The most beautiful country you'll ever travel through

We all have that place. That place that makes you feel like your feet barely touch the ground and that anything in the world is possible from here on out. For me, that place is New Zealand. Although, most of my earth shattering experience there had to do with the fact that I was away from home, working on the biggest project of my entire life, and in the middle of ending a three year relationship, I like to think my travels there would have been equally profound, had I been in a completely normal emotional and mental state.
Alas, I found myself (literally and figuratively) tramping solo through the south island of New Zealand. It was a journey that marked the beginning of my obsession to hitting the open road at every opportunity. Because really, the best way to escape is to, well, escape.

I love these photographs from ridiculously talented photographer, Andrew Smith. They capture the heart of what I experienced in New Zealand: a serenity that balances precariously along the icy water's edge and towering mountain tops.

All photos by Andrew Smith via My Modern Met

A gypsy's map

Mon cheri, paris

Dear Paris,
I feel the time is near when we will finally meet.......

Wine Tasting in Santa Ynez

Seems I have been the queen of little weekend jaunts the past few months. This last weekend was spent doing some wine tasting in too-beautiful-for-words Santa Ynez, Ca. In my opinion, just as lovely as Napa and Sonoma but, a convenient hour and a half drive from L.A.
My favorite wine was the Pinot Noir at Gainey Vineyards. They do their tastings in a low lit barrel room and the grounds are gorgeous and spacious enough for a sweet summery picnic. Also picnic worthy is the Bridlewood Winery. It's also the best for exploring. Follow the path from the main tasting room and roam past horses, a pond, and a little bridge for a tipsy mini adventure! My favorite of the wineries, by far.
On your way out, stop at Los Olivos Cafe for the t0-die-for Cinnamon baked brie in port syrup. The dish alone merits a return visit. I also had the Butternut squash salad which was outstanding. With an impressive wine list and cozy outdoor seating, it makes you want to linger over those last few bites.

xo jahnel

A view at Gainey Vineyard

Overlooking Bridlewood Winery

The bridge and pond at Bridlewood Winery

Cozy and quaint Los Olivos Cafe

A Recent Trip to San Francisco.....

It was exactly the kind of trip I needed. Why? Because sometimes I need to trade the Southern California sunshine for the Northern California gloom. It was wet, it was cold, it was cloudy, and yet it was a breath of crisp fresh air.
I used to live in Nor Cal so, while I've spent quite a bit of time in San Francisco, this was a trip full of firsts. First ride on a Cable car and first time on the ferry to Tiburon. It is a truly quaint seaside town and a day trip that I highly recommend. Sam's Anchor Cafe was the perfect place for a casual oceanfront lunch. Try the crab cake sliders. Delicious! And for an intimate wine tasting experience go to Prima Palate, a charming wine showroom that boasts Italian, French, and German varieties along side the local wines.
To get there take the Blue and Gold Fleet ferry from pier 41 in San Francisco. You won't be dissapointed!

xo jahnel

On the Ferry to Tiburon

Walking through Tiburon

Prima Palate

Boats docked off the pier in San Francisco

The Itch

Do you ever get the itch to just drop everything and go? I'm not talking about a weekend in the mountains or even two weeks at a resort in Hawaii drinking mai tais. I mean really go. Put your shit in storage, break your lease, sell your car and disappear. For some it would also include quitting your job but, I have the benefit of not worrying about such things. Well, I get that feeling a few times a week. Lately, it's been a few times a day.
Don't get me wrong. I love my life in Hermosa Beach. I'm incredibly spoiled. I have an ocean view from my living room, I ride my bike everywhere, have two amazing chocolate labs, work a few days a week when I want to, and live in a spot that people vacation to every summer. I live a very charmed life. The problem that plagues this charming life is a restlessness in my soul to be on the move. And in truth I'd prefer to be on the move on my own. All alone. Deficiency of character? No. I'm an escapist.
There is no amount of money or level of success that can compare to the feeling of tramping by ones self. All possessions in a single backpack, no computer, no cell phone, no credit card. It is incredibly freeing and it's a feeling that I am long overdue for. J. Maarten Troost says it best in his book, 'Getting Stoned with Savages'. "The escapist doesn't want to get ahead. [She] simply wants to get away."
So, while I may be taking the logical route this weekend by spending a few days snowboarding with friends, I know for certain it will in no way satiate the urge to hit the open road with my backpack and a one-way ticket to..........

xo jahnel

Snow Bunnies

With the nasty storm system moving through LA, it's enough to drive any girl to her jammies, couch, and Netflix queue. This girl, however, will be taking advantage of the storm's wintery white aftermath in Mammoth this weekend. Ahhh, being on my board on the mountain with friends always feels so good!
I dug these pics up to hold me over until the weekend.

xo jahnel

photo credits: cheyenne ellis