General Fashion

Marin Headlands Kirby Cove Road

 in Fitness / General Fashion / Travel  tagged fitness / hiking / outdoor fitness / staycation by

One of things I love about the San Francisco Bay Area is all of the history you can find; in almost every corner. While our history is not as deep as other areas, we still have pockets with remnants of our past; and it is important to learn about it as well as share it with the next generation.

The Marin Headlands is rich with history. While exploring the area, you may come across sites from around 1900, WWII forts, and Cold War relics. This is in addition to beautiful views, nature, camping grounds, trails, wildlife, beaches, and more. It’s truly a destination you cannot see all in one day. When we visit, we choose one little spot, and explore it.

We decided to explore the Kirby Cove area of the Marin Headlands. This area is normally overrun by tourists; but during the cold winter months, we are able to park easily and explore stress-free.

PRO TIP: Arrive before 9am during the off-season so you can park where you want to, and avoid crowds.

The points of interest we explored were Battery Spencer, Ridge Battery, and Battery Wagner. We also hiked along the Kirby Cove Road. This road leads to an amazing beach which is less busy than beaches such as Stinson and Muir; as long as you follow my pro tip above.

Kirby Cove Road is wide, which makes it a great trail for hiking right now when social distancing is so important. It’s really easy to keep your distance from others. We enjoyed the unparalled views of the Golden Gate Bridge, beach, ocean, bay, and general nature. It really is a must-see hiking area; especially if you are local to the Bay Area!

The Marin Headlands is really easy to find. If you are coming from the north on 101, take the last exit off the freeway before the bridge, and follow the road into the headlands. If you are coming from the south, take the first Sausalito exit off the bridge and follow the signs; they will take you right into the Headlands.

Be sure to wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring a backpack filled with snacks, water, and lunch. Always bring your trash back out of the trail. There are plenty of trash and recycle cans in the parking areas.

I hope you enjoy exploring the Marin Headlands! Remember, the best time to visit is in the off-season, when tourism is down. Also, arrive before 9am so you can easily park.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

BAF Weekly IT List

 in General Fashion  tagged baf weekly it list / winter 2021 by

BAF Weekly IT List from top left: black handbag (IT bag) / Dior spring 2021 nail polish (review coming soon!) / blue sweater (on major sale and in avl in more colors) / combat boots aka lug sole boots / The biggest IT bag of 2021 / grey satchel (IT bag) /

Welcome to the first BAF Weekly IT List of 2021! While the current IT items of the moment are mostly winter styles, we do have a couple of emerging spring pieces to invest in right away.

I strongly believe 2021 is the year of the IT bag. We haven’t had a strong IT bag in a few years, so this year there are several IT bags to choose from; you can’t wrong with the one you pick! If you want scarcity, which we haven’t seen the Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag of 2014, look no further than the Prada Cleo; it is the hardest to get IT bag of the moment. Yours truly is working hard to get one!

While the weather is cold, dark and dreary, we can add a little fun to our nails with Dior’s happy spring 2021 nail polish. I say happy because the colors are cheery and bright. Don’t we all need cheery and bright right now? These colors make me happy. Look for my review early next week! I am working hard on it now!

Handbags transcend weather, so another way to cheer ourselves up is to carry a coveted IT bag of the moment. If you missed my post about the IT bags of 2021, you can read it here. Thankfully you might already own some of this year’s IT bags, but if something new will make you happy, like it does me, then snap up something from this year’s list you don’t already own! I am trying to get my hands on the Prada Cleo, and I am still planning to snap up the Givenchy Antigona Soft and possibly one more. Let’s see how my handbag budget goes. haha

Combat boots are still hot, and this pair is really popular! They are comfortable and waterproof; perfect for the weather right now! I have a pair in black and wear them all the time. Love!

My favorite sweater is on major sale for under $100, and it comes in additional colors. This is a great one to snap up to wear now! I love how it looks with jeans and my combat boots.

Shop the BAF Weekly IT List online:

What is your favorite from the BAF Weekly IT List?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

Handbag trends 2021

 in General Fashion / Handbags / Trends  tagged bottega veneta / chloe / coach / cult gaia / fall 2021 / givenchy / gucci / loewe / mansur gavriel / prada / spring 2021 / summer 2021 / winter 2021 by

handbag trends 2021

IT bags 2021 from top left: Chloe Darryl Saddle Bag / BV Pouch / BV Jodie / Coach Swinger / Prada Cleo (hard to get!) / Loewe straw tote (also in yellow!) / Gucci Jackie / Givenchy Antigona Soft /

2021 is here! This means a whole new set of handbag trends to follow, covet, and wear. In past years, we have looked for the next great shape, designer, and IT bag. This year, things are moving a little bit into the past; as well as the classic realm.

The new year is all about classic IT bags, revisited IT bags, IT brands, and a few fun bags. Sound like a lot? It is. There is a lot going on in the handbag world this year! So, make sure you’re sitting down, this will be a lot of information!

IT Designers: This year, if you think seeking the ultimate IT bag is too confusing, just stick with the IT brands of the year. You can pretty much wear anything by these designers and brands; and you will be rocking an IT bag. Look for anything Bottega Veneta, Cult Gaia, Prada, Givenchy, Chloe, Loewe, and Mansur Gavriel.

Colors: Fashion is revisiting color blocking; a huge trend roughly a decade ago. Look for bags in fun and mood-uplifting colors. Also look for the color of the year yellow, as well as grey. You can still wear classic black, but adding some color might be just the right mood-up-lifter after last year. Metallics are also making a comeback, so if you want to sparkle and shine, this is your year!

Fabrications: Leather and faux leather are still important. In fact, technology has really moved faux leather forward in such a way that it can be really hard to tell it apart from real leather. Look for faux leather pieces to help reduce your carbon footprint. Also, straw, raffia, anything woven, and stamped croc are huge in 2021.

Silhouettes: The new year is all about classic silhouettes and retro vibes. Look for the baguette with 1990s inspiration, the return of the hobo bag, oversized and gigantic bags you could fit the kitchen sink into, fan shaped totes, netted bags, half circles, and the pouch clutch.

Specific IT bags: Looking for an exact IT bag to rock this year? Some of these might already be in your closet! Look for classic IT bags such as the Chanel 2.55, Louis Vuitton Neverful, Givenchy Antigona, Mansur Gavriel bucket bag, Chloe Marcie, and Fendi Baguette. Want to buy new? Look for the new Prada Cleo-it’s so hot, it’s already sold out. Old IT bags which are back include the Coach Swinger, Gucci Jackie, and Bottega Veneta Jodie; perhaps you have one in your closet. Additionally, new IT bags (which started to emerge in 2020) include the Bottega Veneta Cassette Bag, Bottega Veneta Pouch, Givenchy Antigona Soft, and the Chloe Darryl Saddle Bag.

Shop 2021 IT bags online:

Whew! Well, there you have it! It’s a lot of information. Be sure to check out your closet because you might have a few of these styles already stored in the back! If not, be sure to snap up a classic IT bag or two for the new year. Which style is your favorite?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy