Luxe Living for Less
I can’t believe that I’m doing this you guys…but yes, the first home tour of our new house that I’m posting is a No Makeup Home Tour. No staged, professionally photographed glamour shots in this post. But I guess it makes for good “before” pictures, right? When Kyla first invited me to take part, I had no idea we’d be moving a few weeks later!
Last weekend, the Mr and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary with a little staycation at what I’ve considered one of the most iconic hotels in California, the Claremont hotel. The Claremont has been around since 1915 and it’s like a white beacon on the Oakland/Berkeley border. It’s always inspiring to see its bright, white facade in contrast to the lush green trees and hills it’s nestled in. Growing up I had always wanted to stay there, but until last weekend that dream hadn’t come true. Spending a couple of days there was the perfect way to celebrate our anniversary. And after seeing its amazing architectural details and decor, I knew it was going to be my next Designer Destination. Just check out that pool house and deck done in all white and black, could that be any more perfect?
[Read more…] about Designer Destination | The Claremont Hotel Berkeley
This post is in partnership with Delta® Brand.
A couple of weeks ago I took a little trip to Chicago. Most of you probably followed along on my Instagram. The reason? A Day of Design with Delta and John and Sherry from Young House Love. Such a great concept, right? The plan? An architectural tour around Chicago to gather up inspiration for a design board we were to create using Delta and She She products. I love me some good inspiration AND a good design challenge! Sign me up.
Valentine’s Day is next week! And just like I did last year, I thought it would be perfect to have another Galentine’s Day party. This time around though, I combined it with a Favorite Things party. Have you ever been to one? It’s so much fun. You get your friends together and each person brings some of their favorite things to share with the group. If it’s a large group you can either set a lower gift price or just have everyone bring 3 things and attendees can draw names out of a hat to see who gets what. I hadn’t been to one before, but I’ve been seeing them pop up more and more around the holidays. I was dying to throw one and this was the perfect solution.
You guys might remember the tea party I co-hosted a couple of months ago…well, we did it again! My friend Jessica and I, together with our squad, The Blog Exchange, had our quarterly party. We wanted to celebrate summer so we decided what better way to enjoy that sunshine than to have a picnic…on the beach. Am I right? Those of you who follow me on Snapchat (my username is copycatchic) and on Instagram (also copycatchic) you got to see a little sneak preview! We gathered up some local blogger friends and partnered with some fun sponsors to make it all happen. On to the pictures and pretty details!
So like I mentioned last Friday, my friend Jessica and I hosted a super fun tea party event for our local blogger friends last weekend. Those of you who follow me on Snapchat (my username is copycatchic) and on Instagram (also copycatchic) you got to see a little sneak preview!
We partnered with some amazing sponsors to make it all happen. Not only did they make our event a success, but the ladies attending got to learn more about these great companies. Jessica and I carefully chose companies that we personally love and enjoy, whether they be local to the San Francisco Bay Area or because of their eco-friendly philosophies.
So let’s get on to the pictures, shall we? Then we can talk about all the fun details!
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| ℅ HejDoll |
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| ℅ HejDoll |
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| ℅ HejDoll |
food
munchery
We started off with the fresh fruit salad. It wasn’t your typical fruit salad – it had mango, papaya and kiwi. So tasty. We also had a variety of baked goodies: mini lemon, blueberry/raspberry and banana nut loaves, different kinds of muffins and apple and pear tarts. So delicious. Oh and SO easy. If you didn’t know, Munchery delivers to your door! So I placed my order and had it delivered the evening before. When it came time to set up for the party, all we had to do was set it out 😉 Perfect party food, am I right?
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| ℅ HejDoll |
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| ℅ HejDoll |
FLOWERS
the bouqs
When we saw this unique bouquet with none other than a succulent! We had to have it for our party. I mean, how perfect, right?
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| ℅ HejDoll |
gift bags
Yay everyone loves a goodie bag, am I right? Let me tell you everything that was in ours AND at the bottom you can enter to win one too 🙂
herbivore botanicals
Herbivore sent us their Rose Hibiscus Hydrating Face Mist and Rose Lip Butter. They’re new faves already. That lip balm is…the bomb 😉
love goodly
Love Goodly is a subscription service that I just learned about. They curate bi-monthly boxes that focus on eco-friendly and cruelty-free companies. Their boxes contain nontoxic beauty and skincare items, but also fun things like healthy snacks, and green accessories. They sent us some of their Green Molecule product as well as a gift card to use i their site. They’re also running a promo right now for $6 off their April/May box. Very cool.
zady
Zady is website that offers quality fashion. They’re the epitome of quality over quantity. The pieces they offer are made by knowledgeable craftsmen out of the very best material. I love buying a timeless piece of clothing that I know will last as long as I want to wear it.
vitality bowls
I just recently discovered Vitality Bowls when they opened up a location near me. Such a fun treat. They use super tasty and exotic fruits and berries combined with crunchy granola, coconut, seeds or nuts. They’re super yummy and I love putting them in the freezer and saving them for dessert.
POP ORGANIC CANDY
I discovered this great organic candy shop on Etsy when I ordered organic lavender sugar cubes for the party. I loved their philosophy so much that I asked them if they wanted to give us some of their delicious (and unique) flavored candy for the party and goodie bags. For the party we all sampled organic rosemary and pine nut toffee (my fave), organic floral bark, and popping berry crunch which is like organic pop rocks (yasss!). For the goodie bags we got to sample a couple of their fun lollipop flavors.
THE ART OF TEA
The Art of Tea gave everyone sample tea tins in the goodie bags. Great way to extend the tea tasting fun 😉
THE BOUQS
The Bouqs also gave everyone a coupon code to use when they order flowers. Yay!
world market
We got these adorable bud vases from World Market to put each attendees gift bag. Aren’t they fun?
enter to win
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Okay folks I’m freshly back from Alt Summit and Salt Lake City. I wanted to share with you some of the great places I visited in case you find yourself in that neck of the woods. It was my first time in Utah and I’d love to go back, especially in the fall. I think SLC would be amaaaazing in the fall. So without further ado, here’s the next stop in my 36 hours series: Salt Lake City in 36 hours and under $500!
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| NHMU | slc county building* |
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| HYATT HOUSE* |
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| HYATT HOUSE* |
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| LA BARBA COFFEE | FINCA |
DAY ONE
COFFEE
PUBLIK COFFEE
You’ve got to start the morning off on the right foot and this is the place to do it! $4
BREAKFAST
passion flour
Okay you guys, two words for you here about Passion Flour: VEGAN CROISSANTS. I think the sun has a special ray of light that shines down on this place all. the. time. $6
DO
natural history museum of utah
T his museum is a fun place to spend the day. This landmark building was built to look like a part of the base of the mountains. Great place to go with kids…or even with no kids. $13
LUNCH
sage’s cafe
I had a quick meal here and got the pesto pasta and a milkshake, both vegan of course. And it was delish! $15
PLAY
discovery gateway
If you’re traveling with kids, this is the place to be! $9.50
STAY
HYATT house salt lake city
This is one of Salt Lake City’s newest hotels and it was awesome. I stayed at a different hotel the first few nights while at Alt Summit and I had roommates. SO when I moved over to the Hyatt house it felt so luxurious to have my own suite. A kitchen, living room area and bathroom all to myself. Loved it. The bed was suuuper comfy and the TV swiveled around from facing the living room to facing the bed. Pure awesome. The customer service was top notch too. So helpful. They have this great list of equipment that you can “borrow” while there, from baby high chairs to curling irons. So cool right? Everything was brand spanking new and there was a fun lounge area to hang out in downstairs. Oh and free hot breakfast in the morning? Yes. Please. And can I just say, the price can’t be beat? I priced out the room at $100/night. Pretty sweet deal if you ask me! $100
SHOP
alice lane
Alice Lane is definitely one of SLC’s best home decor shops. A definite must visit!
DINNER
finca
I had dinner at Finca during Alt as part of the Minted sponsored dinner. I was SO happy to be a part of it because Minted’s dinner was in high demand and spots filled up within 10 mins of being announced! The dinner theme was black and white and we were seated in the private dining room. Let me tell you it was GORGEOUS. The wall was covered in luscious black, floral wallpaper and Minted hung some of their art prints selection in modern gold frames. It was stunning. And to top it off Minted used some of their new home collection (napkins, table runners, etc) to outfit the tabletop. The menus and place cards (printed by Minted, of course) coordinated perfectly. No detail was left unfinished. It was a good night. Oh and the food, let me tell you, the food…was just as perfect as the decor. We had some tasty grub and plenty of it. I’ll definitely be going back! $60
DESSERT
Omar’s rawtopia
Omar’s is a raw restaurant if you didn’t pick that up from the name already 😉 They serve lunch and dinner BUT I really want to talk about the dessert. Because…you guys, raw vegan cheesecake. Yep, you read that correctly, cheeeeesecake. Hello. $8
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| PASSION FLOUR | BOHEM |
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| capitol building* | sunset in slc |
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| ZEST | PUBLIK COFFEE |
DAY TWO
BREAKFAST
zest
I had brunch at Zest on Saturday and it was one of the best ways to start a weekend. Hands down. I had the savory chickpea pancakes and man, they were tasty. One of the friends I was with got the buckwheat pancakes and highly recommended those too. I’d love to go back for dinner sometime, because I hear they have some crazy good cocktails. $20
COFFEE
LA BARBA COFFEE
Another tasty local favorite for coffee shop. A friend told me that the locally-owned coffee shops in Salt Lake are so good that Starbucks keeps open up shops and then closing them back down again. Pretty awesome, right? Shop local! $4
DO
TEMPLE SQUARE
Iconic. Stately. Beautiful. Just yes.
LUNCH
budS
Buds is 100% plant based. They have super fun things on the menu like BBQ jackfruit. I mean, come on, you’ve gotta try jackfruit at least once in your life right? $10
PLAY
hogle zoo
Salt Lake City has a great zoo. So fun for the whole family. $15
SHOP
BOHEM
Hipsters paradise in Salt Lake City. This shop has all the modern goods that the inner artist in you, could ever want. Seriously inspiring and worth a peek!
DINNER
forage
I’ve heard you have to make reservations at this place at least 3 months in advance. Luckily when I searched for a spot the day of, they had one availability at like 8:45pm, but still. Tasty bites worth every penny! $90
DESSERT
cakewalk
You guys, you guys…this place has vegan Twinkies! I’m dying right now because I didn’t get to go to this place before heading home. But please, if you’re in SLC, go here and get a vegan twinkie (called a Dillo) and tell me how ‘mazing it is, mkay? $5
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| Minted Black and White Dinner at Finca. Image c/o Amber Reverie. |
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| The florals where gorgeous!** |
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| Dinner conversation 😉 ** |
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| San Francisco Bay Area Bloggers: Rachelle, Sally, Jessica, me and Megan |
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| Waiting to speak…do I look nervous? 😉 With Miranda and Alison.** |
I hope you enjoyed my little foray around Salt Lake City! I know I did and I can’t wait to go back…those vegan croissants and twinkies are calling my name! 😉
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| image via |
one℅ | two℅ | three | four | five | six
seven | EIGHT | nine℅ | ten | eleven
twelve | thirteen℅ | fourteen | fifteen
sixteen℅ | seventeen℅ | eighteen | nineteen
twenty | twenty one℅ | twenty two
twenty three | twenty four℅
As you can see a huge portion of my packing list is from Rent the Runway. They’re a lifesaver for someone like me, who likes to wear the latest styles when I dress up, but doesn’t want to pay full price if I’m just going to wear it once 😉 If you haven’t tried them out yet, you really, really should. I’ve been using them for years. You can get $20 credit (and so will I) if you sign up using this link. This post isn’t sponsored by RtR by the way, although I was able to rent the items above with free credit (happy dance)!
wednesday travel
sponsor dinner with minted
The theme is black and white.
thursday day
thursday night party
Theme is the night sky 🙂
friday day
friday night parties
saturday tours
sunday travel
And just for giggles here’s the last time I went to Alt Summit!
A couple of weeks ago the Mr and I took a little weekend trip to Carmel, CA for our 7th Anniversary. How did 7 years go so fast? It doesn’t seem like that long ago I was planning our wedding.
This year we escaped for the weekend, while the girlie and little man stayed with their Mimi & Papa. First trip without kids, yay! Although I missed them, it was so nice sleeeeeping in!
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| Left: De Tierra Vineyards Tasting Room | Right: Maxine Klaput Antiques |
Have you guys been to Carmel-by-the-Sea? It’s a quaint little Northern California coastal town near Monterey, Pebble Beach AND the Santa Lucia Highlands (wine country). I was so excited when I was offered a press tour to visit, such perfect timing.
We stayed at an adorable Danish-themed inn called the Hofsas House in the perfect location, right on the edge of town. It reminded me of Solvang, CA with it’s quaint, homey and Dutch-influenced decor. It was such a great place to stay because we were within walking distance of everything!
Here is a view of the hotel with its characteristic pink exterior, long balconies, dutch doors and ocean views from pretty much every room (the first image, above was the view from our room)!
There are so many great things to do in town, no driving necessary. Carmel is known for its art galleries, antiques, jewelry shops and more recently, wine – my kind of town! We did a ton of walking around, window shopping and eating with lots of wine tasting in-between. We also took part in the Wine Walk, where you can visit up to 14 different wine tasting rooms all within walking distance to each other. You can even buy wine walk passes at the Hofsas House for a discounted price.
We visited some amazing antique stores as well as browsed a ton of estate jewelry. I love vintage jewelry, it’s so full of character and history. We also tasted olive oil and cheese in addition to the wine!
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| Left: Trio Carmel olive oil tasting | Right: Hildegunn Hawley my favorite rare antique store in town |
Have you guys heard of the Cheese Shop? This is always our first stop whenever we come into town. You walk in and immediately cheese samples of all sorts appear like magic 😉 And for some added bonus points: the Hofsas house welcomed us to the room with a nice bottle of wine and cheeses from the very same place!
We discovered the Carmel Belle completely by accident on our first day and went back everyday after. We even made a quick stop on our drive out for a yummy salad for the road!
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| left: Carmel Belle | right: Caraccioli Cellars |
Speaking of tasty food, the first night we hopped in the car for a quick drive over to the Beach House in Pacific Grove. And yes, the food is just as amazing as the view!
The second night we walked to the Grill on Ocean Ave in Carmel, which was perfect after a day of wine tasting 😉 The atmosphere here was so friendly and boisterous which is always fun. I had their butternut squash ravioli which was delish! Oh and the sauce that come with the crab cake appetizer? So scrumptious.
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| image via |
We had a great weekend full of wine, food and relaxation. A perfect way to celebrate a wedding anniversary! And even though Carmel is only a 2 hour drive away from the San Francisco Bay Area, it really feels like you’re getting away from it all. A perfect weekend destination, in my book. It’s definitely in my top five favorite California places to visit! Have you guys been? What are your favorites shops, restaurants places to stay?
