Long Weekend: Palm Springs

 If you follow my Instagram, you're probably sick of hearing about Palm Springs by now. If you don't, well, get ready for the onslaught of cactus pictures! I've got another blog post planned featuring just photos from our outing to Moorten Botanical Gardens.

This was, like, our first real vacation. You know, the kind where it's really hot and you wear sunhats and sit by the pool and can start drinking whenever you feel like it? Now I know why people go on these things.

 We stayed at Alcazar Palm Springs. It's a lovely, little boutique hotel in the Design District. Our room had its own private patio, which I enjoyed in 10-15 minute intervals. As expected, it was very hot, but the humidity was a surprise (61% the day I flew in). It's the middle of the desert and we managed to arrive right in the middle of a weird weather pattern!

Luck and the wrong bus stop led us to Ernest Coffee. They serve Stumptown, which is always delicious, and both our baristas had connections to the Northwest. It was like being home.

Palm Springs is so beautiful and the grounds at Alcazar were no exception; shady and green.

"Hey Trevor, go stand by that rock wall and look sullen. Perfect."

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Long Weekend: The Bay Area Part 2

The morning of our last day, we walked to Beauty's Bagels for breakfast. I could eat bagels all day every day, so I was pretty excited to try this place out. I had a sesame bagel with homemade apple butter and cream cheese. Just perfect.

Tilly had nutella.

The thing I'm most excited about when I visit California is the variety of plants. We've got tons here, don't get me wrong, but California plants are so exotic. This trip I saw olives and persimmons, and the usual lemons, bougainvillea and jasmine. The scent of jasmine and eucalyptus bring back a million memories.

This tree that looks like a set piece from The Neverending Story is a Schinus molle, also known as the California pepper tree. And the other picture is of some flirty butterflies (why yes, that is their scientific name).

Pink peppercorns and their corresponding blossoms

We nearly forgot to visit our favorite shop in Berkeley: The Bone Room. It you're into taxidermy and natural science, then I recommend a trip down to California just to visit this store. They have everything from mounted beetles and exotic feathers, to Victorian taxidermied dogs and human bones. Everything is real, but they also have a small collection of replicas of dinosaur bones and forensic casts.

None of us are in the least bit easily grossed out, so it was off to a french bakery for lunch!

All tucked in and ready to hit the road. And we found a great way to keep her neck from getting sore!

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Long Weekend: The Bay Area Part 1

I took so many photos, and of course I want to share them all, so I decided to split this into 2 posts. You can do and see quite a bit in 3 days!

Packing was a huge success. I managed to wear everything except the extra dress I brought. I wasn't too cold or too warm, which I think is a clue to how well you do at packing. I was certainly more successful this time than when I packed for Tahoe. The trick is pack things you love and are comfortable in, and things that mix and match easily, like basics and neutrals.

Our first stop was a street fair in Oakland. We were all starving and the crowds and low blood sugar made it kind of stressful finding breakfast. 

We finally decided on crepes and french toast at Crepevine. The street fair was a lot more fun after getting some breakfast in our bellies!

I headed straight back to Atomic Garden, a lifestyle boutique we'd passed on our way up the street. They have a wonderful collection of just about everything! Beautiful handmade kitchen utensils, vintage blankets, small batch soaps, towels, to-die-for shoes and bags, washi tape! You get the picture.

If you're visiting the Bay Area, make sure to visit Atomic Garden on College Avenue in Oakland.

Our next stop was 4th Street in Berkeley. It's one of my favorite outdoor shopping centers ever. So many good memories from when my mom lived nearby. And now I have this memory of Tilly. What a darling dope.

Taco de Lengua at Tacubaya. 

Coco Bella Chocolates alone is worth the trip into the city. They carry the most beautiful truffles and bonbons. Their beauty is only surpassed by their deliciousness! Visit their shop on Union Street for the full experience, or, if you can't make it there, they have a smaller location in the Westfield San Francisco Centre. 

Oakland bound on the BART.

My mom's friend and former professor, Lucia, had us over for a celebration dinner. Her home had a beautiful view and it was wonderful to sit and talk with a woman I've heard so much about. 

One of the most amazing sunsets I've ever seen.

More to come...

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Look of the Day: California Chambray

 Last weekend, I took a trip down to California to watch my mom argue her dissertation. She is now a doctor! I can't believe how far she's come, especially considering none of her siblings have a college degree. I am incredibly proud of her.

I, on the other hand, managed to cut myself on a loaf of bread. Obvi did not get her brain genes.

I was happy to have such a special occassion to wear my very first, hand-altered dress to. I actually sewed! I took the dress in at the waist, shortened the straps, and removed decorations on the bodice. It's not exactly the type of chambray dress I've been looking for (maxi shirtdress, please), but I still think it's lovely and I'm so proud of myself for sewing. I think I am getting more patient in my old age. 

American Deadstock sunglasses - GAP cardigan - Koshka polka dot clutch - Sam Edelman flats - vintage chambray dress

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In Photos: California Christmas

Here's a photo recap of our holiday in California.

 We stayed in San Jose mostly, but not at this hotel.

My aunt said "Oh, they have homeless people in California, too." I replied "Yeah, this guy followed us around forever." It's my husband.

 We had pretty rainy weather for the most part, but it was warmer than Seattle, so I didn't mind.

 We did  stay in this hotel. It's called Andaz and it's in downtown Napa. probably one of the nicest hotels I've stayed in. Even had free stuff in the mini bar!

Christmas lights in Yountville

We spent a small fortune at Thomas Keller's bakery, Bouchon Bakery. He is a famous chef, or so I'm told. I'd never heard of him, but I had heard of his restaurant, The French Laundry, which is in the same town as the bakery.

 The raspberry macarons were delicious, but a little on the big side.

 If it hadn't been for Steven, I would have no pictures of me on this trip (as always).

My husband treated us all to a dinner at Ad Hoc, which is another one of Thomas Keller's restaurants. 

It was a four course meal, but I didn't take pictures of everything, since the cheese plate wasn't as interesting.

 Waygu beef pot roast

Toppings for our sundaes. I wanted to drink the caramel syrup.

Breakfast: Pain au Raisin from Bouchon Bakery

 Back in San Jose on Christmas Eve.

We were there for six days and this cat hissed at me the whole time. I've never had that much trouble getting a cat to like me. I even "cat sat" him once, but he just will not get used to me.

I felted this mushroom last year and brought it as a present for our hosts.

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