Just dreaming about Villa Dubrovnik again.... I can't help it. Sometimes I stare into the distance remembering the ocean, the beautiful fruits at breakfast, the time I discovered the deep purple Plavic Mali wine, the sun setting behind the Old Town of Dubrovnik, and I smile, and then realize I'm back home again. It honestly feels like it was a memory I wish I could live in forever. If you've ever heard of The Villa you know it's one of those hotels you see in magazines. It was the last stop on our Croatian adventure and Ryan had saved the best for last. Dubrovnik in itself was unreal. It's known for it's distinctive Old Town encircled with massive stone walls, filled with beautiful shops, restaurants and historic churches. You could get lost for hours here...however, we wouldn't know too much because we barely could leave our hotel. Villa Dubrovnik was built out of grey stone Brac and perched on a rocky coast overlooking the deep azure blue Adriatic. We spent our days soaking up the sun on the gorgeous lounge chairs, sporadically placed into the cliff, jumping into the ocean with our GoPro (Ryan had to beg me, of course), ordering delicious Caprese Salads and Rosé, reading every last inch of my book The Girl on The Train... And at night, salivating over the perfect sunset views while sipping champagne with our new friends from New York City, and finishing our evening with seafood at the Michelin Star worthy restaurant. We also took advantage of the James Bond style boat that taxis you into the Old Town every hour from the dock of the hotel, where once inside the walls found the famous Buza Bar with locals and daring tourists jumping from extremely high rocks into the deep blue sea below. I'll never forget this stunning slice of heaven, and already have dreams of returning one day, if even just to sip on a juicy Plavic Malî wine on the cliffs once more while watching the sunset. Breakfast Swimming with our new friends Boating into The Old Town I met a beautiful couple from The Netherlands who just happened to meet me two months ago in character at Universal Studios... it really is a small world.... GOODNIGHT DUBROVNIK! Thank you again for the beautiful dreams xoxo Chloé

Driving into Split, Croatia, was not the easiest feat. I know first hand, because I had to do it! Bustling roads, people running across the street, street signs that were impossible to read- I thought there is no way I'm gonna like it here. I stepped out of our rental car (which we were returning), and into the 90 degree sun. My skin was on fire, my bag was 1,000 pounds. I was annoyed. But of course, it was Croatia, which meant a magical man was most likely about to appear to sweep us off our feet and save us. I know I can be a spoiled brat at times, but I'm just trying to be honest. And there he was, our 6'5" friend, that whisked my bag out from under me, and Ryan's too, and happily led us on our little jont to find our hotel. All of the sudden everything was right in the world. We checked into our stunning little abode, "The Piazza Heritage Hotel" beautifully situated in an old building in the main square of the old town. Although we were beat, we couldn't wait to begin exploring. The old town is basically built right into Diocletian's Palace. I can tell you everything about Diocletian's Palace because Ryan made me do a walking tour (which I ended up loving, but don't tell him) right at dusk, which is the only time to do it when it's blistering hot out. The Palace happens to also be where they film a ton of scenes from Game of Thrones, so if you're a fan of the show, you will recognize quite a bit from the city. The restaurants we dined at were perfect. We ate at traditional Croatian restaurants both nights, indulging in fresh fish, octopus, and our favorite- feta and olive oil. Pairing wine was not as simple as it is back home in California. Croatian wines were not my favorite (however, we finally found some amazing ones in Dubrovnik), the acid in them was too much for my liking. My favorite restaurant was Konoba Korta where we were served by the sweetest lady, Karla. Every dish was beautiful and I'm still dreaming of Ryan's fresh turbot and my melt in your mouth John Dory. On the other side of this old town you have what they call The Riva. Restaurants and bars lined up all along the harbor. Yachts and sail boats coming and going, a bustling nightlife with music on every corner. This town was purely magic- the history, the beauty, the food, the people... I can't wait to return again someday, and get over myself the minute I step foot into that warm and beautiful sun.

If you read my previous post you know about my lovely visit to Plitvicka. What you don't know is that we were supposed to stay there another night, but thought, what's the point? We've seen and done everything in this little town so we decided to take a road trip down to the Dalmation Coast and begin our ocean adventures in Zadar. And thank gosh we did! This sleepy little beach town had one of the most peaceful art installations I had ever seen. If you ever have the chance to experience the Sea Organ, an architectural object and an experimental musical instrument, which plays music by way of sea waves and tubes located underneath a set of large marble steps, do it. You won't be disappointed. Ryan was able to jump off it and swim with the locals at sunset, a quiet and peaceful experience where everyone claps when the sun goes down. I thought, if only I was brave enough to do this, but alas, I've always been scared of things that are new to me and slightly daring. That night I promised myself that I would return in the morning to face my fears and make the plunge. We came back early, where I was hoping to be the only ones and of course it was full of more locals jumping off and swimming. It took probably a half hour of convincing myself, but finally once Ryan told me he would hold my hand and not let go, I jumped off the sea organ into the deep blue. What a rewarding and beautiful experience that I'll never forget thanks to Ryan, my extremely daring and always adventurous, big fish, who never lets me walk away from things that may scare me.

Hat: Nordstrom Rack

Necklace: Brass Plum Nordstrom

Dress: BKB in Hermosa Beach

Shoes: BCBG

Sunset at The Sea Organ

Frida the Monkey wandering around Zadar

Exploring the Roman Ruins in 

Tank Top: Forever 21

Beaded Necklace: Nordstrom

Shorts: Angel

Shoes: Steve Madden

Captain Hat: Croatian Souvenir

After my jump into the ocean

Hat: LA Dodgers cap

Bikini: Sperry

Ba

Plitvice Lakes, or Plitvicka Jezera. However you want to say it, say it, or don't. I'm pretty sure every Croatian person I met pronounced it differently anyway. Whichever way you choose it will remain to be one of the most beautiful National Parks I've ever seen. Sea foam green, sometimes light blue, sometimes crystal clear water engulfs you from every angle. I honestly felt like a fairy was going to fly by me and sprinkle her fairy dust. The walking areas are somewhat frightening; a four foot wide wooden bridge with no hand rails, and only two feet between you and the water. Falling in wouldn't be the worst thing that happened, it's hot out and the water looked seriously refreshing, besides for the millions of fish swimming in circles (I hate fish). We got an early start knowing we had a very long six mile trek ahead of us in the scorching sun, beginning at the lower lakes, and finishing up at the upper lakes. Besides the view of the gorgeous, delicate waterfalls, I couldn't get enough people watching in: a foreign couple with their Pug t-shirts and their pug in a legitimate baby stroller, four young ladies from Indonesia that kept trying to get in our picture, Chinese tour groups that would not walk on the right side of the teeny bridge, two nomadic Americans in search of their next adventure; we experienced it all, while laughing and sweating along the way. Plitvicka, Plitvice, Plitvijka- thank you for showing us all your radiant beauty. We'll never forget you.

Hat: Freedom Artists

Tank top: Lulu Lemon (usually too pricey for me, but when it's really hot this material is the best)

Shorts: Champion

Fanny Pack: Eagle Creek

Shoes: New Balance

It's crazy to think that it's been twelve whole years since I lived in London, and for some reason I can't seem to let it go. It's like a breakup that I never recovered from. I had a rebound fling with Hong Kong, but to my surprise, I still couldn't let London go. So I returned, and returned again, and again, and again, and again. I'm not kidding you. But when I met Ryan, I stopped my wild travel excursions to be taken seriously by my new love. It's been 6 years since I last visited and when Ryan told me we were going to Europe for our Honeymoon, he surprised me with a four day stop in London so I could show him around. This guy knows the way to my heart. It was everything I could have ever dreamed of. The love of my life with me and the "other" love of my life. Tears streamed down my cheeks when the plane landed at Heathrow; I had made it back to my home...Marks & Spencer hummus, Cadbury Flakes, Haribo Starmix, Boots Pharmacy, Costa Coffee, Pret-A-Manger sammies.... were all waiting for me. I know what you're thinking: that I can find all that in the US now! But alas, you will never understand how different it is. I took Ryan to all my favourite old walking spots along the Thames starting at the Eye and making it to The Globe. Visiting my favorite museum, The Tate Modern (which I don't love as much in my 30's, but was so hip when I was 20), checking out The National Theatre, where my fellow classmates and I would catch the latest Helen Mirren play on a Thursday. He even did my old walk to school with me so I could see my old friends, The Giraffes (who I named Goldie and Lucy back in the day) in Regents Park, went to the market in Camden where I would buy earrings to wear out that night on my lunch break.
When it was time to part, I cried. The way to the airport was ripping out my heart strings. I always thought I would settle down in London and live there forever. But I look over and see Ryan next to me. He holds my hand, knowing how hard it is for me but still smiles. I'll always have London to visit, but there's only one perfect person for me, and it's not her, it will always be Ry, a million times over.

Warm Saturday at Portobello Market

Hat: DSW

Bead Necklace: Nordstrom

Tank Top: Forever 21

Jeans: Gap

Shopping Bag: Stumper Fielding on Portobello Road

Shoes: New Balance

PS- most of this is now gone since my luggage was stolen :(

Walking through Regents Park to my old tube stop at St Johns Wood

Scarf: Nordstrom

Sweater: Irene's Story

Jeans: H & M 

Earrings: Nordstrom Rack

Glasses: Francesca's

Travel gear needs to be simple and easy so I can mix and match the whole trip! 

For my 32nd Birthday this year (yikes), I asked Ryan if we could go fancy camping, which apparently has a name now, and they call it "Glamping". I had recently seen a lovely article on the cover of my travel magazine of this gorgeous lit up tent with a bed, in the middle of the forest and thought, I have to be there. Now. So I showed Ryan the exact tent we had to stay in and told him exactly what we were going to do. Relax, sleep, hike, eat, make s'mores, and drink wine, the normal things you do when you camp. So my sweet, sweet husband, who does everything right (sorry ladies), booked what I wanted. The day of the trip had come and we were on the road to Santa Barbara. We arrive at El Capitan Canyon, where the man at the desk (let's call him Adam), gave me a curt hello (ummm...it's my birthday, how dare you?), and sent us on our merry way to our fab tent that I had been waiting so long for.... and it's, oh my god, jaw drop, horrible. I wish I had a picture to show you, but if you can imagine, it's facing a hedge, no view, crammed between two cabins filled with children and in the direct hot, hot sun. Now I know, poor me, I get what I asked for, but no way in hell was this happening, it was my birthday, and I get whatever I want on my one day. I basically start crying and poor Ryan, disappointed as well, convinces me to talk to Adam.

I walk in and tell Adam, listen, this isn't exactly what we had in mind when we booked the trip, and show him the magazine cover, which I think many people have done. Ryan then enters and tells him it's my birthday, which doesn't make him seem to excited either. We then decide that maybe the tent isn't the best way to go and swap to a beautiful cedar cabin with a gorgeous view of the trees and creek, and no children for at least a hundred yards. We did all the amazing things one does when glamping: hike, drank wine and sat by the fire till it was time to fall asleep. My birthday turned into a beautiful three days and my outfits weren't too bad either. Glamping at it's finest!! Happy Birthday to me.

Hat: Olive & Pique

Shirt: Abercrombie & Fitch

Shorts: H & M

Sandals: Kenneth Cole

Sunglasses: TOMS

Last week my husband and I ventured to our nations' capitol to visit his beautiful grandparents, explore the city, and of course, work in between. I had not been to Washington DC since I was 14 years old, and I honestly don't remember too much. I may be a bit of a presidential daydreamer....I'm literally obsessed with Annette Bening in The American President, I love Scandal, I think Obama is pretty rad (but lets not get political), I play JFK's rumored love interest, Marilyn Monroe for a living,  I can't get enough of House of Cards,  I honestly think I'm meant to work for the CIA, and American History blows my mind. I have dreamt of going to the Smithsonian (mainly to check out Dorothy Gale's ruby red slippers), pretty much since I was a kid. So of course, this city gave my everything and more in 4 whirlwind days. Amidst all the craziness, I wrangled my husband, Ryan, to snap a few pics of me in my glory. Even though I packed last minute, I managed to bring a few fun things for you to see, that were extremely easy to pack since they squished down, and you could throw on heels with this for a night on the town if need be.

Hat: David & Young 

Tank: LUSH

Romper: Free People (splurge)

Shoes: BCBG 

Sunglasses : Forever 21