Nesting the Journal

kauaii

Thank goodness for the grandparents on all accounts- but especially when they spring you with: "were thinkin of renting a villa in kauaii and would love to bring you guys along". Dead of winter. Sunshine. Maitai's. Blue water. Kinda broke. Free babysitting. Solo day at the spa. Golfin fo rthe boys. Quality time with the fam. YES PLEASE!

Even though it is has been the furthest thing from a slow winter for work, it was so nice to get away into flipflops and skimpies. It was our first adventure on an airplane with a toddler, aside from quick jaunts to california. 2 yr olds and connecting flights aren't the funnest thing. But once you get to the beach it all washes away. Thank you mom and dad for such an amazing getaway to paradise. 

solage resort calistoga

I wanted to share a few more pictures from our trip. These are from the amazing resort we got to stay in for 2 nights in Calistoga. From amazingly soft linens to freshly delivered mint water as part of the nightly tuck down (yes- this is actually a term) to a hunky pool boy handing out frozen grapes on toothpicks at your cabana poolside. For realz!

This special place was definitely a major highlight.The whole trip was one big highlight, But if I had to choose just one, to be honest it would be this: TIME.

Time to ponder, time to breath, time to sleep, time to read, time to eat and time to do a whole lot of nothing. And the thing is- we are better, more refreshed parents for it. And more present with one another. So the challenge- how does one bring home the holidays to normal life? For now 5pm happy hour over a yummy glass of wine, playing in the backyard with our lil gal... Winter may be a bigger challenge.

Our cottage. Each unit is perfectly situated for optimum privacy. And they each come with cruisers.

Our private patio.

The view to wake up to.

The bottle of champagne that greeted us at our door. 

The entrance to the resort. And one of the most amazing spas.

The bocce court. 

Bocce score board slash olive tree support.

The sol bar restaurant. 

Concrete loungers.

Fresh water by the pool. 

130 feet olympic size pool. 

My guy poolside. One last dip before we jet home. 

 

napa valley top 10

We're back. Bitter sweet. Excited to see our lil Lucie, but longing for our poolside bliss in the country. Our trip to Napa was amazing. No other words can describe it. Left at 7 am,poolside by 2. What time away from the city does for the soul. 

Below are the top ten highlights:

Olive groves. And all the yummy olive oil that gets produced in this region.

Checking into an amazing resort. Solage Calistoga.

The ever so cool Oxbow Market. Fresh market berries and hand crafted coffee for breakfast. Beers & oysters for dinner and wine and cheese for dessert.

Driving around wineries. The old sonoma hwy has a pretty good lul to it. Check out the hard working farmers at the top of the hay barrel ridge. 

Cornerstone. Gardens slash art installation outdoors. Amazing grounds. Infinite inspiration. 

Lunch stop at an ol goodie. Where else can you order a burger with a choice of milkshake or wine. Gotts Roadside also known as Taylors Automatic Refresher. 

Begin the design nerds that we are, we checked out wineries based on architecture, not the wine. Crazy yes, but all the wine down here seems to be pretty killer. Odette Winery won the award for amazing design. By the local talent Shopworks.

Lounging poolside at our resort. Heaven.

 

Dinner in the orchard with cute waiters dressed in farm gear. One of the best meals of our lives at Farmstead. Thank you long meadow ranch.

Driving or a bike ride sunset on the Silverado Trail. Country life at its finest. 

a getaway...

PS- I have a big secret to share. O and I are heading to napa for 4 nights. Tomorrow. Sans bebe Lucie. Thank you grandparents! 

It has been long in the waiting; of course at the busiest time of the year for Aloe. But we need it. Recharge. Refuel. Refresh. There will be a whole lot of sleeping in, wine samplin, pool reading and ahhhhh moments. O- you have been grinding through the last few weeks (working round the clock nights and weekends) to make this happen. Thank you for all of this and more. Will be back next weekend with lots of juicy shots of the country life!

hornby island getaway

A few weeks ago my little lady and I got invited to our friend's very special home on hornby island. In a nutshell it was heaven. So heavenly in fact that the bc ferries fiasco there and back is a distant memory. I now officially loath bc ferries. It is a trek to get there, but once you are there, it is island life at the core. 

The most special part of this trip, aside from hanging with our friends, sunning, beach time, yummy garden cooked meals, gin and tonics,and more beach time, was the time away with my lil Luce. We have gone on a few adventures just me and her over the last year- Seattle, California, Whistler- but this one was different. For lack of sounding like a completely lameo mama, it was really the first time I felt like her and I truly bonded. 

It was here that I truly felt it. Wonderful things happen when you slow down, stop running and rushing about, and really just be. My connections and creativity with Lucie became deeper. The natural rhythm of it all. Comfort, curiosity, downtime, adventure, play, wonder and peace. Thank you Mullhall's for the special getaway. It was so lovely and special to see our lil gals giggling and enjoying summer and all its freedom.

  

seattle with kiddos

One of our favourite near by places to visit is Seattle. 2.5 hrs door to door (thank you nexus- and for those of you who don't have, its the best $50 ever spent if you go south more than 2ce a year). No ferries, dynamic city and full of great things to do esp with kids in tote. 

Our cousins live down there so we visit a few times a year. And we recently had the opportunity to work on an urban project in phinney ridge, which turned out real great. Here are our top fave things to do in and around the city with kids:

EVENING PICNIC AT GASSWORKS PARK

CHILDREN'S MUSEUM IN EVERETT

BIKE RIDE ON THE BURKE GILMAN TRAIL

OLYMPIC SCULPTURE PARK

GREENLAKE PARK

FREEMONT SUNDAY MARKET

SEATTLE TILTH/ GOOD SHEPHERD'S CENTER

FAMILY BACKYARDS

the high line

Two years ago today I was back east on a trip with my dad. One of the highlights, among many, was a walk along the High Line in NYC. The High line is a new park atop an elevated rail structure on Manhattan's West Side. It is the most innovative urban reclaimed park I have ever experienced. Built in the 1930's, it carried frieght trains along an area that was defined with factories and warehouses. Nowadays this is where the cool kids play- DVF, The Standard Hotel, Pastis Restaurant among many more. When the trains were replaced by truck transport the High line became desolate, rusty, full of weeds and virtually obsolete. Two dudes began to love this ruin, spotting beauty in its wild abandonment and saw great potential as a new way to experience the city by foot. Along with the help of Mayor Bloomberg and his concern for urban planning, over ten years the project came to life. Now the High Line is a mile long expanse of plants, paths, staircases, art and seating that runs through a transformed west side. It reminds all who visit it the possibilities of urban beauty when creative people get together and make things happen!

 

santa monica

As mentioned a few posts ago, we were just down in so cal for a quick visit. So I thought I'd share some fun picts that were taken on a walk to the beach in sanata monica. A little brightness and inspiration on this glumey monday.Is anyone else in love with the color yellow right now?

out on the prairies

Owen here- For the past 40 or so years, my dad has been driving east to Saskatchewan for his annual bird hunting trip. The average trip lasts about 14 days. He has spent 1 ½ years of his life out there. Despite his pleas to have me accompany him and his friends on their trek across the frozen flatlands, I never went… until this year.

Fortunately, I have a 1 year old girl, so the past year made the 4:30 am wake up call to set out the decoys in the cold darkness manageable.

I wish I had a truck all to myself so that I could’ve brought home a load of salvaged goods.

I feel that I should add a disclaimer here because our generation has lost interest and understanding for hunting.  My dad and I have never been “trophy” hunters, only food hunters to fill the freezers for the long winter.  That sounds ‘sappy’ but it’s true.  Besides the delicious goose and duck meat, the Hutterite Colony, who clean the birds, make blankets from the down feathers.  Oh, and don’t forget what pate is made from!  Nothing is wasted and at least they have a chance to get away (especially with my aim)… the same cannot be said for a chicken.

long meadow ranch- napa

A recent trip to Northern California this past summer brought us back to a place I hadn't explored since I was quite young. We have family that live in Sonoma County- so, for a week in August, we got to explore the Sonoma & Napa Valley regions. Aside from great time catching up with cousins, aunts and uncles, star lit meals under warm skies, fresh country air, antique hunting and winery tours we had two major highlights- The first of which will be featured here.

We explroed the town of St Helena and stumbled upon some amazing grounds near by. And subsequently came back the very next night for an amazing meal and experience. The spot is known as Long Meadow Ranch with an incredible restaurant called Farmstead. The restaurant had an insane wine list, impeccable service and probably the best grass fed beef we have ever tasted. In addition, the site had edible gardens, a general store, a winery, and an area to host events. We fell in love with the design and every corner detail of this spot. Dreaming of when we can return.

The grounds. Notice the solar panels.

The signature wine cart truck. If only pick ups were made as beautifully now a days.

Feature wall above the outdoor bar with hung antique farm supplies.

Outdoor lounge. Mix of rustic farm style with modern comfort. Love the combo of weathered metal, industrial finishes and soft wood.

Horseshoe pit. Loving to design something like this in a clients landscape project. How fun.

Outdoor patio space.

The edible grounds.

The kids casual dining quarters.

Espaliered apples lined the restaurant space acting as dividers between tables.

An event space.

Reclaimed gate that hides the disposal area. Every detail thought out.

A spot to catch some shade. Love the use of eco turf. Urban Meadow.

The entry to the restaurant.

Grass gone to seed.

happy thanksgiving

Hope you all are enjoying a cozy weekend and feast with friends and family. Here are some recent shots of my fall weekend girls getaway to Saltspring Island.

Country path leading to the house we got to stay at.

The front entrance. Wow more amazing than I imagined.

Flowers still in bloom.

A view from the garden below.

A shed for garden tools.

A poppy about to burst.

A view of the veg patch from the veranda.

5pm happy hour on the sun drenched porch.

A visit from the friendly neighbours & dogs.

Room with a view.

The country kitchen.

A collection of seed pods.

Current book that I am coveting.

Cozying up to a good afternoon read.

The famous saltspring lamb.

los angeles- inspiration

To end the 'california inspired design week' off I thought that I would share with you some final images of general inspiration that we came across on our trip down south. It is funny, because I sware the most work related inspiration I get is often in the most random of places. And LA has lots of those. Those Angelino's (sp?) really know how to do it up in style! From restaurant design, to clean sidewalks, beach front properties that really have it gooood, to the always familiar sunshine each and everyday. Man I could get used to this southern livin. Until next time California well miss you...

The infamous Hollywood sign in the hills.

A modern mansion up the street from where we were staying in Santa Monica.

Large soothing agave entrance bed.

Forever fresh citrus available all year round.

The insanely nice stores and cafes in the classic Brentwood Country Mart.

Griffiths Observatory and its vast views of the city from above.

Reclaimed wood wall.

A super yummy lunch and ice cold arnold palmer at Gjelina.

Super cool hang out spot at the back of Alternative Apparel.

Purple mini artichokes ripe for the picking.

Just your average lounge seat at an outdoor shopping mall.

Garden tour at our friend's, friend's home in the Palisades.

Amazing urban nursery at an old tire/garage.

Modern rancher in Westwood.

Succulent entrance planting.

los angeles- venice garden tour

Before we headed to the desert on a recent trip to cali, we visited with our good friends in Santa Monica. It was so nice to get our feet in flip flops and have the sun on our backs. We paired the holiday with a bit of work research by hitting up a local garden tour. The Venice Garden Tour was in some of our favourite neighbourhoods that are dotted in and around venice. It showcased an amazing array of homes and gardens in so many different styles. And it was all within walking distance, which made it so doable. Our lil lady Lucie was a rock star and is already showing intrest in flowers (taking after her parents). If you are ever in LA in the late springtime, and enjoy design, I highly recommend this tour.

smooth concrete stairs paired with an electric agave.

love the tiles for the tub with the wild pittisporum.

agapanthus about to burst.

lovely side seating space.

succulents growing out of composite decking.

This was my favourite front entrance. Love the house color with the planting palette and bright orange glossy pots. I also love the low deck and seating.

An inviting fuzzy cat along the way.

I loved this arts and crafts style low fence and perennial bed. Also the volunteer baby's tears which has self seeded along the base.

This plant (not an iris but in the family) looks like a happy face.

I'm generally not a fan of tropical oasis type gardens, esp when not in the right climate, but this one was done really well. I could tuck into this orbit for a little rest.

I loved the simplicity of this small yard. Esp the detail of small mondo groundcover and striking succulent.

This was actually not on the tour, but we passed it en route to lunch. Such a neat outdoor firepit/kitchen. And I love the wobbly old arbor above in reclaimed wood.

Our lil woofer, giving the stink eye.

 

palm springs- a drive

On a recent trip to palm springs we were inspired to check out the near by sites. Being in a desert there isnt a whole lot to see, but we discovered some pretty cool areas near by: date farms & joshua tree national park.

If you have ever driven into palm springs from LA then you will certainly be familiar with the crazy amount of windmills that dot the desert sky. It was kind of a neat energy and lots of wind.

I have fallen in love with dates. I cant believe that I have gone this long in life never tasting a fresh date. It is like candy. We were in the heart of date palm land. And to cool down we enjoyed a yummy date shake by a near by farm.

We have always wondered what joshua tree would be like. It was incredible. So vast, so desolate and so amazing. It felt prehistoric really. We went at sundown which was a real cool time of day to see it.

palm springs- the parker

Today's post is on a very special hotel we visited in palm springs called The Parker. Unfortunately we didn't have the pleasure of staying here, but a great spot to visit and walk the grounds none the less. It opened in 1959 as california's first holiday inn, then became singing cowboy gene autry's melody ranch until it was revamped in the merv griffin's resort hotel & givenchy spa in the 1990s.The property was then purchased in 2004 by jack parker. Interiors are outfitted by US designer Jonathan Adler who envisioned the hotel as 'your great aunt's quirky quaters'. The garden was designed by Elysian Landscapes with the idea to create intimate little nooks tucked away in the meandering paths of the estate.  We spent the afternoon strolling around the grounds and enjoying the intimacy and peaceful quality of every little corner.