Blogging Tour ~ Ruby Visits the Central Coast

The Journey Continues.....

So last week I shared with you my experiences visiting several attractions in the Burbank/Hollywood/Anaheim California area. How it was both so much fun, and yet the hardest thing physically I have done in a very long time and the repercussions certainly were not fun. I do hope to go back one day, but I would do it a very different way that is for sure. This week I want to share the next leg of our trip, the portion that covered many locations in the area of California that my husband and myself grew up in, the Central Coast of California and points north towards home, well our home for the last 9 years. I was ready to relax and in an odd way, have fun. Not that the previous few days were not fun, but on many levels as I discussed, amusement parks are no longer my type of fun, at least as far as my body goes...now it was on to country drives, small towns and wine tasting.... and a little bit of shopping of course.... I can always have fun with that! 

As you may recall, we left California Adventure early and headed to Westlake California to meet up for a glass of wine, a bit of pizza and some good conversation with my friend Elle. I met Elle a year ago as situation would have it, at a wine tasting room of our favorite winery Alapay Cellars in Avila Beach, and a conversation was struck up, photos taken and information was exchanged. Elle is an author and works closely the Big Brother's and Sister's of America among other things. We got to talking about my blog and she called me a "writer" and I argued that I never saw myself that way, but was flattered, and she said she wanted me to own it, and she would do what she could to see me flourish and grow...of course many things are said over glasses of wine and soon forgotten. This was NOT the case with Elle, and as the year progressed messages have been going back and forth, not regularly, as Elle has been facing some big changes in her life, but enough so that when the planets aligned once again, we were able to meet up once again on this Tuesday of my blogging tour last month....To say she is a light, a true beacon and inspiration to me would be an understatement and my life has been enriched so very much even with the small amount of contact we have had and the two meetings over fine wine. 

The gorgeous Elle Feebo looking chic, and well ...yep I was still Disney bounding and looking a little rough around the edges from being on the road... *sigh*  UM THANK YOU hubby dear for not telling me to tuck my shirt in again, and maybe stop with the silly grin again *sigh* 

It finally, as the sun was setting was time for us to part, and we said our goodbyes...it was a departing of mixed feelings, I was exhausted, but my heart hurt to part from her side. But that is another story. 

Depart we did however and we made the drive to our next destination, Solvang California; a small Danish themed town. I love this little town nestled in the Santa Ynez valley, just north east of Santa Barbara. I have so many fond memories of walking around, shopping and especially eating there. We were staying at the Wine Valley Inn and Cottages, a place I was very excited to stay at since I was familiar with this older, but charming Inn nestled on a back street of the town. We arrived quite late so I was even more excited to arrive. Once checked in, and had found a cute little place to eat close by that was still open, we settled in and fell into bed. The next morning we awoke to birds chirping, the sounds of a waterfall and nothing much else, ahh small towns. I was actually feeling rested, even if I did not look it, as I had fallen asleep with the window open, the first time being able to do so in many years, far too many , and my allergies ( so worth it) and the trip were catching up with me... I stretched and then got up and got ready for the day. We would have breakfast in the main building of the hotel, dining on danish of course and a decent cup of hot coffee while chatting with a few of the other hotel guests before heading off to explore. Fortified with a full belly and having taken time to film a video spot in the beautiful gardens that surround the cottage portion of the grounds, our fist stop was at a wine tasting room, Sort This Out, that is located on Copenhagen there in Solvang and is the hub bub for local rockabilly, pin up tiki and car culture alike hang out to drink wine. On the weekends people gather to  listen to live music and drink wine based tiki drinks in the mini tiki bar in the back.  I was eager to go for a couple reasons, I mean come on any place that has a Betty Page wine line, and Pin ups on the labels not to mention my online friend Ruby Champagne has her own label on a pink sparkling wine, is the place for me, but I was also eager to do my next interview that might be included in the Pin Up the Movie online documentary. What better place right??

After sampling some good wine and doing the interview ( look for it on my Youtube video this week), we explored Solvang a bit further. I was on a mission to have butter cookies, Aeblelskivers and maybe sample a bit more wine..... OH! and fudge! All my favorites from the past...with only one day I had a lot to squeeze in; food wise.  We managed to do it all and satisfied with our time in Solvang we headed to Los Olivos, another nearby small town , were we had plans to have supper at the famous, well sort of due to the movie Sideways, Los Olivos Cafe with friends we had not seen in 15 years. Of course we sampled a bit more wine as well.... I mean it is the wine valley , or one of, the Central Coast. 

A not to miss treat ....Aebleskivers ...a type of round ball pancake served with jam

 

 

My outfit, consisting of the lace T , BBQ A line skirt and
rhinestone and pearl necklace,
by Sidecca was the perfect wardrobe choice
for a laid back day.

 

 

Now before I move on to the following day, that Thursday within my blogging tour, I want to take a minute to thank my clothing sponsor for that particular leg of the trip SIDECCA , they were so very kind to fill in a last minute gap within my sponsors and ship me this adorable outfit along with a few little extra gifties that I passed on to some deserving fans. Not my normal colors or style, you might notice, it was a fun departure and a perfect relaxed ( for me) look. If you are on the web version they are now part of my Ruby's Musings Approved promotion ads on the side bar. I have been shopping with Sidecca for a couple of years now, in fact their clothing, then purchased through Amazon, feathered my retro closet with every day wearable and way too adorable clothing. They now have their very own website that just went live a short time ago and I am hoping to see it grow and grow with that they can offer to their growing fan base of shoppers. They also have actual stores if you happen to be in Burbank or Pasadena. It was an honor to represent them and I also hope that I can do so again in the future! I asked my contact at Sidecca to describe what they have to offer, a bit about their store.... here is she shared with me....

"When you mix together retro, cutesy, girly and glam, and then pop them in the oven, you get a super cute store called Sidecca.  It is a store that inspires you to take risks on yourself and be confident! We want you to come in, enjoy your shopping experience and leave knowing you will look amazing in your new purchase.  Regardless of whether or not you know where you will wear that cute quirky outfit, we want you to feel super cute in it because that’s all that matters! Have fun dressing up by creating your own unique look.

                The creative mind behind this adorable store is Adriana Molina.  She is the inspiration behind what Sidecca and Ruby’s Red Ribbon truly represent.  She loves to have fun and sees everyday as an opportunity to celebrate.  Adriana has used her love for baking and event planning to create a fun and colorful environment.  When you walk in the door or shop online, you see decorated displays of fashion and accessories that could easily remind you of an adorable bakery with yummy treats inside.  She believes that with the perfect props and accoutrements you can transform anything ordinary into the extraordinary!  Her goal is to help develop a conversation between you and the merchandise, whether your reaction is “OMG!” “How cute!” “I used to wear that,” or “I loved that as a kid!”  She encourages everyone to “just try it on!” You’ll never know how amazing that special unique piece will make you feel with the bonus of adding a great piece to your wardrobe collection."

Moving on.....

 After waking up to another lovely breath of fresh air and the sounds from the gardens there at the Inn, we checked out and headed to our next stop.... Pea Soup Andersens, home of the best Split Pea Soup that I have ever had, in Buellton California. Just up the road from Solvang and on the way to the freeway entrance to Hwy 101 that would lead us to all points north on our trip, is located a landmark to many Andersens. The perfect place to do a few short video spots, snap some photos, have a hearty breakfast AND buy a half dozen cans of pea soup before heading north.

Andersens , where you can even have pea soup for breakfast! 

 Once I was satisfied and stocked up on pea soup, it was time to head to San Luis Obispo and get a bit of shopping in at my favorite little retro shop on the Central Coast, Hep Kats, do some wine tasting at Alapay that I mentioned up above, and Kelsy Vineyards and of course stay, explore, and eat at Madonna Inn, a beacon for pinup and retro ladies from all over the world...places I shared last year here on the blog when I had a little get away last September.

We were lucky enough to have booked the Fab Fifties room ( of course!) 

I always stop at Hep Kat while in Slo Town...it was one of the stores just over a decade ago
that really fueled me on to going 100 percent retro...as an adult anyway.

Wine and shopping at once... I am one happy girl!

So I forgot to flip this photo....the label reads
ALAPAY, check them out if you are ever in the
Avila Beach area, they are on First Street. 

Of course I had to go see the ocean, I miss it so much! 

The super cute head scarf is from A Little Bit of Paris
on Etsy....they have an ad here on Ruby's Musings if
you are on the web version. Be sure to check them out.

At Kelsey Vineyards you can drink wine AND feed the peacocks!!

YES! I went home with a couple in jadeite green.

Cheers! 

Even the cows at Madonna Inn are eye candy

Great place to stay, explore, eat and meet up with old friends ...The Madonna Inn. YES, my hubby Captain Awkward did have his arm around our long time friend Keith seen here with his lovely new bride Felicia. 

Well that concludes this recap of my blogging tour, I can hardly wait until I can go back and visit the places I shared with you today, they are part of an area of California that will always be my true home and part of my heart and soul for my entire life. Up next, Trains, Mystery, Jelly Beans and some really good wine ( of course) ! So until then.... go check out my Ruby's Musings YouTube Channel *wink wink* a new episode and right now, extra content from the trip every Friday!