northern exposure

last weekend, paul and i decided it was time to get out of the city in search of something slower, so we headed up north. we rented a room at inn at the tides in bodega bay (killer pool and hot tub!), where we were surrounded by rolling green hills and grazing cows. after eating fresh oysters for lunch, we ventured through occidental/sebstopol/santa rosa way. what would the trip be without a little shopping.... there were artsy shops here and there, but my FAVORITE was aubergine, a vintage store in downtown occidental... hands down the best vintage store i've been to. they have a vintage clothing buyer that sends them bushels of clothes from holland. every inch of the store was covered in treasure. there were racks upon racks of clothes, shelves of shoes, boots, belts, bags, cases of sunglasses, jewelry... i made it out with minimal damage, though the quality of the items and prices were incredible- a miniature purse ($18) and blue scarf with rope detail ($9.95). the perfect touch is that they wrap your purchase up in a vintage scarf rather than a plastic bag! eco friendly and fun! i will somehow make it back there...