photography: california

I have always wanted to drive the PCH. And although I've been to California many times for work in the past, I've never been with the sole intention of enjoying it. And so for two weeks back in October, that is exactly what Bryan and I did. We started in the northern part of the state, landing in San Francisco, renting a car and heading to Napa for a few days. Followed by Sausalito and Marin County, down to Laguna and Huntington Beach and wrapping up our trip in San Diego and La Jolla. We had perfect weather {literally, perfect, 75, dry and sunny}. We ate and drank too much. We explored a lot. And we enjoyed the diversity that California has to offer.

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In addition to the images that serve as a wonderful reminder of our trip, I leave with you something that is quite possibly even more important: The Top 10 Places to Eat in California {as curated by us, of course}.

*Subject to your own taste buds.

10. Sausalito Cafe, Sausalito.
09. Pacifico Restaurante Mexicano, Calistoga.
08. Beaumonts, La Jolla.
07. Oxbow Public Market, Napa.
06. True Foods, Newport Beach.
05. The Naked Cafe, Solana Beach.
04. Redd Wood, Yountville.
03. Cream de la Crepe, Manhattan Beach.
02. Tony Tuttos, Mill Valley.

And #1, the very best of all: Herringbone, La Jolla. There is a live olive grove growing inside of their building. No, really. There is. The food was amazing, the ambiance even better, and it is a place we will return to, someday.


“I arrived in California with no job, no car, and no money but,
like millions of other girls, a dream.”
// Victoria Principal

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suite-hearts: me + him {the final to-do}

The crickets that you hear are because life interfered in blogging. In a good way. My last post was October 6, five days before Bryan and I celebrated our wedding. And the last two months have been filled with travel and getting back on track. Sprinkled with a few holidays and a not-so-sweet case of the flu to shake things up. Awesome.

Back in late summer, I posted the "Suite-Hearts" designs for our own Save the Date and Main Invitation. Check them out, if you havn't already.

Each year, I have the unique opportunity to create bridal stationery suites for couples looking for the ultimate in customized solutions for their wedding - and it is truly one of my favorite projects. Super creative, very personal, and always tangible. And while the paper itself might have a short shelf-life, the reason behind the project and the memories created, do not. For a designer who is often doing more business-focused work, it can be a welcome distraction to color outside the lines. 

The final piece to my own bridal suite was in the "day-of" implementation. Most times, a suite-hearts package extends beyond just the invitation -- in our case, to menus, programs, golf cart signs, marriage certificate, custom honey labels {favors}, lantern tags and fro-yo spoons. And just in case I wasn't DIY-crazy enough, I handmade the boutonnieres {with coordinated pennant tags}, all table florals, bouquets, and clay name tags {on dinner napkins}. 

First up, the design proofs.

Friday Dinner Menu and Friday Ceremony Program - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Friday Dinner Menu and Friday Ceremony Program - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Custom Golf Cart Sign and Marriage License - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Custom Golf Cart Sign and Marriage License - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Saturday Program {tri-fold, outside} - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Saturday Program {tri-fold, outside} - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Saturday Program {tri-fold, inside} - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Saturday Program {tri-fold, inside} - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13


 And photography by the always-amazing, insanely-talented, The Schultzes

Save the Dates - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Save the Dates - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Invitation Suite and DIY Bouts - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Invitation Suite and DIY Bouts - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Friday Ceremony Program - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Friday Ceremony Program - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Friday Dinner Menu - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Friday Dinner Menu - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Friday Dinner Menu, Place Setting and Custom Honey Label - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Friday Dinner Menu, Place Setting and Custom Honey Label - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Custom Honey Label - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Custom Honey Label - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Saturday Program - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Saturday Program - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Custom Fro-yo Spoons, modeled by Maid-of-Honor / Sister of the Bride / Designer Extraordinaire, Bryce

Custom Fro-yo Spoons, modeled by Maid-of-Honor / Sister of the Bride / Designer Extraordinaire, Bryce

Lantern Tags - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13

Lantern Tags - Erica & Bryan 10.11+12.13