the city by the bay

Through the endless inspiration that San Francisco has, here are a few of my favorite snapshots from our latest getaway to the city by the bay. The rain didn't keep us from exploring and having a great time celebrating many occasions. Happy Wednesday friends! 

rain on the tarmack at SFO. the bay bridge

better together. the cutest sweet shop in the city Miette

the top of dolores park. comstock saloon

hello monday: olive grove in spain

Good morning Monday. Now that the winter weather might be rearing it's ugly head here in southern california, I'd still like to be relaxing and kick my feet up at this olive grove in the Andalusian mountains in the Spanish countryside. Who wouldn't want to wake up to this view? Exactly. 

photos

hello monday: bakery in New York

Happy Monday Folks! Today is the day when I gather up all my sweet ingredients and get down to the nitty gritty of baking ALL day. I would absolutely love to be able to do that in a rather large bakery kitchen in New York City. I would enlist my few friends who live out there and by the end of the day we would be covered in sprinkles and frosting. Now that's my kind of Monday!

Here's to a productive holiday week!

source

hello monday: tree garden walk

Although Monday has brought some dreary and wet weather, I would love to be wandering around a beautiful tree garden on this rainy Monday morning. We got our christmas tree last night and it is one of my most favorite smells in the whole world and I would love to be surrounded by just that, endless rows of aromatic trees. Happy Monday friends, and I hope you stay dry and warm!!

source

hello monday: fall in new york

This whole weekend I found myself wishing that we saw more seasonal changes here in California and especially after talking to a dear friend yesterday who calls New York home, I couldn't stop thinking about visiting there. This Monday morning, it would be absolutely lovely to be talking a walk around Central Park or down the East River watching the leaves change and talking in the crisp fresh air. Not to mention, it's been a long time wish of mine to see New York at Christmas time. Happy Monday friends!!

source

hello monday: parisian cafe

Good Monday morning! One of my favorite things to do most days is head over to the little french crepe restaurant in my neighborhood and indulge in a tasty nutella filled dessert crepe and a glass of wine. Thanks to daylight savings time yesterday, we had a extra hour to do just that. And I would love nothing more than to be sitting in a sidewalk Parisian cafe this morning getting a true croque madame and sipping on a cup of cafe au lait. Bonjour lundi! 

source

hello monday: the canals of venice

On this fog filled morning I would love nothing more than to be discovering the streets of Venice. Wandering through the endless canals and cobblestone streets in hopes of finding the tiniest coffee shop with a great espresso and a quiet ambiance to get some serious work done. A girl can dream right?! Here's to a week of new beginnings and fun adventures! Happy Monday friends!! 

source

pretty maps

One of the best traveling experiences of my life was when I ventured to Europe with a few good friends. We got a small taste of what it's like in about 7 countries across the Atlantic Ocean and I've been itching to go back ever since. These pretty illustrated maps by Marisa Seguin make me want to go back even more. I think I might have to get one of these beauties to hang on my wall. 

hello monday: kenyan bike taxis

On this first fall Monday morning, I would love to be riding around on these eclectic bike taxis in Kenya. The bright colors and unique designs would make for a super fun bike ride if you ask me. Not to mention they have a hand pump radio attached for some good tunes. Happy Monday friends!

source

hello monday: floating in thailand

Ever since I was a little kid, I have been mesmerized by twinkling lights and as an adult, it's no different. This Monday morning, I would love to be in a little boat in Thailand setting these floating lanterns up into the sky. Something about it makes me feel magical. Hope you have a fabulous Monday! 

source

hello monday: ice hotel

Now that summer has officially arrived, with temperatures off the chart to boot, it's time to beat the heat and head somewhere to cool off. The perfect place to be "chilling" this Monday morning is at the Ice Hotel. I visited an ice exhibit at this year's county fair and it completely intrigued me at how you can manipulate and transform something so basic as ice into an amazing piece of art or even an incredible 

structure to lay your head to rest. Bring on the ice! 

source

{inspiration} colors from around the world

Colorful exteriors have always gotten me a little giddy. I'm not sure if it's the lack of bright color where I grew up or if it's just the idea of coming home to a bright yellow house. Either way, I simply love it. Beyond the stereotypical red door along a London street, there are so many other parts of the world that possess the most beautiful color, just take a peek. 

1 2 3 4 

hello monday: desert dunes oasis

It is inevitably true that whenever you return from a vacation, you are in need of another one to recuperate from the first. Well friends, after my bachelorette filled weekend, I would love to be recovering at this serene desert oasis with caleb the camel of course! Bachelorette and sleep don't really belong in the same sentence so those pillows and lounge chair would definitely do me good. 

source

hello monday: shipping container city

Hello Monday, don't you look lovely! This morning I would love to be roaming the shipping container cities that are starting to pop up in several different locations; London and Mexico more specifically. Yes, cities made from shipping containers. I first heard of these during my studies on Japanese architecture in school, where I believe the first container building was built. These cities are quite fantastic mostly because they are environmentally friendly, low cost to build, and vibrantly inviting. 

I would gladly be walking around art galleries, shopping, eating or living in any of these industrial spaces.

hello monday: flederhaus austria

The perfect place to be on this monday morning to cure my sleepless weekend is at the Flederhaus building in Vienna, Austria. Yes, this isn't a dream, it's a real place. An entire house full of hammocks that's open to the public for free. That sounds like my kind of relaxation haven. Bring a book and come relax!

hello monday: french bakery

This past weekend I had the pleasure of assisting the wedding of last year's award winning pastry chef and it was absolutely divine. The display of desserts that him and his colleagues set up was out of this world (I'll share photos later this week) and so I couldn't help but wish to continue my love for pastries and sweet morsels by wishing I could be at this ever popular French bakery this monday morning, enjoying all of their yummy sweets.

Have a great week friends!

( source )

hello monday: latin style

Hola Lunes! Nothing like a little latin style to get you moving on this beautiful monday morning. My love for latin culture seems to be peeking out more and more lately (I took my first zumba class, and I'm totally hooked!) so it seems only proper for me to want to be fully submersed in exactly that this morning. I spent the weekend eating delicious tapas and drinking sangria while dreaming of roaming the streets of cuba discovering only things that locals know best. These photographs by Andrew Moore make me want to visit even more.

hello monday: glamping

Hello Monday! On this Monday morning, the perfect activity to de-stress for the week, would be glamping in one of these playful bohemian tents at The Martyn House. Yes, I did say glamping (glamorous+camping) now that's my kind of camping! I have to admit that I have never experienced the exhilarating thrill of actual camping so this glamorous type would logically seem more appealing, although that's not the only reason this is so appealing to many people like myself. According to the Martyn House history, these tents were used several thousand years ago for royal and cultural ceremonies and more recently to entertain the wealthy American and European travelers who sought after adventure in the wild. Not to mention these circus-like tents come with a hearty breakfast daily, and evening cocktail hour. Sounds lovely doesn't it? Who wouldn't want to glamp for the week?

Here's to another week that is hopefully a little less stressful!

(image source)

hello monday: barcelona

On this hopefully sunnier monday morning, I would love to be sipping a traditional kalimotxos and relaxing at this beautiful historic hotel in Barcelona. From their ornate exteriors to modern interiors, you can't help but be have a huge smile on your face.

Due to my frequent watching of the food channel lately, I have realized my affinity for spanish dishes and the fact that they have siesta in the afternoon to rest up only for the quite regular and customary midnight dinner with friends. Praktik, has quite a history behind it, built in the 19th century and recently renovated, would be the best place to stay while exploring the adventurous city that is Barcelona.

the city of love & lights

If you haven't guessed by now, I love the city of Paris. I was fortunate to travel there early in my college years for a short time on my first trip to Europe. As soon as I got there I completely fell in love with the city and everything about it, the (surprisingly) nice people since I was sadly attempting to speak french, the delicious food, the city metro, the shops, the museums, the streets, and mostly the feeling of what is was like to be there. To see the Eiffel Tower in person and see how everyone around was just in awe. I love that people sit for endless hours in cafes talking passionately over pastries and java.

{my favorite view}

{would love to open a box of these amazing treats and enjoy them on a field in the sun}

It's so fitting that today on a beautiful monday morning, the day that I love to share where in the world I would like to be, one of my favorite blogs is giving away a very special trip to the city that I love so much, PARIS! Check it out here.

So friends I'm sharing this with you in hopes that I get the chance to visit the city I love so much again with my man and the lovely Jordan Ferney!

(images via 1, 2)