shell chic'd

Trench Coat Season

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pink trench coatAnother day, another pastel coat. One that I purchased after overhearing a fellow customer Regina George-that-is-the-ugliest-effing-coat-I-have-ever-seen it, which only made me want it a little more. It served me well on our trip to NorCal, with the 80%-chance-of-rain forecast that Mama Nature promised and followed through on, and I don’t doubt that it’ll continue to get a workout back here on the dreary East coast.

Now I don’t claim to be someone who can pull off the casual chicness that is a Converse + dress duo, but these 30K-step days left me no choice but to attempt it. I won’t even try to hide the bandaged heels you may or may not see here.

Jack Wills Pink Rain CoatJack Wills Overcombe Wrap DressI call this one, “Mary Kate Olsen.”

Navy Silk Wrap DressNavy V-Neck DressJack Wills GeorgetownOpen Back Navy Dresshow to wear a dress with sneakersDuncombe Pink Trench Coat | Overcombe Wrap Dress (on serious sale right now!) | Converse Chuck Taylors |Tortoise Sunglasses

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Four Days By the Bay

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San Francisco Weekend Trip
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…!

Painted Ladies San FranciscoOrange Yellow Door San FranciscoBlue Punch Buggy BeetleMr. Holmes Bakehouse SignOrange Door San FranciscoFlowers of the Valley Sign San FranciscoPurple Door San FranciscoFlower Shop Noe ValleyParisian Cafe Paris

what to do in haight ashburyblue vespa photo san franciscoRussian Hill San FranciscoMacondray Lane SignMacondray Lane Real Estatecafes nob hill san franciscoFlour & Co San Franciscopastel houses san franciscoblue doors san franciscoNorth Beach Homes San FranciscoChinatown lanterns photo San FranciscoPink House Pacific Heights San FranciscoRoyal Court Apartments San FranciscoWrecking Ball Coffee Rifle Paper Co WallpaperFlower shop Cow HollowHello Blue Door Pacific HeightsMarina District San FranciscoSausalito Restaurantswhere to see golden gate bridgeview of alcatraz island

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.

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Wine Country

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what to wear in napaUnlike, 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.

Goosecross WineryWeather 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.

Napa Valley PhotographyGoosecross Wine Clubwhat shoes to wear in napaCashmere Cocoon SwewaterCalifornia Spring FashionGoosecross Cellar Yountville NapaCalypso St. Barth Kitura Cashmere Cocoon Sweater | Similar Navy Tank | H&M Skinny Jeans | J.Crew Gold & Pearl Necklace [similar] | Target Tortoise Sunglasses | J.Crew Navy Bangle Bracelet | Kate Spade Crossbody Bag [similar] | LC Lauren Conrad Peep Toe Booties [similar 1; 2]

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City By the Bay

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City By the Bay | Colorful San Francisco Streets | Anne Solange Tardy
*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?!]

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