The Old Sugar Mill

I spent much of Saturday afternoon at The Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg, CA. I had never been out there before, and I fell in love immediately. I have an affinity of old things, and this old factory building, with it's cracked windows and beautiful bricks drew me in. 

It was so convenient to have at least a dozen different wineries represented at the Wine & Cheese Fair. I tend to stay away from chardonnay because of the buttery after taste I usually get with them. But the beauty of a wine tasting is that you can try wines you usually wouldn't spend $15 on in the grocery store just to dislike it and not drink it! I found two wineries with chardonnays that I liked. And I even bought a rose, which I never like (despite my white-girl-pinterest "rose all day!" hopes...). But the Merlo Family Vineyard's rose was just right, not too sweet or bubbly. 

There were food trucks out on the back lawn, live music, and plenty of excited energy milling about. To be honest, I did feel a bit awkward at first, being there along. Especially when it came time to take a picture and I had to either awkwardly hold my wine glass or find a place to set it down that was out of the way (the struggle is real, I know)! But after a while I began to relax. It was fun talking to the different wine experts, wandering through the sugar mill grounds, and putting myself out there to enjoy a community event. And, I kept my promise to the internet to go out this weekend and be brave. So there's that accomplishment!

xxo

A Glimpse Inside an Introvert's Head

Oh! That sounds like a fun event. I bet I'd get a couple decent pics to use for social media and the blog. I should totally go.

But what if I see someone I don't want to see and am forced to make that split second decision to knowingly ignore them or just go for the awkward, "oh my gosh how are you? it's been forever! what are you up to?"

And then if I'm stuck in the latter situation, how to I play it off that I'm not actually working right now and feel totally directionless? I know! Bring up grad school...always a good backup. I mean, that's essentially why you went to grad school, right? To make other people think you have drive and smarts and determination?

Just go, Kelly. It'll be fun! You regularly regret not going to these things. And nearly every time you do go out you end up really enjoying yourself.

Ok, I'm going.

Buuuuuut.....

AND IT NEVER ENDS

The two events I'm going to attend this weekend include a wine and cheese event at The Old Sugar Mill, and an evening at Fairytale Town with local beer and food trucks. I know, sounds amazing, right? And it's not even like I never go out by myself. I almost always choose to go out to eat or on adventures by myself because it's easy and comfortable. 

My friend Melissa is amazing at being totally chill in encounters with friends/people you knew long ago but havent seen in ages. I envy that ease. And I'm learning to just go for it and fake it 'til I make it. Which I guess only gets easier with time and repetition. 

So here we go: Next week you will see pictures here and stories along with them about The Old Sugar Mill and Fairytale Town. And I can't break a promise to the internet...

xxo

Totally Look The Part

This week I have two interviews that I am excited about. One is for a job in Sacramento, the other in Manhattan. I've been going back and forth in my mind moment by moment, second to second, as to which job I would take if offered both. And as of this morning, I don't think I have a clear answer. But a sweet little soul I used to babysit for ,who is now an even more beautiful young woman than I could have imagined, reminded me that an answer will present itself at just the right time...

So until then, I'm heading into each interview with confidence. Whenever I dress up for work or an interview and get to wear my blazer, I always think of Elle Woods on her first day of classes at Harvard. Elle Woods is one of my idols. I've always loved Legally Blonde, and Elle is a beautiful example of a woman who is both feminine and commanding. She believes in herself first and foremost, and finds happiness in her own accomplishments and within real relationships.

One of my bucket list items of things to accomplish before I am 35 is to have a job I can dress up for. And even though I am eight months in to a year of no clothes shopping, I still believe that clothes and fashion and sense of style greatly influences how we see ourselves, and how others see us. 

Before she goes to tackle her first day of classes at Harvard, Elle looks in the mirror, double checking her outfit and says with such confidence and enthusiasm, "Totally look the part!"

xxo

An Afternoon in Lodi

Saturday I had the chance to meet up with a friend from school for dinner. We met up in Lodi, which is half way between where she lives and where I live. I decided to venture out to Lodi a couple hours before we were to meet up to wander around the downtown area. 

Several things about it reminded me of Old Sacramento. There were a lot of antique shops and little boutiques. The downside though to a small down like Lodi, or Old Sacramento, is that a majority of the shops closed at 5pm on a Saturday, which did not serve me well. But I got a beer and delicious sweet potato fries from a restaurant called The Dancing Fox in the mean time. 

Also made two new friends along the way...

I ended up spending about an hour at a wine bar called Wine Social before meeting up with my friend. I loved the set up because there was a bar area to order drinks and food, but then the rest of the restaurant was set up similar to a coffee shop, with couches and cushioned chairs. I found a comfy seat to read my book (read: The Goldfinch, which I am thoroughly enjoying. It's been so long since I've read a book that's not about feminism or sexuality or adolescent development...). In general I enjoy going out to eat alone with a book or my journal. And I think part of why I enjoy it so much is that I can be alone and reading or writing, but still be part of a bigger community/social experience...

We ate at a restaurant suggested by a yoga friend called Rosewood. It was delicious. It was so lovely to spend time with my school friend-to reconnect and discuss things going on in each of our lives. She's so funny and relatable. I appreciate her so much.

xxo

California's Capital

I'm not sure that I even visited the state capital when I was in elementary school for a field trip...All of my life I've lived here and have never seen the inside of our state capital. I've heard it so many times that you never really explore (at the least the more "touristy" parts) your own city. And it's even funny for me to think that people travel to Sacramento, like I travel to New York or Chicago or Seattle. 

A similar sentiment to what I've been posting lately is that I've got so much free time now to really explore the touristy parts, the up-and-coming parts, and the undiscovered parts (to me at least!) of my city. I only had enough change in my car for about 15 minutes on the street meter, but it's definitely on my list to go back to the capital and check it out more, especially the rose garden (so dreamy). 

xxo