Jetsetting With the Creator of Lifestyle Lemonaid Nikki Joel
If you’re anything like us, you want to travel like a Hollywood celebrity. That’s why Jetset Extra has been checking in with Los Angeles A-listers to find out how they choose their travel destinations, where they’ve been, where they’re going, and the best places to eat and stay once they arrive. We checked in with Nikki Joel, the creative voice behind the Lifestyle Lemonaid blog, to get the latest on her travels.
Q: What type of activities do you like to do on your travels? Do you look for someplace where it’s quiet and you can relax or someplace that has great night life or activities?
A: I love to travel alone, with my husband, my kids, or my girlfriends. As much as I love beach vacations, I have a hard time sitting outside for long periods of time. I am very fair so I must sit in the shade or under an umbrella. My favorite kinds of trips are the ones where we can explore cities on foot. For example, my husband and I can complete a city from top to bottom in a few days. Before we go, we map out exactly what we are going to do each day. As much as we love visiting museums and other touristy sites, we prefer to cruise the local areas, drink the coffee, people-watch, and try the restaurants. We walk everywhere or take the metro. I am not a spa person at all.
Q: When thinking about where you will travel next, what inspires you to make a decision? And what, if any research do you do on that destination once you have decided where you will go?
A: My husband has taught me so much about the world and is always in charge of our travel. He has never let me down and I trust him completely.
Q: What is the most memorable trip you’ve taken, and why?
A: I have had so many memorable trips that it is hard to choose. Our many trips to Paris (especially our honeymoon and my husband’s 40th birthday) always top my list.
Q: What is the “best” food find you’ve ever found on a trip?
A: My best food find on a trip was the dumplings in China at a restaurant that randomly has a location here in Arcadia, California called Din Tai Fung.
Q: What, if anything, do you always take with you when you travel?
A: When I travel, I always take my pale blue satin throw blanket. I have had this blanket for over a decade and it has never missed a trip. I refuse to use the airplane blankets and I love to have my own blanket to sleep with on hotel beds.
Q: What’s your best piece of travel advice?
A: My best piece of travel advice is not to eat at the restaurants from the tourist guides. Ask the concierge where the locals eat. THOSE are the best restaurants!
Q: Is there a destination you can’t imagine returning to?
A: The only place that I did not love and have no intention of visiting again was Sardinia in Italy. We visited nearly 10 years ago and did not fit in.
Q: Where are your favorite weekend getaways?
A: My favorite weekend getaways are Vegas with the girls, NYC with my husband, and Laguna Beach with my kids.
Q: How many pieces of luggage do you REALLY take with you?
A: I am a great packer—one rolling suitcase (the same trusty one I have had from Costco before I got married) and one carry-on tote. I CAN be low-maintenance if I want to be.
Q: Where would you like to travel next?
A: I would love to go to India one day. I am a huge fan of Indian food and Indian diamonds!
Q: Tell us about your upcoming projects?
A: I always wear a lot of hats in my LEMONAID world. I am eager to see if any of my projects come to fruition- think book and TV show!
Visit Nikki’s blog: LIFESTYLELEMONAID.com
Find her on Facebook: facebook.com/LifestyleLemonaid
Follow her on Twitter: twitter.com/lifestylemonaid
Nikki Joel’s Bio:
Nikki Joel is Los Angeles’ number-one “life-stylist,” humorist, life-expert, fashionista, and confidant to the stars. “Miss Lemonaid,” who has been seen on Dr. Drew and Good Day LA, is the founder and writer of the must-read blog LIFESTYLE LEMONAID. The Sex and City-inspired blog covers everything from steamy relationship advice and “sexcapades” to beauty tips and fashion must-haves. She’s currently in talks with production companies to transform her intuitive site into an HBO original reality show.
Nikki is a former ICM (International Creative Management) talent agent who is now married to A-list superstar agent Brandt Joel. Nikki and Brandt had two children, and Nikki then obtained her real estate license and began selling homes to Los Angeles’ most elite clientele. Still slightly unfulfilled in her professional career, she sat down with girlfriends to come up with a solution. After an especially juicy gossip session with girlfriends and cocktails, one suggested she share her life on a blog, and LIFESTYLE LEMONAID was born.
