Wednesday 3 April 2013

C = California



As you may have read on my first A-Z post, I have moved to California from the UK recently. I have been here for precisely 2.5 months.



California is a big state and there are lots of places for us to see and visit when we have the time. If anyone can recommend anywhere we should go to see or places to eat, let me know!

We are based in Irvine, which is between LA and San Diego and we live about 10 minutes from the beach. Back in the UK we lived in the midlands, which was about 2 hours from the nearest beach (Skegness). The beaches in California are sooo much more beautiful, our favourite at the moment is Laguna Beach. It has a real arty feeling and lots of cute shops and a cool ice cream sellar (gelato)!

I always wanted to live in the sunshine, by the beach but never thought we would actually do it and espcially not as far away from the UK as California. However, when the opportunity came available it felt like a sign...especially when some of my favourite songs relate to California....

Hotel California by the Eagles
California Dreamin by the Mamas and Papas
California Love by Tupac

I love the song Hotel California so much I had a beautiful acoustic version by Filippo playing at my beach weddding, check it out on Itunes.

Here are a couple of illustrations I have sketched this morning:



Always on the lookout for inspiration, I found this gorgeous art print available in my favourite colour on Etsy.com for $19 by Parada Creations. What a bargain, I may have to order one for my wall.

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45 comments:

  1. Melissa Ann Goodwin3 April 2013 at 12:21

    I loved your post - so creative! Welcome to the U.S. I went to England and Wales this past summer and loved it. I'm not doing the challenge this year, but supporting you who are. I've got two blogs- my author blog: http://writeryogini.blogspot.com and one where I just post an inspiring quote with a photo: http://inspiringthoughtsandpictures.blogspot.com Nice to meet you!

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    1. Rowena3 April 2013 at 21:48

      Hi Melissa, thanks for visiting my blog and for welcoming me to the US. I've just visited your blog http://inspiringthoughtsandpictures.blogspot.com and love your photographs and quotes. Being a creative person your blog is right up my street. Nice to meet you too!

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  2. Jarm Del Boccio3 April 2013 at 12:24

    Welcome to the States, Rowena!! Although I'm from the Midwest, I can understand why you like California. Happy A to Z!

    MakingtheWriteConnections

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    1. Rowena3 April 2013 at 21:49

      Hi Jarm, thanks for the welcome! Where abouts are you from in the Midwest? I am aiming to try and travel a bit around the US and visit different places as much as I can...

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  3. Unknown3 April 2013 at 12:38

    Your so lucky, I would love to live in California, hope you have a great time living there :D

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    1. Rowena3 April 2013 at 21:51

      Hi Emma, thanks for posting! Whereabouts are you living now?

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  4. Debby 3 April 2013 at 13:02

    Welcome to California. Glad you like it here. As a San Franciscan, I love my California but I admit to having a love/hate relationship with the state. There is so much to do here which I love but I get tired of all the pretentious people that tend to flock here. California has really changed since I was a kid. My husband was born and raised in Long Beach and I know Laguna Beach well. Just 2 things. Don't call it "Cali" and never refer to San Francisco as "Frisco". :-)

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    1. Rowena3 April 2013 at 21:55

      Hi Coffee Lady, I am liking California so far but know what you mean about pretentious people...we lived temporarily in Newport Beach and found a few people like that! So far it is a bit mixed. I lived in the same UK town for ever so moving anywhere new will always be exciting to start with. We went to San Francisco a few years ago and loved it, it felt really european and so much to do. I didn't know not to call it 'Frisco' though! we were doing that all the time ha ha...thanks for the advice x

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  5. loverofwords3 April 2013 at 13:06

    We lived in Huntington Beach. I still miss the beach -- sigh.

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    1. Rowena3 April 2013 at 21:56

      We went to Huntingdon Beach and the pier the other week, loads of surfers!

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  6. TaMara Sloan3 April 2013 at 13:21

    I was born in California but moved to South Carolina when I was 8. The only thing I remember about CA is riding the trolley in San Francisco. I hope you enjoy living in California!

    TaMara
    Tales of a Pee Dee Mama

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    1. Rowena4 April 2013 at 07:12

      Hi Tamara, appreciate the comments. I went to San Francisco a few years ago and loved the old trolleys.

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  7. Kristen3 April 2013 at 14:07

    I love living in California, and those illustrations capture it perfectly. I pretty much love everything about this post, and will be saving it in my bookmarks just so I can go back and look at it whenever I'm down and need a pick-me-up. Your sketches are so cute, I want to buy those too! :)

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    1. Rowena4 April 2013 at 07:13

      Hi Kristen, really pleased you are enjoying my blog, that means a lot! Glad you like my sketches too...

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  8. Marta Szemik3 April 2013 at 14:51

    That's one big move! I've never been to California. It sounds like you're enjoying it.

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    1. Rowena4 April 2013 at 07:14

      Hi Marta, yes it was a big move and once we decided we were doing it, everything moved really quickly. After 15 years in the same office, no one could believe I was actually going to do it! If you don't try new stuff and experiences, you never know.

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  9. Ann Hinds3 April 2013 at 15:14

    The illustrations are wonderful. There is so much in your area to see. Do the touristy things like Knott's and Disneyland. Take a day to go to Catalina which is what my post was today. I write about California. If you are looking for something in particular send me a message and I will share with you what I know. Born in LA and have spent my entire life here.

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    1. Rowena4 April 2013 at 07:17

      Hi Ann, I managed to check out your california blog on the laptop yesterday, love it! It will be really useful for me. For some reason I can't view your blog from the ipad but I will get back on my laptop shortly and check out your more recent posts. Appreciate your advice! Hubby already has catalina on his list to visit

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  10. Unknown3 April 2013 at 15:18

    LOVE the sketches and I'm SO jealous. I've always wanted to move to CA. Someday I will. My kids have friends there and recently got to go spend a month with them, so that was cool. Can't wait to keep reading about your adventures in CA. Glad I found your blog! And Hotel California is an awesome song. Love the Eagles. :)

    New follower...

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    1. Rowena4 April 2013 at 07:18

      Hi Karen, really pleased you like my sketches and blog. You should move to CA, just be warned everything is a little expensive!

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  11. Chris3 April 2013 at 17:17

    I've heard California has similar weather to Australia. Never been to your part of the world, but I really would like to.

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    1. Rowena3 April 2013 at 22:08

      Hi Chris, it does seem to be mostly sunny, I can't complain. I would love to visit Australia too!

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  12. MunirGhiasuddin3 April 2013 at 17:50

    First of all welcome to America. We moved to New York in 1974. We live in the UK prior to that ( my hubby for six years and me for two).
    California is a nice state to live in. We know some friends in LA.
    My daughter wanted to work in Irvine so we took a look. It is very nice there. Her company however is selling the Irvine plant, so there may not be a chance for to move there.
    I hope that you enjoy California and get to stay in the US.

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    1. Rowena3 April 2013 at 22:07

      Thanks for the welcome! Irvine is very nice, its a planned city so completely different to places in the UK but it seems a good base to explore California from. Its a shame you won't get to move round here. At the moment, I do miss the UK, i think I will want to move back after a few years or so, we shall see!

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  13. Anonymous3 April 2013 at 18:27

    Laguna beach sounds divine! I'd trade some warm-sandy terrain for the nippy mountains anytime:)

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  14. Unknown3 April 2013 at 20:29

    Welcome to California! I moved here in 1981 and have loved every minute! (ok, maybe not EVERY minute... but most!)
    I'm near San Diego.
    Connie #133
    A to Z Challenge.
    Peanut Butter and Whine

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    1. Rowena3 April 2013 at 22:05

      Hi Connie, thanks for posting and for the welcome!. Where did you move from?

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  15. Vidya Sury3 April 2013 at 20:38

    Sunny California! Now I've firmly got the song Hotel California stuck in my head. I like it! :D

    Happy A to Z! I am enjoying the Challenge!

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    1. Rowena3 April 2013 at 21:57

      Me too....I'll check out your blog asap!

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  16. Afshan Shaik3 April 2013 at 21:17

    THis is second post am reading on California. It sure seems pleasant and happening !!

    Good luck

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    1. Rowena3 April 2013 at 21:57

      Thanks for the comment Afshan. There is lots happening in California, you have the beach and mountains too!

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  17. Kathleen Jennette3 April 2013 at 23:10

    Welcome to Orange County. I lived in Laguna Beach for years and now I'm in the Foothills of Tustin. You will love the ease of it here having both the moutains and the ocean so close. I am originally from the San Francisco Bay and still own a small home there to. I can surely recommed travelling our Hwy 1 up the coast to Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey and Napa. There are so many historical sites to visit as well such as the Gold Country too. You won't be disappointed.

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    1. Rowena4 April 2013 at 07:21

      Hi KT, it is great to live so close to the beach and mountains, I love the backdrop when we are driving through irvine. We've not managed to get to the mountains yet but will do soon I'm sure. I love pacific coast hwy, only been as far as Dana point going south and long beach going north so far but will check out the places you mention. We like a bit of history too!

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    2. Kathleen Jennette5 April 2013 at 17:18

      You won't regret it. Head North above Santa Barabara. Take along weekend to enjoy the Coast...don't forget the camera too! Its amazing!
      KaTy Did at Life's Ride As I See It

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  18. Unknown4 April 2013 at 00:06

    Beautiful! I miss the lower-48 especially my time spent in California. I did Thanksgiving in San Francisco and summer vacations in La Jolla. Hotel California is also one of my favorite one. Oh and I LOVE YOUR SITE! You have a new stalker!

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    1. Unknown4 April 2013 at 00:07

      Oh and I would love to have you see mine! http://cabingoddess.com/2013/04/c-is-for-atozchallenge/

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  19. Poke The Rock4 April 2013 at 03:08

    so jealous, I want to live in the sunshine....why did I move to bloody ireland, I like the feel of your two sketches.

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    1. Rowena4 April 2013 at 07:22

      Hi, glad you like the sketches. It is cool seeing sunshine everyday, rather than the few days we get in the UK....where did you move to Ireland from?

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    2. Poke The Rock5 April 2013 at 04:21

      Germany, we actually have proper summers...not that wishy washy rainy thing Ireland gets :(

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  20. Unknown4 April 2013 at 04:03

    Greetings from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

    Love your whimsical drawings and thoughts. It must be very different for you living in California as opposed to the UK. All the best with the challenge!

    Cattitude and Gratitude

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    1. Rowena4 April 2013 at 07:23

      Thank you! All the best in the challenge too! I'll check out your blog shortly.

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  21. Havalah Turner | Sisters, What!4 April 2013 at 06:07

    I have a sister who loves California and would just love these prints on here.

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  22. Rebecka Vigus4 April 2013 at 07:21

    Hope you like California. I'm the one who wants to go to the UK...at least for a visit.

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    1. Rowena4 April 2013 at 07:25

      Hi Rebecca, you should definitely visit the UK, and not just london but other cities too, like bath. also and try and see a bit more of Europe whilst you are there. There are cheap flights from the UK to France and Italy, I love Italy!

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  23. Michelle4 April 2013 at 07:23

    My husband and I lived in Northern California when we were first married. Coming from Washington state, I was dreaming of sun and sand. I got the sand part, loved our beach right out our back door, but as for the sun, not so much. But I loved it anyway, so much so that we've road tripped down that way every couple years with our kids.

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