a succulent weekend

I took a little overnight trip with the family for a quick get-away to regroup.  We ripped a page straight out of an old Sunset magazine about Goleta.  This is what we found...

After our little croissant & coffee hotel breakfast at the Ramada Inn, Clyde took this photo for me to get the outfit. Pretty good for a three year old!
Navy blazer with pinstripe lining, vintage maxi dress with flouncy hem, and navy pullover are all from Swift Boutique.  I don't consider myself a florals kinda girl, but vintage ones seem to be easier to seamlessly pair my modern pieces without being to overwhelming.


Hats and florals are two ways I'm trying to change up my wardrobe.  Hats, I have to just get over the fact that there's a big thing on my head.  Yeah, it does feel weird atfirst, but pretty soon you get used to it and feel very put together and tres chic.  Women and men did it for decades, let's bring it back people! Straw fedora is from Magnolia Gowns.  Florals, are my way of adding a print to all the black I own.  Try both of these tips, and let me know how it goes.

We stayed at the Ramada Inn, super old-school 1960's architecture and not updated at all really, but I enjoyed it's unassuming charm.  Plus, they have indoor succulent gardens at the base of every staircase, a pool, a lagoon!, and resident birds that will hunt you down for Cheerios in the most welcoming of ways possible.  I'd stay there again just to check out their James Brown inspired bouffants.
  Insider Tip: hotel offers a discount to their guests for the IHOP pancakes across the street.  Yummm.Next, it was a super quick drive to the best succulent plant nursery I've been to, and I've been to a fair share while designing my landscape at home to be drought tolerant.  



Okay, who wants to learn how to make these cute succulent gardens in a bowl?  Put that on my To Do List.  Terra Sol has a full selection of plants, garden decor, water features, and shelves full of the best accessories for any DIY decorator.  The prices are incredibly affordable and everything was 20% off for Martin Luther King Day.


Cute little finch birds chirping away while you browse...



More goodies on sale.  I bought that unruly looking octopus for my "white" collection.



You can still see the price tag! 20% off $14.99.  Deal!  I can't wait to write about the other amazing find I bought.  I've always, always, always, wanted one of those air plants that just seem to grow out of the wall.  Got 'em! Pictures soon. I think over the fireplace is the perfect spot.






Any place with a unicorn bench is a place for me.  I mean seriously, does it get any better?






I thought this was a really clever way to re-purpose a bird bath or fountain.  Unfortunately, we can't have water features in our yard because our cat will hunt down even the cutest little birds taking a sip, but if you have a fountain that doesn't work or needs a makeover, don't toss it!  Fill it with succulents for a bunch of color in a corner.  While you're out there, look up SilverGreens, an eco-conscious eatery for lunch .Any choice on this menu is the right one.  I highly recommend the Seared Ahi Salad.
From here, the Santa Barbara Mission is a nice detour.  More on that in a future blog.  There's lots of photos to share, including cool inspiration for painting Moorish style trim borders.

--carrie diaz,
Martha Stewart is done be inspired by a new gal