California Dreamin’

I’m back from a whirlwind week in Southern California! I spent the first half of last week working and meeting up with fellow design bloggers in Los Angeles. On Wednesday, I headed down to Orange County where I spent time in Newport and Laguna Beach, both of which were breathtaking! Unfortunately, I didn’t have much time to explore LA. On Monday, my dear friend Jeni took me to some of the shops in the La Cienega Design Quarter and on Tuesday, I spent the entire day working (More on this later. It was an unforgettable experience!) and then met up with the fabulous Erin Gates of Elements of Style and some of our stylish friends for dinner at the Palihouse Hotel. I wish I had taken some pictures of the Palihouse because it was a pretty fabulous, though hard to find place. On Wednesday, I met up with fellow bloggers, Ashlina from The Decorista, Jami from Imagine Design, and Arianna of Arianna Belle for lunch at Toast on Third. The entire time I was in LA it was hotter than Houston. Just my luck!

{Our first stop was at Hollywood at Home, which carries the most amazing textiles by Peter Dunham and John Robshaw, among others.}

{I loved the stacks of books atop this zinc table.}

Hollyhock

  {Hollyhock has a a lovely, very refined, traditional assortment of goods.}

{We also visited Downtown L.A. and Mecox Gardens, but I didn’t snap any photos. Oops!}

  {Dinner at The Palihouse with the Girls- Clockwise from Top: Shannon, Erin, Marie, Jeni, Paloma, and Ashley}

{Lunch at Toast on Third – From Left: Ashlina, Me, Jami, and Arianna}

{The Gorgeous View from our Villa at Pelican Hill}

On Wednesday afternoon, I drove down to Newport to meet up with my dear friend Jeni and her family who invited me to stay with them at their villa at the gorgeous Pelican Hill Resort. It is completely breathtaking!

{Watching the Sunset with Jeni}

{My First Pinkberry Experience…Um, we need one in Houston, STAT!}

{One of Several Pictures Taken on our Morning Walk in Pelican Hill- I will be doing a separate post on Pelican Hill and the Avalon Hotel, where I stayed in Los Angeles later in the week.}

{The AMAZING pool at Pelican Hill}

House Hunting

{Seeing as how I fell in love with Newport and Laguna, it was only natural that we would go looking at houses. I think this one will do just fine! Both the house and the trees are super charming. Unfortunately, I don’t have the millions it takes to live in that area just yet, but a girl can dream.}

{Belgian Style on the California Coast}

{Jeni and I at the Montage} {Before Dinner at the Montage in Laguna Beach}

{Amazing! Seriously, can I please live here?}

{The Incredible Montage Resort}

{After dinner, we were given a tour of the kitchen which was a very cool experience for this Top Chef junkie.}

{Beautiful Food}

{Perfection.}

I realize that this is getting to be a long post and I could honestly post a million more photos of the beautiful views from the Montage, but I’ll spare you and save them for Facebook! Be sure to check back tomorrow for posts on my favorite store in California and The Avalon Hotel in Los Angeles and Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Coast.