My Best Friend's Wedding

This past Saturday was the wedding of one of my dearest and best friends, Kendall, and her main squeeze, Adam! I’ve known Kendall since we were 12 years old - we met when we joined forces to run our middle school’s ASB Leadership team. Yup, we were pretty damn cool back then {15 years later we still are!}. Watching her walk down the sweeping steps overlooking the stunning rustic setting, looking positively glowing and beautiful, was unquestionably an unforgettable vision. It was even more special to walk down the aisle as one of her bridesmaids.

The entire day was romantic and beautiful. As the festivities unfolded, we sipped on refreshing cocktails, savored a delicious BBQ dinner, and socialized with our very best friends. The wedding party was equally as fun with a total of 20 bridesmaids and groomsmen in tow, yowzaa! I love that she included all of her dearest friends and family members to share this special moment in her life. Congrats again to Mr. & Mrs. Klein! I feel so happy and so fortunate to know two amazing and lovely individuals who compliment each other so well. ♥

The Newlyweds

Toasting to Kendall + Adam + to our health

Mamacita + beautiful baby Emelina Pearl

Summer Style: Pretty Pastels

Nothing compliments a warm summer day more than a sweet and pretty pastel piece. It's been getting warmer everyday so you'll definitely need a wardrobe item that can match the weather outside. While color hues like pastel mint and lavender have been taking the streets by storm, I prefer a more timeless approach to the trend and opted for this light and airy pastel peach dress. I love the soft, girly appeal that can be dressed down with simple flats or spruced up with a neutral colored wedge for a hot summer night out. 

P.S. One of my best friends is getting married this weekend! I've known her since we were 12 years old and I'm so excited to share this special moment in her life! 

Sail Away With Me To San Diego

Last weekend I spent a few incredible days learning how to sail with my entire Sonoma State University EMBA class. It was one of the best experiences of my life, proving to be both intense and rewarding. Until last Thursday my few sailing experiences included a sunset sail with a bottle of wine, while comfortably being nestled under blankets, thinking that this was the life. Le sigh. Despite the less glamorous setting, this excursion was even better than I ever imagined, while getting to know some pretty stellar & dynamic people.

In fact, the goal of this experience wasn’t just to learn how to sail, but instead was to focus on leadership and team building while having fun! Let me emphasize by telling you that those are not easy skills to hone while also learning to do something as physical and technical as sailing with the aim of winning a competitive race. My muscles are still screaming. Yelp!

I feel so lucky to have shared this experience with all of my classmates and can’t wait to see how the next 16 months unfolds {hold on to your pantalones!}. These are the people and relationships that I feel are going to be important to me for the rest of my life, something rare and truly special.Isn’t that simply marvelous? Sailing in sunny San Diego wasn’t too shabby either – it was amazingly gorgeous!

P.S. Today is also my beautiful mom's birthday! Happy Birthday Mamacita! You're such a beautiful soul - compassionate, generous, hardworking and kind. I hope your day is full of as much joy as you bring to my life. Te quiero mucho!

Auction Napa Valley 2012

You are cordially invited to the most extraordinary wine event in the world...

Auction Napa Valley has come and gone but I couldn't resist highlighting the decadent wine filled weekend that raised $8 Million for charity! My mom and I attended Saturday’s iconic Live Auction Day at Meadowood Resort where we hosted a table, poured Ceja Vineyards wines & participated in one of the live auction lots.

The over-the-top live auction was held in a huge white tent where, for more than three hours, 800 bidders, vintners and media socialized, cheered and chose to bid on more than 40 extravagant live auction lots. Why should you bid? Since its inception in 1981, Auction Napa Valley has given more than $100 million to dozens of Napa County health, youth development and affordable housing non-profits – pretty awesome!

Top Three Live-Auction Lots

1. Chappellet: $720,000

• A 12-day African safari for four, dinner for 10 at the winery and four large-format bottles. Winning bid was $360,000, paid by two separate bidders.

2. Chappellet, Chateau Montelena, Gargiulo, Raymond, Shafer and Silver Oak: $460,000

• A private concert for 28 people with Lady Antebellum, two-night trip to London and six large-format bottles.

3. Antica Napa Valley and Dalla Valle: $300,000

• Three-night excursion in Napa for four, 10-night trip to Tuscany for four and 16 large-format bottles {Yay Maya!}.

If that still doesn’t quite do it for you, the food just might. Famed chef, Thomas Keller kicked off lunch with Ad Hoc’s fried chicken and Gotts Road House stand served over 700 burgers during the live auction. Emeril Lagasse hosted a sunset dinner on the lawn that included salmon crudo and roasted Colorado lamb rack accompanied with more than 200 Magnums of wine to pair. Doesn’t get much better than that! Ole!

P.S. I'm heading to San Diego today with my EMBA class to sail with the USA Women's America's Cup team. More info later! Have a fabulous weekend!

Comfortable Classics

Recipe for Style: Colorful + Comfy Classics

Lately I’ve been favoring simple basics with a twist – a long white skirt, a colorful top, leather belt, vintage beaded jewelry, a pair of my favorite white ankle strap sandals and a carryall that I’m currently obsessed with. When it comes to comfortable classics I like to keep my outfits colorful, casual & breezy but also like to switch it up with a pointy toe stiletto heel or a wedge to add a little edge. This outfit is good for a lazy Sunday afternoon, brunch, playing bocce ball or going wine tasting {obvi}. 

With summer around the corner what pieces are you mixing into your wardrobe?

Banana Republic Skirt, Urban Outfitters Top, Vintage Necklace, Belt & Earings, Bracelets via INTI, ASOS Chevron Rings & Melie Bianco Purse