If you have grown up watching “The Hills” like me then I bet you too want (maybe you already have) to visit Laguna Beach. I was obsessed with this program and this was the start of my love for California and anything American. I remember when Lauren Conrad had a Blackberry so I went to the shop and bought one just because she had one. At the time I was making a bold statement because small phones were on trend and no one had a Blackberry unless you were a banker. What can I say, I have always been such a trend setter 😉
It has been on my bucket list for years to visit Laguna Beach and I am a bit gutted I wasn’t with my little sister because we have both always wanted to go and I feel like I should have been with her. I loved it so much I will definitely be going back.
When we drove from Newport Beach (read my review on Newport Beach here) I was so excited and when I saw a “Welcome to Laguna Beach” sign I played the theme tune “Unwritten” full blast. Paris didn’t even react whats so ever to my strange, excited behaviour. I was so happy to be there and couldn’t wait to explore.
LB was not really how I imagined. It was way more “surfer dude” looking, a lot bigger and not as posh as I thought. I had only seen rich kids on the program driving white BMWs at fifteen so this is why I thought it was more of a small, rich town. With that said the houses I saw along the coast were stunning and no doubt millions of pounds so it was for sure a rich county; it just has a beachy surfer vibe which I absolutely loved. I was actually seriously worried that it wouldn’t live up to my expectations but it did; I actually thought it was better.
It was different to Newport and if you have read about my stay in my previous post you will know why it was different. They had a completely different vibe but how amazing to live in either towns considering how close they are to each other. I envy anyone that lives there and be sure to visit both towns if you are heading that way.
Our plan was to have lunch, explore and of course take some photos for the blog and to share my look with you when I got home. I then received a comment from a follower of mine. I try to always read my comments but I often miss a few or only see them a few days later. I happened to see this comment and it was from a local photographer asking to shoot with me. I checked out her page and was blown away by her mermaid inspired feed and messaged her straight back. This is the beauty of social media. I know social media has it down points but thanks to Instagram I met up with a photograph and made a friend for life. I also preach that you should go out and get things for your self. I loved it that Liz had the confidence to message me in public and just say “hey lets meet up and shoot.” We met on the beach and we instantly clicked. Liz had studied in London so she got my “European” sense of humour and because she follows my Snapchat she felt like she already knew me which made us click straight away.
Liz made me climb around a cliff to access a private cove to take the photos. The waves were crazy and I thought I was going to be swept away with all our cameras. Has anyone been watch The Island with bear Grills and that guy fell off the side of a cliff? I had visions that was going to happen. Anyway we got there safely. We nearly got stuck there when the waves all of sudden got huge but we made it back and the photos were more than worth it. After we played on Liz’s (such a typical Cali girl) and I seriously nearly killed my self, skateboarding is so hard. I even scratch my Hermes CDC cuff when I fell off. Just as I fell off the board a pro skateboarder with a GoPro came whizzing passed me and just madam look even worse, but the effort was there. You can footage of this in the video. The video that isn’t made yet.
After shooting Paris and I went to “Urth Cafe” which I couldn’t wait to visit because I was addicted to this place when we were last in Cali. “Ruth Cafe” is a cafe that serves healthy food and the best matcha iced latte’s because they add tapioca. “Uruth Cafe’s” are dotted all over Cali so you have to make sure you eat at this place. You can see more of this day when my Cali video is published next week, I am still working on it.
I really love photography and I really appreciated Liz’s talent. I love how she always catches the perfect lighting and most of all she was so easy to shoot with. I have never felt so comfortable with someone on the first session of shooting. I loved the photos so much I asked Liz to come visit us a few day slater in LA. We spent the dat together shooting in different locations, had lunch at “The Beverly Hills Hotel” which you can read bayou here, did some CHANEL shopping and finished off the day with cocktails. I have so many photos and outfits to show you so stay tuned.
LB is about half an hour drive from LA but the traffic is always terrible so add on an extra half an hour. I recommend leaving LB/LA around 10:30am and avoid driving at lunch time or sunset because it will take you hours with the bad traffic.
Because Liz contacted me whilst I was already out and about I had to meet her in the outfit I was wearing that day. This may be a simple look but it was what I was wearing all day and a genuine outfit, not just a look to shoot for the blog and then get changed into something else. I can not recommend investing into One Teaspoon denim, they are the best denim shorts I have ever worn; they are so good I have every single colour. The quality and fit can no the beaten. Click here to shop. I love my Toga buckle boots, I have had these for years and wear them constantly. Click here to shop. My tee is sporty and I wear it to the gym but they are totally my style to wear with jeans too and for £25 it’s a good versatile tee.
I hope you enjoy the photos, I hope I have given you some tips about Laguna Beach and what to wear but most of all I hope me meeting up with Liz has inspired you to go out and get what you want and not to be shy to meet new people and network with others in your industry.
To find out more about Luz you can visit her website here and follow her on Instagram here.
DENIM JACKET Brandy Melville similar HERE
Photos by Liz Strupat
CC xx
1 comment
Great post and beautiful pictures. I also loved Laguna Beach and the Hills growing up and I’ve always dreamed of visiting. I’m glad to hear it lived up to your expectations.