rock creek

i spent this past weekend camping at rock creek in the eastern sierras with my family. we camped for two nights at the east fork campground, which was beautiful.  the leaves were changing color, a sign that fall may actually be coming to california.   and it was cold - really, really cold!  we rented a trailer from adventure in camping, mostly because setting up a tent and outdoor kitchen is a lot of work for only two nights.  but my favorite part was the heater!  i'm sure i would have froze to death without it!  

we hiked, did some fishing (more like casting...) and just enjoyed the beautiful scenery:

rock creek is about 24 miles north of bishop, where the famous erick schat's bakery is.  if you are passing through (or visiting) bishop you MUST stop here and get some kind of baked good - the original sheepherder bread is amazing.  so was the pumpkin filled doughnut.  yes, pumpkin filled!  rock creek is now on my list of favorite camping spots, i can't wait to go back next year!  

do you like camping?  whats your favorite spot to camp?

p.s. being up in the sierras really makes me want to hike mt. whitney again!!

 

poolside

these are just a few photos i had left from my trip to palm springs - my poolside "outfit". if you can call a swimsuit an outfit! 

hat from the roundtop antique fair (similar), mara hoffman bikini, madewell sandals, elizabeth & james sunglasses

i pretty much stuck to my palm springs packing guide, with only a few additional items.  i also decided not to wear any kind of jewelry when i was tanning - the bracelet/watch tan line is not cute.  i was kinda nervous when i purchased this bikini.  i bought it online so i didn't try it on first, but i was very surprised at how comfortable i felt in this bikini!  my first high-waisted bikini!  what are your thoughts on the high-waisted bikini?   

cheeky's for brunch... or lunch!

we decided to stop at cheeky's for memorial day brunch before heading back to los angeles, as it was only a mile from our hotel and could walk there.  good idea in theory - bad idea in 95 plus degree weather.  cheeky's, located at 622 n. palm canyon dr., is a hip little spot that serves just breakfast, lunch, coffee & pastries from 8am - 2pm, monday - wednesday.

cheeky's makes all their pastries on premises - their house specialty is the croissant cinnamon roll

cheeky's menu changes weekly, and they aim to use seasonal ingredients that are locally grown and organic.  they also make all their own batters, sauces and dressings.  this place is right up my alley!  after checking out their website and reading some yelp reviews, i was sold.  we made the one mile walk, only to find out that the wait was insanely long!  we ended up waiting for over an hour, but it was so worth it!   

pesto french fries - we could smell these during the long wait and had to try them!  the fries were cooked perfectly and the pesto tasted so fresh!  a great combo!

sweet potato fries - i always like to try sweet potato fries when i see them on a menu & these did not disapoint!  thick cut, crunchy on the outside & soft and sweet on the inside!

blta salad with heirloom tomato, avocado, candied bacon & mache - i am definitely going to re-create this at home!  i was worried that the candied bacon would be too candied, but it was very subtle!  just like eating a blt, but without the bread!

indio corn and squash blossom scramble with homemade herb ricotta - this is what my mom got and she said "it was awesome! the homemade ricotta added a tartness that went perfectly with the eggs."  she also was raving about the use of the squash blossoms and how good they were!

our table also ordered the brioche french toast with fresh white peach puree and sweet creme fraiche, custard cheesey scrambled eggs with maple sage sausage & deb's cheddar scone, and the buttermilk & fresh corn pancakes with blueberries.  everyone loved their food and decided that the insanely long wait was well worth it.  like, we wait that long again to eat such a good meal!  

one thing that i wanted to try, but didn't - the bacon flight.  yes, they have bacon flight!  i can only imagine!  bottom line - you must head over to cheeky's for brunch if you are in palm springs!!

liberty & chambray for all

another outfit from the long weekend.  i  decided to go the colorful route for a casual dinner sunday night, mostly cause i was hoping all the color would distract people from my sunburned legs (which doesn't look as bad as it felt).

madewell shirt, liberty of london for target dress, shoemint wedges, elizabeth & james sunglasses, jw hulme bag

i've gotten so much wear out of this liberty of london for target dress, after all these years i still think that was my favorite target/designer collaboration.  remember back when it was actually possible to get something from those target collabs?  ohhh, those were the days!  i won these shoemint wedges back in february during the pose/shoemint valentines day contest.  it took awhile for the prize to arrive in the mail, but it was well worth the wait.  i love the shoes, they are the perfect color & style for the summer!  are you ready for summer yet?  do you have one summer staple you pull out every year?
    

modern pioneer

so its unofficially summer!  i spent the long weekend relaxing by the pool in palm springs working on my tan (or sunburn) and celebrating my mom's birthday.  for her actual birthday dinner we made the drive from palm springs to pioneertown (yes, i was just there a few months ago!) to eat dinner at pappy & harriet's.  i'm pretty sure that when spending the weekend in palm springs its basically mandatory that you make the drive to pioneertown and eat at pappy & harriet's (well if you like good food & good music, but who doesn't?).  

 gap denim jacket, madewell shirt, free people skirt, frye boots (similar), elizabeth & james sunglasses, jw hulme bag

pioneertown is just one of my favorite things to do in palm springs - i've got a few more palm springs photos to share this week!  hope you all enjoyed the long holiday weekend!