Carmel by the Sea {part two}

Last week,  I posted about my

memorable California trip to see these

two dear friends of mine.

Kathysue of Good Life of Design,

and Jeanette. (of HGTV fame)

One of the many travel days we enjoyed

was a trip to Carmel by the Sea.

Look at my Part 1 post when we visited

Jan de Luc's French shop.

I also wanted to share with you pics of

some of the other amazing shops we visited.

We were disappointed this charming

 Tea Room was closed. 

But, tucked just behind this was a cute

garden shop where we found these...

I "heart" these stepping stones.  :)

You've heard of the now-popular Fairy Gardens...

How about a Rooster Garden.  

One of my fave places was a French-style

Floral Shop...

I know, let the ooh's and aah's commence.

Buckets and buckets of flowers where you

could build your own bouquet...

- or simply choose one of these breathtaking

pre-made bouquets.

Sigh worthy.

Don't you just love these French flower baskets?

Just outside, was a charming courtyard -

Filled with more "loverlyness."

In fact, loverlyness overfloweth.

I am definitely copying this idea this Fall...

"Nests" of straw at the base of topiaries.

Look how the mini orange pumpkins just pop!

This is another topiary base, but even a plain

ole' terra cotta pot would make a statement

when given this beautiful pumpkin

and straw treatment.

And I don't know about you...

But I am going to be on the lookout 

for a Rusty Roo.

:)

After a day of shopping,

we just had to end our day with a sunset visit to

Carmel Beach.  Its the "thing" to do.

So, after a yummy dinner, with to-go

lattes and cappucino's in hand, 

we headed out here...

I thought for sure we would see

Clint Eastwood lounging around.

(we didn't see Doris Day, either)  :(

But, we saw this...

- and I stepped into the cold Pacific ocean 

for the very first time...

Jeanette and I needed no words to

say exactly what we were feeling...

After frolicking in the waves... we settled down 

in our beach chairs to watch this -

and this...

and this...

Whaaaaat!  Stop the truck!

Huh?

Introducing the one guy at Carmel 

who thought it was ok to stand right in

front of us, a few feet away.  

So I kicked sand on him.

No, no I didn't.

But,  this Carolina girl wanted to.  :)

Eventually, he moved.

And we witnessed a few moments of 

pure wonder.

These are moments when you thank God

for family, health, fortune and

good friends...

Life friends.  Get your toes in the sand friends.

Thank you for letting me share my

trip to Carmel with you.

Soon, I will share our trip to Mill Valley

where we toured one my fave chef's

beautiful shop, Tyler Florence, and also ate

at his restaurant, El Paseo.

xxoo

Sharing with Wow Us Wednesday with

Kim at Savvy Southern Style.