Get your [[ Holiday ]] weekend on!

December is here and there are so many ways to celebrate the season! One of my favorite things to do is drive around and look at Christmas lights and neighborhood decorations. I've pulled the best of the Bay Area into this blog post so that you can enjoy the festivities too!

Mattos Orchard Lights: 1545 Stone Creek Drive, San Jose.

This enormous orchard goes all out and decorates their property with over 90, 000 lights for the season and even has a snow instillation to dazzle guests with wonder. Keeping with the Winter Wonderland theme, you will see reindeer, toy soldiers.. and you might get a glimpse of Santa. 

Crippsmas Place: Nicolet Ave, Cripps Place and surrounding streets, Fremont.

Talk about a neighborhood that goes all in. For over 60 years the residents have decorated their homes with lights and large scale lawn decorations that amazing walkers and drive-byers who visit at Christmastime. If you are able, they even accept donations on behalf of many well-known charities. 

Historic Estate Lights: Filoli Gardens 86 Canada Rd, Woodside.

Filoli Estate is home to some of the most beautiful gardens in the world. Well their version of Christmas time is no different. Stroll around the property and enjoy all of the twinkle lights as you sip your hot chocolate (or cocktails and wine for Mommy's and Daddy's) and enjoy all the magic of the estate.

San Jose Christmas in the Park: San Jose History Park.

Normally held in downtown San Jose's Caesar Chavez park, this has move across town so folks can stay snug in their car. All the decorations and adorable scenes are still there, with upgrades every year. Visiting this is one of my most fond childhood memories, and I always look for the Parachuting Pandas- a classic in my mind. Tickets are $10-$20 per car and reservations can be made here.

Oakland Glowfari- Oakland Zoo.

This year the park is home to some larger than life animal lanterns. Made from silk and 15 feet tall, the animals appear to touch the moon and light up the sky. Stroll through the park and enjoy the real animals and the imaginary ones. $12 for entry, proceeds go to the parks operating expenses. 

Los Gatos Fantasy of Lights: Vasona Park, Los Gatos.

A favorite of the South Bay for years, drive around the lake and see all of the decorations. Los Gatos dresses up their park with thousands of lights and animated figures. Look for reservations at the website here. 

The Ruth Bancroft Garden of d'Lights. 1552 Bancroft Rd, Walnut Creek.

If you know me personally, you know that I am a sucker for succulents and crazy for cacti. I had never heard of this until this year and it is on my list of must sees. All the plants are lit for the occasion where people can walk around and enjoy the garden. $8-$20 tickets must be purchased in advance here

San Mateo County Festival of Lights: 1346 Saratoga Dr. San Mateo.

The last on my list is for my Peninsula friends. This is a real drive through production, complete with interactive displays and wonderful candy worlds held at the county event center. Come and see why this has been a family tradition for so many years. Reservations and tickets available here. 

  

Kendal's Last Splash

 

Snow White and her Eight Babes took on sunny San Diego to celebrate the bachelorette of allll bachelorette parties. 

   

Maddie and I were the first to arrive on Coronado Island, we held the celebration and the Del Coronado. An absolutely elegant, beautiful dream of a hotel. 

She only gave me two direct orders; must be held at the Del and she wants to have matching tank tops. As Maid of Honor, I made sure to deliver both requests. But not before treating myself to my absolute favorite Mermaid red beer from Coronado Brewing Co and yes I HAD to get the fries.  ;)

Stephanie, The Bride, Sara & Ashley. 

Some snaps of the hotel.

I could not have set everything up without the help of these gals!! Thank you for all your hard work.

The theme of the weekend was done in true mermaid style - 

Kendals Last Splash 

So we decorated the suites with everything from seashells, to crystals, starfish and sparkles. 

Some inspiration below. 

this was an arts and craft day. While cheersing mimosas we decorated flip flops. 

Brides Babes gift packs 

My sister thoroughly enjoying her fish tacos. I heard she made Anthony take her back for their one year just to get another plate of them. They are THAT good! 

We went on a really fun adventure together and all got to wear our matching shirts. It was a beer tour for the day with some good stops and some great beers. 

The next day Anthony treated us to Cabana's at the beach, so we could have our own space and just relax. Melanie and Step get the most fun cocktail ever. 

That night we hit the town and got to enjoy the San Diego nightlife. 

The last day we went out to brunch and hung around the island. The homes in the area were just gorgeous, so you know I had to snap a few. 

Congratulations to my little sister and the coolest brother ever! 

We had an amazing trip. ✨✨

Devon's Dish [[ Church Creek Cellars ]]

Wow Wow Wow. 

I don't have enough room, for all the wonderful things I could say about 

Church Creek Cellars.

How cute are the horses that greet you as you pull in?? 

The newest winery to open in Santa Clara county, with the best views and hospitality, imaginable! When you are surrounded by 21 acres of gorgeous grape vines and panoramic views, you don't want to be stuck indoors. So they have built a beautiful open air Ramada, complete with a long bar and delightfully large, outdoor heaters.

With numerous award winning releases, you can't go wrong in picking any. Whether you choose to buy a few bottles to take home or stay awhile and sip under the oak tree, your experience will keep you coming back. 

Plus they have a wine club (join here) and don't let your glass go empty.

Church Creek Cellars prides themselves and their work, on the individual attention given to each plant. They believe that when you grow, nurture and hand pick a plant for production, you have the ability to select at the peak of ripeness for the overall style of wine they are trying to achieve.

They believe in the "vine-to-bottle" approach, something we in California know very well.. as "farm-to-table" has become increasingly popular in the last few years. The idea behind it, in it's most honest form, is that all parties involved in the process complete production in the most raw and natural way possible. No middlemen, no marketers, no distributors. You will meet the wine making team, and they are happy to walk you through their journey with each and every plant.

Me sitting with my parents enjoying the cabernet sauvignon. 

CHEERSSS 

Estate varietals include: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sangiovese, Malbec, Zinfandel, Tempranillo, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, and Pinot Noir. (read more here) 

Diana look cute on the left talking with visitors || A packed tasting room on the right. 

Cooper has been working around the clock. Start ups often require you to wear multiple hats and multitask quite a bit.

Here he is shown as lead sommelier, earlier he was working as the official greeter and toast maker, and before that he was regulating the crowds as head of security.

So how do I know so much about this fabulous new winery??!

I actually had the honor of babysitting this (not so little) nugget of cuteness when she was a year old through age 12. Here she is working with her Dad (above) and standing taller than me (below) 

Now, that's a reality check, let me go have a cry. 

A little OOTD inspiration

 KG basic leggings

Ralph Lauren striped shirt (similar here)

Denim jacket (old, similar here) 

Celine glasses

Vans 

pins have been collected over the years. 

Me and Cooper taking a selfie.. what is everyone looking at?