Northern California Inspiration

Next month I'll be headed out to California, and I've been spending my spare time reading guidebooks, mapping things out, and trying to determine just how much I can pack into this grand adventure. For four days, Paul and I will be hiking and camping together in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Then for five days, we'll split up where he'll continue on what I keep referring to as his "man hike." I'll take the rental car and head out on a solo road trip adventure along the northern CA cost, San Francisco, and back through Yosemite National Park before I pick him up and we head to Vegas for our friends' wedding.

The plans for my solo journey are coming together nicely, with time alloted for exploring tide pools and redwood forests, sampling local beer and roadside oyster stands, and making big-city discoveries in San Francisco and neighboring Berkeley and Oakland. I'll be camping seaside and in a sub-alpine meadow and visiting a new friend who is just moving to San Fran. All in all, I CANNOT WAIT for my grand adventure to begin!!!! Here's a little Northern CA inspired round-up to get me through to September.

Left to right, from top:

1. vintage photo: a tour through the Sequoias.

2. Visit Sequoia National Park? I will! Love this letterpress print by Quaillane Press.

3. I want this vintage CA bracelet right this very second!

4. Forest Friends tee by GnomEnterprises

5. You all know how much I love sending postcards. This stationary organizer by Downstairs Designs could hold all of them and stamps too.

6. A trusty camera is a must. And when is vintage not better?!

7. A vintage Samsonite travel case seems like the perfect companion to ride shotgun down Highway 1.

8. Vintage camping lantern for my night at Point Reyes National Seashore

9. Cream linen cloche with a red wooded buckle. Says beach AND national park. Yes please!

10. "Let's Go on an Adventure" print by Bubby and Bean.

11. 1940's vacation photo.

12. This adorable dress by The Velvet Bird is perfect for daydreaming by the shore and for exploring the streets of San Francisco. Did you see those elbow pads?!

13. One of my stops: Point Reyes National Seashore. And what a lovely letterpress map of that very place by Quaillane Press.

14. A warm fisherman's sweater for those cold Pacific breezes.

15. To pop open a bottle of Anchor beer after the brewery tour

16. Mod San Francisco print on wood by Petit Collage. Love.

Birthday $$

Tomorrow is my birthday, and I got a little birthday money from my parents to spend as I wish. My first thought... run to my computer and logon to Etsy! I have been marking my favorite items and sellers for so long, usually making purchases for friends' birthdays, but finally, a chance to buy something for my own! Here is where my birthday dollars have gone so far.

Jawbreaker Necklace by LKFarnsworth Studio

Bakelite Cocktail Ring by Petit Oiseau

Central Park Necklace by LKFarnsworth Studio

Ok, so you are going to love this story. I was writing this little blog post and went over to LKFarnsworth Studio's Etsy shop to grab the info to share with you all, and what did I find, but this brand-new and ever-so amazing necklace. How I could resist the fuzzy little acorns, the plastic leaves and the tortoiseshell beads. I couldn't. I had to have it too...

Now the only things left on my list are a harmonica, a bath for my Granola Baby (my car), and perhaps some beading lessons at Bead Lush, my neighborhood bead store. But, first, I'll have to count my change.

I am one happy little Etsian tonight.

Sweet dreams...

Amanda Aileen