Feathery Free OOTD:

This Monday it seems that I actually got up early for a change. I think it was the fact that it was a little breezy and cool in the morning. I won't complain considering that a majority of L.A. summer's are blazing hot and make you incredibly groggy. The cooler the weather, the more clothing options. I was able to get a chance to wear my pretty feather shirt. ^^

You might remember this shirt with one of my previous hauls. It's super comfy since I the back is made of stretch jersey. Though, the neck line does occasionally ride up; I think thats because of the combination of different fabrics. In any case, I love the way that it moves with me. It's perfect for the breezy beach weather around here. I work close to the beach (which explains the traffic I go through in the mornings.) It's a great perk to have when you want to de-stress and find a place to stroll after a long day.

Blouse: Lane Bryant

Skirt: Lane Bryant

Sandals: Payless

Triskle Necklace: art shop in Santa Monica

I love how the colors match my newly dyed hair.  Lots of faded flowey colors. I even wore my triskle necklace to continue with the theme. I don't think I've ever shown you guys my engagement ring either, well viola! Here it is... Eugene designed it himself, even down to picking the diamond from Italy.

 I think I figured out how to get through Monday's. Well, at least a little something... dress comfortably and pace yourself. And if your curious, I bring plenty of loose tea from home to brew through the day to keep me moving.
 

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Mini Holiday: Arroyo Grande

Our next trip was Arroyo Grande. We piled into the little Fiat and drove about 20 minutes away from where we were staying. Arroyo Grande is this little town that has specialty shops. Much of the older buildings are preserved for historic purposes. I'm not quite sure its heritage, but I'm curious to learn more and spend more time here on my next visit to the area.

For lunch we found this interesting little place called Klondike. It was a pizza parlor that was to resemble a bar feeling that you would in Alaska. What I loved about it was the laid back atmosphere and the arcade.

Little known fact: Eugene and I are Arcade Children. In our early years together Eugene was heavy into fighting games while I was into Bemani games. As we waited for our order we went crazy with the selection they had. Where they didn't have any Bemai games, there was a good amount of fighting games as well as a Pirates of the Caribbean Pinball Machine.

My mom called me because the cheese bread we order as well as a side salad had come to the table. It was so yummy! I really enjoyed the loads of garlic on it.

As to describe the BBQ Chicken Pizza: AWESOME! It was gooey and irresistible. The cheese was dripping everywhere. I particularly enjoyed the dough they used. From what I read from the menu it was made fresh with each order. It wasn't chewy or too dry; it almost felt like I was eating a freshly made foccacia out of the oven.

When we were finished, Eugene and I made our way to Doc Burnstein's Ice Cream Lab. I'm always on the hunt for Bubble Gum ice cream as it's only sold in one specialty shop a few cities away from me. Thankfully they did not disappoint! We also found some amazing flavors aside from my beloved Bubble Gum so we went and made a Sunday to share. Our sundae consisted of: Bittersweet Chocolate, Lemon Chiffon, Bubble Gum, and the stores signature flavor Merlot Raspberry Truffle. Each one was absolutely decadent, no flavor was better than the other. I felt like each one had a different mood to it.

While you're eating they have a set of toy trains that follow tracks overhead the shop. They're there to represent the railroad that went through the area at some point. I thought it was a nice touch. Something that was definitely a character to the shop alone.

 When we were done, we needed a stroll to settle the crazy amounts of food that we ate.So we found the local park in the area with a few cool surprises in it...

Crazy as it is, I was in love with all of the lose chickens and roosters in the area. The locals were laughing at me because I was a little giddy for my own good. So pretty, so friendly. I still would love a pet Silkie Chicken...

They build cat tree houses around the cliffs edge. I thought that was pretty interesting. If you look closely you can see a little kitty sleeping inside and the cute food and water dishes that seem to be filled often. I could dig living in an animal loving town.

My favorite was this awesome bridge! It was an actual rope strung bridge like in the old days! Granted it was rebuilt and made much more secure as it was before, but it still rocked and swayed when you went on it. After sometime it gave Eugene and me a bit of a freight and we had to get off. I think I sorta get the fear in all of those adventure movies about bridges now...

Next to it was the stairs that led to the brook below. If was so beautiful! I loved how lush and green everything was and the way the light filtered through the leaves. I hope to take more walks in places like this back home.

After sometime in it was already hitting late afternoon and Eugene and I had a 4 hr road trip back home. So we piled back into the little Fiat and made our way back to the resort. It was a great little break to be away from the pressures of the city. I loved the fact that I got to savor things more than spending on them.

I hope next time I come back that I can explore more of the things up in the ocean town's of middle California. I saw some ads of new wine vineyards and tours as well as whale watching. Hopefully sometime soon... Until then, I'm grateful that I have the chance to vacate every now and then.

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Mini Holiday: Avila Bay

Last week I finally had the opportunity to go away on a mini holiday. I did it on the weekdays before  Veterans Day so to avoid the crowds. These little mini holidays are something I look forward to year round with my family; sometimes we have them up to 4 times a year, others we'll skip on it. This was the second one for this year.

I was particularly excited with this holiday since we were going to one my favorite places in the world; Avila Bay. It's a quiet little city with a beautiful view of the California Coast and plenty of wildlife. I hadn't been back for almost a decade. The first time I had gone was the week when I started dating Eugene, and we both had to go our separate ways that weekend and I was lovesick the whole time of my visit. This time I was able to show him the sights I saw and what made me miss him even more. I considered this trip a pilgrimage in my life and a beautiful way to see how my life has grown.

 

 The way that these holidays work is that my parents book a week with their time share and they head out ahead of us. Eugene and I usually enjoy the couple of days catching up on the work and the peace and quiet that the house has to offer with just the two of us. I like to use these as writing retreats and just order take in or live off of tv dinners. About midway through the holiday, Eugene and I will drive up and spend an evening overnight at the resort. In the morning we'll go out on a family outing and enjoy the sightseeing and local attractions. By the time the evening rolls around we'll pack our stuff and head for home. We usually get another few days before my parents come back. So far this process has been working for us, giving everyone the space they need to refresh themselves. We left afternoon and spent 3 1/2 hours on the road and made it by nightfall; the place was enchanting even then...

 

In the morning I got up extra early since the excitement was getting the best of me. I love the coast! I love the power that the sound of water has over me; I'm both energized and calm at the same time. Enjoying the morning I got up early, grabbed a cup of tea, and read my meditation book greeting the sun slowly creeping to life on the resort balcony. 

The chapter was about organizing ones life and understanding the schedule that you make for yourself. This really hit home for me as there has been so much on my plate. The solitude helped me to get a few things sorted on my end. I was greatly appreciated. I wish that I could do it more often; I've even considered making visits to the coast a bi weekly practice of mine. Of course it would be the ones closer to me though...

When I was finished I went and made breakfast for the family.  What's awesome about vacation condos are the fact that they're set up like apartments with a full kitchen. The ones that we stay in even come with dining sets for four and a basic cooking tools like pans and pots. This saves my family a fortune during breaks like these, we usually only eat one meal outside each day. The rest we cook simple things inside. This is some thin cut steak with asparagus, buttered toast, and scrambled eggs. My mom also brought some cheese which I had with apples and crackers for my breakfast with tea; it was absolutely yummy!

Eugene and I finished early and head out to walk on the beach to give my parents the chance to get ready. Besides, we hadn't touched the coast since we arrived! By now the morning was lighting the waves.

Before we left we grabbed some tea from the Community Room. I love the mural on this fireplace. Avila Bay is famous for its Seals and Sea lions. I think I want to make a mural like this in a bathroom someday...

We drove my car into the little village area.  One of the highlights of the trip was driving my car up to the resort and back. I'm in love with my Scion XB! The previous owner was a professional set designer and customizing cars was his hobby. When I got it, it was well equipped with all the trimmings making for an enjoyable ride. Playing new music and long conversations always makes for great quality time in the car. My car, Pantomime (so I lovingly named it), has sort of become my thinking capsule. 

Eugene was blown away with the sight. I was so happy to share it with him! I can safely say that right then was when my Thanksgiving had started, I felt so blessed to be with this man for soon to be a decade of my life. We grew up together and have gone through the impossible and back. I still get the flutters when he looks at me, this I am thankful for.

To make things even more magical someone had the wonderful idea of adding swings and a slide to the beach. I've never seen anything like it, I was super giddy to try. There's something really unique of having a relationship with a man that didn't grow up in your culture, one of which is sharing stories. Since Eugene had arrived to the States when he was 11, no one had really ever taught him how to use a swing. I got to teach him, and what a great view to do so. He succeeded without the help of me pushing. I really enjoyed that time with him and its a memory I now cherish.

When we had our fill of the swings we started to make our way to the water. It was soothing and breathtaking...

 There was a little marsh under the resort's cliff-side. So we went and took a look at all the wildlife for awhile.

Soon enough I got the call from my mom that they were ready to head out. It was just about time for lunch and we had worked up quite the appetite. Washing my flip flops I was ready to head out. My parents had rented a Fiat 500 and I was so curious as to how it drove.

Next stop Arroyo Grande!

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