staycation

Going on safari at Safari West

 in Travel  tagged lifestyle / santa rosa / staycation by

pictured: one of the historical vehicles at Safari West which takes you around the property on safari /

Did you know you can go on a safari right here in the San Francisco Bay Area?! Well, you can! Safari West in Santa Rosa is home to many exotic animals you normally would not see here in California, or in an average zoo. At Safari West, there are several types of antelopes, wildebeests, zebras, and more; on land where they can roam. It is truly amazing.

We lucked out on the day visited Safari West because the rain had stopped! While it was cold, we were able to stay dry and access most of the property by vehicle. The specially modified vehicle shown above takes you throughout the property where a guide tells you about the animals. It is both educational and fun! Love that!

In addition to the three-hour tour of the property where you can see and learn about the animals, you can also dine on a BBQ after your tour, and/or stay in one of the several glamping tents on the property. We didn’t stay there, but it really looked fun! Oh, and yes, there are vegetarian options at the BBQ. My daughter loved the mac and cheese.

This is really a bucket list item. You can go with friends, as a family, or with whomever you choose. I saw several families with elementary-aged children, so it is something you can do with kids. My kids are high school and college aged, and they really enjoyed the day. I highly recommend going on a safari right here in the Bay Area!

You can easily book your adventure through Safari West online at SafariWest.com. Be sure to book your meal ahead of time too. We bought tickets for the 9am tour, and then the 12pm lunch. It worked out perfectly.

You can day trip to Safari West or stay locally in the Santa Rosa area. A fun day trip could include a morning safari with lunch, then heading over to the Snoopy rink for some ice skating! Of course, be sure to visit the Charles Shultz Museum too.

I hope you enjoy going on a safari as much as we did!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

*apologies for the low quality photos, I was zooming in with my cell phone.

Yayoi Kusama at SFMOMA

 in Events / General Fashion  tagged art / outfits / san francisco / sfmoma / staycation / yayoi kusama by
yayoi kusama sfmoma exhibit experience
yayoi kusama pumpkin sfmoma
yayoi kusama polka dots
outfit yayoi kusama louis vuitton vintage

wearing: earrings / pink sweater (old, also love this one) / parka / black belt / beige jeans (old, also love this pair) / nail polish / Yayoi Kusama x Louis Vuitton handbag (old, similar bag) / black lug sole boots /

Throughout the years I have incorporated polka dots into my wardrobe. About ten years ago, Yayoi Kusama did her first collaboration with Louis Vuitton, and this is when I discovered her work. Kusama is a pop artist from the 1960s whose work is in the same genre as Andy Warhol and the like. She works in bright hues and polka dots.

Kusama’s work is inspired by her hallucinations and life experiences. She brings them to life through sculptures and mirrored experiences, as well as through performance art and other forms. I am taken by her pumpkins, although her flowers are fabulous too. All of her work has some form of dots, or polka dots.

The SFMOMA in San Francisco currently has an exhibit which features two of her experience rooms and a large pumpkin sculpture. If you love modern art, and you enjoy Kusama’s work, I highly recommend stopping into the SFMOMA and checking out the exhibit. It is amazing, and I am so happy I went with my family!

You can learn more at SFMOMA’s website at SFMOMA.org. Tickets are required for the Yayoi Kusama exhibit, and they go quickly! So act fast.

Of course, I wore my Yayoi Kusama x Louis Vuitton handbag which I purchased ten years ago during the first collab Kusama had with LV. I mean, I had to blend in!

While the handbags can be found on the secondary market now, you can still find other polka dot handbags for a fraction of the price. I linked up a couple cute ones below.

Do you love Yayoi Kusama’s work too? I hope you attend the exhibit and enjoy it!

Thanks for stopping by,

XOXO
Cathy

yayoi kusama 2013 experience

Best Pasta in the South Bay

 in Travel  tagged lifestyle / restaurants / staycation by

pictured: Fettucine Bianco from Bella Saratoga, in Saratoga, Ca. This is one of my favorite pasta dishes in the South Bay /

One of my favorite meals is a yummy plate of pasta. I love all types of pasta dishes, and you will find me ordering pasta in restaurants, as well as cooking it myself at home. Therefore, it is only natural that I have a list of the best pasta restaurants in the South Bay!

I grew up eating pasta since my ancestors came here from Italy. Fun fact, I am one hundred percent of Italian decent! So, I would like to consider myself an expert on delicious pasta and how it should be cooked, as well as the best sauces.

So, if you live near San Jose, and you love pasta, let’s talk about the best pasta! Yum!!

My favorite pasta restaurants in the South Bay, listed in alphabetical order.

  • Aldo’s Ristorante & Bar
    • 14109 Winchester Blvd., Los Gatos, CA
    • Favorites: Tortellini alla Tommaso, Rigatoni Paesani, and Tagliatelle alla Aldo. Get the cannoli!
  • Bella Saratoga
    • 14503 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA
    • Favorites: Fettucine Bianco, Bolognese, and Chicken Mushroom Linguine.
  • Florentine Trattoria
    • 14510 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA
    • Favorites: Half & Half, Ravioli, and classic Bolognese. Also, get the lemoncello dessert!
  • Italian Brothers Restaurant
    • 330 No Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos, CA
    • Favorites: Pappardelle Salsiccia e Funghi, Rigatoni Pesto, and Rigatoni Mafiosa
  • Sorelle Italian Bistro
    • 915 San Tomas Aquino Road, Campbell, CA
    • Favorites: Sorelle Short Rib Bolognese, Linguini with grilled jumbo shrimp, Traditional meat sauce, and get the cannoli!

Do you have any favorite pasta restaurants in the southern portion of the San Francisco Bay Area? If so, feel free to share in the comments below!

Thanks for stopping by, and eat the pasta!

XOXO

Cathy

pictured below: Half and Half from Florentine Trattoria