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- Getaway: Exploring Alaska with Celebrity Cruises
Today I’m bringing you back to Alaska for one final post about our incredible trip. Both Eric and I keep reminiscing about the beautiful journey. I wanted to take you through the excursions and experiences we had while onboard the Celebrity Solstice. Each were better than the next – if that’s even possible to say. I’ll begin in Ketchikan, where we embarked on a small ten person float plane to a town in Neets Bay that has a population of nine (yes, you heard that right!). Our guide walked us through the forest, town and hatchery, to a river that leads into the bay. This particular excursion was to see black bears – a little frightening yes, but exciting. As we walked and waited, out came two beautiful and HUGE black bears. It was surreal to see them so close (only 20 feet away). To see them in their natural habitat was pretty unbelievable. Waking up at 5:30am was essential on this particular day. Our ship navigated through the stunning Tracy Arms Fjord. We opened up our balcony doors, threw on layers and layers of warm clothing and watched the natural landscape we were passing. Both Eric and I were in awe of the beauty that lied within this narrow fjord. From the stunning natural falls, to the teal color of the water, to the sound of nature all around us – it was as if we had been transported into a winter wonderland that you never knew existed. At the end of Tracy Arms Fjord we were able to see a magical glacier that has stunning blue hues. As we looked upon the glacier all you could think about was how remarkable nature truly is. As we left Tracy Arms, all I could think about was “how could we see anything more beautiful today” – well friends I was 100% wrong. We enjoyed a delicious king crab feast at Tracy’s Crab Shack (a must!) and then sailed away on a small catamaran for a night of sunset whale watching. The sky began to look like cotton candy and then we saw what we came for – whales. Both Humpback whales and one Orca! I was in love with this excursion – the Orca was just the cherry on top of an unbelievable day. Our last and final stop on the Celebrity Solstice was Skagway. Honestly, I cannot begin to tell you how excited both of us were for this last excursion. It was as though we had woken up on Christmas morning. Eric couldn’t wait to get in a helicopter for the first time and I couldn’t wait to step foot on a glacier. As we flew over the water, through valleys and up a narrow river made by the glacier itself, I was giddy as we came upon the glacier. We landed, took a hike to see the different areas (all safe of course) and were able to drink the glacier water! I couldn’t believe my eyes. I had to pull my jaw up from off the ground. I think the beauty of the entire trip came over me on this last excursion. Alaska surpassed my expectations. The elegance and nature that we saw while on this trip brought me back to my roots as a child. I used to take more trips to be out in nature and this journey made me want to do that more often. It’s important to slow down, be outside and see the natural elements that make up the world around us. We couldn’t have gone on these remarkable expeditions without the help of Celebrity Cruises. Each one was handcrafted by them to allow us to see Alaska in a whole new light. I cannot wait to travel there again someday and show our family all of these beautiful places. This post is a partnership with Celebrity Cruises. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting sponsored posts that keep Sacramento Street doors open. #travel
- On The Hunt: Table Lamps
In our last On the Hunt feature we talked about updating your home with new throw pillows. As this new season arrived I started brainstorming other items you might need a refresh. As I looked around my own home I realized that some of my table lamps looked a little “dated.” They were either a trend I no longer loved or they don’t look to scale in their new home. With that being said, I set out to find new lighting. I have my usual shops I frequent but during this sourcing session I found a new online lighting shop that carried all of my favorite vendors in one spot – Candelabra. From Arteriors, to Oly Studio, to Robert Abbey and more! Friends, I hit the jack pot and found some incredible table lamps that could be placed in any home. As you can tell, I’m in a white and brass phase at the moment. Take a look at a handful of top contenders that might be finding a place in my home. I’d love to know if you see any other lamps over on Candelabra that you love? 1.) Arteriors Leroy Lamp | 2.) Arteriors Ryder Small Vintage Brass Acrylic 3.) Arteriors Ennis Lamp | 4.) Mr. Brown Pagoda Table Lamp 5.) Gabby Corinne Lamp | 6.) Arteriors Bond Vintage Brass/Snow Marble Desk Lamp This post is a partnership with Candelabra. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting sponsored posts that keep Sacramento Street doors open. #interiors
- Baby Steps: Creating an Honest Home
As I started the nesting phase of pregnancy I began doing research on what products to bring into my home before baby Flemming arrives. While I did some research online and had The Honest Company in the back of my mind, I decided to go to the best source out there – moms I admired. Let me tell you, there was an overwhelming amount of information and knowledge to be digested. The consensus, bringing The Honest Company into your home. There are so many things to think about when it comes to what matters when you have a little one coming into the world. And if all of these modern families are bringing non-toxic cleaning/home/baby products into their homes, well I had to give it a whirl. I’m not going to lie, I’ve already stocked up on their diapers – why not try their other products. I set out with a medley of items from their housewarming gift set. Friends, this didn’t disappoint – honestly I was surprised by how much I loved it. While I’ve tried other environmentally friendly products, the quality and smell hasn’t won me over. The Honest Company have created quality products with scents that don’t overwhelm your home. A win-win in my eyes! I asked a few of my favorite moms and moms-to-be – Camille, Simone, Jeanne and Samantha, about what their favorite Honest Company products have been. Here is what they have to say. Camille – Fruit and Veggie Wash | Simone – Baby Arrival Gift Set & Organic Healing Balm | Jeanne – Organic Breathe Easy Rub | Samantha – Belly Balm Do you have a favorite Honest Company item you’ve used or brought into your home? This post is a partnership with The Honest Company. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting sponsored posts that keep Sacramento Street doors open. #lifestyle
- Getaway: Sailing to Alaska with Celebrity Cruises
When Eric and I started brainstorming places to go for our babymoon, we had a long list of potentials spots. When it came time to make a decision I wanted to go somewhere that had been on our bucket list for awhile. Over the past few years Eric has been talking about going to Alaska non-stop. It felt like the perfect place to go where we could be outdoors, do a few adventurous excursions, and enjoy some quality rest and relaxation with one another. There is only one way to travel to Alaska – it’s on a cruise. As a young girl I had the privilege of traveling on quite a few cruises to Baja, the Arctic Circle and Alaska. These weren’t your typical cruise ships – they were nature cruises. This time would be a little different, we embarked on a seven night cruise with Celebrity Cruises. I have to say, from the moment I stepped onto the ship I was in awe of the stunning craftsmanship and the impeccable service. Since I had been on ships before, I was a little worried about how large this ship would feel, but once everyone was settled and on board it felt as though we were our own little island traveling up the coast of British Columbia. First and foremost, let’s talk about the beauty that lies within the Celebrity Solstice. As you walk onto the ship you are instantly taken in by the architecture. The blue, white and orange tones that you find throughout the Solstice is almost as though they took the palette of the sea and continue it onto the ship, which made it feel timeless and elegant. While each stateroom on the ship is your own little oasis that looks out onto the beautiful ocean – I felt as though the amenities of the ship were an extension of my room. A few of my favorite spots – the stunning library where I could pick up a new book after I finished the one I brought, the indoor pool (since it was quite chilly outside) and afternoon tea at Cafe al Bacio. Both Eric and I truly felt at home. It was as if we had never left home. I kept saying, can we bring all of this home with us? Who is going to turn down my bed at night? It’s the simple luxuries that made this journey unique. There was also delicious culinary experiences on the trip. Honestly, I had no idea what to expect. I had heard from a few close friends that had traveled on Celebrity Cruises before that it was great. Friends, I was blown away. While all of the restaurants were incredible and had their own little twist to them – Blu was by far my favorite. It’s healthy cuisine but without losing the flavor. I probably could have gone there for every meal. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to get a private cooking lesson from the executive chef on the ship and I asked him about what they strive to bring in their food on the Solstice. He said, clean, local and seasonal. Exactly how I try to eat at home. He said it’s all about a few key ingredients that make the food shine. They definitely achieved that at every single restaurant we went to on our journey. As I look back on this unbelievable trip I can honestly say that the Celebrity Solstice blew me away. It was the epitome of modern luxury at it’s finest. From the level of service, to the food, to the endless nightly entertainment, to the stunning spa – it completely encompassed everything Eric and I were looking for when it came to this babymoon vacation. I look forward to our next journey on one of their many ships around the world. The hard part will be deciding where to go next! Next week, I’ll be talking about the sites and excursions we went on – let’s just say they will be forever remembered! This post is a partnership with Celebrity Cruises. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting sponsored posts that keep Sacramento Street doors open. Photos by m + a photography for Sacramento Street #travel
- Blooms in Season: September
It’s officially the heart of Dahlia season. You’ve probably been seeing a plethora of instagram photos of stunning Dahlias in an array of colors, sizes and textures. But have you ever wondered about the different varieties? Every year I’ve always wondered if each variety had a name. One afternoon, Natalie asked me to go on a walk to the Dahlia Garden in Golden Gate Park (if you’ve never gone I highly recommend it!). As we walked around the garden I was in awe of the name each of them had – not to mention how different some can look from one another. That’s when we had our ah-ha moment of what we should focus on for this month’s feature. We wanted to bring you fifteen different dahlias, which doesn’t even make a dent in the varieties. Since there are so many out there some Dahlias don’t even have names, but we found as many as we could. Read on to learn about this flower that brings so much joy to peoples homes and gardens. Dahlia varieties from left to right.(Growers were not able to tell me the name of all of them.) Fox Maroon Royal Red Fox Naomi Carona Red Lagoon Carona Pink Sangria Cafe Aux Lait What inspired you to only use Dahlias this month? Dahlias are in the height of their season and I’ve been seeing so many beautiful varieties at the SF Flower Mart and it just reminds me that these flowers are so special because they are only available for certain months out of the year. They are not a flower that can be grown in other countries and imported so we only get them when they are locally in season. I love seeing the Cafe Aux Lait dahlias. Are they a new variety? Everyone loves this variety! They are so beautiful and range from soft pink to soft peach and everything in between. They were first available about six years ago. We buy ours from a local grower in Half Moon Bay. What growing environments do dahlias like? I spoke to a local farmer named Louie Figone and he was telling me how the draught has positively affected his dahlias. He said that the water is low but the humidity has been high in the Bay Area this year, which has resulted in the best crop he has had since he started growing dahlias in 1994. Do you have any tips for making cut dahlias last? Dahlias do not like a lot of water. Give them only a few inches of water and keep your eye on the water level to make sure that they don’t dry out. The other tip I’ll give you, which will lead you to think I am a crazy person, is make sure the water you give them is the hottest you can get out of your tap. I don’t know why this helps, but it does. So next time your out picking up a dahlia bunch look out from one of these fifteen varieties! Flowers by Natalie Bowen Designs | Photos by Caitlin Flemming #lifestyle
- Grey Interiors for Fall
It might not be a surprise to many of you but I’m coveting grey interiors for fall. It sets the perfect mood as we head into fall. It’s truly an amazing color that never seems to go out of style and complements every color. I’ve been seeing endless inspiration everywhere and it’s been reflecting itself in my design projects. Taking a turn to a more grey palette is fine by me – there are so many shades and patterns in grey that can be layered on top of each other to create stunning rooms. That’s why I’ve put together a few of my favorite vintage items in all shades of grey. The perfect pieces that you can layer into your home or layer together to create a stunning space. Everything from the base items you need for a room, to the walls, to the details in accessories. I have you covered. 1.) Contemporary Master Harvey Sofa | 2.) Oakland Concrete Cube Table | 3.) Polished Petrified Wood Table | 4.) Ellan Maynard Original Painting: Morning Sea | 5.) White Wooden Mirror | 6.) Large European Style Waterbuck Antler Trophy | 7.) Peaceful Buddha Statue in Antique Gold | 8.) Gold Embossed High Ball Cocktail Glasses | 9.) Decorative Grey Metallic Pillow Have you been in a grey mood now that the temperatures are dropping and it’s becoming sweater season? Pop on over to Chairish to check out my other favorite vintage items. This post is a partnership with Chairish. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting sponsored posts that keep Sacramento Street doors open. #interiors
- Seasonal Wrapping: Indigo Hues
For our second installment of Seasonal Wrapping with Simone LeBlanc, we wanted to bring you something truly unique. Both of us have been incredibly inspired by indigos and ocean blues. Probably no surprise for some of you since I love decorating with different blue hues. Simone has also been in love with the idea of wabi – sabi and happenstance mark-making. When pulling inspiration over on Pinterest both of us were in awe of all of the pattern, textures and layers you can play with when it comes to indigo. I can honestly say that I think Simone could have done a dozen posts on this beautiful tone. 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 What I love and adore about Simone’s wrapping is that it instantly inspired you to go out and create something beautiful. When I laid by eyes on this month’s post my jaw dropped. I was literally in awe of what Simone had created for all of you. The best part is there is really no wrong way to make these papers – each person’s hand/touch will create something visually stunning with their own twist. It’s about using the basic framework and steps below and then experimenting. Get all the details on how Simone created these gorgeous wrappings below. Supplies * Paint: Choose 3 colors that are similar in hue: light, medium, dark. I used Farrow + Ball – Stiffkey Blue (light), Hague Blue (medium), Railings (dark). * Paintbrush: The size you choose will determine the size of the brush strokes. I used a 1/2 watercolor brush. There are some great options here. * White Wrapping Paper: I love this one from Paper Source. * 3 Spray Bottles: (1 for each of your paint colors). I love using these glass bottles, but you can use any type of spray bottle you have around the house! * Small Cardboard Rectangles: I used a stiff paper that I had in the studio. You can use any cardboard and you can make the rectangles any size – these are what you will use to make your stripes. I made mine 1 1/2 “ wide. Step by Step Instructions Style 1: Stripe Pattern Cut a piece of wrapping paper roughly to the size you will need to wrap your package. Dip the end of your cardboard into one of your paint colors, about 1/2 deep. Then, simply drag the cardboard in a straight line across your paper. Simply repeat with each color. Don’t worry about making the stripes perfect in any way – they look lovely when they’re different depths and aren’t necessarily matching up perfectly. Voila! Style 2: Brush Strokes Pattern Cut a piece of wrapping paper roughly to the size you will need to wrap your package. Dip your paint brush into your lightest color of paint and make a simple, short vertical brush stroke on the paper. Repeat, leaving a space between your strokes that about the same width as your paint brush. For the next line, make a simple, short horizontal stroke. Repeat as you did with the vertical strokes. Once the paint dries, go back over your brush strokes with the medium color paint. Repeat with your darkest color paint as the top color. It is fine to ‘dab’ each next layer on – you don’t want to cover up the color underneath. This style looks great when it’s not perfect and shows the beauty of each brush stroke. Style 3: Spray Bottle Pattern Cut a piece of wrapping paper roughly to the size you will need to wrap your package. Fill each of your spray bottle about 1/4 of the way full with a mixture of about half water to half paint. You want the mixture to be opaque, but not too thick to fit through the sprayer. Shake. Spray your paper with a few squirts of your lightest shade of paint water, then move on to the middle shade and finally, the darkest shade. Make sure to let each of your papers dry before you wrap your packages. Most importantly there is no wrong way to create these wrappings – experiment and have fun! Wrapping and photos by Simone LeBlanc for Sacramento Street #entertaining #lifestyle
- a brand new week . . .
Popping in from Alaska – I hope each and everyone of you enjoyed the long weekend! Eric and I have been enjoying our babymoon up in Alaska. The beauty that you find around every single corner is breathtaking. It’s amazing what a little time surrounded by nature can do for your soul. The tranquility of being on the water has made it extra special. I’m excited for the next few adventures that are ahead. I can’t wait to share my travel tales when I get back! Enjoy this short week and be sure to pop by for a handful of fun posts. Photo by Eric Flemming at the edge of Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska #lifestyle
- Weekend Inspiration
After an incredibly productive week, today Eric and I are setting sail for our last getaway before baby Flemming arrives. We’re traveling up to Seattle to embark on a week-long cruise to Alaska. We cannot wait for the adventure that awaits! While this isn’t your typical babymoon, we wanted to go somewhere that was adventurous, but still relaxing. I can’t wait for our glacier helicopter ride and dogsledding. You can follow along on instagram for updates but I promise I’ll be sharing every detail when I return. And don’t worry, I have a whole line of amazing posts for next week! In the meantime, pop over to these sites for some fabulous reads this weekend. – I’m obsessing over this home tour over on Camille Styles. – How adorable is this New Mom & Baby box? Simone did an amazing job with this gift box! – Get an inside look into the RealReal offices. – Love the way Jenny’s library bookshelves came together! – When I get back from my trip I’ll be making this Fall Cornbread Panzanella salad. *and a few fun things you may have missed! – Looking to update your house a little bit? Throw pillows are always an easy way to do it. – Natalie put together a stunning arrangement this month. – I can’t wait for fall – I can’t wait for lots of layers and finding new scarves to wrap myself up in. I hope all of you have a lovely Labor Day weekend! Photo from here #lifestyle
- Blooms in Season: August
As we celebrate the close of our summer season, Natalie and I wanted to bring you an arrangement that depicts the epitome of summer to us. Honestly, I couldn’t think of a better arrangement to say ta-ta to summer. Read on for Natalie’s tips on roses and more! Flowers used in this arrangement: Sally Holmes (rose with single petals) Crocus (peach rose) Romantic Antique (coral rose) Pieris Cabernet Grapes I see that you used Grapes. What inspired you to do that? I have been getting grapes in my veggie box every week lately and was inspired to use them in the arrangement. I love using fruit in my designs and grapes have a lovely drape to them that look so pretty over the vase line. These roses are so delicate. Tell me about them. I am in love with the “Sally Holmes” rose. It is an heirloom rose that grows on a bush. There are clusters of blooms on each stem and each blossom has a single row of petals. I love how delicate they are and that with the few number of petals their yellow center is really visible. Are we in rose season? Where are these from? All of these roses are from Sonoma, which is about an hour north of San Francisco. Roses have two cuttings which means they bloom twice each season. We are seeing some beautiful varieties right now, including the soft feminine Crocus that I also used in this arrangement. If roses wilt, is there any way to save them? Yes! Roses should always be cut at an angle and put in plenty of water. Some people even suggest that you cut the stem under water so that the air never seals the skin. If a rose is soft and wilted but not dead, you may horizontally submerge the rose in warm water for thirty minutes and it will revive! #lifestyle









