Hello from New Orleans! Gah, I love this city so much. We’re staying at the Hotel Mazarin and it is so fancy shmancy, you guys! We’re off to grab more beignets and coffee at Cafe Du Monde, but I just wanted to check in and say hello! Be sure to follow along on Instagram!
xo,
Mel
Bonnie is a very special friend. We only had one or two conversations before I moved into her house on the east side of LA. (Mount Washington represent!) It took me two days to drive to LA, my mind filled with endless possibilities of what my new life would be like. I never expected to meet such an amazing friend who would show me the ropes of LA, but more importantly, introduce me to her amazing girl gang she’d spent years cultivating.
Last February, Scott and I celebrated our one-year anniversary of dating by taking a trip to Santa Barbara. Y’ALL, SANTA BARBARA IS THE JAM. We stayed at the Autocamp, which is a group of wonderfully refurbished airstreams that I now want to move into and live in forever. Ahem… Each airstream comes with two cruisers, which we used to ride around State Street and the wine section of town called the Funk Zone. P.S. I didn’t have a camera at the time, so you’ll have to experience the trip through my trusty iPhone. Guys, don’t you think this means Scott & I need to take a trip back to recapture the moments? AHEM-COUGH-HINT-HINT-WINK-WINK!
This man was in Heaven with the complimentary local coffee in our cute little front lawn.
Just before panicking about not being on a bike in years. HOW DOES THIS WORK?!!
We had lunch at the most amazing sandwich spot off State Street—Pickles & Swiss. They have Key Lime yogurt pretzels and dill pickle flavored popcorn. I REPEAT. They have Key Lime yogurt pretzels and dill pickle flavored popcorn!
We then scooted over to the gorgeous Santa Barbara Courthouse. This place is unbelievable. Who knew a courthouse could be so special?
Scott doing his best impression.
Scott getting busted by the kid in the back for doing his best impression.
The most glorious grass in the world.
We popped into the Stabiles Mobile Boutique (so cute!) before visiting my new favorite vintage store—Punch.
Our next stop was The Funk Zone, a cute section of town with lively tasting rooms, art galleries & restaurants.
(He’s so cute.)
The Valley Project was our favorite wine stop. The interior was super casual & loungy, plus the wine wizards were incredibly nice.
We met some friends on the way to the next winery. Still a little upset we didn’t take these Husky-Corgi rescues home! Mer!
On our last day, we woke up early to grab some pour over coffee from French Press. We needed some fuel before our hike through Jesusita Trail to Inspiration Point.
He will boulder anything.
This guy really wanted to come hike with us.
Did I mention it rained and turned the second half of the hike into a mudslide all the way down? I don’t think I’ve ever laugh-cried so much. Terrifying, yet so fun.
We cleaned up then watched the skaters at the local skatepark near the beach. Possibly one of my favorite sounds.
Before we headed home, we treated ourselves to our first lobster dinner, complete with a heaping cup of Clam Chowder. I think it’s safe to say this was one of my favorite weekends ever. So far…
Let me start this post out by yelling I LOVE THE BIG EASY! One of my besties (Hey Bon!) is getting married in NOLA next month, so the other bridesmaids and I planned a New Orleans themed bridal shower to celebrate. We made Hurricanes, New Orleans Sin dip, shrimp cocktails in the shape of ♥♥♥ and a ton more Southern goodies. Enjoy the photos from the bridal shower, then continue on to view the rest of the pics from the 1950’s themed bachelorette party we hosted in Temecula. It was quite the weekend—one that I know none of us will forget.
We woke up early the next morning to primp for our vintage 1950’s (ish) themed bachelorette party in Temecula. After a couple hours in the car, we checked into the South Coast Winery Resort & Spa before heading down the road to the gorgeous Leoness Cellars Winery for a wine tasting and dinner. We then went back to the beautiful villas at South Coast and stayed up late laughing, swapping stories in the hot tub and of course sipping more wine. If you’re a wine lover, the Cabernet Sauvignon, Radical Rosé and Viognier are musts. If you’re a travel lover (duh), I highly recommend putting both of these wineries on your Wanderlust Pinterest boards.
Photo from Distractify
Over the weekend, I hosted a vintage inspired bachelorette party in Temecula with six other spectacular women for one of our best friends. I acted as the historian of the weekend, documenting our shenanigans along the way. I’m currently in the middle of a photo editing frenzy, so enjoy these quick snaps or follow along on Instagram while you wait for the full post. Don’t worry, ladies… I won’t be including all the photos.
So gorgeous, isn’t she?! Stay tuned for more!
I first discovered Solvang, California during a camping trip at Pismo Beach. My friends insisted we stop through this adorable Danish paradise on the way back to LA. I was completely enamored with the quiet streets shaded by beautiful trees, small town charm & hospitality from local shop & restaurant owners and of course the wines from the Santa Ynez Valley. I made a mental note to return, and unlike a million other mental notes that never come to fruition, this one did. Scott and I took the 2-ish hour drive up the coast a few months back. Scroll down to view photos of our trip & a few places and people you must visit when you take yours.
We stayed at the Hamlet Inn, a cute hotel that’s part of the Shelter Social Club family. Its location couldn’t be better. You can walk to any restaurant, tasting room and shop in town, and it’s right across the street from Paula’s Pancake House and the Solvang Brewing Company. How cute is the room and those bikes?!
After dropping our bags, we were anxious to explore. We didn’t get very far because our lunch destination was also right across the street. (See? Perfect location!) The Succulent Café offers a relaxing setting to enjoy savory sandwiches, salads filled with ingredients from local farms, a charcuterie bar and fresh lemonade. The cheese plate and spicy fried chicken sandwich made with Point Reyes blue cheese & Sriracha ranch were both ridiculously good. Stop by for lunch (closed on Tuesdays) for a casual grab & go type of experience, or for dinner for full-service fanciness. Breakfast is also offered on weekends.
After lunch, we strolled through town, admiring the Danish culture and meeting friendly local horses and dogs along the way.
Royal Oaks was our first wine stop thanks to the recommendation and free tasting vouchers from the Hamlet Inn. After wine, we skipped over to the Solvang Restaurant walk-up window for a taste of the town’s famous treat: Aebleskivers. Delish!
In need of a pick-us-up, we sipped on espresso outside of Cafe Dolce. This lil’ shop also offers fresh juices and other sweet treats.
Now for the best part of the trip! I met Amanda, one of the owners of Cali Love Wine and lead singer of Spun Honey, on that first trip to Solvang. When I told her we were coming back for a more legit visit, she was kind enough to give me so many amazing recommendations on what to do in her sweet town. We had so much fun hanging with her and Jill. Thanks again for showing us around, new friends!
You must stop into Cali Love on your trip to Solvang. I mean, their tasting room is a guitar museum! And their wines? Yum. I think it was the Pink Moon Syrah Rosé that sealed the deal on me joining my very first wine club. I can’t wait to get my fall shipment! Stop by to enjoy a few sips during the day (closed on Tuesdays) or on Saturday nights for live music! Yahhoo, can’t wait to get back to see these sweet faces!