Occidental

This past weekend Jack and I headed up north for a romantic get-a-way in Occidental. We stayed at the Inn at Occidental, a quaint little cottage with perfect little themed rooms (we were in the Sonoma Lodge, hence the tree bed and antler obsessions) and spent the weekend hiking, driving around daydreaming about buying acres of property, and gazing at the beach. It was just what I needed to take my mind off life and to enjoy to beautiful weather with my love.

Sundance Fundance

I had zero expectations going into Sundance except seeing a couple of famous people and maybe seeing one movie, and I'm glad I didn't because it wasn't anything I could have expected. Leading up to the week I was mainly just excited to show Jack our new house and have a little vacation from the world, and didn't really think about the festival that much until we got there. I was unprepared for how the town completely transformed into a Hollywood get-a-way that was overrun by wanna-be hipsters and aspiring filmmakers. I have to admit, I got a little snobby after a couple of days seeing girls in short skirts and high heels walking around, and might have shouted whispered at some of them to "get out of my town". Park City is in no way "my town", but I felt protective after seeing it semi-destroyed by Hollywood.

Despite my initial snobbery, we had such a blast. We relaxed most days, waiting in the longest lines for numerous hours, walking around town to experience the vibe, and even attended a couple of industry parties. One of our friends is a manager in the industry and got us on the list for a party in Deer Valley that just so happened to be sponsored by Jumpin Jammerz, onesie pajamas for adults (which is pretty much the best invention ever.. who doesn't want all over warmth and comfort??) I somehow found my way into a seductive pair of leopard printed footy pajamas and dance the night away (and apparently got groped...)

 We also attended a party for a new short that is premiering at SXSW called They Die By Dawn, which is the first all black cowboy movie. They showed the trailer, which looks awesome, and we ended the night grooving with some soul sisters and feeling completely inadequate in the dance moves department. We probably looked like the biggest white kids with two left feet, but I don't care because I got to wear a cowboy hat and give people the finger guns all night.

We did see one movie (after three wait-list attempts) and saw a couple of famous peopled (love me some Joseph Gordon Levitt  but besides that we pretty much hung around the house, played lots and lots of cards, and went on a million snowy hikes. We were there for SIX whole days which was such a treat, and I feel so recharged after such a relaxing week.

apple picking autumn adventure

The second part of our adventure brought us to Chileno Valley Ranch for apple picking, picnicking, and farm house exploring. Even though it was only roughly an hour from San Francisco, I felt like I had been transported to a farm in the midwest. It was such a gorgeous day spent in such a gorgeous place, and I'm so glad we got to spend the afternoon celebrating autumn in a very stereotypical fall way!

pumpkin patching autumn adventure

Two weekends ago we celebrated the fall season by going on an autumn themed adventure. We loaded into cars, grabbed delicious picnic supplies from the local creamery and ma and pa shops, and headed to Petaluma for some pumpkin patching and apple picking. Part one of the adventure was Peter Pumpkin Patch, where we got to meet some friendly calves and pigs, got lost in a hay maze, and wandered the pumpkin patch for the perfect one. 

Chicago, I'm coming for you!

source

Watch out Chicago, I'm coming for you! Jack and I just booked our tickets to fly across the country to visit some friends in CHIIIICCAAAGOOOOO! I haven't been since I was a little girl, and the only thing I remember is going to the American Girl store and wanting everything. I'm excited to see what else the city has to offer (but would not be opposed to going to the American Girl store for old time sakes...) and can't wait to see my loves that live there!

outside.lands

Outsidelands rocked my WORLD. We got three-day tickets and it was the best decision we've ever made- there were so many spectacular performances and I have so many awesome new jams! My baby seester came the whole weekend which was such a treat and I loved being able to spend time with her sweet cheeks before she starts school again.  Some highlights:

• Metallica: They rocked so hard they blew up the sky (seriously, fireworks everywhere)
• Of Monsters and Men: They are one of my top 3 right now so seeing them live was AMAZING
• Dispatch: I've been obsessed with them for the last eight years so it was pretty much the highlight of my life when we got to see them almost FRONT ROW
• Fun: They were SO MUCH FUN!
• Discovering awesome bands like Santigold, Fitz and the Tantrums, and Alabama Shakes
• Ending to weekend grooving to Stevie Wonder with my best frans :)

Only 360 more days till OSL 2013

into the woods we go

This weekend we went CAMPING! In the middle of NOWHERE!! 

While I love being outdoors, I haven't really been one of those types of  long backpacking adventures where you don't get to shower for days and never feel clean. There's something about dirty feet that just really grosses me out. However, I was convinced to go camping with a bribe of gorgeous weather in beautiful Pt. Reyes and fabulous company. We camped at Sky Camp, which required a 2 mile hike out to the gorgeous camp site, making it very remote and secluded and made us feel like we were at the edge of the world. We were a little nervous about the rain since it had been pouring like crazy the last couple of days, but as soon as we stepped out of the car it stopped raining and turned into a beautiful day! We spent the days hiking and hanging and at night stuffed all 11 of us into a small tent and played endless amounts of games. It was an awesome way to escape city life for a couple of days and I can't wait for another adventure ( preferably when it's warmer..). I guess camping is worth the dirt and not all that bad. :) 

it's pretty easy being green

This year I really embraced the Irish in me by embracing all things green and jolly. To sum it up, there was a lot of: green pancakes and green eggs and green breakfasts, green beer, green outfits, Irish dancing in the pouring rain, dance parties, Irish flags, four leaf clover glasses, and Irish singing throughout the streets.

And, to top it off, Jack and I ended the night by going to see the Yeah Yeah Yeah's at The Creators Project at Fort Mason. It was pretty much the coolest event/ way to end such an epic day.

NOISE POP!

Last Thursday I met up with some friends for Indian food in the Mission... which turned into happy hour... which turned into discovering undercover awesome bands and PHOTOBOOTHS!!!... which turned into awesome instagram photos, skeeball and lots and lots-o-dancing. Overall, the night was epic-ly awesome. Many more Mission adventures are needed in the near NEAR future.

nightlife

Last night we went to the California Academy of Science  for their "Nightlife" event and it was SO COOL.It's beer week in SF so they had a ton of different local beer companies set up in the Africa room where you could sample beers and pick your favorite. My favorite part was the sweet underwater exhibits that was full of cool jelly fish, crazy looking seahorses, and weirdly shaped exotic fish. There was also an awesome bio-dome rain forest exhibit where you could literally hang out in a rain forest, humidity and all. There were butterflies and birds flying around and tons of snakes and spiders ( in their very secure and protected cages of course). It. Was. Awesome.

Oh, and there was a T-Rex. AWESOME.

Our Road Trip

This fall Jack and I took an EPIC road trip through Oregon, Washington, and Montana. It was the most beautiful time of year to travel in this area because all of the trees were changing colors and every day there was perfect crisp, fall weather. Our first stop was Ashland to visit some family, then we headed up to Portland, Seattle, Leavenworth, Coeur d'alene, and then Glacier National Park! Glacier was breathtakingly beautiful, despite the near freezing weather and occasional snow, and I took approximately 1,846 photos. No joke. But besides the beautiful landscape and awesome back road adventures and not having to work for two weeks, my favorite part of the whole trip was being able to spend every second of each day with my bestest friend and love of my life. I can't wait for our next escape! Here are some of my favorites: