California

Holy smokes it's been awhile.  My lover and I needed to get all geared up to go to California...and what a trip it was!  I'm honestly really sad to be back.  Not that I don't love my kitties, my friends, my roommate (besides Geof), my family etc...it's just that spending one on one time with my love, in the California sunshine, going on adventure after adventure...it was hard to give up. 
Quick recap below:

 My mama and I driving to Omaha!  We visited my Granny in her home, which was both simultaneously sad, and relieving at the same time.  It seems as though she's getting adequate care which is not easy to do in an Alzheimer's wing and it was a relief to see her recognize me...even if it was for just a second.  Even though she can't really speak full sentences anymore or really communicate, her hand pats and love were still there--you could just feel it.  Plus I got to see a side of my mama that I don't often see--the ultimate caretaker, the lovely Virgo within coming out to say hello.

 My love gave me this necklace right before I left for Portland...It brings me good luck.  Plus it's sweet--off of Fab.com and I wanted it for FOREVER.  This was sitting at the airport waiting for them to load the plane towards Las Vegas.  P.s. Southwest airlines are awesome.  I highly recommend flying with them--ALWAYS.

 Yes!  Yes!  Yes!  We drove through the clouds on the Golden Gate Bridge.  I'm still giddy just thinking about it--I had never seen it before.

 Geof saying hello to the ocean.  :)

 So this was awesome...rented a car through priceline and when I showed up to the airport (exhausted mind you), I was informed that all their economy cars had been rented.  LAME!  I literally laughed at the guy when he told me SUV's were available.  Then, glancing over, I noticed that they rented out convertibles.  How cool!!  Out of those too.  However...
"We do have a camaro and a mustang that I could rent to you for just 7 more dollars a day."
Yes please thank you, I'll take the mustang.  Woop woop!  So we literally road in style the entire trip.  Way awesome, way fun, may never happen again, but the extra 77 dollars?  Completely worth it.

 After an incredible stressful couple days, Geof and I eventually got to escape to his cousin's baby daddy's co-op in Berkley which had a salt-water hottub.  Completely deserted for the most part, Geof and I finally got to relax and chit chat and spend one on one time together.  Rejuvenating and relaxing.  I felt so much better afterwards.

 And zen...we travelled to Napa Valley which I can only describe as magical.  This was an art piece sitting outside Geof's friend Justin (a sweet sweet sweetheart) gypsy hideaway.

 Hey Napa Heyyy!  I asked Geof at some point what it would take to climb up those hills.  To which he replied, "Do you mean those MOUNTAINS?"  Derrrr Emily.

 Justin was a hoot.  This was in a barn in a place called "Eller's Ranch."  It was this great artist community--gypsied out the max.  Upon meeting the lady in charge...I told her I was taking notes.  I'd love to live in a place like that--and when you don't have it already, then you must make it!

 Picture of some of the artwork residing in the barn.

 Moving along...bounced outta Napa and went back to Berkley to meet up with some of our dear friends that we see on the daily in Iowa...however, seeing your friends that you see on the daily in Iowa is completely different when you're in a different state!  (I can now see why people call it the country of California by the way--it is a country in itself).  Featured here with the smoldering Matt Sanvich--he's been traveling around the country finding himself and other pretty things.  It was awesome to have him, Dave and Olivia meet up with us--even if we did end up partying midwest style anyway. 

 After a (seriously) rough night of sleep, we parted ways, Geof and I headed to LA and Olivia/Matt/Dave headed off to their own adventures.

 I blew this up because I think it's just. that. awesome.  The painted graffiti gal on the right reminds me of my friend Amber.  This was in Santa Barbara--where the coffee and the pizza is overpriced and crappy tasting, but the view is phenomenal.

 Basking in Santa Barbara's rays.

 Later on that night in LA...I was tackled by the lovely Karissa, fed sushi, dranked, smoked, and otherwise was completely taken care of by her and our old roommate John.  It was quality Midwestern hospitality in a place far far away.

 Speak of the lovey!  There's Karissa herself doing what she loves best--HOOPIN!  Later on at Venice beach we stumbled across her "kind" at a hooping stand.

 I look rather serious in this photo--but that dress is anything but.  I got plenty of compliments on the beach--thank YOU www.dorotheasclosetvintage.com

 The boys over looking UCLA at The Getty.  Which is pretty similar to The Des Moines Art Center--except HUGE and in the mountains.
Compare for yourself here:
http://www.getty.edu/

verses:

http://www.desmoinesartcenter.org/

Here's a highlight from the pictures I COULD take at the museum.

 The exhibit we visited was bad.ass.  The photos were incredible-- Herb Ritts: L.A. Style

Click there to check it out.

Favorite picture from vacation...Geof walking across the rocks in the ocean in Santa Monica. 

 Seduction with a BUNNY?  I think so.  John and Karissa's roommates had three of them!  They used to let them run around the house, until they got "feral."  I can't even imagine what it'd be like to have bunnies roaming freely around your house...

 So after a long busy day in LA, we scooped up Karissa and John in the mustang and took them back to Napa Valley for Nimbash--which is a fundraiser for the artist community we visited previously.  Not specifically the Eller Ranch, but the classes they offer at their local college for kids, adults, etc.  Anywho, it was gypsy themed, so with hours to kill in the back of the mustang, Karissa and I went all out with our make-up.

 This was the entrance into the Nimbash, which I promptly took inspiration from and have already done in my living room.

 

The next day we went wine tasting...and this beautiful man of mine decided to grace us with a whole lotta upper thigh.

 Wow!  My work day is almost over.  I'll leave you with this:  What John will do at a fancy pants winery for 10 dollars...that Karissa will probably never give him.

Keep it tasty folks.

Em