For the first time in my life I set foot on the United States California in September 2015. Seeing San Francisco coming closer from the plane is such a delightful sight. Surrounded by sparkling water it just seems like straight from a storybook. After being separated for 6 weeks we were so happy! Everything I had heard and saw about California in the media still didn't prepare me for the astonishing beauty of this place. If you have been there, I'm sure you know what I mean. Who doesn't love the sunshine?! Here are some pics of our road trip from San Francisco to LA...and back. If you would like to see...
Strolling the streets of San Francisco I felt so thankful finally seeing this former hippie-city I had heard so much about. I thought it was so much more quaint then I had imagined, not at all the buzzing city life, but more spacious and relaxed. Didn't see to many hippies hanging around though, as the Bay Area is taken over by the revenge of the Nerds; technology! Still the city has a lot of charm with it's rolling hills, beautiful victorian houses and artistic feel. And hands down the best sandwiches in the world... at Lucca Deli on Chestnut Street.
It is so fun to finally see our products in this amazing shop in real life. The many wonderful items in this shop are all unique finds from the owner Judie, which makes her shop so special. If you want to find a true treasure for your home, garden or a special gift, this is the place! emilyjoubert.com
Temple to water, Woodside CA.
Now we're off to a town called Carmel by the Sea, where I am told Clint Eastwood used to be the Mayor in the eighties. He still lives around here so it seems. I am starting to feel like I am in the movies for real. Looking for specialty stores for Saar, we run into a linen shop called Jan de Luz (jandeluzlinens.com). This shop is owned by a French lady called Brigitte and has the most beautiful Linens with embroideries that can be made in the shop on the spot.
The dance of the pelicans around Carmel was breathtaking.....
Isn't this just the most romantic place in the world? Nature here is overwhelming. During a walk on the beach dolphins just decided to do a private show for us...
Always hard to say goodbye, but then came: Santa Barbara. I could not believe the beauty of this small city and it is easy to believe Hollywood actors love to live around here. They kept this city so well, it has a Spanish feel because of the pristine Spanish Colonial Architecture that is maintained throughout the city. Combined with the beach, the American sense of Hospitality and style, this city is in one word: Grandios!
It is delicious to sit outside at The Andersens restaurant & bakery on State Street in Santa Barbara. andersenssantabarbara.com
We feel like we just entered a house in Florence during the Renaissance at this beautiful B & B bungalow owned by Mike & Kelly. The bungalow has it's own hot water tub in a secret little garden in the back, with a little fireplace, perfect for a romantic hide away surrounded by beautiful tropical plants and hummingbirds. It is called My Santa Barbara BNB and you will find it on airbnb.com
paradise...
Our trip got sadly interrupted by the news that Mauricio's mom was facing her final hours and we flew to Colombia unexpectedly to be by her side. Of all times we didn't bring all our papers on our road trip so we had to fly back to SF and then to Cali, Colombia. It was totally surreal and what was most touching were the sweetness and warmth of the people in Colombia. We would love to come back here under different circumstances to visit my dream city: Cartagena
See you next time Cartagena xxx
Back in LA, Beverly Hills
Beautiful homes in Los Angeles
Although our sales trip was cut short and we had so little time, we found this brand new selling point in LA! We hear that the stars do their secret shopping in this avant garde little store......Here you will find from candles to couture and everything in between: espionagela.com
Those palmtrees!!! This is my city!!!!
After waking up in our wonderful little B & B in Santa Monica we went to have breakfast at Shutters Hotel. This Hotel, whose logo was done by Mauricio in the nineties, has a delicious beachy feel, wonderful lobby and the best spot in town, overlooking Venice Beach. Next to it is it's luxurious Sister-Hotel called Casa del Mar, where we walked into a club-like huge and beautiful lobby, where the Hollywood crowd loves to hang out.
The view from breakfast at Shutters Hotel, Venice Beach.
Honestly, I did not think Los Angeles would make such a big impression on me, but I absolutely loved it! Don't know if it is it's beautiful beaches, lush vegetation, quaint neighborhoods, the mix of creative people or the flair of Hollywood, but I am definitely in love ! As for business, I thought Californians were so exited and friendly and they adored our products. So now our products are in LA, New York and Charleston. We made so many wonderful contacts and although it is a time and energy consuming way to do sales, it just fits with me. And in the mean time, I get to see most amazing places! I really feel like the luckiest girl in the planet.