Never Too Many Bikinis

For most people, going to the beach is a relaxing event. On a perfect day you get to sit in the sand under the warm sun, feel the fresh sea air, and get a nice color on your skin. What many do not realize is that for Californians, going to the beach or participating in ocean activities is often times a fashion show.

It was not until I entered high school that I realized how large the bathing suit industry is. Over the years, bathing suits have gone from large, full coverage suits to small, Brazillian, and even thong like suits. Little do many know that the most fashionable bathing suits cost a fortune, roughly $80 a piece, meaning $160 for a full set! As a college student, this is a huge cost for me and I often find myself upset when I cannot afford the latest and greatest suit. Unfortunately, as someone who spends at least an hour a day at the beach when home, bathing suits are my weakness. I too often find myself walking into bathing suit stores with friends, telling myself that I will not purchase anything which ultimately leads to unplanned shopping, or the shopping activity that shares some, but not all, characteristics of truly impulsive consumer behavior; being characterized by situational memory, a utilitarian orientation, and feelings of spontaneity (Babin, 2016 pg. 236). I have found myself wrongfully justifying my purchases but can confidently say that I do not regret purchasing a single suit! I have started to create a collection that I am proud of and have gotten great use out of every purchase.

When picking the right suit, brand loyalty, my deeply held commitment to re-buy a product, is extremely important to me (Babin, 2016 pg. 254). I find myself purchasing the brands that have proven to be the most comfortable and most importantly, fit me best. As an active person who loves the ocean, I need a bathing suit that is durable yet fashionable. During my free time I often paddle board, snorkel, and am planning to get scuba certified which will certainly increase my time in the water. Below is a video of what the snorkeling is like a few minutes from my house!

When I made the decision to come to Michigan for college I brought a few bathing suits with me and my new friends, primarily those from the Midwest or East Coast fell is love. I quickly became the one my friends would borrow from for days by the pool or spring break and have converted many people to the dark side of nice bathing suits.

Although these bathing suits are expensive, their quality is pristine. If handled with care, hand washed, and not worn in chlorine often, these bathing suits can last years. Proving that they are expensive for a reason, it is no wonder that customers are willing to spend such an enormous amount on such a small piece of fabric. If you are anything like me, feeling comfortable and fashionable at the beach is a priority. Just like investing in a good pair of jeans, investing in a good bathing suit is well worth the cost.

References/Value Added:

Babin, B., & Harris, E. (2016). In CB 7 (7th ed., pp 236). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning

Babin, B., & Harris, E. (2016). In CB 7 (7th ed., pp 254). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning

Fashion Show Photo: https://www.soleilblue.com/blogs/wanderer-in-blue/38932929-miami-swim-week-frankies-bikinis-runway-show-2016

Snorkeling video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QPq9lLP1sc

Outdoors or Else

Living in California is as wonderful as the Hollywood depicts it to be. From the year around phenomenal weather to the beautiful views, what is there not to love? As a California native who decided to give up the beautiful Southern California weather for the Michigan snowstorms, I often find myself day dreaming of the days when I took the sunshine for granted.

Growing up in San Diego, most of my days were spent outdoors. Whether that meant eating lunch on the high school grassy knoll or going for a run along the coast, the never ending sunshine made it easy to take for granted. In addition to spending time outside, Southern California is notorious for breeding physically fit and healthy individuals, as their motivations, or the inner reasons or driving forces behind my human actions, to be outside are extremely strong (Babin, 2016 pg. 90). When the weather is pristine year around, it is easy to motivate yourself and others to look and feel as best as you can. You never know when you will be hitting the beach!

In order to maintain these fit physiques requires a healthy lifestyle. While living clean and healthy has become a trend across the nation, this type of living is a typical California lifestyle. In addition to year around running weather there are yoga studios, spin studios, and gyms on every corner, making it nearly impossible to not exercise. One of my personal favorite yoga studios is CorePower Yoga, a large yoga chain with studios all over the United States. Although there are many studios all over the country, Southern California proves to be CorePower's largest consumer market. With twelve studios in San Diego alone, the yogi lifestyle has quickly integrated itself into the California lifestyle. These instructors often hold donation based classes on the public park at Pacific Beach on Saturday mornings, presenting a perfect opportunity for experienced and new yogis to come together and form a sense of community.

If yoga is not for you, not to worry! There are plenty of other entertaining, enjoyable, and challenging ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle. For many people, my mother included, walking or running the palm tree lined streets is a favorite. Regardless of the weather, rain or shine (even though it hardly rains), my mother is out the door at 8 am to begin walking before work. Like many others, she enjoys the calm mornings with the marine layer falling into the streets. If you are unfamiliar with what the marine layer is, it is a large cloud-like mass that develops over the ocean during certain temperatures. Since many of the San Diego beaches are in a cove-like setting, it is easy for the marine layer to get trapped in. Below is a video to show you how the marine layer can change over the course of the day!

Since the Pacific Ocean is California's neighbor, fresh seafood is extremely easy to obtain. As a sushi lover myself I often find myself engaging in the newest sushi trends, whether that be a Poke bowl, a Sushiritto (sushi burrito), or trying the fish market's catch of the day. Whether or not sushi is your cup of tea, there are plenty of healthy restaurants to choose from in San Diego! Just pick your favorite from the list below, my favorite being Burger Lounge in La Jolla, and I can ensure that you'll be happy!

https://foursquare.com/top-places/san-diego/best-places-healthy-food

References/Value Added:

Babin, B., & Harris, E. (2016). In CB 7 (7th ed., pp 90). Boston, MA: Cengage Leaning.

Pacific Beach Yoga photo: http://pacificbeach.fit/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/yogopb-450x222.png

Marine Layer video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2pxaeX6DcM

Burger Lounge photo: https://www.mikesroadtrip.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_0136-300x211.jpg

Top 15 Healthy Restaurants: https://foursquare.com/top-places/san-diego/best-places-healthy-food

Coastal Tour

As a California native, I can hardly wait to return to the Golden State. While it may seem cliche, I can confidently say that California is the best place to live. Whether you love the outdoors, cannot get enough of art, have a passion for food, or just love to hang out and relax, there is something to do for everyone. In order to help you further understand all the amazing things California has to offer, I'll take you on a road trip up to coast of California, stopping in some of my favorite places.

Twenty miles north of the Mexico-America border, is America's Finest City, San Diego. Being from San Diego, I may be a little biased when I say that San Diego takes the crown for the best city in California. I am confident that I am not alone when saying this, as San Diego is often known as America's Finest City. Unlike other California cities, San Diego is notorious for being 70 and sunny year around, providing perfect weather for beach-goers and outdoor junkies alike. With endless entertainment, America's Finest City really lives up to it's name. Whether you are five or fifty-five, there is something to do for the whole family.

Let's begin with my personal favorite: San Diego's beaches. 

During my twenty-two years in California I have visited numerous beaches and can confidently say that Windansea Beach is the local favorite. With it's beautiful cliffs and unique rock formations, the narrow stretch of coastline has become famous for its beauty and it's surf breaks, creating the quintessential Southern California experience. While at Windansea, do not feel peer pressured (Babin, 2016, pg. 159) into surfing, as these surfers make it seem much easier than it is. Watching from the shore can provide just as much fulfillment as riding the waves.

After spending a perfect day surfing at Windansea Beach, you're sure to be exhausted and starving. Head up the 101 a few miles to Del Mar, "Where the Surf Meets the Turf", the next beach town up the coast famous for the Del Mar Race Track. Once entering Del Mar you will see a restaurant with a line out the door. You guessed it, that's where I'm sending you on your California road-trip! Board and Brew, a San Diego classic, is a must. With the close proximity to the beach, there is nothing better than grabbing a Chicken Club with two secret sauces and heading down to the beach to enjoy your grub and the million dollar view. 

116 miles up the coast will put you in Santa Monica, California, a city west of downtown Los Angeles. Famous for the Santa Monica Pier which has been featured in countless movies, television shows, and advertisements, Santa Monica is a slightly more touristy version of San Diego. With excellent food, yoga, and beaches, boredom is not an option.

For the art connoisseurs, the Getty is a Los Angeles must see. Settled atop a hill, the Getty provides one of the best views of Los Angeles. Not to mention, entrance to the famous museum is free and has hours of entertainment and beauty in one place. From the artwork to the gardens, it is easy to lose track of time at this breathtaking museum.

Speeding up the notorious Pacific Coast Highway, Route 101, will be an experience itself. Driving through Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and reaching Big Sur will be a once in a lifetime experience. Through the windy, cliff side roads of Big Sur, be sure to stop and camp for a night. With views as beautiful as below, it would be a shame to not take it all in.

After a wonderful camping trip in Big Sur, it is time to make your way to the hilly city of San Francisco. Known for it's year around fog, colorful Victorian houses as seen in Full House, and the Golden Gate Bridge, the photo-ops are endless. Hop on a cable car towards the famous Lombard Street or pick up a few bikes in Fisherman's Wharf and ride across the Golden Gate Bridge, my personal favorite. Whatever you decide to do in San Francisco will be something you never forget, as it is a one of a kind city.

For historic junkies like myself, a trip to Alcatraz is an experience one will never forget. During your trip to Alcatraz, you will see how conformity and authority (Babin, 2016, pg. 159) played a role in the inmates and guards lives. These topics have been key aspects of Alcatraz studies, as the location of the prison was extremely unique, creating an extreme feeling of isolation. 

I hope you enjoyed your Tour de California and I expect to see you driving up the 101 soon!

References/Value Added

Babin, B., & Harris, E. (2016). In CB 7 (7th ed., pp 159). Boston, MA: Cengage Leaning.

Windansea Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaas9R_fd4g

Getty Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oo8AV6_GvH8

Big Sur: https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/0d/7c/ee/53/big-sur.jpg