Winter Neutrals

LOCATION: TOPSAIL BEACH, NC • FEBURARY 5th, 2021

Outfit Details: Jenni Kayne Sweater (cashmere version here), Artizia Pants, Sam Edelman Sandals, Celine Sunglasses

It’s no secret that I love neutrals and tend to gravitate toward them in my everyday wear. My usual colors of choice are cream or camel, but this year it is all about oatmeal! Monochromatic styles remain classics and are suitable year-round; it is the easiest way to create a simple, effortless, and chic outfit.

This cotton sweater has become one of my most loved WFH sweaters. The fisherman style is always such a classic and has a good thickness to it without being bulky which makes it ideal for layering. Always a plus for living in the Bay Area! Jenni Kanye also makes a cashmere version and there are plenty of other colors to choose from.

We drove out to Topsail Beach last month and rented this adorable Airbnb during our stay. The place had plenty of room for all of us to work during the day, acknowledging that we are all very fortunate to be able to WFH. D’s cousin recommended Shaka Tacos and it was soooo good we got takeaway from them almost everyday for lunch!! I would also highly recommend the fried oyster po’ boy from Sear’s Landing, Lewis Seafood Shack (don’t forget the key lime pie!) and The Daily Grind. For dinners, we bought fresh seafood from Surf City Crab and took turns learning new recipes. I think I have now perfected spaghetti alle vongole (linguine with clams) after this trip.

Picnic Perfect

LOCATION: PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA • August 7th, 2020

Outfit Details: Floral Dress, Jacquemus Hat, Vivi et Margot Tote

The weather here in Palo Alto has been gorgeous, so D and I headed over to the park across from our apartment for a little picnic. We usually take daily walks through the park in the afternoon, so this was a nice bit of change to our routine. I packed all of our favorites - a baguette, berries, madeline cookies, and ingredients for a mini charcuterie board.

As a child of the 80’s, I have a deep love for dresses with large, romantic sleeves (think Ariel or Cinderella) and truly believe that the bigger the puff, the better! I might have even sent my Maid-of-Honor pictures of Giselle’s dress from Enchanted as my wedding dress inspiration. Luckily she talked me out of it, but I’m thrilled that puff-sleeves are totally “in” right now!!

I’ve actually been wearing more dresses during quarantine, which has been a big deviation from my regular yoga pants and quilted jacket in the Bay Area. The combination of people dressing way more casually here and it’s always cold at night has led me to wear fewer dresses than when I was living on the East Coast. I’ve always been a bit of a girly-girl when it comes to clothes so I’ve taken full advantage of the work-from-home by wearing as many dresses as possible!

One of my favorites has been this smock-styled dress with it’s large puff sleeves and dreamy floral print. Linen is the best fabric for warm weather as it is light-weight and very breathable. I love the soft, romantic, vintage look of the smocking detail and how it allows the dress to be stretchy and comfortable, yet very flattering. I like to think of it as yoga pants but in dress form!

Napa for Our Anniversary

LOCATION: NAPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA • JULY 17th, 2020

For our fifth anniversary, we decided to plan a two-day stay in Napa Valley. We love that wine country is less than two hours away from Palo Alto and while we have been to Sonoma a few times since moving to California, this was the first time we stayed in Napa. We made a reservation at Hotel Yountville, which has been at the top of my list and it definitely lived up to our expectations. I loved their relaxed, farmhouse decor with high vaulted ceilings, and our room had a gorgeous four-post bed with curtains. I already can’t wait to go back!

I did a lot of research before booking our trip to make sure that the hotel we stayed at was following local county COVID-19 regulations and we could visit safely. Hotel Yountville had the option for contactless check-in and you could choose the level of room cleaning and turn-down services depending on your comfort level. Guests were required to wear face masks on premises at all times in the common areas.

We tend to be explorers and love to fill our day with lots of different activities. We choose to take our time on this trip and planned very minimally so we only booked reservations at one winery, Domaine Chandon. All of their wine tastings took place outside and you could also order a picnic to go with your tasting. Since they were by reservation only, all food and wine had to be booked in advance. The grounds were lovely and we were still able to walk around the vineyard. Tours have been paused at the moment, so I will definitely come back in the future. Hopefully next time it will also be with a large group of friends so we can also have a party on the lawn.

We made a reservation at RH Yountville for brunch and I have never seen such gorgeous decor in a restaurant before! You really feel like you’ve been transported to Italy - drinking bellinis under the olive trees, listening to the sound flowing water. Not to mention that the food was excellent and well matched the ambiance of the place. Apparently I’ll be adding ‘a sunroom with olive trees, fountains, and chandeliers’ to my list of must-haves for my future home!

Outfit Details: Caroline Constas Top, Madewell Jeans, Sam Edelman Heels, Cult Gaia Bag

Stopping by Bouchon Bakery for croissants and coffee is a must in Yountville and we loved that it was a short walk from our hotel so we could bring breakfast back to our room. I will caution you that the lines were very long since only they were limiting the number of people who could be inside at any given time, but the breakfast sandwiches and pastries were worth the wait.

We spent a lot of time by the pool, relaxing and cooling off, which felt great in the summer heat. We felt perfectly safe lying poolside as all of the other guests acted respectfully and the hotel restricted the use of every other cabana to allow for social distancing between groups. They also meticulously wiped down each cabana in between uses, including the umbrella poles and the legs of the chairs.

One of the highlights of our trip was our anniversary dinner at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch. They have expanded their outdoor seating by setting up tables in their garden. Everything we ordered, from cocktail to dessert was incredible. and D swears it’s the best pork chop he’s ever had! Definitely do not miss their cheddar biscuits!

Outfit Details: 
Banana Republic Dress (floral version here), Sam Edelman Heels, Jacquemus Hat, Missoma Necklaces

Cherry Picking & Baking

LOCATION: BRENTWOOD, CALIFORNIA • JUNE 26th, 2020

Outfit Details: Polka Dot Blouse, Artizia Pants, Lack of Color Hat, Castaner Espadrilles, Vivi et Margot Tote

A few weeks ago, we made a trip out to a u-pick cherry farm in Brentwood thanks to a friend’s recommendation. Breatwood is located in the East Bay and is known primarily for cherries, corn and peaches. I was extra excited since cherries are hands-down my favorite fruit and I had never been cherry picking before!

The weather was supposed to be on the colder side, but as we approached the farm, we could feel that things were going to get pretty warm. I bought these white Artizia pants last fall and I’ve been surprised how much I wear them all year long! I’ve been really into the wide-legged pants style lately, it’s so comfortable and flattering at the same time. These pants are a great alternative to shorts in the Bay Area since it gets cool at night, even in the summer.

This cherry picking farm was amazing! I loved that G&S Farms took Coronavirus and social distancing precautions very seriously. Visits were time-stamped and by appointment only in order to control the crowds. There was a $20 reservation fee that was later credited to your fruit purchase and everyone was required to wear a mask. I’m so glad G&S Farms provided ladders since a lot of the other farms make you bring your own. Turns out there are a lot more types of cherries than just bing & rainers, we brought home a selection of Coral Champagne, Sweetheart, Lapin, & Rainers. I can’t really tell you the difference between them except that we had so much fun, we ended up picking 11 pounds of cherries!

Cherry Galette Recipe

“Galettes are the very best way to bring pie into your everyday life” according to Smitten Kitchen and oh boy was she right! A galette is a french pastry similar to a tart or a pie, but due to it’s free-form nature - it’s way easier to make than pie! I have been making Smitten Kitchen pie crusts or pastries for years and her galette recipe did not disappoint! I recommend either making two smaller galettes instead of one giant one or if you are gifting the galettes - I doubled the recipe and made 5 total galettes to give to friends!

Let me know in the comments if you have a favorite cherry recipe!

XO,
Tiffany

33 THINGS I’VE LEARNED AT 33

LOCATION: PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA • APRIL 24th, 2020

Outfit Details: BHLDN Dress, Miansai Cuff Bracelet

I love being in my thirties! In high school, I once lamented to my best friend that I couldn’t wait until we were old enough to have coffee table books and now I have arrived! So in honor of turning 33 this week, I’ve put together a list of things I’ve learned over the years. Some of these things have come naturally to me, while others I struggle with and am still working on a daily basis. Here they are, in no particular order:

33. The only predictable thing about life is that life is unpredictable. Like none of us expected this pandemic (ok, maybe except Bill Gates). 

32. You can’t always change the world, but you can change how you view it.

31. Embrace your current season of life.

30. Your biggest critic is yourself. Learn to ignore your inner critic when you know it’s wrong and learn self talk. Self talk can help pull yourself out of a spiral of negative thoughts.

29. Just start. Stop waiting for permission from yourself or other people. This is one that I often struggle with and I’m still working on.

28. Get enough sleep. If you think everyone hates you or you hate everyone, you probably need sleep (or food).

27. Stop apologizing for not being into things everyone else likes: sweatpants, Game of Thrones, beer.

26. Life’s too short to wear clothes you hate. It’s time to donate or consign those pieces you bought, but have never worn. They sit in the back of our closets and haunt us. I know we all have them.

25. Be the bigger woman. Be the first to reach out if you think you’ve hurt someone one, either to try to clarify misunderstandings or to apologize. Also give other people a chance to apologize and learn from it. The best apology is changed behavior.

24. Saying “no'' to some things allows you to say “yes” to others. I used to say “yes” to everything because I had a fear of missing out. Now I’ve started saying “yes” only to the events and projects I really want to do. This also helps with preventing social burnout.

23. Being a feminist is believing in the right to have a choice. A woman who chooses to stay-at-home with her kids and a woman who chooses to have a full time job are both exercising feminism. Let’s stop judging each other for the choices people make. We are called to do different things and find fulfillment in different ways.

22. Learn a good skincare routine. Y’all I used St. Ives facial scrub all the way through graduate school. It’s basically taking sandpaper to your face! We’ve all made bad skincare mistakes. With the right products, I was able to fix the redness, the dry patches, and the hormonal acne. 

21. Build a relationship with your local pharmacist and ideally stick to one pharmacy (chain). It’s important to have the history of all the medications you are taking or have taken be in one place. We are always on the lookout for potential drug interactions between what you are taking and we see you more often than your doctor does. 

20. Social Media is a tool meant to enhance your life. Periodically reevaluate its role in your life. Learn to use the unfollow button. There is a reason it exists. 

19. Single people have single people problems, married people have married people problems. Don’t compare problems, listen more.

18. Wear sunscreen, protect your skin.

17. Find a good taylor you trust. A few well-placed stitches can change the entire look and feel of an outfit.

16. Learn to save money. Set a budget or financial goals and reward yourself when you hit milestones.

15. Comparison really is the theft of joy.

14. Teach people how to treat you. This is a huge one I learned from my mother. She used to remind my brothers and I that people don’t have the innate sense of how you want to be treated, you have to teach them. People often step on your toes simply because they didn’t know it was something that bothered you. This is also a great way to judge other people’s character - do they listen when you ask how you want to be treated? If not, it’s time to move on from them.

13. Family first, but only if they act like it. Families are supposed to love you unconditionally and want what’s best for you.They are not entitled to you simply because you share DNA. 

12. Hold your head high even when people are trying to tear you down. Don’t stoop to their level. Some people just don’t want to see you succeed. Learn to trust in your own self-worth!

11. Diversify your reading habits. Educate yourself to both sides of an issue so you can engage in thoughtful conversations. Read books. 

10. Find an exercise routine you enjoy and stick with it. It doesn’t have to be running or yoga. I discovered The Bar Method when I moved to California and it was life changing! Their live stream is keeping me sane during this quarantine!

9. Be with someone who pushes you to be the best version of yourself and you do the same for them. The best relationships are where both people think they got the better end of the deal. 

8. Learn your love languages and those of your partner. This will help you articulate how you want to be loved and learn how they want to be loved.

7. Quality over quantity. This goes for friends, shoes, and alcohol.

6. Invest in true friendships, people that have your back and you lift each other up. It’s ok to grow out of friendships too. Don’t forget to reach out to the ones who are in a different stage of life than you are. I’m often guilty of this when I think my friends with children are too busy and probably don’t have time for me. I promise they will love to hear from you.

5. Take care of your health before you have to and listen to your body. I now eat relatively diary-free and no longer have stomach pains/reactions/inflammation. Make your annual health appointments and commit to them!

4. The best way to eat healthy is to learn to cook. Read food labels - you’ll be shocked to find how much sugar and sodium is packed in processed food! Learn the basics, have 5 dishes that you can make over and over again with confidence! You don’t need expensive or fancy equipment, but I highly recommend an Instant-pot!

3. Nourish your inner child! Life is meant to be enjoyed - have a spontaneous picnic in an open field or jump on your bed in a dress. This time spent in quarantine has really shown me the importance of creating your own fun.

2. Pray or meditate. This will help you find inner peace and give you time to self-reflect. 

1. We are all more interconnected than we realize. This pandemic has taught us anything, it’s how much we depend on each other.

An extra for good luck: Live generously. Everyone has been blessed with different gifts; find ways to positively impact other people whether it’s with your time, your wealth, or your talents. My mother was a big believer in using the good china whenever we had guests. It didn’t matter if we had one guest or twenty. She always asks that people not try to repay her, but to pay it forward. 

XO,
Tiffany