Carmel by the Sea
Come with me for Part 1 of my little trip to Carmel by the Sea, am idyllic little town on the Coast which features fairytale homes and amazing shops and restaurants.
This is the story of a very special group of ladies who have become life-long friends.
All because of the internet and blogging.
When I say life-long, I mean hardly a day goes by that our little group does not talk to each other online. Several of us have had the opportunity to get together for visits…Asheville, NC; Emerald Isle, NC and California – where I was the guest of one of the sweetest and kindest ladies I have ever known,
Kathysue at The Good Life of Design.
The other friend who was along was this sweet lady, Jeanette…
(here she is on Carmel Beach which I will also share)
Y’all may remember this dear lady from her kitchen on Rate My Space. Her kitchen was the Top Rated and Most Viewed and Most Drooled Over for a VERY long time.
As in RECORD time.
I promise to share more of this beautiful kitchen soon. I know, its swoon-worthy isn’t it?
Jeanette and her inspiring kitchen were also featured on the HGTV show also called
Rate My Space.
Ok, so back to the story.
Jeanette and I converged onto Kathysue’s beautiful home in Cali.
We were like three teenagers most of the time. Giggling and talking and eating…
This is where we stayed up way too late, they drinking coffee and me drinking wine (lol)
sharing, and dreaming and planning and hoping for the day when our entire group of friends could one day gather and all be together. (there are 9 of us!)
When we were not poolside – we traveled! And boy did we ever! Everyday was bigger than the last day’s adventure. It was my first time to Cali and Kathysue pulled out all of the stops. I want to share with you our trip to Carmel by the Sea. But first, I have to share with you this pic of the three of us standing outside of a huge artichoke.
Welcome to Castroville, Ca.
Home of – well…artichokes. And boy did we have artichokes. Deep Fried. Hotter than Hades.
Dipped in cold Ranch. Fresh deep fried artichoke heaven!
Calories??? Who cares! There are no calories when you are among friends. Its true!
We enjoyed these wonderful delicacies on our way to Carmel.
I am going to share this trip in two parts, otherwise you will experience a major picture overload.
I have heard that Blog readers will stay with you for 14.9873 minutes and not a single second more.
Ok, I don’t know if that’s true, but it sounds pretty scientific doesn’t it? 🙂
Once we arrived, we started walking around the streets of this picture-postcard town lined with beautiful old, wind-blown trees.
And I happily and blissfully snapped pictures of all the beautiful flora and fauna…
We also visited charming shops such as this…
But the one shop that stands out in my mind above all of them was
Jan de Luz. A French Shop. An “oh-my-goodness-hold-me back” French shop.
Yea, that pic brought you back, huh? I know you were about ready to call it quits
on this post – (…”this post is too wordy!”) …. but then BAM! I go and throw in that pic,
and this one…
I can’t tell you how beautiful this shop and all its contents were.
Beautiful tables set with some of the most unique accessories –
Look at the base of these glasses. Stag heads.
Love these soup tureens.
Yes, please.
You know I love me some dragonflies.
This was one of my fave items. These bunny-topped condiment jars. (yes, that is the price.) 🙂
No shoppy for me. They also had beautiful French-milled soaps.
Look at these shelves full of Frenchy goodness…
and preserves too pretty to eat…
and look at this cake plate –
Finally, I spied a beautiful lamp shade which I have since copied…
(A DIY to be revealed next week)
Do you see that ruffled burlap “loverlyness”
I just completed an easy copy-cat version of this and can’t wait to show you how simple it was.
I am so excited to share with you the rest of our trip.
It was made memorable because these two special ladies were sharing it with me…
Friends for Life. Enjoying a day at Carmel by the Sea.
Story to be continued.
Kathysue says
Barb, this is so fun for me to re-live our visit. I had more fun in that week with you and Jeanette than any three ladies should have in one week. I would do it all over in a minute!! xo Kathysue
View CommentShelia says
Hi Barb! Oh, this sounds like it was a wonderful time. How nice you and these ladies have gotten to meet and play! I’ve only met one blogging friend!! 🙂 Waaaa…
View CommentBe a sweetie,
Shelia 🙂
Jeanette says
Barb, I’m with you, that was one of the most wonderful weeks of my life. And you are right – I’m sure we are all now friends for life. Oh how I wish we could do It all again!
View CommentJeanette
Mona Thompson Providence Ltd. says
Can’t wait to read the rest…Kathysue is a great blog buddy…Know you girls had a great time…
View CommentShenita @ Embellishments by SLR says
Barb, this sounds like a really fun trip! That shop is just lovely…I see a whole lot of “pretties”!
View Commentmarty (A Stroll Thru Life) says
Oh I love seeing all the pics and living this with the three of you. I am so sorry I missed this trip, you are all so precious and I love you all so much. Hugs, Marty
View Commentvignette design says
Oh, what a wonderful time! So glad you shared!
View Comment♥ Sonny ♥ says
what great fun ya’ll had.
View CommentI am wishing for you that the whole group can soon gather for a few memory making days.. this is GReat~!
happy for ya’s.
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says
We stopped in Carmel by the sea many many years ago, but did not shop. We were on our way to Pebble Beach for hubby to look at the golf course and then back to San Fran where we were staying. Such a gorgeous drive down the coast. I know y’all had oodles of fun.
View CommentSuzy says
What a lovely trip you had. It’s so wonderful that you have a group of close friends to gather with! Looking forward to seeing your lampshade and part deux of your trip. Oh – did you see Clint Eastwood? At least I think that’s the town that he was the mayor of…
View CommentSuzy says
Oops – forgot to say that Jeanette’s kitchen is my DREAM!!!!
View CommentBarbara Bussey {The Treasured Home} says
You mean to say that you came all this way and didn’t come visit me?? Well, I had better not hear of this happening again! Glad you had a great time in our wonderful state…usually wonderful!
View CommentNanaDiana says
Wah- Wah- Wah- I wanna go (and know) you gals, too. What a wonderful time it looks like you had. I adore Kathysue -she is one of my favorite bloggers. What fun!!!! xo Diana
View Comment