Waxing Poetic

The final stop of my retail therapy in Los Olivos was Waxing Poetic, a jewelry, charms, candles and housewares boutique.  You may have heard of Waxing Poetic as they has been mentioned in a number of publications and is not only available in their two boutiques (Los Olivos and Summerland) but also in numerous boutiques across the country.  The last time I was in Los Olivos they were in a different location so I was excited to visit the new store and of course, peruse all the dainty treasures.

When you enter the store, you immediately feel as if you are in someone's living room.  Books line the walls, there is a beautiful writing desk and you are surrounded by intricately designed charms, jewelry, scarves and candles...just to name a few.  I found myself getting lost in the store as I immediately began thinking of all the sentimental gifts that I could pick up here.  Something for the bride, for your pregnant sister, your mother, a first communion.  Truly, they have embraced the moments of life and created opportunities for you to give something that is just not a gift but something that will be held on to forever.  I may have also started my own "wish list" for the hubby while I was inside.  As with all the boutiques I visited while in the valley, the customer service was phenomenal and even though I have discovered all the locations Waxing Poetic is available in Orange County, there is still something special about being in this store in Los Olivos.  It is a very special little place.

You can visit the Los Olivos boutique at 2477 Alamo Pintado Ave. or click here to find where Waxing Poetic is sold near you.  

I also recommend following them on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with their new pieces.

Wendy Foster

Nestled next door to my favorite coffee house in Los Olivos is Wendy Foster, a boutique that exudes classic sophistication with a relaxed country feel.  The walls are filled with art representing the Santa Ynez Valley while the tables and racks are filled with simple yet chic pieces that fit right into the Los Olivos lifestyle...or any lifestyle for that matter.  With designers such as Vince, Joie and Current Elliott alongside local designers such as Emily Rosendahl, there was just too much goodness in one place for me to handle.  The staff was extremely friendly and I had a wonderful time chatting with them while I shopped.  Just like I said with yesterday's visit, I will definitely be back.      

Wendy Foster is located at 2928 San Marcos Ave., Los Olivos, Ca. with additional locations in Santa Barbara.  I highly suggest following their Instagram account to see all the new merchandise they receive, along with shots from their life in Los Olivos.   

Returning Home

Oh Monday, you always arrive too soon.

Today we are heading home from yet another wonderful few days in the Santa Ynez valley.  I am not sure what it is about this place that tugs at the heart strings of both my husband and I but we just cannot ever get enough.  I would like to chalk it up to us both going to college in the Central Coast but it is more than that.  We have friends that live here that we just adore spending time with.  We love walking from the house to the local coffee shop, letting the kids run through empty fields, eating some incredible "farm to table" food, wine tasting, meeting and getting to know many of the locals and overall, just embracing the relaxed feeling that being in the valley brings.  As soon as we leave, I am already thinking about planning our next trip back.  Anyone else have a place that does this to them?

I did step away from the family just a bit to visit a few of the local boutiques and am excited to share each of them with you.  The retail therapy in the valley continues to get better and better and I thought I would share some of my favorites.  Keep an eye out for them over the next few days.  

Now it is time to pack up the house, jump on the 101 and re-enter reality, but first I think I am going to do one more walk through the canyon, just to catch one more breathe.

If you are interested in seeing more of our trips to the Santa Ynez Valley, here are some additional posts from last year (January, February, May).  I also updated my favorites!

Happy Monday.

Santa Ynez Faves

I promise this is my last Santa Ynez post.  I just thought that since this truly is one of my favorites places ever, I would share some places that have made the trips there so amazing.  Perhaps this helps you plan a trip there or just gives you a little more insight into this little town.  Either way, it was fun to pull together and it makes me excited to go back.

Accommodations

Santa Ynez Inn

Santa Ynez Vacation Rentals

Food

Breakfast and Coffee
Corner House Coffee 

Sides Hardware & Shoes

Lunch

Panino

Dinner

Ballard Inn Restaurant
Flatbread's
Mattei's Tavern
Petro's Restaurant

S.Y. Kitchen

Trattoria Grappolo

Treats

Enjoy Cupcakes

Staffords Famous Chocolates

Shopping
Los Olivos General Store
Plenty Boutique
Waxing Poetic
Wendy Foster

Wine Tasting

Demetria Estate

Gainey Vineyard

Roblar Winery

Saarloos and Sons

Tantara Winery

Horseback Riding:

Vino Vaqueros

Bar and Line Dancing:

Maverick Saloon

If you are interested in looking back at some of our previous trips to Santa Ynez this year, here is January, February and May.  

Memorial Day Weekend

As I mentioned yesterday, we spent our Memorial Day weekend in Los Olivos with friends.  Back when we were all there in February, we had decided that we MUST plan another weekend back and so we did.

This weekend could not have come at a better time.  I needed a weekend away!  We rented a house in downtown Los Olivos and spent our days horseback riding, wine tasting, resting, exercising, cooking, eating, and enjoying the simple pleasures of life.  And I just love that even though we do not live close, all of our kids are becoming friends.  Just like last time, it was incredibly hard to say goodbye.  And yes, I am already thinking about our next trip up there.

These pictures could go on for days but I am going to try and show just a few of my favorites.

A Quick Glimpse

Yesterday we returned from four days in Los Olivos and I am just not ready to get back to "real life".  We had such an amazing time, which I will tell you all about, but here is just a quick glimpse from the iPhone.  More to come soon!

And I can't take credit for all of these.  Our friend takes some pretty fab photos so I stole them from his instagram (@mcclain922).  Thanks C for sharing!