“I fly, I crawl, I weep, I laugh, I swim, I grow, I fall, I need, I want, I follow, I break, I sink, I love, I exist.” -Anaïs Niin

To celebrate my birthday a couple months back my boyfriend, Peter, and I planned a short city escape to the Mendocino Coast, a Northern California location I have always wanted to visit. It served as the most ideal destination for two overworked individuals in need of some fresh air and beautiful views without having to venture too far from home.

We had the pleasure of visiting a few breathtaking inn’s along the Pacific cliffs, overlooking the ocean, while enjoying warm accommodations and a travel experience I am very excited to share. There are some serious treasures to be discovered along this small stretch of the Northern California coast.

To start our trip, we took the “scenic route” from SF, which I highly recommend, as it only adds about 30 minutes to the trip and the sights are well-worth it. If you’re driving up from the City, get off of the 101 in Cloverdale and take the scenic route through Anderson Valley wine country. Find Route 128, and take in 90 minutes of uninterrupted rolling vineyards and towering redwoods. I am excited to share a short hotel guide, based on our little adventure!

THE INN AT NEWPORT RANCH

Our first stop was at the luxurious and quirky Inn at Newport Ranch. It was among the most beautiful properties I’ve visited. The guest rooms are cozily kept but surrounded by an enormous mass of land – ranging from coastal cliffs to thick redwood forests.

First thing in the morning, we enjoyed an incredible breakfast, which was prepared for us personally. The chefs paid close attention to dietary restrictions and ensured everything was perfect for each guest, and were eager to refill our plates!

Immediately following breakfast we headed out for an ATV tour. Truth be told, I wasn’t looking forward to this at all; it had rained our entire ride up. It wound up being my favorite part of our trip. Our knowledgeable and passionate guide is the groundskeeper and friend of the Inn’s legendary designer and owner.

Our guide knew the 2000+ acres like the back of his hand. We rode along Newport Ranch’s astonishing coastlines, learned about the owner’s affinity for handmade benches, sitting unexpectedly in the most perfect and thoughtful places, spotted some playful seals swimming in and out of the caves below, and heard tales of shark attacks.

Once we covered the coast, we wove our way into the hills, where Peter got to see his first redwood tree, up close, and we both gained so much knowledge about the forest – from what salmon swim up the streams, to the freaky, poisonous mushrooms that lead to sudden, unexpected death two weeks after ingestion. We looked at fallen redwoods and were educated about the importance of these California forests and why we must protect them!

Our guide wrapped things up by taking us to the gorgeous garden next to the Inn, which is meticulously maintained for guests to enjoy and also to grow herbs, fruits, and vegetables for the house chef to prepare daily meals.

After the ATV tour, we returned back to our Birdhouse Suite. I got to strip down and enjoy the private sauna, adjacent to our room, drink some wine, and completely relax.

It was nice being able to remove myself from reality, even though I was only a couple of hours from the city and still so close to home. I felt a refreshing sense of freedom.

THE LITTLE RIVER INN

Our next stop was at The Little River Inn, which is a bit closer to town. With it came the perfect amount of hustle and bustle – still minimal, in a quiet area like Mendocino. After checking in to our minimal but perfectly suitable oceanview abode, we hit the bar before dinner and met a couple of older gentlemen who had just finished a round of golf on the property’s course.

The food there was phenomenal. Dinner was amazing, but the real treat was breakfast the following morning. If you go to Mendocino, DO NOT LEAVE without trying the Little River Inn’s pancakes (Ole’s Swedish Hotcakes). You won’t have to take my word for it, because I haven’t heard a mention of The Little River Inn without a rave about this breakfast delight!

We took a three-minute drive (crossing the highway is a bit sketch by foot) and walked another five minutes to watch one of the most amazing sunsets I’ve ever seen, surrounded by miles of cliffs, rocks and the ocean below.

One thing Peter taught me to do on a trip we took to Croatia last year was to take in a setting by closing my eyes, and then opening them, breathing in and out in silence, thinking of nothing else than what I am seeing and feeling in that very moment for a full minute. This is how, I have learned, you take a “mental photograph” and truly remember a place – not by how it looks in a digital picture, but how you felt when you were there, in that very moment. I will never forget that sunset.

Before leaving, I treated myself to a birthday massage at The Little River Inn Spa – a small cottage tucked away between the restaurant/lodging area and the beautiful, secluded golf course that sits right behind. Hands down, it was the best massage I’ve had in years. Five million stars, I highly recommend it!

BREWERY GULCH INN

Our last stop was at the Brewery Gulch Inn, which was luxury at its finest. We stayed in the stunning Madrone Room (one of roughly a dozen magnificent suites). Peter and I had the pleasure of enjoying a delicious farm to table buffet with a group of amazing and interesting people from all over the west coast. We drank some wine and slept peacefully in one of the most comfortable beds imaginable.

There was a living space in the room with cozy leather couches, a fireplace that looked out onto the coastal cliffs, and double doors that opened to a private patio where we enjoyed yet another mind-blowing sunset.

The next morning we slept in and opted for breakfast in bed, having our final fantastic meal delivered to the room. I highly recommend the Millionaire’s Bacon (Peter and I were fighting over the last bite) and the Mango Lassi was tasty as can be. Before heading out, we burned off our breakfast with yet another long stroll around the beautiful Brewery Gulch Inn property. As sad as it was to leave, the ride back to San Francisco is an experience in itself and driving over the Golden Gate Bridge will never get old.

All in all, it was an amazing trip I will never forget, and one I hope you will enjoy soon! Mendocino is filled with magic, and must-see treasure if you are thinking of a trip along the California Coast this year!

If you are interested in visiting Mendocino, send me an email for additional recommendations, including some great wineries, fun activities, and even a couple of hidden thrift stores we stumbled upon along the way.

Happy trails!

You may have noticed I’ve been OffTheRacks lately… but I’m still here, alive and well.

There are many factors that led me to take a breather from publicly posting what I write (and what I wear). This blog was born from a desire to share my style in a way that pushed me creatively, and an effort to conquer certain insecurities. It helped me step outside my comfort zone and realize just how many women endure similar experiences to the ones I’ve encountered. We’re all different, but sometimes not that different.

Lately this whole blogger “thing” is feeling a bit diluted to me, quite frankly. And I say this humbly and respectfully, as I do know many incredible content creators, who I admire tremendously, that are certainly providing us with something special. I am speaking in general terms…

Personally, it has been tough to feel as excited about shooting photos and sharing new posts as I used to. The past six months have presented me with a wild, unexpected assortment of life changes. With all the ups and downs, I’ve come to find a little bit of peace in accepting that I may never actually have a clue as to what I’m doing in life. This is a thought that can either be scary, or fun. I choose fun. Nobody really has it figured out. We’re all on different journeys, falling down and climbing back up separately…but also together.

I recently moved out of my apartment in Silver Lake. It was a challenging decision, as I thought I’d finally found a place to stay a while, and turn into a home. That just wasn’t the case, for a number of reasons. Society puts a lot of pressure on us to be a certain way, do what is expected, fit a particular mold, or reach specific milestones as we “grow up”, based on a set timeframe that does not work out for everyone. Again, we’re all different. Maybe not that different, but different enough that these “rules” don’t always need to be followed. In fact, these rules can suck it, if you ask me.

I am 30 years old, technically homeless, and feeling astonishingly OK about the whole thing. I can either obsess about what I feel I should be doing (which is often times unattainable or unquestionably not what I want right now), or just go with the flow and do what feels right.

I’m able to travel where I want, whenever I want. I work for an incredible company with some amazing side projects that keep me professionally stimulated. I have a wonderful family and amazing friends. I have finally learned just how liberating it can be to focus on myself, for a change. What good can I be to the people I love if I am not caring for myself first and foremost?

Right now I’m back and forth between Los Angeles and San Francisco (with spastic, exciting trips to various places around the world). It is trying, but in such a good way.

Spending much more time in SF brings back memories of the bright eyed girl I was 13 years ago, venturing off to live in the City by the Bay. I had hopes and dreams that couldn’t be more different from what my life evolved into – but I really like my life. And I love San Francisco. The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel remains one of my favorite spots to stay, and has become a very comfortable and stylish place to be while I take a breather, realign, and figure out what comes next.

It is OK to hit the reset button. It doesn’t matter how old you are, what you’ve done, what you thought you’d be doing, or what other people expect from you. What matters at the end of the day is what makes you happy.

So here I am now – starting over, yet again. And this time, like every time in the past, I am doing so with more experience, knowledge, and hope than I had previously. I am ready for what’s next, even though I don’t exactly have a set plan. Either way, it’s good to know there’s a friendly place for me to rest my head in one of the best cities in the world…with views so good you could consider a late night spent gazing out at the skyline a therapy session on its own.

*The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel is a century-old timeless gem, combining contemporary architecture and glamour with old-world elegance and modern comfort. The hotel draws inspiration from the city and boasts a decidedly artful and local décor. The art deco Redwood Room dates back to 1933 and features original redwood paneling. Located walking distance from San Francisco’s shopping and financial districts, The Clift has long been considered one of the world’s best small hotels.

After many years of smoking cigarettes, staining my walls, stenching my home, and disturbing my friends with the smoke, I finally discovered my solution to avoiding all of the aforementioned issues with the JUUL. This device is appropriately named, because it’s kind of like coming across a treasure chest of intensely satisfying vapor gems. Gems that only adult smokers who are looking for an alternative would enjoy, of course.

I’m a “Tobacco” flavored girl by nature, but it is very satisfying trying the other JUUL pod flavors they offer. Second best, in my opinion, is the Mango, and the Fruit Medley is a close runner up! JUUL is also releasing a Limited Edition Flavor that I had the pleasure of trying on a recent visit to their HQ in San Francisco, called “Cool Cucumber”. It. Is. Awesome.

Another lovely JUUL (jewel) in life is living in Southern California where the weather is always sunny and I can wear a tank top in November, comfortably. Denim on denim always does the trick. Add some flavorful vapor to the mix and, as you can see, I’m one happy girl.

*head to toe: Hemsmith top + and matching pants (browse the collection HERE), paid partnership with JUUL vapor, & Other Stories pumps