CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'

For the past two weeks, I've been living la vida veda in Los Angeles with Will Williams. We took some time off the London grid to get some sun, cook Ayurveda-style and get some "rounding" — deep healing rest with rounds of meditation that help us fuel modern life and bring in the balance. There is such a rich wellness culture here in LA which makes things so much easier — I feel right at home!

Home was an AirBnb in Historic Philipino Town in Eastside LA, part of the trendy, vibrant muralled Echo Park (home of Dodger stadium and stretches of the famous Sunset Boulevard). Even though I didn't have a fully stocked kitchen, I was able to make some of my classics (including Kitchari of course!) and enjoy freshly cooked food, which is a huge luxury while travelling. I also tried some of L.A.'s best healthy eateries, from Gjelina in Venice Beach to Kismet in Los Feliz, where I had the most satisfying roast broccoli toast.

Loeffler Randall trainers

I took full advantage of my time in the sun to nurture my mind and spirit while catching up with L.A. friends: I meditated in the Hollywood Hills and at Unplug in West Hollywood, went crystal shopping, and picnicked in Echo Park (where lotus flowers have been growing in the lake since the '20s!), all in the best company. It's been a beautiful 2 weeks!

With Adele Dunbar at the RA MA Insitute in Venice, wearing a Vilshenko dress

Our "Noble Conversation" panel (from left to right) Romain Gaillard, Founder & CEO of The Detox Market, Laura Piety, Founder of Noble Media, and Associate Producer of The True Cost documentary and Suzanne Hall, Editor in Chief of The Chalkboard

There's not much I love more than a good thrifting session, so I had a bit of a rummage in the Silverlake Flea Market one day and found this Elton John gem from the year I was born, as well as a vintage Cacharel blouse (seen under my jumper where I'm eating strawberry-coconut ice cream at Wild Living Foods in Downtown LA). Note you'll see my vintage cut-offs feature a lot on this trip :-)

Vintage t-shirt [similar] & Levi's shorts

H&M jumper [similar], Levi's shorts, Katerina Makriyianni earrings & Saltwater sandals [similar]

Highlights included a Shavasana Disco at Sunset Studios, where we listened to the full Purple Rain album in the very studio where Prince recorded it in 1993, one night in Studio City where I got woken up by a racoon and another night in West Hollywood where a squirrel got in the door with us at midnight and made us all scream — who knew LA was such a jungle? I got to host some great events with some cool L.A. partners; I shared my passion for Ayurveda with very tuned-in crowds at The Detox Market Santa Monica, RA MA Institute Venice and Soho House West Hollywood. I talked about East by West, which officially launches in the U.S. on 1st September, and guests all got their hands on advanced copies of the book — I can't wait for it to reach American bookshops!

Masscob dress, Kurt Geiger shoes & Oris watch

L.A. — I was very happy to get to know you better, but now it's time to head to the Big Apple for some new adventures. Follow me on Instagram @jasminehemsley to see what I'm up to NYC and send me your recommendations!