The Rising Sun.

RAY BAN ROUND FLECK SUNGLASSES IN TORTOISE

OUTDOOR VOICES SWEATEE TANK

RAY BAN ROUND METAL CLASSIC SUNGLASSES

THE DARLING BLACK JUMPSUIT

OUTDOOR VOICES HUDSON SHORT IN PEBBLE ROSE

MADEWELL JUNO LEATHER CIRCLE BAG

THE REFORMATION GABLE TOP IN BLACK

MADEWELL HIGH RISE DENIM BOYSHORTS IN BLACK

On Labor Day weekend, I had the pleasure of seeing one of my dear friends, Cathleen. It's crazy how half a year can pass and when you see one another, it feels like you pick up right where you left off. 

We made plans to spend a short time exploring Joshua Tree, and made sure to stick to them. We took off late Friday night and made it into our adorable little HipCamp RV for the night nestled up near some hills in Joshua Tree town. We immediately went to Pappy + Harriets in Pioneertown to see join the music festival that was going on that weekend. After filling our bellies with chili, hard cider and good live music we tucked in to prepare for an early morning. 

We woke up before dawn, and pointed our chairs east to watch the sun rise. The cold air began to wake us up but we weren't ready to start exploring until we stopped at Joshua Tree Coffee Company for some iced lattes. We drove into the park and continued to catch up from the day before, exchanging stories and filling in the gaps since we last saw one another. We made sure to stop at the Chola cactus fields, rock formations and other scenic areas along our drive before turning around and driving out the 21 Palms exit. We grabbed lunch at the Twenty-nine Palms Inn before we embarked on the long drive back through the traffic to Los Angeles. 

I really enjoyed my solo trip through Joshua Tree last year, but the company this time made it all the better. The landscapes there are incredible, and it's a very epic and relaxing journey to drive from top to bottom and see all the different plants and wildlife that live there. It also brought me back to the trip I made that solidified my desire to make the move to California, which has been the best decision I could have made. I feel so thankful to have this trip that i'll always remember with a close friend.

Under the Silver Lake.

REFORMATION GABLE TOP
REFORMATION VINTAGE MUSTARD PANTS

ARTICLE& THE MOTEL TOP
MADEWELL HIGH RISE DENIM BOYSHORTS
ARTICLE& LINDY DOTTED JUMPSUIT

I love to see myself through someone else's lenses. It's one of the reasons why I get my aura done every once in a while, to have someone read me and my body language and respond to it.

Of course, you can also literally see yourself through another person's lenses too.

That's what happened when my friend Jillian Wheeler took these photos.

I have a specific vision when I work on my artworks, i'm particular about angles and framing and how I want to represent myself, so this time around it was great to see Jill's vision. We spent some time in her local neighborhood, Silverlake and I was able to explore Los Angeles a little deeper as we walked around and played with her new camera. 

I'm obsessed with these photos and the day we had. 

Every day I spend in California, I love it even more.

I feel so strongly that the people and experiences I have here are shaping my being.

Jill and her boyfriend Silas are an incredibly talented team. They just launched their beautiful new line, Crater Made which has modern lighting, decor and kitchen products.

Also, Silas took the photo below. Talk about a dream team.

throwback.

A combination of homesickness and distraction, I stumbled upon old photos from my trip to Guatemala. It was such a special trip for many reasons. I got to see an amazing woman who had been living there as well as old and new friends, and it marked the beginning of my twenty-fifth year. 

So much has happened since then.

But when I look at these photos I can't help but get lost in the beauty of the place and the experiences. That wonderful trip where I explored the unknown and learned about a culture that I never even dreamed of soaking in. Where I made memories and gained understanding of a small and important chunk of my friends life. Where I got sick and sunburnt (twice) and still managed to have a wonderful week and in my downtime became a regular at a coffee shop for a week. I laid in many hammocks, traveled back and forth across a massive lake, hiked to the top of a volcano and ate and drank endless fondue and sangria. 

This place was magical.

coast to coast.

WHERE TO START?

A lot has changed in a small amount of time.

I left my job at Dwell.

Moved out of Brooklyn.

Packed up my Hundai with as much as it could carry.

Drove across the country 3000 miles while bonding with my father.

Moved into my apartment in Los Angeles...

...and on Monday i'll be starting at Entertainment Weekly.

If nothing else, I am so incredibly lucky to have had this experience. But beyond that, I am so humbled by the opportunity I have been given in this new (to me) city. Throughout this process i've been thinking a lot about an idea that was relayed to me a couple years ago, that people (and artists especially), must find comfort in their discomfort. I had been in new york city for around five years and I felt so incredibly comfortable. I had a great life there, incredible friends and roommates, and I enjoyed what I did day in and day out. However, I was missing that challenge that I had once felt. Change is an extremely difficult thing at times and i've prepared myself for that. Because really, if you're not changing how are you growing?

Fool for Love.

Fool for Love. from Erica Bonkowski on Vimeo.

Welcome to 2018, all.
Here are some things I'm focusing on this year...

Creating Beautiful Things.
Letting Go of Unneccessary Material Things.
Love for Friends and Family.
Staying Active, Building a Stronger Body.

What are you up to this year?