Mr Style and I spent an amazing afternoon frolicking around Malibu and the surrounding area last Saturday. We got to visit two places on my wish list – Cornell Winery (more on that later) and the amazing Paramount Ranch.

Paramount Ranch, in the heart of the Santa Monica Mountains, is a gem of a park. The Santa Monica Mountains complete with the picturesque Malibou Lake* were a haven for film makers and studios (and for the most part still are) and up at Paramount Ranch (an old Paramount lot) a whole film set still sits intact.

The set that still stands was used (amongst other things) for Dr Quinn Medicine Woman and is complete with a general store, saloon and even a jail. A quick peek through the windows showed that the insides were used also (a Hollywood rarity) and you would not believe how desperate Mr Style wanted to "break in" to the jail! (He could see a plastic bottle on a table behind the bars..therefore someone had been in there – it drove him a little crazy!)

The surrounding area is stunning – and really feels quite detached from the hub bub Los Angeles and even the trappings of Malibu. I highly recommend a trip – but please – don't all go at once – it was so wonderfully deserted that I was honestly reluctant to write about it. But I took so many photos and spent so many hours "playing" in photoshop that I had to share them. If you're interested in seeing even more photo treatments all the different edits will be on my Flickr (when they're done uploading!)

*This is not a typo – there are few stories surrounding why Malibou Lake is named such, one states that it was so the residents could live peacefully and not be discovered – another claims the extra 'o' reflects the whimsy of the community. One thing is for sure. I want to live there soooo bad.

What I Wore: Skirt: Vintage, Silk Camisole: Victoria's Secret, Necklace: India (sent by a friend – I sadly, have not been myself), Belt: Vintage, Bracelets: The usual crowd, Sandals: Courtesy of Sole Society.

Kelsi Smith