California Archives - shell chic'd

Postcards from Palm Springs

April 27, 2018 by Emily 2 Comments

~~A little~~ ok two hours out of the way on our Pacific Coast Highway road trip sits the whacko little oasis that is Palm Springs. Driving in, I wasn’t sure if we had just entered a retirement community or a bachelorette party.
I was into it.

[ stay ]
Have $600 a night burning a hole in your pocket? The Parker.
Here for the Instagram? The Saguaro.
Why can’t I live here? Holiday House.

Or you know, there are an alarming number of Palm Springs Airbnbs that get the job done as well. I was sure we were going to unlock the door to a too-good-to-be-true situation, but our Airbnb at The Twist Palm Springs was a perfect oasis at a really cute price. Pool, bikes, private patio, mini golf, with all the style and flair of PS.

[ play ]
We were exhausted by this point ~~lol it had only been 4 days~~ and so ready to sit in that California sun. But Palm Springs is known for its colorful mid-modern architecture, so I wasn’t going to let two days is this unicorn land pass me by without some ~~door stalking~~ exploring.

Best way to do it? By bike. Easiest mode of transportation to make a quick getaway when the owner of the house ~~calls the cop~~ comes out.

[ eat ]

The Pantry // The Holiday House’s poolside restaurant is open to the public for brunch+lunch and so worth the shame of the awkward “no we will not be charging it to our room” conversation.

Norma’s // Lord may this please be the most expensive breakfast I ever give into. The price you pay for a photogenic meal. Tbh though I am still dreaming about that $27 sweet potato hash, and it was worth it for a ticket into the Parker Palm Springs. Just be glad I didn’t order the $100 caviar-encrusted omelette.

Bootlegger Tiki // I have been dreaming about this tiki bar since five minutes after we left it. Bonus:: It’s next door to your humble abode at The Twist Palm Springs!

Bill’s Pizza // Yeah, we ate pizza in our room on vacation. Persecute me. Have a slice of Bill’s and you’ll understand.

El Jefe // A meal (or just coffee!) at El Jefe is your ticket into the colorful Saguaro hotel if you aren’t staying there. That, and I think some flirting with whatever bachelor party is currently parked there will work too.

Similar dress 1; 2

Next time, I’m flying straight into PSP and soaking up more than a day and a half there. There are wayyy more doors calling my name, and a Desperados Downfall on the rocks. No salt.

[ follow along love! instagram | twitter | rss ]

SHOP THE POST::

Jet Set Chic’d: 17 Mile Drive & Point Pinos Lighthouse

March 16, 2018 by Emily 4 Comments

We’re baaaack!

Wow wow what a whirlwind. Easily one of the least relaxing but most fun trips we’ve ever ~~gone broke for~~ been on. Every time I visit California, which has been a hefty handful now ~~since it stole half of my friends~~, I appreciate it a little more.

I can’t w8 to share a Pacific Coast Highway guide with you, but here’s a little snippet ~~because I used to be a fashion blogger?~~ I, admittedly, remember few things from a trip my family took to this area when I was young ~~thanks Dad’s clients~~. But I do remember the increíble views from 17-Mile Drive—which runs through Pebble Beach and is bordered by Monterey, Carmel, & Pacific Grove—and thinking, this is something I hope I never forget. And well looky there, so far so good. Doing it with MJF was a nice reminder though.

Just off of 17-Mile Drive is Point Pinos Lighthouse, so like, that obviously took up an hour of my day. This is the oldest operating lighthouse on the West Coast and one of the most decked out I’ve come across. It looks like something an American Girl Doll would have lived in ~~you’re welcome Mattel~~. Though I did just tried Googling it to give you some interesting facts ~~that I didn’t listen to~~, and was suggested “Point Pinos Lighthouse haunted” so there’s that.

As previously discussed, I was underdressed the entire trip, as in I was wearing gladiator sandals while my friends in LA were in snow boots. TG for this cardigan wrap I picked up at The Paper Store the night before we left—def helped to tone down my winter white look that received a stare or two ~~from jealous onlookers~~.

More soon, chickadees!

[ follow along love! instagram | twitter | rss ]

SHOP THE POST::

California Road Trip Packing List

February 23, 2018 by Emily 2 Comments

Boston gave us the most beautiful ~~excuse to drink outside~~ heat wave this week. So spirit lifting that I didn’t even complain about ~~my raging hangover~~ the snow today. Alas, it lasted about as long as a Bachelor winner relationship, so we’re still peacing out of here in a week. We need this vacation like woah, so much that even the hellish task of packing for like three different climates excites me.

There’s no guess work involved when I tell you I’m going to be cold in NorCal. I’m barely even trying to get it right. TGF husbands readily available to loan you their jackets.

Nah my focus is on sunny shoulders and open toe. Because life’s too short for sweaters, ya know?

Here’s my California road trip packing list:

{Shopping guide may not be visible on mobile or in email; please view in web browser for optimal experience!}

ps. Anyone still here? I want to hear your Pacific Coast Highway suggestions!

[ follow along love! instagram | twitter | rss ]

California Here We Come

February 15, 2018 by Emily 3 Comments

*via

Current status: In a winter slump and ready to GTFO of New England for a second.

We ~~spontaneously~~ ok still gave ourselves a month’s notice booked a flight to SFO and are buckling up to do the Pacific Coast Highway. Pulling over for nights in Carmel, Santa Barbara, and LA, plus a little jaunt west to Palm Springs.

What TF should we do along the way?! Give me your best California road trip recs: Leave me a note in the comments or shoot me an e at shellchicd{at}gmail{dot}com! ~~I’ll give you a shoutout if we stop there~~ lol like you care.

Thanks oodles!

[ follow along love! instagram | twitter | rss ]

Four Days By the Bay

March 23, 2016 by Emily 4 Comments

San Francisco was a dream. I don’t think I realized how much of a winter slump I had fallen into until we touched down. Even in the rain [5 straight days of rain in California and you still tell me my bad weather luck is just a coincidence?], it rivaled Paris in colorful corners and photogenicity.

We had the privilege of attending the wedding of two of the kindest humans I’ve ever met, but apart from that, we had next to no plans. WANDERING man. Wandering is good for the soul. The closest thing to a guide we used was Victoria Smith–aka sfgirlbybay‘s See San Francisco book, which gave us the skinny on all of the neighborhoods we had to touch. And your suggestions! Thank you for those; they were worth it as the few places we actually mapped out ahead of time. But boy oh boy did my FitBit have a field day with our exploring. And man oh MAN those hills are not a joke.

So this is less of a travel guide than a photo diary with a few hopefully somewhat accurate points of interest…the downside to making it up as you go is not necessarily remembering where you ended up…!

If you want a true San Francisco travel blog, I suggest trusting Victoria, but I can certainly tell you where to find some prime choices for the following::

artisinal toast:: the mill
brunch:: le zinc
cookies the size of your face:: Sausalito Bakery & Cafe
cruffins, and other sweet things:: Mr. Holmes Bakehouse
[waiting in line isn’t necessary if you’re skipping the ‘ruffins!]
chicken pot pie:: Flour & Co.
fresh florals:: Flowers of the Valley
ice cream sandwiches:: Miette
lattes:: Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters
[the Rifle Paper Co. wallpaper wasn’t what drew me in at all…]
lodging:: Chancellor ($) | Westin St. Francis ($$)
pastel houses:: Russian Hill | North Beach
tacos:: Tacolicious
tapas:: Thirsty Bear
views:: Macondray Lane | Coit Tower | [Cocktails at] Top of the Mark
wine:: Goosecross Vineyard

I get it now. I just really may have left my heart in San Francisco.

[ follow along love! instagram | twitter | rss | bloglovin ]

Wine Country

March 18, 2016 by Emily 6 Comments

Unlike, oh, everyone else ever, I was indifferent about taking a trip up to Napa during our trip out to SFO. We’ve got great wineries right here at home! I wanted more time with tourist locales and pastel houses! But all y’all convinced me, and for that I am grateful as a goose.

We drove north without much of a plan, breaking for bubbly at Domaine Chandon, but really nailing it when we stumbled upon Goosecross Winery in Yountville. The view says it all.

Weather hadn’t exactly worked in our favor for, virtually, any of our trip up until this point, but as soon as we hit Yountville, nothin’ but sun and sauv blanc.

[ follow along love! instagram | twitter | rss | bloglovin ]

SHOP THE POST::

City By the Bay

February 19, 2016 by Emily 7 Comments

*image via

The City by the Bay–aka, #SanFran–has been on my to-see list for ages, and I am counting the days until we FINALLY get to take off for the west coast next month for a SF wedding!

I’ve never been, and MJF has only passed through on a road trip, so we need help! We have some wedding-related activities already laid out for us, so let’s just assume we only have just two empty days:: what must we see and where must we eat? Should we rent a car and make a day out of Napa? Trek down to Big Sur? Stay in the city? Do tell everything! This is the first time in many years of traveling that I’m feeling like a total blank map, so lay it on me.

When the time comes, be sure to follow me on Instagram and tag along via #jetsetchicd! [On that note, where are the most Instagrammable views?!]

[ follow along love! instagram | twitter | rss | bloglovin ]

Bridget Meets Boston

April 22, 2013 by Emily 16 Comments

My everyday style is definitely more East Coast than West Coast, but there’s something about California’s light and laid-back but still put-together way of dressing that I can’t help but love– especially in the warmer months.

No Rest For Bridget is a SoCal-based boutique that just opened its first store on the East Coast– conveniently for me and all you other Beantown gals, located on Newbury Street. Prices are super affordable, whether you’re looking for work wear, date night, or girls-night-out looks.

Virtually the entire store is organized by color. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited this makes me– when I shop, I’m shopping for specifics way more than I am browsing. I need a lavender dress for graduation. I’m looking for a pink top for my birthday. Really on the hunt for some mint jeans.

In addition to clothes, there’s jewelry and accessories galore. Color-coordinated, of course 🙂

You’ll also find fashion books and sweet accessories. I spotted the new Kate Spade book and this fashion title with Audrey gracing the cover!

Basically, run, don’t walk, to this store. If you’re not in Boston or California (see here for full list of locations), still be sure to follow NRFB on Twitter and Facebook to stay updated– more stores will be gracing the East Coast soon!

[ No Rest For Bridget ]
[ 220 Newbury Street ]
[ Boston, Massachusetts ]

pssst! Because Bridget loves Boston, they are offering 20% off EVERYTHING in their Boston location from now until April 28. A portion of proceeds will be donated to help the victims + families of last week’s tragic events.