FOCAL POINT STYLING

One of the good things about living in Arizona is it has blessed us with the opportunity to travel to some neighboring places, we wouldn't necessarily had afforded to explore if we still lived back east. One place we traveled to at the start of summer was a road trip to the west coast of California. Since our anniversary is in May, we usually take vacation time to explore someplace coastal. In Florida, we'd go to the Keys or the Gulf Coast. Here in AZ, we did a road trip to San Diego in 2012 (but it was more catching local attractions), and we skipped last year (because of separate family travel plans - Jeff attended his nephew's graduation and I headed to NJ to see my Godmother + Miami to see my mom). This year, we made it a point to relax plus take in some coastal time together. We took a road trip to Newport Beach & Carlsbad. Though the time was short, we spent most of it taking in coastal sights, sounds and scents along the Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach one day, two days in Newport Beach plus Balboa Island, and evenings in Carlsbad (where our hotel was). Being landlocked most of the year here in Arizona, experiencing the warmth of the sun and crisp salty sea air was very refreshing! Grab yourself a cup of coffee (or glass of wine) and enjoy taking in these coastal views for the last day of summer...

LOVE this panoramic shot Jeff captured on his iPhone!

Jeff on the Newport Pier...

Me on the rocks - zoning out in my "happy place"...

After driving for six hours to get to Newport, we parked to go walk the beach - and this was the first

thing we saw when we got out of the car - "Welcome To the Beach"...

Newport Beach, CA

Carlsbad Beach, CA

Balboa Island, CA

Since we were in Newport, we made it a point to go tour the newly renovated showroom of Barclay Butera - who had just down the Newport Beach Showhouse Tour the week before. Loved all the layers of crisp blue & white patterns, mixed with natural elements of seagrass and rattan...

Rooftop lunch in Laguna - right on the water... HEAVEN!

Anniversary Dinner - Carlsbad Chart House - on the water for sunset for our second night on the west coast...

We brought a blanket and wine to the beach, to catch the sunset our last night there...

Other travels together this summer were minimal, since Jeff was having a painful experience with sciatic - which lead to him having back surgery at the Spinal Institute in Scottsdale in mid-August. We did do a few local day trips, such as a picnic in Fountain Hills Park for Jeff's birthday, lunch plus grounds tour of the historic Arizona Biltmore for my birthday - and our last "golf-date" was probably also back in early May. Jeff misses being out on the course - I miss seeing the green grass and watering holes... but we probably don't miss either as much as the beach...

Farewell Summer - See you next year...

How was your Summer?

Did you create any special moments with your spouse, family or friends?

Hard to believe today is the last day of Summer - looking back (and still feelin' the heat!) it feels like it just began. But still looking forward to sweater weather for the Fall.

Thanks for stopping by!

Leave it to Ralph Lauren, a true American lifestyle designer, to create a storybook experience while shopping his new flagship sore in New York City. The new cafe is located on the second floor of an historic New York building on the corner of 55th Street, which is also the location of the first Polo Ralph Lauren flagship store - but it doesn't stop there. If you're in New York, you'll have to be sure to also be on the look-out for a Ralph's Coffee vintage green truck - a mobile means of serving the City he loves. Although I have not been to the new cafe, which opened during New York Fashion Week on September 8, it is said to hold an 'inviting blend of form and function with its delicious, private-label coffees made from organically grown beans, served in a residential-style atmosphere.' And thanks to social sharing, we can vicariously envision the experience... just minus the aroma, which also must be heavenly...

Coffee? Shopping? Ralph Lauren? and New York City? H-E-A-V-E-N...take me away!

Ralph's Roast

"In the front, mosaic-tiled floors, wood-paneling, and white brick create an ethereal café-light setting for a quick sip, complete with marble-topped tables and antique bistro-style chairs. In the back room, a honey-colored communal farmhouse table plays up white weathered bead board; a wall features a stylish take on French bakery racks filled with tomes on fashion and design." - Lonny mag - Jennifer Fernandez

Take a quick tour on Vine.

First cup, served to and signed by Ralph Lauren.

If you're blessed to be in the City, keep an eye out for the vintage green truck for Ralph's Coffee.

Ralph’s Coffee

Polo Ralph Lauren

711 Fifth Avenue at 55th Street

New York, NY 10022

Monday – Saturday 10:00am – 8:00pm

Sunday 11:00am – 8:00pm

Lauren started designing in 1966 with one tie drawer (in the Empire State Building) - and from there, he has designed, launched, and built a lifestyle empire of fashion for mens, women, children and home, plus store experiences, innovative fashion shows, marketing campaigns, a Paris restaurant, and now, a New York coffee cafe... What's left? I predict a vineyard and a wine line or limited edition car interiors.

Why not? It's Ralph's World - and I love it!

Thanks for stopping by!