We had such a glorious time being back in LA with Andrew’s aunt and uncle. California really does feel like home now. We got to stand still for almost a week, enjoying great food and company. We saw Taylor Swift’s 1989 tour at the Staples Centre (along with Selina Gomez, Phoebe Buffay from Friends and Justin Timberlake who all made cameos!!!) and spent some amazing time reading on Malibu beach. What have I done to deserve this life?!

On Friday we went to the Getty Villa in Malibu to check out the incredible collection of Greek and Roman antiquities J. Paul Getty amassed over the years. Inspired by the Villa of Papyri, the complex is home to pieces that date back to 6500BC. Crazy. It’s meant to take you back to ancient Rome as you wander around the rooms and lush gardens.

The gardens were my favourite.

Another beautiful fountain is empty due to the drought

Andrew and his uncle Eric

Thank goodness for eccentric old billionaires and what they leave behind. My only wish was that the staff wore togas.

We grabbed delicious sandwiches from John’s Garden in Malibu and spent the rest of the day lapping up the sun in front of Eric and Adrienne’s beach condo. We drove back to the city in the afternoon and had an amazing Italian dinner that night.

The next day Andrew and I returned to Malibu to spend a couple of nights there. We got there just in time for homemade sandwiches on the balcony.

The condo is in the most amazing location, literally on the beach. If that plate fell from the balcony railing it would end up in the water! (as if I would let that happen though)

After lunch we hit the beach with our towels and Kindles.

The surf was really strong and to paddle out past the where the waves were crashing down was kind of hairy. But once you did you got to the nice calmer water.

Stand Up Paddle Boarders were everywhere

Pina Coladas and the beach are really an excellent pairing. We managed to find combined pineapple and coconut juice so all we had to do was blend it with ice and a splash of rum.

I love this glass with the palm trees painted on it

I think I may have missed my calling as a cocktail mixologist

We got salads from the pizza place across the road for dinner and just relaxed. It was a full moon that night and it was incredibly bright:

We fell asleep to the sound of waves crashing.