MEET MINNO: CORGI, BEST FRIEND AND BALCONY NAPPER

THE LIFESTYLE OF A LOS ANGELES BASED CORGI

Contributed by Guest Editor, Becca Kufrin

Our pets are our family. They have distinct personalities and quirks. It’s like you know exactly what they are saying to you when they look up at you, from the end of the couch, after an afternoon nap , right? Well, guest editor, Becca Kufrin is giving us a glimpse into the new Los Angeles life of her Corgi, Minno, this week - sploot photos and all.

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Everyday my mom likes to try and wake me up around 7 am. Since I’m still a growing girl who needs her beauty rest, that’s WAY too early. So she usually lets me lounge in the bed all to myself till about 7:30, because by then it’s time for my morning walk and bathroom break. We usually go about a mile, all the while I’m on the lookout for the squirrels.

Squirrel hunting is my favorite form of exercise. After a few potty sessions, stopping to smell every nook and cranny along the way, we venture home for my gourmet breakfast. I love to eat but I’m getting a little sick of my mom feeding me the same old stuff day after day. Usually by this point it’s time for my first nap out in the sun on the balcony. Or sometimes I fall asleep while staring at the neighbors on the back of the couch, I’m not picky. 

Later in the afternoon (if I’m a good girl) I usually get a spot of peanut butter before heading off to the dog park to see my friends. Now I LOVE the dog park and I love making friends. My best friend is a Aussie named Leo. He usually chases me for a bit, but since he’s getting kind of chunky during quarantine he doesn’t like to run as much as I do. But that’s okay because there are a lot of other dogs around that I like to rile up. I feel like I take after my mom in the sense that I like to be chased. I heard she was a Bachelorette back in the day and a lot of guys chased her - but she doesn’t seem cool enough for that, so it could just be made up.

I hate the moments that come after the dog park because that usually means a bath. I’m not the biggest fan of water so I typically try to make an escape, but it never quite works out - my short little legs don’t get me too far. 

After that I have another sun-basking balcony nap before dinner. After dinner my mom tries to get me to burn off the calories I just packed on, so we take another long stroll through the neighborhood where we look at all the cute houses I hope to one day live in. A girl can dream, right? Speaking of dreams, now it's usually time for bed.

WHAT IS A “SPLOOT”?

A sploot is a type of stretch that some pets do. Although it's typically associated with corgis, many types of dogs and cats can sploot too. This special stretch is defined as a pet laying on their belly while stretching their legs out behind them. When you see a pet splooting, it's a pretty funny sight — almost like they're ready to take flight à la Superman! Although a traditional sploot requires that both legs stick straight out, there are a couple of variations: A) the "half-sploot" is when only one leg is sticking out, and B) the "side sploot" is when the pet's legs don't stretch straight out, but lean to one side.

THANKS FOR HANGING WITH US THIS MONTH!

CONNECT + FOLLOW.

Instagram: @bkoof + @MISSMINNOTHECORGI

Twitter: @thebkoof

Facebook: beccakufrin1

TikTok (though I’m still trying to figure out the hype of it all): @thebkoof

MY FAVORITE THINGS… WITH BECCA

GETTING TO KNOW ME - AND MY FRIDGE.

Contributed by Guest Editor, Becca Kufrin

As I’ve expressed in my previous blog posts, I’m a foodie, especially when it comes to snacks. I’m not great at much, but I am pretty darn good at picking out and packing the right snacks for any sort of occasion. I’m the go-to girl for a good charcuterie board at any party or picnic, and if there was an Olympics competition for snack preparation and eating, then I’d take the gold medal. I constantly am stocking my fridge and cupboards full of them, and always enjoy a trip to Trader Joe’s to find the latest and greatest. Sometimes I tend to go overboard, but hey, life is short - so treat yoself!

Currently my cupboard is burting with the following:

1. 5 different flavors of Skinny Dipped Almonds

2. Everything-flavored cashews

3. Pumpkin Spice cookies

4. Red vines

5. Fig bars

6. Peanuts

7. Reese’s

8. HU chocolate bars

9. Peanut Butter Puffs

10. 3 different kinds of peanut butter

11. Haribo gummy bears

12. Bark Thins

13. Perfect Snack bars

14. Pita bread + hummus

15. Bitchin sauce

16. Trader Hint of Lime Chips + salsa

17. Crackers

18. 3 flavors of Hippeas

19. Trader Joe’s gluten free pretzels (so extra crunchy!)

20. Popcorn 

21. Biscoff cookies

22. Cheetos (chilled in the freezer)

23. Cheese - I am a firm believer that a fridge should be stalked with at least 3 different types for any given situation 

I’m also probably missing some items here, but you get the jist. I like snacks.

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Here’s one of my favorite and quick, go-to snacks (more like an appetizer) that I like to bring to parties. Meditteranean Hummus Plate:

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A FEW OF MY OTHER FAVORITE THINGS…

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Guilty pleasure: 

Hallmark movies and spoonfuls of peanut butter

Treat Yo Self:

Spa day, anything that includes a massage + facial 

Outfit:

Sweatshirt + leggings + slippers

Girl's Night: 

Wine and charcuterie at a tapas bar followed by dinner + cocktails on a fun rooftop. Or basically anything that includes champagne

Go-to snack:

Hippeas or everything-seasoned cashews

Vacation Spot:

Italy, or if local then Santa Barbara

Restaurant: 

Elephante in Santa Monica 

Coffee: 

Iced with a shot of vanilla + oat milk

Ice Cream:

Halo Top - any and all flavors

I never leave home without…

chapstick, hand wipes and Minno

In my purse: 

I like to come prepared so I have mints, chapstick, hand sanitizer, an extra face mask, wallet, dog treats, collapsable dog bowl, matches, deck of cards, and wine bottle opener 

A perfect Saturday:

A morning walk with Minno, stroll through the local farmer’s market for veggies and snacks, lounging by the pool for an hour or two, and dinner + drinks at a great local spot. Or since it’s fall - visiting a pumpkin patch or apple orchard

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THANKS FOR HANGING WITH ME THIS WEEK

CONNECT + FOLLOW.

Instagram: @bkoof

Twitter: @thebkoof

Facebook: beccakufrin1

TikTok (though I’m still trying to figure out the hype of it all): @thebkoof

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A DAY IN THE LIFE... WITH BECCA

A SNEAK PEAK INTO MY DAILY LIFE IN LOS ANGELES, CA

Contributed by Guest Editor, Becca Kufrin

Well, I have to begin this by acknowledging that quarantine has really cramped my style, especially during a recent move. For someone who is a HUGE foodie and loves to discover new and amazing restaurants, food trucks, cocktail lounges, wine bars, tapas joints, etc. I feel like the true cuisine connoisseur in me hasn’t begun to truly live & thrive in LA. But here’s to hoping for that one day soon. Regardless of this pandemic, I’ve still been able to venture to some amazing outdoor spots and begin to sample all that the city has to offer - it’s like a very long appetizer hour before the main course. 

• 7 am :: wake up and snuggle with my corgi, Minno, for a while. Check any missed texts from the night before then hop out of bed. I always apply some sunscreen and throw on my favorite favorite pair of leggings before dragging Minno out of bed (she really likes to lounge in the morning so sometimes this takes a lot longer than you’d think).

• 7:45am :: Make a small starter pot of coffee while reading The Skimm and New York Times Newsletters on my balcony.

• 8:30am :: Get Minno ready then head out the door for our daily a.m. walk. We typically go for a mile or two throughout the cute neighborhood, where I daydream about what it must be like to live in one of the many quaint, charming houses around the block. We make a quick stop at Priscilla's for a large, blueberry vanilla iced coffee and maple nut scone before venturing back home (never venturing the same way we came).

• 9am :: I like to get a quick workout in before truly starting my work day, so I pop open an IG class or two from @jessicaknutson or head to my parking lot for a virtual session with my trainer @creel_fitness 

• 9:45 am :: make a quick breakfast (fried egg on avo toast), hop in the shower and get ready 

• 10:45am :: catch up on emails, work on building out my calendar for the week, check-off the daily action items, and then set-up/film social content for any brand partnerships that I have scheduled for the week

• 1:30pm :: take Minno for a quick walk and grab some lunch from either Lemonade (I always opt for the veggie plate of broccoli, curried cauliflower and honey Brussel sprouts) or Tocaya Organica for the Fajita Del Ray Bowl with chicken tinga, and of course, chips & guac on the side.

• 2:30pm :: Put together a list of groceries so I can try out some fun recipes and make a quick pit stop at Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods

• 3:15pm :: Get back to emails and calls, work on any personal business ventures (more to come about this very soon!) and wind down my work day

• 4:30pm :: Grab a snack and good book or magazines and sit by my pool for the final few moments of sunshine

• 5:30pm :: Take Minno on another long walk or to the dog park 

• 6:30pm ::  Turn on my favorite true crime podcast and go for an evening run, all while thinking about what I’ll crush for dinner. Shower & get ready for the night

• 7:30pm :: Meet up with girlfriends for dinner & drinks. If we are going out for sushi we typically aim for Teru in Studio City - the lemon roll and kanpachi carpaccio are to die for! Or if we want to venture out of the valley for a relaxed, coastal vibe, Elephanté is our go-to for some whipped eggplant puccia and soppressata pizza, which is heaven on the tongue. 

• 9:30pm :: Sometimes if it’s not a school night ;) we’ll head to someone’s backyard for an outdoor movie night (90s throwbacks are our go-to) and some nightcaps, usually a bottle of bubbly because we like to pretend we’re fancy. 

CONNECT + FOLLOW.

Instagram: @bkoof

Twitter: @thebkoof

Facebook: beccakufrin1

TikTok (though I’m still trying to figure out the hype of it all): @thebkoof

MEET BECCA KUFRIN: Host, Entrepreneur and LA's Newest City Girl

MEET BECCA, OUR GUEST EDITOR THIS MONTH!

Former “Bachelorette” Becca Kufrin is hanging with us all month long as she shares what life has been like for her since COVID hit and why she decided to move West to become an official Angeleno. You can say she’s on a new journey for love.. the California kind.

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LETTER TO THE READERS:

Hey, all you Est. California Readers!

I’m Becca, but you probably know me best as the Bachelorette (very very former, washed-up Bachelorette, I might add). I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m writing on this site in the first place, considering I’m a mid-west native who spent 28 years in good old, and cold, Minnesota. Well, after wrapping the show 2+ years ago, I decided to make the big move West and call California “my home”.

During that time I fell in love, moved in with my partner near San Diego, got a dog, started a loungewear line, co-hosted a touring theater show across the country, also co-hosted a Bachelor-related podcast, traveled the world, and was constantly on the go, go, go until BAM! COVID hit and shut down the world… thus also shutting down much of the way I was making an income. It forced me to take some time to chill and really reflect on all of my life changes over the past couple years and how truly upside down my life had become.

Since my time in quarantine (Q-time as I like to call it), I ended the above said relationship, stopped touring in the theaters, was forced to podcast from home, and do everything else, basically from the confines of my small apartment. Just when my life started to feel like it was on the verge of falling apart, I went back to Minnesota to take some “me” time, but couldn’t figure out what that really looked like. I dabbled in the idea of settling back down there, maybe buy a home with some land and really put down roots in the midwest, but that didn’t feel right. I’ve always loved California and if you ask me I’ll swear on the Bible that I was originally born in the wrong state, so I knew in my bones that I had to get back out to the west coast.

When I started filming on The Bachelor back in 2017, LA always called to me. Maybe chalk it up to the vibrancy that the city has to offer, the fact that you can drive within an hour or two and be near the ocean, mountains, or vineyards, or that something unique is always happening in any one of the diverse neighborhoods. LA just felt like “me.” So, during a very last-minute FaceTime session with my producer-turned-friend, we threw around the idea of me moving out there alone without any furniture, and within 24 hours I had signed a lease and became an official Angeleno. Only three weeks in and it’s the best sporadic decision I think I’ve ever made.

So here I am, pouring out my heart to you all and truly experiencing all that this city has to offer through virgin eyes. So who’s along for the ride with me?

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LET’S GET TO KNOW BECCA..

What song(s) is a “must” for a road trip playlist? Gypsy by Fleetwood Mac and Atlantic City by The Band

If I had a superpower, it would be… to teleport to places

Favorite thing about California? The warmth and sunshine - basically the fact that you can be outdoors at almost anytime of the year and find any sort of activity imaginable 

Best thing you ever ate and where? Lomo Saltado in Peru or homemade soups (every kind!) in Paris

What’s the most memorable moment you had while traveling? Oh man, this is hard to narrow down, but one of the most fun and meaningful memories made was when I was filming in the Maldives for the Bachelorette. It was the final week of my season and I was down to my two, remaining men that I was falling in love with. The anxiety and pressure that I felt during that time was astronomical because I knew some major, life-altering decisions were about to be made, but we had one semi-chill day before the last dates began. I was with my team of producers and the camera & audio crew (who I formed some really special friendships with) and we were filming some b-roll shots throughout the afternoon. We wrapped early, and instead of parting ways to go to our individual cabanas, we all decided to pop some champagne, play some good music, order room service and jump into the pool in our clothes (the same pool that apparently the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge had shared - NBD!) As we all watched one of the most breathtaking sunsets over the Indian Ocean, it was a moment that I knew I had to savor and would never forget. Moments like that with the crew isn’t typically “allowed” as we don’t get to spend much time outside of working hours together, but after a long season of filming, many tears shed over breakups, and emotions constantly being shared in a dark, confined room, it was a time that we all recognized how much we cared and valued one another on this crazy, shared experience. Shout out to Sam, Caitlin, Ally, Martin, Christina and Dave-O for making it one helluva ride!

What’s next for you? Besides dabbling in a random array of business endeavors like co-hosting the Bachelor Happy Hour Podcast and Bachelor Live on Stage, and working on a loungewear line called B the Label, I’m also in the initial stages of launching something real special soon! More to come on that so follow me on social (see below ;)

CONNECT + FOLLOW.

Instagram: @bkoof

Twitter: @thebkoof

Facebook: beccakufrin1

TikTok (though I’m still trying to figure out the hype of it all): @thebkoof

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