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The 5 Reasons You Will Love These Summer Finds!
What are you up to this summer? Planning any trips? Get-togethers with family or friends? My summer is off to a great start. My keyword for this summer is “optimism”. I was able to recently get together with a group of colleagues for dinner and it just really felt good. Like, finally, a return to normalcy. I have been planning some fun day trips and also some fun activities, such as making homemade soy candles (new post to come!) and working in my garden. Father’s Day will be pretty sad, since I recently lost my Dad in January, but I know he is in a better place. I can carry on all the things we both loved, such as enjoying the sunshine (with sunscreen!), gardening, going to thrift stores, and wearing hats!
Summer = Happy
Whether you will be heading to the beach, the lake, or just chilling out in your own backyard, here are some great summer selections, from sandals to slushies. They are not only comfy, cute, happy, colorful and fun. but will also help make your summer the best one ever. I am obsessed with these and hope you love them too.
Source: birkenstock.com
Summer = Cute
Birkenstock Yara Sandals. One thing about these is that if you are like me, they run about a whole size bigger than your regular size. Crazy but true. Also these are sold out in black on Zappos, but you can still get them at Birkenstock. Super comfy, super cute, and will make your feet super happy this summer
Source: anthropologie.com
Summer = Colorful
Brightly Colored Tops & Dresses. Tired of all the monochromatic trends? Coming out of Covid we all need brighter and happier times. Be gone Voldemort shades. This top from Anthropologie definitely fits the bill.
Source: oldnavy.com
Summer = Comfy
High Waisted Straight Leg Jeans from Old Navy. Have you ever been forced to perform the skinny jeans dance, struggling to free your feet from the teeny tiny pant leg bottoms when trying to take them off? Not so with these guys, loving them! FYI, they run a bit small so you may have to go one size larger than what you usually wear.
Summer = Sweet
Watermelon Slushies. Sometimes the best finds are sweet treats! I love this one. It’s like putting a big ol’ bunch of summer in a glass. Recipe: Freeze 3 cups fresh watermelon cubes overnight. In a blender, combine frozen watermelon with an extra 1 cup fresh watermelon, juice from 1/2 lemon/lime, and add 1 tablespoon of raw honey/ agave/ organic maple syrup. Garmish with fresh mint leaves if desired. Enjoy!
Summer = Old-Fashioned Fun
Picnic Baskets. Pack up the fam and head out to your happy place with this cute picnic basket from amazon.com. Nothing is better than having an old-fashioned picnic with the peeps you love.
Summer is a time to enjoy longer days, more sunshine, and good times with family and friends. Thank you for visiting my blog. You may also enjoy Wine Tasting in Carmel Valley, California! Hope you have a beautiful and blessed summer. Wishing you peace, love, joy, and beautiful vistas!
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The Most Beautiful Instagrammable Spots in Monterey!
Central coastal California offers so many spectacular attractions. From sun drenched beaches, to dramatic rock formations, to fabled architecture, there is beauty everywhere. As a result, photographers are naturally drawn to the area. Instagrammable opportunities abound not only in Monterey, but also in neighboring Big Sur, Pebble Beach, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Pacific Grove. Follow along with me to see some of the most beautiful Instagrammable photo spots here in Monterey County!
1. McWay Falls in Big Sur. First on my list is McWay Falls. Featuring stunning views of an 80-foot waterfall cascading into the Pacific Ocean, this spot is Instagrammable gold. It is a long drive, however, it is definitely worth it! To read about the area’s history see McWay Falls. For park info, see Julia Pfeiffer Burns. Location: Located 37 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1 near mile marker 35.8.
2. The Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur. For a few brief weeks during the winter solstice, the sunset casts an ethereal glow through the Keyhole Arch, however, the area is absolutely gorgeous year round. The magenta tinted sand and unique rock formations offer boundless photo ops. For more information, see Keyhole Arch. Location: Just south of the Big Sur Station at mile marker 45.64 on Highway 1. Be sure to watch for the hairpin turn on the right. Follow Sycamore Canyon Road approximately two miles to the parking area. For park information see Pfeiffer Beach.
3. Nepenthe in Big Sur. This iconic bohemian restaurant has been the haunt of artists and writers such as Henry Miller, Anais Nin, Man Ray, Ernest Hemingway and more. Why Nepenthe? Because it features not only jaw-dropping panoramic views of the Big Sur coastline, but also a colorful kaleidoscope of other Instagrammable shots. For more information see Nepenthe and Menu & Hours. Location: 48510 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920.
4. Bixby Bridge in Big Sur. While you are not guaranteed the perfect shot at this popular spot, you most certainly won’t be disappointed. One of the most photographed bridges in California, Bixby Bridge is 13 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1.
5. The Mural in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Doesn’t this just holler “fashion/style shots”? This was completed just last year, and is meant to depict the ocean and the rebirth of hope. Location: Corner of Mission St. and 6th Ave., across from Devendorf Park in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
6. Fairytale Homes in Carmel-by-the-Sea. One of the magical things about this area is the abundance of fairy tale homes, many originally built by Hugh Comstock in the 1920s. For more information on these homes see Fairy Tale Cottages in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Getting a shot of one of these cuties is undoubtedly a must when visiting Carmel! Location: While you will find these sweet cottages tucked away throughout the town, there are several in the area bordered by Torres St., Ocean Ave., 5th Ave. and Santa Rita. Storybook Cottage is located within this region on Santa Fe.
7. Lovers Point in Pacific Grove. Featuring breathtaking views stretching from Monterey to Pebble Beach, Lovers Point, located in Pacific Grove, is simply stunning. Lovers Point has been the setting for several films, for instance, the “Big Little Lies” HBO series. You will definitely find many Instagram-worthy shots here. For more information see Lovers Point. Location: 17th Street and Ocean View Blvd., Pacific Grove, CA.
8. Asilomar State Beach Gazebo in Pacific Grove. Stretched between Lover’s Point and Pebble Beach, this magnificent beach features walking paths, boardwalks, and benches overlooking crashing waves and stunning rock formations. A solitary gazebo, accessible from the boardwalk, provides the backdrop for dramatic photos, especially at sunset. For more information, see Asilomar. Location: Sunset Drive, Pacific Grove, CA.
9. Pacific Grove’s Quirky Victorians. Pacific Grove is known as “America’s Last Hometown”. Beautiful Victorians line the streets of this seaside village, providing the perfect Instagrammable shots. Location: Pacific Grove, California.
10. The Lone Cypress in Pebble Beach. This iconic tree towering above crashing waves will undoubtedly provide the backdrop for your next epic shot. Location: 3212 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach, CA.
11. Cannery Row in Monterey. Historic buildings, charming restaurants, shops and hotels line the streets. Further down Cannery Row you will find the Monterey Bay Aquarium. There are so many Instagrammable shots here, so little time! Location: Cannery Row begins at San Carlos Beach Park at the corner of Reeside Ave. and Cannery Row, Monterey, CA.
12. Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey. There are so many visual stories to tell here. Firstly, the buildings are painted in eye-popping pastel colors. Secondly, the harbor houses a variety of boats. Thirdly, sea life abounds, including pelicans and seals. Finally, the long strand of beach and flowers blooming on the banks add further appeal. As a result, you are sure to find some Instagram-worthy shots. Location: 101 Washington St., Monterey, CA.
Thank you for visiting my blog! I hope you found some inspiration after viewing my favorite Instagrammable spots here in Monterey County. If you can think of more, let me know in the comments section. Wishing you peace, love, joy, and beautiful vistas.
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Thrift Store Treasures: How to Find the Best Deals
I have been a thrift store addict all my life, as well as a consummate estate saler and flea marketer. There is nothing like the search for a bargain to set my heart racing. Whenever I travel, I always look for thrift stores! Why? One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. I also love that I am preventing more debris from going into our landfills. Plus, getting something at a fraction of what it cost new can feel pretty good. Pre-loved items are definitely a win-win. Here is my guide to what to buy and how to get the best deals.
Source @pinterest.com Clothing. Name brand apparel that was originally ridiculously priced can be found for a fraction of that at the thrift store. Jeans are one item that you can find for far less than you would pay retail. I highly recommend trying clothing on before you purchase it as many stores have a no refund policy.
Source @pinterest.com Shoes & Handbags. While it is highly unlikely that you will find a Chanel bag like this at a thrift store, never say never. Sometimes things turn up that you would have never thought possible. It is not uncommon to occasionally find high end shoes and handbags.
Books. Tired of paying top dollar for books? I have found so many good books at the thrift store, including recently released best sellers, usually for two to three dollars. It would seem that many people read a book once and then donate it? Lucky me! There are also cookbooks, textbooks, and children’s books galore.
I discovered this vintage handmade tatted lace handbag at a thrift store in Carmel-by-the-Sea for $2.00! 
Shabby Chic table I found in Monterey for $20.00. Vintage/Antique Items. I have found lovely furniture, beautiful vintage china and all kinds of treasures at thrift stores. There are also always vintage pyrex dishes, candle holders, wine goblets and more, all very modestly priced.
Artwork and Frames. We have all heard stories of someone purchasing a painting at a thrift store that turned out to be worth a fortune. Clearly, this is rare, however, you can often find beautiful artwork and lovely frames at extremely reasonable prices. It’s always fun to find something beautiful for far less than it would cost new!
Source: @pinterest.com Children’s Toys and Games. As an occupational therapist working with children, I am always looking for things to improve fine motor, motor planning, and visual perceptual skills. Thrift stores never fail me.
Seasonal Decor. Looking for holiday decor at an affordable price? Thrift stores will never disappoint. There are always amazing deals for Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, and more.
Monterey Farmgirl’s Tips for Finding the Best Bargains:
- Shop frequently. The more you visit the greater your chances of hitting the jackpot.
- Nearly every store has sale days. Sometimes this can mean up to 50% off or more. Check with stores to learn about their specials.
- The early bird gets the worm. Go early in the morning to get first pick, and find out when the store restocks merchandise.
- Don’t forget to ask about senior citizen or military discounts.
- No time to go shopping in person? Check out these fabulous online thrift stores: thredUP, Worn Wear, and Swap.com.
Three super cute tops I found at Goodwill a few days ago, all for $20.00! Here are some of my favorite thrift stores in the Monterey area: Branches Resale Shoppe, Yellow Brick Road Benefit Shop, Central Coast Goodwill, and St. Vincent de Paul. Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you found some helpful information. You may also enjoy Best Guest Dresses for a Beach Wedding and Scrumptious Strawberries: Fanciful Finds You’ll Love! Wishing you peace, love, joy, and happy thrifting!
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Cottage Love in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Originally settled by a band of bohemian artists and writers, Carmel-by-the-Sea is one of the prettiest cities you will ever see. Visitors feel as though they have stepped into something from Grimm’s Fairytales, and perhaps they have. Part of the allure of this seaside town arises from the storybook homes populating it. Romantic cottages are waiting to be discovered around every corner. There’s just something about these cozy abodes that tugs at your heartstrings and makes you fall in love with them. Here are some sappy but sweet cottage quotes about these lovelies. Enjoy!
I am excessively fond of a cottage; there is always so much comfort, so much elegance about them. I advise everybody who is going to build, to build a cottage. ~ Jane Austen. Anything ever written by Jane Austen is solid advice, in my humble opinion.
Every antique farm-house and moss-grown cottage is a picture. ~ Washington Irving. This is true, hence my obsession for photographing them excessively.
A cottage will hold as much happiness as would stock a palace. ~ Hamilton Wright Mabie. I have never lived in a palace, so cannot draw such a comparison. And even though I believe happiness comes from within, living in a Hugh Comstock dwelling like this would certainly amp up the happiness factor.
Everyone can identify with a fragrant garden, with beauty of sunset, with the quiet of nature, with a warm and cozy cottage. ~ Thomas Kinkade. Mr. Kinkade, of all people, understands the veracity of this statement.
Her modest looks the cottage might adorn, sweet as the primrose peeps beneath the thorn. ~ Oliver Goldsmith. These are actually clematis flowers and they do appear to be peeping over the gate. Petal peepers!
I knew by the smoke that so gracefully curl’d above the green elms, that a cottage was near. I said, “If there’s peace to be found in the world, a heart that was humble might hope for it here”. ~Thomas Moore. Agreed, I would love to find peace in this cottage!
Give me the sea and a little cottage just to be. ~unknown. Definitely!
Thank you for visiting my blog. You may also enjoy The Garden Gate Story: Inspiration from Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Magical and Enchanting Gardens of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas.
If only this were true! Source: Pinterest. ,
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Best Guest Dresses for a Beach Wedding
Beach weddings have long been popular here in Monterey County, especially in romantic Carmel-by-the-Sea and beautiful Big Sur. Following all those postponed nuptials last year, beaches are once again becoming popular destinations for those looking to get hitched. So you’ve been invited to a beach wedding. How exciting! Looking for the perfect dress? Here are some of my favorites!
How pretty would this linen dress from Reformation look against a dreamy background of blue water and golden sand? It features a fitted bodice, open back (love!) and a relaxed fitting skirt.
This satin faux wrap midi dress from Express is so pretty. I want to call it a mermaid dress. You will certainly feel like one wearing this. It also comes in petite sizes.
This simple yet elegant v-neck flounce sheath dress, from Ann Taylor, comes in the the aptly named “windswept”.
This butterfly dress in blush, also from Reformation is so romantic. It features off the shoulder flutter sleeves and a ruffled hem. This would be so lovely fluttering in the sea breeze.
This embroidered lace dress is from Anthropologie. Created by Paris-born designer Pascal Magali, it is perfect for a beach wedding.
It’s always nice to look forward to weddings, and beach weddings are the best! I hope you found some dress inspiration! You may also enjoy Ten Most Romantic Picnic Spots in Monterey County and Lovers Point: Legendary Park in Pacific Grove. Thank you for visiting my blog. Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas.
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Scrumptious Strawberries: Fanciful Finds You’ll Love!
Strawberry season is upon us! Did you know that California supplies 80 percent of America’s strawberries? Here in Monterey County there are strawberry fields everywhere. The climate here is perfect for growing these ruby beauties. I love strawberries, not just because they are so delicious and healthy to eat, but also because they are so pretty! Here are some sweet strawberry finds you will love, no matter where you live.
This Kate Spade pink wallet embellished with strawberries is jam-packed with cuteness, at eBay.
This linen blend ruffle sleeve strawberry dress from Ann Taylor is sure to please. Simply scrumptious!
I like that you can add not just one initial, but two to this cute strawberry keychain, on Etsy.
Affordable? Yes! Strawberry T-Shirt plus solid 2-Pack at Old Navy.
Bath & Body Works Strawberry Pound Cake Shower Gel will have you feeling like you have just emerged from a field of fresh strawberries!
Stawberry Candy Marshmallow Macarons from Laduree are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth!
This super cute sign is available on Etsy. Perfect farmhouse decor!
This sweet strawberry cake is actually a candle! You can have your cake and smell it too. Available at Etsy.
Thank you for visiting my blog. You may also like Nine Best Fresh Herbs To Use In Your Kitchen and Add Charm to your Garden with Beautiful Birdhouses! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas!
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Flowers & Other Stories: Spring Gardens I Love
The garden at the Lincoln Green Inn in Carmel-by-the-Sea is an all-time favorite! Flowers make me happy, how about you? In the spring, Monterey County bedazzles with a bevy of blossoms. Gardens here become a riot of color and texture, as flowers tell their stories. I love seeing the blossoms magically appear, and like turning the pages in a book, discovering all the colors and textures as each garden comes alive. Here are some of my favorite local gardens in the spring.
I love the foxgloves growing outside this stone cottage in Carmel in the spring. Cottage gardens have always pulled at my heartstrings, how about you?
The spring flowers in the gardens at the Cooper Molera Adobe in Old Monterey are breathtaking. Sweet peas make me swoon; their scent is amazing!
Fairytale gardens are like stories I want to read again and again. These flowers in Carmel-by-the-Sea are simply magical.
In the spring, the gardens at Casa del Oro and the Pacific House in Monterey are enchanting.
The Church of the Wayfarer in Carmel-by-the-Sea has a lovely flowers year round, but in the spring it simply sparkles.
The Maple Park area in Salinas has many quaint vintage homes with magnificent gardens. I love the roses lining the old stone wall at this one.
Even the smallest homes with the tiniest yards can have the loveliest gardens. This one is located in Pacific Grove.
Larkin House in Monterey has a beautiful secret garden that just exudes peacefulness. There are benches everywhere to sit and relax. I love the rose covered pergola. There is even a very old stone well in the garden!
Another beauty from Carmel-by-the-Sea. Do you love the house or the flowers more?
My dog Sasha with some of my favorite spring flowers–primroses! I hope you enjoyed flowers and other stories. You may also like What the Color of Your Flowers Says About You and Enchanting Gardens of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Wishing you peace, love, happiness & beautiful vistas!
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Cottagecore 101: An Introduction for Monterey Farmgirl
Recently, a friend of mine asked if she and her photographer could scope out my farm for a photo shoot for her business based in Carmel-by-the-Sea. “Sure thing!” I replied, although adding that the wildflowers here are a bit deflated this year due to lack of rain. “It’s going to be a cottagecore theme!” she said. At this point I admit I was a bit befuddled. What the heck is cottagecore?, I thought. I completely forgot about this word until she and the photographer arrived at my farm. The photographer and my friend starting discussing that word again–cottagecore. It still sounded very ambiguous to me. I went online to see if any of the local libraries carried books on cottagecore. Nope. It was time to get down to business. I had to know.
Mrs. Frizzle and our colorful eggs on the farm. According to Good Housekeeping, it is a “dreamy aesthetic taking over the internet”. Okay, still ambiguous. The article goes on to say that cottagecore “embraces the charm of the English countryside, creating an idealized representation of farm life – no matter where in the world you may live.” Hmmmm. Examples of this include tending a garden, sipping tea, and foraging for mushrooms to recreate a “pastoral fantasy”. At this point, I am thinking, “My God, I am cottagecore!” But am I? Am I unwittingly part of a trend? The answer is no. I am just living my own ding dang life with my animals on the farm, I love nature, and that is authentically who I am. No trendy Wendy here.
The Mushroom Forager’s Festival I attended in Big Sur. Blogger Sara McDaniel calls cottagecore “Narnia combined with Little House on the Prairie…a charmed, fantastical, dreamy way of life absent of modern stresses and combined with sustainable living”.
Wild lupines growing on my farm in 2020. Cottagecore is also referred to as farmcore and countrycore. Huffington Post states that it is returning to “our roots”, which they define as staying home, going green, wearing flowery dresses, writing letters, baking bread, embroidering, and everything DIY. It also stipulates that to be cottagecore, you should look and live “like you’re in some sort of pastoral painting”. But I do! I do!
My dancing goat, Yoda. I discovered that someone has indeed written a book on this topic. The Little Book of Cottagecore, by Emily Kent, has yet to be found anywhere locally. I am certain that since it is an internet sensation it is readily available online, should someone want to delve further into this. And it’s not just any old book, but a little book which sounds much cozier, does it not?
Monterey Farmgirl wearing a flowery dress in a pastoral setting on her farm in 2020. In the meantime, I am going to return to my granny square crocheting and think about making hand-dipped soy candles while the aroma of homemade banana bread wafts from my oven. Damn it, I am cottagecore.
Thank you for visiting my blog. You may also enjoy reading Prettiest Wildflowers in Monterey County, From A-Z and Greatest Inspirational Goat Quotes Ever! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas!
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The Amazing Art of the Topiary
Topiary is the art of clipping shrubs, trees, and vines into shapes. Topiaries have been around since Roman times, when they became popular during the reign of Julius Caesar. These living sculptures took the shape of animals, obelisks, hedges and more. It wasn’t until the 1600s that topiaries became popular once again. Formal gardens with shrubs clipped in geometric formations and mazes were fashionable. While interest in topiaries ebbed and waned over the years, they became popular again during the Victorian era, when the rage for formal gardens returned. Today, topiaries can add curb appeal to your home, and provide an artistic accent to your home and garden.
A topiary accentuates the front entry of a home in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. It’s easy to create a topiary. The first thing you need to do is decide what shape you would like. Typical shapes are a cone, spiral, single, double, or triple ball, and animal shapes. It’s best to start with a simple shape if you are new to topiary design.
Spanish lavender topiaries add a casual vibe and smell wonderful! There are many plants that work great for topiaries. The best have small leaves, grow quickly, have dense foliage, and are easy to prune. Large topiary plants include yew, boxwood, holly, laurel, and privet. Small topiary plants include lavender, germander, rosemary, thyme, creeping fig, angel vine, and English ivy.
To grow vines such as ivy, angel vine, or creeping fig, it is best to have a form that it can pinned or wired to. It’s easy to create simple wire forms using single light gauge wire or even chicken wire. Simply cut the and bend the wire into the shape you want, then place into a container. You can also purchase pre-made topiary forms online. Wind the stems of the plant around the forms or attach them with pieces of florist’s wire.
You can also use foam, garden sculptures, and even stuffed animals! Cut enough chicken wire to fit over the object. Use florist’s wire to finish off the seams, but leave a hole so you can remove the object. Leave the bottom open, then place over the plant you have chosen. You can also fill the form with sphagnum moss to give your topiary a bit of shape while your plant grows and fills in the gaps.
My ivy kitty topiary needs a trim! 
After you create your topiary, you will need to clip it regularly to keep it in shape. The more complex the design, the more frequently you will need to trim it. It is good to have a pair of topiary shears for optimal shaping work on smaller or more complex topiaries.
Thank you for visiting my blog! Topiaries are so much fun! I smile every time I see my cat topiary. And that’s what topiaries should be all about. You may also enjoy Flowers & Other Stories: Spring Gardens I Love and Have a Seat: Garden Bench Inspiration. Wishing you peace, love, happiness, & beautiful vistas!
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Happiness Found: San Jose’s Storybook Homes
According to WalletHub, San Jose is among the top ten happiest cities in the United States in 2021. While they did a study and have data to support this, I can tell you my own reasoning why it should make the list. Everything seems somehow brighter and more vibrant here. The sky is a little bluer, the trees a little greener, and the air a little sweeter. Even though it is a huge city, there is also a peaceful sense of community and small town friendliness. It just exudes some kind of invisible harmonious energy. While visiting the Municipal Rose Garden this past week, I stumbled upon another reason San Jose qualifies for this list. San Jose’s stunning variety of storybook homes! It was a beautiful bit of serendipity, and indeed I felt truly, deeply happy.
I have become a hopeless addict of these magical cottages, ever since I moved to the Monterey Bay area and discovered the Fairy Tale Cottages in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Storybook homes became very popular during the 1920s, especially here in California. Those steeply pitched gables, oddly shaped windows and doors, and crooked little stone chimneys just speak to me. Imagine my delight when I turned on a side street near the rose garden and unexpectedly hit the bonanza!
The majority were on McDaniel and Emery, near the rose garden. I also discovered more of these captivating cottages on Calaveras and Shasta. I was in storybook heaven! It was like stepping into a fairy tale.
I love the quirky tower and the texture of the stones framing the door. The little fence carries over the natural stone theme.
This looks like it is straight out of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
The storybook homes here just feel so cozy.
A rose canopy on the front window of this house is simply enchanting.
This house directly faces the Municipal Rose Garden.
I love how the little cut out window on the left mirrors the big picture window.
This should definitely be called Ivy Cottage. 
Surrounded by bird of paradise flowers, this home features whimsical windows and randomly placed bricks near the entryway.
I saved the best for last! I love the quaint stone chimney, little dormer window, and curving pathway of this charming cottage. Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you enjoyed the magical storybook homes of San Jose. They help us believe in a world where fairy tales still exist. And a place where everyone lives happily ever after. And finding happiness in all the little things is what life is all about. You may also enjoy 12 Storybook Cottages to Enchant You! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas!