Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Life in SoCal

Continuing with the Plenty to Be THANKful For blog challenge, today is my hometown. See that can go in two directions - the city I live in now (Los Angeles) or the city where I grew up (a town that is a suburb of Los Angeles and just outside of Orange County). Today I'm going to feature Southern California as a whole.

I am so lucky to live in a region that stays warm year-round, boasts amazing Mexican food, and has about a zillion things that can occupy my time. So here's a little peek into life in sunny Southern California!


From the famous Hollywood sign to Downtown LA, there's so much to do and see in my city. A must is people watching. It's not uncommon to see a celebrity...or a grown man dressed as Spongebob (they don't call it Hollyweird for no reason ;).

Source: google.com via Leeann on Pinterest


Source: cl.ly via Leeann on Pinterest


Source: google.com via Leeann on Pinterest



There's always an abundance of things to do. It's pretty common for SoCal residents to have season passes to Disneyland and/or Knott's Berry Farm (America's first theme park)!


Source: google.com via Leeann on Pinterest



Beaches aren't just a summer pastime. Because our weather is picture perfect all year, it's common to see people walking the shores in winter. Brave surfers even jump in the water. I'm more of a spectator ;)


Source: google.com via Leeann on Pinterest



History here may not be quite as old as the rest of the country but we do have some beautiful missions and amazing museums.

Source: pbase.com via Leeann on Pinterest



I was born and raised in Southern California so I take it for granted. Quite often I daydream about moving to another region and starting a new life, experiencing all four seasons (I'm jealous of all of you who get actual color changes during fall!), and having a more relaxed life. But really, when I think about it, I'm pretty lucky to be living a California lifestyle.

Today I'm linking up with these ladies:

Meghan of The Perfect Compilation Tape for Plenty to be THANKful for

Manic Mother


Michelle of The Vintage Apple for Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday


Christianna of The Girl With the Blue Bow for What the Hell Wednesday



My What the Hell Wednesday moment this week is realizing that I need to appreciate my neck of the woods more. I am living the life in LA. Yeah, we may not get pretty leaves in autumn, but we also don't get snow in winter. It's a give and take and I need to take a step back and be thankful for how amazing Southern California is!
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36 comments:

  1. Lena B, ActuallyNovember 16, 2011 at 3:12 AM

    The thing about seasons here, Winter always seems sooooooo much longer than the other ones! Blech! ;)

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  2. MeghanNovember 16, 2011 at 3:45 AM

    I can't imagine what it must have been like to grow up near the beach! When the Chicago winters hit, I am always jealous:)

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  3. AnonymousNovember 16, 2011 at 3:48 AM

    what a great post- i love our season changes, like Meghan I live near the Chi town area, but i'd still love warm weather :) xo

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  4. LyndsayNovember 16, 2011 at 3:49 AM

    Great post! I love all of the pictures. They're so pretty. It sounds like a great place to live! :)

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  5. prettymeggyNovember 16, 2011 at 3:50 AM

    you're so lucky!!! what a beautiful place and the beach is superb!!!
    my husband and I are dreaming to visit there one day hopefully soon!!!
    take care dear... xoxo, Haus of Gala

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  6. jillconyersNovember 16, 2011 at 3:55 AM

    Wonderful pins. They make me miss my home in San Diego!

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  7. Staley McNovember 16, 2011 at 5:42 AM

    Loving this post! I've always wanted to come to California!

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  8. AlysonNovember 16, 2011 at 7:07 AM

    amazing post! I've never been to LA but it's definitely near the top of my list of where I want to travel in the states. Thanks for sharing a bit of your hometown with us. xo

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  9. Claire KieferNovember 16, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    I need to come visit you. It's been too long since my last SoCal visit. :) I saw this linkup topic . . . but decided that writing a whole post about being thankful for my hometown (Marietta, GA) would prove far too challenging. hahaha!

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  10. RachelNovember 16, 2011 at 7:21 AM

    I just got so "2nd home" sick!
    Love and miss SoCal so much!

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  11. Melissa BlakeNovember 16, 2011 at 8:09 AM

    i loved cali when i visited there a few years ago...would love to go back!

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  12. Kate @ DaffodilsNovember 16, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    We are hoping to check out SoCal during out west coast stint. It looks so beautiful!

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  13. ShutterbugNovember 16, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    i must admit, i'm a bit jealous! i live in a place where there is snow at least 6 months of the year. living in california or some place sunny would be such a dream!

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  14. JosieNovember 16, 2011 at 9:08 AM

    I ADORE Southern California. Definitely one of my favorite places... It's so beautiful.
    xo Josie
    www.winksmilestyle.com

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  15. Life Through Preppy GlassesNovember 16, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    it is something to be jealous of...especially your proximity to beaches. Why didnt i go to pepperdine again?!?

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  16. Miss AngieNovember 16, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    Gorgeous pins!

    It's always nice to stop and appreciate things!

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  17. Oh to Be a MuseNovember 16, 2011 at 10:08 AM

    i've been to SoCal a few times but i still haven't experienced it like i really want to. i have to go back again soon.

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  18. Tracy @ Honey and NutmegNovember 16, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    Love this pins!

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  19. Elle SeesNovember 16, 2011 at 10:35 AM

    And in and out and coffee bean and tea leaf and a million more things I miss ab SoCal!

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  20. UnknownNovember 16, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    looks like such a great place to live! I need to come out there & see it again... I haven't been in so long!

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  21. CaseyNovember 16, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    I'm also from SoCal! I'm an OC baby - born and raised!

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  22. AnonymousNovember 16, 2011 at 11:29 AM

    It's funny how we always want what we don't have. I live in KY where we get 4 fantastic seasons a year. I find myself in the winter saying that I want to move somewhere that is warm & sunny year round. I really love Fall & Winter too though & am sure I'd miss them if I didn't have them.

    Love this post- I love seeing new places via the blog. Cali looks amazing :)

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  23. JNovember 16, 2011 at 12:27 PM

    you are lucky!!! i wanna move back to cali! i love the food in socal, its to die for!!

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  24. UnknownNovember 16, 2011 at 12:29 PM

    Loving this post! Obviously, I kind of love it here too :)

    I once read an article in the LA Times that mentioned seasons in SoCal...it said that while we don't have color changes like other places, we still have our own seasons. To any native Californian, Santa Anas are an obvious sign of Fall, and to me {after I stop getting annoyed at how windy it is} it's almost comforting.

    xoxo,
    Joelle

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  25. MelNovember 16, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    Great photos. Come visit Chicago anytime soon. You'll probably change your mind about the season changes. ;)

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  26. Fleur d'airNovember 16, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    amazing pictures!!!
    =) kisses from spain

    http://cashmereflowers.blogspot.com/

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  27. ChristiannaNovember 16, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    Don't we all just need to enjoy where we live? , much like you wish we had more seasons, but we don't. Thanks for always linking up! Your the bestest!

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  28. JulesNovember 16, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    Warm weather year round sounds like a little slice of heaven, especially when we're getting pounded with snow. If I lived there I'd most certainly have a season pass to both Disneyland and Knott's. I love amusement parks!

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  29. MimiNovember 16, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    i totally agree with you! i often daydream about moving to a place as far away as london, but i know i will always come home to california. ;)

    <3, Mimi
    http://whatmimiwrites.blogspot.com/

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  30. Ashley {hudson's happenings}November 16, 2011 at 5:30 PM

    Your California looks absolutely glorious. All of it.

    I have never been to CA but I am dying to go SOMEDAY!

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  31. CNovember 16, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    Great photos. As much as I love visiting, I don't think I could live there. That's mostly because I was born and raised in Washington and I can't handle that much sun. Hahaha! I'm so jealous of the year round beach though!

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  32. happy hour 24/7November 16, 2011 at 6:25 PM

    BBAAAHHHH this made me miss home!! i totally agree about taking it for granted when you are from there. now that i've been away for years, i feel like i am more closely tied to home and have never talked about L.A. than i ever did when i lived there. sigh.

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  33. bananas.November 16, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    don't hate me but i could never live in LA.

    i know i know...hater, you can say it.

    i do enjoy visiting every once in a while. and you know i love LOVE disneyland. plus it's still cali which is the best state ever. ;)

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  34. IvanaNovember 17, 2011 at 1:41 AM

    Aww, you lucky girl, I´m so jealous :) I love this post and all the beautiful pictures!

    xx Ivana

    Stop by sometimes :)
    Style in the City

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  35. Crazy Shenanigans-JMONovember 19, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    I love SoCal! There's so much to do and see! I love it there.

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  36. SusanNovember 21, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    Southern Cali is my favorite place in the world ~ you are very fortunate to live there!

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