Guest Writer: Tali Shine.
 |
| Tali Shine |
I used to be a
real NY girl and go there at any and every opportunity don't get me wrong I
still love the big apple, but lately I've been spending a lot of time in LA.
Each time I go I love it more and more!
LA has got such a
great vibe and so many different areas; you can be as chilled or as chi chi as
you like and it's sunny with blue skies almost year-round. Its normal to bump
into A List movie stars on a daily basis and no one blinks at it! The thing I
especially love about LA is that its really easy to be healthy there; I don't
need to stop my pilates and yoga routines because there are great studios and
so many organic supermarkets, healthy, fun places to eat and outdoor activities
like hiking, cycling and horseback riding. Its possible to go on holiday and
come back feeling great! The art scene is also buzzing and the shopping is
great- especially with our Aussie dollar being so strong right now!
What to do in
California:
Santa Monica
Beach: I love cycling or roller blading from here to Venice Beach, right by the
sand on the boardwalk. There is also a great merry go round and night time fun
fair in Santa Monica- I'm the oldest kid on the rides. Santa Monica also has
great shopping and a street farmers market twice a week with delicious fresh
fruit and veggies.
Malibu: Its one of
my favourite places in the world. My day here starts at The Malibu Beach Inn, a
gorgeous boutique hotel, having breakfast on the outdoor terrace over looking
Carbon Beach and perhaps a little dip in the water. Then I go to the Getty
Villa, which is five minutes drive down the road. The art, building, gardens
and views are magnificent!
Cafe Habana: Great
for lunch and then the afternoon shopping at Malibu Counrty Mart and Lumber
Yard. All of my favourite shops are here, it's like a compressed Melrose Avenue
that you can stroll around. I particularly love Intermix, Kitson, Fred Segal,
Maxfield and J Crew. I get a take away green tea from The Coffee Bean and Tea
Leaf when I'm finished, head back to the hotel to change. Dinner is at Nobu
which is right on the beach. Its magical to hear the waves crashing whilst
feasting on miso cod and yellowtail sashimi!
Ona day spa: I
always have a facial with Ingrid. It's my favourite facial in the world and
makes my skin look and feel great after the long, dehydrating flight.
Polo Lounge at the
Beverly Hills Hotel: I always have brunch here as its so beautiful - like a
fairytale and the service and food are second to none. Last time I was there
Hillary Duff was sitting on the table to one side of me, and Ashton and Mila on
my other side! My other favourite lunch spots for glossy, girly lunches are
Cecconis and the Ivy.
Go to places:
The Chateau
Marmont: The outdoor dining is magical and the bar is always buzzing with the best
vibe and gorgeous people.
 |
| Getty Villa Malibu |
Cafe Gratitude: My
friend Kathryn introduced me to this place a few trips ago and I'm hooked! All
the dishes are organic, vegan and mouth watering. They also have inspiring
names like 'I am grateful', 'I am nourished'. There is always a fun, packed
vibe here- last time I bumped into Colin Farrell at the counter!
Horseriding: It
may be touristy but nothing beats horseriding in the Hollywood Hills by the
Hollywood sign- it feels like a movie set with that amazing golden light which
California is famous for!
Golden Bridge
Yoga: I always take yoga classes at Golden Bridge Yoga. The style I practice in
London and Sydney is called Jivamukti and they teach it here. I also do Pilates
reformer classes at Platinum Pilates in LA and Santa Monica. When I work out I
get juices from Pressed Juicery- they can even deliver them to your hotel.
Juice combinations are amazing and all juices are pressed on a hydraulic press
to maintain the minerals and vitamins.
For fun:
Johnny Rockets:
Its fast 'splurge food' and has 60s music playing from jukeboxes and California
Vegan where you can get every type of fake meat and fish that even has the same
look and texture and currys served out of coconuts!
My Beauty Bag:
Tali Shine Brand ‘Hollywood Compact’, which was inspired by my trips to LA and has all the eye, cheek and
lip colours that I need.
Estee Lauder
Re-Nutriv eye cream: it prevents dehydration and combats fine lines, especially
when travelling.
Probiotics,
Antioxidants and Vitamins: I take these with me when I travel as different
countries have different waters, bacteria etc and I can't control the nutrients
I'm getting as much as I can when I cook at home. I find this really helps me
feel great and not get sick after being on aeroplanes and keeps my energy
levels up as even though I'm on holidays there is so much to do here that I'm
always on the go without as much sleep as usual.
Sunscreen: I buy
spray sunscreens from the super-sized drug stores in LA and I always take my
Peter Thomas Roth mineral face powder and put it on religiously. I pretty much
always wear a hat when I'm walking around as the sun is always out.
Conditioning Hair
Treatment: Whenever I travel I take a hair treatment to use during the plane
trip- it stops my hair from getting damaged and split from the heavily
air-conditioned plane air and is also great after being at the beach.
Fake Tan: I always
get fake tans from Robbie at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel- he uses my all-time
favourite tanning brand Vani-T. I also like Portofino Tan Salons for their
salon mixed colours, scents and sheens.
Best Places to
shop
There are a few
things I always pick up in LA and no matter how much room I leave in my bag I
always get done with overweight luggage when I leave.
Wholefoods: I spend
hours looking at new vitamins and organic body products. I always buy delicious
sugar, dairy and gluten free organic snacks here too and the yummiest coconut
water in the world!
Sephora: I always
go to Sephora to stock up on old favourites and new beauty gadgets and gizmos-
I find its also so much cheaper than the prices in Sydney and London.
Victoria’s Secret:
Great for gym clothes and t-shirt bras. Their leggings and sweater tops are the
best!
Other places to
shop that I love are Melrose and Robertson with shops like Kitson, Paige,
Helmut Lang, Marc by Marc Jabobs- there is even a gorgeous Zimmerman store here
and Fred Segal is just down the road. I also love spending an afternoon at the
Grove, the outdoor shopping mall. There are the department stores here and a
cute tram that runs around the center, the famous fountain (perfect for photo
ops) and the farmers market which is great for grabbing a bite between or after
shopping. I often end up staying and seeing a movie after I've shopped myself
to the point of dropping!
I love strolling
down Rodeo Drive though this is usually about window shopping!
The Malibu Country
Mart and Lumber Yard: My favourite place to shop
What to Pack;
1 A few pairs of
sunnies- the sun is bright!
2 Euginia Kim sun
hat that I wear all day to protect my face from the sun
3 Denim short
shorts and skirt: I love everyone else is wearing shorts and mini skirts here!
4 Isabel Marant ankle boots and Havaianas for the day.
5 Strappy shoes, a
denim jacket and colourful dresses for the night-time.
My Favourite
Hotels
For Old Hollywood
Glamour no where beats the bungalows at The Pink Palace aka The Beverly Hills
Hotel and The Chateau Marmont.
When I want a fun,
youthful vibe and to be close to my friends in West Hollywood I stay at the
Petit Ermitage. Rooms are spacious, the rooftop pool, butterfly sanctuary and
members bar are wonderful and always electric.
For luxe for less, the Luxe hotel on Rodeo drive has the best
location; right in this middle of all the designer shops and around the corner
to all the department stores, Pretty Woman eat your heart out!
