Today on Weekend Meanderings a trip to Paso Robles for a creative retreat with the OG bloggers plus what I packed and wore.
Happy weekend, friends!
It’s Saturday and I’m joining Kim and Elizabeth for Weekend Meanderings.
Our weekly roundup of inspiration and goings on.
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Can you believe it’s mid-October?
I guess we’re pushing late October.
It’s nearly Halloween.
This week I spent a few days in Paso Robles for a small group creative retreat.
Can I tell you all about it?
HOBNOBBING WITH THE OG’S IN PASO ROBLES
If you follow me on Instagram you may know I was in Paso Robles last week hobnobbing with some Original Great bloggers. Women who inspired me to get into blogging and I bet they’re favorites of yours too.
Kris, Cindy, Mary Ann, Jennifer, Me & Annie
Cindy (Cindy Hattersley Design), Annie (Most Lovely Things), Mary Ann (Classic Casual Home), Kris (Driven By Decor) and Jennifer (A Well Styled Life). Kim initially planned to join, but couldn’t squeeze it in given her upcoming trip. What was I doing there? Good question but never look a gift horse in the mouth. And speaking of gifts, look at our cute swag bags.
The retreat, organized by Cindy, Annie and Mary Ann, and held at Cindy’s beautiful home in the Paso Robles area, was a packed few days of learning, sharing, inspiration and ideas related to the big-wide-world of blogging. I soaked it up like a sponge.
Cindy offered some pro photography tips.
Cindy’s home is like a boutique hotel … only better.
And her pillow game is strong.
WHAT TO WEAR IN PASO ROBLES IN THE FALL
It was warm in California last week and that made packing pretty easy. I hauled out my summer dresses, sandals and light jackets. It was just like packing for a summer vacation in the wine country, or any warm weather destination. And it gave me a few ideas for our upcoming cruise. I hope it gives you some ideas too. You’re probably sick of hearing me say it, but if you don’t have a collapsable rolling rack for packing you’re making life harder on yourself.
Day 1
On our first evening I wore a Banana Republic maxi dress from last summer. Along my Vince shirt-style jacket which is one of my favorite purchases this year. I’m heartbroken that it’s sold out. This is similar.
Day 2
Our second day was a long one, breakfast through dinner. I was super comfortable in a plaid dress by The Great. It pairs beautifully with my Paige cropped denim jacket. Another favorite purchase this year that’s also long gone. Ugh. This one is similar but with a raw hem. You can search Poshmark … I found an XS here, a medium here and here, and an XL here. Poshmark also has a small in cream.
Day 3
On our last day the temperature hit 99. This Rails dress was a late summer purchase that I hesitated over it because … it was late summer. But I’m so glad I bought it and I’ve worn it on repeat. It will definitely be in my suitcase for our cruise at the beginning of the year. It has a smocked back and is very comfortable. I wore it with an oversized shirt by Cloth & Stone. This one from Mango is similar. Wearing a shirt as a jacket is an idea I got from wardrobe guru Allison Bornstein. I’ve been reading and loving her new book.
Annie said my The Great dress matches Cindy’s house. She’s not wrong.
The best thing about road trips, or local travel, is you can bring more clothes. I zipped all my dresses and jackets into a garment bag. And I brought a pair of sandals for each dress … a big no no when packing a suitcase for air travel. I brought my layered necklaces, which I get a lot of use from, and wear them together or on their own. You can also buy the paperclip chain separately. And because it’s a chain … the length is easily adjustable.
WHERE TO STAY IN PASO ROBLES
Cindy recommended the Stables Inn as a cute place to stay just minutes from her house and a few blocks from the historic downtown. The boutique motel is owned by a local family and Cindy’s family and friends often stay there when visiting for holidays and her guest rooms are full. The motel even has a Bunk House (family suite that sleeps six) that Cindy’s family has booked.
I stayed in a California King Room … and it felt a little like a rustic W hotel room. You know what I mean … small but well laid out and equipped. I appreciated having a small refrigerator because I’ve taken to traveling (road trips only) with my milk frother so I can make my own cocoa in the mornings.
Evocative of white washed stables … everything about the motel is horse-ranch charming. Teak benches outside the rooms encourage guest to enjoy the warm days and cool nights. And in the center of the parking an island oasis with two fire pits and several seating areas set up for guests to enjoy morning coffee and afternoon wine.
In the morning coffee, tea, yogurt and coffee cake (yum!) is available in the lobby along with another cute seating area.
Visiting Paso Robles for a little wine tasting? Learn more here.
I drove home Thursday afternoon. Palo Robes is a-just-under-four-hour drive from my part of the Bay Area. It was a breeze driving down, but on the way back I ran into commute traffic which extended the drive by two hours. Sigh. But, no matter, after spending three days with these inspiring women in Cindy’s beautiful home in the Paso Robes wine country my head is still floating up in the clouds. Mary Ann gave us these cute Louis Sherry tins of chocolates before we departed.
A huge thank you to Cindy, Annie and Mary Ann for putting so much thought and effort into creating a beautiful experience during our three days together.
And that’s what I have for you this week.
Let’s see what’s inspiring Kim and Elizabeth …
If you missed my last post, you can catch up here.
You can also follow along on Instagram and Pinterest.
Any thoughts you’d like to share?
I’d love to hear them and you can drop them in the comments below.
Cheers from Snowberry!
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