Sleuthing Around in Mendocino: Murder, She Wrote

Hello lovelies!


Sadly this post will be the last of my Californian diary on the blog because we spent the next two weeks just doing family stuff and going for hikes and all that malarkey when were were staying by the coast. However I am leaving you with a cracker of a post today because today's post is all about Mendocino and a certain J.B Fletcher....

Mendocino is a really quaint little postcard town on the coast where you can imagine your 70 year old self going to peacefully retire and knit and play cards on the veranda  in the sun for the rest of your golden years. All the buildings were pastel coloured Victorian style with wooden boarding decorated with cute little potted plants or pathways leading up from the garden gate.

As you walk down the streets you can mosey around the gift stores that aren't full of mass produced touristy knick-knacks but pieces from local artists or homemade jam and chocolates. It's a lovely place to visit on a day trip with the grandparents.

All around the town you'll spot various structures covered in rainbow yarn. I thought it was just another cute Mendocino thing but it's actually something of an art exhibit made by an artist who carefully looked at the colours of the buildings and came up with died yarn to compliment them.

I couldn't resist sneaking a photo outside this house.

But I must admit all the chocolates, jams, and yarn covered trees were not what got us excited about Mendocino. No, it was something else much more exciting. Something I'm sure will make my sisters and I sound like we're already grannies. Before heading off to Mendocino we were doing a bit of research and found out that some episodes and exterior shots for the hit show (well at least my guilty pleasure) Murder, She Wrote were shot in the town. After that there was no stopping us.

We found out that the house shown in the opening credits is actually a B&B called Blair House, which we promptly Google Mapped and hunted down...

As if that hasn't made us look like complete weirdos our MSW tour wasn't over yet. Not only did we discover Blair House but we also went to Hill House where the sassy J.B Fletcher shot a few scenes for an episode. 

What a great ending to the series don't you think? San Francisco was a great city to visit and it's definitely worth going over there yourself however I would recommend renting out a car because there is just so much to do in the areas surrounding the city too.

Thanks for reading,

Ciara xx

Chinatown, Chestnut Street and The Palace of Fine Arts

Hello lovelies!

After a few days of exploring marinas, sailing at San Francisco Bay and getting to know San Fran suburbia we decided to venture into the city and get a taste of San Francisco City.

Saving the Golden Gate Bridge for later we caught the ferry right up to the pier and were welcomed by the amazing SF city skyline.

After a spot of shopping (how could we resist with the Westfield right around the corner?) it was time to walk through the bustling streets of Chinatown and muse around all the little bits and bobs for sale in the store fronts.

I find that the best way to discover a new city is to try avoid all the fake touristy areas and try take in the culture of the city which is why the apartment we rented out for the weekend was perfect because it was right beside all the local hangouts like Chestnut Street and the marina.

I really liked Chestnut Street with its slight retro vibe and really cool and trendy atmosphere.

On our stroll to the restaurant we paid a visit to the beautiful Palace of Fine Arts. Illuminated in the setting sun you can see how easy it is to fall in love with it.

More importantly I think I found my dream car. Check out this baby blue sweetie.

Quite an eventful first day in the big city and I guarantee the next few days are just as fun-filled.

Thanks for reading,

Ciara xx

Sunny San Francisco:Forests, Coffee and Sausalito..

Hello my lovelies!

If you haven't guessed already I am currently in San Francisco with my sisters staying with my aunt. We've only been here for 3 days and I can't describe how good it feels to feel the sun on your face and just sit back and relax. 

My aunt lives just outside of the city so we're planning on spending the weekend there but for now we're sight seeing the surrounding country going on lots of road trips to the coast and of course hiking up those hills. Can't let all this delicious American food catch up on us now can we? Not since I've discovered Wholefoods and all the wholesome goodness that comes with it!

On Tuesday we decided to hit up Muir Woods for a little walk around the forest park to see the towering red woods. The woods we're so peaceful and the perfect place to get outside in the nature for a bit.

I thought I'd start off with an outfit photo. It can get a little cool in the shade of all those trees so I brought along a light denim jacket.

Denim Shirt- ONLY

Short- Forever 21

White Tank- New Look

Necklace- Forever 21

After our lovely walk about we were in need of a good old fashioned caffeine hit to perk us up so we headed to Equator Coffee. It's a cool surf shop style coffee house with a great house blend and some interesting specialty coffees and teas you can buy by the bag.

The staff are really helpful and all dress super cool and relaxed, the coffee house is even right beside an actual surf shop!

As if all this wasn't enough entertainment for your jet lagged bodies my aunt brought us out to Sausalito to have a poke about the marinas and all the folksy water houses. These were super cute houses built in the water who's front doors opened right onto the marina. 

The first place we went to was quite well worn but well loved at the same time. Little gypsy houses with rusting and peeling paint were decorated with quaint odd bits and bobs.

Then we moved onto the slightly more upscale part of the marina but still super cute nonetheless. I can seriously see myself perched on one of these pastel beauties with a good book looking out over the bay.

Apart from gorging ourselves on some pizzas when we got home that's pretty much it. I have a feeling these three weeks will be pretty jam packed with things to do so prepare yourself :) Also look forward to avery food focused post coming soon.

Thanks for reading,

Ciara xx