January 22, 2008
girly getaway
pier, Nick's cove, on Tomales Bay, Canon Digital Rebel Xti
One of my intentions this year is to have more girly time. At some point I realized that I had slipped away from girlfriends that I love and decided that if it wasn't going to happen organically (I rarely have spontaneous coffee dates or stay out late in the city these days) I was going to have to institute something more official. This has currently taken the form of monthly girly slumber parties. I discovered these recently when a friend of mine was going through a breakup. I could tell that she didn't want to sleep in her house alone so I offered to come sleep over. It was such sweet time that we had her sleep over here the following week. There is something so rich and intimate about a good old fashioned slumber party. If you haven't had one in a while, I recommend it!
With that in mind, my friend Marcia who is a food writer and the founder of the column and site Tablehopper thought of me for an incredible overnight stay at the new restaurant and cottages called Nick's Cove. It is Pat Kuleto's new creation. He is the owner of Farallon, Boulevard, Jardiniere and many other gorgeous San Francisco restaurants. He is known for his design style and his knack for transporting you. She was on assignment at Nick's and I got to be her guest. (Hot tip to readers: Make friends with a food writer!)
The adventure began when Marcia picked me up in her sassy little red italian car. I am not usually impressed by cars but I have to admit that it was fun to be the girls in the hot little number zooming along the highway. People were letting us into traffic a bit more than usual, and every motorcyclist that zipped by gave us a wave and a salute. Seriously. We looked that cool. :) (The hours in my day when I look cool now are SO few I couldn't figure out all of the attention at first. I thought we had a taillight busted or a skirt caught in the door)
Marcia, the Tablehopper, with her little red Alfa, Canon Digital Rebel Xti
Petaluma cow, Canon Digital Rebel Xti
The cottages are out near Point Reyes, one of the most beautiful places on earth. Truly, if you come to the bay area take a little day trip here. It has some of the most beautiful roads, beaches and hiking around. Not to mention the food... I tried my very first oyster during this trip and it was amazing! I had always been afraid taste them and somehow escaped the opportunity all these years. As I was about to put it in my mouth, I thought of Ben, realizing that he gets this same scary feeling every day. Not knowing what something will taste like, or what it even what it is. I had so much compassion for him in that moment. Needless to say, it was delicious (some of the best oysters in the world come from this area) and the barbecued oysters were off the hook.
trying my first oyster, Canon Digital Rebel Xti
Our cottage had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a wood burning stove and heated italian tile in the bathrooms. Fresh local cheeses, apples and wine arrived to our room before dinner, fresh bread and french press coffee were at our door when we woke up. I know. I am torturing you, so I will stop there. It was dreamy.
Big Rocks cottage, where we stayed at Nick's cove, Canon Digital Rebel Xti
Have you had your dose of girly time lately? I highly recommend it... a slumber party can do wonders.
Marcia, the Tablehopper, Canon Digital Rebel Xti
So inspiring. BEAUTIFUL photos. I want to do this with my girl friends. I'm so glad you posted about it and shared the photos. thank you
Posted by: Catherine J at January 25, 2008 11:49 PMyes, yes, girly fun and adventure. and slumber parties! i saw you over today at shutter sisters...i have a great feeling about that site, too.
many warm wishes,
kelly
yes, yes, girly fun and adventure. and slumber parties! i saw you over today at shutter sisters...i have a great feeling about that site, too.
many warm wishes,
kelly
ah, welcome to one of my favorite spots!!! Used to be that the only people who knew much of this area were bicyclists and oyster lovers. I'm hoping things don't get too fancy and overpriced with the development of Nick's Cove. It's such a treasure to find unpretentious lovely spots like these.
This is so random, but I found you through a blog that I read - http://delinquentdeb.blogspot.com/.
The crazy part is that the first post I saw on your blog is about Nick's cove. I did a photoshoot during the holidays on Nick's cove for three families...you can see some of the pictures in my "imagery I" gallery- in the "is found section." You'll probably recognize some of the locations. www.wrecklessphotography.com is my website. Funny, eh? Nick's cove is the most wonderful place! My client is the chef at the restaurant (Parke), and the cabins are the most delightful structures i've ever been in. The whole little town is so magical, I was blessed to wander about and to know that such a place exists!
Posted by: kristy b. (aka, wrecklessgirl) at January 24, 2008 12:23 AMLurker here!
Point Reyes was the first place I went when I arrived in SF in 94. We rented a car and drove. I still have a picture of a deer I took there...oh, and me with BIG dread locks sittin on a rock. Man, you and Schmoopy are bringing me the memories today!
Thanks!
So cool!
My husband used to have an Alfa! We LOVED it!
Oh, your descriptions are fantastic. Good for you; I can sense the happiness through all these photos. What fun! Yes, we ALL need more girly time... sigh.
Posted by: Wendee at January 23, 2008 10:00 AMYou had me at "OYSTERS"! I am putting this place on my list of dream get-aways for sure.
P.S. I'm finally delurking, sheepishly, thanks to Shutter Sisters!
Posted by: Sarah-Ji at January 23, 2008 07:42 AMwow. this place is so perfectly beautiful, it almost looks fake. the picture os the petaluma cow is my favorite.
andrea, you're awesome! i've lost touch with almost all of my girlfriends. maybe i just need to find them again...
thanks so much-
This makes me more anxious for spring to arrive!
Posted by: Sarah at January 23, 2008 07:17 AMENVY!
I just may plan my own girly sleepover. With toenail painting. And double dares. And root beer floats. And a sign on the door that says NO BOYS ALLOWED!
:)
Posted by: Krystyn at January 22, 2008 10:19 PMGood Lord that sounds AMAZING.
Posted by: Rae at January 22, 2008 09:43 PMGorgeous, wonderful pictures there....they capture the essence of your slumber party.
Posted by: Wayfarer Scientista at January 22, 2008 08:20 PMGorgeous, wonderful pictures there....they capture the essence of your slumber party.
Posted by: Wayfarer Scientista at January 22, 2008 08:19 PMGorgeous, wonderful pictures there....they capture the essence of your slumber party.
Posted by: Wayfarer Scientista at January 22, 2008 08:19 PMWe spent a day driving out to and hanging out at Tomales Bay a few months ago. I hadn't been there in YEARS. So gorgeous. I was heartbroken to see that the park there is one slated for closing in Arnold's proposed budget cuts. :(
Posted by: Marilyn at January 22, 2008 06:43 PMThat looks like so much fun! I love the photo of the cow too! I came over from your shutter sister info page. :) Great site!
Posted by: Lisa's Chaos at January 22, 2008 06:04 PMsounds lovely. i'm having a girly slumber party in dallas this weekend and i can't wait. your post got me even more excited!
Posted by: melissa at January 22, 2008 06:02 PMright on, andrea. we all need girlie time. it reminds us who we were before and grounds us in who we are now. sometimes i feel like its the only time we're really truly understood. glad you got to do it in such a beautiful place!
Posted by: umber at January 22, 2008 05:41 PMwow, how lucky for you!
Does she need to come to Portland anytime soon?
You are my feature today on Today's Creative Blog!
Enjoy!
Oh dear, we are completely overwhelmed by winter here... imagine cold and lots and lots of snow... so reading your entry was like a short holiday, somewhere where the grass is green and the sky an astonishing blue...
it felt good, thank you!
Posted by: m-c at January 22, 2008 02:12 PMthis is great! life gets away from us sometimes and we forget to take time for the fun stiff. i'm going to call my girlies!
thank you!
Posted by: Ruby at January 22, 2008 01:38 PMWow! What a feast for the senses! I love all the imagery here! Such beautiful photos.
Posted by: Megan at January 22, 2008 01:27 PMi am so happy knowing you had this time and were doing the things you love to do....the pictures are incredible and totally stir up my traveling gypsy threads!
xoxo
jen gray
Oh, the jealousy! All in love, of course! I love your reflection and insight on trying new foods. I have never looked at that aspect of life through my little man's eyes. It is a very sobering thought.
Posted by: Lisa at January 22, 2008 01:10 PMCongrats on your first oyster! I, too, tried my first one in Point Reyes, more than ten years ago now. All I can say is that my initial trepidation was quickly followed by passionate obsession. Point Reyes is a great place to lose one's oyster virginity ... I'm glad you enjoyed your "first time," too :)
~ a frequent reader and happy Superhero customer
Posted by: Imogen at January 22, 2008 12:57 PMso glad you had such a wonderful experience! photos are amazing...as always andrea.
Posted by: jessica at January 22, 2008 12:56 PMA good friend of mine lives in Merced but works in Berkeley...luckily she only has to come to the office two times a week when she has to come in. This is good for her and her little one who is a couple of months older than Ben!
The best part for me is that when she has to come to town, we get a slumber party. Even though it's not vacation-down time, it is always great to reconnect. Right now we are training buddies for a half marathon ... she may not be joining in the actual run, but she has committed to the training schedule. So, when she comes to town, we usually get a run in the morning, a great dinner with fabulous conversation and sometimes we treat ourselves to a massage!
love the slumber party
Posted by: Anna at January 22, 2008 12:11 PMI think I need some of this! You've inspired me to plan a slumber party!
I saw you on Shutter Sisters! I'm excited to see even more of the site! Congrats on being included!
Posted by: Maya at January 22, 2008 12:05 PMWhat an absolutely beautiful, inspirational, place! My jaw is dropped.
Posted by: Belinda at January 22, 2008 11:51 AMThat sounds like great fun!! My group of friends and I used to do that in law school from time to time. It was a great stress release. I think it is something I need to plan on very soon!
Posted by: andrea at January 22, 2008 11:34 AMI totally agree 100% - girly time overnight is SO Needed. I went on a girly weekend down to Santa Cruz not too long ago with a couple of girl friends and it was magical and wonderful. Here's to you and having slumber parties :) Let's bring them BACK!!
xoxo
Posted by: stef at January 22, 2008 11:29 AMI love the idea of a slumber party, and am trying to figure out why I'd never thought of it before ...
... thanks so much for the inspiration!
Posted by: Chookooloonks at January 22, 2008 11:20 AM