Photo Shoot with The Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay

Arguably the best shot. Period.

Outtakes

This past August I was approached with a dream opportunity to not only style, but star in a photo shoot for The Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay, California. 

Behind the scenes

Created a flat lay inspiration board to prep for the shoot

I was given three scenarios (checking in, eating breakfast and downtown excursion) for which I was to style outfits for my partner and I. 

Prepping the behind the scenes takes

Outtakes 

My first time experiencing this particular Ritz Carlton property and no surprise it’s lovely. Always an eye and a nose for detail, I loved the scent we were greeted with upon entering the hotel lobby. This Ritz is just okay as it is a bit dated and the rooms reflect that point.

——— FINAL PHOTOS ———

——— That’s a Wrap! ———

Behind the scenes in downtown Half Moon Bay

Thank you to the photographer & videographer on set. It was a pleasure to work with everyone on this project.

Behind the scenes getting ready to start filming 

Shout out to the owner of this vintage Porsche. What an absolute dream car and opportunity to model with this beauty. Obviously the highlight of the shoot.

Outtakes

Shout out to the nice bellhop who opened and closed that car door probably 20 times before we got the winning shots. 

Thank you to The Ritz-Carlton crew for allowing the model a quick wine break in between takes. It was crisp. It was cold. It was good. It was needed.

The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay

THIS POST HAS BEEN SPONSORED BY 

THE RITZ CARLTON 

HALF MOON BAY

#HMBpartner

ALL THOUGHTS & OPINIONS ARE MINE.

Thank You to BCV for reaching out and involving me in this project.

1st B&B and it was in Placerville of all places

 

A Bed and Breakfast in the middle of fire country would not be my first choice for a getaway. 

But Holiday Inn just wasn’t gonna cut it for me. 

With that being said, obviously Holiday Inn was Holiday Out. And after an extensive hour and a half search, I came up on availability at a quaint, peaceful looking Bed & Breakfast called Eden Vale Inn. Finding a place on a weekend during wedding season is no peace of cake, especially out in the middle of the country. But I lucked out and booked a nice room overlooking the entrance to the Inn. Located in Placerville, it was about a 2.5 hour road trip, leaving my home in the Bay Area.

Eden Vale Inn asked for an honest GoogleReview so here’s what I wrote:

“Leave your kids, the suburbs and your worries behind. Out here there’s nothing but peace and quiet. Our suite was the Gray Pine and for inquiring minds, this room overlooks the entrance to the inn. Robes upon request, as are the masseuses. Yes! There is absolutely an on-site spa room where I thoroughly enjoyed a deep tissue massage before a soak in our giant tub.

The Gray Pine. Our suite for the weekend.

The on-site spa room.

You are in the middle of the country, so Uber and DoorDash are not going to be your best bet. We ended up using a cab service to shuttle us to and from a Wedding we were attending. Keep that in mind! Breakfast is a set menu every morning and it was OK. I’m not big on eggs so I ended up not eating breakfast the second morning. I didn’t realize we wouldn’t be able to choose what we wanted, and I was secretly disappointed. I wasn’t there on the day waffles were being served. lol. There was a shared kitchenette where we could store the drinks we brought, and any food if we wanted to.

Nice robes on request.

Eden Vale has a private pond with a row boat.

The grounds at Eden Vale Inn

 The bed was of the utmost comfort, which is probably like the most important detail. The shower was just as fabulous as the outdoor tub. The room was incredibly welcoming, serene and very cozy. And the views, just wow. Lovely grounds and a nice welcoming staff.

The room was quite nice. Very peaceful.

The outdoor tub on the deck was deep. It was wonderful.

Actually really good well water at your disposal.

The lovely grounds of Eden Vale at sunset.

 OK, so what’s an honest review without some cons right? I mean nothing major, but details matter. With that said, the towels were rough. Literally. Like sandpaper. So do yourself a favor and bring your own bath towels because I think they might not use fabric softener, which is probably to conserve. Getting out of that nice dual head shower or that nice deep, soaking tub and using a rough towel is no fun! Kind of ruins the experience, ya know? Not for nothing but considering I think I paid $500 plus, for a second night there, I mean fluffy towels should be a no-brainer...maybe the towels are better in other rooms. I don’t know. All I know is our towels were bad enough for me to mention it.

 And before anyone, cops, an attitude, I am California born and raised. So fire season is not something I am a stranger to. With that said, I don’t know if I needed a post-it on my candle, telling me open flames were prohibited. I get it. We are surrounded by dry timber. I thought the “no open flame policy” was for the outside deck area…I know I’m not the only one who brings travel candles for ambience. And while I did acquiesce to their request on the post-it, obviously, I was slightly annoyed. But since we are guests on someone’s property, we threw away our $200 candle.… I’m just kidding! Lol

 Just a minor nuisance but yeah, leave your candles at home if you’re going to stay here. AND yes…my responsible self never left the room with the candle lit. It was blown out anytime we left… I noticed they also unplugged my hair straightener, which, for the record was also off. But something tells me their paranoia about fires is more than the average bear...understandable. 100%… I just admittedly have to say it felt like my mom came into my room while I was gone lol! Leaving notes and unplugging straighteners…mom, that you? Okay I’m done. You’ll love it here. Just leave your candles and bring your towels and you’ll be good!”

When Eden Vale responded to my review, they didn’t understand that my candle was brought along more for the SCENT than the mood lighting aspect. I should note they do have an exquisite lighting situation, lending to customized lighting in your room and bathroom. A nice detail. Candles aren’t necessary for mood lighting. BUT I like my room to smell how I want my room to schmellll. Ugh, I digress. The likelihood of us staying there in the future is slim. Mainly because we aren’t out that way very often. But if you ARE out that way, I would definitely stay there. 

Considering the surrounding alternatives, trust, this is your best bet if you follow my recommendations.

I was here for a wedding nearby, so here I am all dolled up!
Dress by Bec & Bridge

My ever-so-perfect luggage for this trip.

 The robes are perfect.

About time I blow this popsicle stand!

First getaway…without a baby.

It should come as no surprise it was down to Palm Springs. 

A. I love Palm Springs. It’s close. It’s hot. I dig the retro vibes. And especially the hospitality. It’s always a good time and the perfect escape.

B. When I say close, it’s only an hour and half plane ride which was key for this specific trip. First time away from the kiddo and the first time Grandma would have to be on her shit 24/7. A lot of firsts and it took me 2 years to be comfortable getting away without Delilah. Baby steps. But as a new mom, you just know when you’re ready, so don’t feel like you’re on anyone else’s timeline other than your own. We all have a different timeline of when we feel it’s right to leave our babes. And it’s important to get that time away. Trust me you need it. I didn’t realize how much I needed it. 

I’ve been with Delilah 24/7 since the moment she entered this world. My first vacation since the pandemic pandemonium started was last Spring, and I definitely traveled with Delilah. I just wasn’t ready to leave her, not even in the safe care of my parents. I just wasn’t ready! No way to explain it other than you just get a feeling. Listen to your body. Listen to your soul. You get mommy vibes all the time so pay attention to them. And when you’re ready, you’ll know. 

Annnnd after 2 years of being glued to Miss D, I suddenly felt like everyone was ready…me, my parents and of course Delilah. Maaaaybe it had a little something to do with Delilah hitting those infamous “terrible two’s” that I suddenly decided I was perfectly fine with getting away for a minute.

I booked a sweet little villa at a 21+ only resort that I’d been wanting to check out. I drive by it every time I stay in Palm Springs and from the outside, it looked like a slice of Heaven…a very serene vibe that explains the NO kid policy. What a lovely policy indeed. Exceptions are made for doggies on a case by case basis. But me thinks they say yessss to pretty much all the puppers because while kids are tolerable, it’s safe to say we all love dogs. 

So, anyway, back to my Villa in Heaven…I stayed in Villa 16 at La Serena Villas. And it was SO peaceful and secluded that I didn’t want to leave. Usually I am somewhat ready to get back home at the end, but this time it was a fucking bittersweet farewell. La Serena Villas is the embodiment of an escape. A perfect little oasis in the desert. It was truly the perfect place to get away…getting massages and facials…spending the day away laying by the pool, ordering tacos and cold beers…can you feel it? It was wonderful. Never been so sad to check out of somewhere in my life. This was the first time I hardly left the resort property because it was that good.

It’s funny. It’s like I got a taste of freedom again and I wasn’t in any hurry to let it go. I got the break I needed but definitely wasn’t super eager to return to poopy diapers and the attitude. The attitude only parents of a 2-year-old can understand. 

And of course, when I arrived home I was excited to see my munchkin.

But when the going gets tough, the tough check into a villa for a few days.

And I highly recommend La Serena Villas if you’re in Palm Springs and looking for an adult retreat.