She's a 10

I've posted on the Sea as a Cure before, and I'll say it again: it does marvelous things for the soul. One of my most favorite aspects of living in San Francisco is the access to beautiful landscapes. I love weekend adventures and this past weekend didn't fall short of that fondness. It wasn't my first trip to Pt. Reyes, but it certainly took the cake for being the most impactful. Point Reyes is located in Marin County just shy of 30 miles west-northwest of San Francisco. The region is bounded by Tomales Bay on the northeast (home to some of our country's best oysters), and Bolinas Lagoon (a popular surf spot) on the other side, southeast. A majority of the land is protected as part of Point Reyes National Seashore and interestingly, bounded to the east by the San Andreas Fault. The landscape will captivate even the most discerning discoverer.

I spent my Saturday grinning ear to ear on Pt. Reyes' South Beach dodging the powerful waves, a product of the seriously dangerous rip current the beach is notorious for. It was my first daring swim in the Pacific since moving west and as I sit here writing this post, I wish I could teleport back to that moment. Nothing makes me happier than salty hair, sunshine and being with the ocean. Post-swim, My Mother and I basked in the sun with wine and sandy newspapers, with the alluring landscape around us....Heaven!

Take Note: City Stay

When accommodations were impossible to come by during the America's Cup, I took note of Jackson Court, where my friend's Mother stayed during her visit to San Francisco for the races. Thus, when my Mother visited this past weekend, she stayed at Jackson Court for the first time. The inn, a historic brownstone mansion from 1900, is perched atop Jackson and Buchanan streets, prime Pacific Heights territory. Nestled among the tree-lined street, the inn is a rather attractive specimen that will greet you with an arched entrance and lush courtyard that will make you feel as if you never left home. I personally think the inn is perfect for parents or in-laws visiting if you live nearby. (Above some photographs snapped by yours truly). See more, here.

The Ultimate Luxury

  This weekend certainly had me thinking. I spent it with my two best friends, soaking up the sunshine across the Golden Gate bridge at a dear friend's home. Early mornings were spent with refreshing swims in the pool, followed by coffee on the terrace while listening to the birds hum their morning tune and watching the sun fill the yard with its warmth. We hunted for fresh cherry tomatoes and scallions in the garden for omelet ingredients, and later poured ourselves into books and magazines by the dark-bottomed pool. I found myself reflecting on how simple our days were, yet how happy they made me. Perhaps this is the definition of summer to many, however that definition changes when you live in San Francisco. Just the vision of lush shrubs and greenery and the act of sourcing our breakfast ingredients from the garden filled my soul with delight. A joyful garden, in my opinion, is an ultimate luxury. I am devoting this post to the simplicities of life and the beauty and luxury they often bestow. Images above are from Mark D. Sikes' curated collection via Pinterest. Be sure to follow his blog, also, a C&C favorite!

Delish!

I love beets and this recipe looks like a fun one to try at home - perhaps even an excellent menu item when hosting brunch. See more simple toast recipes here.

Chef

I just saw 'Chef' the delightful feel-good flick meets culinary comedy about a chef who in the depth of his career, takes a risk to follow his passion for cooking, ultimately bringing him close to the things that matter most in his life, namely, his son. Thematically, we've all seen films of this sort, however I found it refreshing as a new-age, lighthearted reminder of the things dear to our personal joy. The film is accompanied by a fun cast, snappy soundtrack, and a road trip to some good old-fashioned cuisine capitals. View the trailer, here.

B&W

Sometimes, a little black and white can be just right.

Language of Color

Amidst a haircut last week, I tuned my hairdresser out for a solid 15 minutes while engrossed in this article in C Magazine. Admittedly, the portrait of the handsome hunk R. Nelson Parrish is what immediately caught my fancy. The interview that accompanied the photographs however proved that there's more that meets his soulful eyes and athletic stature. The Alaska-born artist sits in his Santa Barbara studio, surrounded by leftover fragments of wood, fiberglass and bio-resin from his work, discussing the inspiration behind his art and life's tribulations that have brought him to some colorful intersections. Aside from his signature totems (which Rob Lowe and John Legend have purchased a bounty of), he also consults on selected projects, including "Soul Poles", limited edition hand painted bamboo ski poles. The artist says he was inspired by early morning back country skiing, an inspiration that eventually garnered a feature in Vogue, Outdoor Magazine, and the like. Be sure to read the interview above and view his portfolio here.

Tablescape & Landscape

I'll preface with the fact that you'll want (need) to look at this album in its entirety. Merely the tablescapes and landscapes from Erica Pelosini & Louis Leeman's wedding amidst the lemon trees in Capri brought me to a mental moment of lust. Tall orchids and fragrant rosemary in terra cotta pots decorated a dimly lit dinner table post nuptials, while a collection of citrus and bougainvillaea speckled a table for the rehearsal dinner the night prior. The tablscapes and landscapes were just small components, however - this wasn't just a wedding - it was truly an event. The Italian fashion maven and Dutch shoemaker certainly threw quite the fête, Instagram-ready at every glance, for even the most discerning eye. See more, here.

Weekend Words

live in

the sunshine.

swim in the sea.

drink the

wild air.

- Emerson

Sweet Dreams

My friends close to me know I'm serious about my sleep wear and I was just delighted to spot these PJs last evening at Serena & Lily's Summer Trunk Show. They would make the perfect addition to a summer PJ collection, from nodding off to evening sea breezes to scanning the morning paper with your caffeinated brew. See details here.