Third Times a Charm! Warriors Parade

It was raining blue and gold confetti on Tuesday for the Golden State Warriors 3rd NBA Championship in 4 years! What an awesome time to be a Warriors fan! 

 

This was the year we got to play hookie and hit the streets of Oakland for a huge celebration! We listened to the local newscasters and took Bart over. It was an easy and fun as the Bart trains filled with a sea of blue and gold—Warriors fans repping their team and the Bay! We had a great spot on Broadway then followed the Curry bus about 8 blocks down past Lake Merritt and to the end of the parade. It was a beautiful day and an epic celebration to be a part of and witness Golden State history. GO DUBS!!!

My Warriors fandom started over 10 years ago when my husband and I first started dating. Let's just say they weren't so good then. I was actually able to surprise him with tickets for his birthday and get closer to the court than the back wall! My hubs says that when I became a fan, their rise to stardom started. You can't credit it all to me though ;) Stephen Curry became a Warrior in 2009 the year after Tom & I started dating. As a huge fan of not only his amazing basketball playing, but him as a person, believer and awesome husband and dad, it's been a joy to watch him bring this team to victory in 2015! Then again in 2017 with the big KD (Kevin Durant for those who don't know), and then of course once more in 2018.

A Magical Moment in Time: Hollywood Bowl

Have you ever been to the Hollywood Bowl? If the answer is no, I urge you to add it to your bucket list. It is truly a magical place, and my night at the Hollywood Bowl was made even MORE magical for many reasons. 

1. I was with my best friend. And she was the reason this night full of wonder even happened. She bought us tickets to go for our birthdays which are 4 days apart, and let's just say she gives the best gifts ever.

2. We were watching one of the best Disney movies ever performed live to film. (That means a live orchestra, top-notch celebs singing each song and a lively Disney-lovers audience that electrified the stadium). By the way, did I mention the incredible cast included: the one, the only REAL voice of Ariel, Jodi Benson (a musical genius & dream come true to listen to live). Rebel Wilson as Ursula (so sassy + perfect!) and John Stamos as Chef Louie (wonderfully hilarious).

3. The weather was perfect. We watched a beautiful June sunset sink behind the Hollywood sign, as the glow of the horizon fell over the stadium, and the moon rose high.

4. The fireworks were ridiculous! The final most magical reason this night was so amazing was the breathtaking fireworks show that happens after every Hollywood Bowl concert or show...but of course this one was sprinkled with the pixie dust of Disney magic and to the  live orchestra playing a medley of Little Mermaid tunes.

Christmas Carmel Trip

                         

What a beautiful part of California! The Monterey/Carmel region is definitely worth a visit for a fun weekend (or in our case a day-trip) of exploration.

I love this time of year: twinkling lights, cozy woolies to wear and hot drinks to sip in cute little coffee shops. Although our trip was a little wet, we didn't let it rain on our parade of fun. Try this day trip from San Francisco to Carmel and I guarantee you will find it well worth the drive.

                         

1. From SF to Carmel you are looking at about a 2 hour drive. Pit stop for lunch in the colorful Capitola. 

                        

2. Head to the rushing turquoise waters of Whaler's Cove for an easy hike along the forested trail.

                         

                      

3. Visit the fairytale strip of Downtown Carmel for some "window shopping" & treats at the Cottage of Sweets. 

4. Take B&W jumping photos at Carmel State Beach.

                  

5. Head back on 17-mile drive through the famous & historic Pebble Beach golf course.

                      

Happy holidays from rainy Northern California!

TOMS for Target Coming Soon

If you like TOMS and you like Target, then there's no denying this exciting collaboration! Launching on November 16, Target will carry a slew of delightful TOMS products from totes, to apparel to of course, the ever-loved TOMS shoe! Don't forget that the One-to-One program makes a difference by donating one pair of shoes for every pair bought. Just in time for holiday shopping, TOMS has products for women, men and children. Check out all the cool gear right here.

The Biggest Pumpkin Festivals Around.

It's official. You can smell it in the breeze, sense it in the early morning and feel it in the colder evenings...Fall is here! I might have just gotten a little too excited, and already had 3 pumpkin spice lattes.

As the days get shorter, and go by quicker, here are a few fabulous Fall celebrations to mark on your calendars!

Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival

Date: OCTOBER 18–19, 2014

Time: 9AM TO 5PM
Where: MAIN STREET, HALF MOON BAY, ca (sf bay area)
Fun features: ARTISAN PUMPKIN-INFUSED COCKTAILS DEBUT, see the world's largest pumpkin statue, Harvest-Inspired crafts, meet pumpkin mascot "Gourdy" 

Underwood Family Farms Fall Harvest Festival

DATE: september 27- october 31

TIME: 9AM TO 6PM
WHERE: moorpark, ca (Ventura County)
FUN features: antique trackers, live entertainment, western music, tractor-drawn wagon rides, corn maze, farm animals

Suzie's Farm: Pumpkin Palooza

DATE: October 18

TIME: 10AM TO 4PM
WHERE: san diego, CA 
FUN FEATURES: organic pumpkins, pull pumpkins right off the vine

The Pumpkin Farm

DATE: OCTOBER 1 - 31

TIME: 9AM TO 6PM
WHERE: citrus heights, CA  (sacramento)
FUN FEATURES: haunted barn, scarecrow contest with $1,500 prize, pony rides, petting zoo, jumping castle

5 Fall Films to Get Excited About

The brisk Autumn air is starting to sweep in, and it's guaranteed to be a happy September for movie-goers like myself. A lot of great comedies are headed to the theaters. So grab your Pumpkin Spice Latte and buttered popcorn and get excited for these five Fall films!

1. The Skeleton Twins: In theaters September 12

2. This is Where I Leave You: In theaters September 19

3. Days and Nights: In theaters September 26

4. Laggies: In theaters October 24

5. The Theory of Everything: In theaters November 7

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No Better Way to Spend Labor Day Then in Lovely Lake Tahoe!

 

Happy Labor Day everyone! I am so happy to be writing from the beautiful...the majestic... Lake Tahoe. With warm golden sunsets, sunny beaches and a lovely giant aquamarine lake, what's not to love about this unique paradise all it's own?! As a native Northern Californian, you grow up going on vacation to two places: Disneyland AND Lake Tahoe. So it's safe to say Tahoe has held a special place in my heart for many years. Enjoy these beauties below with some recommendations on where to play, eat and stay!

Beautiful South Shore Beaches: 

• Sand Harbor - relax, swim, eat, enjoy the unique setting of this beach with large rocks to climb on and around in the water. 

• Zephyr Cove - drink, jet ski, catch the M.S. Dixie boat and swim in this gorgeous secluded spot. Restaurant, lodge and cabins on site.

Catch a Bite to Eat: 

• The Brewery - off 50 before stateline is a fun indoor/outdoor cabin-turned-restaurant full of good food (with a lot of variety on the menu), Tahoe brew and woodsy atmosphere.
• Stroll around Heavenly's Gondola for cool eats and sweet shops.
• Don't be afraid to eat in the casinos. Harrah's buffet on the top floor has one of the best views of the lake (outside a ski lift). With good food, make sure you are hungry after a long day at the beach and ready to get your grub on! 
• Cabo Wabo Cantina at the bottom of Harvey's has great guac & margaritas!

Don't miss the sunsets! Tip: Rent a cabin that has a deck & BBQ with a breathtaking lake view! It will make your evenings more enjoyable to take in a colorful sunset and star-gazing. Hot tubs are also a plus when renting a cabin!

 There's nothing like enjoying the gorgeous lake vistas & clear Tahoe air! Happy Labor Day!