Friends, I’ve been so excited to put this list together for you! The truth is, London is one of my very favorite cities in the world – I’ve visited a few times, and was lucky enough to live there once upon a time. It just never loses its luster. So, when I give you a list of my very favorite things to do in London, I know of what I speak. Read on
Yesterday, I made some soup in my Vitamix. As I cringed while I poured my pumpkin/squash/carrot concoction into the blender, desperately hoping it wouldn’t turn into a globby mess that spewed all over my cabinets, it reminded me that I’d meant to tell you all about my Vitamix experience. Read on
Friends, I have so much to tell you about the wonderful time I had in London last week! But first things first – I know you want the scoop on my retail adventures, and goodness knows there’s plenty to tell. In four days, I managed to hit Portobello Road, Liberty of London, Harrods, Topshop, Selfridges, the V&A Museum shop, Cath Kidson, and of course Boots. To say nothing of the sightseeing, eating, theatre and my afternoon at the Four Seasons. Exhausted? Yep. Worth it? Totally.
While I catch my breath, I thought I’d show you a few of my favorite finds from London. Don’t fret – after some very careful sleuthing, I’ve found spots you can nab each and every one of these goodies right here in these United States. Read on
Is there anything more blissful than one of those picture-perfect fall weekends? The air is crisp, the leaves are changing, and all you want is a day at a pumpkin patch and a hot spiced cider. It’s positively idyllic. And yet…I found a way to improve on it.
If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know I spent a weekend in Half Moon Bay recently – specifically at the Ritz-Carlton property there, which was (predictably) amazing. Friends, all I can tell you is that if you’re looking for that idyllic fall weekend, this is exactly where you want to be. It turns out that fall is peak season in Half Moon Bay. Summer’s fog (and the tourist traffic) has cleared out, and there are pumpkin patches as far as the eye can see. (Did you have any idea that HMB was the pumpkin capital of the world? Me neither.)
Sure, you could stay at any of the perfectly nice hotels along Highway 1 as you head into town. But really, if you’re going for idyllic, why on earth would you stay anywhere besides the Ritz? I’m a ridiculously lucky girl, so this isn’t the first time I’ve stayed at a Ritz-Carlton property. And every time, the service is other-worldly, the food is exceptional, and the rooms are stunning. But this particular Ritz might be my favorite of all. Read on
Friends, I have to tell you…I have a whole list of posts in my head to write, but not one of them is making a bit of sense to me today. Why? Because I’M GOING TO LONDON THIS WEEK!!
Excited much? I know it’s obnoxious of me, but honestly, there are third graders who weren’t alive the last time I left the country, and I am as giddy as a kid on her way to Disneyland. Instead of doing all of the work I should be doing, my head is spinning with everything I have to do to get ready to go (pack! figure out how to look celeb-chic on a 12-hour flight! download iPad apps!), everything I want to do while I’m there (Topshop! Harrods! Tea at the Four Seasons!), and everything I’m planning to buy while I’m there (Brit fashion mags! Strepsils! Cadbury!!!).
All of those exclamation points…friends, this is the mental space I’m in right now. I actually lived in London once upon a time, so I’ve done all of the touristy goods (and then some). In other words, I’m there to shop. (And eat, but that’s another story.)
So, in part because it’s fun, and in part because there’s literally nothing else I can focus on right now, I thought I’d give you a little pre-trip rundown of the London shopping stops on my list, and the goods I’m hoping to have in my suitcase when I board my flight back home. Read on
As some of you may have noticed (particularly if you’re hanging with me on Instagram), I’ve been spending a little more time in San Francisco and a little less time in Portland, OR lately. But, last month I had a fantastic excuse to hop back over to PDX and see what’s new. And I’ve been missing so much! One thing about Portland is that it’s always, always changing – turn your back for a second, and there are 15 new restaurants, 7 new boutiques and at least 2 new food trends you can’t miss.
So, I thought I’d share an updated list of my favorite things to do in the City of Roses. Some are new finds, others are old favorites, but all are 100% SMC-approved! Read on
As you might have noticed (no pressure), I’ve been working on getting my photography skills a bit beyond the range of “out-of-focus selfie”, and somewhere closer to “barely presentable”. In that pursuit, my photographer-in-residence (aka Hubs) recently picked out a very fancy new camera for me to start practicing on. Mind you, calling this an uphill battle is a serious understatement – my patience for learning about new technology is roughly on par with my dog’s patience for learning to shake paws.
But, the one thing I’m really good at? Accessorizing it! As you might expect, I immediately started my usual obsessive hunt for the perfect camera bag. Which, as it turns out, is harder than I thought. You see, this is a big-girl camera, and as I quickly learned, those twee little “camera bags” you’re seeing at department stores aren’t actually camera bags at all. Too small, no padding…it’s a trick!
Then, I happened on Lo & Sons, and I swear to you, it was like the clouds parted. Started by two sons when their mom needed a travel bag that wouldn’t injure her back, this is a brand that’s devoted to making a few things, and obsessing over them until they’re perfect. My kind of people!
Case in point: this beautiful Claremont camera bag. It’s deep enough for my big-girl camera, with room for an extra lens if I get fancy (or room for my wallet and keys if I don’t). And I could easily – easily – tote this around even the most fashionable city without shame. In fact, I’ve even been stopped a couple of times with compliments for it. By people who had no idea it was a camera bag. Read on
For those of you that haven’t guessed, I have a pretty serious sweet tooth. In fact, one of my fantasy careers has always been to own a candy shop. I’d be like Dylan Lauren…but probably about 50 lbs heavier from being around all that Cadbury (and, sadly, without the billion-dollar family legacy and a private yurt).
But I’m also a food snob. So, while I’ll certainly dig into an Oreo from time to time, it’s really the handmade goodies that make my heart sing. I’m what you’d charitably call a decent baker, but I’ve always dreamed of mastering the art of candymaking. Candy is as much chemistry as culinary art, and since even my college chem professor agreed I was a disaster in that particular field, I’ve always been openly in awe of those who do it well.
All this to say that when I got word Jami Curl (she of massive local fame for perfecting what is, quite simply, the best cupcake in Portland) had opened a chic new candy shop in town, my ears perked up. And when she told me that, instead of stocking the usual pre-produced fare, she was making her wares from scratch? I went from interested to obsessed in a hurry.