Santa Monica Stairs

Back in Finland again! Sorry for the gap in posts, I blame jetlag. There are still a few topics from L.A. I want to share... going through these sunny pictures in rainy Helsinki makes me want to book another flight to somewhere warm :).

Santa Monica Stairs or Steps – a steep wooden stairway near the beach – is a popular place for exercising outdoors. It's common to go jogging on the beach first and then finish the workout at the stairs. Or vice versa. Plus a paleface like myself hits two birds with one stone: you get both a good workout and some tan!

I was told that 9 a.m. or before is the best time to hit the stairs, otherwise it gets pretty crowded and harder to keep the pace you like. But to be honest, even walking these stairs from bottom to the top made me gasp.

Party in the U.S.A.!

PART(Y) 1

4th of July was on Wednesday, so the party went on from the 4th throughout the weekend. On Wednesday we went to Hermosa beach and a BBQ party afterwards.

Patriotic outfit no. 1: scarf turned into a top,  Zara jeans, Converse sneakers, RayBan shades.

PART(Y) 2 

First Fridays take place in Venice (Abbot Kinney Boulevard) on every first Friday of month. We went to see what it's like. All the stores are open late and people sell their handwork on the streets. The street sides are filled with food trucks and people lining for them, which makes the sidewalks sooo crowded. But anyhow, Venice First Fridays is a go!

After Abbot Kinney we headed to Lauren's house party nearby. Her place is amazing! The party was a great fun: traditional good ol' American house party with a dj and a beer pong table! :) 

Patriotic outfit no. 2 (apologies for the bad photo quality): Love Culture blouse, American Apparel denim shorts, vintage belt, Marc by Marc Jacobs clutch, Via Spiga wedges. 

Rocking the roof

 Second hand studded denim vest, fringe top/scarf from Carlings, Forever 21 denim shorts, John West boots, RayBan shades.

 Another day for second hand shopping! I don't know about you guys, but some days I let my inner rockstar tell me what to wear. Regardless of the Mötley Crüe groupie indications I may get from friends :).

These boots are one of my favourite pairs, got them from Valtteri (flea market in Helsinki) with only 15 euros. Not a bad price for almost unused pair.

Falling for Escondido Falls

If you love beautiful nature and sweating visit Escondido Falls in Malibu. There's a nice hiking path with breathtaking views. The path is tricky and steep at times and at some points you have to use ropes to proceed, but it's definitely worth the dirty clothes and perspiration!

She's into shoes

Some of my recent shoe purchases. Most of them are second hand. Or should I say second foot?

Jeffrey Campbell clogs from Wasteland.

Jeffrey Campbell curved heels from Wasteland. 

Sam Edelman wedges from Crossroads.

Black heels from Crossroads.

Via Spiga wedges from Crossroads.

Wedges from Crossroads. 

Bonnibel wedges from a store which name I already forgot :).

Studded flats from DBShoes. 

Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers from Buffalo Exchange (black) and Crossroads (blue).

Malibu hippie

Second hand hooded blouse, second hand flare pants, Via Spiga wedges, Lindex bikini, Cheap Monday shades.

Views from the Pacific Coast Highway are amazing. We stopped at this a bit less crowded beach in Malibu to relax, listen to good music and dip in the sea. Everyone keeps saying the water is extraordinarily warm, and they are right!

I found these amazing hippie flare pants and wedge shoes at Crossroads (Santa Monica), along with several other things!

Looking forward to tomorrow, the 4th of July celebration. We are supposed to start the day early with a champagne breakfast, yay!

This gym is a gem!

I joined the David Barton gym for the month I'm in Los Angeles. We go there almost every day, and of the classes, I've already tried kickboxing, spinning, and some sort of anaerobic class. I tried kickboxing for the first time in my life and it really kicks.. um.. butt. Body combat has been my favourite sport for years, but you only get to hit and kick in the air. Attacking the bag makes the whole rampage more concrete and fun. So, as excited of it, I bought kickboxing gloves in order to continue my new hobby in Helsinki. The ones I borrowed from the gym were pretty smelly to be honest! :)

The instructors give you personal advices during classes, which is something I wish happened more often at classes back home. You definitely get more out of your exercise when you master the techniques, no matter which sport it was.

Not only does the club have great classes from yoga to zumba, but also the gym itself is neat. I've been a member in 4 sports clubs in Finland and this is the first club with a boxing ring, a boxing room with bags, stairmaster and a climbing wall. Also the facilities are great. They provide clean towels, soaps, lotions and even mouthwash and shaving razors. Lockers have mirrors, which becomes very convenient when you try to turn your face from red bean into normal after a sweaty class! There's also a spa section with sauna, steam room and a jacuzzi.

One time after an intense class I wondered where I should put the sweaty t-shirt for not wetting the whole bag. I turned around and voilà, there was a roll of bags right in front of me. Here we are at the basics of marketing: a happy customer is the one whose expectations are exceeded.