scenes from a staycation

{ soaking up some sun @ the pool! }

{ face painting essentials ;-) }

{ ready for dinner! }

{ Ventana's cute little cork menus }

{ morning snuggles }

We had a marvelous little stay-cation this weekend. It was our 1 year wedding anniversary, and we figured we may as well have ourselves a little celebration before it's + baby time.
We stayed at the Avila Village Inn. The same hotel that the hubs booked the night he proposed!! It was amazing then...and even more amazing now, 2.5 years after he proposed, here we are...married with baby #1 on the way. There was lots of sun, snuggling and hot tubbing for us this weekend :-)
Hope your days were lovely as well.

:: peace & love ::

summer=hot pink & peach.

{ Nars Schiap }

{ Nars, Schiap }

{ Stila, Gladiola Convertible Color }

SO...
I am somewhat of a product junkie...and by somewhat, I mean, it's an issue. I L-O-V-E makeup (all products in general...working for Aveda, being a makeup artist for Salon Lux & having a Sephora right upstairs doesn't help in this addiction what-so-ever).
I've decided after seeing HOT pink all over the blogs that I needed my own attempt at it. Et voi la, Nars Schiap. OBSESSED (sorry for the all caps), but I cannot even tell you how many compliments I got on my lipstick today!
Next would be my search for the perfect peachy cheek color! I first got a sample of Bobbi Brown's Cabo Coral with a friend when down in Santa Barbara at Nordstrom's (so sad, no Bobbi Brown around these parts). The Bobbi color is perfection, kicking myself for not just buying it on the spot.....was debating ordering, then yesterday found Gladiola from Stila and found it to be a comparable substitute (same price), no shipping.
So folks, I've got my hot pink & peach for summer....and I am super happy about it! Would definitely recommend both products (although looks like Gladiola is sold out on Stila.com & Sephora site :-(
Happy makeup hunting!

:: peace & love ::

* off for a 1 year anniversary weekend with my baby (can you believe it's been a year)...we're doing a little stay-cation if you will. Pics to come!

i'm dreaming of 'glam-ping'

The Mr. & I love camping. We both grew up camping & really need to start stocking up on our own camping gear (have been borrowing things from here and there through the years). Now that we are 'adults' I suppose, we should really have our own loot!
I started looking at tents at REI, then i started looking at my new Sunset, then I started thinking about luxury camping (i.e. 'glamping')..........see the thought process there. (the new Sunset mag has a beautiful pic of a luxury camping resort in WA on the cover).
Then, i google image searched 'luxury camping' and here's a few little snaps I found! Gaahhh...
Can we go, please? Doesn't it look amazing, just add a giant bath tub, sunset, and warm weather hikes to some turquoise blue lake and I would just about die.
Anyone know of any 'luxury' camping resorts in and around the Central Coast of Cali?

:: peace & love ::

Nails for Nell's weekend bachelorette!

{ Santa Barbara, sun, fresh pedicure }

Starting Friday was one of my favorite girli's bachelorette weekend getaway!! Unfortunatly for me staggering doctor's bills & that little fact that preggo peeps can't really hit the club seen in the same way as a non preggo peep; kept me home until Sunday.
I headed to SB early Sunday morning to join the the spa fun that one of her lovely friends had put together at the house they stayed at! Portable spa....perfect!
I think I came in at the end of a very long (and very fun) weekend, but non-the-less it was so nice to meet all the other girls before the wedding (yay, June 25th!!). Got my pedicure with OPI's saphire in the snow :-) Proceeded to check out the beautiful house they had rented, and it's amazing garden out back!
I felt so bad that I couldn't partake in the whole weekend :-( I hope I'm not 'that person' who's absent from the festivities...but I did my best, and had so much fun. Lucky for me the drive is pretty short and very beautiful!
So glad you had lots of fun D, you have a really fabulous set of girli's you call your friends :-)

:: peace & love ::

HOME from the Dominican!

{ dinner at Vento }

{ view from our balcony }

{ drinking out of a coconut in the ocean...ahh }

We're back from the DR.
I've decided a few things....
1. warm water and a little balmy breeze does a body good.
2. a five hour lay over in the Miami airport=not fun at all.
3. trying to sleep on planes doesn't feel good.
4. underground cave swimming is both fun and terrifying.
5. room service is kinda amazing in the bleary morning hours. (coffee especially).
6. coconut oil makes skin look amazing.
7. not putting ANY sunscreen on in the sun ALL day is really just stupid. (and i should know better...i mean really).
8. All inclusive isn't all it's cracked up to be.
9. visiting the equivilant of a third world country is eye opening.
10. it was an amazing experience that we were so lucky to have....but am very grateful for our cushy American culture...and can't wait to travel to other places!

:: peace & love ::

Refugio adventure

{ Refugio State Beech, Ca }

{ beach camping }

Spent Sunday and Monday morning with my Luxers at Refugio State beach for a salon retreat.
We had quite a blast. Sunday lunch in Solvang with 5 of my girlies at the Solvang brewing co. A couple beers and a sushi roll (amazing by the way) later and we were on our way to Refugio with full bellies.
We lucked out and missed any rain in the forecast; set up camp and broke out the wine. There weren't too many people missing which meant we had about 5 or so campsites which = a giant camp style block partay until the wee hours.
Between Marissa's 18 years aged Rum (oh god is was good), the warm breeze and the full moon I was happy to spend my time with some of the girls i love most. We talked, we drank, we howled at the moon (not literally...but you know)....we dipped ourselves in the ocean in the moon light....
sigh
Topped off this beautiful evening by dragging our lounge chairs down onto the beach, where we sat by the waves, watching the stars and clouds roll through the night...
It was truly beautiful, it really was. I won't forget that site of waves and moonlight, sand and good friends.
Hope your weekend was lovely as well sugars...back to the grind for me :-)

:: peace & love ::

H-O-M-E

{ Pepper, rug }

{ on the road }

It was time for our traditional Strawberry music fest this last weekend. It was just what we needed, some rest and relaxation in the midst of this ending summer.
I didn't take a lot of pics this year (if phone pics even count!).....we did a lot of sitting around, eating, drinking, and listening to some really lovely bluegrass music!
The drive home was long (and I missed our little fur baby Pepper sooo much) I just wanted to be home snuggling her!
Finally home around 4 to that snugly little kitty face! I think she's even cuter than we remembered!!!!
It's back to the grind today (blahhh)....tuesday feels like monday for sure!

:: peace & love ::

stuck in vaca mode

ok....I'm willing to admit that now I've gotten 1 a-m-a-z-i-n-g vaca in, all I can think about is how i can fit at least 3 more in this summer.
normal, no?
What did I see when i popped over to Jeana Sohn's blog this morn but her and her girlfriends blissfully (and very stylishly I might add) hanging out for a little day trip to Catalina island.
Her pictures are always lovely, but something about these especially makes me think that popping down to Catalina for a little weekend would be really perfect. I think it would be fun to camp actually and jet over to town to ride around, eat and hang on Descanso beach ($25 for the day with your own lounge chair and they serve food and drink) umm...yes please!

{ Descanso beach, Catalina Island }

Perfect don't you think? I have a 3 day weekend at the end of the month....and a request for time off in the middle of August (hoping for a desert road trip with one of my bestie's and the hubbs!)....wish me luck :-)

:: peace and love ::

Big Sur-Minimoon !

{ Wes enjoying the patio over looking the canyon }

{ drinking our gifted Veuve ! } { sharing a smooch at Pfeiffer beach }

Home from Big Sur....it really was incredible. Maryann and Dave's home is just gorgeous and we felt so lucky to be able to enjoy it for a weekend. We spent our time...playing scrabble, reading, eating, drinking and generally doing nothing (the best part) !

Dinner fri at Deetjen's was perfect...really beautiful and so cozy.

Drinks and apps Sat at Nepenthe was perfect...they have a killer margarita and a lovely space!

Esalon saturday night (at 1 in the effin morning)....it was quite an experience....and we loved it. I would recommend checking out all the tubs...but those sweet little clawfoot bath tubs are the way to go for sure...i was almost asleep the whole time!

Sunday we were so sad to have to leave...hit big sur bakery for coffee, and big sur river inn for lunch with live music and good weather....home for the last few hours on the patio and then we were off.

Now we are home with our snugly little fur baby and it's good to be back !

Dang Big Sur sure is beautiful, there are no words ;-)

:: peace and love ::

'mini-moon' decided !

{ rental cabin last year, Big Sur }
{ the view from the rental cabin, Big Sur }

Headed to Big Sur for our 'mini moon' tomorrow :-) Yaaa....we were gifted a weekend and dinner at Deetjen's (not to mention the bottle of champagne waiting in their fridge) for the wedding from our family friends/our minister...and we are putting it to good use!

I can't wait to relax...drink wine, eat cheese, hike and soak in some sun (if the weather cooperates!).....no doubt it will be amazing. Pics and details to come of course ;-)

Hope all you lovelies have a wonderful weekend as well, it's my 10k next weekend, training has been ok, I got sick (as I said) last week and that kept me out of the loop for a few days.

I did manage to run the Bob Jones trail with the hubbs and the bestie this afternoon and it was so beautiful. Perfect temp. no wind, just lovely. I could have done better, but I wont scoff at 4 miles after a week off, half of it spent sleeping off a fever!

Can I just be honest and say that all I want to do is bask in domestic bliss (ef working....and doing all that necessary to daily life stuff)....honestly. haha.......I'm sure I'm not the only one, right!?

xoxox

:: peace and love ::

*and happy weekend of course!

lazy saturday snack

{ Kauai map }
{ papaya and lime }

I was reminded today, of my family's trip to Kauai a few years ago over my mid day snack of papaya and lime.

Which I might add is the best little slice o'heaven eva !! I totally forgot how amazing this tastes....I might be partial because it brings me right back to Kauai, and all those amazing memories make it even sweater.

We bounced around between a resort and bed and breakfasts on the island. One bed and breakfast served us fresh (like right off the tree people) papaya and lime for breakfast and I about died...seriously.

So on my lazy Saturday I find myself wishing for warm breeze...salty water and an abundance of fruit trees...come on December, get here already!!!!!!

*I have some seriouse projects this weekend...invites are picked up and in the appropriate (and legible) shade of olive green...now it's putting these little packages together that's going to take up all my time...can't wait to show you!!

Happy weekend lovelies :-)

:: peace and love ::

honeymoon update....( !!! )

* update - we are OFFICIALLY going to the Dominican Republic in December

yes yes, it's a bit of time to wait, (wedding is in June); Wes will be done with school at that time and we are going with our besti's as i mentioned in my last post, this is when they were planning to go...to be honest I couldn't care less when we are going. The fact that we are not only going out of the country for the first time together, get a honeymoon, and get to spend a week in the sun not only with each other, but with two other people that we care about is far more than enough for me!
Regardless of this amazing honeymoon. I think it might be nice to escape for just 2 nights the weekend after the wedding; just to revel in the whole 'husband and wife' bliss that will no doubt occur.
I am thinking of a few places that we have been dying to get to-but haven't had a good enough reason to go on vacation {what with student financial situation..blah blah}-but now we do-because its like a little mini honeymoon-and we deserve it-right?
Solage Calistoga - Napa area. All things warm nights, wine, cheese, and scenic drives around our 'Tuscan' California surroundings. Not to mention their spa (eh hum..honestly).
Glen Oaks - Big Sur. We are literally a hop skip and jump away from Big Sur and have spent some beautiful outings there already, but would probably do some midnight hot tubing-good eating-general view appreciating-and hiking of course!
Ace Hotel - Palm Springs. One of the farthest places from us, but never the less a contender in this whole 'mini honeymoon-because we really should' thing. I am all things desert obsessed (i lied...i'm anything but intense heat obsessed..so everything minus the heat)...the plants, the landscape (amazingly inspirational for me) and the over all feel. We would un-doubt ably spend days by the pool or lounging on their private patios with a good book and a beer or checking out their galleries and shops (AC please). Nights in the bar and again enjoying snuggling on the patio with a fire (not because we need the heat...but because it's romantic--duh).


So there are the mini weekend/honeymoon/getaway contenders. I don't know how we will choose...All of them pose such amazing options and really really really beautiful scenery!


:: peace and love ::

{I am blogging at 10 pm at night on a Saturday because I had a hectic Friday (with my besti) and my fiance is at some comedy show thing with his besti...so I am resigned to being mellow and chillaxin' with my beautiful and v. snuggly cat!--for some reason I felt the need to justify all this blog activity}

on honeymoons....

We'll be here (!!!!!!!!!!! eeeeeeeeekkkkk !!!!!!!!!! ), it's safe to say we are really (really...super) excited about it.

{ GABi beach, Paradisus Palma Real-Dominican Republic }

Here's the story...we had given up a little bit on trying to honeymoon; Wes has to start up summer school at Poly the Monday (right) after we get married...booo. Then our bfff's told us we should come with them to the Dominican (where they honeymooned almost 4 years ago..and would be going back to for their anniversary-10 years dating (woo hoo). At first I had my reservations--how are we going to make that happen (first of all--this is still quite the question mind you, but we are an optimistic crowd and have gone with the motto 'make it happen'). Second, will it feel enough like a honeymoon if we go with other people? We decided that we will have our 'couple time'...massages, romantic dinners, and activities...and then we will have our besti's there to enjoy in all the amazingness' too!! Awesome....we think so!

So that's the plan...it's all inclusive, so once you get there you might want some $ for the airport and gift shop....but other than that you can just peruse their many restaurants, beaches and activities (hello para sailing and snorkeling) to name a couple...

I'm just really happy at the thought that I will get to relax with my husband (love it!) far far away in a little place called the Dominican !

:: peace and love ::

glass half full of glitter

Wes and I have decided we will be headed here for our little bachelor/ette weekend getaway with our buddies....if anyone is particularly familiar with Santa Cruz and wants to share some amazing spots to hit, or places to eat (or drink)..please let me know!!!
Life has been full of fun decisions and a little stress sprinkled over the top, but over all, it has been getting more and more exciting to get closer and closer to marrying my honey bunches!!!!
I hope for myself that I can always look at life as the glass half full (of golden starry glitter)....why not?! : )

:: peace and love ::

*flickr photo from ghostlings' photostream.
*still eating homemade pesto on EVERYTHING...yum.

i want to get lost in here....

A couple weeks back the lovely Kelly from yes, please blog posted this amazing inspiration board with the reason being that her and some other v. talented lovlies were going to be doing a photo shoot (bridal shower) in the desert with the theme...'Where the Wild Things Are'...ummm....WHAT? First of all, that sounds insanely amazing....second of all, can i come? haha.... So i saved their fabulous inspiration board, for, well...inspiration...and coming across it in my picture folder makes me think that incorporating something fun like this into our bachelor/bachelorette weekend getaway (here or here...or camping) would be SO fun!!
Ohhhh, I'm such a sucker for a tepee and a headpiece!!! love love love love..

:: peace and love ::

Strawberry Music Fest.

We were off to the Strawberry music fest. in Camp Mather (above Yosemite) last weekend and it was fabulous as always!!! We passed through the funniest/cutest little town called Coulterville (top pic)...it's old cars, ivy covered brick buildings, and saloon/gas stations, and abandoned barns made us feel like we were stuck in a time before ours.
I love our little family tradition, it's so special to us, and those 3 short days make such a difference in helping us relax, slow down and remember to enjoy the small things in life. It's not only an insanely gorgeous location, but the bluegrass and folky' style music, the friendly and welcoming atmosphere and the perfectly warm summer days make for a flawless and easy little get away. Not to mention that our 'camp neighbor' came over and gave us 2 bottles of his own handmade 2005 Syrah (!!!!) so generous. I hope everyone had a lovely Labor Day weekend : )

:: peace and love ::

a camping we will go!

There is so much to do here before we head out this weekend!! I thought I would slide in a few little snippets of the snazzy tie dye we created (Wes' turned out sooo cool...I'm jealous). I will honestly be amazed if we get everything done in time...I guess I should get off the blog and start on that 'long' list eh!? Alright...I'll go, but with promises to have some even better pictures of the tie dye in use and the amazing sights that will be seen on our adventures!
Bon Voyage lovlies!

:: peace and love ::

my 'staycation' adventures

We needed to get out of the house for my mini 'staycation', so we headed up to Cambria for a morning of gallery shopping and good eats at Robins. Cambria is such a cozy little town, and it was fun to browse around pretending to be tourists. We stopped in at Robins to have lunch (fish tacos were delish) and the atmosphere out in the garden was SO so pretty!!! There was a very bountiful plum tree behind our table that kept dropping it's fruit every few minutes (despite the danger of death by plum--it was beautiful!). Back to work for me tomorrow...and although I love my job...there are times when I wish I could relax forever.....hrm...what on earth would that feel like!?! haha.....

:: peace and love ::

{ SF :: and Ikea driveby }

We're off to San Francisco for an A's game this weekend...staying at the Villa Florence hotel and going to Ikea on Sunday to hopefully find and grab some of these goodies above (I'm really hoping for a new media station...bedside tables...and a chest of drawers...but let's try not to get *carried away). I'm hoping for a wonderful and relaxing trip with my honey...a lovely get together with our very good friend Mara (Ashlee has suggested the Bubble Lounge), for the A's to win of course....and good weather! Happy Weekend everyone : )

:: peace and love ::

*carried away :: something I do often.....