Happy Wednesday everyone! This past week was Spring Break for the University of Iowa, so my mom and I packed our (very heavy) bags and headed off to West Hollywood! My mom and I figured it would be much cheaper to stay in a Vacation Rental By Owner rather than a hotel for a week. We found the cutest studio apartment right off of Santa Monica Boulevard which put us right in the center of West Hollywood.

We left Friday March 9th, and we got to LAX around 4pm, instead of getting cute and going out, we got to our studio, dropped off our stuff and walked (only half a block!) to the nearest Trader Joes. We picked up breakfast yummies, appetizers, snacks, dinner options, and, of course, desserts. We headed back to our home for the night and indulged in a yummy dinner.

The next morning, my birthday, we got up early and went to a Bar Mitzvah close by. I love going to Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. I love the music and the prayers, and it made me feel holy on my special day! Ha Ha! We then met up with our friend, Michelle and, of course, went shopping. Unfortunately, it rained the whole day, and we went to a half indoor half outdoor mall. Ugh! After our adventure to the mall, we went back home and got ready for our fabulous dinner to come.

My mom and I are obsessed with the reality TV show Vanderpump rules. The show is based off a group workers at SUR restaurant. It’s their lives in and out of work. They have great food, a unique venue and, obviously, awesome photo opportunities. I got all dolled up and ubered us to SUR. One of my best friends, Lauren, who attends Pepperdine University along with another hometown friend, molly, and Lauren’s friend from school, Lydia, joined us as well. We laughed, told funny college stories, took many pictures and ate delicious food.

The night did not end there, Michelle, my mom and I went to a gay bar “Abbeys”. It was so fun to be surrounded by so many people dancing and having a good time. It was ultimately such a fun birthday experience!

The rest of the week was spent doing everything one possibly could do in Los Angeles. While my mom and I had been to LA multiple times, there are always new things to do! We started off each morning doing some sort of work out, if not going to a yoga studio or SoulCycle, we were working our booties off at Runyon Canyon. It’s such a great way to start our morning. We are up, active and ready for the rest of the day. Our breakfasts were always made from home in order to save money (because trust me everything is SO expensive in LA!!). Every day we had something planned. We never wanted to sit at home and waste precious time while in California.

One day was spent at the Grove. We shopped till we dropped. Literally. We then ate at the Original Farmer’s Market. There are so many tasty stands to get food from. It was too difficult to choose; however, I ended up getting fish and chips, a favorite dish of mine. After filling our bellies, we continued to shop shop shop, and then rewarded ourselves with the famous Ladureè Macaroons. Another day filled with shopping was when we were on Rodeo Drive. Shops galore! It was such a fun day people watching, going into stores where we can’t afford even a clothes hanger and getting smoothies at Kreation. Other shopping adventures included going to the Beverly Hills Center and walking up and Down Sunset Boulevard.

While shopping was, clearly, a big aspect of our vacation, one day was spent treating ourselves to a nice spa day. To begin, we went to a Korean Spa, which we had never done before. Little did we know, a Korean spa means nude spa!!! NO ONE WEAR CLOTHES! It was horrifying! You are barely even given a robe to put on and the towels to wipe off your body are literally hand towels. OMG. Going in the hot tub and steam room naked is not something I ever feel the need to do again. During our time at the NAKED spa, we got facials. I have only had like one of two facials before but, damn, not like this. I was slapped in the face a few times (over dramatic) and the entire facial was just plain weird. My mom, on the other hand, was told to put her arms up and the girl doing her facial was slapping at her arm fat. WHAT!! SO ODD! I’m not trying to bash the spa at all! Just an interesting experience we weren’t expecting. After our intriguing time at the spa we headed to get massages. Unfortunately, yet fortunately, there are no funny/weird stories to tell about the massages.

Another aspect that took over a huge chunk of time in LA was eating out! OMG we went to some amazing restaurants! (Thank you to my mama’s best friend, Nina, for the awesome suggestions). If any of you are in LA you must go to the Big Chill (ice cream), Fresh Corn Grill, Takoya, Dough pizzeria, SUR, Villa Blanca, and the Farmer’s Market. All are such amazing places with great staff, great food, and an all around a great environment.

The last thing that is kind of funny that we did was go to church. As some may or may not know, we are Jewish. My mom is Jewish my dad is Lutheran. However, my brother and I were raised Jewish in that we had Bar/Bat Mitzvahs as well as grew up attending religion two times a week. Of course we go to church with my dad, too, but technically, I am fully Jewish. Anyways, when I was visiting Lauren at Pepperdine a month ago she took me to church in Beverly hills and the Preacher, Judah Smith, was absolutely amazing. No matter what religion or how religious you are, his messages are so powerful. In addition, a lot of famous people go to that church. SO, on Wednesday night I dragged my mom to church. Not only was the message powerful, obviously, JUSTIN BEIBER WAS SITTING 10 ROWS IN FRONT OF US. I couldn’t stop starring. Whoops I’m star struck. So everyone, God is good, and go to church, you might see JB (and Jason Kennedy!)!

Sadly, the week went by too fast and it was time to go home. Overall, the trip was filled with shopping, eating, shopping, working out, shopping, taking pictures, shopping and did I mention, shopping?

I love you mama, thanks for the funnest birthday week/spring break your baby could ask for! Excited for more adventures with you!!!

Xoxo, Sam

P.S. Thanks for all the birthday wishes! Love you all!