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Monday, August 12, 2013

Some Like it Hot

Having our fill of Dinosaurs, we continued our journey to a little oasis in the desert called, Palm Springs.
I've always loved trips to Palm Springs because it's like going back in time to the 50's.
Upon entering the town, I couldn't help but feel nostalgic for an era of the past.
It's as if I was walking into a living and breathing museum, a city frozen in an ode to it's prime.
With Mod architecture on every corner and palm trees lining the streets, I was transported to a time of glamour and opulence.
I imagined what it must have been like to see movie stars such as Marilyn Monroe roll down Palm Springs Boulevard in her chauffeured top down Cadillac while puffing on her long stemmed cigarette while dripping in diamonds.
Once upon a time, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball and Elizabeth Taylor were all among the stars that called Palm Springs their home away from home.
In fact they have even built a 36 foot tall statue to commemorate one of the Hollywood legends.






I still can't figure out if the Dinosaurs or Marilyn was bigger...

The stage in the background was being set up for an "Elton John" concert that night, can you guess what song he sang?
I'll give you a hint: Candle in the Wind was written about Marilyn Monroe.
And speaking about wind, there were also some cool fountains blowing around.



Next we zipped over to the Palm Springs Air Museum to get out of the crazy 115 degree weather (for all you non-Americans, that's 46 degrees Celsius). 
Yes, it actually burns to breathe.
The museum was surprisingly fun and interesting.
I'm not am especially huge history or aerospace fan, but it was really enjoyable to walk around and see the old WWII planes.
The whole museum is run by retired war veterans, and they are the sweetest people!
It's like going to your grandparents house and hearing your grandpa share his war stories with you from battles he fought when he was in the air force.
The museum is inside of a hangar and the aircraft are spread throughout, you can even go inside of them.







This one was definitely my favorite.


We eventually wandered back to the hotel to lounge by the pool and be lazy.
Two of my favorite things!
We stayed at a little boutique hotel called Alcazar
I first stumbled upon it last year and I loved it so much we came back again!
I highly recommend staying there if you go.
They even have beach cruiser bikes that they let you use to ride around town, which we definitely took advantage of.
In my opinion, there's nothing better than jumping in the pool after a long bike ride in the sun.
We always seem to meet people and make friends there, everyone is so friendly and nice.
Must be something in the water.




found a pool toy...

After a few hours by the pool we ventured out to find some grub because we were starving.
Drinking by the pool all day really takes a lot out of you.
We ate at some little place outside on the balcony.
The food wasn't amazing and I can't even remember the name of the restaurant.
I actually think the balcony was the only reason we ate there.
I haven't come across many restaurants that actually have balconies that aren't just used  for decoration.
If you couldn't tell, I like balconies.
Okay, moving on.



The next day we packed up our stuff and headed back home to Orange County.
But not without making one more stop...

As we were leaving we found this piece of art on the side of the road.
A retro gas station from the 1950's.
Unfortunately it wasn't in service any longer, but at least it had been preserved after all these years.
Too bad gas stations don't look this funky and futuristic anymore.
Since we were already out of the car we went for a little stroll.
The desert has such a calming and peaceful beauty to it.











& then we carried on down the beaten path.




58 comments :

  1. This is getting me very exciting about visiting California again in February! Loving the Marilyn statue.

    Great photos! :)

    Cx
    Cocktails and Caroline

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    Replies
    1. She's larger than life! If you ever need any ideas of what to see you know where to look haha & thank you!

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  2. great pictures, lovely blog <3

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  3. Looks like your having a great time, and look at that desert, so vast! Amazing!

    I recently started my own lifestyle blog, please check it out on...
    phazestyle.blogspot.co.uk

    Thanks x

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    Replies
    1. Yeah it just goes on forever! I'll check it out now =]

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  4. Great photos!

    http://www.sincerelyval.com

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  5. I love Palm Springs and the retro feel of it. My husband and I went there last year for our anniversary. I'll have to check out Alcazar. It sounds great.

    Lovely blog!

    XO,
    Catherine (following you via twitter)
    FEST

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    Replies
    1. THank you Catherine! I highly recommend Alcazar, it's one of my favorite places to stay!

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  6. This gives me serious travel envy, i would love to visit Palm Springs, shame im stuck in rainy England! You look gorgeous and that statue of Marilyn is so iconic!:) xx
    www.beautylishious.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Isn't she? haha and thank you! England is beautiful, I would love to go back to visit again!

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  7. Looks like a great trip :) I also love restaurants with balconies

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    1. haha I'm glad I'm not the only one that understands the awesomeness of them

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  8. Great pictures!! Looks like fun, I love the rooftop type restaurant!
    Kallie, But First Coffee Blog

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    1. Thank you! Gotta love being able to people watch while you're eating =]

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  9. I'm so in love with that gas station! Palm springs is awesome. Oh how I miss California!

    http://www.teenyhippie.com/

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    Replies
    1. I know I wish I would have taken more pictures of it, I definitely will when I go back though!

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  10. This looks like a lot of fun! I love Palm Springs! Great pictures.
    xoxo

    www.cakeandcouture.com

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    Replies
    1. THanks! & I love it too, I want to go back right now it's so relaxing and hot =]

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  11. I love that gas station! It would be so cool if it was still in use. Oh, and that last picture is amazing, by the way. It's like the exact image I have in my head when I think of the Californian desert (so stereotypical, I know). R

    Backpacks & Broken Cameras

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    1. haha just needs a tumble weed rolling along in the picture

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  12. Ahhhh I really want to go to California, especially when the sky over London is all grey and gloomy! Palm Springs looks gorgeous! Cate xoxo
    p.s. I really like your shorts :)

    The perks of being a hipster

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    1. THanks Cate! My bf lives in London and I would love to go back to visit, lets trade?

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  13. I've never been to palm springs, hopefully I will get a chance to go some day. Love the picture of the road.

    Jo

    Peonies and American Honey

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    1. Thanks! I hope so too, it's really different from anywhere else i've seen

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  14. I feel like I got a mini vacation with the photos you shared. Awesome. Thanks. Very nice. :)

    Peabea visiting from Tuesday Muse.

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  15. That statue is huge! And I love that last photo... very cool looking!

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  16. Cute pics! I agree with Rachel, that last pic is awesome!

    www.clairequarter.blogspot.co.nz

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Claire! It was just taken on an iphone, guess I got lucky haha

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  17. Beautiful photos!!!
    Jacquie
    Chicadvisor.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Jacqueline, the desert is so pretty it isn't too hard to get a nice shot.

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  18. What fun -- I always love those humongous hiway statues -- pure Americana! xo

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  19. this looks like so much fun! that statue is huge! and you look so pretty!

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  20. What a great pictures !!! Looks like u ve had soooooo much fun :)
    Come and see me too on:


    www.olivains.com

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  21. Really interesting pics darlign, you're so pretty! Thanks for your comment in my blog, would you like to follow each other?:)

    http://julesonthemoon.blogspot.it/

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    1. Oh thanks Giulia, you're so kind! and yes, I'm actually already following your blog on bloglovin =]

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  22. you're enjoying your life. looks so cool :)
    the pool-toys are very funny. would do the same probably. :D

    matthiasdengler.blogspot.de

    followed you back :)

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  23. Ah Palm Springs, I've always wanted to go there but somehow haven't managed to! Quite shameful, seeing as how I'm a native Californian haha. ;) Beautiful photos, thanks for sharing! xx

    http://www.keepcalmandcarrylipstick.com

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  24. Very beautiful pics http://differentcands.blogspot.kr/2013/08/diy-flower-vases.html

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  25. cute post :D

    http://alovelystyle.blogspot.com.es/

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    1. Thank you Rakel! I like your blog as well, just started following you

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  26. Amazing photos! I haven't been to Palm Springs in a long time, so looking through this post was nice. Thanks for stopping by my blog, wanna follow each other?

    www.lettersimpromptu.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you Samantha! Glad you liked it. Yes that sounds great, just followed you on bloglovin =]

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  27. Cool photos! :) Looks like you had a nice time :)

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  28. This looks like a lot of fun! An American road trip is definitely on the cards one of these days x

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    1. Hi Anna! I would definitely recommend it, i'd like to plan a little cross country road trip myself =]

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  29. seriously your photos are amazing! Oh how i've missed your blog in our (me and b's) little time of blog absent

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    1. Thanks guys!! I voted for your video BTW, I heart it mucho, it was really creative!

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    2. I really hope you win! You HAVE to see Big Sur if you haven't already. It's one of my favorite places ever.

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  30. I'm biased, but I adore that photo of you with the plane too! Thank you for linking up with Belinda and I for Travel Tuesday! I hope you link up again next week.

    Bonnie Rose | A Compass Rose

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Okay, I'm done talking now it's your turn =]