My sorority sisters from TCU and I made a long weekend trip out to Santa Barbara, CA to celebrate (most) of our 30th birthdays this year. I’m the only one who’s a year behind… I just celebrated my 29th in August. We’ve been friends for over 10 years now, which is crazy to consider! The last time I was in Santa Barbara was my senior year at TCU (2007) when I was visiting a photography school (Brooks Institute). Talk about falling in love with a place *swoon*.  Well, turns out I haven’t returned until this girls trip.  We rented a big house not far from State Street and it was great. Ok, the house was a tad bit interesting, but I have no complaints. It was titled “Art Lovers Paradise” or something like that. What they didn’t mention was that there was “art” in.every.space.possible.  You’ll be able to pick out the pictures of the interiors below…  The best part was (I could list a lot of funny things about the “art”, but I won’t) the amazing orange trees and avocado trees in the front yard. Because of California’s amazing weather, they are able to grow flowers too!! It’s such a failed effort each summer to grow flowers in Texas. There’s like 1.5 months during the entire year that it might work out. Everywhere we went was green and lush and overflowing with blooming flowers and fruit trees!

Needless to say, I’m pretty sure I was meant to live in Santa Barbara (West Coast in general) so, of course I enjoyed my time out there.  The weather was a perfect escape from the Texas Summer heat. We kept the windows open, I enjoyed my coffee (toddler free) on the patio with a killer view each morning, ate meals al fresco (!!) and spent time on the beach one afternoon after paddle boarding! I wish I could have brought my camera paddle boarding with me. It was amazing. We saw sea lions and Kelsey almost got eaten by a group of them sunning on a large bowie just past the big pier.  Many people were out enjoying the beauty of Santa Barbara (because it’s so perfect). We ate brunch at a really cute and delicious place (Tupelo Junction) – highly suggest it if you’re out that way.  We cooked a few meals at the house, which was nice & laid back. We stayed up (not too) late playing games and catching up with each other. Seems like we usually only get a few hours here and there at each other’s weddings and showers to catch up. Across the 8 of us, we’re in Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, San Antonio and the Denver area (though, it usually changes every couple of years).  We tasted wine on the pier after a (failed attempt at a) hike one afternoon and enjoyed cocktails and more wine al fresco (near a fire place – in the summer!) as the sun set before continuing on to a delicious fancy dinner our last night.

All in all, it was a wonderful (not long enough) girls trip! My heart will always be in California….

ZLAM!

iPhone Photos:

Around the house… 

Instant Film!