taking a break in cambria

 Cambria is a very small town in the Central Coast. The highs were around 70 with the lows in the 50s. It's the local joke that it's always sweater weather up there. Very true! We walked along the beach, went to cute shops in town, and had fun dinner parties! Taking a little break and enjoying family time in Cambria was just what I needed. I've had so much on my mind these past couple of months and it felt like I was finally able to unplug and unwind a bit. The best part about Cambria was that the house we were renting was dog-friendly. So Ginger got to enjoy a little vacation too! {You know how hard it is for dogs to lay around and sleep all day, every day}. I honestly would have missed her way too much and we probably wouldn't have been able to go for the full week if Ginger wasn't allowed. Here are some photos we took during the trip:

Iron Chef poses with my Dad who is the Iron Chef {he's really the best}

 Favorite Spots in Cambria

Hotels: Cambria Pines Lodge {stayed there for Matthew's bday last year}, or rent a house with friends/family!

Casual Food: Linn's {the olliaberry pie is famous and delicious!}, Robin's {incredible salmon bisque}, French Corner Bakery {great bread and desserts--loooved the German Chocolate Cake}

Nice Restaurants: The Black Cat Bistro, Madeline's {heard it's good but haven't been yet}

Things to Do: buy cheese from Indigo Moon and a baguette from French Corner Bakery and walk along Moonstone Beach, go to the antique stores along Main Street, drive up to Hearst Castle in San Simeon {10 miles north}, go to Harmony {tiny town- 18 ppl!- 5 miles south of Cambria and check out the glass blowers exhibit, plan afternoon trips to Paso Robles or Morro Bay

xox

look book: country rose

One thing I love about the Central Coast is the gorgeous landscapes. Driving up the 101 there's the ocean to the left and mountains, vineyards and farmland to the right. It's unbelievably beautiful. I loved having the past week to decompress and unwind a little bit. There's something so refreshing about country living. I tried to soak as much of it in as possible!

dress c/o Lalamagic, shoes Michael Kors, bracelets Karen London, sunglasses Urban Outfitters

I hope you all had a great weekend! Let's go, Monday :)

xox

giveaway: $75 to Chloe Loves Charlie-CLOSED

Chloé Loves Charlie is offering one lucky reader $75 to spend in their online shop. 

They have lots of pretty and affordable clothing and accessories to choose from!

To Enter:

1). Must be a follower of M Loves M

2). Share Chloé Loves Charlie's latest lookbook Urban Dolls (fb/twitter/any social media site) 

and leave a comment with a link to the share.

For extra entries

3). Blog/tweet for extra entries! (mention @maraferreira and include a link to this post)

4). Become a Facebook fan of M Loves M or follow me on Bloglovin'

5). "Like" Chloé Loves Charlie on Facebook 

I'll be picking the winner at random next Thursday, August 2nd!

 Good luck!

xox

UPDATE: The winner is Nieszka! Congrats!

look book: free spirit

I don't know if I would consider myself a free spirit. I pretty much play by the rules, and according to schedule. I'm a huge planner and always like to know what's going on. I can be spontaneous, although I should probably attempt it more often. During the summertime it's hard to not get sucked into the lazy and carefree afternoons. On this day I dressed like my bohemian alter ego. It seemed easy enough and it was actually a nice change from the usual. {Matthew nick-named this my boho bathrobe look. Oh, boys..}

 dress c/o PB&J Boutique, kimono cardigan c/o Salt & Pepper {buy here}, shoes Jeffrey Campbell, necklace Ruche

 Thank you all for your sweet comments yesterday about my Aunt. I really appreciate it. I'm so grateful for all the support I've received. These things are never easy. I'm lucky to have this time with my family now and we're making it as special as possible!

xox

an update

Things have a little hectic around here so I apologize for my lack of posting this past week. Matthew and I moved into our new apartment and had some issues getting our internet hooked up. Late last week I also heard the news that my Aunt had passed away. It was extremely devastating news and all any of us wanted to do was be up in the Bay Area with family. Death brings a lot of perspective sometimes. As hard at it is, and usually it feels unbearably hard, it makes you appreciate things a little more. What you thought was important doesn't seem as important anymore. Spending the past couple of days with family has meant so much to me. I've loved seeing cousins and aunts and uncles that I haven't seen since our wedding last May. I just wish our time together was longer and more frequent. 

When someone you love and care about passes away it's hard not to be sad. It brings up memories of other family members passing away as well. I've been thinking more and more about my life and what I've been doing with it. I want to live a life of purpose. I want to do things that I love and am proud of. I want to celebrate the little moments more, because none of us know how long we are here to enjoy them. Right now Matthew and I are on vacation with my parents and brother. It's nice to be together and just relax. It feels fitting after the last couple of emotionally draining days. 

I promise I'll be back to regular posting soon!

xox

look book: pastels and prints

 This weekend was a crazy one with packing and moving but Matthew and I forced ourselves to keep our regular Saturday date night. All I wanted to wear was a pair of comfy pants and a breezy top. Perfect for relaxing for a few short hours and eating a plateful of yummy carbs!

blouse c/o Lulu*s, pants Denimocracy {in yellow}, purse Brahmin {in red}, shoes Franco Sarto via Marshall's, 

sunglasses Karen Walker

I hope you all had a great weekend!

xox

look book: the 9 to 5

I'm lucky to work in an office that doesn't uphold a strict dress code. Jean cut offs, crop tops, you name it, pretty much anything goes. I guess that's how it should be when you work in fashion. I still like sticking to certain guidelines, but I love being able to show my personality with my outfits. This is a typical outfit I'd wear to work. Instead of the typical black or gray pencil skirt I choose skirts in pretty colors or fun prints. Same goes for the blouses. My eyes have still been bugging me during the week so I've been a 5 days a week glasses girl.

blouse c/o Love Shopping Miami, skirt vintage {similar}, belt Gap, shoes Seychelles, purse c/o Brahmin,  

glasses Ralph Lauren

Sorry for the minimal posting this week. We're moving this weekend and it was as crazy and hectic as I expected. I'm so ready to be settled and unpacked in our new place.

Have a great weekend everyone! Hope you all have more fun than I'll be having :)

xox

giveaway: $90 Credit to Shabby Apple-CLOSED

Shabby Apple is offering one lucky reader $90 to spend in their online boutique. Shabby Apple has some beautiful feminine pieces that are stylish, modest, and timeless. I love when their lookbooks come out because they shoot all over the world. Aren't the photos above so pretty? Makes me want a pretty red Vespa!

To Enter:

1). Must be a follower of M Loves M

2). Visit Shabby Apple and leave a comment with the item you'd pick!

3). Like Shabby Apple on Facebook

For extra entries

4). Blog/tweet for extra entries! (mention @maraferreira and include a link to this post)

5). Become a Facebook fan of M Loves M or follow me on Bloglovin'

I'll be picking the winner at random next Thursday, July 19th! Good luck!

Shabby Apple is also offering a special offer for M Loves M readers! Use code "mlovesm10" for 10% off any purchase. 

And since they're in the mood to spoil you they're also throwing in an exclusive free gift with purchase. So sweet!

xox

UPDATE: The winner is Jill! Please contact me :)

look book: fading light

There's something so perfect about a little back dress. I have a few in my closet, but this one with the swiss dots and pretty pleating is a favorite. I decided to keep the accessories simple and gold, and wear a pair of purple heels that are high yet very comfortable.

dress c/o Lalamagic, belt vintage, cuff  Karen London {in rose gold}, shoes Nine West

Forgive me in advance if my posts are a little sporadic this week. Matthew and I are up to our necks in boxes {literally!} as we're getting ready for our big move this weekend. The computer will be the last to go so I'll try to post when I can. Promise :)

I hope you all had a great weekend!

xox

the little things

Here are some photos of things that have been making me happy this week:

love when cherries are in season!

pretty gerbera daisies 

coming home after a rough day to a husband cooking dinner {a homemade pizza!}

Ginger, the patriotic pup!

Spending the 4th with Matthew and my family!

I hope you all have a great weekend! Matthew and I are starting to pack things up..we got the apartment I mentioned earlier this week! Thank you all for thinking good thoughts for us. We were cutting it awfully close! Excited to move and get settled!

xox