Bay Area Fashionista

Exploring Palm Springs

 in General Fashion / Travel  tagged outfits / palm springs / rancho mirage by

wearing: (apologies for the blurry pic) / statement earrings / maxi dress / summer nail polish / caramel top handle bag / fisherman sandals /

I’m starting to think the self-timer on my iPhone is not my friend. The coloring and clarity aren’t happening for me. Ugh. So anyway. . .

Palm Springs is really close to Rancho Mirage, roughly a twenty-minute drive. So, I decided to explore the downtown and all it had to offer! I love checking out museums, so the Palm Springs Art Museum was a must-see. It is located across the street from the park where the famous Marilyn Monroe statue is housed.

The Marilyn statue is a busy spot! I never did get a clear photo of the statue. There were constantly people around, plus it was really hot. I don’t know how people live in the desert, when the temperature goes over ninety degrees, I melt. But I digress. . .

Despite the heat, downtown Palm Springs was really busy and crowded. I guess it was because it was Coachella weekend and it was a Saturday. I think this is a place I should revisit on a weekday when it is less crowded. That being said, it was a nice downtown and I enjoyed seeing the art, shops, and restaurants. I highly recommend visiting! Maybe just on a less busy day.

For dinner, I went back to the hotel to enjoy a meal at Pinzimini inside the Westin. The food was so good! This salmon tartare appetizer, and the risotto entree were my favorite dishes on the menu. Yum! And yes, that is a mocktail, no alcohol.

After dinner, the temperature cooled down, so I switched into jeans and took a walk around the grounds. The sunset was really pretty, offering shades of pink and purple. It was a relaxing evening and exactly what I needed.

What I wore to Palm Springs:

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

Relaxing in Rancho Mirage

 in General Fashion / Travel  tagged outfits / rancho mirage / spring 2025 by

wearing: (apologies for the blurry pic) / statement earrings / knit top / caramel top handle bag / summer nail polish / maxi skirt / boots (old, similar here) /

So, my daughter and her friends attended the Coachella music festival last month, and they needed a ride out to Coachella Valley. This was an opportunity for me to give them a safe and convenient ride, as well as take some time to relax and have “me” time.

We stayed at the Westin Rancho Mirage, which is a beautiful resort in Rancho Mirage, roughly twenty minutes without traffic to the festival venue. The hotel features several restaurants, a golf course, bowling, tennis, pickleball, and more. They also had events scheduled for children and adults every day. It looked like a great place to bring a family too!

The first day, I enjoyed the grounds, ate delicious food, and attempted to figure out the self-timer on my iPhone. As you can see, I didn’t do a very job. My outfit photos came out very blurry. This was a bummer since this was my favorite outfit of the weekend! haha

There was a sushi happy hour at Pinzimini inside the Westin. Since I don’t drink, I ordered a mocktail which was both aesthetic and delicious. I highly recommend the sushi happy hour if you visit! Love!

It is a rare occasion that I get to relax, so this was a welcome day. In addition, my daughter and her friends had a blast at Coachella. Love that!

Stay tuned for more Coachella Valley coverage.

Thanks for stopping by,

XOXO
Cathy

3 favorite restaurants in Tucson AZ

 in Travel  tagged arizona / restaurants by

pictured: decor at Guadalajara Mexican Grill /

We spent close to a week in Tucson and discovered many places to eat. There were three restaurants which turned into my standout favorites. We had so much fun exploring Tucson and all it had to offer. These three restaurants I would love to revisit someday. So, if you are in the Tucson area, be sure to check them out!

Guadalajara Mexican Grill

This place was so good! Normally at Mexican restaurants they place the salsa on the table, and half the time they will make the guacamole at your table. At Guadalajara Mexican Grill, they made both the salsa and guacamole at our table, to our exact specifications. This was the first sign that we were at an excellent restaurant.

In addition to freshly made salsa and guacamole, the service was friendly and outstanding. The food, obviously delicious. We really enjoyed our meal, and I really want to go back! This is a must-visit if you are int he Tucson area!

Culinary Dropout

Culinary Dropout is a small chain with less than ten locations. It is American cuisine and has a large menu, a festive atmosphere, and large venue. I was in a pasta mood, so I went with the Bolognese. It was absolutely delicious! We really enjoyed our meal and would definitely return. Highly recommend!

Locale Neighborhood Italian Restaurant

OK, so when I NOT in a pasta mood? Very rarely. So, of course I was looking for Italian restaurants. Locale Neighborhood Italian Restaurant had good reviews online, despite the name sounding like an American restaurant. The decor was modern and the there was a large outdoor area. I can see the outdoor seating being nice in cooler weather. It was close to one hundred when we visited so we ate inside.

All three of us loved our pasta and would definitely go back for more. As a person of Italian descent, I highly recommend this place and deem it authentic. Be sure to visit when you are in Tucson for your pasta fix! Love it!

Well, there you have it. My three favorite restaurants int he Tucson area. Make sure you visit when you visit Tucson!

Thanks for stopping by,

XOXO
Cathy