We’ve made it a yearly tradition to celebrate our anniversary by traveling and flying off somewhere. Although, this year was a little different compared to previous years because traveling safely and responsibly was extremely important to us.  We decided to visit Joshua Tree since it is only a 2 hour drive from LA. It’s close to home but far enough to get away from the city! The desert has a special place in our hearts because we’ve always had wonderful memories there. In today’s post, I’m sharing details of our little getaway and where we stayed.

WHERE WE STAYED

I’ve had Villa Kuro saved in my Airbnb favorites for as long as I could remember, and thought our anniversary was the perfect occasion to stay there! What initially caught my attention was Villa Kuro’s minimalist interior design. Their design concept is inspired by nature and wabi-sabi—a Japanese philosophy about finding beauty in imperfections, and the charm of what seems weathered and lived-in. The interior and decor consists of earthy tones and nature-inspired elements, which really gave off a calm, relaxing atmosphere.

This mid-century ranch style property was originally built in the 1960’s, and later transformed by interior designer Mini Inno to create a minimal and serene desert hideaway. Upon entering Villa Kuro, slippers are provided for your use. The beautiful home comfortably sleeps 4 guests with 2 bedrooms, 2 king beds and 2 bathrooms.

There are multiple indoor and outdoor living areas where you’ll have plenty of room to lounge in! Villa Kuro has the following amenities (just naming a few that I personally find important): fully fitted kitchen (with coffee and coffee makers), outdoor fire pit and hot tub, smart TV to watch Netflix and the like, and charging station for electric cars.

Everything was top notch, from the cleanliness, hospitality, location, design, amenities—you name it. The hosts were very helpful and responsive, and made sure we had an incredible stay. 

If you’re looking for a relaxing retreat or romantic getaway, look no further! Villa Kuro is the place. It was such a unique and unforgettable experience, and we had the most wonderful time there. We left feeling recharged and rejuvenated, and already looking forward to coming back in the future! For now, I’ll let the photos speak for itself. If you’re interested in checking out their listing + booking a stay, CLICK HERE.

Coachella is less than a week away *cue panic attack* and we need to plan those outfits ASAP! I had a hard time preparing my outfits for my first Coachella (2014) because I had no idea what to expect, however, preparation gets better every year. Planning outfits can be stressful, but planning ahead of time and having an idea of what you’re looking for is definitely KEY. I’m sharing a few tips below on getting the proper outfits ready this festival season!

Desert vibes in creamy whites.

Don’t let the heat get to you, literally. My advice? Wear light colors to keep a fresh vibe. Try to avoid dark colors like black if you get hot easily, as black objects absorb all wavelengths of light and coverts them into heat, which makes you even hotter. I love creamy colors like ivory, sand, and khaki as it reminds me of the desert!

Tell me about it, stud.

It can be uncomfortable to wear heaps of accessories at the festival when you get hot and sweaty. My tip? Wear pieces that’s already accessorized so you don’t need to wear jewelry and the like. I’d go for lots of studs, as it gives a very edgy, rocker vibe to your look. It is a music festival after all!

Gone with the wind

You’ll want to wear something that’s breezy while rampaging in the desert heat. My pick? A tulle/sheer skirt! I love how the wind blows through the fabric, and how it flows while you're dancing! I don’t know about you, but It makes me want to groove all day long.

All chained up.

We all struggle on finding the “perfect” outfit, so much that we end up not finding anything even at our favorite retail stores! My solution? Pick a favorite basic piece in your closet and look for fun accessories to spice it all up. Instead on focusing so much on finding the perfect outfit, find something in your closet that you already like—something that fits you well, and most importantly, something that’s comfortable for you. Adding cool accessories, just like this leather harness skirt, makes a totally new outfit!

Photography by Virisa Yong