Category Archives: los angeles

My Year in Travel – 2013

This year was a great year of travel for me, hitting some brand new destinations and revisiting some of my old favorites. BUT, for me, the VERY BEST thing about this year in travel are all the wonderful people who I met or was reunited with in various locations around the world. My travels wouldn’t be anything without the people on my journey.

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January saw me in NYC and meeting friends old and new – who knew how important they’d all become in my life over the course of this year. I count my blessings for you.

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In January I also skied in Verbier, Switzerland and absolutely loved my time with the legendary Warren Smith. I truly hope to see him again in 2014.

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Rounding out January, I went to Copenhagen for the very first time and got to reconnect with a travel friend, Christoffer. I loved the cool capital city of Denmark.

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February saw me catching up with a dear travel buddy, Anita, in Montreal, Canada for the very first time. We had a ball doing all kinds of wintery fun things like staying in an Ice Hotel and going to Igloofest.

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March was my month for Barcelona & Costa Brava, Spain. I was thrilled to meet up with a fellow traveler, Brian, in Barcelona and was lucky enough to see him again in London in November.

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Going to Costa Brava was an incredible experience. I love that area of Spain and really cannot get enough, especially of the coast. But, the people on this trip really made it the very best. I can’t imagine a more fun press trip.

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April found me in back in NYC. I always love my NYC trips because I get to catch up with very special friends like Jeff & Craig – 2 of my favorites!!

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May saw me in my favorite, Miami. I cannot get enough of this city. While I had my usual fun of beach, pool, dinner, drinks and dancing, I particularly enjoyed working with the fantastic luxe swimwear company, Orchid Boutique, during this trip. Talk about a great collection as well as a staff of kindred spirits!

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June was an incredible month chalked full of fun things. Kicking off in Toronto for a conference with so many of my favorite fellow travelers, I actually wonder if we’ll ever be able to beat our #RWTBEX time here. I love you all so much!

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I also got to spend a bit of time with one of my most lovely traveling partners, Mrs. O, Ana. I was able to show her a bit of Americana in the amazing seaside town of Newport, Rhode Island. We had a ball doing Newport the luxe way.

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Wrapping up my June, I had an incredible visit to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. What a great girls weekend we had there and our host, the Bahia Hotel and Carlos, made my trip 100% amazing. Cannot wait to return.

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July found me back in Euroland – one of Lola’s favorites. Although, this was a “repeat” journey of sorts, I did manage to do a few new things. One of which was going to the Henley Royal Regatta.

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Post-UK was a return visit to Prague and Budapest. Two of my favorites that I’ve never visited in the summertime. Absolutely stunning! So was hanging out with friends made on a previous trip. Always nice to share a beer with good people.

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August took me back to Montreal once again and NYC. This trip was extra special because of the time well spent with lifelong friends and a last visit with a friend that would soon depart. Anita, Montreal will always make me think of you fondly. I love you and that city so much.

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September took me to two cities I wanted to know better. First was Seattle with my newly found soul mate, Erin. There is nowhere I wouldn’t go with this girl. And we both wanted to celebrate happy moments, like our dear friends, Captain & Clark’s wedding!

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Toward the end of September, Erin and I were reunited again in the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia. I like to think of it as the city of sisterly love! We had a blast discovering different neighborhoods of Philly & laughing with each other all the while.

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October I was lucky enough to be reunited with 2 of my favorite traveling partners again, Ana & Mary Anne along with Mary Anne’s BFF Maxine, for a GLAM LA girls weekend.

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November was a busy fun month with a visit back to the UK for a conference and reconnecting with so many fun friends from around the world. I’m so glad our paths cross from time to time.

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Followed up by a quick jaunt to France and Amsterdam for more girlfriend fun. I wouldn’t choose to travel any other way. Traveling with Ashley, Ana & Mary Anne was the very best.

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And I managed to squeeze in a last minute trip back to NYC with my girlfriends and once again be reunited with some of my favorite people.

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In December I finished off my year of travel back in Miami to celebrate Erin’s birthday. I cannot think of a better place to end my year. It is my happy spot and it was made so much better being there, laughing and enjoying life, with two of my travel besties, Erin & Esther.

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Maybe you see some common themes in my travels. Repeat places, repeat friends, repeated silliness and smiles. Traveling is my lifeline and a huge part of my heart as are all the people I meet along the way. My world is better for all of you. Here’s to many more reunions on the road and good times ahead in 2014! Happy travels…

XO – Lola

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Filed under amsterdam, barcelona, budapest, cabo san lucas, copenhagen, costa brava, henley-on-thames, london, los angeles, miami, montreal, new york, newport, philadelphia, prague, seattle, toronto, travel, verbier

One Day Stay: Los Angeles, California

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Los Angeles is quite a city. The ‘City of Angels’. The ‘City of the Stars’. I was looking forward to returning to LA and delving deeper into what the second largest city in North America has to offer. I’ve done the Hollywood tour thing before but I hadn’t completely experienced Los Angeles like a star. Let’s just say I wasn’t disappointed with my little luxe visit. Even though there is far more to do in Los Angeles than one day can hold, it’s an easy place to do a little at a time and I enjoy discovering more about LA with every return. Here’s some of what I did during this One Day Stay.

DROP YOUR BAG

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Alright, I will admit it, if you didn’t already know…I’m a sucker for all things French! So, staying at Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills made Lola one happy girl. Not only is this 295 rooms & 28 suites hotel all things luxury, fashionable and French, they had a few other things that made my stay FAB. For one, I LOVE the Hermes products!! Yeah, and the view of the Hollywood Hills was pretty awesome too. Sending up all PINK amenities really won me over. BUT my breakfast in bed with a spicy bloody mary may have pleased me the most. This hotel definitely exudes a see and be seen Hollywood vibe and the location couldn’t be better. Not only did I not wish to leave, I didn’t even want to get out of their ridiculously comfortable bed! TRES ADORE YOU Sofitel.

DO

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I have actually been to Los Angeles several times and enjoyed many different parts of the city. Let’s face it, it’s a big sprawling place with so much to see and do. BUT one thing I had NEVER done while visiting LA is go to the beach. It seems insane because when I think of California I immediately think of surf, sand & suntans. SO, I thought it was high time to visit the LA beaches. Fortunately, there’s a way to do this in style and it’s especially convenient for travelers. May I introduce you to the Beach Butler by Perry’s Cafe. Offered at 3 different Santa Monica locations, Beach Butler has two levels of service: standard and custom. Both come complete with a chair, umbrella, towel & table but the custom also offers the service of lunch and drinks. Standard service starts at $50 and custom at $100. It was perfect to drop in, relax in the Cali sunshine, have a bite and then leave without any of the fuss. Why oh why can’t every beach have this?!

DRINK

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Santa Monica is a neighborhood I’ve been to before but I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface of what all you can do there. This visit to Los Angeles I had a few cocktail pit stops but by far my favorite was The Craftsman Bar and Kitchen. As they say themselves, it’s like drinking and dining in a beach style living room. Completely shabby chic, cozy & casual, naturally I enjoyed a hand crafted cocktail. It was delicious and I was delighted to have discovered this special spot in Santa Monica.

DINE

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Nic’s Beverly Hills was the perfect place for a great bite and a glass of wine while in LA. I particularly enjoyed the watermelon and goat cheese salad. Not only was it refreshing and delicious, it was also so creatively presented. BUT I have to tell the truth. The piece de resistance wasn’t the food for Lola. You see, Nic’s also offers this amazing experience, the VODBOX, which is right up my alley. You may be thinking “what the heck is a VODBOX?” It’s only the coolest walk-in freezer (no pun intended) for vodka tasting. The room is lined with literally hundreds of bottles of vodka. OH YEAH! Even better, you’re provided with faux fur coats & hats so you can stay warm inside the 28°F freezer. I loved the dressing up, of course, and the flight of vodka as well. Someone *should* remind me, though, tasting doesn’t mean you have to drink it all LOLA! Flights begin at $21 per person, bottle service begins at $250.

A huge Hollywood round of applause and thank you for a wonderful time in Los Angeles. My Beach Butler service in Santa Monica, cocktail at The Craftsman and dinner & drinks at Nic’s Beverly Hills were complimentary. Sofitel Los Angeles graciously gave me a press rate! All these experiences were very ‘Lola Approved’ and I express my own opinions.

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i spy eye candy! – Los Angeles

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This week where in the world is lola? picked the EYE CANDY topic of LA because I’m headed there for the weekend to have a glam tour of the ‘CITY OF ANGELS’. It’ll be fun to do up Los Angeles and the Golden State of California like the stars do!

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Of course I will be staying in swanky style at Sofitel Los Angeles and having drinks and dinner in some of the city’s hot spots. I’m looking forward to getting dolled up for the day by stylists from Fragola and having a fab photo shoot. Discovering more of West Hollywood & Santa Monica will also be a treat BUT the BEST part of all is sharing this weekend with 3 other GLAMOROUS GALS – @JETSETextra, @MrsOAroundWorld and @VanityGirl and this is exactly why it’ll be even more of a delicious EYE CANDY experience!

You can follow our GLAM girlfriend adventures on my InstagramFacebook & Twitter with the hashtag #FourPlayGoLA 

NOW all I need to complete my EYE CANDY dreams is a few star sightings! What’s EYE CANDY about Los Angeles to you?

XO – Lola

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‘The Mikimoto’ at Beverly Wilshire

there’s a saying that “diamonds are a girls best friend” but did the girl ever meet Mikimoto?

it may come as NO surprise that the oh-so-luxe pearl jewelry experts, Mikimoto, have a store front in the posh Beverly Wilshire – Four Seasons. for those who don’t know, Mikimoto is the foremost producer of the finest quality cultured pearls. The Mikimoto name is synonymous with superior quality at every stage, from the selection of finest materials to expert workmanship to their customer service commitment. Mikimoto combines timeless elegance with sophisticated, modern design. let’s just say – VERY LOLA APPROVED!

however, only 1/3 of my Mikimoto story has to do with the gorgeous pearl jewelry outfitter.

another 1/3 has to do with a legendary cocktail that is the signature drink of Beverly Wilshire’s The Blvd. ‘The Mikimoto’ is a delicious concoction which was served for 50 days in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Four Seasons brand last year at the Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills. during my most recent stay with Beverly Wilshire, i requested to try the signature cocktail of the hotel. the lovely staff arranged for me to sample ‘The Mikimoto’ at The Blvd one afternoon with the dashing General Manager as my companion & tour guide to my cocktail tasting. well…i had NO idea what a treat was in store for me. i should have known as Four Seasons makes even the ordinary special! the brand prides itself on making your stay customized, unique & memorable if you allow them the opportunity. I SURE DID and they did not let me down.

it was a like a scene from Pretty Woman. no, i’m not claiming to be any Julia Roberts. let’s not get carried away. BUT this IS my Pretty Woman moment.

so, there i am at the Reg. Bev. Wil. and the GM escorted me out to a coveted sidewalk table with staff waiting on us hand & foot. he had the menu at the ready for me to view. then, as they brought me the drink – well, it was delivered in the MOST GORGEOUS crystal glass i’ve ever seen. here’s the final 1/3 of the story. the Beverly Wilshire worked with Swarovski Crystal to have a special glass for their signature ‘The Mikimoto’ drink. i can’t decide what was more heavenly?! the cocktail, the glass or the fabulous pearl designer it was all named after.

OH, and did i fail to mention Mikimoto created a signature bracelet to go along with this special anniversary? well, i was able to test drive one of these beauties and i think i’m now in LOVE.

‘The Mikimoto’ cocktail is a combination of watermelon, mandarin & pineapple infused ultimat vodka, along with cointreau & finished with a lychee garnish shaped like none other than a pearl! all of this deliciousness can be yours for $19.

if you were lucky enough to be a patron during the anniversary celebration you could have your ‘The Mikimoto’ served in the stunning Swarovski Crystal glass to take home to the tune of $500. and if your date was a BIG spender then you could have the divine cocktail, crystal glass & bracelet all for $2500. to me, this is the best value! the Trifecta…a case where three isn’t a difficult number.

i was sold. BUT where was my sugar daddy?! just kidding – the experience was reenacted for me and this was good enough for lola – for now! 🙂

thank you Beverly Wilshire for making me feel like a Pretty Woman sipping my own gorgeous ‘The Mikimoto’. you certainly did make my visit a most memorable one!

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hollywood or hollywon’t?!

welcome to Hollywood! what’s your dream?

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i’m going Holly’would’ ALL the WAY, baby! 😉

lola quite enjoyed her time in Beverly Hills.  let me just say, if you have the choice, choose this! OMG, i don’t love LA but i could live in Beverly Hills quite happily. i’ll start with the Beverly Wilshire. it’s old school Hollywood glamorous! the building itself is gorgeous and a landmark worth visiting just to see it. the staff was amazing – waiting on me hand & foot – making sure i was satisfied. you know how lola loves the great customer service and attention!!

the beautiful Beverly Wilshire hotel

the whole “hood” of Beverly Hills is spectacular. who couldn’t be wooed by Rodeo Drive and all the beautiful boutique stores? or the expensive, fancy, fast cars parked along the palm-tree-lined streets? everything is perfectly groomed and very clean. it is sooo posh – i could have just died and gone to heaven!

super swanky Rodeo Drive

Beverly Hills Bugatti – the most pricey car in the world

i quite enjoyed my little LA tour complete with a visit to Grauman’s Chinese & Kodak theaters. it may be totally touristy but it was fun to find some of my favorite stars hand and foot prints in the cement as well as their stars on the side walk of Hollywood Boulevard. the whole area seemed to be buzzing about the Oscars happening just one week after my visit.

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Ms. Paltrow

my Hollywood crush – Johnny Depp

i got a kick out of getting close up to the Hollywood sign too. boy, driving up those winding roads was something else! it was interesting to learn the history of the sign (it was just an advertisement for land being sold to build homes) and how Hugh Hefner saved the sign by recently buying up all the land where the sign sits so that it cannot be developed. awww, that Hef is such a softie!

you can find every food imaginable at the farmers market

i also discovered some yummy foodie places and the 3rd & Fairfax Farmers Market – nom, nom, nom for eyes, nose, ears &  belly! in Bev Hills, i recommend Taberna for delicious Mexican (and that’s coming from a native Texan) 😉 AND The Farm of Beverly Hills was fantastic for breakfast (it didn’t hurt to have a star sighting of David Spade while eating my omelette)!

lola loves Beverly Hills!

to be honest with you, there really wasn’t anything that was hollywon’t. well…maybe the terrible LA traffic on the way to the airport but that’s it. looking forward to returning in May, Beverly Wilshire in the ritzy Beverly Hills, it’s the only way to stay! definitely ‘Lola Approved’!!

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