I am off to my trip to India today and I have been looking forward to it! The last time I saw my family was in early 2015 so it has been a good while since I got to hug mom, sis, dad and bro. Speaking of which, this trip also includes a special event - my brother is getting married! So if you'd like a dose of South India, Chennai specifically, (and from a local's pint of view might I add) and like to check out a South Indian Muslim wedding, follow here on the blog. I am also excited to fly Singapore Airlines for the first time, if memory serves me right I've never flown that airline so hoping to experience the great quality of service everyone talks about. There will be a short trip to Mumbai as well, and possibly a trip to a third location that I am going to have to keep undisclosed for the moment! 

Heading home is always a thrill, and to have a wedding in the family added to that is simply wonderful. I look forward to showing you more of the city where I was born, studied some in, and finally worked in for a bit before I moved to the US. I can't wait to see what's new and what's changed. I can't wait to meet some of my friends who are still there. But, most importantly, I am just thrilled to pieces to see my family and hold them and love them and have long nights of conversation and food and fun. 

I will be gone for a month so rest assured there is a lot that you will have to keep abreast of. Follow me on Instagram mostly as I will be posting tons there. And sign up for my newsletter here or check in frequently to read more about my India adventures. Off I go now!

I’ve been a member of Travel Massive while I was in Atlanta and decided to join the group here in L.A as well. Much as I’d like to be a regular attendee, life takes over and the number of events I’ve been able to attend have been few and far between. This month’s event though was held a few blocks from where I live at posh co-working spot NeueHaus and I couldn’t miss it. Especially since the destination is Buellton, CA which is just about 2 hours’ drive from L.A and considered an underrated but promising area for wine lovers, city escapes and such.
 
I loved the cloth map bag attendees received at the entrance.  A great idea and a useful conversation starter as well. On the rooftop at NeueHaus, the event was set up such that wineries, breweries and distilleries had sampling stations where you could meet the makers behind these fantastic libations. I met a couple of interesting businesses and the images should cover a few – doubt I made the rounds to all to learn about their offerings.
 
The best part of the evening though – for me – was winning the grand prize via their Instagram contest onsite! I am now the happy chica who won the 2 night stay at their new Santa Ynez Marriott property along with a Bottlest winery tour and dinner as well as an area winery tour and ostrich farm visit. If you know me, you know how happy this makes me. Another travel adventure awaits. Stay tuned here to read all about that trip. Probably in a few months’ time!

Another fantastic event pulled off by the International Spa Association team! Attended as their guest for the first time last year and loved the experience. Was happy to be invited back again this year and got to try some of the treatments offered onsite by several spas and resorts. Not only is it a great experience meeting spa professionals in a casual setting but you are also in an event space and not at their workplace which gives you a whole other perspective on the folks that take care of your wellness and health, and the opportunity to converse with them at leisure, which might not necessarily be an option when you are at the specific spa or resort. Got to learn about new programs, treatments, industry trends and more. Read on!

The City of Beverly Hills launched their summer City of WELLTH campaign today at Alo Yoga in Beverly Hills to promote the city as a wellness and health destination for locals and travelers alike. WELLTH ambassador Christie Brinkley, author Jason Wachob, yoga teacher Caley Alyssa, chef Matthey Kenney, feng-shui expert Dana Claudat, founder of Bodyism James Duigan, and meditation expert Charlie Knowles were in attendance and spoke to guests on different aspects. 

What? You didn't know? It's National Hamburger Day this Wednesday, December 21st so here are some of my top go-to burger joints in L.A. for an over-the-top burger, becasue, really, who needs an excuse to have a burger anyways?

Plan Check Kitchen + Bar (Sawtelle, Fairfax, Downtown, Santa Monica)
Think many renditions of the all-American classic, each composed of premier house-ground beef and condiments like their kimchi mustard and dashi-infused American cheese. You must have the Plan Check Burger, which I can personally vouch for as one of the best ever, especially since it stars their Sriracha ketchup leather. There's also the Cheeseburger Machismo and Da Phat Hawaiian Burger up for grabs.
 
Boneyard Bistro (Sherman Oaks)
A classic BBQ joint with modern twists from Executive Chef and Owner Aaron Robins, Boneyard Bistro is known for its time-honored BBQ offerings and eclectic bistro fare, including a selection of oak-grilled burgers ground with 100% Snake River Farms American “Kobe Style” Wagyu beef. Their playful burger staples include The O.M.G., The California Special and the Extremely spicy! No mercy, no refunds! “Burn In Hell” Burger.
 
Great Maple (Del Amo)
This modern American eatery specializes in comforting dishes and drinks with exciting twists and a unique presentation. The kitchen’s goal is to create towering masterpieces “For the People.” You can try the Montreal-Spiced Grass Fed Beef or maybe The French Cowboy “A Burger that Eats Like a Hot Dog”. No, I'm not telling you what's in it - I know you will go find out yourself!

​Beverly Hills transforms into a festive wonderland for the holiday season, offering exciting events, stunning décor, new community initiatives and holiday cheer for all, beginning officially with the City’s annual Rodeo Drive Lighting Celebration, Sunday, November 20, 5:00 p.m., and continuing with a number of activities through December 24, 2016.

Attended a pretty rad design event and didn’t even know how rad it was until I got there, perks of subscribing to local neighborhood newsletters I guess! This one-day event in its fifth year is called DIEM Talks Design and hosted by the West Hollywood Design District. This year’s theme was Co-Everything and I loved how they had branded each session as such to focus on the ‘Co’ aspect of each topic of discussion. The format was essentially an art walk or pub-crawl style event where you started at one location and ended at another, walking to multiple locations en route, and each location hosting a specific session.

I've heard so much about this place that I am happy for their 10 years even though I have not been in there yet! ​Rustic Canyon Wine Bar & Seasonal Kitchen is turning ten years old on December 8, 2016. To ring in the anniversary, they are bringing together chef friends from around the country, as well as from the restaurant’s past, to collaborate on a series of multi-course dinners on October 3, November 7, and December 8. Have you marked those dates? Okay read on for more details :) 

We are in the middle of National Olive Oil Month (really? who knew!) and happy to share that one of my fave L.A. restaurants, the French Riviera-inspired FIG & OLIVE is on it! Olive oil is at the crux of the cuisine here and they are big on Spanish, Tunisian, and Greek olive oils which are used in place of butter and cream throughout the menu. I don't doubt it, walk into this space and you are greeted by shelves upon shelves of glowing bottles that are part of an expansive retail collection of olive oils—each available for sale on site.