3.02.2024

12.27.2024. Pappy + Harriets + Pioneertown. Pioneertown. California.

On our way out of the desert, we had lunch at Pappy and Harriets in Pioneertown. It's got great BBQ. Definitely more happening at night if you can wing that and keep an eye out for the shows there. There are some surprises coming through there if you are lucky.







Then we walked around Pioneertown and found that offensive $200 jug of soap in one of these stores.











Then driving back to Palm Springs I mowed a desert lawn...

12.24.2024-12.27.2024. Joshua Tree. California.

Everyone has been asking me for pictures of Acido Dorado, but I am not allowed to post those. It's written into the contract of the rental of the house. It's an amazing house and covered in mirrors, which means it's very delicate. I loved the play of light within the space when you open it up to let the natural light inside. I even woke up at sunrise one morning to see the fiery colors at dawn. It was exceptionally cold at night so we were unable to enjoy the hot tub as it was simply too cold. So we put some logs in the fire pit and stargazed while bundled up in blankets instead. This rental is definitely not for everyone and filled with rules. So while this architecture may lure you, I am sure all the rules that comes with it in addition to the price tag will make many of you pass on this rental.

It was a 2.5 hour drive to Joshua Tree from Santa Monica. Which is as much driving as my poor back can almost tolerate before it goes out. The landscape is beautiful. It was easy to see the gentrification that took place since Covid. You now have brand new overpriced homes next to local homes that have been there for a while. Stores are Walmart, Grocery Outlet, and such sprinkled with small hipster stores that sell $6 drip coffee and organic undyed t shirts for over $50. The most outrageous item I saw at one of these stores was in Pioneertown where they sold a gallon glass jug of organic soap for $200. Makes me wonder: who the hell are these people buying $200 gallon jug of soap around here? While I, and many others, appreciate the availability of organic boutique places to eat and what not for those that can and are passing through that would have these options, it was rather jarring seeing the disparity of the gentrification in the desert.







Unless I was heading to The Dez to grab coffee and food to go (which I highly recommend before hitting up the park or for an outdoor outing) and that part of town, everything else was basically a 25 minute drive away. We did not go to Crossroads Cafe there but that is also on my list. I made a reservation for dinner at Kitchen in the Desert and I highly recommend it. They also open early for breakfast. They have a large al fresco dining in addition to their indoor space. The menu was inventive and the ambience was very desert.



Hiking in Joshua Tree around Christmas is peak season, as the mild winter weather is perfect for hiking. This would be my first time spending time in the desert. Due to its terrain, you do not have bird song, as it's mostly birds of prey and woodpeckers. There are little smells like in the forest as there is little to no foliage. I have decided that I am definitely more of a creature of the forest rather than the desert. However, the prehistoric rock formations, cacti, Joshua trees and color palette were something to behold.























12.22.2024-12.24.2024. Proper Santa Monica. Santa Monica. California.

For the end of last year, I had grand hopes of being in another country for the last 2 weeks of the year as we were to have it off work. Alas, the odds were not in my favor as all plane tickets overseas during this time was outrageous and we ended up not getting the 2 weeks off work anyhow due to continued launch at work. Since I had enough credit card points for another domestic flight, I decided to hop down to Southern California to explore Joshua Tree. I have only been to the desert once when I shot at the Kill Bill Chapel in Lancaster. I recall driving to it and thinking I really should spend some time here in the winter time. I have also always wanted to stay at Acido Dorado since it was done ~2011. Why not? When else am I going to do this?

I decided to start off in LA to see some friends before driving to Joshua Tree. I opted for Proper Santa Monica. The Selby calls the lobby the museum of chairs, and I nearly died laughing.













Their restaurants were decent both in the lobby and on the roof by the pool if you are stuck at the hotel.



They also have an award winning Ayurvedic Surya Spa there for those of you looking for the ultimate pampering. This was definitely the most decadent Ayurvedic massage I have ever gotten as it's choreographed with 2 people. For those of you not familiar with Ayurvedic massage, please beware that this is done with oil and you are to leave it on your body and hair for optimal healing. Basically I was flammable for the rest of the day and got whips of oil intermittently. I ended up buying some bath salts to take home from here as I was very sad to not have the time to take a proper bath in that zelliged rose tub.





The Selby came by with his girls and we hung out by the pool and ate all kinds of nibbles. Then the girls had a grand ol' time bouncing on my giant bed and pressing all kinds of buttons on the wall.

12.10.2023

11.18.2023-11.24.2023. London. England.

Aside from seeing friends I haven't seen in many years, I typically do try to get away week of Thanksgiving as it's a great time for international travel. Especially with the aid of credit card points. I wanted to stay near Shoreditch as it's central and near most things. I ended up at Lehman Locke. Locke Living has many design centric short terms rentals in Europe. I liked this flat as it's a studio apartment with everything you need and it's more spacious than a hotel room. It is also across the street from Algate East station for me to get around on the tube and it's a 15 minute walk to Shoreditch and it's also by Brick Lane. It was the perfect spot to post up for the first leg of my London trip. I wish there was a tub as a tub is the best for when you are walking all day, which is most days when you are on holiday, and that the bed had a better mattress. Overall, this was a great value with good design and I would recommend it!



After we had lunch at Noble Rot, we walked around Soho and ended up at Liberty London, one of my musts whenever I am in London. If you like their fabric, be sure to give yourself time to go through their collection and their archives.





Then we went to Fortnum & Mason to stock up on teas and biscuits and to Harrods so Uli can buy his special cologne. We tried to get a tea/coffee at the Prada Cafe there but ended up elsewhere as it was closing. But look how lovely it is!



Hilariously, Dimitri from Paris was headlining at EartH Hackney the night I land in London. My friend Sarah, who was working in London at the time had never seen him and really wanted to. I told her that if I slept most of the flight and she brings me a coffee at 10PM, I will rally for her. So... Always a treat seeing Dim, and twice in 2 trips overseas is a good roll. Thanks again for the boogie Dim!







The next day we ended up at the Royal Academy via bus as there was the Marina Abramović show.











I ended up at St. Pancras Station as I was meeting a friend for brunch and went early to see the Christmas tree made of books. How lovely is this?



Then I met up with Uli in Shoreditch where he was staying on our way to Tate Modern before dinner.



While I did not get anything from Jolene during this trip, it is on my list. Be sure you get yourself something from their bakeries or have a meal at their restaurants.



The El Anatsui at the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern was breathtaking. Be sure to see the piece from all angles. Just wow!







Typical English charm.



The holidays just hit different at the other motherland... I really miss all this around November and December. It was so festive and lively and crowded and places were open. Unlike in San Francisco.











Uli suggested we go see Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club as he hasn't seen it yet and those were THE tickets in town. The previous run had Eddie Redmayne and they were impossible to get. I just saw that one is moving to Broadway for next April in case you were interested. I had no idea it was so risqué and realized why no one ever suggested I watch this musical as a kid. I would recommend it if you like musicals and are not easily offended. The theatre was gorgeous and the acting and singing superb! Made me wonder what the previous version was like for winning so many awards.



For the tail end of my trip, I opted for Artist Residence with the help of my credit card points. As previously mentioned, I like to close out with something nicer to end the trip. If I were able to take my typical 2 week international holiday, I would have loved to also spend a week in the country to balance it out. But having this master suite was not a bad way to wrap up this trip. I had this deep claw foot tub and an amazing mattress in my suite. It was also in Pimlico so I got to mix up neighborhoods as well! They also have other boutique hotels around England. Check them out.