Leave it to the ladies of Established California to choose Palm Springs as their first team building retreat destination. With it's stunning desert scenery, 350 days of sunshine and a convivial “village atmosphere that has been preserved…” (Visit Palm Springs), this quintessential California getaway entices visitors alike: to seek adventure, ignore the presence of time and always have ‘Fun in the Sun’ and beyond.

The sun has gone down, but the night is young, when I first meet Nicole, Lindsay, Megan and Eleni. Their mid-century vacation home is nothing short of fabulous and pristine. I’m immediately greeted with laughter and a cocktail. By the calmness in the air, you wouldn’t have the faintest clue they're just settling in after spending five long hours in the car (due to Labor Day traffic) or that they are on the brink of their biggest adventure yet, looming 72 hours away…The official launch of Established California.

Barefoot and all smiles, the only thing on their mind is what’s on the menu? Lindsay with a big grin says, “I’m starving” and volunteers Nicole to prepare her favorite: heirloom tomato and burrata cheese salad for dinner. It’s obvious they’re sisters with their playful, but demanding, banter. Megan and Eleni chuckle at the bickering, when Megan suddenly asks, “Eleni… is that what we sound like?” Eleni smirks at her sorority sister/college roommate and without skipping a beat replies, “Absolutely.”

With satisfied stomachs and refilled beverages, team building is in full swing.  The ebb and flow of creative energy is infectious. The best way to describe their dynamic is like a verbal Pinterest board. From their newest fashion finds to sharing photographs taken on a recent adventures, the conversation is always bouncing off one person to the next. They embrace each other’s voices. It’s humbling to see a powerful team of strong creative women working together for a common goal. Although, tomorrow will bring a jam-packed day, they're burning the midnight oil.

Dawn is barely peaking its head over the gorgeous mountaintop, as if it's mocking me, as I sip my espresso so I can begin to function. Yet, our ladies are ready [in full hair and make up]; prepared to shoot promotional head shots for their homepage. Having spent the last six months developing the website, it’s finally "Go Time". As Lindsay talks with Megan about a few different camera looks, Eleni and Nicole chat at the breakfast table about what’s in store for the day post-photoshoot.  It appears to be just another day for the ladies of Established California.

The website is clearly a direct extension of the founding ladies’ vision of life. Lindsay gushes that, “Established California is an interactive platform for the curious to explore and share their version of the California experience; The personal pursuit of the Golden State of Mind”.  Eleni goes on to say, “For us, it is not about being California tastemakers but rather creating a diverse, accepting, creative community.” Hearing this, I can see how their content will celebrate and share all things we all find, explore and love in the Golden State - enabling us the opportunity to experience it together.  Everyone has the ability to have a little California Sunshine in their lives.   

After wrapping the photoshoot and a handful of creative meetings, the team demands that it's time to enjoy some in the city. Trying to beat the heat, but failing as it’s already 105 degrees… they head out to explore Palm Springs and shed light on some uncharted destination spots. “Each of us see life differently... and it is our innate gift. One person's 'California' story will never be the same as another.” explains Megan in the front seat. “It’s through our conversations, the snapshots we capture and the way we each express our love for this lifestyle that writes a journey that is exclusive to each of us, individually. It would be a shame to not share that and ask for others to share their versions as well” Nicole chimes in. 

As we arrive into Downtown Palm Springs, we finally settle in for some Authentic Mexican Cuisine at Las Casuelas (in true California fashion). With the success of their day and a few rounds of Margaritas {Vodka soda for Megan}, I start to discover the children at heart behind these business women sitting at the table.

You can learn a lot about a person over the course of a weekend, like what makes them tick - or what their childhood ambitions were. Lindsay had an infatuation with all things Jack Dawson from James Cameron's "Titanic". At the age of twelve, she produced and distributed a monthly "Titanic" themed newsletter to over 500 people. Megan, since the age of five, had the same unfading childhood dream to host a talk show. Nicole, in the infancy of her career, found herself based primarily in New York for two years. She woke up one day and decided to get the outline of the State of California tattooed on her wrist as a rebellious reminder of where her heart resides. While Eleni, obsessed with fashion trends, would compile Polaroid look-books to share with her closest of friends. It’s apparent that these ladies, who all have similar yet unique destinies, were imprinted at a young age for this venture they had in front of them. I can't help put admire the unique connection between what they have done traditionally and this new venture has in store for them. 

Another morning of grogginess was upon me, with a shot of bittersweet nostalgia; the women of Established California have reminded me of home. Although we have to say our goodbyes shortly, the impression they left on my heart has been matched by my excitement of their new launch and how they will imprint the world. Their zest for life {and the backdrop of Palm Springs} has made this storybook trip absolutely perfect. As I enjoy our time together, the reaction I’m feeling from the weekend can only be described as inspired. Like them, I want to embark on a journey of my own.. wildly and inventive terms; thus I am Established California. 

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Images by Allie Bengtsson | Granola In The City for Established California

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