Go Far // Desolation Wilderness

This week I took a couple days off to go backpacking with some of my bro-dudes in Desolation Wilderness, just west of Lake Tahoe.  We started our journey at Echo Lake and walked 26 miles to Emerald Bay, camping out at a couple lakes along the way.  Our trail was an overlapping route of The Pacific Crest Trail that extends from Mexico to Canada, and the Tahoe Rim Trail that wraps the circumference of the lake, the terrain littered with stunning swim spots and wildflowers.  This time of year the thru-hikers on the PCT are walking this stretch and we were lucky enough to meet a bunch of them and ask them about their trip.  Here are some of my favorite outtakes from the journey, enjoy.

Dick's Pass overlooking Dick's Lake and Fontinellis Lake

Morning view at Middle Velma Lake

Loupin

Josh getting ready to fish

Lake Aloha

Campsite at Lake Gilmore

Bro-ing it out with my crew plus Michael, a PCT hiker who stayed a night with us

Mosquitos!

L O V E + M E T A L 

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GO FAR // BIG SUR

One of the best things about living in the Bay Area is our close proximity to so many beautiful excursions.  Big Sur is so close, the drive is easy and lovely, and when I am there I feel transported far away from my home.  It gives you that travel feeling without having to go very far or long.

This last weekend my best bud Lynsey and I drive down for two nights of car camping at Fernwood.  We hiked at Andrew Molera and Julia Burns, ate a relaxed lunch at Nepenthe, and cooked over the fire pit.  Here are a few outakes from our trip, enjoy.

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#DTLA

Honestly, I have never spent any time in Los Angeles... I guess I always figured it would be 'so LA'.  But to my surprise, Downtown LA really reminded me a lot of downtown Oakland.  Until recently it was dead quiet, a sort of no mans land sitting on a ton of beautiful architecture and history.  Developing these spaces is complicated to be sure, but watching a resergence of vitality is at the very least interesting.  Downtown LA has a lot of old theaters that are now being converted into other types of use, like the Ace Hotel and some as churches.  

The Ace DTLA | Hipster Paradise

Within a short walk of the Ace, we found Umami Burger, Aesop, Tanner Goods, and Botega Louie.  The old buildings are housing thriving businesses with a real strong aesthetic influence, mingling up with the gritty nature of the surrounding streets.  Kind of like our home Town.

We were in the cross section of the fashion district and jewelry district, the clothing was a total knock out.  We joked the whole time that us Bay Area girls are so tomboyish and practical.  Seeing all the fashion, ranging from bohemian to avant garde to beach bunny, really made me think about being a bit more adventurous with my clothing... We'll see about that.  

Here are some out takes from our week, enjoy!

Rooftop views at the Ace

A beautiful place to unwind after a long day

Pretty tiles in the Ace Cafe 

View from my bed, an old Jesus Saves neon sign from a now defunct evangelical church

Jewelry | Diamonds

The Empire |  prettiest building downtown 

The Dude Abides

Church | Theatre

Tanner Goods

Baco Mercat

Ace Rooftop

Coeur showroom floor

DTLA Murals

Westside.

L O V E + M E T A L

S P R E A D T H E L O V E

Catch Up // Happenings + Inspiration

It's been a packed couple weeks and though I've been taking lots of photos, I haven't put together posts on each topic.  Instead of fretting or letting photos go to waste, I've created a mash-up cheater post to share with you ....everything all at once!  Sneaky-sneaky...  and enjoy xoxo

Emma Robertson of Emma Dime and Lo Crosier of LoCro invited a bunch of ladies over for happy hour at their co-joined studio spaces {dreamy}.  Also check it: Emma's book just came out! http://amzn.to/1gACDTe

Made this little rosecut diamond ring for Heather and Jon.  Jon actually made the band himself!

After getting back from the Grand Canyon and Zion, I was hungry for a good view... so I went for a 10 mile run on Mt. Tam.  Lovely.

For some reason I got a crazy craving for oysters, so I drove out to The Marshall Store and ate a dozen BBQs with a buddy.  We then stopped at Tomales Oyster Co. and picked up a sack to BBQ at my childhood friend's house in West Marin.  This here is a Golden Nugget, a name right after my jeweler heart.

Uh, did I mention we got featured in SUNSET MAGAZINE?!  Guess I should have mentioned that, it was such a huge honor!  My neighbors Marion and Rose + Umami Mart were featured as well.

Took an overnight to my namesake/god-auntie's house in Sebastopol.  We had a campfire with wine and great conversation, and I did an early morning jog through the orchards the next day.  I also did an Enneagram and discovered I am a 7-- The Enthusiast/Epicure.

Just a pretty Oakland Sunset captured from my bedroom window.

Took a weekend trip to my Grandpa's house near Whiskytown Lake, and took the boat out for a picnic.

Found a bunch of old photos at my Grandpa's house, this one is of the two of us.  He calls me Katy-Bird.

My favorite place to sleep in the whole world, out on my Grandpa's porch during the summer.  Crickets singing, stars blarring.

Hiked out to Alamere Falls/ Bass Lake.  I grew up in West Marin and unbelievably had never been before.  Gonna go back with my bathing suit for a dip next time.

Bass Lake is a 3 mile hike in from Mesa Road in Bolinas.

The Falls.  Like Whoa.

Walked out to the new tower on the Bay Bridge.  Pretty awesome.  It's 7 miles round-trip though, so wear sunscreen {this dummy forgot}.

Got out my sandcasting tools to craft a special ring for a client who wanted to use silver her Dad had given her, in remembrance.  

The result.  

That about brings us up to date, friends.  xoxo

L O V E + M E T A L 

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