Thanks so much for hanging out with me on my first desert oasis getaway! I got so many messages about the day that I wanted to share everything so that you can also have a successful desert vacation whenever you're ready to brace the heat. Check out the goods below!

FAQ:

Where can I book a night at that beautiful teepee? A friend of mine put me on to Hip Camp. It's basically the Airbnb of camping grounds. You can find all sorts of glamping pads, but this one, in particular, took our breath away. The teepee is one of two on the grounds of Camp Temeños, a beautiful desert hideaway that is off a tiny road in the middle of Pioneertown, CA (near Joshua Tree), kept up by a lovely family who also lives on the property. The bathroom is shared, but since we were the only ones on the property that night we had it all to ourselves. If you're the adventurous type and don't mind sleeping under the stars (the teepee doesn't close all the way at the top) this place is for you. Check out Camp Temeños' availability here.

Places:

Palm Springs Airport was about a 45-minute drive to Camp Temeños. But flights directly here can get pricey. A friend recommended flying into Ontario Aiport which is about 1.5 hours away for a cheaper buy.

The drinks at Salsas Restaurant were sooooo good. I ordered a coconut margarita and now wonder why every margarita doesn't have coconut in it. The food was pretty good for Cali Mexican, but if I were you (or me again), I'd just go for Happy Hour and keep downing those coconut margaritas. Also, this was a local recommendation gone right. My tip for travelers in new cities: Always ask the locals where they like to eat. 9 out of 10 times you'll be steered in the right direction.

In true mandana blvd. fashion, we had to hit up the thrift stores to see if we could score some goods for the shop. Revivals was great for variety but a bit on the pricier side for a second-hand store. We also hit up the Palm Springs High School Unique Boutique, a huge place with too many items to go through. Can someone go back and get that Dirty Dancing movie poster, please?

Products:

Blueberry Bliss leave-in conditioner by Curls. Great for my low-density curly sisters.

Rose Renewal moisturizer by Saje Wellness. I used this at night for "a radiant and revitalized complexion."

Prevention + Daily matte moisturizer by Image Skincare. I have combination/acne-prone skin, so I get extra oily in warmer climates. This works wonders during the day.

Watermelon After-Sun mask by Sephora. Put in in the fridge for a little extra R&R after being in the sun all day.

Stunna Lip Paint by Fenty Beauty. 'Nuff said.

Desert Sun Hat by West Perro. From a local Oakland artisan whose entire collection is inspired by the desert. This hat keeps the rays away.

Instax Mini 90 by Fujifilm. The best of their instant film cameras. Pro tip: Make sure to get insurance at checkout if you're as clumsy as I am.

Vintage Leica point and shoot camera. Found at an estate sale for $10 (come up!).

People:

My muse, my partner, my love, Nu Goteh . The reason we came on this trip. We celebrated a great accomplishment - he's officially a Master in Strategic Design and Management. YASSS #blackboyjoy. This baecation was well deserved.

Music:

To wind down at the end of the night, I turned on Barbara Lewis "Hello Stranger" and let her hypnotic voice sing us to sleep.

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Thanks again for hanging with me! If I forgot to mention something you were interested in, feel free to slide in my DM's on the gram. 'Till next time!

xo, cristina

Jun 4 A Desert Dream