Pool time

Some new favorites in this bunch, from San Diego. It wasn't much different from last time, except there was less beach time, and more playing at PETCO Park. Baseball season just draws you to the stadium that way. Especially since Tim's office opens into the park, which meant lunch picnics with daddy in the stands. Still, there was pool time. Lots and lots of it, because Dashie is older and really getting a hang of vacation life.

See how good he is at the lounging? Perhaps it's time to think up an island getaway?

When we were engaged

We visited the spot where Tim proposed in Half Moon Bay. It was meant to be all romantic and cute, but really it was bitterly cold and windy, for us at least. But we braved the elements and trekked to the very cliff where I said yes. And there we stood, as three. We left almost as quickly as we arrived to seek beer and warmth.

And not to worry, Dashiell had some serious layering happening underneath that chevron number. Doesn't he look thrilled?

P.S. That day, in 2008. 

This is...

I love this series of vintage travel books for kids by Miro Slavsasek. I had to buy one of each of the places Dash has already been. A souvenir of sorts. As I read to him, I wonder whether the sweet paintings of the cities are familiar to him. I love the big buildings and the small details that make each city its own. 

Would be wonderful to know wanderlust at such a young age, wouldn't it?

Buy them here. Destinations from Texas to Washington, DC. Australia to Rome. And my absolute favorite, for dreaming big.

P.S. Our trips to Paris and San Francisco

San Diego

Waking up while on vacation is the best. No real need to jump out of bed and get things done. So far, vacays with a baby are good for waking up, and rolling around and playing in bed until it's time for a nap. Works especially well when the hotel serves chai in the mornings. We must have chai. Otherwise, our days went like this: park-beach-pool-lunch-nap-park-beach-pool-dinner-sorbetto-bedtime. The sorbetto was also kind of a must. The blood orange flavor was my favorite. 

This is what our mornings looked like.

Half Moon Bay

We're home! While we were up north, we spent some time in Half Moon Bay to visit some dear friends and it was easily my favorite part of the entire two weeks. I feel so relaxed and refreshed when we visit. Their family lives on 20 acres of land, on a secluded hill above the ocean. It's quiet and peaceful, except for the animals. The sun sets right in front of you and floods the entire front of the house in an orange glow of light. I love that house and I might or might not pretend that I live there. Would you like to see?

First, my new friend. The raddest donkey you've ever met. I couldn't get enough of him. He was found somewhere in Mexico, many, many years ago.

The backyard. I love the picnic table. Picnics there are fun, when it's any other season but winter.

And when the sun sets, it takes your breath away, and makes everything right in the world.

Can you believe it? So worth braving the cold to watch this.

That night some more friends came over, a turkey was deep fried, sweet potatoes were roasted, football was watched, beer was had, stories were told, and lots of laughing could be heard late into the night. It was a bit like Thanksgiving. Then we retreated to our own little room at the b&b and had a good, long sleep. It was one of those warm, cozy weekends that fill your soul.

Sweet dreams

Here is something to dream of this weekend. A rocking bed! Whimsical, dramatic, and completely luxurious. Can you imagine the wonderful dreams you could have whilst lying peacefully in this bed? Secretly though, I think it would be truly fun to have a slumber party and a huge pillow fight. The rocking about would make it so much more exciting!


Happy Friday and sweet dreams, my lovelies. What are your plans? Will you be relaxing or playing? A little bit of both? We are off to Half Moon Bay for the weekend, where some dear friends have booked us a suite in a darling b&b. And if we're really lucky, Tim and I will find ourselves on a little date while we're there :)

Photo by ShinerInternational.

A day in Paris

Being up north with Dashiell has been exciting, to say the least. San Francisco was the last vacation Tim and I took as a twosome and it's now our first as a threesome! Can I tell you a little secret though? I kinda miss being pregnant. Is that totally insane? I love that a piece of me is living outside of me now, but it was so comforting having Dashiell in my belly, where I knew he was safe and sound. Sigh. Slowly learning what this motherhood business really means.

Here's a picture of me and Dashiell, on his very first trip, if it counts, in Paris. He was all of about 10 weeks along. (And now, he's 10 weeks old all over again!)

Mamas, do you ever miss being pregnant? Did you totally hate it? Can't wait to do it again? I'm curious to know.

Escaping north

We're on a mini-version of this trip up north, that we never took, because we went on this trip to London and Paris, instead. Except we didn't drive, we flew. Dashiell's first time on an airplane! We're all giddy for the next two weeks.

My endless climbing of the hills and stairs of Nob Hill, the last time we were in San Francisco. 7 months pregnant.

427 Roundtrip

From Los Angeles International to London Heathrow, inclu. taxes and fees. To break it down, that's 115 each way. So insanely cheap, that it has become the Plan C for our spring holiday. And with two available weeks, it leaves just enough time for a train into Paris.

So off I go to cancel all northern California reservations. Which includes my T. Keller make out sesh. A little sad about it, but I think I'll recover well when I have my selection of macarons to delight in. See how I used just one o instead of two? I'm turning all fancy French already.

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Anyone win the bet?

The Ace Hotel PS

A couple weekends ago, while I was dying of influenza, I managed to honor my sweet prize of a stay at the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs. Thanks to the Hitched ladies, of course. And I totally appreciated the suite upgrade from my Ace friends. A weekend at the Ace, in PS or PDX has never disappointed.

Other than popping into the Hitched Event for as long as I could manage, I mainly made great use of the bed as I chugged liquids and meds. Stunning deserty backdrop to be sick in though, yes?

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Have you caught any of the Hitched recaps? My memory of the event is a bit foggy at best. What a shame. I'll leave the summary to the experts.

Found here: Part 1. Part 2. Part 3. Part 4.

Driving North

For food. I woke up this morning and decided that instead of flying south to Costa Rica for our spring holiday, we will drive north along the coast. Mainly for food. This might be because I'd been stuck in bed without an appetite or working taste buds for so long, that a purely epicurean trip sounded like a delicious idea. 

So, right now, the plan is to put CR on hold and instead take a leisurely drive north on 101. Stopping in Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey, Napa, and Sonoma.

Except, I had to completly reverse the itinerary because I HAVE to be at Ad Hoc on their famed buttermilk fried chicken night. It's served every other Monday. Reservations have been made.

Other culinary stops in Napa will include Bouchon and Bouchon Bakery. I might as well make out with T. Keller himself. Taking all recommendations for the Napa/Sonoma area, although there will inevitably be a night that we picnic in our room with our finds from Dean & Deluca. Maybe Ubuntu?

Our room, by the way, will be at the AVIA, in downtown Napa. Puts an exciting twist into the wine country portion of our trip. And it comes highly recommended by Travel + Leisure. And don't we all love a good T+L rec? I want to split our time between Napa and Sonoma, since time is not an issue. Should I find somewhere equally exciting to stay in Sonoma, as well?

Next we'll drive into Carmel and Monterey for a bit, for really no other reason than the fact that I've never actually been. We'll play tourists and go to Point Lobos and the aquarium. The husb will want to hop over to Santa Cruz and show me his old stompin' grounds.

Finally, we'll head down to Big Sur, where the redwoods and I will kick back at Glen Oaks.

We'll likely end up at Big Sur Bakery twice. Definitely once. Maybe twice. And for the view, Nepenthe. Any other favorites in Big Sur?

Bets on how long before I change my mind?

Footloose and Fancy Free

My darlings! I am finally on the other side. I am a wife and I have a husband. Tis crazy business this whole marriage thing.

I wanted so badly to update you on the big day and every little detail and emotion that floated through me before leaving on the honeymoon. Of course, that didn't happen because there was unpacking and packing and sleeping to be had. And enjoying the whole wedded bliss feeling.

Now I am sitting at the airport on my way to my honeymoon. We are flying first class the entire way to Buenos Aires because my honey is Ah-mazing (capital A) and wanted us to have the trip of a lifetime. Not too shabby, eh? I think I'll hang on to him.

Feeling fancy free and footloose. Life doesn't get much better than this.

On My Way to The District

Unpacking and repacking today. On my way to Washington, D.C. to visit my most incredible friend who has just moved to the District from San Francisco. Tis more than I could ask for to be able to see him both before the wedding and on wedding day.

Also visiting my favorite bridal boutique while I'm there, to pick up my wedding dress so that it can keep me company on my flight home. Not sure yet, how it's all settling in to my little head and heart.

We'll be exactly 7 days out when I return...

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Bachelorette Weekend

Where will you find me on this three day weekend? I will be in Palm Springs whopping it up with some of my favorite girls and guys. That's right, I get an entire weekend, thanks to my rockin' best friends and the coolest Maid of Honor evah!

The weather in LA has been loopy (including a freak rain on Thursday), so I'm happily escaping to the desert to soak up the sun in the 100 degree weather. That is, after I slather on the sunscreen of course.  SPF 85. It can never be too high. And seek shelter under my sun hat. No sunburns for this bride! Eek!

Happy three day weekend! Palm Springs here I come!

Feeling Wanderlusty

Feeling wanderlusty for Argentina as I sit here on such a beautifully clear and sunny day. Being crafty for the wedding and daydreaming of my honeymoon. Escaping for four beautiful weeks.

French architecture, English lifestyle, Spanish culture, and Italian flair. Be still my heart.

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Florialis Genérica, architect Eduardo Catalano's aluminum flower on Avenida Figueroa Alcorta in Buenos Aires, opens its petals by day and closes them at night

Are you feeling wanderlusty? Where is your imagination taking you today?

San Francisco Treats

Then one day, I found Gitane. The restaurant that looks so freakin' awesome, I want to go there right now. I was browsing for restaurants to try while we are in San Francisco when I died a hundred times. The colors, the funky decor, the velvet couches, the lighting?! Take me there!!

 

   

 

 

 

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