Retail Therapy: {The Podolls, San Francisco}

Fashion

I first learned of The Podolls, the clothing line created by husband and wife design duo Lauren and Josh Podoll, not long after arriving in San Francisco. At the time, their designs – both their hand-designed fabrics and clothing made out of said fabric – were entirely online. But I was immediately smitten. This is my kind of style – oversized tunics, cozy sweaters, super soft tees all in a nice neutral color palette. So when they opened their first boutique in Burlingame I knew I’d love the brand personified and they certainly didn’t disappoint. And now they’ve gone one step further – opening a second shop in Noe Valley! We made an immediate beeline to the perfectly curated and beautifully designed space. From custom displays (made by Josh no less!), and an in-store playhouse – Lauren and Josh have outdone themselves with this space – and I couldn’t be happier for them – and for my closet!

We sat down to pick Lauren’s brain about her passion for fashion, launching a fashion line and how she balances work and family life.

The Birth of Josh + Lauren + The Podolls

Josh and I met in 2003 when I was a buyer for ab fits here in San Francisco. I had been working in the fashion world for about three years and loved buying, but secretly always wanted to design! When I met Josh, he was making t-shirts with silkscreened artwork and I bought some to carry in the store. Six months later we had our first date and immediately started brainstorming about new designs and working together. We grew the collection over time and educated ourselves about textiles, pattern making, and production. We’ve maintained our commitment to using organic and natural fibers while we’ve expanded the array of styles well beyond the original graphic tees. The line has always been sewn locally and we’re very proud of that.

Shopping In The Store + Highlighting Other Artisans

We have been fortunate to partner with some wonderful retail stores, including local favorites like MAC (Modern Appealing Clothing) and dish, and yet we always dreamed of having our own retail store for our brand. The process of opening a store and running it day-to-day has brought me full circle back to the days of working at ab fits and I’m grateful for those years of experience. The Podolls retail stores showcase our collection along with the work of independent designers we admire and who complement our line. We don’t specialize in denim or accessories so, each season, I curate pieces around our collection from the lines we sell. Over the years we’ve met so many talented designers and artisans at the trade shows we attend so it was easy to select from makers we admire.

We designed a hangtag for items we sell in the stores that are not our label and we explain on there why we chose the item— possible categories are: made in the USA, artisanal production, natural fibers, recycled, locally produced, family-run business, philanthropic, and fair wage labor. Everything we sell hits at least one of those distinctions. Some of our favorite lines for women are: Ryan Roche, Micaela Greg, Closed Denim, Freda Salvador, Martiniano, Ampersand as Apostrophe, Marisa Mason, Reinhard Plank and Ariel Clute. We also have a children’s area of the store for our podots line as well as Bobo Choses, Mini Rodini, Cabbages & Kings and Mini & Maximus.

Right now, I’m spending a lot of time on the floor of the new SF location as we acclimate to the area and meet new customers. I love meeting new clients and introducing them to our line. The personal interactions inherent to brick and mortar retail are a big reason we opened the stores; you just can’t get that sort of intimate exchange when shopping online!

On Professional and Personal Balance

In terms of balancing professional and personal, I just try my best at it every day. Our son is in preschool now so we have a big chunk of the day to dedicate solely to work. Then we try to put all our attention on him in the early mornings and evenings. We love morning family dance parties and reading stories in the evening. When I prioritize my yoga practice, the days and weeks are much smoother—it’s so important to find those minutes for tuning in and turning off the mind. I have also found that becoming a mother has made me more efficient— I no longer have the luxury of over thinking things so I repeat the phrase ‘Done is Better than Perfect’. That’s a good one for all of us with perfectionistic tendencies.

Lauren’s Final Words of Advice

Cultivate experiences. Don’t settle. Strive towards your dream job. Realize that your work is your life so enjoy it.

Curious about the lovely design choices in the space? They’re just so gorgeous, especially in person!

Lauren tells all: the cash wrap/jewelry display case was made by Danny Montoya of Key & Kite, the playhouse was made for us by Jay Nelson {with indigo dyed curtains by Matt of Flint Outdoors!}, the maple and concrete chandelier was made by our LA based friends Airi and Ryan of wrk-shp and the built in cabinets, shelves and dovetail walnut bench were made by Josh. We wanted to create another light and open space like we enjoy at the Burlingame location so we painted the walls white and bleached and tinted the wood floors for a calm Scandinavian feeling!

Needless to say, it all came together perfectly! Check out the brand spanking new The Podolls San Francisco space in Noe Valley at 3985 24th Street!

original photography for apartment 34 by Charles Redding

Retail Therapy: {Le Labo, San Francisco}

San Francisco

You know us- we’re always on the hunt for new visual eye candy. That can sometime require a little manual labor…ok, by that we just really mean getting off our butts and out of the office, but the effort is always totally worth it. One of our favorite things to do is to just walk a neighborhood to look at new window installations, check out the latest collections and scope out any recent additions. Recently, Team Apartment 34 decided to take a trip Fillmore Street, to not only rejuvenate our minds, but also our senses!

Amidst all of the beautifully decorated shops that line Fillmore, Le Labo, a boutique fragrance store, not only catches your eye with its gorgeous interior, but also lures you in nose first with the delicate blend of delicious smells. We’ve popped in and out of the store before, but this time we went with a mission of finding a signature Apartment 34 fragrance – that everyone on the team would love!

Immediately walking into Le Labo, you’re met with sensory overload {in the best way possible!}. First the interiors- delicate bottles of tiny fragrances line the tin tile-covered walls {making up for a perfect #shelfie shot!} and the natural light by the window floods into the rustic chic but homey decor. Mixed materials, industrial lighting, a cardboard coffee table and the awesome campaign-esqe sofa are just the right mix of industrial charm and contemporary craftsmanship!

Our main goal for the day was to pick out a signature Apartment 34 scent. We learned all about the intricate process behind Le Labo’s art of mixing fragrances- from the necessity of “human touch” behind the products {they pick each rose and hand pour each candle!}, down to the naturally compounded perfumes and individualized labeling that each customer receives. The label was the easy part- we’re packaging obsessed. But choosing a fragrance for one person is hard enough- so imagine the struggle we faced with an entire team- six different noses, trying to decide on a single favorite!

Here’s what the tally came down to:

-We loved the Rose 31 {btw, the number indicates how many “ingredients” are in each fragrance}, a feminine-meets masculine scent named for- you guessed it- the Centifolia rose! Romantic and mysterious- it smells amazing.

–Santal 33 is another one of Le Labo’s iconic scents and a major customer favorite. It was no wonder that we all gravitated towards this one. With notes of cardamom, iris, ambrox, sandalwood, we definitely felt the “American west” vibes.

–Ylang 45 was a strong, darkly floral scent. We liked this one for its sharp, woodsy notes.

– Pin 12 is a sophisticated and subtle blend of pine and amber – a perfect unisex fragrance.

The verdict? We narrowed it down to the Santal 33 home candle and the Pin 12 fragrance. Being home decor obsessed, in the end, we found a way to get the best of both worlds- Pin 12 home scent– a light and woodsy breath of fresh air for any pillow or rug. We now keep it in the office and spray the sofa in our reading corner to refresh the air every time inspiration is getting stale and senses could use a re-boost!

Le Labo is the ultimate luxury, whether you’re treating your body or your home, it’s amazing how confident and sophisticated you’ll feel walking out of there with such a mature and luxurious scent on your skin. And if anyone ever tells you different, riddle them this: “Beware of those who have no weakness for women and perfumes.”

original photography for apartment 34 by Aubrie Pick

Retail Therapy: A Zen-full Tea Shop

San Francisco

Next Tuesday is officially the first day of Fall. Can you believe it?? I KNOW. We can’t either. Good thing we’ve found the coziest haven from the ever thickening San Francisco fog; the most incredible tea shop you ever did see. Samovar Tea Lounge recently opened its newest location in the popular San Francisco Mission District and hipster hearts, including our own, are exploding all over the city!

Walls of custom made ceramic vessels and caldron-like copper pots steam brewing tea. Black-washed floors make the already subtly lit stone walls seem beautifully cave-like and a single bench stretching the entire room just begs you to stay a while. But {if you can believe it} there’s something more than this instagram-worthy space that has us convinced we’ll be making tea trips over coffee runs all season long! The answer is yes and it comes in the form of two words: chai tea.

We haven’t spied a space that does ‘cozy and inviting’ better than this one. Bundled up in a leather jacket and scarf, briskly walking down Valencia St., it’s pretty much impossible NOT to duck out of the chilled air and stop into Samovar. It’s something out of a movie, really. Tea is being stirred and ladled out of huge hammered copper pots and employees clad in crafty leather and canvas aprons are offering you a flaky scone and butter with your piping hot drink.

But the real treat is actually the tea itself. We’re here to tell you that their chai tea is the best chai you’ll ever put to your lips. Rich and milky, it’s the perfect drink to make you warm inside -we’d take it over a cup of jo on a brisk fall morning and that’s saying A LOT. It doesn’t hurt that it comes in a gorgeous ceramic mug of which we’ve already tried our luck at purchasing a set for ourselves only to find out they’re a custom cup just for Samovar. Nooooo.

Next time you’re in San Francisco, or if you’re a local and have YET to visit Samovar on Valencia, you need to move it to the top of your list. Fall is right around the corner and we promise, Samovar is tea-licious! —Bianca

original photography for apartment 34 by Aubrie Pick

Retail Therapy: {Jessie Black, San Francisco}

Fashion

It seems like everyday there’s a new restaurant or boutique to check out in San Francisco – it’s one of the things we really love about the city- it’s ever evolving. But it’s not everyday that a new spot opens up with THE sweetest shop owner of all time. Because, really, a space is only as amazing as the people inside. Jessie Black, Pacific Height’s latest luxury retail haven, is our fave new boutique, not just for the luxuriously soft lines of cashmere they carry, but for the lady behind the brand, Ms. Jessie Black, herself!

This sweet boutique is truly one of the most unique shopping experiences in San Francisco. In the store fragrant coconut wax candles burn, french music plays, piles of purposefully “not-too-neatly” folded cashmere scream “feel me!” – every sense is brought to life.

We love the fact that Jessie designed her store around luxury textures and they are indeed everywhere! The space is beautifully accessorized with chunky knit blankets, plush woven rugs and the softest cashmere pullovers you’ve ever felt. And with a plate of macarons often put out for guests- the store is a treat, in more ways than one!

Our favorite element has to be the fact that the shop is home to one of San Francisco’s most unique changing rooms: “the boudoir.” Jessie wanted to create a space where guests would feel right at home so her dressing room includes a bed, armoire, and gorgeous accessories- everything to make the room feel like a real bedroom. When you’re ready to try on a cozy sweater, you draw back the curtains and have the entire boudoir to change in! Jessie even encourages guests to throw the clothes on the bed {just like you would at home!}, rifle through the drawers where you’ll find fine silk lingerie and open the cupboard where the latest cashmere jacket and folded cotton t-shirts are hung- all for sale!

And if the boudoir isn’t enough, there is a beautiful patio where you can enjoy the sunshine and stay awhile- truly making Jessie Black your home away from home!!

If you get a chance to chat as you comb through the shop’s sweet details you might get to hear Jessie’s infatuating story. A true world traveller {she’s lived everywhere from Paris to Monte Carlo, London to New York and happens to be Australian!}, her work embodies the places she’s been:

“I have been lucky enough to live in Paris, London, New York and Monte Carlo. Working in each of these great design capitals has been an incredible opportunity and really shaped my design aesthetic. Each city has its distinct style and energy. I took a slice of inspiration from each of these cities. I love the chic minimalism of Paris, the classic nature of London, the boldness of New York, the old-world sophistication of Monte Carlo and the freshness and diversity of San Francisco. Sydney for its natural beauty!”

We asked Jessie about her road to opening a luxury retail store. Early on with an MBA in the luxury goods sector, she learned opening a boutique is no easy feat. So Jessie hired on Parisian boutique manager, Carla, who has quite the resume herself, working at Christian Lacroix and Chanel and is especially grateful to her husband, whom would work her trade shows {Maison et Objet Paris, to be exact!}, ironing bed sheets and serving coffee to guests for days straight. Talk about a keeper!!

Jessie’s love and passion for her craft, her sweet-as-pie personality and her gorgeous store are three things everyone should have the pleasure of experiencing. If you are shopping in San Francisco be sure to pop in to feel some of the softest cashmere you’ll ever touch {get this– she uses the same atelier as Chanel!} and of course, bite into a scrumptious pistachio or passion fruit macaron! — Bianca

For even more of our San Francisco favorites, CLICK HERE!

original photography for apartment 34 by Aubrie Pick

Tasty Tuesday: {Souvla, San Francisco}

San Francisco

This is a deep and honest confession- I have never been a fan of Greek food, ever. The yogurts were slightly foreign for my taste buds {I was never a Danables kid!}, spices just a tad too aromatic and robust for my palate and the desserts failed to live up to the much praised “baklava moment” – the after-tasting-it-you-never-look-at-desserts-the-same, moment. But before you put me through the fire, I’m also here to tell you the San Francisco neighborhood Hayes Valley’s new Greek hot spot, Souvla has me running to my fat Greek seat at the table!

Chef Charles Bililies souvlaki gem is the new go-to lunch, dinner or dessert spot any day of the week!

What made me ever step into a Greek restaurant in the first place? I discovered the joint while shopping on Hayes and literally being stopped dead in my tracks. The clean white inside, shiny grey stools outside and olive trees flanking the doors sung a sweet song from the exterior. And when you walk in, you’re greeted by copper mugs, {just like in Greece as Erin’s trip to Mykonos proved!}, a gorgeous tiled bar and dried olive branches mixed with vintage kitchen utensils hanging from the walls.

And the food is just as beautiful as the space it’s cooked in. Salads are served in big blue-rimmed enamel bowls. Sandwiches are wrapped in cute paper packaging and the wine is served in traditional copper mugs. You can even watch the chickens crisp up in the rotisserie. And for a non-greek goer, like myself, the menu is easy- you pick a meat and decide if you want it in a salad or sandwich. Furthermore, if you’re like me, you’ll order both! Because everything looks so yummy. Let’s not forget about dessert: Greek frozen yogurt with your choice of toppings like Greek olive oil and flaky sea salt {yes!}, baklava crumbles {double yes!} , sour cherry syrup or wildflower honey. Seriously- mind-blowing. It’s no surprise as Chef Bililies comes with a pedigree a mile long including working for culinary greats like Thomas Keller and Michael Mina!

And while the food is sincerely the best part of the experience, I’ve since come back to both eat and stare at the Nikos Economopoulos photograph on the wall {and plot a plan of how to walk out of the restaurant, unseen, with an 8ft art piece under my arm!}. Obsessed.

Hayes Valley is a fast changing neighborhood and the addition of Souvla is just what the popular couple of blocks needed- a casual, affordable, fast and delicious dining experience leaving you dreaming of spit roasted pork and what? Harissa yogurt! Greek food lovers, I get it now. —Bianca

For more of our San Francisco favorites, food related and otherwise, CLICK HERE!

original photography for apartment 34 by Aubrie Pick

Retail Therapy: {SHED, Healdsburg}

Gotta Getaway

It’s not everyday that an incredibly well designed and gorgeous space opens up in most cities, let alone in the teeny tiny Northern California town of Healdsburg. You may have remembered spying our vist to ‘The ‘Burg’ on Instagram a few weeks back and while we were there, we certainly weren’t going to miss our opportunity to check out the much talked about open-space market/resaurant/coffee shop/bar/general awesome hangout, SHED!

Word of Shed spread rapidly and it’s tempting us city dwellers to drive past the likes of Napa and Sonoma and take the extra 30 minutes it takes to get there! Focusing on quality artisan-made goods, Shed’s shelves are filled with tried and true pieces for your home and garden. It’s all the stuff that makes us swoon. Everything from artisanal brooms {yes they exist!} to oversized marble pestles and mortars can be found here. You can stock your pantry with locally made jams and gourmet olive oils as well as come home with something from the in-house larder! No matter what you’re in the market for, you definitely won’t leave empty handed- even if you do just walk away with some fresh blooms!

In the middle of the market, you’ll also find a cafe to sit and enjoy a cup of jo, as well as some crave-worthy bites. We couldn’t get enough of their gorgeous toasts {we do love a good tartine afterall}! Goat cheese and pickled watermelon radish toast called our name, but the herbed artichoke toast made us go back for seconds. Yumm.

Our absolute favorite thing had to be Shed’s fermentation bar! Never heard of such a thing? We hadn’t either.

Turns out, it’s a bar that serves all kinds of naturally cultured and fermented drinks that are made in-house or by local brewers. Kombucha, Kefir, natural sodas and beers are on tap, as well as local wines. And you can even have the bartender mix up a house-made Shrub. What’s a Shrub you ask? Let us explain.

Shrubs are drinks that actually date back to the 17th century. They’re made by combining fermented vinegar with fruit and sparkling water. There’s a reason they’ve stayed around this long- they’re a refreshing treat in your mouth! They’re sweet-tart, effervescent and really quite lovely. We ordered the Carrot + Coriander and the Grapefruit Shrub and could have easily kept on going through the entire menu!

If you’re making your way up to wine country this summer, take a well worth it detour to Shed! Who’s already snuck away from the city and enjoyed a glass of wine there? Better question, who’s ready to do it again?! We are!

For more fabulous things to do and see round the Bay Area this summer head here.

original photography for apartment 34 by Aubrie Pick

Girl Crush: {There’s a New Editor-In-Chief In Town}

Business of blogging

That’s right. We love women who love to run the show, so it’s a no-brainer that we immediately swooned over Alisa Carroll. She is the Editor in Chief of the newly launched publication, San Francisco Cottages & Gardens {yay for print magazines!}. We also swooned because she is awesome. Like, really awesome! Here’s how this conclusion was drawn:

We sent her interview questions over email {it’s faster- people are busy- idk, it’s the 21st century?} and when she sent them back with the words “cray, cray” in her answers, we just about died. Who was this new and {seriously!} fierce EIC, who was cool enough to quote a Jay-Z song?! We had to know. Thankfully, she wanted to meet us too {?} so we met her at one of her favorite San Francisco boutiques, March {epic!}, where we talked leather pants, dogs with underbites and oh yeah, the important stuff…

With a slew of experiences behind her {and in front of her!}, Alisa shared with us the path to her latest role, a peek into what running a magazine is really like and her advice on…well anything we could think to ask, because we’ll take whatever words of wisdom this dynamic woman is willing to offer up!

Her Background

My path has definitely not been linear, but I’ve always written. For the first decade of my adult life, I was in a band, songwriting and touring around. It was a really defining experience—it helped me find my voice and figure out who I was. But ultimately I wanted life to be a little more stable! I’d always been involved in visual art and design, so I began writing for magazines like Elle Décor and Interior Design, and collaborated with artists and designers to promote their work, Jay [Jeffers] being one of them. We met ten years ago and its been an amazing, inspiring relationship ever since. A few years ago, when I started to feel the pull to go back to writing full time, I was lucky enough to be invited to edit 3D, the annual journal of the San Francisco Design Center. Then Jay and I began developing the book, and I came on board at SFC&G this past December. [My career] happened very organically. To me that’s always a good sign–when something doesn’t have to be forced, it feels like I’m on the right path.

A Day In The Life

Every day is about trying to balance the creative and business aspects of the magazine. I might go from interviewing a designer for a story to meeting with the social media team to editing the product section. For example, this past week we shot a phenomenal home in Monterey, so I was scouting the styling elements and shooting, then hustled back up to the city to do the final edits on the current issue, then worked on researching a story for the next issue.

On Being the Boss-Lady

[Being Editor-in-Chief] is my dream job, but a magazine is also a train that does not stop! As soon as the current issue is off and running, we’re planning the next. So while we’re all writing stories for June/July, for example, we’re also planning and scouting for August/September. It’s cray-cray.

On Success

Being lucky enough to know kind, smart, creative people who have been willing to help guide me has contributed to my success. My pinch-me moment was definitely the book launch in London. I walked up to the Chelsea Design Center and there was Collected Cool in the bookstore window. I get butterflies every time I see it on a shelf.

Her Advice

Find your true voice and don’t compromise it. I had drinks recently with a dear friend, an accomplished writer and editor, who still lays awake at night worrying about the crop of a photo or a font. That kind of meticulousness is really what it all comes down to. I hate to think of what percentage of my life I’ve spent writing “no one” then changing it to “no body” and then back and forth again a hundred times. It’s totally obsessive and ultimately may not matter to anyone (anybody) but me, but it’s the only way to get to what’s beautiful and meaningful.

It’s also ok to screw it up. There’s a great scene in “The Young Victoria” in which she says, “If there are mistakes they will be my mistakes, and no one else will make them.” It’s important to take a risk. Like, I probably never should have worn my hair in cornrows, but now I know.

About SFC&G

We are committed to creating a magazine that we hope people will feel authentically reflects the beauty and soul of San Francisco. SFC&G is the only design publication that is dedicated exclusively to this city, and all of our coverage emerges locally–we want to distill the creativity of the Bay—from interior design to landscape to visual art–into its pages. I’m excited about our May issue, which is all about verdant living – the experience of the Bay in spring when we head back to Dolores Park in earnest, to events like Art Market and the Film Festival and, of course, to the bar to begin imbibing awesome cocktails with absurdly esoteric herbs. Cheers!

And per Girl Crush tradition, we asked Alisa to answer our rapid fire Q&A!

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Thank you to Alisa for such a fun hangout sesh {we’ll take one of everything in that store!} and if you haven’t already, pick up the new issue of San Francisco Cottages & Gardens! — Bianca

original photography for apartment 34 by Aubrie Pick

Tasty Tuesday: Bite into the Bay Area

Recipes

What is it about going out for breakfast that makes the food taste SO good? It’s not like the dishes are typically that complicated or the ingredients exotic {though we all know bacon makes everything amazing!}.

Obviously, someone else whipping up a delicious dish for you always makes it taste better. But for me, it’s also a lot about the environment I’m enjoying it in! Obviously, this seems like the perfect fit for a new occasional Tasty Tuesday series: combining great spaces and fab food. I’m calling it Bite into the Bay Area and I’m basically using it as a reason to incentivize my never-ending search for my next favorite plate and favorite place.

I’m kicking things off with a San Francisco staple that I teased on Instagram a few weeks back… Universal Cafe!

Luckily, it’s only blocks away from the Loft so I can mosey over for a leisurely morning meal pretty much any day of the week. And my must-have dish, their Soft-Scrambled Eggs, regularly temps me to do just that!

The flavors are always bright, the ingredients super fresh and the sides mouth-watering {they include perfectly crisp toast and salads that are how can you make a salad taste this good good}. No matter how hard I try, I always clean my plate!!

Leaving Universal Cafe always leaves me wondering, why can’t I make eggs taste that good at home?! So I put myself to a challenge {with help from my mini cookbook library of course} and after many a-taste test, this recipe from The Sprouted Kitchen, one of my favorite food blogs turned cookbooks, comes as close I’ve found! I should have known. I come back to The Sprouted Kitchen time and time again.

With this recipe, even if you don’t have a Universal Cafe in your neighborhood, I hope you can get a taste of one of my favorite SF joints at home!

Soft Scrambled Eggs with Leeks by The Sprouted Kitchen

Ingredients (serves 4)

10 eggs
6 T whole milk
3 large leeks, white & light green cleaned
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
2 t chopped fresh thyme or tarragon leaves plus more for garnish
1 T extra virgin olive oil

Directions
In a large bowl whisk eggs and 2T milk, until light and evenly mixed and smooth. {this was one of my big aha moments: you can’t cut corners, or calories if your soft scrambled eggs are going to be ah-mazing!}.

Halve the leeks and then slice into half moons. Warm the butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add leeks and 1/2 t salt and stir to coat. Saute stirring occasionally, until the leeks are softened and browned in parts (12-15 minutes). Add remaining 4 T of milk and thyme and cook until the liquid is absorbed into the leek. Turn off heat & set aside.

Now for the eggs – this is particular so be sure to pay attention to the details!

In a large nonstick pan, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Give the eggs one more whisk. When the pan is warm, tilt it so oil puddles in the corner closest to you. Slowly pour eggs into the center of the oil so it spreads outward with the eggs as you lower the pan. Cook without stirringuntil the bottom just starts to set, then gently push eggs from the edges toward the center. Continue until the eggs are almost cooked then turn off the heat. Add a pinch or two of salt and pepper and give them another push to make sure any uncooked parts touch the bottom of the pan. Immediately transfer to plates, garnish with more thyme and serve with leeks.

The recipe also gives a few additional tips for making the best eggs!

~ By whisking eggs first and letting them sit you help bring them up to room temp, improving their texture.
~ Push eggs gently until they’re just barely set to achieve the best “scramble.”
~ Pull the eggs a little earlier than you think you should – they’ll keep cooking from residual heat.

Bon appetito!

original photography for apartment 34 by Aubrie Pick

Gotta Getaway: Dillon Beach, CA

Gotta Getaway

One of my key survival tactics is the weekend getaway. When life becomes too busy and there’s no real vacation on the horizon you can in fact turn 48 hours into a total escape. It’s the perfect way to force yourself to unplug from life’s daily stresses.

And I’m the first to admit that we’re extremely lucky to have amazing getaway destinations at a stone’s throw. Our latest weekend jaunt took us 90-minutes north up the 101 to my new most-favoite spot ever: Dillon Beach.

I could sit and stare at that sunset everyday.

There are a few keys to a successful weekend escape. When we hit the road, I make sure to do the following five things to ensure we take full advantage of our 48-hours away.

1. Meal plan in advance. If you figure out your menu before you go, you can whip up delicious meals and never have to get out of your PJs {if you don’t want to!}. There’s nothing worse than wanting to make a delicious dinnner and realizing you missing cumin. That’s the bonus of road trips – you can just haul it all with you. The hassle is definitely worth it.

2. Pack a good playlist. There’s nothing more relaxing than sitting back with a good book {or let’s be real, a huge stack o’ magazines}, a good glass of wine and good tunes at 1pm on a Saturday afternoon…with no end in sight.

3. Put away the tech. This one’s a bit of an obvious tip but it really is critical to put down the phone, say to no to Twitter and even ignore Instagram for a few days. Sure, I’ll carry my phone with me for a beach walk but I’ll wait to post the pics until we’re on our way back home.

4. Go exploring. Rather than read every Yelp review known to man beforehand, hit the road without preconceived ideas. By asking locals or just stumbling upon a cute coffee shop, bakery or antique store you’ll never know what hidden treasure you’ll find. And that’s half the fun!

5. Prepare to pamper yourself. Whether it’s doing a little at-home facial, drawing a bubble bath or doing a little yoga session, making some time to take care of yourself makes the weekend feel extra special.

So even when there’s no major vacation in sight, thank goodness there’s still a good way to destress. Where do you like to escape? If you need more ideas be sure to check out the rest of our Getaways!

Gimme More

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