White Party

White Party by janiegore featuring vintage jewelry

Remember when I told you we were all going to a "White Party" in August?  Well, I've finally got my act together and this is what I will be wearing and how my table will be set.  I'm not wearing this exact dress, I'm wearing a less expensive (way) from Nordstrom.  It's not a mini dress (thank goodness). We are doing white with a touch of gold.  I've never purchased so many variations of white dresses and men's clothes ever.  We've been on a white party mission.

I'm not going to win any contest with my table.  I decided I didn't want to lug (and maybe break) my china and crystal, so I'm going with paper.  Chic paper.  It's going to be hard enough to bring the food and flowers.  

Chalayan short mini dress
$655 - avenue32.com

Chloé white flat shoes
forwardforward.com

Kate spade
couture.zappos.com

Humble Chic vintage jewelry
humblechic.com

Chanel shiny lip gloss
$26 - pret-a-beaute.com

Essie
$17 - liberty.co.uk

NDI White Rose Centerpiece
burkedecor.com

20 inch Polyester Napkins White for Weddings and Special Events At...
linentablecloth.com

Portmeirion Small White Plate
$12 - liberty.co.uk

Gifts Decor Bejeweled Standing Candelabra Candle Holder
amazon.com

Jo Malone London Jo Malone 'Earl Grey & Cucumber' Cologne
nordstrom.com

90 x 156 inch Rectangular Polyester Tablecloth White for Weddings and...
linentablecloth.com

Crystal Cove Walking Trail

 There is a paved trail that runs along the bluffs of Crystal Cove Beach.  I see people on it as I drive by and I wondered where it went and what it looked like.  This morning I took the dogs to find out.

 I only walked one mile each way, as Daisy can't walk too far.  From the guard shack to Ruby's (which has a wonderful balcony that overlooks the ocean) is one mile.  The trail is 3.2 miles long.

 The trail has beautiful views of the beach and ocean.  It was really hot and kinda humid, but a cool breeze was blowing.  Around 11 the cloud cover finally went away and it wasn't humid anymore.

I couldn't believe that there wasn't anyone on the beach.  Note to self. 

San Jacinto in Black and White

 When we were hiking up in San Jacinto, the landscape sometimes looked barren, deserted and there were so many textures, I couldn't help but think somethings would look good in black and white.  Here are the pics I chose.

When we got to the top of the mountain we exited the tram though a visitor center, restaurant/bar, gift store and look out area.  We had planned to go on a hike, so we went down to the ranger station and got our free hiking permit.  

We decided to do the Willow Creek hike which turns out to be 3.1 miles (maybe we didn't go all the way).  I bought a pedometer awhile back and it has been fun to see how many steps, miles, calories and aerobic steps we take on our hikes.  Disappointed to see that our hard hike burned only 221 calories. I have to say that this was a somewhat strenuous hike (I forgot my hiking poles in the car), a lot of uphill, rocks, boulders, and roots to climb over.  The trails were well marked in some places and not others.  We took the wrong path a couple of times. 

 The view of the coachella valley (Palm Springs) from the top.  Looked like a clear day to me even though the ranger station said it wasn't. 

 It definitely had that mountain smell and kinda of a fall feel.  You could hear the wind blowing through the tree tops.  I love that sound.

 My handsome man lead the way.

Of course, he couldn't resist a little adventure and left the path as he usually does, to climb a big rock pile. 

 We found this lean-too (sp?) that someone had built.  

 We saw this cool yellow and gray tree.

We came across this weird red flower poking up out of the ground.  We saw maybe 5 on our whole hike.  When we looked closely, they looked kinda rubbery.  We meant to ask the ranger what it was, but forgot.

We stopped and laid back on a big flat rock and took some time feeling the breeze, listening to the wind in the trees and the silence around us.  We wished we had brought a picnic.  

View from the rock. 

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

On Sunday, we drove out to Palm Springs to ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to the top of the San Jacinto Mountains.  The drive out to Palm Springs takes about an hour and a half from our house (with no traffic).  We were lucky in that we didn't hit any traffic.   Traffic can be a nightmare on Sunday afternoons with everyone returning from trips to Vegas and Arizona.

 As you approach Palm Springs there are hundreds of these windmills.  Sometimes they are turning, sometimes they're not, but it is quite impressive to see all of them lined up, twirling away.

 We caught sight of a train passing through.  I always get excited when I see a train.  Living in the city, I don't see them that often.

 The landscape outside Palm Springs is barren.  Once you get into Palm Springs there is a lot more greenery, but here only Mother Nature waters the plants and she seems to forget this area quite a bit.

You ascend by car 2000 ft in elevation.  It is an easy drive, no switch backs.  Pictured above is an old gondola, pre-2000.

Here is the current gondola.  It holds 80 people, has windows that open and ascends 6000 ft in elevation in 10 minutes.  I was surprised at how fast you go up (and down) the mountain.  You cross 5 towers and 5 climatic changes.  Its like going from California to Canada.  The top of the mountain is 30 degrees cooler than at the bottom.  It was 100 degrees in Palm Springs and it was a nice 70 at the top.  

 The inside floor of the gondola rotates so that everyone has a view of all aspects of the ride.  It is really weird.  You can really feel it if you stand to the outside of the floor as opposed to the inside.  It makes two rotations in the 10 minute ride.

 The view from the top.  

It was quite a fun and novel experience.  At the top is a couple of restaurants, a ranger station, and hiking.  We hiked a 3.1 mile loop.  I'll show more pics tomorrow. 

My life on Instagram

Hipster Gus

 So you know a main part my life consists of the love and care of my dogs (and my grand puppy).  They are my daily companions while HH is at work and the girls are at work/school.  They are a constant joy in my life.   They crack me up and thus, I am always taking their pictures.

 The Woolly Mammoth

 This guy is so funny as puppies are, but he is entering into that "terrible twos" stage even though he is only 6 months old.  Nothing is safe from him.  He is everywhere finding everything and he has started claiming things for himself and tearing them up.  I watched him one day as he was restless and bored and he would stand up and look on counter tops and dresser tops for something to chew up.  You can't help but love him though as he is full of kisses and a has such a cute face.

 I love seeing this big woman in her bed.  It cracks me up. She really enjoys it.  It is the only bed she likes.  I originally bought her a bigger bed, but she loves this little bed.  She is the kindest, sweetest and the most social dog.  We call he the Walmart Greeter at the dog park, she makes sure she says hi to everyone and every dog.  

 I have this fountain in my backyard and I really enjoy all the little birds who stop by for a drink or a bath.  I see the tiniest finches, sparrows,big fat robins and various unknown birds.  Hummingbirds love the fountain and I've had as many as five dive bombing each other for a spot at the fountain!

 I'm trying to eat healthier ( I am a lover of fast food) so I made myself this delicious Italian salad.  I'm kinda lazy for some reason when it comes to making salads, I have to make them more often.

Last but not least, I am enjoying these beautiful David Austin, Abraham Darby roses from my garden.  One of my favorites.  

Have a great weekend!