SF Sunset Sailing

I was 8 years old when I had my first sailing experience.  My mom loves to tell the story that I was the only kid on the sailboat lying on my back with my arms crossed behind my head, commenting that…

[quote][typography font="Homemade Apple" size="22" size_format="px"]this is the life…[/typography] [/quote]

It’s funny, even as a child I was enthusiastic about taking advantage of life’s exciting and magnificent experiences. Last Friday I had the opportunity to relive these feelings and set out on an adventurous sailing trip around the SF Bay.

Having only sailed twice before, I was excited by the prospect of gliding through the San Francisco Bay with nothing but the wind blowing us along. We set sail in the beautiful Sausalito Harbor on a historical sailboat called the Seaward. It was truly a magical experience sitting out in the open sea, taking in the gorgeous panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Three hours seemed to fly by as we enjoyed the seascape while sipping on wine and snacking on cheese and crackers {compliments of Call of the Sea}. Once the sun began to set, I couldn’t peel my eyes away from the most beautiful sky, illuminated with bright orange, pink and blue colors. It was the ideal ending to a memorable afternoon of sailing.

P.s. Make sure to bring warm layers {it gets nippy out there!} Ole!

{Peach scarf courtesy of BLING by Brenda- It's light & airy, perfect for summer!}

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Hotel Yountville - Staycation

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[quote]Once in a blue moon it feels great to pack an overnight bag, stay at a fabulous hotel and unwind from a hectic week at work...[/quote]

I welcomed this idea with open arms and happily left the endless emails and task lists at home. This mini staycation took place at the luxurious Hotel Yountville {located a hop, skip and jump away from the city of Napa}.  As soon as we walked through the gorgeous European styled lobby, I knew that we were in for a truly memorable experience.

The vibe: In the picturesque little town of Yountville, you get a taste of ultra chic and luxurious comfort at your beck and call.

Our itinerary was simple - relax, enjoy a bottle of bubbles while sitting around the outdoor fire pits, take a leisurely stroll and grab a bite to eat at Bistro Jeanty {the tomato soup soufflé is to die for!}. The evening ended underneath the stars with a refreshing night swim in the heated pool. After this relaxing, stress free day, climbing into the four poster "Dream Bed" with its cool, luxurious Italian linens, was an ideal ending to a perfect day.

Overall, I was impressed and blown away with the attention to detail and, most importantly, with the gracious and welcoming staff.  It was the ideal mini getaway that was filled with pampering, relaxation and indulgence. It was truly perfect! Ole!

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{A lovely and delicious welcome gift}

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{Long patterned sexy maxi dress, courtesy of BLING by Brenda}

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{Heated cypress-lined pool. Amazing}

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{Take a stroll in the peaceful outdoor gardens}

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{Relax & read a book next to the outdoor fire pits}

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{Beautiful black feathered earnings, courtesy of BLING by Brenda}

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{Gorgeous European styled lobby}

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{Sit by the fire place & enjoy a glass of Ceja Vineyards "Vino de Casa" blends}

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{Cruise over to the in-house restaurant, Hopper Creek Kitchen, for breakfast. We devoured the most exquisite meal of Brioche French Toast and a Chanterelle Mushroom Omelet}

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{A truly memorable, romantic and exciting destination resort...}

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Two Peas in a Pod

[quote][typography font="Homemade Apple" size="20" size_format="px"]A girl should be two things: Classy and Fabulous -Coco Chanel[/typography][/quote]

This is one of my all time favorite quotes from Coco Chanel, and perfectly describes my friend and photographer, Lianne Milton.  Lianne captures the elegance and beauty of people in her photographs the same way that Chanel captured the elegance and beauty in fashion.

In these lifestyle pictures taken by Lianne, you can see how she has captured the two of us laughing and acting so natural.  A picture is worth a thousand words, and these photos genuinely reflect our positive emotions and very memorable moments.

This weekend is the birthday of my gorgeous cousin, Belen! Belen and I have always been very close, and are really like two peas in a pod.  I am fortunate to have so many wonderful women in my life, but Belen has always felt like the sister I never had.  She is one of my best friends and "partner in crime"!

Happy Early Birthday darling cousin! I can’t wait to celebrate with you this weekend! Ole!

p.s. To view more of Lianne Milton’s work please visit www.liannemiltonphotography.com {she rocks!}

Mexican Fruit Salad

[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="22" size_format="px"]I don’t know about you, but the warm summer weather makes me crave the refreshing taste of fruit![/typography]

I’m fortunate to live close to many fresh fruit stands, and on my way home yesterday I bought the freshest, sweetest assortment of white peaches, nectarines, papayas, mangos and cucumbers. At home, with my bag of goodies, I decided to make my version of the ultimate Mexican fruit salad. The inspiration for this refreshingly delicious snack comes from the outdoor Mexican fruit stands, or "puestos de frutas", that serve fresh fruit with a pinch of chili powder, salt and lime juice {my favorite snack when visiting Mexico!}.

If you’re tired of the “standard fruit salad” {with melon, watermelon, grapes and bananas} then this recipe is for you. I’ve made this salad several times, with various fruit combinations, and it never fails to please. It’s a truly sublime concoction. You get the exotic sweetness from the seasonal fruits {papaya & white peaches}, the crunchiness from the cucumbers, the subtle spiciness from the chili powder and the acidity from the lime juice.

{Fresh Papaya}

{I love the color combination of the chopped fruit & my handmade tablecloth from Mexico}

{My grandmother's chile powder: chili flakes, cayenne pepper & chile ancho powder}

It’s a healthy snack alternative and I love that it’s so easy to make! Be prepared to share with everyone and watch it disappear! If you want some for yourself, make extra. That way you can still have fruit salad for breakfast {maybe with a warm slice of banana bread and a big, steaming cup of tea?}. Yes, please!

Mexican Fruit Salad

Ingredients: Serves 4 people

• 1 Papaya
• 2 Mangos
• 4 White Peaches
• 1 Cucumber
• 3 Nectarines
• Lime juice
• Salt to taste
• *2 pinches of chili powder
• Optional: a splash of Tapatio sauce

*You can find the chile powder at most supermarkets & Latino stores

Directions:

Prepare the fruit. Slice up the fruits and cucumber into semi-big pieces and spears— {In Mexico this is street food, often eaten with your fingers}. You can make the salad ahead, up to this point, and chill the fruit until you’re ready to serve.

Assemble the salad. Place the fruit in a large bowl. Squeeze the juice {of one lime} over it and season generously with salt and chili powder. Stir gently and keep adding, stirring and tasting until you pick up the flavor of the chili powder and a little heat. Add as much chili powder as you and your dinner guests can comfortably take—that’s a key part of this salad’s charm. Serve immediately and enjoy! Ole!

Thrifty Train Tracks

[quote]Whether you call it recycled, resale, vintage or thrift, I call it Fashion...[/quote]

One of my absolute favorite places to shop in the Bay Area is Crossroads Trading Company. It’s a clothing store that buys, sells and trades women's and men’s designer attire. I call it my personal treasure chest and always walk out with amazing fashion gems.

If you’re a vintage or thrift store shopaholic who loves designer fashion, this is the place for you. I could honestly spend hours browsing the neat and tidy racks, obsessing over each color coordinated section {the dress section is my personal favorite!}. What I’ve always said about this store is "Great fashion for great prices, and Crossroads nails it!"

I found this long, coral, vintage maxi dress at Crossroads a few weeks ago and thought this was the perfect outfit to welcome and embrace the long awaited summer heat. I accented the dress with flat sandals, my new favorite turquoise pendant from Versa Jewelry {by Caitlin Clarke} and a leather belt from Sola Lucy Boutique in Berkeley. I love this outfit’s simplicity, yet it has a fun and flirty bohemian chic appeal.

There is something so rustic, edgy & adventurous about walking down abandoned train tracks so I thought this would be the perfect backdrop to showcase this outfit. The setting also reminds me of one of my favorite childhood movies, Stand by Me, which brings warm, familiar, summer feelings. What are some of your favorite summer memories?