What’s got me thinking this week:
Consistency is the real flex — in love, in life, in everything.
THIS WEEK’S EDIT:
WEEKEND ESCAPES (THAT ACTUALLY FEEL LIKE AN ESCAPE)
Lately I’ve been craving a true weekend reset — like leave your laptop at home, wake up slow, romanticize your coffee type of energy.
So I pulled together a list of my favorite NorCal escapes (all within ~3 hours of Oakland) that actually feel like you went somewhere.
🌊 Coastal cool / dreamy ocean energy
Hyatt Carmel Highlands (2 hrs)
Cliffside views, fireplaces, sunset energy. Feels like a full reset weekend.Villa Mara (2 hrs)
Boutique, soft, quiet luxury. Perfect for slow mornings + wine nights.La Playa Hotel (2 hrs)
Garden courtyards, classic charm, walkable to everything.Timber Cove Resort (2.5 hrs)
Moody, design-forward, fireplaces everywhere. Very Pinterest-core NorCal.Sea Ranch Lodge (3 hrs)
Minimal, architectural, calming. Feels like a nervous system reset.
🌿 Wine country, but elevated
Cottage Inn & Spa (1 hr)
Cozy, romantic, fireplace energy.MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa (1 hr)
Garden, airy, perfect for a girls weekend.Montage Healdsburg (1.5 hrs)
Luxe, expansive, and one of those “treat yourself” stays.Bardessono Hotel & Spa (1.5 hrs)
Clean, modern, spa-forward reset.The Madrona (1.5 hrs)
Vintage, editorial, slightly moody (very content).
🏡 European summer but NorCal
Casia Inn (1 hr)
Soft neutrals, curated design, mini European escape.Kenwood Inn & Spa (1.5 hrs)
Tuscany energy without leaving California.Mission Ranch Hotel (2 hrs)
Storybook charm, sheep grazing outside your window.Olema House (1.5 hrs)
Countryside meets coastal. Slow mornings, oysters, biking.Carmel Valley Ranch (2 hrs)
A little more active, still aesthetic.
🌊 Slightly further, but worth it
White Water (~3–3.5 hrs)
Clean, beachy, minimal.Alila Ventana Big Sur (2.5 hrs)
Spa, nature, luxury. Unreal reset energy.Harbor House Inn (3 hrs)
Intimate, understated luxury + amazing food.Nicholson House (3 hrs)
Cozy, charming, slower pace.
🍽️ What I’d actually eat
Carmel / Big Sur
☕ Coffee / pastries
Stationaery
Rise + Roam Bakery
🍽️ Dinner
La Bicyclette
Nepenthe
Sonoma / Napa / Healdsburg
☕ Coffee / pastries
Les Pascals Patisserie et Boulangerie
Model Bakery
🍽️ Dinner
Valette
The Girl & The Fig
SingleThread
Point Reyes / Mendocino Coast
☕ Coffee / casual
Cafe Aquatica
Side Street Kitchen
🍦 Treat stops
Cowgirl Creamery
Frankie’s Ice Cream Cafe
🍷 Where I’d actually go wine tasting
I’m very particular about wineries — I want good wine and a vibe. These are the ones that actually feel worth the stop:
Bricoleur Vineyards – full experience, garden, food pairings
Priest Ranch – modern, sleek, slightly moodier
Flowers Vineyards & Winery – coastal, serene, stunning design
Reeve Wines – smaller, intimate, cool crowd
Ashes & Diamonds Winery – mid-century modern, very aesthetic
Buena Vista Winery – historic, dramatic, castle-like + caves (a little iconic moment)
WHAT I WORE
Should we do a list of all the venues I toured? 👀
Lately I’ve been thinking in “packs” — what actually makes sense to bring for a weekend vs. what just sits in your suitcase.
Bonus Outfits
What I Wore to Church
What I Wore to Our Girls Night Out
Deep dive on my favorite wedding outfits
Bachelorette Trip Edit
Everything I’d bring for a weekend away:
Easy daytime sets
One solid dinner look
A go-to night out outfit
Layers you can throw on without thinking
It’s less about overpacking and more about having outfits that just work.
Everything linked here:
👉 Amazon Storefront
San Diego outfits
This weekend was very much:
tanks + low-rise / mini skirts
airport cozy
outfits that go from day → to night
Nothing overthought, just pieces that are flattering and easy.
Everything linked here:
👉 ShopMy Storefront
LMK what outfits you want to see next!
YOUR INSPO FOR GNO
If you’re in your “we don’t need a crazy plan, just good spots and good energy” era — this is the exact loop I’d do again.
Everything is walkable, which makes it way too easy to say “just one more stop” (and then suddenly it’s a full night).
🍽️ Start with dinner
Pizzaiolo
We waited almost 2 hours… but honestly worth it.
The vibe is cozy, a little chaotic, very “everyone here knows it’s good.”
They were so sweet and gave us a little discount because my best friend just got engaged 🥹
👉 Pro tip: put your name down early and grab a drink nearby while you wait.
🍷 Then ease into drinks (walkable circuit)
Tallboy
Always good vibes & music. Fun early in the night and later.North Light
Dim, vibey, feels a little more elevated but still fun. Cute library feel!51st & Tel
More casual, slightly louder, good for when the night starts picking up.
✨ Other Recos in the Area
The Avenue Bar
A little more divey, a little more chaotic — in the best way.Burdell
If you want to pivot into something more elevated / sit-down energy.
💌 The vibe
This is one of those nights where nothing is overplanned — you just bounce around, catch up, celebrate something small (or big), and suddenly it’s your favorite night in a while.
And that’s what it was for us - no doubt!
Pizza pizza!
WHERE I WENT
NYC 🍸
Lele — easily one of my favorite spots from the trip.
The lighting, the cocktails, the overall vibe… it’s one of those places that just feels like a night out.
10/10 date night energy.
A Few More Spots To Add To Your List
SF / Bay Area
Hamburgesa — heard this is one of those lowkey spots that ends up being really good
Cafe Gara — cute café energy, perfect for a slower morning
Bar Jabroni — fun, casual, good for drinks that turn into a night
Frankie’s Java House — classic, waterfront, more laid-back vibe
NYC
Joe’s Pizza — classic, always hits, no notes
Little Ruby’s Cafe — Australian café, brunch/lunch staple
Lucky’s — cozy, neighborhood dinner spot
Apollo Bagels — one of those “worth the line” bagel spots
LA
Sam’s Place — super casual, easy lunch or post-beach stop
Alba — clean, aesthetic, very “LA dinner” energy
Beethoven Market — deli / market situation, perfect for a quick but good bite
HIS EDIT
PAAK’S PICKS
He’s very much in his “simple but dialed” era — clean basics, strong silhouettes, and a few statement accessories that make it feel elevated without trying too hard.
This look is proof you don’t need a million pieces… just the right ones.
Quick takeaway (for the boys reading this 👀)
If you’re trying to upgrade your style:
Start with good basics (tee + trousers)
Add one standout accessory (hat, scarf, or shoes)
Keep everything else clean
What he wore
Red LA Dodgers hat
Black heavyweight tee (Zara)
Pleated wide black trousers (Zara)
Black + white Duke & Dexter loafers
Fuzzy black cardigan (Abercrombie)
Long black scarf (Zara)
Black leather gloves
The vibe
It’s very “I just threw this on” but every piece is doing something.
The wide-leg trousers + loafers give it structure, while the hat + tee keep it relaxed. Then the cardigan, scarf, and gloves pull it all together and make it feel styled.
AKA: minimal effort, maximum impact.
What I’m Loving
March Amazon Favorites
A mix of:
Elevated basics
Cozy pieces
Little home / hosting upgrades
These are all things I’ve actually been wearing or using on repeat — not just one-time buys.
Sephora Sale Favorites
This one was basically built by all of us — I asked on IG stories and added your recs too.
Think:
My go-to staples
A few new things I’ve been testing
Crowd favorites that actually live up to the hype
CLOSING VIBES
A few things I’ve been into lately…
Jury Duty Show (2023)
Late to this but wow… so good.
It follows one normal guy who thinks he’s part of a real jury trial — but everyone else is an actor (including James Marsden playing the most unhinged version of himself).
It’s chaotic, funny, and somehow also very wholesome.
10/10 easy watch.
Anything Harlan Coben
If you need a binge… this is it.
His books and books turned into shows are all very “just one more episode” energy — think secrets, disappearances, plot twists every five minutes.
Start with:
Fool Me Once
The Stranger
Stay Close
Perfect for a weekend where you don’t leave the couch.
The West + Amanda Summer House Situation…
I don’t know what to call this situation but it’s messyyyy.
Ciara’s reaction though?? chefs kiss.
The subtle shade, the loyalty comment, the timing… it’s giving reality tv gold.
Watch the interview → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbJWcJPCmPY
Little things that stuck with me this week
A few from Sunday church but super relatable:
Chemistry without character collapses (i.e. if the right intention isn’t there with your partner/love interest, it isn’t going to last! Go in with pure intention)
Routine romance > chaos (locking into the consistent gestures rather than the up and down love bombs)
Get around people that grow you (of course we need the people that “get” us but we also need to branch out to the people that get you to grow and challenge you…sound anything like your partner/spouse? LOL)
Feels like a reminder that the best things in life aren’t always the loudest… just the most consistent.