I debated on writing a blog post about my Cali adventures last month. Those days I spent out there felt more personal than so many of my other recent trips I’ve shared on the blog. Not to mention that, because I spent so much time relaxing and, well, being present with friends, I really didn’t worry too much about a “highlights reel.”

But, the more I thought it over, the more I kept landing on this thought: “Come January, I want to be able to relive this trip.” In addition to blogging the work of my amazing clients, this blog has always been a way for me to capture sentiments I want to remember—the good, the bad, the times with friends, the nature of self-discovery. All of it. And when you don’t take the time to stop and reflect, you lose a little of that in the memory. So while I won’t be your California tour guide, I will hit on a few of the ways I want to remember the Golden State. For me.

California, this is how I want to remember you ….

How refreshing the air in Santa Monica felt after a bout of brutally hot and humid summer days back home//the taste of fish tacos and fresh mahi mahi sandwiches and my first grilled artichoke//the utter cuteness that was Mary Frances’ dog, Rilo//having drinks at the Viceroy in Santa Monica and then taking our picture in the bathroom because that place is just so darn cool//shopping on Abbott Kinney//spotting Andie McDowell three times in one day—and giggling as we played “paparazzi” from Mary’s Pruis//eating In-n-Out and singing along to “Party in the U.S.A.”…once again, in Mary’s Pruis//Seeing live music at Hotel Cafe//sleeping in and eating Cinnamon Toast Crunch in LuLu Lemon workout gear//meeting new clients on the beach and falling in love with their kiddos//enjoying a long lunch filled with sushi and great conversation with Mary and the ever-sweet Adrienne Gunde//having dinner with Mary and her roomie and one of my favorite California girls, Lydia//feeling the sand between my toes in Laguna Beach//the sweetness of Jasmine and JD and their graciousness in sharing with me platters of antipasto and pasta and fine wine//seeing Alice in Wonderland and other works of art come to life at the Pageant of the Masters//the ridiculous awesomeness of Miss Amber Fox//Kayaking in Newport Beach//how pretty people are in the O.C….it’s totally intimidating//Foot massages with Amber and the even-sweeter-in-real-life Tira Young//feeling like the luckiest girl over appetizers and wine shared with some amazing new friends//getting to hang with one of my favorite California families//the view of the ocean and sunset from Malibu’s hills over Pepperdine//God’s ability to work in mysterious ways

It’s a Mary thing ;) Life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quickly you hardly catch it going.

Tennessee Williams

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