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copenhagen- a modern day winter wonderland

1/6/2020

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location: copenhagen, denmark 
My husband had a work trip to Denmark in mid December and I had to jump on the opportunity to tag along and make a winter wonderland vacation out of it. This is my first trip somewhere in the winter as a vacation besides skiing. I was pretty excited to experience somewhere and enjoy it in the winter since LA does not have a typical “Christmas winter wonderland” weather experience. There were a lot of fun places to eat and drink and oh boy the Christmas markets and Christmas cheer being spread everywhere in Denmark was the most exciting part. Here is the itinerary, what area to stay in, and how to dress for a trip to Copenhagen in the Winter!

WHERE TO STAY:

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We chose to stay in the Meatpacking District of Copenhagen about a 10- 15 minute walk from Tivoli Central Station. We really liked this area because it was away from the typical “center of Copenhagen” touristy spots and really let us experience and explore the culture of Danish people. The Meatpacking District has lots of shops, restaurants, and bars with local people walking and biking (omg biking is like a huge deal here lol) everywhere. It also had a younger crowd of young couples and families everywhere. We also just used Airbnb since that is how we typically prefer to stay when visiting places, but there are also quite a few hotels in the area that looked nice as well.

DAY 1: ARRIVE AND THRIVE

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I left LAX on Thursday around 7:30 PM which had me landing in Copenhagen at 6:30 PM which I highly recommend getting a flight that puts you in a country overseas at mid afternoon or evening time. This helps with any potential jet lag and makes you get the most of your time in the country andddd be able to enjoy it without being so tired. I love just being able to land, check into my Airbnb, and then get settled before just going right to bed. This also helps for those of you who can never get sleep on planes. When landing at the Copenhagen Airport, I took public transit to the Meatpacking district and it was not too hard to do. If you find your way to the trains and metro area at the airport, there is a kiosk for you to buy a train ticket. Buy the ticket that says “Central Copenhagen “ on the M2 train. You will go for about 8 stops and then transfer to the M3 metro red line. From there, you can get on a bus if your place is not within walking distance from the central station. When riding the metro or buses daily to get around, you can choose a 24 hr or multi day pass for certain regions.
Tip: I highly recommend traveling with your thickest coat as a carry on during your flight because when you arrive,​ it will be cold and you don’t want to have to rummage through your luggage to find it!

DAY 2: BREWERIES & EXPLORING

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Outfit Details: Noize Coat , Lilyful Sweater (old, similar here) , Levi Jeans , Miss Selfridge Boots , and Lulus Scarf
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On Saturday, I slept in a bit to make sure I got a good amount of sleep to take on the vacation. And the sun does not come up early in Copenhagen so it is hard to get up and get going haha. I just went to the nearby Bodenhoffs Bageri to get some coffee and fresh pastry to start off my day. I then met up with Patrick mid morning since he was finishing up his work trip and meeting me in Copenhagen for our vacation. We were ready for some food and to have a drink from a beloved Copenhagen brewery, Mikkeller and decided to go to War Pigs. War Pigs has some amazing yummy BBQ and a nice selection of Mikkeller brews to choose from. The craziest thing that we found at War Pigs was the sauces that they had were from different BBQ regions in the US, and one being Alabama’s famous BBQ white sauce!! So crazy to find some of your little hometown all the way in Copenhagen, Denmark. After hanging out and stuffing our faces, we grabbed an afternoon coffee at Prolog Coffee Bar and then went around exploring the city and Meatpacking district. Just walking up and down the streets was so fun to explore.
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If you don’t already know, the sun rises late and sets really early in Copenhagen during the winter time. So as the sun set everyday around 3:30-4 pm, we were semi on a weird schedule and our bodies would thing it was 8 pm at night lol... so most everyday we would venture back to our Airbnb to warm up, take a nap, or just rest for a bit from 4 pm to dinner time. So that is why there is pretty much an afternoon gap in most of our days. We decided to go to DEJ for the best meatball and mint pizza with yummy gin and tonics. Highly recommend getting the pizza special and they also have seasonal cocktails. Such a cute little place! After pizza, we decided to have a night cap at yet another Mikkeller bar called La Neta. La Neta is a taco bar with a different selection of Mikkeller brews than War Pigs. They also had some liquor cocktails at this location too.

DAY 3: COPENHOT

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Day 3 for us was a Sunday and I booked us an afternoon at CopenHot which I was super excited about. That morning, we got up and started making our way from the Meatpacking District to CopenHot. We took the M3 red metro line to Gammel Strand stop and walked around the Hojbro Pads Christmas market and that area for a bit. We then decided to stop at Broaden and Build Brewery which is located at the last bus stop before having to walk to CopenHot. We had a beer and split the fermented fries and fried chicken. A really cool place to hangout and grab lunch.
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Outfit Details:Noize Coat , Lulus Sweater , Levi Jeans , Lulus Scarf , H&M Beanie , Adidas Sneakers , TopShop Bikini Top & Bottom
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I prebooked our trip to CopenHot’s Hot Days which is a social hour of getting to experience wood burning hot tubs on the edge of the harbor overlooking the water and city of Copenhagen. It was such a must do experience in Copenhagen for sure! Hot Days allows you and a group access to multiple hot tubs, 2 saunas, and a cold bath for an hour and a half. They also have yummy drinks that can be served directly to you in the hot tub,
Tip: I highly recommend bringing a large zip lock or waterproof bag so that you can put your wet bathing suits in after to travel home. I also recommend that the last 15 or so minutes left in your CopenHot Hot Days that you get out of the ​hot tub and try to fully dry off in the sauna so that you aren’t soaking wet trying to change back into all of your layers.
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We headed back home to shower off and rest before dinner. I would say one of the best dinners we had in Copenhagen was at Kodbyens Fiskebar. Denmark has so much fresh fish so it is a staple in the Danish diet. We started with a sampler of oysters from the Nordic regions that we have never had oysters from before. They tasted so different and the texture from the oysters we have had from the United States east and west coasts. Highly recommend getting the oyster sampler while there as a starter. We also got the Uni and Plaice fish appetizers and then the cod main dish. This meal was hands down delicious!

DAY 4: TIVOLI & NYHAVN

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​Day 4 was the ultimate tourist day that is fun to experience for your winter wonderland vacation experience. We started off with breakfast and coffee at Petròl Cafe and then went across the street to Butik Anne Tine to purchase some antique Christmas ornaments that I saw in the window when passing by to dinner the night before.
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Tivoli Gardens is a magical winter wonderland that embodies all of the Christmas spirit in one place. You can buy tickets to rides or just walk around and enjoy the shopping and food booths. We decided to get hot chocolate and the cutest thing happened. They give you real complimentary mugs!! I highly suggest going during the afternoon before 4 pm because we walked by one other night and the line was out the door. It was nice to walk around with not a ton of people or lines to wait in. You can also buy tickets online before. And omg there were live peacocks just roaming the park! 
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Outfit Details: Noize Coat ,Lulus Sweater ,Madewell Jeans . JCrew Scarf (old, similar here) , Adidas Sneakers , Anthropologie Earmuffs (old, similar here)
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Next stop was the Nyhavn Houses. These are the picturesque colorful houses that are the perfect spot in Copenhagen. Once you have strolled to and from the Nyhavn houses along the water, head to the Kongens Nytorv Christmas Market and get a hot dog at the stand and mulled wine called Gløgg. Gløgg is a staple in Copenhagen and is perfect because it will keep you nice and toasty as you walk around the market and then head across the street to all of the shopping. Explore around a bit and just sip on your Gløgg. Lastly, we went back to the Airbnb to take a rest before heading out to Mikkeller Bar for drinks. This bar is really cozy and you enter going straight down to the basement floor. And yes, this Mikkeller bar had different draft beers than the previous ones we had visited. They also have wine too!

DAY 5: DESIGN MUSEUM

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On our last full day in Copenhagen, we decided to hit the museums . This day would be a perfect day for the worst weather day you have on your trip to avoid the rain or crazy cold. We went to the Danish Design Museum first. The M3 red metro line drops you off right at the most beautiful church, Frederik’s Church. Then I highly suggest you walk across the street to check out another darling antique store called Fil De fer. I got some more vintage Christmas ornaments here too. The Danish Design Museum was really cool. It is not your typical museum like what I have visited in the past. It is a design museum that explores the groundbreaking designs of furniture, clothing, appliances, electronics, etc. They also had a really cool Danish Chair exhibit as well. A very interesting little piece to see the evolution of chairs and their styles over the years. We then were planning on going to the
​ Blox Architecture and Design Museum but we got too hungry and decided to find food instead. We went to Restaurant M and had shrimp, pork, and meatballs tapas and a glass of wine.
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That night we went to another really awesome Danish style restaurant. H15 has yummy dishes that are completely affordable and authentic. We just decided to go with the chef’s special since we could not decide what to order since it all went yummy! We had a gorgeous yellow beet salad, chicken liver mousse, ceviche, and a white kidney bean chili. They also have some amazing house wine and a good selection of beers. The best thing about this place is there is no fuss and it feels like a true neighborhood spot. We loved enjoying a meal and drinks for hours here. Afterwards, we headed to a swanky cocktail bar called 1656 Cocktail Bar. You may walk right past it because it looks like an apartment building door, but there is a folded wooden sign right out front so just start trying to open the door and whah la its there. The perfect ending to our last night in Denmark.
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my guide to los angeles

9/13/2019

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I have been fortunate enough to call Los Angeles my home for a few years now and I have been loving this opportunity to experience all that this cool city has to offer. I lived on the west side when first moving to Los Angeles and now currently live in downtown. Keep reading to find all the hidden gems I have discovered along the way and have really enjoyed about my city.

G E T T I N G  A R O U N D :

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The city of Los Angeles is huuuuuge and you will definitely need to travel by car if you are wanting to go to a lot of different neighborhoods. I highly recommend planning your days around neighborhoods so you can get there and either walk, metro, uber/lyft, etc instead of having to drive through traffic all day. Also if you want a fun and different experience, rent a metro bike or electric scooter! 

T O  D R I N K :

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BIRDS & BEES
Downtown Los Angeles
Birds & Bees is one of my favorite bars to go to because I not only love the mid century modern atmosphere, but the cocktails are really good. They make a classic Gin Martini or Spritz during Violet Hour. Oh and its a secret of how to get in, just go to the far back right of the parking lot!
PALI WINE CO.
Arts District
Pali Wine Co. has a very relaxing and hangout environment to enjoy some really good wine. They have flights you can try, and the staff is very knowledgeable. Its perfect for mid afternoon or a causal night adventure. Nothing too fancy, just an easy spot to sip wine and enjoy being in Los Angeles.
BERNADETTES
Downtown Los Angeles
This small mid century styled bar is great for a quick pop in to hangout with friends. It is super casual yet eclectic and unique vibes inside. It offers craft beer, wine, and the famous Frose O'Donnell drink which I highly recommend! You will not leave dissapointed from Bernadettes and is a great neighborhood bar with friendly bartenders. 
GOLDEN GOPHER
Downtown Los Angeles
Golden Gopher is one of the oldest bars in downtown and was originally purchased in 1905 by Teddy Roosevelt. And if that doesn't interest you yet, it's a great neighborhood spot to pop in and have a drink or spend all night with friends. The staff is friendly, and be sure to say hey to the bouncer. It's open 365 days a year so it's definitely a spot we visit often. Notice all the golden gophers inside ha!
MODERN TIMES BREWERY
Downtown Los Angeles
Modern Times Brewery located in DTLA at the Dankness Dojo is probably one of my favorite breweries in Los Angeles. They have a great choice of brews as well as wine. Plus the food is amazing! Yes it is all vegan, but trust me, you've never tasted vegan food like this before. And hey you're in LA, you have to try vegan once right?!
EIGHTYTWO
Arts District
I've never not had fun at Bar Eighty Two because it is a barcade with some really awesome games! It still has a night time bar vibe with outdoor seating if you want to take a break from my favorite game ever, the World Cup Pinball machine. They have really amazing craft cocktails as well and a good list of craft beers to choose from. You can get cash back from the bar and cash out to quarters. 
WOLF & CRANE
Little Tokyo
If you like Whisky, you will love Wolf & Crane. And if you don't like Whisky, it is still a really cool bar to hangout at and order any other drink ha. It's a late night spot to go to after having dinner in Little Tokyo with a casual DJ and craft cocktails with specialty whisky. 
SPIRE 73
Downtown Los Angeles
For the ultimate rooftop experience, I highly recommend the rooftop Spire 73 on the US Bank Tower. It is an open air bar at probably the highest point you've ever been on the West Coast. Super boujee with some delicious craft cocktails. Dress code mandatory and don't forget to check out the website for information before going. 

T O  E A T :

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HATCH YAKITORI + BAR
Downtown Los Angeles
From the night time vibes of dance club music in the background to the never ending yummy skewers, this Japanese restaurant is a must. Get a few sticks to split and go out on the edge and try something new since they are shareable and tiny. And then pair it with a plate and raw item menu with wine or sake.
LASA
Chinatown
This is definitely one of my top food experiences I have had to date. LASA is a Filipino restaurant with a seasonal menu. I highly recommend being open to try anything and ask the waiter for top picks or great recommendations. We did not go wrong. They also suggested a great wine to go with it. A great dinner experience. Make a reservation. 
NORTHERN CAFE
Multiple Locations
This super casual and authentic Chinese restaurant is a must. They serve family style dishes so there is plenty to share and go as a group. I highly recommend the wantons, crispy chicken, and Dan Dan Noodles. I honestly order way to much food here every single time but it makes perfect for leftovers and is super affordable.
PERCH
Downtown Los Angeles
Brunch, brunch, and more brunch. And at Perch it's on a rooftop. The ultimate LA experience is an amazing French style brunch on the rooftop with a live jazz band every Saturday and Sunday. It is literally "perched" atop a building with greenery everywhere. I highly recommend the truffle fries to share, crab benedict, and the pitcher of sangria. Make a reservation.
WOOD SPOON
Downtown Los Angeles
This stylish and quaint spot is why I love downtown Los Angeles. It is your neighborhood restaurant for great Brazilian food. I highly recommend the pot pie! Such a great food experience. It is a smaller restaurant so be prepared to get there or to wait, no reservations unfortunately.
TOCAYA
Multiple Locations
If you need some quick and easy food that's not "fast food" then Tocaya is it! It is a modern Mexican restaurant with healthier options and vegan as well. I always go for the 2 taco combo and get the quac with plantain chips. This place is a staple that you can catch me at multiple times a month. Super casual environment. 
SONORATOWN
Downtown Los Angeles
This authentic Northern Mexican taquería is a mouthful experience on the cheap. It is great to go for lunch and taste the mesquite-charred meats used on homemade tortillas. I highly recommend the chivichanga​ as it reminds me of chicken stew I had as a child. Super casual environment and yummy food. 
CLIFFS EDGE
Silverlake
If you need a full Los Angeles dining experience, then Cliff's Edge is your upscale restaurant for just that. It is like walking into an outdoor garden, romantic patio with string lights all around. A true masterpiece to just set the mood for the entire night. It is such a dream to eat tucked away in the trees in your own hideaway table. Make a reservation. 
DAIKOKUYA 
Little Tokyo
Daikokuya is one of the first Ramen and noodle shops in Little Tokyo and is one of the best. It has some of the richest pork broth I've ever tasted. With that being said, everyone knows that so the lines can be very long. I highly suggest getting there early to get your name down. If lines aren't your thing, I suggest going to Hachioji a few restaurants down. 
MARKET PROVISIONS
West Hollywood
Los Angeles is all about brunching. And your stay wouldn't be complete without an epic bottomless brunch at Market Provisions. One of the best deals in town on the weekend, I love the bottomless mimosas paired with the chicken sandwich and shoestring fries. Throw on a cute casual dress and you're perfect to spend most of your afternoon brunching here. Make a reservation.

T O  C A F F E I N A T E:

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VERVE
Multiple Locations
For some of the best coffee in DTLA, Verve is your place to go. They have amazing pour over coffees to choose from and even have beans to purchase in store. Great patio with greenery wall to enjoy your coffee.
STUMPTONS
Multiple Locations
Stumptons is probably my second favorite place for coffee. The DTLA location has a curated indoor modern vibe that is perfect to escape the heat with an iced americano while they play a great selection of music. They also have coffee beans to buy.
IL CAFFE
Downtown Los Angeles
Il Caffè is the perfect neighborhood spot to come and relax in the morning. The perfect way to unwind and I highly suggest getting the breakfast special which comes with a regular cup of joe, fresh squeezed OJ, and a breakfast panini. Enjoy it under the shade of an umbrella outside.
LA TROPEZIENNE
Multiple Locations
If you are all about the pastries and treats more than the coffee, omg La Tropezienne has the BEST croissant you have ever had. Their iced americanos and lattes are also very delicious as well. The DTLA location has the best customer service and upscale marble and gold vibes indoors. You will feel like you are in a Parisian bakery. 
TILT COFFEE
Downtown Los Angeles
Tilt Coffee has the iced latte of your dreams! The Cloud Latte is the creamiest and fluffiest iced latte and is 100% worth all the sweet goodness. Such a cute little coffee shop with both outdoor and indoor seating.
ALFRED'S COFFEE
Multiple Locations
Alfred's coffee is the most instagramable coffee shop in Los Angeles. They have coined the phrase "But First, Coffee!". They have yummy chai tea lattes and matcha lattes. Don't forget to notice the cute decor and take a quick photo for the gram. 

T O  S I G H T  S E E :

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HOLLYWOOD SIGN
Hollywood Hills
You cannot come to Los Angeles and not see the Hollywood Sign. If you are under a time crunch, I would suggest just viewing it by car from the road as you drive closer and closer to see it. But I really suggest to do a hike which is very LA of you to get a true view.
GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY
North Los Feliz
Another really cool hike that is pretty quick is the hike up to the griffith observatory. This view is pretty incredible looking back to a great shot of downtown. Park your car in the neighborhoods at the bottom for free parking and start your hike at the Griffith Park sign. Dont forget to bring water
SANTA MONICA PIER
Santa Monica
If you're in Los Angeles, you probably envisioned the sunny, surfer coast. Santa Monica pier is the perfect backdrop to just post your towel in the sand and watch the sunset over the rollercoaster picturesque views. I highly recommend renting bikes or roller blades for the boardwalk. 
THE GETTY MUSEUM
Brentwood
The Getty Museum is one of the prettiest museums I have visited in Los Angeles. The vantage point for the city is spectacular! Admission is free and all you have to pay for is parking. I highly recommend going late morning and staying for lunch. Amazing food while soaking up all the art and views. 

T O  D O :

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WARNER BROS TOUR​
Burbank
You're in Hollywood the birthplace of big studios and movie behind the scenes. Touring the Warner Bros Studio was such a fun time getting to see Gilmore Girls, Friends, Hart of Dixie, and so many iconic movies!! Highly recommend!
GRIFFITH PARK HIKE
North Los Feliz
Going on a hike through the mountainous deserts is definitely an LA staple, and who knows maybe you'll see a celebrity sweating it out too! I highly suggest going to Griffith Park to also cross off the observatory and Hollywood sign in one trip. 
ACE HOTEL ROOFTOP POOL
Downtown Los Angeles
This is by far the place that you can find me at all the time. I love the Ace Hotel rooftop. They have lounge seats to hang or get in their small pool. It is the best place to relax and enjoy a cocktail on the roof in the heart of downtown. 
CINESPIA
Hollywood 
Cinespia is such a Los Angeles event. It is an outdoor movie held in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, You will need to buy tickets in advance and don't forget to bring a picnic, blanket, and some wine of your choice to sit back and enjoy a classic movie. 
LOST SPIRITS DISTILLERY 
Downtown Los Angeles
This is one of the coolest experiences I have ever been on. This tour is going to take you on a crazy adventure to taste whiskys and rums. You will also learn about the distilling process and their secret method for aging spirits. 
BOARDWALK BIKE RIDE
Santa Monica
Rent a metro bike in Santa Monica to ride along the boardwalk. Start near the Santa Monica Pier after of course grabbing a corn dog from Hot Dog on a Stick. Ride on the boardwalk and enjoy the sunny weather headed to Vince Beach. 
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essentials for a lake weekend getaway

8/6/2019

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This past weekend Patrick and I took the doggo to Big Bear Lake for a weekend getaway. It was so nice to unplug and just relax together. And man the views were incredible. I highly recommend to plan a weekend getaway to a local lake or river if you can! Here are the essentials for your lake getaway from must do activities to what to pack.

C A B I N  A D V E N T U R E

For your fun little lake getaway, find a cute lake cabin near the water on Airbnb or a local rental agency. Setting the entire trips mood starts with a cute little cabin. We rented the A Frame of Mind from Big Bear Cool Cabins and had the best time. We also loved cooking dinner on the charcoal grill and sitting on the fenced in porch with Finley. 
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R E N T  A  K A Y A K 

We had such a fun time on the lake and seeing all the view by renting a kayak. I highly recommend renting either a kayak, canoe, paddle board, etc to get out on the water to explore and soak in all the views! We rented from GetBoards in Big Bear because it was so easy to have access to the lake and they were dog friendly. We spent 2 hours kayaking on the lake, admiring all the lake houses, and wow how peaceful it was. I wore a dark bikini to not get dirty from the lake water and had a backpack to store a tank top and shorts on the kayak. In order to not get burnt and stay shaded on my face, I had a straw hat and sunglasses. I highly recommend getting out on the water to complete your lake experience! Oh and Finley swam in the lake for the first time, eek! 
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L O U N G E  &  R E L A X

One of the most important reasons to have a vacation getaway is to lounge and relax. Taking some time to just enjoy being away is priceless. We spent some time on the beach at Carol Morrison Public Launch just hanging out. Whether you find a beach type area, rock side near the water, or hanging on a dock, take some R&R time to read a book or chat. 
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E N J O Y  A  W A L K  I N  N A T U R E

Your in nature so enjoy it! Take a walk around to admire the water, trees, and area around you. We found an amazing water path, Stanfield Marsh Wildlife and Waterfowl Preserve,
that had some of the most serene views. It overlook the water and we saw geese. Put on your walking shoes and get out there. 
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What a fun little trip and can't wait to plan our next little weekend getaway!
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    whitney marshall

    A born and raised Southern girl who's wanting to inspire every women through style and beauty while living in the big city of Los Angeles. ​

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