Postcard from a Southern California Road Trip
A postcard from the road typically means I'm typing out a quick post on my phone as I'm doing just now with a glorious sunrise view from our balcony at the Ojai Valley Inn. Though California is having an early season heatwave we’ve been staying cool poolside.
A postcard from the road typically means I'm typing out a quick post on my phone as I'm doing just now with a glorious sunrise view from our balcony at the Ojai Valley Inn. Though California is having an early season heatwave we’ve been staying cool poolside.
Our first stop on this SoCal road trip was the Belmond El Encanto where we enjoyed a stay a number of years ago. It was a lovely walk down memory lane and then it was off to Ojai and the fabulous Ojai Valley Inn to explore a new area for us. As you can see by the gallery below—we loved it!
Beautiful views at Ojai Valley Inn
I’ll look forward to sharing more about our recent travels in upcoming posts. By the way, a hot tip for your travel is to consider making a few dining reservations ahead. Vacation destinations are getting busy and many establishments are short-staffed creating long wait times without a reservation.
Both hotels we visited have space available for fall and holiday bookings so contact us to learn more and to make your bookings!
Happy Summer!
Ciao! Heather
An Invitation: Caudalie French Skin Care + Jason Wu Event in Venice Beach, California
As I was going through the mail following our summer travel, I discovered an invitation to an event for a brand of which I am a longtime fan. The event was to celebrate the collaboration between the french skin care line, Caudalie by Mathilde Thomas, and fashion designer, Jason Wu. My first thought was, "I can't fly to Venice Beach, I just got home from 3 weeks in Europe". Then I realized that Scott was already planning to be in LA for a class reunion that very weekend and had already reserved a hotel. The timing could not have been more perfect! We decided to drive the 8+ hours to Los Angeles and it was so convenient to have a car for all the stops we planned to make. We downloaded the intriguing podcast 'Serial' which made the drive absolutely fly by.
An Invitation: Caudalie French Skin Care + Jason Wu in Venice Beach
As I was going through the mail following our summer travel, I discovered an invitation to an event for a brand of which I am a longtime fan. The event was to celebrate the collaboration between the french skin care line, Caudalie by Mathilde Thomas, and fashion designer, Jason Wu. My first thought was, "I can't fly to Venice Beach, I just got home from 3 weeks in Europe". Then I realized that Scott was already planning to be in LA for a class reunion that very weekend and had already reserved a hotel. The timing could not have been more perfect! We decided to drive the 8+ hours to Los Angeles and it was so convenient to have a car for all the stops we planned to make. We downloaded the intriguing podcast 'Serial' which made the drive absolutely fly by.
The next day I dropped Scott off at his luncheon and headed off to my old stomping grounds of LA, and the beach cities, on my own. Sometimes it's fun to have a few reflective hours to yourself in one of your favorite places. I drove by some favorite spots, Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey, Playa Vista and the intriguing Venice Canals.
This swan captured my imagination. What fun to cruise the canals on a swan, right??
I enjoyed a light lunch at Salt Air, a new discovery on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, in Venice. It was just a block from the event at the Caudalie Boutique. I enjoyed a delicious beet salad and one perfectly chilled glass of rosé recommended to me. The wait staff at Salt Air was fantastic. I don't dine alone often at this time in life, but when I do, I appreciate a wait staff that is friendly and professional. I was also impressed with the fresh, tasty menu.
Next up... the event at Caudalie!
I was warmly greeted at Caudalie and given the VIP treatment. My mini-facial, performed by Regine, a french woman who now lives in New York City and travels to do personalized facials at high-end events for the brand. Regine introduced me to some new products and reminded me of some long time favorites. For the last several years I have started just about every morning with a spritz of the Caudalie Beauty Elixir. I find it's the best way to wake up my skin as well as tone and tighten.
Regine reintroduced me to Premier Cru The Eye Cream which did a number on my road trip weary dark circles and puffiness. I loved it! The Premier Cru Elixir is another brand favorite and now part of my morning and night-time routines. It firms, nourishes, brightens and adds radiance using patent technology and natural ingredients. This product blends an oil and a serum creating a double-duty product which makes it more likely I will use it.
Caudalie french skincare was founded in 1995 by Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas, college sweethearts, who discovered the antioxidant properties of the grape-vine while working at a vineyard. Their vinotherapy skin care line uses patented technologies, in luxurious, yet natural formulations to promote anti-aging and skin health.
“I believe in a greener planet and more committed cosmetics. I formulate my products for all women who, like me, don’t want to choose between effectiveness and naturalness, between glamor and ecology.”
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Read more on the story and the ethics behind Caudalie.
For more on this cool collaboration of beauty and fashion with Jason Wu:
I purchased the Ultimate Anti-Aging Set in the travel size which I highly recommend if you are trying a new line of skin care products. I'm now using the Beauty Elixir, Makeup Removing Cleansing Oil, Premier Cru Eye Cream and the Premier Cru Elixir on a daily basis. I received a beauty elixir with my name beautifully engraved on it at the event. Such a stylish memento of my afternoon at Caudalie.
I've been using my new products for about 2 weeks and have been extremely pleased with the way my skin feels. This is a quick snap taken yesterday with my beautiful best friend since fourth grade, Deb. I feel like my skin tone and radiance has improved since I started using the extensive line of Caudalie skin care. I'm a big fan!
We also made time to see this beauty, my step-daughter Lauren, while visiting in LA. We had so much fun exploring some of her favorite spots.
If you are heading to Los Angeles I have some recommendations on where to stay on my travel recommendations page.
Have you tried Caudalie french skin care?
Would you ride a swan in the Venice Beach Canals (would a glass of rose' help make your decision easier? ;)
I received an invitation to attend the Caudalie Skin Care +Jason Wu launch event in Venice Beach. I was given a mini-facial, light lunch and personalized, engraved bottle of the beauty elixir. Other purchases were my own.
San Diego Getaway (Mixing Work & Play!)
The first time I visited San Diego, as a teenager, I felt like I had arrived in a tropical paradise. The waters were shimmery and foliage was lush with palm trees waving in the soft breezes. I hadn’t been to San Diego in years, so when a professional conference Scott and I were planning to attend was scheduled in town, we jumped at the chance. The Bahia Resort, the first beachfront hotel built on Mission Bay, has a mid-century modern vibe with a Mediterranean twist. Interiors have been updated over the years and, thankfully, they have left the retro exterior in the original form.
The first time I visited San Diego, as a teenager, I felt like I had arrived in a tropical paradise. The waters were shimmery and foliage was lush with palm trees waving in the soft breezes. I hadn't been to San Diego in years, so when a professional conference Scott and I were planning to attend was scheduled in town, we jumped at the chance. The Bahia Resort, the first beachfront hotel built on Mission Bay, has a mid-century modern vibe with a mediterranean twist. Interiors have been updated over the years and, thankfully, they have left the retro exterior in the original form.
I enjoyed strolling around the property with my camera. I've always found this style of architecture intriguing. This design seems to offer more privacy and a unique perspective to these retro spaces. It's especially cool when the view is a beachfront.
Our suite was nicely equipped with a kitchen, dining table, separate bedroom area (with luxury linens) and that beachfront patio.
This is definitely a good way to decompress after a day of trainings on how to handle trauma in schools (follow-up note: I returned to work the following Monday morning to 2 full days of grief counseling at a local High School here. Unfortunately the timing on this training was perfect.
My sister, Dorie, and her guy, Michael, joined us in San Diego for a couple of evenings. They took us to one of their favorite spots, James' Place in La Jolla, for sushi. Our evening with famed sushi chef "Big Mike" as our sushi whisperer was an unforgettable foodie experience, just as they promised. Our thanks Big Mike!
Another day of meetings, with a break beach-side....this is the life!
Time for a beach side happy hour at the suite...
and toasting to the pleasant combination of work and play in San Diego with my guy.
For our last night in San Diego we dined at the famed Croce's Park West, with live music, and ended the evening with a walk and poolside lounge at the stylish Hilton Bayfront.
When the sistas get together there is endless fun...at least we think so!
Love this view!
Healthy, active lifestyle options, like beach cruiser biking on the beach path and watersports, abound in San Diego. I've always wanted to try SUP (Stand Up Paddle Boarding) which is super popular on Mission Bay. Though I didn't have time to try it on this trip, it's definitely on my list for our tropical getaway this summer. #splash ;)
A few fun photos I snapped on Instagram.
San Diego is notoriously photogenic.
The Bahia Resort has a sister property, the Catamaran, just across the bay. The Bahia Belle is a Mississippi style sternwheeler that cruises between the two resorts offering music, cocktails and dancing. It's free for guests staying at the resort. If you are looking for a beachy getaway in California, for couples or for families, I highly recommend Bahia Resort. To book this getaway Bahia Resort Hotel and for other recommendations in San Diego contact me.
Are you making travel plans for summer yet?
What's next on your travel bucket list?
A 'Surprise' Branch of My Family Tree
Last weekend Scott and I made our annual trip to Newport Beach to see a surprise ‘branch’ of my family tree. This side of my family, the Swansons, are my birth family. I am the oldest sibling, adopted to another family at birth. Rod and Dorie are my full-blooded brother and sister and were raised by their parents never knowing there was an older sister. A number of family members knew about that first baby-but not these two.
Surprise!!
Dorie always thought she was the oldest sibling (nope!). I think that makes us even more alike-two first born sisters. We’ve never had a fight, though she laughs and says maybe we should “just to say we did”.
Last weekend Scott and I made our annual trip to Newport Beach to see a surprise 'branch' of my family tree. This side of my family, the Swansons, are my birth family. I am the oldest sibling, adopted to another family at birth. Rod and Dorie are my full-blooded brother and sister and were raised by their parents never knowing there was an older sister. A number of family members knew about that first baby-but not these two.
Surprise!!
Dorie always thought she was the oldest sibling (nope!). I think that makes us even more alike-two first born sisters. We've never had a fight, though she laughs and says maybe we should "just to say we did".
Lovely Marcia (my birth mom/Dorie's mom) and Dorie's daughter Rylee (my niece).
We are just goofy...and just have so much fun together. I can't even tell the difference between our voices (neither could my mom, Jeri, the first time she spoke to Dorie on the phone). I had never met anyone with my genetic makeup and it's really a trip to see such similarities in an entire branch of the family.
Rod, Heather and Dorie-the 'sibs'- I am a surprise branch of my family tree.
Rylee, my only niece, was just a toddler-with a big white bow-
when I first met the family.
I have not written my entire adoption story in full. Dorie calls it an 'Oprah' moment. I believe I will share it someday.........when it feels right. Suffice it to say, the gift of adoption, is always inspiring to me. I was incredibly blessed to be adopted by my wonderful parents, Jeri and Curtis, at 3 days of age. Along with my younger sister, Heidi, and they are my family through and through. I was doubly blessed to find and meet this 'surprise' branch of family at age 36.
As I always say, you never, ever know what can happen around the next corner in life...... it may be an amazing adventure.
It's always a whirlwind when we hit Newport Beach. From soccer games to out on the town to cozy dinners and beachfront bites and lots of time to catch up. Cousins joined us to make it even more of a family reunion on Friday evening. Ryan and Martina, our rock star cousin, (next to me) who has beaten breast cancer three times, and is a warm and fuzzy bright light in our world. I'll always remember she about knocked me over with a huge hug the first time we met 17 years ago.
Hudson, Holden and Beck (my nephews).
Fun at Soccer...such sweet boys!
