaz Hotel on Sunset Blvd was a beautiful sight upon returning each evening. This spot attracted legendary rockers in the mid-60s, but now serves as a gateway for the eclectic.

The Pink Taco
8225 Sunset Blvd, 90046
323-380-7474

On Friday afternoon we kept it real and headed to the Pink Taco for lunch. They have an innovative approach to creating farm fresh food. The service was phenomenal; our waitress was adorable and most knowledgeable about the menu not to mention the sites around West Hollywood. We started with frozen margarita’s that were aptly named “Cadillac”, because it was absolutely delicious and smooth. It had a cognac based Grand Mariner, fresh squeezed lime-juice and the best tequila you can find.

Then it was the guacamole made with avocados, onion, tomato, jalapeno, lime and cilantro. Next, the taqueria’s of fried lobster served with chipotle mayo, mango habanero salsa, sliced avocado, cabbage slaw on flour tortillas. I had the Baja, which was marinated shrimp on cabbage slaw, chipotle mayo, and avocado with a very Mexican pico.

The Getty Villa and Gardens
17985 Pacific Coast Hwy., Pacific Palisades, 90272

The varieties of plants used in landscaping at the Getty Villa are akin to visiting the Mediterranean; the smell of lemons, sage and lavender while walking in the warm sun made strolling the gardens enjoyable.
I was in the outer peristyle garden that had we been in ancient Rome would have been a place to converse with guest or for solo contemplation. The refreshing reflecting pool, sculptures, wall paintings and plants made the afternoon most enjoyable.

Relax and travel stylishly,
Kathleen