Sponsored by Mazda

You never really know where inspiration is going to strike — but for me, so much of it comes when I’m traveling: exploring new territories or the hidden nooks and crannies of places I’ve been before. That said, when Mazda invited me and a crew of creatives to Montecito, CA for a few days to check out the new CX-30, I was pretty excited to get out of town and immerse myself in a different landscape.

I grew up in Los Angeles, so I’ve lived in close proximity to Santa Barbara most of my life, but I actually never explored Montecito. So on this trip with Mazda, I got to experience the fabulous Rosewood Miramar Resort for the first time. Of course it’s always nice to post up in a luxe hotel, but Mazda also had some other fun plans in store for us. After getting a full introduction of the CX-30, our diverse group was split into pairs. I was lucky enough to team up with graphic designer superstar, Adam J. Kurtz and needless to say, as design-lovers we had tons to chat about.

Getting to ride around with Adam in the CX-30 was the perfect way to get to know both him and the car a little better. Adam lives in NYC so he hasn’t driven a car in a minute. He was a little nervous about driving but given the calm, relaxed vibe of Montecito, plus the totally smooth ride, I could tell he was enjoying our little cruise on the coast. First of all, this car is absolutely perfect for city driving. It’s got a just-right size that makes parking easy, yet it’s spacious enough to stash all your essentials if you were to head out on a little road trip or to a home decor store! As a designer, I also appreciate all the little details — both inside (the luxurious, artisanal interior) and outside (a super sleek silhouette). Beyond that, it syncs perfectly with my smart devices, has bespoke Bose speakers (perfect for cranking up the music and singing along as you drive). Adam and I definitely had a couple karaoke moments!

For most of the day, Adam and I got to take off in the CX-30 to check out the town however we pleased. We kicked off what we decided to call our #Mazdate with a little breakfast at Malibu Farm Miramar. Loved their roasted potatoes and juices. And then we did a mandatory stop by the beach at Summerland. And of course any trip wouldn’t be complete for me without a little home decor shopping. We checked out Summerland Antique Collective where I found a pretty orange rug. Afterwards, we popped into Chaucer’s bookstore and then Seven Day Nursery where I fell in love with a beautiful bird’s nest fern that I had to take home, along with some graphic terracotta pots.

There is a quiet elegance about the CX-30 and I can see the craftsmanship that went into it. For me, a car is a lot like a home. You want to feel alive and excited and joyful when you step foot into it. And the CX-30 does all that. I really enjoyed driving it. So for our last stop, Adam and I went to at the Montecito Country Mart for lunch where we loaded up on carbs at Bettina. Their pizza was delicious and it’s a perfect date spot, too. There was also a vintage store called Mate Gallery which I’m kicking myself for not getting these Moroccan kilim slippers. Overall, it was the perfect Mazdate.

We finished off the three-day trip by getting to chat with Jimmy Chin, rock climber and director of the award-winning film Free Solo. My main takeaway from listening to Jimmy was the idea of honing your craft — focusing and committing to that one thing you’re most passionate about, which very much aligned to Mazda’s approach . Honestly, it was a message I needed to hear. And that concept, combined with connecting to like-minded (but different!) folks while exploring a familiar setting in a whole new way was just the refresh I needed to really dig into my design work. It’s pretty awesome how a little drive in the CX-30 can actually inspire so much.