carmel valley

California Winter: A Break in the Rain

Last weekend, there was finally a break in the rain, and we soaked up a bit of warm sunshine! To enjoy the nice weather, we decided to do what we like best, go WINE TASTING! We landed at Cima Collina in our home town of Carmel Valley, CA. A converted dairy barn, it's spacious private patio was perfect  to sip  tasty local wines while enjoying the sunshine. Two of our favorites were: the Howlin' Good Red (25% of sales goes to our local SPCA) and Palisades Pinot Noir. We spent an hour or so enjoying ourselves before heading home. 

Eve's purse is one of our favorite designs by Imoshion. We love their bags and have featured them several times: here, here, and here. All of their bags are amazing quality and are under $50!!!

The necklace Ivy is wearing is a custom design by Eve and hand made by Mignon & Mignon. It features the word bruadarach which means dreamer in Scottish Gaelic. 

Although we are supposed to have six more weeks of winter (thanks Punxsutawney Phil), we are getting excited for the new season and styles ahead. Be sure to follow us for bi-weekly updates!

xxx Ivy & Eve

Eve's Outfit Details:

Top Banana Republic (similar) | Trench Sweater Banana Republic | Jeans Uniqlo | Shoes Banana Republic (similar) | Necklace Lisa Hoffman | Crossbody Bag Imoshion

Ivy's Outfit Details:

Dress Target | Booties (similar)| Jean Jacket Forever 21 (similar here)| Necklace Mignon and Mignon | Rings Old Navy (available in stores) | Mini Bag Target

Living Like a Wildflower

Outfit Details:

Dress Forever 21 (not online similar here and here) | Booties Steve Madden | Bracelets assortment from Macys (similar here and here

This time each year, the lupin flowers are in full bloom. The wildflower blooms depend on how much rainfall we get every winter. This winter was supposedly El Niño. We did receive more rain then recent years but not as much as we had expected. With the extra rainfall we knew the wildflowers were going to be bursting this year! We decided to take a drive in Ivy's GMC truck and visit them over the weekend. The photos don't do them justice! The soft smell wafts fragrantly through the hills and valleys. We wish we could bottle it up in a perfume! Ivy was waiting to wear this dress for a trip to the beach but couldn't wait any longer. The fabric is light enough to be a beach coverup though it can easily be dressed up for more formal occasion. 

xxx Ivy & Eve

FUNraising For a Good Cause!

A few weeks ago we attended a fundraiser at the beautiful and historic Holman Ranch. This event helps the community put on a safe and alcohol free party for the graduating seniors on graduation night - known to everyone as "Sober Grad". It was a great event and all of the funds raised will go to make sure that the high school grads celebrate their special day in a safe fun place.  The Holman Ranch hacienda plays host to many fabulous weddings, and you can see why after looking at these photos! The event featured close to a dozen local restaurants serving up their favorite dishes, along with Holman Ranch wines. There was also live music and dancing and a large silent auction. We bid on 3-day passes to the Laguna Seca Grand Prix and won! It was such a fun night spent with our parents, sampling the local fares, sipping on some tasty wines and all for a good cause! Take a look at the pictures below of our favorite bites.

xxx Ivy & Eve

They served two of our favorite Holman Wines, the Kelly's Press - Pinot Noir and the Pinot Gris. 

Incase you were still hungry after eating the chefs' dishes you could stop by and sample from the giant charcuterie table!

Chef Greg and Katie from Will's Fargo served yummy goat cheese and spicy strawberry jam crostini and a delicious pate. 

The desert bar included bubbly of course!

Chef Kenneth from Quail Lodge served Scottish cranachan.

Bernardus Lodge Chef Cal served up some a lovely chilled green gazpacho with yogurt and Carmel Valley olive oil.

Sunday Farmers Market

Outfit Details:

Dress Target (similar) | Shoes Audrey Brooke Shoes (similar) | Rings Forever 21 unavailable online (similar here and here) | Earrings The Limited sold out (similar) | Market Bag Bee Bark & Moss

 

On Sunday we decided to pay a visit to our local Farmers Market to pickup some fresh produce to fuel our work week ahead. The weather was amazing - reaching into the high 80's by the afternoon - so we took a stroll through our park before heading home. Ivy recently purchased this pretty Grecian style dress and was dying to wear it. It was perfect for the little outing since the cotton was breathable and light. We cant wait for more warm weather days!

xxx Ivy & Eve

farmers (7 of 13).jpg

Sips and Sunshine!

Outfit Details:

Jeans Hollister | Top Madewell (similar) | Shoes Target (sold out) | Necklace Francescas (similar) | Sunglasses Rayban | Bag Francescas (sold out)

On the weekends when we want to stay close to home, we usually end up going into Carmel Valley Village (its only a 3 minute walk away). Our village is jam-packed with things to do in its mile long stretch. We have over 20 wine tasting rooms, and 10 restaurants that range from tapas style food to your good old steak house. We decided to make a quick visit to one of our favorite tasting rooms, Cowgirl Winery. With its rustic decor and outside seating its a great place to sit and sip in the lovely Carmel Valley air. Ivy wore these super cute crop jeans, pairing them with a simple cropped tee. 

xxx Ivy & Eve