carmel with my mama

the friday after i got home from the east coast, my sweet mom came to visit me. we had such a dreamy weekend together. i can’t even believe how blessed i am to be this woman’s daughter. she is the most amazing human being i know. to have her all to myself for nearly two and a half days!

mom came straight from the airport to my school on friday afternoon and it was so fun to give her a tour and introduce her to some of the kids. then, we set off for carmel-by-the-sea, which is just simply the darlingest and charmingest town that could possibly exist. we had such a grand time exploring!

we enjoyed outdoor dining on the most lovely patio with heat lamps and a fire (and yummmy ahi tuna salad):

we strolled down ocean avenue and admiring the enchanting christmas window displays:

we ate sea salt caramel fudge and peppermint bark while discovering hidden passageways:
 
we cozied into our little room at the fireplace inn and stayed up late talking:

we woke up to the garden outside our room:
 
we went for a walk along scenic road and marveled at the gorgeous coastline and the adorable cottages:

it rained on us a tiny bit; just enough for heaven to give us a rainbow!:

we explored more around downtown carmel, which is just the sweetest:
   
we popped into some galleries (and fell in love with these painted-cut-and-swirled canvas creations – tidal pool and autumn light):

and into shops selling all kinds of beautiful, unique things, like technicolored tapestry boots:

delicious sweets:

outrageous christmas decor:

and all kinds of pretty baubles and treasures:
 
we went to lunch at the tuck box, this super cute cottage-turned-cafe:
 
and made another stop at the cottage of sweets:

i mean, really, surroundings just couldn’t stand to be darlinger or charminger. carmel-by-the-sea was a perfect spot for a special mother-daughter day. we loved every nook of it!