A Photographer Potterhead's Photo Tour of Potter Land LA

I made it NERDS!!!

The main reason for my recent trip to LA was a concert featuring Walking On Cars but since Ocean Eyes and I were heading to LA we couldn't miss a stop at Universal Studio's newest land, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

I bought our Universal Studio tickets online, and when you do that, you are allowed to enter into the park an hour early. So bright and early at 8am, decked in my Slytherin pride and wand in hand, we walked through the arches of The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter!

The best part of arriving at the park as soon as it opened, there was hardly anyone around! I was able to take a ton of pictures without people interfering!

Our first stop had to be Hogwarts castle for the Forbidden Journey ride. I had already been to the park in Florida and everything was pretty much identical, but it had been years so it was all new again! Plus Ocean Eye's had just watched Harry Potter for the first time a few months ago and it was so adorable to see him recognize a few things and just be excited for me!

There was NO line for the ride. But I still took my time walking through the castle, taking all the pictures, pointing out all the things and just being a super nerd! FYI Ocean Eyes is Ravenclaw!

 SHERBERT LEMON!

This was the first time that I had ever seen a picture of Salazar Slytherin and Godric Gryffindor!

 Must be...SLYTHERIN!

Immediately following the ride, which I almost got sick on! Ugh motion sickness, Ocean Eyes cheered me up with a Butterbeer! The line for that wasn't even in existence yet so we walked right up! It was delish!!

 Honeydukes is as colorful and wonderful as in the film.

#Always.

I LOVED the park! It was not crowded that early in the morning, that we were able to get through everything in about an hour! So major tip is go during the week and take advantage of buying your tickets online and getting that extra hour!

Have you nerds been yet?! Notice any differences between the one in LA and Florida? I think I need to go back to Florida and compare, PLUS experience the 2nd park!

LA Bucket List: The Rose Bowl Flea Market

I've wanted to go to the Rose Bowl Flea Market ever since moving to LA. It happens every second Sunday of the month. This past second Sunday I thought might be my last chance to attend, so I requested off work. 

A few days before I planned to go, inspiration struck. I knew what I needed to find there. 

Ever since my divorce, I've felt like I've become a better writer. I don't think those kind of things about myself a lot, I know I should be more confident in myself. I'm getting there. A few really close people to me have said so as well and it means a lot. I've always wanted an old school typewriter and my mission that day was to find one for under $100. I had resigned to the fact that t it probably wouldn't work for that much. 

Fifteen minutes into my exploration and I found a working gorgeous 1940s typewriter for $95. The moment I saw it I started crying and I knew it was the one for me. I cannot believe I get to have this beautiful thing in my life to remind me of LA, of inspiration and doing what I love.

On the way out, typewriter in hand, I stopped dead in my tracks. There sat a Futurama portrait of Fry! I immediately looked around for the artist {Noah Sturm} and dug through all of his prints. Finding a few for two important people in my life. 

{Noah Sturm}

His art is GORG, funny and reminds me of my childhood {LOTS of cool Nicktoon prints!}. I even purchased one that reminded me of myself, the one pictured above. I cannot wait to give these gifts away and to hang MINE in my new place...when that happens. Wether it be in LA or Colorado...the Universe will guide me to where I need to be.

Check out my entire LA bucket list HERE.

LA Bucket List: Griffith Observatory

Griffith Observatory is my favorite place in LA. It quietly looks over the bustling city. That's what I love. Quietly looking at the city I've grown to love. I love observing. I love feeling alone in a huge space, going unnoticed. For the most part. I simultaneously adore being lucky enough to connect with my fellow humans in a spot that means so much to me.

On this particular visit to the Observatory, that very thing happened. I had just finished reading Heart In A Box and had feeling....lots of feelings running through my head while staring out at the city. I glanced over to my right and there was a girl doing exactly what I was doing.

So I took a photo of her...

Only a few moments later she asked me to take a photo of her. I told her I had already done so and ended up texting it to her. We got to talking and I probably overshared everything in my life. I didn't scare her off and she shared with me her name. Megan. I about lost it then and there. I tried my darnedest to not cry in front of this stranger and hopefully new friend.

I hardly ever meet any other Megan's. I don't think it's that popular of a name to be quite honest. So when she told me this after all I had already shared with her, I knew we had to be friends. I invited her to Republic of Pie then and there.

I've taken a few of my favorite people up to the Observatory and every time its special. There are moments of peace, reflection and awe. I am so grateful to be able to have all of these things in a city that has everything you could dream of and more.

Check out my entire LA bucket list HERE.

LA Bucket List: LACMA

From the moment I heard about the Urban Lights display at the LA County Museum of Art I knew I had to visit. I was drawn to the lights. They reminded me straight away of being an A Silent Film Lamplighter and I just had to see them lit up in person. I think I have a thing for lights {see The Chandelier Tree}.

Since moving to LA, I've seen them multiple times. I've taken loads of special people there, but never just myself. Then I had a bad day which coincided with a Saturday off. I decided to go to LACMA and explore it for the first time.

All I wanted that day was to plug in my headphones, be invisible and be surrounded by inspiring things.

I did just that.

I took photos. I danced through the halls. I even shed a tear or two. I enjoyed my time at the museum. Did it make me feel better? Yes and no. It may have reminded me of how alone I am. But it always allows me to appreciate history and what you can learn from it. Now to make my own.

Check out my entire LA bucket list HERE.

LA Bucket List: Marty McFly's House

Back To The Future has always held a special place in my heart. Marty McFly was my very first cosplay, the second film is my favorite sequel of all time and the entire series is my favorite trilogy of all time. But it wasn't until 10/21/2015 that I realized how deep it was living in my soul.

"Your future hasn't been written yet. No one's has. Your future is whatever you make it. So make it a good one."

That is the last thing Doc Brown says to close out the series. All of this future talk, looking at the past, learning from it and making the best of your future is exactly what I am going through now as I figure out my place in time and space. 

So it was now that a pilgrimage to Marty McFly's house {9303 Roslyndale Ave.} was in order.

Come to find out it is only about fifteen minutes from where I live! A quick drive up the 5 North and I was there. My nerd heart exploded as I pulled up next to the house to park. Like The Chandelier Tree not another sole was to be found. 

I happily took selfies galore and gave my Marty his own private photo shoot as well. I marveled at the fact that I was standing where one of my favorite movies of all time was filmed. The actors stood here. This place is a Hollywood icon and now apart of my nerd history.

Check out my entire LA bucket list HERE.

LA Bucket List: The Chandelier Tree

I feel like my time in LA is coming to a close. I am heading on a road trip at the end of November with stops in San Diego, Phoenix, The Grand Canyon and on through to Colorado for the remainder of the year.

I'm not sure I'll be back. I feel like I might not.

Only time will tell. Since I feel like I've not seen as much of the city as I would have liked to, for the rest of my time here I'm am. I'm not waiting for that special someone to see it with because who knows when that will happen. And I REALLY love the quote: "If you are looking for the love of your life stop. They will be waiting for you you when you start doing the things you love." {Plus that whole no dating vow for the rest of the year I made.}

THIS is my LA bucket list. First stop The Chandelier Tree {2811 West Silver Lake Drive}. I love Silver Lake and it's close to home! I always forget that. I'll be there more often in the coming weeks I think.

When my good friend Erin was coming to visit me from Pennsylvania, I wanted to take her to all the best places in LA. I did a Google search and found The Chandelier Tree. Unfortunately we didn't get to make it over there last November. It took a year but I finally made it. It was worth the wait.

Right off of Glendale Ave, you turn onto the street and it is right there. It hits you immediately. I was like a moth to a flame. I pulled over into the first open spot I saw and drifted towards it in awe.

I was alone, on this dark and quiet street seeing this fantastical thing light up the night. I couldn't believe it. And I was all alone. It felt good.

I wish the pictures did it justice.

Next stop?! The future...or the past...BACK to the future.

Check out my entire LA bucket list HERE.