Happy Snow Day?! ONE more week until Spring!
Back from the California desert feeling inspired, refreshed… and full of creative energy.
And I wake up this morning to… snow. In mid-March.
Only in the PNW, right?
But...even in California the landscapes kept shifting. One moment I was surrounded by the wide, sun-soaked beauty of the high desert, and the next we found ourselves traveling up into the mountains where the air cooled and the views opened up to the most picturesque scenes overlooking Big Bear Lake.
And then another day we headed west, trading mountains for the coast and arriving in the chic, glamorous town of Laguna Beach. Suddenly it was 75+ degrees, the ocean breeze in the air, palm trees swaying, and that perfect California sunshine everywhere you looked. The kind of day where everything feels relaxed, beautiful, and effortless — exactly the kind of energy that leaves you feeling inspired and refreshed.
And I can’t forget to mention our wonderfully quirky, odd, artistic day exploring the Salton Sea, Salvation Mountain, and Slab City. I had tried to warn my sweetie ahead of time about how intriguing and unexpected that part of the desert can be—but honestly, words just don’t do it justice. It’s one of those places that has to be seen to truly understand. The colors, the creativity, the rawness of it all… it’s wild, thought-provoking, and strangely beautiful in a way only the desert can deliver.
Fun fact: the Salton Sea is actually the largest lake in California. It wasn’t always meant to be there—back in 1905 a canal from the Colorado River accidentally broke and flooded the basin for nearly two years, creating the massive lake. It later became a booming vacation spot in the 1950s and 60s, but as the water became increasingly salty and polluted, tourism faded and much of it was abandoned. Walking along the shoreline is surreal—the “sand” may look like regular beach sand at first glance, but when you look closer it’s actually made up of fish bones, vertebrae, and shells, remnants of the massive fish die-offs that happened as the water became too salty for them to survive. It’s haunting, fascinating, and unforgettable all at the same time.
Salvation Mountain
The colorful hillside creation in the middle of the desert by Leonard Knight, who spent decades building it by hand as a message of love and faith. Using clay, straw, and thousands of gallons of donated paint, he turned a simple desert hill into one of the most vibrant folk art pieces in the world. It’s a true testament to what one person’s passion and vision can create. He lived here for years without electricity or running water until his death in 2012.
Our home base for the trip was a fantastic Airbnb in Yucca Valley with sweeping views of the desert that felt peaceful and endless in every direction. By day it was beautiful, but at night it completely transformed into the most incredible stargazing spot. One of my favorite memories was waking up at 2:30 in the morning to photograph the big red full moon during the lunar eclipse. At one point I just laid down on the cool desert ground, completely in awe, watching the sky and counting shooting stars as the eclipse quietly did its thing overhead. It was one of those rare, magical moments I know I will keep close to my heart and mind for years to come.
And let me not forget the few amazing days we spent exploring Joshua Tree National Park! There’s honestly too much to list—the incredible hikes, the unique rock formations, the towering Joshua trees, and all the little moments of discovery along the way. Every turn seemed to reveal something new and beautiful about the desert, and it’s one of those places that left me feeling both peaceful and inspired.
Skull Rock.
We found H20! Barker Dam Hike!
My Favorite Rock Formation of All
I took soooo many photos!
Me and JT!
A small stop worth a quick mention was Pioneertown, a quirky little Old West-style town originally built in the 1940s as a movie set for western films and TV shows. SO fun! It still looks like you’ve stepped straight into a western—dusty streets, old wooden storefronts, and that classic frontier feel. Today it’s a mix of history, music, and great food, making it a fun and very unexpected stop in the middle of the desert.
Car full of rust and BULLET holes
Say less….
MY “tough guy”
GOATS!!!!!
Well, that’s it for now. I could honestly go on and on about all the fun things we packed into those seven days, but I’m pretty sure I’ve bored y’all enough already. And truthfully… just reliving it all while writing this has made me realize I might need to go take a nap now.
On to more important news! As many of you know, I’ve stepped back into doing wedding and special occasion hair full time again, and I truly feel so blessed to be doing what I love. I’m now freelancing with two incredible companies that are so aligned in their passion, professionalism, and love for serving brides.
When I was running Seattle Bride Hair, it was deeply rewarding, but at the same time I was managing a household, going through a separation, and ultimately a divorce. It was simply too much on my plate at once. This new chapter feels like the perfect balance—I no longer have to handle all the paperwork, contracts, and scheduling… I just get to show up, focus on what I do best, and create beautiful hair for the women who trust us with their special days. Honestly, I love it. Love, love… win-win!
I am beyond excited, honored, and grateful to share that our team is up for a few major awards this year!
Best Wedding Hair – Washington
Best Full-Service Beauty Team for Weddings – Washington
I could honestly just cry thinking about it. To be part of such a talented, supportive group of women doing work we all love is something I don’t take for granted for a second.
And truly, thank you to all of my clients—old and new (and I mean by months and years, not by age! ). I appreciate every bit of the love and support you’ve shown me along the way. Thank you for showing up, for your loyalty, and for trusting me to be part of your lives. It truly means more to me than you know.
I can’t wait to see you all soon! And a big thank you to those of you who already have your appointments pre-booked through mid-summer—that is always the wise move. If you haven’t yet, I definitely encourage you to hop on the books and schedule a couple of appointments ahead. As always, things fill up quickly, and even more so now with weddings, salon days, and a little personal time off sprinkled in.
Just a heads up—I’ll be out of town from the last week in May through the last week in June. This trip is already shaping up to be another adventure for the books, and I can’t wait to share the details with you all soon! ( aka: work hard, play harder!)
“My Life didn’t please me… so I created my life” Coco Chanel
DawnMarieArtistry.com
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