So grateful for a week of family time back home where it all began for me, California. Tucked away in San Diego is the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. We were surrounded by lush gardens, blue skies, and the scent of the ocean. It’s California elegance with so much history and beauty and architecture. Being present feels so easy here. The days stretch out longer and I could really take a beat to slow down. I spent most of our time reading by the pool or listening to live music at Lilian’s. This hotel has a special place in my heart.
It feels like I’ve been living on an airplane, so to look back at this day is giving me a breath of fresh air. Two more hours until the gorgeous beaches of the Cayman Islands. I am so ready for landing it’s not even funny. More to come from this work trip, but for now, let’s take a flash back to this perfect little silk number at sundown from back in Palm Springs.
There’s something about Marni that I’ve always loved. It’s the prints. It’s the unexpected silhouettes…like this boxy little jacket from the Marni x Yooxcollaboration. It’s something you’d find in your grandmother’s closet in Beverly Hills, but with a cool youthful spin. Somehow these tailored little jackets add a touch of glam to every casual look. I took these quirky pieces out to the grassy fields of the valley of Los Angeles. I’m always dressing these dry fields with splashes of color from my wardrobe. I’m always painting the town. These are the hills I’d ride my bike through as a kid. Where I’d lay out and get a tan. Where I’d ride off in my car after going through the local drive-through. It’s the place where you always dream of escaping…to go somewhere bigger and better. If it weren’t for these boring valley streets did I feel such drive, such motivation, and such courage to get myself out there. To create. To live. To love. I take my slight valley gal accent to every city I end up traveling to with pride. Once a Cali girl, always a Cali girl.
Winters are the west coast are a completely different type of escape. Still a bit chilly, but a lot more relaxed and low-key. Whenever I’m traveling back home to the west coast, I put my best “cardigan weather” outfits together. It’s a term my mother used my whole life to describe our home of Santa Monica. She never went a day without throwing her cardigan in the backseat of the car. To me, “cardigan weather” describes when the sea so bright you have to squint, but the air so crisp you still need your woven knit to take the dog on a walk on the sand. Anything to toss over and wrap around your shoulders once night falls. Winters on the coast in California are all about classic knits and solid colors. I fell in love with the latest selection at Chicwish. They’ve brought back the vintage-inspired mustard turtleneck and hunter green wrapped skirts. Not to mention, beautiful flowing flared sleeved sweaters. It’s a fun, updated version on all a nubby classic. California winters are all about taking long walks under the tall trees while hearing the waves crashing in the distance. There really is nothing like it. It’s so peaceful. I like to soak in all of nature’s beauty. Carmel has some of the whitest sand on the California coast, making it even more magical and bright. When I’m home, I suddenly become my most effortless self. Less makeup. Natural beach waves. Just my staple pieces that I packed into my carry-on. That’s what I love about this monochrome ensemble…I can wear each piece a million ways and take a million more walks to the seaside in style.
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