Happy weekend everyone.
It has been a busy week over here… and crazy hot.
So what do you do when it gets into the record breaking 100+ temperatures?
You head to the coast.
Where the cooler air and fresh breeze is perfection.
And this week,
I was excited to be staying in much cooler Sausalito
for a couple days of fun and work.
Sausalito is one of my most favorite spots to stay when working dawn to dusk over in the city.
We live close enough to drive home- but why not make a get away of it?
We live close enough to drive home- but why not make a get away of it?
And this week, it started with a night at the opera.
If you have been following my blog for awhile,
you already know how much I love opera-
and Puccini most of all.
La Boheme
La Boheme is one of my favorites- second only to Tosca and tucked right in
before Madama Butterfly.
Puccini wrote opera that tugs at your heart, makes you cry, celebrate, laugh and simply moves you.
And when I used to listen to opera and classical music when I was younger
(I was that girl who played it in high school)
a certain song would come on and I would well up with emotion and become a blubbering mess… even though I had no idea what it was about.
And it was like that for years before I ever saw my first opera in person.
I don’t think I will ever forget those moments when I was in the audience at the opera and I learned exactly what all that emotion behind the music was.
I know opera isn’t for everyone- but I do believe that everyone should see one at least one time.
My husband was not a huge fan until he saw opera in person
My husband was not a huge fan until he saw opera in person
and now, it is something we enjoy together.
The Ferry
Something fun we did this trip-
taking the ferry from Sausalito to Fisherman’s Wharf.
Aside from being a bit more relaxing than navigating crazy SF traffic and one way streets –
the ferry was refreshing with the ocean breeze.
We left Sausalito and took a quick trip across the bay to Fisherman’s Wharf
and then grabbed an uber to the opera.
It was about $12 a person- and it is something you can do as a tourist
or as a local as an easy way to get across the bay if you are in the area.
I definitely recommend it.
Stinson Beach
Every good working trip across the bay deserves a beach day don’t you think?
When over near the coast,
plopping your toes in the sand and warming in the sun is always a good thing.
And since I happened to be shooting near Stinson Beach-
a couple hours of lazy was definitely on the agenda.
plopping your toes in the sand and warming in the sun is always a good thing.
And since I happened to be shooting near Stinson Beach-
a couple hours of lazy was definitely on the agenda.
The Project
Oh that project… that big one that has been front and center for the past several weeks.
The one with the sawdust and power tools and lots of colorful language dotting the days work… yeah, that project.
Well- that project is moving along.
And I am happy to report that the sofas are back in the house and off the patio.
Which is good. And the fresh coat of paint? Done.
And now we are onto the next bit before the big reveal.
Which involves the floor. But, the good news- it is moving in the right direction fairly quickly- which is different than some of our usual projects and so refreshing.
The Other Project
That other project- the one that I shared the sneak peek brand new vanity reveal of last week?
The fabricator will be coming to cut the marble soon- and the new pipe pieces are on their way- and we will be back in business shortly.
And I wanted to say thank you so much for all your kind comments on the new vanity I designed. Seriously- you guys know how to make a girl blush- and sometimes I wonder if my wild hair ideas are good … or crazy. Or both… Honestly, when I started this blog, I had no idea the connections and community that would come with it and I absolutely appreciate you taking the time to stop by and read my posts and leave a note. It means so much to me.
Coming your way
This week… is a wild week. Well, and so is next week I suppose.
But this week, I have a full agenda of photography and styling on the schedule. As in, yesterday I wrote down the shoot list and it took up a bit more on paper than I planned.
I am juggling several large projects with looming deadlines and am excited to cross those off the list soon- and then there is that special project that I have been working on for a few months now…
I promise I will spill the beans soon.
On the blog this week- tune in for a summer entertaining
and a closer look at this incredible vintage treasure that stole my heart the second I spotted it.
Happy weekend everyone.
It was really hot, thankfully it has cooled off so we can catch our collective breath! I love all you showed us this week and I admire the way you've chosen to cool off!
Hi Courtney, I love the sconces you shave over your new vanity. Can you tell me where you purchased them or where I could find them. Can't wait to see the finished vanity. Love, love, love your blog.
Kris
Courtney, It's so cool that you are also a La Boheme fan. When I was eight years old I went to stay at my mother's parent's home for the summer, back on Long Island. My grandmother used to play La Boheme (with Anna Moffo as Mimi). It was the first time I'd ever heard it, and I fell in love with it. So, my grandmother made me a Mimi dress, complete with mutton sleeves. It was amazing. Thank you for reminding me of such sweet memories.
You visited some of my favorites haunts during your visit. I'm sure you had a fantastic time. Thank you for sharing some of the highlights. Cheers, Ardith
Before hitting an exhausted head on the pillow…I cannot even think of heading that direction until I am enthralled with each and every activity/comment on the blog. So fun…so addictive…so beautiful to bring a restful night's sleep!
Absolutely lovely post. Am also looking forward to seeing your finished vanity, it is stunning. I plan to go to Italy next year and would love to see an opera in an open air theatre but didn't know which to see. Thank you for the recommendation I will try to arrange to see one of the three you have mentioned, particularly La Boheme.
PS I love the peonies which absolutely refuse to grow for me!
Best wishes
Sue, UK
I must say that I love reading your Weekend Views! Love hearing about your week in review and your upcoming projects, working in fun with work, and your travel recommendations! Glad you had a great time at the Opera…love Opera and the way it makes me feel!