Packing a Carryon for a Weekend in California Wine Country

Packing a Carryon for a Weekend in California Wine Country // Habitation Co.

If you don't count my trip to India last year, I haven't taken a "girls" trip since before I got married. While my husband is by far my favorite travel buddy, I seem to have more stories about the travel adventures I shared with my friends: strangers at hostels in San Francisco, odd Southwest road trip motels, and basically everything about back-packing through Guatemala to name a few... While this weekend is a girl's trip of a very different variety, I have been looking forward to it for weeks. Despite growing up in California and living only hour-long flight away, I've never had the opportunity to visit our beloved wine country, so when the idea of a girl's trip came up, it seemed like the perfect time to plan a getaway with a few friends.

The plan is to simply enjoy a casual weekend of catching up, sipping wine, enjoying the outdoors, and measure the days by brunches and happy hours. Since I'll only be gone for 3 days total, I wanted to keep my luggage light and only pack a carryon. The tricky part was planning for a variety of potential activities: casual days, winery visits, dressier dinners, and even a hike if the weather cooperates. Fall in California typically means warm days and crisp nights, so by sticking with a few basics, working with layers, and adding a few favorite accessories, the result is a versatile weekend wardrobe that fits neatly in the overhead bin (with room to spare!).

My Carryon Packing Guide for a Fall Weekend In California Wine Country:

On The Plane:

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scarf // leather tote

Around Town:

Happy Hour:

mala bead necklace

Wine Tasting:

Dinner Out:

silk cord necklace 

Sunday Brunch:

Afternoon Hike:

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Keep jewelry or small accessories protected in a small travel pouch like these

That's everything! Toiletries, toothbrush, and all, plus there's plenty of room to spare if I decide to bring home a few bottles of wine (and check my bag, thanks Southwest!). Ok, gotta run, I have a plane to catch!

Enjoy the process!

Hailey

Pear & Thyme Diamond Fizz

2015 is coming to a close and what a year it has been! Sure, I would love to do a long cliche recap on all of the highs and lows and memories that are packed tighter than a sleeve of thin mints (mmm, thin mints...) into the past twelve months. But truly, I am just ready to celebrate tonight, and ring in a new year, a fresh start, and many more moments ahead... and I want you to, too! Whether you plan to dance the night away, bang pots and pans in the street at midnight, or go to bed at a reasonable hour- mostly so you can watch the first broadcast of the 127th Rose Parade like yours truly, I want to say thanks for being a part of our little shop's story this year, to wish you a very Happy New Year filled with peace, love, and joy. Oh! But a few bubbles never hurt, so to ring out the old, and in the new, here is a pretty twist on a classic cocktail, topped with chilled bubbly, fresh thyme, and pear! A definite crowd pleaser, for parties of any size. 

Ingredients (makes one)

2 oz. gin

Juice from 1/2 lemon

1 tsp sugar, plus more to rim

Fresh thyme sprigs, pear slices

Chilled Champagne or Prosseco

To Make:

Rim glass with sugar. In a shaker, combine lemon juice and sugar 'til dissolved. Add ice, gin, 1 thyme sprig, and 1 pear slice, shake well. Strain into glass (no ice), top with bubbly!

Happy New Year!

Hailey

The Process of Living: A Textile Designer's Family Friendly Digs

When we hear "family friendly", visions of rooms filled with foam floor mats, piles of plastic toys, and inexpensive furniture may come to mind. At some point in the past few decades, and with the sprawl of suburban homes boasting "bonus" rooms and basements, a line was drawn between what was considered "family friendly" and which rooms or styles were off-limits. Now, with many people opting for smaller homes in urban areas, most rooms have to pull double-duty, being both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

This home of textile designer Caitlin Wilson is the perfect blend of pretty and practical. Unique, high-style pieces are scattered throughout the house, but clutter is kept to a minimum- which also makes cleaning up easier. Even the designated "play area" is simply styled and cohesive, instead of being a black eye in the otherwise carefully curated space. By paying close attention to the details in each room, the overall look is cohesive and comfortable. Whether you have little humans or a small zoo of four-legged critters, like us, this house is a super inspiring example of what a "family" home could be. 

Tour originally appeared on MyDomaine.com