Tunic Tops and Flip Flops

Hubby and I are currently in Santa Barbara and have been soaking up as much sun and warm temperatures as possible. We've been enjoying long walks on the beach after work and have been eating at all our favorite restaurants! Life is more than good!

One of the many things I love about Santa Barbara is the easy, laid back style that everyone embraces. I popped on this tunic one night for dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant, Los Arroyos. This top is super fun, light weight, and I am obsessed with the coral color! Of course flip flops are always appropriate! 

Tunic | Similar 

Jeans |  Similar

Sunglasses |  Similar

Flip Flops | Rainbows

Tunic | Similar 

Jeans |  Similar

Sunglasses |  Similar

Flip Flops | Rainbows

I snagged my tunic top at Marshall's over a year ago, so this particular style and print are unavailable. Check out these other fabulous tunics below, perfect for easy summer days! 

XOXO

Meg

PS: This post contains affiliate links. By clicking on the links, I may receive a commission. As always, thank you for making this little blog possible!

Playing Tourist -- The Santa Barbara Land Shark

From my first year of living in Santa Barbara as a freshman in college I noticed the Land Shark cruising around town, showing off the sites to tourists. 

It wasn't until this past weekend that I finally found myself on board the Land Shark, enjoying the gorgeous scenery of Santa Barbara. 

The Land Shark offers a ninety minute land and sea tour three times a day. 

The first hour of the tour takes guests through the picturesque streets of Santa Barbara, showcasing both the Santa Ynez mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Our tour guide, Maddy, pointed out all of the historical sites, local favorites, and trendy bars and restaurants. Maddy was incredibly energetic, and while I knew most of the places she was talking about, she put a fresh spin on what could have been a lackluster tour for a local. 

The massive Moreton Bay Fig Tree was pretty incredible and was something I actually had not seen before. Its root structure is beautiful. 

We drove by the Santa Barbara Court House -- one of my favorite spots in town. 

For the final thirty minutes, the Land Shark morphs into a boat and took us around the harbor. 

The weather was perfect, the sun was shining, and the water was calm and clear. The California Sea Lions were so cute, lounging about, while boaters and paddle boarders passed them. 

This was a great day to spend a lazy afternoon. I would definitely take friends and family on this tour when they come and visit Hubby and I in Santa Barbara. 

XOXO
Meg

Life Lately...

Life has been really, really good lately! No complaints here! Super busy with work and home improvement projects, but I'm busy with stuff I love doing - so its great!

Here are a few photos of what I have been up to lately. 

Hubby got sick during our last trip to Santa Barbara, so I had some alone time while he slept off his ailments. After wandering State Street and smelling every candle in Anthropologie, I made my way to Crush Cakes for a Mexican Hot Chocolate. I lazily read (currently reading The Royal We) and sipped away at the amazing chocolate-y goodness above!

How adorable are these post cards? I found them in the greeting card aisle at my local grocery store and I am obsessed! They are made by Studio Ink, which is owned by Hallmark. They are so fun to send out! I am also crazy about this card! I sent the "Nice Buns" card to my cousin and the "You're Sizzlin'" card to Kir.

Stumbled upon this gem while going for a walk near Butterfly Beach in Santa Barbara! The photo does not do this front yard justice! So many pigs! Ha ha!

Back in March, Kir and my parents met Hubby and me in Santa Barbara for the weekend. We had such a fun time visiting with family and seeing our sweet niece! Love her!

On a recent trip back from Santa Barbara, we decided to swing by Las Vegas and take in a show! We saw Cirque de Solei Michael Jackson One. It was amazing to see all of the performers doing tricks on stage to Michael Jackson's music!

What have you been up to?

XOXO

Meg

Westmont College

Hubby and I were in Santa Barbara last week for work and we had the best weather! 

When we come into town we stay in faculty housing with one of the professors from Westmont College, our alma matter. It is an amazing arrangement and we consider ourselves quite lucky!

Since we're walking distance from campus, we like to stroll through the park-like setting and reminisce about our college days. 

Westmont College is a gorgeous Christian, liberal arts college located on an old estate in Montecito. The main home of the estate serves as the administration building. 

The prayer chapel is so adorable. Inside are mini pews and a working pipe organ. 

My favorite view on campus. 

I love the meandering paths and little foot bridge. 

This fountain is so gorgeous. Unfortunately, because of the drought, it was turned off to conserve water. 

Hope you enjoyed this mini tour of Westmont College!

XOXO

Meg

Sunny & 75....

In the beginning of the month, Hubby and I headed to sunny Santa Barbara to celebrate my 28th birthday and get our new office set up.

When we weren't working, networking, or meeting up with friends, we took full advantage of the incredible weather.

I know I've mentioned this before, but in my opinion, Santa Barbara is the most beautiful place on Earth. I love meandering the beach paths and staring off into the epic sea and sand.

Ah! If only I was enjoying the sunshine as we speak....

Until next time, Santa Barbara!

XOXO

Meg

I passed! I passed! I passed!

I have some really exciting news!

Remember way back at the end of July when I took the California Bar Exam? (In case you forgot, you can read about the grueling experience here!)

Well...

Results came out last Friday!

And....

Drum roll please...

I PASSED! I PASSED! I PASSED!

I am now a California (and a Texas) lawyer!

I cannot wait to start another office out in Santa Barbara in Spring 2015!

Below are photos of the Courthouse in Santa Barbara that I took on my trip in October.

I can't wait for my first hearing in this gorgeous building!

Nothing beats palm trees and blue skies! The view from the clock tower is amazing!

In college I used to bring a blanket and do homework on the Courthouse lawn. Now I am going to be practicing law here!

XOXO

Meg

Jet Set!

Last week Hubby and I headed to sunny Santa Barbara for a little getaway/work trip.

We looked at office space for our California office! (I didn't take the CA bar for nothin'!)

We found an adorable, newly renovated office right off of State Street (the main drag, filled with shops, shops, and more shops). Now I just have to wait for bar results to come out...

We also did some networking, caught up with old friends, and enjoyed the perfect weather!

Enjoy a few photos from our trip!

French Toast and Eggs Benedict from Jeannine's in Montecito - my favorite place for breakfast!

We perused the Farmer's Market...

I love the colors of all the fresh veggies!

Butterfly Beach is always gorgeous!

I love everything about Santa Barbara; the sounds, the smells, the people, the food, the stores! 

It really is (in my humble opinion) the most beautiful place on earth! 

We love that the Coast Village Inn offers complimentary beach cruisers! 

Cruisin' by the lagoon at the Santa Barbara Zoo!

I love walking around the harbor! 

No trip would be complete without a trip to Crush Cakes! 

Lemon drop for me! Red velvet for Hubby! 

I can't wait to officially open a new office in Santa Barbara! It is going to be so fun to have a jet set lifestyle, traveling back and forth! I'd better learn how to pack better, lighter, and more concise! :)

XOXO

Meg

Relax & Unwind with Santa Barbara Aromatics' Candles

It has been one of those weeks. You know what I'm talking about? The kind where you don't leave the office until 7 (or 8) most nights. The kind where you come home, make dinner, but are too tired to do the dishes. So the dishes sit in the sink until you realize every dish you own is dirty.

Don't get me wrong. I love my job. Love. Love. Love it! There is nothing else in the world I would want to do. Being a lawyer is my dream job. But it is also very stressful at times. 

One thing I have learned over time is that when life gets crazy you have to treat yourself to the little luxuries -- a cupcake from that bakery on the corner, that pair of shoes you've been eying for months, or a new haircut. 

This week I discovered a new little luxury -- candles from Santa Barbara Aromatics!

I had the opportunity to sample the Montecito candle from Santa Barbara Aromatics and my goodness -- I have never smelled something so fresh and beautiful and spot on to the way Santa Barbara actually smells! I know that sounds funny -- but Santa Barbara does have a smell! (If you forgot how gorgeous Santa Barbara is click here, here, and here). 

 

The Montecito candle filled my living room with the heavenly scent of gardenia and tuberose-- two of my favorite fragrances! The fresh floral aroma danced its way through my apartment with out being too strong or over powering. The scent reminded me of warm summer days spent with friends, frolicking through the Montecito hills, making our way down to Butterfly Beach. The fragrance was warm and inviting. 

The candles are soy candles, which burn very evenly and clean. I burned mine every night this week and there is not a trace of black soot on the inside of the glass.  

I was very impressed with the packaging. My 10 ounce candle was hand poured into a thick and heavy glass container and topped with a glass lid. The label offers a gorgeous water colored image of the ocean and mountains. 

  

Shop owner and Santa Barbara native, Seana, mirrors each glorious scent after a famous Santa Barbara landmark. She hit Monetcito, an affluent area with massive estates, right on the money. 

As for other well known Santa Barabara hot spots, Seana offers  Mountain Drive, San Ysidro, Padaro Beach, Mission Rose, and Mirimar Beach. She also offers other floral and fruit fragrances -- perfect for the upcoming spring and summer months -- also perfect for Mother's Day gifts!

I know I will be back for more and I can't wait to treat myself to a new little luxury! I love Plumeria -- so probably the Padaro Beach candle! I'll let y'all know which one I choose! 

Check out Santa Barbara Aromatics etsy shop, website, and Facebook page!

XOXO

Meg

PS: Santa Barbara Aromatics gifted me this glorious candle. However, all thoughts and opinions regarding the product are my own. 

PPS: Congrats to our giveaway winner, Savannah! 

Sunny Santa Barbara - Part 3

Okay y'all -- this is my last Santa Barbara post (well, until I go back again!) 

If you live somewhere cold, I hope these photos warm you up a bit!

Love the palm trees and all of the foliage! It doesn't get much better than this, folks!

This is the lagoon by the running path. Take note of the gorgeous mountains in the distance!

And here is a shot of said running path! I trained for my first half marathon when I lived in Santa Barbara. The scenery definitely made those long runs much more bearable. 

A few more photos from our zoo trip! Hubby's favorite exhibit was the gorillas. 

And mine was the leopard! Look at those gorgeous colors! I love leopard print! (Faux of course!) I recently purchased a fabulous leopard print scarf that I am hoping to style for y'all soon!

Hope y'all are having a great weekend!

XOXO

Meg