february 2023 - Wanderlogue

02.2023

February is always a bit strange, a short month felt shorter, punctuated by an aquarian birthday, filled with short days spent in the dark and cold, the promise of spring still too far away to even be a tease.

Mine was marked by yet another escape to warmth. At least, that’s what my past self that booked the LA trip back in November thought I was giving my current self. Instead of being welcomed back with LA sunshine I was met with torrential downpours. Flooding. Cars getting trapped in the streets, water seeping through everything. Relentless rain that made it feel damp even when you’re sheltered from it. Seeing more snow than I’d seen in New York all season.

February was a month in waiting. Passively going through life as it happens, sometimes mundane, sometimes surreal. Waiting for the skies to clear up. Waiting for the days to grow longer. Waiting for the ball to drop, because you know it’s coming.

birthday rituals

I hate that some dates hold more meaning than others. It feels often arbitrary, like added pressure to do something with it. But I suppose it gives you something to look forward to, something to celebrate. And with it comes traditions, rituals. Also often arbitrary. Mine certainly are. But that’s why they are great.

current obsessions

Headbands & blazers. NYFW people watching. And perfume. Nostalgic perfume.

Once again obsessed with Tocca. Stella and Cleopatra take me right back to college days but layer beautifully with lighter florals. Florence is a new favorite

Also these orange chocolates once again have me in a chokehold (and take me back to balkan days)

ALL TIME FAVORITES

Trips to SGV require obligatory grocery rungs at 99 Ranch. And I can never pass up an opportunity to pick up some favorites that are annoyingly hard to come by in my typical NYC grocery habits.

Winter essentials: Ve Wang herbal noodles and hot grass jelly packets.

winter ON coney island

Never thought my first time visiting Coney Island would be in the dead of winter. And to visit the aquarium. Well worth the trek for L&B Spumoni Gardens though.

culture fix

A birthday spent wandering the familiar floors of The Whitney Museum, mostly to see the Hopper exhibit and stare at the city from the terrace.

And then a very, very, very rainy afternoon spent wandering the unfamiliar rooms of LACMA. So many years in greater LA, many months spent watching the construction of the campus from across the street, it’s almost embarrassing that this was my first time actually going into LACMA.

A very rainy la

Snow on the beach? Perhaps not, but LA did deliver snow on the San Gabriel Mountains juxtaposed with classic palm trees.

The first few days of the trip were nearly drowned out by heavy rain. If I was living in LA, I would never have left the house. But since my days are limited, I ventured out, splashing around town to meet up with friends that I rarely get to see.

NEW FIND

Some of the best tacos I’ve had in my life. Villa’s Tacos in Highland Park. Worth the dark and rainy drive up the treacherous 110 North.

Nothing like catching up with old friends in new lives over well-garnished tacos and spiked agua frescas.

good bites

Many good bites were had. Particularly on the LA side of the month.

ALL VIBES: MONARCH

It’s surreal to see a childhood restaurant transform into, well, what can be described as a Gen-Z Y2K fever dream prom setting with the theme of “under the sea.” Truthfully I miss the no frills Hong Kong style restaurant of my memories, and I am partial to the sister restaurant Chifa, but this certainly delivered on a memorable experience.

THE ICON: BESTIA

On, yes, another rainy rainy night, trekked from the west side back to downtown just for a surprisingly crowded Bestia. An obligatory LA experience. Was it as good as they say? Sure. But am I still partial to the sister restaurant Bavel? Also yes.