Where to Stay in Boston: The Godfrey Hotel Boston

During my recent trip to Boston, I had the absolute pleasure of staying at The Godfrey Hotel Boston. This is, hands down, one of my favorite hotels I’ve ever stayed in!

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Where to Stay in New York City: The Ludlow Hotel

Have you ever stayed somewhere so magical, you didn't want to leave? That's how I feel about The Ludlow Hotel.

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Year in Review: Looking Back on 2019

2020 is upon us. A new decade full of new chances, new choices and new adventures. As is customary on my blog, I'm looking back at 2019 -- the year that's passed, the year that brought more happiness into my life once again.

I look at every moment as a chance to embrace the best life has to offer. Yes, I have lows -- for instance, I was fired from my job this year -- but I never let them get me down. I use them as learning experiences to grow and change for the better, and to continue to make my life what I want it to be. Despite them, I turned 2019 into my best year yet -- a year filled with family, with friends, with new opportunities, with the first time I've gone fully freelance and actually not just survived, but THRIVED.

My wish for the coming year, and the coming decade, is to continue to embrace every moment. Let's all find happiness, peace and strength in the year ahead.

My most special moments this year had some definite themes that emerged. Keep reading for a look at what happened this year!

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What to Do in LA: WonderWorld

A popup inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Well, that's all I needed to hear to know I wanted to check out WonderWorld!

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So Much Cuteness: Enjoying Afternoon Tea at The Bow Room at Hello Kitty Grand Cafe

I love two things: Hello Kitty and high tea. So when I found out that, not only is there a Hello Kitty Grand Cafe in Orange County, but that they serve afternoon tea, I absolutely jumped at the chance to go! I immediately texted my friend Erin to see if she'd want to go with me, and her resounding "YES!" came back about 5 seconds later. So we made our reservation, (im)patiently waited the month and a half for the day to arrive, and finally stepped inside the magic that is this totally adorable cafe.

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Year in Review: Looking Back on 2018

2018 is about to draw to a close. And, as is customary at the end of any year, I'm in the midst of some deep reflection. 2018 was one of those years that, while it had some ups and some definite downs, was still by all accounts a very happy one. I don't know if that's because I'm finally at a good place with my mental health (thank you to three very intense years of therapy for that one -- and, actually, that's something I'll be talking about and sharing more of in the coming year), but it seems that even when life threw some pretty major curve balls at me, I was still able to approach them with positivity, happiness and good intentions.

I don't really make resolutions. But my one main goal for 2018 -- I guess you can call it a resolution if you will -- was to be HAPPY. And I'd say I approached that goal/challenge/resolution head on. (See the photo above for proof -- that's me on my birthday.) I made new friends. I went to Disneyland -- A LOT. I took one of the best vacations of my life.

Not all was rosy. I lost my job and spent three months unemployed, making no money, burning through my savings and worrying about how I'd pay my rent or eat. I've never worked so hard to find work. This unfortunately also took its toll on my body -- I've definitely gained some weight, and I've also spent the last two months of the year suffering from a bout of stress hives (though I think they're hopefully, finally going away). Thankfully, I'm ending the year with an amazing new job at a company I really love, and I am beyond grateful.

We only have one life. And, the fact is, we never know how much time we're really going to have. This past year, I continued to take it upon myself to make my life everything it could possibly be. Am I exactly where I want to be now that 2018 is ending and 2019 is fast approaching? No. But am I pretty darn close? A resounding yes. LA has been and continues to be the place that makes me feel like my true, best self.

My hope for all of you is that, as 2018 ends and 2019 begins, you feel like you're on the path toward being happy, healthy and both who and where you want to be.

Please indulge me as I take a (not so) quick walk down the memory lane of 2018. (Spoiler alert: there are a LOT of photos!) Here's to everything 2019 has to offer -- happy new year!

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Salon and Spa Directory Meets First Look Fridays Interview Series: Cupping at Massage SoCal with Paloma Sanders

Have you ever tried cupping? And, if not, have you been interested? I did it once before, about 10 years ago, with my acupuncturist in New York. And I honestly loved it, but I just never had the inclination to do it again ... until I discovered Paloma Sanders of Massage SoCal, that is.

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