November: food, favorites, & free wallpapers!

It's halfway through November which is unreal. I feel like 2019 just started, is it just me?

November in Indiana has been unpredictable and annoying, to be frank. I've worn t-shirts, a heavy winter coat, and rain boots in the same week. Luckily, I got to spend a week of it in the warm weather of California. Even though I spent most of my time inside at Adobe MAX, not laying out on the beach (I wish).

The Exchange

It's no surprise that Los Angeles has amazing food, especially if you're looking to try something new or test out a vegan option. Mohawk Bend is an awesome place to try. They had amazing happy hour deals. I got a large, vegan pepperoni pizza for only $11. It was better than the real thing. My favorite meal was from The Exchange, where I got the Jerusalem bagel, which had herbed cream cheese, red onion, capers, tomato, cucumber, and smoked salmon. My mouth is literally watering thinking about it. I can make it at home, but the modern take on middle eastern interior design was to die for. It was beautiful and cozy. It matched well with the hotel it resides in, Freehand Los Angeles. I still can't believe I got to stay there. The design was incredible and inviting, and was in the perfect downtown LA location.

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

If you have no plans of going to California anytime soon, here are two food favorites you can get at grocery stores nationwide. During my trip I found the best alcoholic kombucha, Boochcraft. If you love the health benefits of kombucha but want some tipsiness too, try this. I treated myself to a bottle while I binged KUWTK and did face masks in my hotel room. Goals, I know. I also went to Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, where I got sweet potato and torched marshmallow flavored ice cream. I don't care what you're thinking, try it. It's delicious. I was skeptical too. Luckily I got to try a free sample and taste test it for all of us. An ice cream has never made me feel so warm.

Okay, last food I promise. I'm so late to the overnight oats game, but I'm just glad I joined the bandwagon. I never have the energy in the morning to make breakfast, so these have been perfect. They're so convenient and quick. One of my favorite combinations is the vegan nutella from Pick Up Limes. I recently met with a nutritionist who said I wasn't eating enough protein, and this breakfast has been a great way of adding in a few extra grams each day.

Bovaconti Coffee

This one involves food, kinda, oops. But if you're in Indianapolis, you have to check out Bovaconti Coffee. It's just down the street from my apartment so I end up there more than I'd like to admit. I'm a sucker for pink decor, checkered floors, and exposed brick. The aesthetic alone is a good enough reason to stop by, but they also make delicious coffee.. I'm usually strictly a cold brew drinker, but their Tiger Eye, a chai latte with espresso, now has my heart. If you don't like coffee, they also serve fresh juice, kombucha, tea, and pastries. It's a great place to study or work in comfy, pink velvet seats.

Fountain Square Yoga

YOGA!!! In the last month I've done a lot of yoga, which is new for me. A new yoga studio, Fountain Square Yoga, just opened up in my neighborhood. It's literally right across the street from my building, so I have no excuse not to go. Everyone there is so kind and welcoming. I was nervous as a beginner, but I feel no judgement there. I've particularly been enjoying hot yoga, especially now that it's getting colder. I can't quite describe what yoga does for me. I just feel my body and mind more. It's helped my mental health tremendously the weeks I keep up with it, and it's a bonus that it burns calories. If you're nowhere near a studio, try it at home. There are numerous videos online that can help you get started, Yoga with Adriene is a great resource. If you need a great yoga mat, I got a great one that is pink and has the perfect amount of cushion and grip. If you're starting to feel down with the winter weather coming, try doing something new for yourself. Yoga will help you stay as lazy as you want to be, while increasing your heart rate and serotonin levels. I highly suggest trying yoga, whether for mental or physical reasons, or just for fun.

Mari Andrew is my last favorite, a whole person! I attended her talk at Adobe MAX, "Healing Through Creating". It was inspiring and eye opening about how we can use our creative passions to heal ourselves, which is exactly what I'm trying to do. If you're looking for cute, motivational, or relatable art and words, follow her on instagram. She also has a book, "Am I There Yet?" that I plan on reading soon.

I could keep going, but I'll stop there for now. Here are some fun phone wallpapers to get you through the incoming cold fronts! I apologize if you're hoping for Thanksgiving themed backgrounds, but I'm already too excited for Christmas trees (mine is already up) and candy canes :)