It’s 7 am
as I open my...
Midnight Braided Hipster Strap SAN LORENZO $140
eyes to the dim light of winter in Malibu. At the base of the canyon in which I live, direct sunlight doesn’t reach the house until around midday, so it’s with a gentle touch that each new morning wakes me. At this time of year, as the warm Santa Ana winds whip through the trees, down into the backyard and finally out to the ocean just beyond our home, there is truly nothing like it anywhere else in the world. The shower is running in the bathroom, and my boyfriend darts across the room with a towel wrapped around his waist, clicking on “Good Day LA” as he passes by the television in front of our bed. He’s got a day of meetings and filming in town, and I’ve just finished a big collaboration for my blog Western Wild so after he leaves, I’ve got the day to myself.
teaspoon of Vermont maple syrup and, once the pot is whistling, truly start my day. A few sips and a quick kiss goodbye later, I am speed walking to my Jeep. I’ve already got a surfboard in the back. The beach is just up the road, so it’s a quick drive, and I’m pulling up along the PCH shoulder to park, cars whizzing by on one side, calm water, glittering with sunrise, on the other. While I only get out in the water occasionally, it’s such a peaceful, calming place to be. An hour later and my friend has to get to her job in Santa Monica. I am headed into town in a bit for my selfproclaimed “Me Day,” but first a stop at my favorite smoothie bar:
THE VITAMIN BARN 23823 Malibu Rd, Ste 600 Malibu, CA 90265 310.317.4833
I’ll skip a shower for now. A girlfriend is taking me out at Latigo Beach for a surf lesson in 20 minutes. I’m up. I saunter to the bathroom, brush my teeth and wipe away some leftover mascara that’s created dark circles beneath my eyes. I make my way into the closet across the hall. Every bikini I have is geared a bit more towards minimal tan lines than activity in the water, so I just throw on the first one I find. I pull my wetsuit off its hanger and walk out to the kitchen where I see my boyfriend has beaten me to letting the dogs out, and drops of water from their bowls litter the wood floor. One of my favorite winter drinks is lemon tea, so this morning, as I dodge puddles across the kitchen, I fill my teapot with water, turn the stove up, squeeze half a lemon into a giant “Wake the F*ck Up” mug (which was one of my boyfriend’s contributions when we moved in together), mix in a
I visit the Vitamin Barn in Malibu practically every day. Chalk full of nutritional supplements and superfoods, when I’m not at Vitamin Barn for a nutrient-packed shake or ginger shot, I’m shopping there for healthy recipe additions. THE SHAKE: My shake of choice is called The Pamela, and yes, it was named after Pamela Anderson who used to order it regularly. THE INGREDIENTS: The smoothie consists of strawberries, coconut nectar, ginger, Choline Cocktail (for cognitive clarity and energy), glutamine, flaxseed oil and acidophilus (a probiotic). It’s also delicious and will serve as my breakfast for today.
It is a sun-filled morning in Malibu, and as I make my way into town, the light pouring through my windows keeps the car perfectly warm. I have just arrived at my favorite, and, let’s be honest, just about the only truly chic nail salon in Beverly Hills.
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| FEBRUARY 2015 | 125