Happy Weekend!

Gotta Getaway

While I know minds are focused on tricks and treats this weekend, I’ve got nothing but pool time and wine tasting on the brain! We’re taking another jaunt up to Healdsburg, my new favorite Bay Area escape. We enjoyed an overnight stay at Hotel Healdsburg a couple months ago. It’s a super cool spot nestled in the heart of the charming downtown. The hotel’s gorgeous mix of modern and classic design, the complimentary breakfast spread and stellar spa won me over immediately. And it only whet my appetite for more.

The Dry Creek appellation is officially my favorite wine growing region. It’s a bit dangerous to visit yet again because we tend to join wineries everytime we taste there. We’re starting to run out of storage space! But small production wineries like Martorana, Zichichi, Preston and DaVero have stolen my wine-loving heart. As far as hobbies to geek out on, I think wine appreciation is definitely a worthwhile one.

And it’s supposed to be 87 degrees tomorrow – don’t hate me!

Actually, I thought it’d be fun to share some our adventures on Snapchat. Follow me at apartment34. There may be wine tasting in costume involved!!

Technology x Travel: How to Use Instagram to Plan Your Next Trip

Gotta Getaway

Now that Instagram has updated its user experience (who is into the vertical option?), we decided to take advantage of the multiple ways the picture sharing app can be a great resource. And what’s on our minds 365 days of the year more than…travel!

Instagram is one of the first places we go when dreaming up our next vacation. It’s where we initially get inspired, but oh that’s just the beginning. Now with options like “Search Places” and “Top Search” you can open up a world (quite literally) of ideas about beautiful places to visit.

On a recent late-night research tip, we clicked on a gorgeous picture under “Explore Posts”, and down the rabbit hole we went. Where did we go, you ask? We stumbled upon (and fell in love with) the historic seaside country of Portugal! And if we had to go anywhere first, it’d be the beautiful city of Porto. Here are a few must-do’s on our imaginary itinerary!

O! Galeria: a small gallery, every inch filled with color and culture!

Castelo de Obidos: this castle overlooks the most picturesque town!

Museu Colecao Berardo: a must-visit modern art museum!

Igreja Capela Das Almas: this gorgeously tiled church is breathtaking – a photo must!

How to Optimize Instagram’s Search Options:

– Use “Search Places” when you want to search a geotag. You can be as specific as a restaurant or as broad as “Portugal” and boom, beautiful places to visit are right at your finger tips. The auto search will also bring up an endless list of the most popular geotags related to your search. From cities, to airports to beaches, this is your easiest and best tool to use for building your itinerary.

– “Top” the first column under the general “Search” is often overlooked, but it shouldn’t be. Use this to find the top everything. After typing in “Portugal”, it brings up the top (aka most followed) accounts associated with the search, as well as the most tagged hashtags and the most popular spots geotagged in Portugal. How cool is that?

– Other new updates we’re loving? The “Trending Tags” section is a fun tool to use to stay on top of trending stories and hashtags. It’s great to reference for ideas on what to post that day (when you’re stuck in an Instagram rut!) and ways to be a part of a larger conversation within the app. We also love that you can now directly send or share an Instagram with a friend without having to screenshot the image and text it to them – or worse, type their handle into the comments section (because who really likes to have a personal conversation in the comments section of someone else’s Instagram??). Ha! Just click the little arrow next to the comment symbol on the Instagram you want to share with your friend and you’re golden to dream up the next place you want to travel to together!

If you’re planning to head to Portugal (and not just dreaming like we are), here are some awesome Portuguese Instagrammers to help you plan your itinerary! They’re amazing accounts to follow even if you’re not jetting to the charming country anytime soon.

Instagram Accounts To Follow:

@iter_miguel
@hmiguelsousa
@fabiobf
@lopesrute
@catdinis

image 1, 2, 4, 8 @hmiguelsousa // 3 via @victoriacher // 5 via @dani3e // 6 via @drcuerda // 7 via @fabiobf // 9 via @lopesrute // 10 via @iter_miguel

Gotta Getaway: {36 Hour Minneapolis Travel Guide}

Gotta Getaway

Last week our Editorial Director, Bianca boarded a plane bound for Minneapolis. Why Minneapolis, Minnesota? Well, the Twin Cities has been on our must-visit list for quite some time now. Filled to the brim with creatives, neighborhoods like Northloop and Eastloop, France and 50th and Uptown are home to tons of new breweries, cute boutiques and great cuisine. Bianca packed as much into her schedule as she could and here’s what she got into while there!

First things first, where to stay! The Luxury Collection put us in the newly reopened Hotel Ivy. Hotel Ivy is centrally located right in the heart of downtown and after undergoing a major renovation, is now the spot to stay. The design is glamorous yet not over the top. With small details like Molton Brown bath products to smart T.V.’s in every room, you definitely get a taste of luxury without the hefty price tag. Hotel Ivy is also home to the newly opened restaurant, Monello. It is hands down the best hotel restaurant I’ve ever tried. #truth

The restaurant is on the ground floor of the old Ivy Tower and with it’s gorgeously tiled floors, blue velvet banquet, french style farm tables and leather embossed chairs that’ll make you do double take, the joint is charming and buzzing with locals. The esoteric wine list is curated with interesting boutique wines you’ll sure get a kick out of trying. And the food…did I mention, it’s the best? This foodie lover’s spot is so good it could easily go to bat in a city like San Francisco or New York. Beneath Monello, you’ll find the witty and moody bar Constantine – perfect for that nightcap.

Since The Luxury Collection is all about showcasing the local flavor of their hotel locations, we diverted off the tourist beaten path to really get to know the Minneapolis area. It started with a boat on Lake Minnetonka {that name is so fun to say and did you know Minneapolis is the city of lakes?}. We enjoyed a gorgeous day out on the water, oogling the mansions surrounding the area, spying a bald eagle soaring above and feeling like we were in the Hamptons. Once back on dry land, we played lawn ball at one of the city’s many rooftop bars {I wish we had more rooftop bars in SF!} and took the bikes out to ride through the cycling-centric city. To top off our long day in the sun, we had plenty of snacks {and cocktails!} along the way! Our most memorable meal was at the cool neighborhood spot Corner Table. Go just for the corn and cheddar biscuits and ship some to me, will ya?

Of course, having been a longtime fan-girl of this city, I had a long list of places I also wanted to explore on my own. I hit all of the cool stops! In the Northloop one must visit The Foundry and Willson and Willys. In Uptown, the Walker Art Center is an amazing museum, Heyday and Urban Bean Coffee are great. Over in Edina, visit Parc for shopping and walk to Lake Harriet with ice cream in hand. There are so many great recs that I got from everyone around. Here’s the full list of places to check out!

SHOPPING: Foundry, Wilson and Willy’s, Shinola, Parc, Idun, Mille

DRINK: Marvel, Constantine, Parlour, tons of breweries!

FOOD: Corner Table, Heyday, Tilia, Lela, The Bachelor Farmer, Spoon and Stable, Monello, Glam Doll Donuts

TO DO: Visit any of the lakes to paddle board or picnic, peep pretty houses in the Lake of the Isles neighborhood, Walker Art Center and Sculpture Garden, go to a concert {there’s a big music scene here with the second-most stages in the U.S. to New York!}, Minnesota River Rock massage at Hotel Ivy Spa

Overall, Minneapolis makes for a great quick getaway. I hear fall is the perfect time to go. And truthfully, you probably could feel satisfied with three full days of exploring. With so many creatives and amazing chefs, it seems that the city is just going to continue to grow – new restaurants and creative concept experiences seem to be popping up all the time. Have you been? What are some of your favorite spots??

And we’re curious. What’s your favorite Amercian city? Where should we head next?? For more wanderlust-worth travel tips CLICK HERE!

photography by bianca sotelo

This post is in partnership with The Luxury Collection. All thoughts and opinions are 100% our own. Thanks for supporting posts that keep apartment 34’s doors open!

Gotta Getaway: Escaping to Wine Country with a Newborn

Gotta Getaway

People ask me what I was looking forward to the most post-pregnancy. Sushi? Unpasteurized cheese? Oysters?? Yeah, sure I do love all those things, but for my entire 10 months of growing that human, I was most looking forward to wine – and finally getting to enjoy wine country again! It was pretty tough for me to have some of the best wines in the world less than an hour’s drive away and all I could do was give it all a longing stare. That’s why I was determined to get my butt back to wine country after Carter was born. It was also a wonderful excuse to get my butt out of our house! So at four weeks old, we loaded Carter up in the car {and all his gear – our station wagon has never been so full!} and headed for Alexander Valley.

Nestled 90 minutes north of San Francisco just north of Healdsburg, Alexander Valley is a wine lovers sweet spot. While the region is known for its amazing Cabernet, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc, in all our adventures in wine country we’d never ventured that far north. Needless to say I was very excited to get out among the vineyards, but the first step was finding a place to stay. Thankfully, I discovered a picture perfect rental home on Homeaway.com. This spot had my name written all over it!

This modern take on a farmhouse had everything my design-loving heart could ask for in a vacation home. The architecture and design are stunning. Think vaulted ceilings, beautiful hardwood floors and pitch perfect finishes in every space. The house is split into two sections with an adjoining deck…that leads out to a heated pool! Um, yes and yes. We would slide open the oversized glass doors and just sit in the kitchen letting the warm wine country air waft in. The minimalist decor and neutral color palette was so relaxing. The spa-like bathrooms and gourmet kitchen were another major plus. And Carter got to take his first dip in a pool. He was less than amused but he loved the shower we took after getting out!

And while I was temped to sit on that deck all day erry’day, we did manage to get out and about. That was made particularly simple because there were wineries and the cute Jimtown Store literally steps from our front door. That took care of my need for cappuccino and my return to wine tasting – no driving required! But wine country is too beautiful not to venture a bit further so we did hop in the car and head to Dry Creek – a whole 20 minutes away and discovered some of our favorite wines to date.

Wine tasting with a newborn was actually a breeze. Sure I overpacked swaddle blankets and under packed diapers. Sure, we had blowouts and spitups that required me to do laundry {thank you rental house with laundy room}. But none of it mattered because I was dealing with those things in such a beautiful space! Carter also basically slept the whole time we were out and about, really boosting our parental confidence. In fact our confidence was boosted so much that we even braved a dinner in downtown Healdsburg. Sadly, that experiment was less successful. Carter did not take to bustling restaurant noise, so we were forced to enjoy our entrees solo while the other parent circled the block with the stroller. But since we ate at the new-parent dinner hour of 5:30pm, we were able to return to our gorgeous rental home, that stunning deck, the fine bottle of wine we’d picked up in the Valley that day and this sunset:

And I couldn’t have been happier.

I’m already counting down the days until we can return. While I’m hesitant to give up this gorgeous find, you can check it out for yourself on Homeaway.com right here. Below are a few of the spots we uncovered during our mini-adventure, but I know they are only the tip of the Alexander Valley iceberg. If you have any recommendations for wine tasting, dining or really anything fabulous in northern Sonoma/Russian River/Alexander Valley, please leave them in the comments!

FAVORITE ALEXANDER VALLEY DISCOVERIES:

Wineries
> Hawkes
> Truitt-Hearst
> Preston
> Medlock Ames

Food
> Healdsburg SHED
> Scopa
> Noble Folk
> Flying Goat Coffee
> Jimtown Store

For more of our favorite wine country finds click here, here and here!

Still have wanderlust? Check out the rest of our Gotta Getaway series HERE including trips to Santa Barbara, Hawaii and Washington, DC.

Capturing Ireland’s Countryside…with A Phone!

Gotta Getaway

Last week our Editorial Director had the opportunity to jet to Ireland for a truly unique look into the traditional world of Irish dairies with Kerrygold. The places Bianca got to see can only be described with a single word: stunning. I only wish little Carter and I could have tagged along! But here is Bianca’s take on the adventure. Own the envy!

Ireland has never been on my list of places I wanted to visit. For a hit-the-pavement, city girl like me, rolling green hillsides and nothing ‘ado wasn’t really my idea of a vacation – or so I thought! So when I accepted an invitation to see Ireland through the eyes of its most famed butter and dairy company, Kerrygold, I really wasn’t quite sure what to expect. But when I stepped off the plane, I was ready for everything the capital city of Dublin had to offer. Little did I know, Dublin was not on the agenda at all! In fact, the only Dublin I would see was the airport itself. After a two+ hours’ drive, I found myself in the heart of the Irish countryside and I realized my chic leather boots were going to need to quickly be replaced by practical wellies! The urban Ireland I had in my head was not the Ireland I was going to see.

As it turns out, I was getting the rare chance to experience a tourist-free itinerary and capture a unique and intimate Irish story! Armed with a ton of curiosity, but just a phone in my hand to capture it all, I slipped into wellies and set off!

Luckily, I decided to pack the new LG G4 phone with me for this trip. Had I known we were headed into some of the most picturesque country side I’d ever seen I might have been tempted to haul the big ole SLR along with me, but we’d been asked to test out this new phone – which is also enabled for international travel – so I stashed it in my carry-on. I was thrilled to discover that I got the same photo quality out of something that fits in my pocket! Turns out, the LG G4 comes equipped with one of the best cameras on the market not only for any smartphone, but for digital cameras in general. I was so impressed with the Laser Autofocus and HighRes Sensors. Not having to worry about lugging an old school camera through fields {literally – we were hangin’ with the cows at one point}, was such a relief. I’m certainly stoked with how my photos turned out – but you be the judge!

But now back to my trip! We spent most of our time in the village of Cork exploring the countryside and learning a great deal about the land and the generations of people connected to it. We visited a dairy, chatting with the farmer about his life and his land {with the killer views overlooking the Atlantic!} and even enjoyed homemade scones and tea with him and his wife. We also visited a family run cheese business and were invited to join the entire family for a literal farm-to-table lunch in their stunning farmhouse. As we explored, we came across the most gorgeous old castles, stayed in charming accommodations, tasted cream straight from the cow and spent an inordinate amount of time simply amazed by how green everything was. Everywhere you turned there were stunning green hills, extensive gardens and farmland you just don’t see here in the states.

My favorite activity? Playing with all of the farm dogs. I’ll never forget the smell of the grass.

Upon returning to the states, friends could hardly believe that this city-slicker was now considering life on a farm. Albeit, the lifestyle may be a bit of a stretch for me at the moment, so I’m thankful I could properly capture my excitement and experience as proof that the magic of Ireland is real, people! Pictures rarely do traveling to a new place justice, but these come pretty darn close. You can practically feel the stone texture of the castles through the images and smell the grass – at least I hope you can!

Now, The LG G4 is not on the market quite yet, but you can still test the camera out for yourself. A LG G4 truck is currently touring the nation – how fun! – giving people the chance to play with the device before it’s released. You can follow @G4Preview for tour updates and pre-register for the phone HERE. With pre-registering, you’ll get notified when the phone is available and you’ll be entered to win one of 30 free phones!

As for me, not only were unforeseen wellies in my forecast on this crazy whirlwind trip, but so was falling into a deep love affair for The Emerald Isle – to think, a country never on my list! I’d love to hear if you’ve ever been to Ireland. Isn’t it a magnificent place? I’m dying to go back already. It truly was a life-changing travel experience. I’ll be sure to bring my phone.

original photography for apartment 34 by bianca sotelo

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of LG. The opinions and text are all mine. We received compensation and access to an LG G4 phone. Thank you for supporting posts that keep Apartment 34’s doors open.

Gotta Getaway: {An Inspiring Island Retreat}

Gotta Getaway

While cooped up in a house on maternity leave, one can’t help but get travel fever – dreaming of beautiful far away places like Morocco, Cape Town, and Bali. In doesn’t help that this time last year, our Editorial Director shared her incredible Balinese vacation and I was living it up on Mykonos! Since we’re homebound this year, dear friend Jaclyn from Blog Society kindly offered to share her breathtaking Indonesian island retreat. Hosted by Natalie of Eat Read Love, some of Australia’s top bloggers, stylists and photographers set out on a journey together that would change their lives! Warning: the following is likely to induce severe wanderlust!

Taking place at Villa Sungai – an award winning luxury villa in Cepaka, Bali, a group of amazing creative ladies joined forces on an international retreat to talk business and collaboration, creating a truly inspiring experience. The recounts of this magical trip will surely help you get through a lackluster Monday in the office! Jaclyn, take it away!

First off, Natalie is no stranger to hosting gorgeous events and our trip to Bali was no exception. She hosted a once in a life-time adventure – a complete ‘pinch me’ getaway that I was so grateful to be part of. Myself, Natalie, Lisa, Nadean, Luisa and Sophie were speechless when we arrived. There we were in the most luxurious villa we’d ever seen, surrounded by close friends and in a culture that is rich in tradition and history.

Over lychee martinis by the pool, we shared stories of success and failure – talking openly and passionately in the kind of freeing environment that only travel can offer. Walking through lush rice paddies, we created the ultimate picnic spot and sat while sipping on rosé and taking in the local surroundings – almost in silence, each of us reflecting on the impact that travel has on the soul. We watched the sunset together while talking about what the future holds and laughed until the wee hours. We explored the countryside and enjoyed balmy mornings that were hot and humid, with still air that was was laced with incense.

Looking back it was the small moments of luxury – being surrounded by exotic flowers, fresh cuisine and indulging in a relaxing massage that made these incredible few days such an escape from reality. But the true adventure was bonding with my soul sisters over cocktails, a new culture and endless conversation – the ultimate trifecta of blog travel!

This trip that Natalie planned was just the beginning. She plans to create more international retreats coming up this year complete with gorgeous setting, brilliant company and a magical culture. Talk about dream getaway. It doesn’t get much better than that!

And if you’re planning an escape to Bali yourself, here what you’ll want to pack to get that perfectly chic island style!

Get Your Shop On:

> 1. Illesteva Round Mirrored Sunglasses
> 2. Ryan Roche Crushable Straw Hat
> 3. The Net Bag
> 4. Dolce Vita Nude Sandals
> 5. Koza Elyse Dress
> 6. Rag & Bone Gracie Scarf

images c/o Luisa Brimble

What To Visit in LA If You Have Less Than 24 Hours

Gotta Getaway

With spring breaks upon us, it’s time to start thinking about taking a mini escape! But where to go and what to do when time is short? A few months ago our Editorial Director went on a quick 24 hour trip to Los Angeles in search of big design and even bigger inspiration. With hours against her, but no set itinerary, Bianca hit the pavement running, at times quite literally, in order to beat the ticking clock and savor every second in sunny LA! She stumbled upon some hidden gems while she was checking out a couple of other mainstays. This all looks so fun, she’s even got me considering a quick trip to the City of Angels before le bebe appears! Here are her top discoveries:

> The Line Hotel – A super modern hotel where no design detail was missed – we’re talking down to the “do not disturb” sign. Refrain from trying to sneak every gorgeous piece into your luggage. You also get an awesome view of the Hollywood sign from your room, but really, no one is looking at the sign when your hotel room looks like that!

> Poketo – The popular design focused store has a pop-up shop right in the lobby of The Line. It definitely goes above and beyond our average “pop up” and is well worth a walk through. From super gorgeous bath soaps, to chic zip pouches, clothing, bags and everything in between, you’ll likely find an excuse as to why you “need” it all.

> The Commissary – The Line’s restaurant is kind of the best thing about the entire hotel – because it’s in a greenhouse! You can enjoy the ambiance even if you’re not staying in the hotel and we highly recommend it. Vines and leaves hang overhead and mismatched English tea sets and plates make your food prettier, if that’s possible. A playful menu built like a bingo game and cocktails served in soup to-go containers will ensure sensory overload and surprise after surprise. Did we mention it’s in a greenhouse?!

> Bottega Louie – If you’re headed downtown, it’s basically a sin not to stroll into this longstanding joint. Stop for a pastry {Nutella filled brioche!!} and coffee, stop by for a cocktail or enjoy lunch in the spacious restaurant. Regardless, don’t leave without getting something smothered in butter or sugar, or both. You’ll also want to check out Aesop if you’re in the area!

> Aesop – Every Aesop store is designed completely differently, something the brand prides itself on. So if you’ve been to one, you haven’t been to them all which is exactly why you should go to every single one you possibly can! LA’s is filled with cardboard, yup cardboard, cardboard that looks so cool you’re going to want to wallpaper your own home in it.

> Joan’s on Third – It’s an LA institution and you should probably go just to feel the LA buzz practically humming off its outdoor patio. This place is always packed, so if humans aren’t your thing, go in, grab a sandwich {or cookie or cupcake or amazing salad} to go and head out.

> Beckley Boutique – Alexander Wang, local LA jewelry designers, cool design books, they all live in this well curated women’s boutique. You’ll want something. And you should probably get it because it’s LA – the land of looking good!

So there’s proof postive you can literally hit all of these LA hotspots in under 5 hours – perfect for a pesky layover! If you only had a day in LA, what would you see?? We’d love to add to our must-see list for our next trip!

Looking for more last minute travel ideas?? Check out more of our fave escapes HERE!

images by bianca sotelo

Gotta Getaway: Four Seasons Biltmore, Santa Barbara

Gotta Getaway

Since so many people take trips around the President’s Day holiday – or are at least beginning to dream of their next escape,I thought a little vacation inspiration would be in order today! As you may have seen on Instagram, we recently made our pre-baby getaway to Santa Barbara. It’s the perfect escape from San Francisco – just far enough away to feel like a real vacation, but close enough to enjoy for a long weekend. But this weekend getaway was extra special. Since we were marking our last trip together sans kid, we headed straight for an equally extra-special spot – The Four Seasons, Biltmore. After getting to visit for one night at age 12, the hotel has always held this amazing mystique for me. And it certainly lived up to my childhood memories.

Tucked away just south of downtown Santa Barbara, the Biltmore is really its own oasis. There’s really nothing else around it – other than a gorgeous stretch of Butterfly Beach and the Pacific Ocean of course! The property opened as a hotel in 1927 and has enjoyed a storied history as hot spot for the Hollywood crowd ever since. But I can see why people love coming here – there’s just something warm and inviting about the place. The grounds make you feel like you’re in a secret tropicl garden, paths twisting and turning until you stumble upon a hidden courtyard or beautiful balcony. When the classic gas lamps are lit at dusk, the place literally glows.

my bump style: asos leather bomber jacket {similar} // hackwith design studio dress // zara booties {similar} // the podolls x shawn burke clutch // banana republic sunnies // sweet n spark necklace

While I’m usually drawn to a more modern aesthetic, I love the stately old-world elegance of this spot. Spanish tile, terra cotta roofs, gorgeous masonary are everywhere. And then there’s the impeccable attention to detail. Things like heating the bathroom floors automatically so they’re warm when you head to bed and when you wake up in the morning is just one of the little bits of genius tucked into every room. That the uber plush terry cloth robes made me oh so happy.

The most comfortable hotel bed I’ve ever slept in also certainly helps – especially when suffering from pregnancy insomnia. I would have gladly stayed in that bed all day. I would have been totally content just listening to the ocean waves crash and the enjoy the breeze coming in through our open balcony doors. Bu tthen I would have missed out on the 80 degree January weather and my prenatal spa treatments.

You don’t know indulgence until you’ve enjoyed a massage in a gorgeous treatment room streaming with natural light, the windows open to let in the warm air waft over you and the melodic sound of the surf just across the way. It was the purest definition of heaven. Add on a facial featuring all-natural, organic Tata Harper skincare that left my face glowing afterwards and I was nothing but a puddle of pure bliss.

Adjacent to The Biltmore grounds is another gem – the Coral Casino. It’s been around almost as long as hotel itself and serves as a private beach club, but all Biltmore guests have access. I swooned as soon as I stepped inside. The throwback Miami vibe had me at hello. Sure there’s a full gym and all that good stuff, but my sights were set firmly on the ocean-front olympic-sized pool. It was all I needed to convince myself to get out of that feathery hotel bed! With pool side service that included fresh green juice and house-made granola with berries for breakfast, followed by stellar fish tacos for lunch and mocktails to lounge away the afternoon, I was one very happy preggo lady.

The days seems to slow down as we enjoyed doing very little. Reading, relaxing and just enjoying our surroundings was exactly what we needed. Each evening we’d enjoy an epic sunset overlooking the ocean. I don’t know what it is about Santa Barbara’s golden sunset glow, but I swear light just doesn’t take on quite the same quality anywhere else. And even though it was a short stay, I swear that 72 hour escape is what continues to fuel me through these last few crazy get-ready-for-baby weeks.

I did take notes on my favorite new Santa Barbara discoveries. I’d highly recommend any of these if you’re stopping through town.

Top 10 Things to Do/See/Eat in Santa Barbara

Diani Boutique: Tucked away on upper State Street in downtown Santa Barbara, the coolest fashions in town can be found here. Diani’s home store is also stellar! I still kicking myself for not buying the Moroccan blanket I saw there…

Jenni Kayne Boutiques: If you’re looking for chic minimalism with lush fabrics then Jenni Kayne clothing is for you. And her home store is the perfect curation of ceramics, textiles, candles and all those other little details that turn a house into a home. I was in heaven!

Whistle Club: For an eclectic mix of California-cool and more uptown looks check out this brand new shop in the Paseo Nuevo pedestrian mall. Manned by a husband and wife team, they whip up Stumptown espresso to keep the guys occupied while you shop!

The French Press: The perfect place to get your coffee fix either before or after shopping

Rori’s Ice Cream: One of Santa Barbara’s newest foodie attractions is the Public Market – a cute little one-stop-shop for artisanal groceries and lots of local food purveyors including Rori’s Ice Cream. I’m obsessed with their “biscoff” aka shortbreaad cookie flavor. To.Die!

The Funk Zone: Why oh why didn’t this exist when I was in college. Just blocks from the beach at the edge of State Street there’s now a little criss cross of blocks filled with wine and beer tasting rooms! I definitely plan to go back when I can indulge.

Lucky Penny: If you want a great pizza or super delicious salad to break up your wine tasting, this is the spot! I’m dying to try their sister restaurant The Lark!

SamaSama: A modern take on Indonesian food, the flavors are fantastic {my fave was the pork belly skewers!}, the level of spice is intense {consider yourself warned} and the setting is super chic. I’m only bummed I couldn’t sample their amazing cocktail menu!

The Stone House at San Ysidro Ranch: If you need spot for an ultimate romantic dinner under the stars- this is it. JFK and Jackie O honeymooned here. Does it get any better??

But what really tops my list is simply indulging in an escape to The Biltmore. You’ll never want to leave that lovely dream-land! I’m already plotting my return – this time baby in tow!!

original photography for apartment 34 by arna bee photography

Prepping for Bebe Update: The Babymoon

Fashion

So today we’re going to get a little personal. I hope that’s ok with you. I haven’t really talked about being pregnant around here {other than this and this}, partly because I wasn’t sure if anyone would actually be at all interested, but also because I haven’t really had that much to say! I have to confess, I think I may have been in denial that I’m actually pregnant. I realize that probably sounds terrible. But I’ve been lucky enough to have a very smooth pregnancy experience and busy enough with the rest of daily life that it’s as if nothing has changed. I haven’t even bought baby clothes yet. Nothing! Did anyone else have this experience?

But now that we’re into the new year, this whole we’re going to have a kid thing is feeling much more real. The bump starting to get pretty legit {proof here!} helps, as do the kicks that keep getting stronger everyday. But even now, I still kinda can’t comprehend that there’s going to be a human at the end of this whole thing – and in just a couple of months…

But before we get to that point {and my real panic attacks set in!} I have started planning for one critical expectant-parent milestone – one that I think is totally Apartment 34 relevant – the Babymoon! I won’t lie. I was thrilled when I heard about this genius concept – a final escape for you & your partner full of relaxation and pampering. You’re just not supposed to think about the fact that it’ll never be just the two of you ever again!

While I had originally daydreamed of a jaunt to an exoctic locale or super tropical beach, time, resources and reality just weren’t making room for some over the top trip, so instead I began to hunt for more local alternatives. And then I found the perfect getaway – the Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara and we’re headed there in just a couple of weeks!

Santa Barbara has actually been near and dear to my heart since my first visit at age 12! It also happens to be where I went to college, where we celebrated my 30th birthday and where we had our engagement photos taken {five years ago, what?!}! It is a little jewel of a place, sheltered in its own idyllic world. And I j’dore it. The light is a different kind of golden, the beaches are the perfect mix of Southern California expanse and dramatic northern Californian landscape. Of course, there are my other favorite things – super cute boutiques {can’t wait to check out this one and this one}, fabulous food and the ultimate treat – staying at The Biltmore! It’s basically the holy grail of hotels. I see amazing spa treatments, delicious meals and barefoot beach walks in my very near future and needless to say, I can’t wait. This is my version of anticipating Christmas morning.

Now the only question remains….what am I going to pack?? Here’s what’s currently on my wishlist.

Get Your Shop On:

> This Heidi Merrick Maxi Dress is the perfect ‘bump dress’
> A Rag & Bone Bomber Jacket instantly bring sporty attitude to a feminine dress
> These classic Mykita Aviator Sunglasses go with everything
> Maternity Stripe Top – a thin, striped long sleeve top is the ideal travel shirt
> The “Beach” RGB Nail Polish is a light, sandy sheer. Need I say more?
> Dying to try this Rodin Hair Oil. It’s apricot oil fused with almond, sunflower and juniper, mmm
> Love this organic “Balmy Days” Ilia Lim Balm. It’ll keep lips soft during winter beach days
> This Infinite Knot Pendant Necklace with rope detail gives a little nod to the ocean
> Obsessed with the Everlane Twill Weekender Bag. It’s perfect for him or her
> Lace Bralet – pretty lingerie on a babymoon is a must
> These One Teaspoon Shorts are so good: baggy and comfortable, just the way I need them these days
> I always wear a Panama Hat for extra protection from the sun
> These Freda Salvador D’Orsay Oxford are super easy to slip on and off in the sand

It could be a bit hard to outfit plan as my bump is now growing on the daily and my closet is quickly thinning. But with a few fail-safe options {that I’ll get just as much wear out of post-bebe} I think I’ll still be able to feel like me on this trip! For a day filled with little more than some quality lounging, a striped tee is all I really need. Should the weather cooperate and be nice enough for some afternoon window shopping {it can be a nice 70-something in January!}, I’ll throw on a pair of boyfriend shorts, my favorite flats and top it all off with a classic Panama hat. I definitely want to enjoy a nice night out too and a floor length dress is the perfect way to feel extra special. And the best thing about a quick hop down the California coast? This will all fit perfectly in a cute weekender!

Ok, I’m pretty dang excited for this little escape now. To all the mamas out there – any must-do babymoon activities you recommend??

images 1-3 via Laura Murray Photography // image 4 via Laure Joliet // image 5 & 7 via Simone Anne // image 6 via Could I Have That

Gimme More

Subscribe via Email