Ojai

Currently Loving October 2026

Josie Girl 1 Comment

Welp, here we are, almost the end of October. This month has been a whirlwind.  Here is what I am loving!

 

1. Goop Kitchen

 

Completely obsessed with Goop Kitchen — mainly because they put together textures and flavors in such a great and healthy way. And their salad dressings are unbelievable. I love. And this Brussel sprouts salad — TO DIE FOR.

 

2. Trader Joe Flowers 

 

If I don’t have the time or energy to get down to the flower market in NYC, my next favorite thing is Trader Joe flowers — they are SO cheap — and actually great quality. But you don’t have much selection but can always dig and find SOMETHING.

 

3. Tribeca Art Galleries 

 

I especially loved this gallery with all still lives of flowers — and this was my favorite one.

 

4. Trader Joe Orchids 

 

YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE THIS. We went to Trader Joe’s and bought three 15 dollar orchids — and then put them in a pot. Doesn’t this look so super expensive and ultra luxurious?

 

5. Natural Deodorant 

 

I have been on a long search for the best natural deodorant. And this, is it. Thank me later.

 

6. Salt Water 

 

The sea water and sunshine heals everything. Even broken bones….please say yes. It definitely heals the soul!

 

7. Brut Horse Shirt

 

My daughter broke her arm (thank you horse) so she was unable to participate in her group riding presentation. I wore my favorite horse shirt nonetheless. I love it so much.

 

8. The Crystal Corner, Ojai 

 

This crystal store in Ojai is by far my favorite and the price are unbeatable. You must go if in the area.

 

9. Three Birds, Ojai

 

One of my favorite breakfast spots in Ojai. I loved this sandwich on homemade English muffin and the green juice. Everything was perfect and SO CALIFORNIA.

 

10. Quote 

 

Love this quote so much. Keep thinking about it.

 

___

There you have it! What I am loving right now! If you can, share with me what you are loving — I always love to hear!

Magic Hour

Josie Girl Leave a Comment

Ojai, California is not only the home of Thacher (my son’s school), but also many, many cool stores, restaurants, and brands. Magic Hour is one of them that I happened to stumble upon last weekend. It is a tea shop — but not any tea shop — a beautiful, insanely gigantic, magical, incredible tea shop. It sells every type of tea that is made with love in Ojai. Their mission is to connect the world through tea ceremony and the simple act of sharing tea. And you can sense this goal the moment you walk in to the space. The space is beaaaaauuutiful, and the tea is even more special. I spent 30 minutes walking around the store, smelling every different type of blend, sampling, asking questions — it is a must visit if in Ojai.

 

I grew up with parents who drank tea every single night with their dessert before going to bed. It is something so ceremonial and special that I love to partake in. I bought a big bottle of mint and smaller of rooibos.

Continue Reading →

Hotel El Roblar

Josie Girl Leave a Comment

This past weekend, I traveled to Ojai, California, to visit my one-and-only-son, Cruzzie at school. It was a fun filled three days (will report more later) and I loved every minute of it (even though the red eye back was intolerable). I stayed at Hotel El Roblar, a brand new hotel in the area that opened up less than 3 months ago. Although it is newly opened, the building has been in existent since 1919. Now, it has been restored by Eric Goode (owner of the Turtle Conservancy and Bowery Hotel, etc…), Ramin Shamshiri, Warner Ebbink and Jeremy McBride. It is a 5- room hotel with two different restaurants, a pool, some giant tortoises, and a hipster vibe. I loved my time there and I cannot wait to return.

 

Picture of the outside — Spanish architecture. I love this picture (taken from their website)

Continue Reading →

Turtle Conservancy

Josie Girl 1 Comment

Last weekend, I had the privilege of going to see my son at boarding school in Ojai, California. Although I had been there three weeks before to attend Family Weekend, I wanted another chance to just go see Cruzzie and his friends, and be with him for a relaxed weekend. It was an absolute incredible time — not just because I spent precious time with my boy, but also because I stayed in a secret gem hotel, the Turtle Conservancy.

 

The entry way.

Continue Reading →