Brunch

Every time I go to Ohio to visit my family, I make sure that I have time to go for brunch at Rebecca's Bistro in Berlin. It is an old house that was turned into a little cafe and just oozes love, warmth, and HOSPITALITY!

It's such a fun place to chat with my cousin Miriam (who happens to work there). She is just like the big sister I never had, and I just cherish the time I spend with her!

Happy Monday!

It's 1:10pm and I'm still in my jammies.

And the best part?

I don't feel a bit guilty.

This is major for me, people! I'm the kind of girl who is running around a million miles an hour trying to get as much done as possible in a day and, for once, I'm being still and just cuddling and enjoying my little girl.

I'm also enjoying a heavenly delicious cream stick (kinda like a long john) from Der Dutchman Bakery in Walnut Creek, Ohio. What's a few extra pounds when you're 6 months pregnant? Am I right?

My mom, Avery, and I made the trek out to Ohio on Thursday and I spent a few days with one of my bffs Angie in Columbus, then spent a few days with my mom's family in the Walnut Creek area.

It. Was. Bliss.

I helped Angie decorate her house (my all-time favorite activity), I shopped at Hobby Lobby (we don't have that store around here), I got to hang out with my favorite cousin, I ate to my heart's content, and just savored the time I got to spend with people I don't see a lot.

Pictures to come!

Pacific Coast & Hearst Castle

Ok, so I know what your thinking - enough with the vacation photos! But I have just a few more that I have to share and then, I promise, I'm done!

We rented a motorcycle for a day and drove it along the coast. Of course, it was hubs' highlight of the week!

As you can see, what are so NOT Harley people and have all the wrong apparel for our drive. I contemplated getting decked out in black leather gear, but then I realized that wearing tight, black leather pants and high heeled boots - with a baby belly sticking out the front - might just be wrong.

Hmm, I wonder if you can buy leather maternity pants? Wouldn't that be attractive?

It was the most amazing drive!









We drove south to San Simeon and took a tour through the Hearst Castle, which is pretty unbelievable. I had never heard of it before I started planning the trip, but it was definitely a really cool place to see!

(above photo taken from www.hearstcastle.com)

So, there you have it!

Now it's back to decorating for fall and all that fun stuff!

Pebble Beach

While we stayed in Carmel, we drove through Pebble Beach. It has gorgeous golf courses and homes right along the ocean that just take your breath away!


The golf courses are right by the ocean! Did we play a round of golf, you ask? Well, considering the $475 price per person for a game (and the fact that we have no skills), we politely declined.








It was definitely worthwhile to spend some time at this beautiful place!

Carmel-By-The-Sea

After we spent several days in San Francisco, we drove south a few hours to a quaint little town called Carmel-By-The-Sea, which is right next to Pebble Beach.

This town is so incredibly chock-full of houses and shops that look like they are right out of a storybook! I just LOVED every minute that we spent there!

I took tons of pictures of the houses (hubs was quite weary of my picture-taking!), so if you're a house-buff like I am, you'll appreciate them.


We stayed at a bed & breakfast for four nights called the Sea View Inn, which was just a block or so from the beach. We really enjoyed our stay there! We usually try to stay at a bed and breakfast for a few nights when we're on vacation and, every time, we are inspired to someday run one of our own!

It's so interesting to meet people from all over the US and world, to chat with them over breakfast, and compare travel stories. We met people from Scotland, Australia, Texas, and California.








To redeem ourselves from eating at Safeway in San Francisco, I must say that we ate very well in this little town! Almost every corner has a fine dining restaurant and the food was so good! No fast food is allowed in this town!


A beautiful sunset over the Carmel beach...



If you are ever in this area, you should definitely check out this town!