Christmastime in the City

Having a December birthday means seeing everything decorated at its Christmas best. I spent December 4th in my favorite city in the world, San Francisco. I went shopping in Union Square, walked Knob Hill, and ate lunch at Macy's. I stayed with my mother in Sonoma, where we toured the Coppola Winery, drove to Santa Rosa, and enjoyed cupcakes from Sift. While celebrating, I wore a very special vintage sweater that was a birthday gift from my stepmom and dad from DMarie Vintage. The sweater is my first real fur and the buttons are costume jewelry. It's the perfect piece to celebrate turning 30 in. I left Northern California with many bottles of wine and memories made. The entire trip, like the sweater, were tailor made for my 30th birthday. 

Art of the Matter

It's that weird limbo between Christmas and New Year's. I find myself content with things given and received, and suddenly look forward to the year ahead. There's a great energy that exists in this interim of time. Because of the days off work I finally feel like I can get back to my own art. Seeing all the unique artwork in Napa was such an inspiration, but I could''t find the time to blog about it until now. This interlude may very well be the most (if not only) relaxing time out of the whole year. 

But it struck me as I was writing this that I am most thankful for other people's art. It's because of those brave souls who are always so giving, so determined to make time for what they love to do that I have had the jobs I have been fortunate enough to have. I appreciate people who appreciate someone else's craft. So I was particularly happy with Sterling, Mumm, and Domaine Chandon wineries in Napa, all of whom promote the arts by having collections on their grounds. I saw everything from Ansel Adams photographs to Picasso doodles. 

When my mother gifted me with this beautiful necklace she made using vintage glass beads, it all came full-circle. Where would I be without the artwork of others? It has put food on the table, shoes on my feet, given me plenty to write about, and established such deep connections. It is my sincerest hope that 2015 brings even more artistic inspiration and outpouring for myself and anyone who else who feels the constant need to create and connect.

You Take a Napa, You Don't Move to Napa

The party we had was only the first step in celebrating my 30th birthday. I knew I wanted to take a trip somewhere, but it wasn't until Nathan and I brainstormed that we agreed Napa would be the perfect destination. I had driven through Napa before, but never stopped at any of the wineries. I'm so glad we decided to drive through the valley in December and take our time to really appreciate the weather (so rainy, unlike Southern California), the scenery (so green, unlike Southern California), and the Christmas season. 

They say that most tourists visit Napa from July-Sept., but honestly, I couldn't picture being there any other time of year. The fog and mist rolled over the green hills every morning and the vines at all of the vineyards were glittered with raindrops. It felt good to feel cold again and have to bundle up. Gloves, scarves, hats, coats, and boots were a must. I thought it fitting that we went to a place where things only get better with age. It made turning 30 seem more celebratory than mournful. 

I highly recommend visiting Napa in December. Pictured above are Sterling, Castello di Amorosa, Mumm, and Domaine Chandon wineries, where the people are so very kind and the grounds will take your breath away. Cheers to milestone birthdays! I'm so excited to drink 30 in. 

This is 30

When I was a kid I couldn't imagine turning 30. It seemed like it would never happen; like I would never live that long. Sometimes I think I haven't really "lived" and it's that thought that scares me most. So to really embrace 30 and not runaway from it or dwell on what I haven't accomplished yet, I decided to throw a big party. The soiree was everything I hoped it would be. I was surrounded by the people I am closest to from the past and present. We sipped champagne and caught up, which is all I could have asked for during this busy holiday season. 

I have been afraid to picture my life at 30, because I worried expectations would not align with reality. But what actually transpired was that I enjoyed myself, made memories, and got to be with the people who have become a part of my story. When I was younger I had a very concrete definition of family. Over the years that has really changed. I am so blessed to have friends who are like family to me, who I hope to know for the next 30 years. Thanks to them I am starting to be able to picture the future.