• Lifestyle

    Hats are Fun! Why You Can and Should Wear Hats.

    Have you ever told someone, “I love your hat!” while secretly wishing you could rock a hat? You can! Fall is the perfect time to try out hats. The weather is cooling down which certainly justifies hat wearing. You may also be thinking about holiday vacations which also offer an opportunity to try out hats amongst people you do not know and increase your hat confidence. Wearing a hat is about you and what makes you happy, anyway!

    Celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston exude confidence and style with their hats.

    Hats not only add style to your look, but also fulfill other needs. Having a bad hair day? A hat can fix that. Cold? A hat can help retain your body’s warmth. Have a somewhat boring outfit? A hat can transform it from weary to wow. Hats can also advertise your favorite sports teams, protect you from sunburn at the beach, and even help you go incognito (with the help of sunglasses.). And wearing them really is fun!

    Annie Hall’s outfit, including her hat, captivated me as a young girl.

    I have been inspired throughout my life by hats and hat wearers. From Annie Hall in the 1980s to my fave celebs to Downton Abbey to vintage thrift shop discoveries, I have always adored hats. While I don’t wear hats all the time, when I do, I feel in my element.

    I love classic fedoras like this one.
    Same hat at Moonstone Beach in Cambria, California.
    My “Hello Sunshine” beach hat protects my scalp and face from the sun at Carmel Beach at Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.
    My Fall 2020 merino wool newsboy cap is so soft, warm and comfy! (From amazon.com)
    Letting my inner witch out for Halloween (with friend Lauryn).
    Showing some love for my team back in the Midwest.

    Wearing hats is truly enjoyable.  If you don’t believe me, try out a virtual hat in private using a filter on an app like Snapchat.  Even if you decide wearing hats is still not for you, it should at least make you smile or even chuckle.  And that is what it’s all about.  Being happy with yourself and having fun.   

    Fall colors inspire me, I am loving this copper brown fedora! (From amazon.com)

    Thank you for visiting my blog!  I hope you found some hat inspiration.  You may also enjoy Eight Fall Fun Activities in Monterey County  or Five Favorite Fall Finds to Make Your Home Cozy. Wishing you peace, love, happiness & beautiful vistas!

     

  • Home & Garden

    Five Favorite Fall Finds to Make Your Home Cozy

    Fall is here!  I love this season because it is so fun to decorate!  We all have some seasonal decor that are our go-tos every season.  These are some of my favorite fall finds to make your home super cozy without breaking the bank.  

    1.  Fall Scented Candles.  One of my favorites is “Leaves” from Bath and Body Works. It smells wonderful without being overwhelming and the   decorative container looks beautiful.

    2. Fall Rug or Doormat. I like this colorful mat because it is easily cleaned, which is a plus when you have lots of pets like me! It also looks super cute layered over a white and black buffalo plaid rug. I found this at Amazon, but it is currently sold out.

    3. A fall wreath. There are so many beautiful fall wreaths, for a selection of my favorites see Say Hello to Fall: Favorite Autumn Wreaths. This wreath was previously available on Etsy.

    4.  A soft, cozy throw blanket is essential for snuggling under when fall’s chill arrives.  This pumpkin colored one from Anthropologie fits the bill.

    5. I found this on a trip to Target. The scent of clove and nutmeg in their Everspring hand and dish soap is so amazing! I just love using this. They also have soy candles in this scent.

    I hope you have the coziest fall ever. Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, & beautiful vistas!

  • Food & Wine,  Travel

    Ten Most Romantic Picnic Spots in Monterey County

    Photo @aesthetic_and_inspiration_

    Monterey County is filled with so much history and beauty. It can be overwhelming with so much to see and do. Inbetween all the sight-seeing and activities, you may want to just regroup, find a quiet spot to relax and eat lunch, or just unwind with your love(s). Picnic lunches offer the perfect opportunity for this. Whether you pack your own or grab take out, these are the very best places for intimate and romantic picnics.

    1. Lovers Point. Nestled next to the sea, this area features striking views and intricate rock formations. For more information see Lovers Point: Legendary Park in Pacific Grove.

    2. Moss Landing. Wildlife is abundant here, including sea lions, sea otters, whales, and a plethora of birds. What better place to enjoy the scenery with a picnic lunch? For more information, see Elkhorn Slough & Moss Landing.

    3.  San Carlos Beach & Breakwater Cove.  Located just north of Cannery Row in Monterey, this area offers a view of all the fun ocean activities available here.  You can claim a picnic table or bench and watch scuba divers, kayakers, and fishermen from the beautiful shoreline.  For more information see Cannery Row: What to See & Do!

    3. Point Lobos. Magical and serene, this is one of the most popular attractions in the area. Captivating views surround you, creating a most romantic scene for an unforgettable picnic. For more information, see Point Lobos: Crown Jewel of State Parks.

    4. Carmel Beach. Enjoy a cozy bonfire on the beach and snuggle under a blanket while enjoying a lovely picnic at this unforgettably gorgeous beach. For more information see Quarantine in Captivating Carmel-by-the-Sea.

    5. Asilomar Beach. Follow the boardwalk to this secluded cabana and enjoy the sunset with a picnic lunch and a bottle of wine. For more information, see Asilomar Beach.

    6. Garrapata Beach in Big Sur is breathtakingly romantic. Follow the beach until you see Doud Creek as it rushes into the sea. If you follow the creek inland, you will find exquisite masses of calla lilies blooming in early spring. For more information, see Calla Lily Valley’s Springtime Beauty.

    7.  Pebble Beach.  After a few rounds of golf or a day of sight-seeing, bring a picnic lunch to the Seal Rock picnic area in Pebble Beach and enjoy the views.  Be aware that it can be quite cool and gusty here, be sure to bring cozy jackets and blankets.  For more information, see Pebble Beach & 17-Mile Drive’s Beautiful Vistas.

    8. Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur. In late December through early January, there is a seasonal alignment of the sun with the Keyhole Arch here. What could be more romantic? Be prepared for amazing views. For more information, see Purple Sand & Stone Arches at Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur.

    9.  Sand Dollar Beach in Big Sur.  No sound but the ponderous crash of waves as the break on to the beach and the whispering of the wind through the foxtails.  Jagged cliffs plunge recklessly below to the sea.  This is wild Big Sur at its best.  The perfect place for a romantic picnic.  For more information, see Sand Dollar Beach & Jade Cove in Big Sur.

    10. Pinnacles National Park, located in the southeast corner of Monterey County, is well worth the trip. The result of volcanic activity millions of years ago, the park features spectacular rock formations, caves, and in the spring, waterfalls. Native Americans left stone artifacts here 2000 years ago. There is a feeling of the sacred here even now. Pinnacles is the perfect place to take in nature’s beauty and serenity while enjoying a picnic. For more information, see Pinnacles.

    Thank you for visiting my blog!  I hope you are able to enjoy a picnic at one of these beautiful and romantic places in Monterey County.  Wishing you peace, love, happiness & beautiful vistas.

  • Home & Garden

    Cutest (& Spookiest) Fall Kids Playhouses Ever!

    The witches fly across the sky, the owls go “Who? Who? Who?”, the black cats yowl and green ghosts howl, “Scary Halloween to you!” ~ Nina Willis Walter. Fall is here! While we adults may enjoy decorating our homes for the season, kids deserve to take part in the fun too. The following are some of the cutest kids playhouses ever, all decked out for the season.

    Photo @the.pink.dream

    Mums, pumpkins and a sweet wreathe make this playhouse a dream come true.

    Photo @tmfontana

    Let the fall festivities begin!  This little playhouse is ready!

    Photo @squishandsprout

    Little boos will love this hauntingly happy house!

    Photo @thejessstyle

    Hocus pocus!  This spooky playhouse is sure to be a hit.

    Photo @thenewmrshamilton

    Hanging ghosts and skeleton lights add Halloween charm to this playhouse.

    Photo @jensgatheringnest

    Pumpkin spice and everything nice will bewitch you in this playhouse.

    Photo @pro.fessorpumpkin

    Creepy, crawly, spooky and scary.  Enter this playhouse at your own risk!

    Photo @abundleofbeginnings

    A little bit mickey, a little bit tricky, a little bit fun!

    Photo @we_dabble

    You can count on this playhouse to put the fun in fall!

    Photo @pro.fessorpumpkin

    Who wouldn’t want to trick or treat at this cute playhouse?

    Photo @bhg.com

    I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers ~ L. M. Montgomery.  Thank you for visiting my blog!  I hope you found some fall playhouse inspiration.  You may also enjoy Fifteen Fabulous Pumpkin Designs For Halloween and Fun & Fabulous Fall Porch Decor.  Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas!