SLO Weekend

A few weeks ago my girls and I headed to San Luis Obispo for a cozy weekend getaway.  To say it was relaxing and much needed is an understatement, and I felt so grateful to be surrounded by nature and to be able to experience the magic of the central coast with my nearest and dearest.  We stayed at a beautiful house, Casitas Las Brisas,  in Arroyo Grande with what had to be the best view in the entire central coast, soaked up some sun, drank champagne cocktails and read magazines, did yoga outdoors, went to the farmers’ market, went wine tasting, and watched old school Diane Lane and Brigitte Bardot movies.  We took it all in and left feeling rejuvenated, inspired, and full of love.  These lady getaways are a must.

The view from Casitas Las Brisas

Afternoon champagne

Bea and I

HBT against an epic backdrop of nature

Amazing cactus, flowers and trees all over the property

A delicious spread made for us by my mother-in-law and her friends

My girls

A trip to the farmers’ market

xoxo

Postcard From Fez, Morocco

My favorite travel website, Fathom, just put up a postcard from my trip to Fez two years ago.  It’s making me have serious nostalgia and I want to go back now, especially as the weather starts to warm up.  It truly was a magical experience and I can’t wait to visit again, hopefully in the near future.  If you haven’t checked out Fathom and you’re planning a trip somewhere, I recommend spending some time browsing their city guides. They’re easy to understand, informative, entertaining, and full of places you might not hear or read about in other travel guides.

Portland’s Monograph Bookwerks & Objects

A few weeks ago I went on a business trip to Portland and it was my first time to visit the city known for food, vintage, and of course Portlandia.  I was only there for 2 nights so I really packed it in, and I had some spots on my list that were must-visits and did not disappoint.  I had an epic dinner at Luce with lovely Giovanna and her husband John (who is behind both Luce and Navarre), two restaurants that are very European in style and food.  It was magnificent.  I also visited Giovanna’s store, Una, where I picked up a gorgeous ceramic piece and some pants for my husband.  I checked out Stand Up Comedy and Nationale, both fun to explore for their carefully selected merchandise and artful arrangements.  I stayed with my good friend (who just moved from LA) in her new house which nearly brought me to tears when she told me how much she paid for it. When you hear figures like that you start to wonder a tiny bit why you so desperately want to own a home in LA.  The price difference is staggering, which of course I knew but to actually hear it from someone you know is a big reality check. I did a little bit of vintage shopping but didn’t find much, although there were a few vintage shops I didn’t check out due to lack of time and I can’t help but wonder if those were the gems.  And speaking of gems, one of the most inspiring shops I’ve ever been to is in Portland.  Monograph Bookwerks & Objects is a fine art and object bookstore owned by artists John Brodie and Blair Saxon-Hill and was opened in 2010 “to provide a place in Portland for artists and the public to study, explore and purchase the best contemporary art books being published today.”  Rare, new and used art books mingle with pottery and sculptures, and the design and curation of the store is unique, inviting, and piqued my curiosity so much that I left with three very special books.  My experience at Monograph was beyond inspiring and made me feel hopeful for the publishing industry and for print. There is just too much beauty in both for them to disappear completely.  I’m already looking forward to my next Monograph Bookwerks visit, and hopefully that Le Corbusier book I wanted so badly will still be there waiting for me.

New Arrivals

Visit Kneeland Co. Mercado for new arrivals!

Reading Material

My wish list of books is quickly growing this season.  It’s been a while since I’ve actually sat down for a couple of hours with some good reading material in front of me, but I’m really looking forward to some down time the week of Thanksgiving and of course during the Christmas holidays.  These 5 below are on the brain as of late.

Grace, A Memoir
Gypset Travel by Julia Chaplin

Kate: The Kate Moss Book, written by Kate Moss with creative direction by Fabien Baron

My Abuela’s Table: An Illustrated Journey into Mexican Cooking by Daniella Germain

Charlotte Moss, A Visual Life

From Mexico City With Love

I just returned from a 4-day business trip to Mexico City and I’m already plotting my return. It’s a favorite, friends, and very special to me as a big part of family resides there.  From spending quality time with my aunts and cousins to eating the most delicious tacos and chilaquiles to strolling the streets and marveling at the colonial architecture, it’s always an inspiring lesson that gives me a fresh outlook on life.  In between work, I found time to soak up all the beauty and culture and document some exquisite moments.  I’m forever grateful for my travel experience.

Browsing at the beautiful shop Celeste.

Friendship bracelet explosion

Classic cars are everywhere, especially in the neighborhoods of Roma and Condesa.

Lunch at one of my favorite spots, Contramar.  Tuna sashimi tostadas and crab tostadas.  TO DIE FOR.

Pescado Divorciado, half green and half red sauce

Great Aunt Della and Aunt Paulette with their cocktails.  I aspire to be them.

My Aunt Siobhan and Aunt Jamie

Heading to the market to shop

I totally lost my mind when I found this Frida Kahlo reproduction.  Of course it came home with me.

Pastry selection at Delirio

Fact: Mexican food will never taste the same in the states.  It just can’t be replicated!

Breaded shrimp and squash blossom tacos at El Parnita

“Ladies” bathroom at Rosetta

I am obsessed with all of the colonial style homes and buildings in Mexico City. Many of them have the addresses hand painted near the front door and some are decorated in hand painted flowers.

A mariachi band played at my aunt Claudia’s birthday party.  So good.

The weather was chilly and it rained every day I was there.  On my last day I went to my aunt Siobhan’s rooftop and took a photo of the church across the street where Romeo & Juliet was filmed.  Until next time…xo Joanna