Sierra Nevadas

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves."-John Muir

Growing up, my grandparents had a cabin in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. They had designed the house to hold their family (there are a lot of us).  My cousins, aunts, and uncles would all head up a few times a year and I can honestly say that those were some of my favorite memories. I'll never forget the time my cousins and I went into the drained lake and got covered in mud (wearing our new back to school clothes) and my aunts made us walk back to the house in our underwear. My memories of my grandpa making all of us Mickey Mouse waffles and air popped popcorn in a paper bag are now some of my most treasured memories. I learned to ski, hike, and be astounded by the beauty of nature at that cabin.

So when my grandparents decided they no longer wanted the responsibility of a second home, I begged my parents to buy it from them. Luckily, my dad seemed to harbor the same nostalgia I did, and he bought the house. Everyone in our family still uses the place, and whenever I make it home I try to get in a trip.

A few weeks ago, I flew back to California and my first day home, my parents and I drove up to the cabin. Happily enough, my best friends family also has a place a mile from ours and they decided to join us. It was a quick trip, but it was perfect. We wine tasted and went hiking in some of the most gorgeous places. Even with the drought, the Sierras were vibrant with life.

Gorgeous flower at my parents house. 

Upon arrival at our cabin, we promptly headed into town for lunch. The restaurant we frequent serves one of my favorite drinks of all time-The Florsecco. It is basically prosecco and hibiscus (complete with a hibiscus flower). It is the perfect lunch drink-it isn't to heavy, it's totally refreshing, and it tastes exactly like a summer day. I need to try and replicate it at home.

After having lunch, we met up with my best friend and her mom. We spent the rest of the day wine tasting at the numerous wineries in the area. I have got to admit-I may have overindulged…

Featured Fashion: Free People Shorts, Francescas Necklace

 Wine tasting with your family, best friend, and dog in the most perfect weather imaginable is not a bad way to spend a day.

The next day we embarked on one of my dad's favorite hikes. He used to backpack quite a bit and he seems to always have great spots for us to go.  This is one of the best hikes-it's kind of off the beaten track so it is rarely crowded and there are a ton of lakes along the way- which provide great scenic overlooks and great swimming holes for the dogs.

My dog (the golden) and my best friends black lab became close friends on their adventuring.

Seriously though, how cute is Brody? He is the most photogenic dog I have ever had.

I am so blessed to be able to come to a place like this with my family. The quote at the start of this post is a John Muir quote about the Sierras. Mr. Muir was right-there is something magical about the area, and I couldn't be happier that I get to visit from time to time...

Cheers XX

Summer Beauty Updates

"People often say that beauty is in the eye of the behold, and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing that you are the beholder". - Salma Hayek

I know we're well into summer now that it's late July, but I'm hoping for a longer summer. (Especially, since winter lasted for an eternity this year.)  Anyways, I wanted to share some of the products I'm using for this summer.

When in comes to my summer make-up, I try and stick to a more natural look with one burst of color. I focus on a lot of neutrals, golds,  and browns.

Here is the pre-make up look:

I use two different bronzers to start off the look. The one of the left is a Physicians Formula bronzer and the one of the right is a two-in-one illuminator and bronzer from Lorac.  I use the lighter bronzer as an all-around powder. The darker color I use in a more concentrated location (right on the hollow of my cheeks and around my temples. I run the highlighter above my eyebrow and along the top of my cheekbone in an attempt to catch the light.

I them use a lighter blush on the apples of my cheeks. I am currently using Bare Minerals in Aphrodisiac.

 My eye make-up is also a Physician's Formula product. I am using the Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Shadow in Natural Nudes. I absolutely love this palette, it's super natural and there are a ton of possible combinations.

 The last thing I use is a bright lip crayon from Revlon. I think summer is the perfect month for a fun punch of color. My current favorite is Sweetheart out of the Just Bitten collection.

Here is a quick look at the finished product:

Have a great rest of the summer!

xxx

The City By The Bay

"If you’re alive, you can’t be bored in San Francisco.  If you’re not alive, San Francisco will bring you to life……San Francisco is a world to explore. It is a place where the heart can go on a delightful adventure. It is a city in which the spirit can know refreshment every day."- William Saroyan

I went home for a week and spent some time in the City by the Bay (San Francisco). Now that I am a real life adult, a lot of my friends live in the City, and every time I head back to California, I end up spending time there. I made the mistake while growing up of not really taking advantage of living so close to arguably the greatest city in America (FOOLISH).

Foggy Day on the Golden Gate

My mom and I decided to head across the Golden Gate to the more scenic side of the San Francisco area.  We decided to do a bit of hiking in the Marin Headlands. I had never been out there before, and I was completely awe-struck by how gorgeous it was. I honestly didn't even feel like I was in CA anymore; it had that mystical, foggy, craggy feel of the British Isles or Ireland.

Marin

We pulled over at the research/information center and decided to walk down a trail towards the ocean. It was a typical foggy Bay Area day, but the perfect brisk temperature. I couldn't believe how green the area was, especially considering the major drought in the state. (My parents have been rationing water like champs).

We walked along until we hit the Pacific Ocean, and we would have had a perfect view of the Golden Gate Bridge, but the fog was ridiculously thick. Either way, the fog adds to the aura of San Francisco.

After our walk, we decided to drive over to the lighthouse (which I honestly didn't know existed until we saw it on a map). Lighthouses are my mother and my new thing. We ventured out to Tybee Island when we were in Savannah to go see one, so we figured it would be worth it to go see one closer to home.

This is my favorite picture from our adventures. I loved the wild flowers against the water. 

It was a very different lighthouse than the ones I've seen previously. It's located on this desolate rock that is only accessible via a wobbly suspension bridge. 

You have to go through a few dark tunnels before you get to see the ocean, the Golden Gate, & the Lighthouse. 

After venturing around the outskirts of the city, we ventured into San Francisco and met my father for dinner at Gary Dankos. 

Honestly, for the quality and price of the restaurant I expected more, but it was a really fun experience. You pay a flat fee and then choose either 3, 4, or 5 courses.  By far the best parts of my meal were the lobster courses. I had a lobster avocado salad and a lobster tail that were both amazing. 

My least favorite course was the beef. It was over marinated and salted way too much for my liking.  I did have decent experiences with the cheese plates and the variety of desserts we ordered (we lover our desserts).

I can't wait to go back to San Francisco and do the tourist thing all over again!

Cheers xx

Savannah

"Savannah is truly unique. It has the party atmosphere of New Orleans, the historic value of Boston, and the charm of the Old South."- J. Bennett

I know it has been a while since I have written, but I plan to make up for it. I have some exciting adventures coming up.  Over Memorial Day weekend, I went on a spontaneous weekend jaunt to the incredible Southern Gem, Savannah, Georgia. My mother flew out from SFO and met me in D.C. and we continued on to 'The Most Haunted City in America'.

Wormsloe Historical Site

Forsynth Fountain 

Savannah was amazing. It is beautiful, full of great food (like really great food), and the weather was perfect.  You can feel the history all around you. The city's aesthetic is incredible. Everyone you meet can tell you a story about Savannah (most involve ghosts or alcohol).

We wandered down the Spanish Moss covered streets and darted in and out of antique stores and art galleries. I'm 99% sure some of the antique stores we checked out were chalk full of spirits and ghost, but that made it even more fun. 

My mom came across a massive outdoor instrument in Forsynth Park which she played with so much skill.

This was the first time in months that I used my DLSR. I'm so glad I broke out my camera to capture everything that was Savannah.  

I have got to say, The Olde Pink House in Savannah was one of the best meals I have ever had. Everything was perfect and I think I could have continued eating another 6 courses. I also highly recommend eating at Alligator Soul. I tried oysters for the first time on this trip, and I am now completely obsessed with all oysters. 

I am a completely strange person that finds cemeteries to be completely stunning. I made my mother walk to Bonaventure cemetery in Savannah and it was astounding. The moss coupled with the gorgeous monuments and the unreal lighting made the afternoon spectacular.

We spent our last day wandering around the Wormsloe Historical Site. The mile long oak lined driveway is honestly one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. If you're ever in Savannah, I would recommend a visit.

Shoes: Illusion Heels, Dress: Slip Dress 

I do love getting dressed up for drinks and incredible food. Having an amazing riverfront view, cold prosecco, and delightful appetizers was the perfect way to spend our last night.

Cheers xx