Wednesday, August 26, 2015

California Part Two: Beach to City

If you missed the start of our anniversary trip in California and with our time in Santa Monica and Malibu, you can catch up with that here.

Day Three - Free Day
Monday we had zero plans other than the intentions of wandering about Santa Monica a little bit and getting in some beach and/or pool time.  {The one slight negative of the hotel was that it looked like it was very close to the beach - which it was but there was construction going on so we needed to take an open top jeep beach cruiser ride to get down and get back to the hotel - about ten minutes each way because of the detours.  It was a far walk out to the beach club area and then back to the bathrooms/beach bar/etc. so we opted for easy… the pool!}

We strolled down the bike path near the beach (about a mile each way so at least we got in a slight workout) and headed for the pier for some morning exploring and lunch - there are a ton of casual places to eat so we had no problem picking one out.


Staring at the ocean never gets old - neither does the sea breeze - it was probably a good 15 or so degrees cooler here than once we got into Beverly Hills.


We could take or leave the pier activities so we just walked around and then after a lunch - outdoors, of course - headed back to the hotel.


Then it was right off to the pool for the entire afternoon and as much relaxing we could get.  There was a good mix of sun and then napping/reading in the shade.

beach dress: Lilly Pulitzer {similar style} // tote: gap // headband: etsy

We called it a day at the pool in the very late afternoon before heading into the spa to unwind with some massages before heading up to get ready for dinner.


Dinner this night was at our very favorite place {one hasn't opened in Philadelphia… yet - we've heard they are slowly taking over some of the Chart House locations} Mastro's Steakhouse in Malibu.  We at at the BH location last year {which we revisit later in the week} and couldn't stop raving about it.

dress:  nordstrom {same dress, different pattern} % 40% off // purse:  gigi new york // shoes: ralph lauren {& on sale + four more colors}

Our favorite meal, sitting right above the crashing waves AND watching the sunset - definitely one of my favorite nights and we completely stuffed ourselves full.  They have my absolute favorite scallops.  A fisherman caught a stingray right in front of us which we got to see before he set him free again.

Day Four - Switching to Beverly Hills
On Tuesday morning we had one final breakfast at the beach before moving inland to Beverly Hills.  For those who are new here, we spent a couple days in Beverly Hills last year to break up the trip to our honeymoon  {You can see about last years trip here} so it holds a special place in our heart - in fact, when we arrived back at the hotel, all the memories and excitement of the year returned {we've been debating whether to try to fit it in as a quick annual trip every year since it's such a special spot for us}.

dress: old navy {similar style} // purse: gigi new york // necklace: jennifer zeuner // watch: michael kors

Breakfast on the rooftop overlooking the ocean with a bellini in hand.  My new favorite breakfast meal of eggs benedict did not disappoint. 


I clearly did the heavy lifting when switching hotels with the most important item while Derek just relaxed…


We found a great company to do a private stars' homes tour with - we saw Robert from Shark Tank walking his dog and Matthew Perry (Chandler Bing).  We saw everything from Reba, Lucille Ball, Tom Cruise, Courtney Cox and Denzel Washington to people like Justin Bieber and more.  One of my favorites was that Jennifer Anniston (still owns the house, but isn't living there), Michael Buble' and Rihanna all share basically a cul de sac.  I didn't take many pictures, more just enjoyed looking at the gorgeous houses but a few are below…

Top: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matthew Perry entering his home and the gate of one of Jennifer Anniston's houses.
Bottom: Enterance to Lisa Vanderpumps, Scott Disick's (Post Kardashian Split) and a view of the Hollywood Hills

I loved the ambiance at lunch - we dined on the patio and there was fresh flower displays everywhere.  Every table top, on other display tables, inside the restaurant, in the bathroom - everywhere.


Enjoying our new view.  I enjoyed lounging on the loungers on the balcony almost as much as laying by the pool because of the gorgeous view and nice breeze - so peaceful.



We spent the afternoon post lunch by the pool reading, swimming and relaxing - it's a small pool area but secluded and private with nice scenery.



Looking down on the pool vs. laying next to it… 


 We were "winging" dinner tonight and had some extra time to get ready before we headed out - which included watching some of the sunset.



 dress: similar style // necklace: similar styles here and here




A couple drinks out to finish off the day - but still not too bed too late - same routine again in the morning - up early :)


Helpful Links… 
Mastro's Ocean Club
The Penthouse
Glitterati Tours
The Ivy
The Beverly Wilshire
Pump / Sur
Don't forget to join me in the own it linkup tomorrow!
*Probably the last one for a while - so don't miss out

36 comments:

  1. You looked gorge the whole vacation! Jealous! I always look like some kind of mess on ours ha. I love all of the dresses you took, my fav is the floral one from day 3 dinner! This seriously makes me want to take this trip next summer, especially the stars home tour because I am so celeb obsessed. Fun read!

    Linds @ Not A Mom

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  2. Oh wow! Those views! I just loved them all. And i can't imagine the stars home tour! how fun!

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  3. The pool view in BH is amazing!! How are you liking the gates satchel? Since they came out with new colors I've been wanting to get it! I love that you guys built in a relaxing day on one of your first days there!!! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  4. So so fun! I loved Beverly Hills!!!! I'm glad y'all took a Hollywood tour because we did that the last time I went and it was so much fun! Sometimes I'm not into touristy things but that was one that I was glad I did--love that you got to see Matthew Perry!!! We got to see the guy from Entourage--I don't know his name :)
    Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts

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  5. Aww I love that you all went back to the BW! You totally should do that! I'm such a sap, lol!! Those flowers are gorgeous and totally match your outfits!!

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  6. Sunsets are some of my favorite things about vacations, especially when they're over the ocean! So cool that y'all did a private celebrity home tour and actually saw some celebrities! That was my biggest disappointment when we visited LA was that we didn't see any!

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  7. so pretty! I'd love to see all the celebrity's homes!

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  8. Such an amazing trip you guys had, and obsessing over your beautiful dresses especially that yellow one! It's official, I need to go back to Cali and split my time between the beach and the city like you did :)

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  9. Laying by the pool, exploring the pier, massages, and a great dinner? Sounds like the perfect day to me! I love that he carried everything but the flowers! Hahaha. So neat that you guys stayed at the same hotel again! The stars tour looks so fun!

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  10. Y'all sure did California right, girl! Love all the places you hit up and the food looks amazingly delicious :)!

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  11. You looked beautiful in that yellow dress and your make-up was on-point! I love reading your vacation recaps!

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  12. The views, your dresses, time by the pool, good food... love it all! You guys had a great vacation!

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  13. I am loving all of these ocean views. Gorgeous! I'm also imagining Rihanna having Michael Buble over for happy hour.

    xo, Carly - soak and simmer

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  14. LOVE all your dresses! So pretty. How fun is that home tour. I am celebrity obsessed and Jen Aniston is my fav!

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  15. Oh my gosh, how gorgeous!! These views, I'm DYING! What a perfect vacation!! And can we talk about how gorgeous (and relaxed) you look in all of these photos? Ha ha! I'm so glad you guys went on this trip!

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  16. You look so pretty in all your pics! Such a happy anniversary glow! Obsessed with all your dresses, too! So cute. I really, really want to take a trip after reading all about yours. Looks like you guys had such a great time!

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  17. Your dinner venue looks so beautiful! I love all the dresses you are wearing! Is the yellow one from Old Navy? I think I have it in navy blue! Love those star tours. I did one in LA and Nashville!

    ~Ashley @ A Cute Angle
    acutelifestyle.blogspot.com

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  18. This makes me miss California so much! I'm a NYC girl but the first time I visited I instantly knew I wanted to move there :)

    Kristen @ Your Beauty Fix

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  19. You guys look like you had the best time! :)

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  20. Wow your dinner on the beach sounds like the best thing ever! The Hollywood stars tour looks like an absolute blast! I would die!

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  21. loving part 2!! again, a wonderful trip! omg i need that yellow dress. perfection on ya girl!

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  22. Love all of these photos! Your beach pictures are beautiful and the star tour sounds really fun! We've been to San Diego but I'm thinking I need to work in a Beverly Hills or Napa trip in ASAP. I feel like California has so many great places we need to visit!

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  23. You can't beat an anniversary (or any!) dinner beach-side. Happy anniversary!

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  24. Hehe, so funny that you saw Matthew after my comment on your post yesterday. Next time we go I would love to do a tour like that... we had such a whirlwind trip that we didn't have enough time for anything like that.

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  25. I lived in Santa Monica last year and it's such a great beach town. We loved living there. I miss it a lot!

    We took a picture at that big chair by the winery in malibu too ha!

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  26. I used to watch Shark Tank when we had cable TV (we quit paying for it because we can find almost everything online). Robert always seemed like a nice, down-to-earth guy.

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  27. You have the cutest dresses! I totally want to go on a tour to see stars' homes. That's awesome you saw a couple celebrities!

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  28. Gorgeous photos! I love the yellow dress you wore! So neat you saw Robert from Shark Tank walking his dog! I love him. :)

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  29. Such beautiful views! And that's really cool that you got to tour famous people's homes! What a great first anniversary trip! Happy Anniversary!

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  30. Sounds like you got so much done on this trip and packed in as much as you could while also relaxing with some good food and drinks. The photo of the ocean is gorgeous!

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  31. Beautiful pictures!! What a great trip, you did so much. Happy Anniversary.

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  32. Gorgeous! Looks like so much fun and you look fab girl! xo

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  33. You look beautiful and all of your pictures are perfection! Looks like you had a blast!!

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  34. Looks beautiful and I love that you did a star's homes tour! :) if I got to California I'm gonna get your to plan it. Ha ha!

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  35. First of all, could you be any more gorgeous?! I need you to come shop for me, stat. :) I absolutely love Robert from Shark Tank, so I would've been freaking out - ha! Glad you guys had such a great trip, it looked absolutely beautiful!

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