This weekend, I spent a relaxing amount of time in South Lake Tahoe!  It was perfect summer weather and I was able to somehow work in some wedding talk…are we surprised?  Each year, Lewis’ family migrates to the same cabin his grandparents (and their five children) have spent their summers these past thirty years to partake in some R&R and family time.  For the last two summers, I have attended and last year, Lewis took advantage of the gorgeous scenery and proposed at Emerald Bay.     

Photo-op right after he popped the question last year!

This summer, I brought along a couple jars of my homemade blackberry jam and two new swimsuits (Gottex and Badgley Mischka). I asked Lewis’ sister to be one of my bridesmaids and his sweet little niece to be our flower girl–she’s so girly, I know she’ll love wearing a ”princess dress!”  Here are a couple of pictures I was able to snap while I was there this weekend!

View of the lake from the cabin...beautiful sunsets!

Our fav place for appetizers and drinks after lounging at the beach.

Me and one of my bridesmaids--Lewis' gorgeous sister!

Almost one year exactly since he proposed, Lewis & I went back to our spot in Emerald Bay! I got a sweet kiss to commemorate!

Are you really that surprised that I’m writing about this today? Especially after yesterday’s posting… 

For those of you who are not southerners, I must explain the cultural fashion importance of the infamous Kentucky Derby, annually held on the first Sunday in May.  This is THE event where a girl can put on her BEST chic summer frock and really the only excuse to wear a silly hat (and have others chic girls compliment its design).

As a genuine southern belle, I had to share with you some choice ensembles to ensure you wear while placing your bet.  Don’t forget to toast your Mint Julep to the winner!

You may have noticed my tweets referencing a sailboat that we just bought…well this past weekend, we sailed it from Berkeley to the South Bay–what an adventure!  I can honestly tell you that at my age, I never thought I would own a sailboat, but I am loving being out on the water and catching wind in the sails!  Oh…please ignore the ski jacket since it was quite chilly out on the water for Saturday’s sail, but Sunday was much warmer!  So much so, that I laid out on the bow of the boat leisurely reading a book while sunning myself. 

Me steering in the windy bay...I have little sailing gloves too!

We stumbled upon a boat race right in front of the city!

I found a little bird resting amongst the rocks...

We spent the night docked in a marina in SanFran...

Some of the rigging...

A seal we spotted sunning himself on a buoy!

One of the things I miss most about living in SoHo are the spontaneous dates the fiance and I would have.  Literally if we only went out for appetizers and one cocktail, the evening always had the potential to become more eventful.  In the West Village, there’s a blues club we usually went to where the gin is cold and the piano’s hot.  One block away from the apt was a wine lounge with the history of being an old speak easy during the 1920’s.  During lazy Sunday afternoons, we would get caught up in the nice summer weather and just go for a walk to the Whole Foods on Houston in search of a new beer brew or gourmet salsa to try.  Now that I’m in Cali where everyone drives and I’m still learning the local hotspots, I’m in search of some new spontaneous date ideas.  Here a few I would like to try out and of course I had to share with you a few chic date ensembles!

• Museums usually have one free night a week, so dress up for a free night out.
• Try out something new together by tasting international food at a street fair.
• Enjoy fresh air with a drive out to a country field, lie down and cuddle under the stars.
• Hit a farmers’ market and scavenge for your dinner. 
• Encourage each other at an indoor climbing gym. 
• Now that I live so close to Napa, I’ll take advantage of the free wine tastings–maybe pack a fancy lunch too.  Here are 94 other fun date ideas for you & yours  

all images compliments of polyvore.com

This time last year, I was packing for my weekend getaway with the fiancé.  Valentine’s Day is also his birthday, so we attempt to celebrate the holiday in a big/memorable way.  We went to Puerto Rico and had such amazing experiences while there…scuba diving in Guanica, horseback riding on the beach in Rincon, swimming in the Bioluminescent Bay at La Parguera!  Luckily we stayed in the areas less frequented by tourists (that way it feels like we’re in a completely new environment) which allowed us to really enjoy the local flavors.