Art is Alive and Weird in Berlin

I recently visited the beautiful, odd, and eclectic city of Berlin. Everywhere you turn there is something packed with history or something covered in graffiti. It has a very distinct personality–one of resilience and the bizarre. As you wander the streets, you get the feeling that many of the residents want to give the old,…

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The Birthplace of California Wine

Mission San Juan Capistrano was the home to California’s very first vineyard–one of the other way Spanish missionaries left their mark on North America besides Smallpox. The mission itself dates back to the 1700s. Time, power shifts, and an earthquake have colored its walls, creating a backdrop for artists to showcase through film, literature, and…

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Suburbia on the Sea

Dana Point is a beach town in Orange County. It’s a big surf spot and it feels like suburbia on the sea. Despite the odd, creepy feeling that the burbs give me–this place has some beautiful beaches. Here are the views from Dana Point Lookout: Now for some beer brewed in state at Salt Creek…

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Solvang

Solvang, California, located in the Santa Ynez Valley, is the unofficial capital of Denmark in America. I also heard someone refer to it as Poor Man’s Wine Country. If that means it’s a place where you can buy a reasonably priced bottle of wine, I’m sold! In the early 1900s Danish immigrants who’d been living…

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Santa Barbara

Holy Smokes, did I love walking the streets of Santa Barbara! The Spanish architecture, ginormous palms, and wealth of succulents, all framed by the Santa Ynez Mountains and the sea are enough to make anyone swoon, really. Where did all this Spanish flair come from, you ask? Well, I’ll tell ya! We have proof that…

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Hollywood Blvd

I’ve never spent time in Hollywood, until now. It’s funny to visit a place you’ve seen countless times in TV and in movies: the Walk of Fame, the Chinese Theater, and the sign posted clearly in the hills just in case you forget the name of the joint. I have to admit, it’s dirtier than…

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ohhh! That’s why it’s called Venice.

To the west of Los Angeles lies the vibrant beachfront neighborhood of Venice. For many years, it was an independent city–until merging with LA in the 1920s. Today, it’s home to many artists, mystics, performers, and folks hoping to live close to the city center. It’s eclectic and terrifically odd. Walking the promenade along the…

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The Chicago River Walk

I’ve been back to Chicago a few times since I moved last year, but this was the first time I got to fully enjoy the new River Walk. I have to say, I’m really impressed. If you’re visiting for the first time, don’t miss out on this new aspect of the city. While you’re at…

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Sunny Seattle

Sunny Seattle: those words sound as though they don’t belong together. I’ve visited the beautiful city many times, and this trip was so beautiful and the weather was so pleasant–it felt like a different place. Where I Stayed: The WestinMy Favorite Meal: The Premium Sushi Omakase at Shiro’s SushiMy Favorite New Brewery: Cloudburst and FremontMy Favorite New Beer…

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Jenny Does Dallas

I spent the weekend with my sweet parents in Dallas a while back. We stayed in a delightful little AirBnB (take a look at it here). It’s been so long since I’ve visited the DFW area, and I was surprised how much it changed. The Deep Ellum District is a really fun spot with lots…

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