Hello, dear friends!
Come along with me down one of the most charming streets in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California…a few of it’s streets, actually!
This was one of those golden days…a day we took just because…We’ve been able to enjoy a few of these kinds of days lately…thanks to our new homeschooling journey…
…FREEDOM…
Right off the Pacific Coast Highway lies Ocean Avenue…lined with unique, charming & expensive shops that lead down to the beautiful sea…
Our first stop—the famous & fabulous “Tuck Box”…
…a place so charming & well known, Thomas Kinkade has painted it…twice!
I’ve been wanting to take my girls here forever—and today was the day…c’mon inside with us!
…a sweet, sun-filled room awaited us…no one else in the place when we walked in—perfect! {it filled up shortly after, however!}
The girls just fell in love with the place! {Don’t worry, Chelsea…we’ll be going back with you as soon as you get home!}
Annie “tucked” into one of their famous scones…complete with marmalade & double clotted cream, of course!
As soon as we were happily stuffed, we started walking…{now’s when I stop talking so much…!}
Beauty-filled windows…
Irresistible delights…
…a LOT of whimsy…
…luscious indulgences…
{…just look at these chunks of fragrant, handmade soaps!}
…and extravagance…
…even an English-themed pub owned by a very famous local actor…
…did you know that Clint Eastwood was also the mayor of Carmel at one time?
There was time for a little “reflection”…
…a time to “rest and be thankful”…
…which Annie decided to take very literally! {with her photographer sister’s suggestion, of course!}
Everywhere we looked, touches of vintage beauty…
…charming architecture…
…and beckoning courtyards…
So glad you came along with us today! {Hope you’re still with me…this post is about as long as our window shopping day!}
…and a very special thanks to my photographer daughter, Sarah…this is why you didn’t see her in most of the photos! {don’t you just love her clever use of the double driveway mirrors here?!}
If you ever come to our little part of California, I hope you’ll stop for a visit to beautiful Carmel-by-the-Sea…
…where else are you going to find a gas station sign with gilded letters?!
See you soon with something new…
Julie
We LOVE Carmel by-the-Sea!! I can't get enough of looking at all the charming houses around there too! What a great day - love your pics!
ReplyDeletexo
Ashlyn
Oh, thank you so much for taking us to Carmel By The Sea with you. I loved the pictures. I have longed to go back there for some time now, as the last time I was there, I was probably 12. Loved seeing your daughters too, and even glimpses of you. What a charming and lovely place to spend a day with daughters who appreciate it. Interestingly my daughter and I were just talking about Monterey last night as she was recalling the wonderful Honeymoon she had with her husband in 2006 there.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
I love it there so charming I can't stand it. How lucky you and your girls got to do the day trip in this whimsical place.
ReplyDeleteWe drove through it once, but would love to spend a few days there!
ReplyDeleteOh Julie, what a wonderful place. I would love to visit there. How fun that you and your daughters got spend the day at the shops.
ReplyDeletehugs~~~ Daphne
Hi Julie,
ReplyDeleteWonderful window shopping you did. I enjoyed seeing all the photos; forgot why I love it there, the charming boutiques, wonderful little restaurants and the beautiful houses. Thank you for sharing these photos, love it.
Have you been to Sausalito? Another charming artist town I enjoyed visiting.
You have a couple of beautiful girls Julie, I'm sure you keep them very close to your heart.
Warm hugs to you.
Love Carmel by the Sea! I used to live near. Now in NC and miss places like that! Thanks for the walk down memory lane! :)
ReplyDeleteOh wow, I love Carmel--and I adore all the pics!!! Such a perfect day!!!
ReplyDeleteXO
Cindy
Carmel is my idea of heaven on earth. Wonderful memories!
ReplyDeleteOh Julie- LOVE your post today! We were there ONCE years ago...drank wine at the Hog's breath..enjoyed the beauty...A long way from my Hinckley OH home! :) TFS such wonderful pics and the daughters are ADORABLE :)
ReplyDeleteHi Julie,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely visit today. Carmel looks like my kind of town. I hope to someday take a journey there. Simply beautiful!
Maureen
Beautiful! Loved the window shopping tour. And yes, your daughter IS very clever to use the reflection of the mirror! I love the sence of humor your other daughter has too! Looked like a perfect day!
ReplyDeleteHi Julie, with my sprained ankle, this is about the only kinda walking tour and window shopping I'm gonna be doing, and how lovely it was. Thanks for taking us along and sharing your delightful day with the girls. Best wishes and blessings, Tammy
ReplyDeleteHello my friend .. it's been toooooo long since we last visited! Thanks for the wonderful trip through Carmel ... it was way back in 1997 when we were there and didn't see near as many shops as you & your girls visited. What a wonderful day for you and your beautiful daughters and Sarah's photography was EXCELLENT!! Thanks again for the tour of Carmel.
ReplyDeleteTake care and stop by anytime!
Hello, dear Julie. Pretty, pretty mommy. Pretty, pretty girls. Lovely Carmel.It is one of my favorite places. I haven't been there for 38 years. The first year of our marriage we visited there. He was in medical school in San Francisco and I was teaching students with emotional problems and we were crazy in love. It was so charming and I have longed to go back. Some day! Thank you so much for visiting at this crazy time in my life. It is soooo appreciated!
ReplyDeleteBig hugs,
Suz
Hi Julie...what a fun day with the girls!
ReplyDeleteMy husband's aunt had a home in Carmel for years and when his Nana would go visit she would bring back the most beautiful photos of her days by the sea! Some are similar to yours! It was fun visiting today!
OH! What a fun filled day and loved the tour :)
ReplyDeleteHi Julie, I just stumbled onto your blog, it's very nice. We have a few things in common. I live on the Central Coast, Arroyo Grande, and I also have a daughter named Annie, who does everything I do. I have a fun vintage holiday project made from scrap fabric, you might like the muslin one. I'm also celebrating my first magazine article with a giveaway. Come by and say hi,and see my Annie and her sidekick Daisy. Thanks, Cindy
ReplyDeleteOh my heavens Julie, what a wonderful day with your darling girls! It looks like it was a perfect day up north! Isn't it the best to hang out with our daughters?! Making sweet memories.
ReplyDeleteLove you Julie,
Maryjane
What a wonderful day spent with your girls window shopping, just what memories are made of. Thanks for taking us along.
ReplyDeletehugs Lynn
What beautiful daughters you have!! so lovely! what a wonderful visit you had - I went once almost 20 years ago! it looks even more wonderful :)
ReplyDeleteMary x
What a lovely and fun day! So quaint and beautiful with vintage treasures! Wish I could be there!
ReplyDeletesandy
Wow, I would really love to go there with my daughter, shopping and strolling... I must come back to California one day!!!
ReplyDeleteCiao
Alessandra
http://alessandrazecchini.blogspot.com/
OH JULIE....THIS IS WHERE RUBEN AND I SPENT OUR HONEYMOON 30 YEARS AGO!!!!!!!!! We even remodeled out cottage after these stunning works of art....OH THIS IS SO FANTASTIC! I must show him later tonight, your wonderful post! AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND WORDS AND VISIT! Now OFF I GO to school...Anita
ReplyDeleteOh what a day my friend...I love it! Those kind of days with the girls make my heart sing. Thank you so much for sharing the JOY! What sweet girls you have...adorable just like YOU xoxoxox
ReplyDeleteCarmel, sigh! I hope to visit it again one day. Thank you for the wonderful tour, Julie! You girls must have had such a great day.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you,
Julia