Flower Crown and the Laguna Beach Art Walk

It was Art Walk in Laguna Beach this week!

The monthly walks are always one of my favorite 

summer evening in Laguna!

I love then because it is a perfect reminder

to make it down for sunset cocktails

at the Hotel Laguna patio over looking the beach.

Then there are all the art galleries and businesses

that are so hospitable and welcoming!

but my favorite part is always choosing what to wear to 

such a creative evening by the ocean!

This time I knew I wanted to take my newest crown out for a spin!

Wide legged floral pants from Anthropologie

a sleeveless  draped silk blouse form Vince

neutral platform shoes

and

 my voile kimono all played beautifully together 

for a beautiful  Art evening  in Laguna Beach!

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life

The BeachComber Cafe … Sunset Cocktails Part 5

Happy Weekend my friends!

I am back this week with  the  fifth installment in my
South Orange County

Summer Sunset Cocktail Series!

This week we are going off the beaten path a bit

and I am sharing 

The Beachcomber

in 

Laguna Beach's 

Crystal Cove.

Crystal Cove State Beach

is made up of over 2,000 acres of wild preserve
and
12 acres beachfront that make up the
Historic District
which is a well preserved example
of a 1930's SoCal Beach Resort.

The Beachcomber  is the restaurant on this historic  property.

The Beachcomber

is  a bit of a trek to get to.

The parking  for all of the property is on the opposite side of the beach

across Pacific Coast highway.
So if you plan to walk
a good flat makes for an enjoyable evening walk.

There is always also a shuttle available

but we  choose to walk across

by way of the underground tunnel.

Two tunnels were built in the 1930's ensuring

beach access as Pacific Coast Highway 

took away all parking.

It's a beautiful walk of less than ten minutes.

To get a perfect sunset view

dinner is required.

But we usually go to the bar which has a side facing view

and 

then just walk out to the spectacular beach

to take in the true sunset.

The Beachcomber definitely has a laid back  beach vibe
with mid prices
and
although the restaurant and bar might be crowded at peak times
the limited parking
always keeps the beach from feeling overrun with crowds.

 I am always shocked how much our local beaches empty out by sunset.
For me spectacular sunsets are always one of  my favorite part of the beach experience!
To see the ocean painted as the sun falls into the water
is always awe inspiring to me!
At the Beachcomber your feet will truly be sandy.

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life

You can read  more of my 

Summer Sunset Cocktail Series 

below

Part 1 - Laguna Beach Hotel ~ HERE

Part 2 - The Studio at the Montage ~ Here

Part 3 - Splashes at the Surf and Sand Hotel ~ HERE

Part 4 - The Deck Laguna Beach ~ HERE

Sunset Cocktails Part Four … The Deck Laguna Beach

Happy Friday my friends!

I'm back this week with the fourth in my 

Summer Sunset Cocktail Series!

This week I am sharing 

The Deck in Laguna Beach.

It's a hidden gem to be sure

but once you find it

you's want to go back again and again!

If you miss the small sign on the street

you would never even know it was here.

But follow the sign to the valet

and hit the steps down 

to this remarkable oceanfront dining and cocktailing experience!

The Deck is one of just a few waterfront bar and dining destinations in South Orange County.

I wrote about another one HERE.

For such a populated upscale area open air beachfront locations 

are far and few between here

so the Deck seems to be always busy!

but tables are worth the wait!

We usually come for sunset cocktails

and there is always standing room at the bar

with a panoramic view of the ocean!

We have gotten lucky with some choice view bar tables

that feel so close you can practically feel the water!

Especially during high tide!

But no matter where you sit at the Deck

you can feel the ocean breeze …

and more importantly to me

watch the sunset  paint the sky!

I have only realized this year there really is so much more 

sky painting that happens even after the sunsets

and it reflects on the water.

The sky and ocean put on a light show

until the darkness's  final extinguishing.

It really is such a magnificent sight to experience.

As always my friends 

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life

You can read  more of my 

Summer Sunset Cocktail Series 
below

Part 1 - Laguna Beach Hotel ~ HERE

Part 2 - The Studio at the Montage ~ Here

Part 3 - Splashes at the Surf and Sand Hotel ~ HERE

Sunset Cocktails At Splashes In Laguna Beach

I am back this week with my third installment in my 

Summer Sunset Cocktail Series!

This week I'm sharing

Splashes Bar

located in
The Surf and Sand Hotel

in our beloved Laguna Beach!

It's a small bar

with huge views

at only 25  feet above the surf

 it's one of the closest ocean view bars 

in Southern Orange County.

Again, I recommend getting there early

if you want one of the few tables

but don't worry

they serve even when it's standing room only

in this view bar.
Drink prices are what you expect to find
at an upscale hotel.
But these drinks come with a breathtaking view!

It's always a beautiful show as the sun begins 

it's decent into the Pacific.

We have been going here for quite some time.

Years ago I did one of my favorite posts from 

my view sitting at this window seat.

You can read my simple reflection post here.

It was the view from this window

that I captured this image 

for one of my favorite 

weekly 

Saturday Quote posts.

My favorite spot in Splashes small bar

is always a window seat.

Not only can you watch the setting sun

but you can see beautiful beach days

with hotel guests

coming to a close as pristine beach umbrellas are packed away 

for the night.

Splashes is another one of my favorite spots in Southern Orange County
for spectacular
Summer Sunset Cocktails!

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life

You can read  more of my 

Summer Sunset Cocktail series below

Part 1 - Laguna Beach Hotel ~ HERE

Part 2 - The Studio at the Montage ~ Here

Sunset Cocktails … Hotel Laguna

I have been wanting to share a list of my favorite places for

sunset cocktails here in South  Orange County California for over a year now.

The task of compiling the list complete with photos 

seemed overwhelming

so I have decided to break my list down to a 

Weekly Friday feature this summer

where I will each week share one of my favorite destinations for

sunset cocktails!

Living so close to the beach

sunset cocktails for us always involve ocean views

and

often times in our beloved Laguna Beach.

For Southern Orange County having so many miles of pristine coast

there are in my opinion few ocean view restaurants

where you really can get a feel of the beach

so in this weekly summer feature 

I will be sharing our very favorites

for sunset cocktails!

This week I am stating off with one of our very favorites

the ocean view patio of 

Historic Hotel Laguna.

Originally built in 1888

this Spanish version was built in the 1930's.

and 

the patio outside provides pristine views of 

the beach at sunset

especially if you are lucky enough to get one of the prized tables outside

next to the beach.

Jeff and I have been coming here for almost 29 years

and 

we actually came here for a night cap

on our very first date ever.

So besides the breathtaking views

The Hotel Laguna restaurant holds special memories for us 

as a couple.

Sitting outside on the patio

views are stellar in either direction …

 but my favorite view is always facing west

to what is often called 

California's Riviera 

which looks towards Main Beach.

Depending on the time of year

the sun will either set behind Catalina or our California coast.

We often come  to Hotel Laguna for cocktails and appetizers

I recommend their quesadillas which are actually some of the best around!

The prices at the Hotel are all middle of the road for Laguna Beach.

We definitely come for the views.

The chairs and tables are resin and the property definitely needs some upkeep

but the unencumbered views of the sun sliding into the Pacific

more than make up for some lacking aesthetics!

The outside patio at

 Hotel Laguna

is always a great choice for 

sunset cocktails

no matter the season!

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life

Peonies, Champagne and Laguna Beach

It was another beautiful Saturday in Laguna 

at the

 French Basketeer's
 French Food Camp.

Flowers were again done by Mary of Q Street.

This time there were lush gatherings of this seasons peonies …

as well as David Austin roses organically grown in Northern California.

Mary once again used dramatic grape vine branches mixed withinin.

Andrea's French linen oversized napkins are always such a luxurious finish to the table.

This months theme was 

"Champagnepalooza"

with light French fare

and 

plenty of Champagne tastings!

We were all asked to bring a bottle of our favorite to share.

I brought some delightful Sofia.

Cheeses were instantly made even more appealing

when laid out with grape leaves

such a fabulous styling tip to remember.

Andrea served one of my favorite summer salads.

Tomatoes, sliced peaches, barrata cheese

with a reduced balsamic creme drizzle

finished with basil.

It's as tasty as it is a summer beauty!

There of course was a desert bar 

and 

this month Andrea has even tried her hand

at making macaroons!

The menu was a perfect compliment

to all of the Champagne tastings.

With so many glasses at once

it was easy to actually taste the differences in each

and 

find new favorites!

The menu, champagne and setting

made for a magical afternoon

with some serious girl talk.

My wonderful husband came to pick me up 

for our date night in Laguna as usual.

This week though because of some great girlfriend moments

my friends came with us!

I thought the Deck in Laguna Beach

would be the perfect place

to continue our conversations!

The Deck is  always a popular destination on the weekends

as it is one of the few places you can dine outside

so close to the water!

My handsome husband was such a dear 

to entertain us all

as we filled him in on conversations.

We even ordered food reminiscent of 

the French Basketeers's menu.

I so enjoyed wearing  my outfit for the occasion.

I layered my tunic slip

with my Rachel Zoe cashmere sweater over

cream culottes from Zara

and

topped this  off with my very favorite antique kimono.

The finishing touches were all my designs

tassel earrings

an armful of bone and pearl bracelets

and 

a turban.

It was a magical day in Laguna Beach from start to finish.

The kind memories are made of!

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life