Last Saturday a couple friends and I went to Carmel for the day. These two friends and I will be going on monthly day trips around Northern California so I'll make sure I bring my camera where ever we go in the future. The weather wasn't great on Saturday but at least it wasn't raining (just very overcast).
Our plan was to have lunch and go shopping! When we got there we parked right in front of the Lamp Lighter Inn. They have these cute little cottages you can rent.
Then we were off down the street for shopping and lunch...
There are a lot of bakeries to tempt you....
Another bakery!...
I thought this little lamp at Anthropologie was cute...
This is where we had lunch...
and this was what we saw as soon as we walked in the restaurant...
This restaurant was in an little old house, it was adorable. The tables were set up in the living room and there was a fire in the fireplace. Here are my two friends, Natasha (on the left) and Kim (on the right).
Kim ordered a salad...
and Natasha had a roast beef sandwich...
I had a vegetarian pasta but the photo was really blurry. Natasha bought herself a necklace at Tiffany & Co. and we couldn't miss this photo op....
At the end of the day, Natasha was the one with all the bags! That girl knows how to shop! LOL! If you notice, she's wearing a different shirt than she was at lunch. She was forced to buy a new one because she dropped something on it at lunch.
It was a great day! I'm not sure where we will be going next month but I know one thing for sure...it will be FUN because we always have fun!
It was a great day! I'm not sure where we will be going next month but I know one thing for sure...it will be FUN because we always have fun! 
71 comments:
Carmel has been on my "travel wish list" for so long now ... your beautiful photos make me want to go even more :-D
Love the gathering basket in your last post!
Hello,
Very nice trip you're showing us, nice photos.
I'm here for the first time... a little shocked to see the number of followers you have...
I have never visited a sight with more than 5-600 followers and didn't even think those numbers existed...:-))
Cheers from STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
Hillevissan
Lucky you...what a fun day and all those goodies to eat and purchase...I'm jealous...LOL...can't wait to see where you go next month...so what did you buy???? That lamp is adorable!!!
Cindy,
Ditto to what Deb just said! I've never heard of anyone who has visited Carmel not falling in love with it.
As always, your pictures are fabulous!!!
Marilyn (in Dallas)
I've only been to Carmel once, but it is one of the most charming and beautiful places I've ever been to! Your photos are lovely!
Thanks for letting us live vicariously through you! I want my backyard to look exactly like the first picture, a place to sit and have tea, cobblestones, etc.
Thanks Cindy for taking me to Carmel. It is beautiful and I
love those cabins and shops.
Wow,I bet yall do have fun.
That's nice to have friends to
go with you.I bet you bought
something cute...:O)
Oh, what fun to shop with friends. I love Carmel. We drove there from San Fran Cisco several years ago. Beautiful drive to a picturesque town.
Cindy,
Did you happen to hear that little bird in the tree singing a sweet song while you were on your day trip? That was me...all the way from Michigan, singing blessings to you. I'm so glad you had a girls day out. I'm jealous...the weather is yucky here in Michigan and I so long for my garden or anything in bloom!
Mary
What a charming place to visit and how tempting with all the fine bake goods. I think it is so much fun to go out with the girls and spend the day together... great relaxation!
I wouldn't mind having a tree like that in my yard... what a piece of Art-
Enjoy your Day-
Oh!
Cindy!
I couldn't believe it when I saw the word CARMEL!!!!
One of my TOP 5 places in the world! Yep...in the world!!!!
Haven't been to carmel in like 20 years...and guess what...I am going in April!!!!
Some of my dear friends that I have met here on Bainbridge Island live in Carmel...and I am taking Greg for the first time in April!
Oh I was loving these pictures!
Going to email this link to my friends in Carmel!
Thanks for sharing!
What a lovely day with friends!
xxooxx
I suspect this tour of that gorgeous city will be my only one -- and it was a GREAT one! :)
It almost doesn't look like the US -- such a charming, Continental "vibe".
Thank you for sharing!!!
Ruth
I want to go! beautiful pictures!
Thanks for the photos of your trip to Carmel. I don't know if I'd rather shop or eat...I'd do both. Life's too short not to, right?
Jan
Cindy, You live in a dream place to go to places. It is so pretty and nice. Your friends seem so happy I would be to. Wish I could see all that you do. But for now you are our eyes and insperation.
Maria & Ruth
Thanks for the little tour! I would love to see Carmel someday. Nice you have friends to do day trips with!~Patti
I have always loved Carmel. It looks like you had a great time. Needless to say, I wouldn't mind taking in all the bakeries. It looks so good. I pray for the great state of CA everyday. It's my home, born and raised and I love it, Char
So very charming, from the sweet storefronts, cobblestone paths, to the uniquely branched tree. It looks like a setting from a fairytale...
Cindy -
I loved the photos of Carmel. I've always wanted to go there and see the Storybook architecture. It looks like you had a great time. I wish it was only about and hour and a half from me. I'd go all the time.
What a charming place, and it looks as if you had a great time.
I am just back to work this week. It had been so long since I felt like visiting anyone, and I missed everyone so much.
Oh wow, what a beautiful town. I'm so jealous that you can walk around in such beautiful weather! lol
Great trip..thanks for inviting me along. Enjoyed all the pics
Cindy, I will have to come to your coast so I can visit Carmal and stay at one of the little cottages!!
Loved the teapot lamp, but shocked at the sticker price-yikes!
The Jolly Dog House
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"Saving one dog won't change the world, but it will change the world for that one dog"
"Within the heart of every stray, lies the singular desire to be loved"
Oh... have you ever been to the Pieces of Heaven chocolate shop in the Barnyard in Carmel? My aunt was the one who started and used to own it - she sold it about 15 years ago though. Brings back tons of memories! All *sweet*! =)
http://www.piecesofheaven1.com/
You know how much I love these posts. We are coming out in June maybe we can take a day trip together. I would love to meet you.
Thank you for posting photos of your trip. Carmel is such a charming place. I love the Comstock Cottages and all of the darling places to eat. I also love that carmel is such a dog friendly place. One day David and I will take Bentley there.
Love,
Susan and Bentley
I love Carmel. In fact Fifi painted the Hansel Cottage for me, which is my favorite cottage. I have always wanted to go there. Living in New York it is not that easy. The trees there are beautiful as well. Having a Tiffany's store doesn't hurt either. Come visit my blog. The cottage in the title bar is the Carmel Hansel Cottage. I also did a post about Carmel a few weeks ago. Love your blog! Carey from Chicory Nits
What a wonderful way to spend a day -- beautiful surroundings, mild weather, good company and lots of shoppes!
Deborah
Oh, wow! What a beautiful place! Thank you for letting this Alabama girl visit Carmel through your photos. It makes me want to see it in person.
I just wanted to let you know what an inspiration you are to me, Cindy. I started my own blog in January thanks to a lot of other inspirational blogs; yours being the top one! Thank you!
Sherry @ A Happy Valentine
Cindy!
What a wonderful day! and what a beautiful town!
Tanks for sharing.
Åsa
Carmel is beautiful. Thanks for taking us on your excursion with you and your friends.
Karen
Ladybug Creek
I am soooo all over that white/blue cottage!!!! Exactly what the seaside cottage that I own in my head looks like!
It all looks wonderful. Now I want to go!
But it would be nice to have some money to spend in the shops.....
Oh you make me want to go! It is about a 3 hour drive for me...but I haven't been in like 8yrs. Shameful, for I dearly love the place. It is like visiting a lil European coastal town. Your pictures are amazing. We have wanted to stay at the Lamplighter Inn and that Tea Rose place caught my eye because I call my tea room the 'Tea Rose Room'. Thank you for sharing your lovely day with us. I wanted to see your vegetarian pasta! And how could you not get one of those strawberry pastries??? yum
Oh, I have chill bumps!! I just haft to move that trip to the top of my bucket list!! Love that little lamp, we could probably make one!!
CARMEL is a little piece of HEAVEN! It's an expensive little piece but, oh sooooooooooo wonderful. I just love walking around there. The buildings all have such character! Thanks for sharing. I should would love to have one of the goodies out of the pastry case. HUGS! Charlene
You have some great shots of Carmel! Love them all and may have to take a trip down there now!
I want to GO with you, not click here, here, here and here. :)
I totally enjoyed your pictures, always so nice to see other places through the lens of friends. :)
Can't wait till your next trip!
What a lovely place to visit, looks like a little english village. also love the item you bought for the roses, I havent seen one of those before.
alicia
time worn style
Oh man, I LOVE Carmel. Living on the East coast, I haven't had the opportunity to go there in MANY years, but how I'd love to go again. Even my husband says that if we ever win lotto (which would be hard since we don't play) we'd live there half of the year!
- The Tablescaper
Thanks for taking us along. Lunch looks yummy!
looks like a lovely time was had by all!
we took our children once, and our nine
year old daughter was transfixed by a
jewelry story window.
the owner invited her in and insisted
that she try on several 6-7 carat rings!
fun memory.
looks like a lovely time was had by all!
we took our children once, and our nine
year old daughter was transfixed by a
jewelry story window.
the owner invited her in and insisted
that she try on several 6-7 carat rings!
fun memory.
Wow - thanks for the great trip, I need to take a weekend and head up there, looks so charming.
We could eat our way through - from bakery to bakery.
Marsha
It looks like you had a fabulous time! I haven't been to Carmel for many years, though we went to Monterey a couple of months ago. Thank you for sharing your photos!
Oh that looks like so much fun!
maybe someday I can visit Carmel...but for now I'm glad I can visit vicariously through you:)
thanks for sharing Cindy!
THank you so much for sharing with us one of the most darling towns in America! I lived in Monterey 27 years ago and I would love to visit again and I did through your eyes. I love the place and it is on my list to go back for a visit. THank you again-
Looks like you had a great time, how fun.
Carmel is on the list of places i must see
Your friend is very pretty, bet I know where the spill was that caused the new shirt to be bought lol
I went to Carmel for the first time last August when I was visiting my son in San Francisco. We drove down for the day & I couldn't believe I was really there. It's like a storybook village. I hope to go back next summer. Thanks for the gorgeous photos. Sue in Sarasota~
Hi Cindy,
Carmel is one of my very most favorite place to visit. Last fall we stayed and had the most wonderful time...we have stayed at the little cottages at the Lamplighter Inn and I was excited to see your pictures..as I have posted some of the same photos in my previous posts! Thanks for sharing ..looks like you girls had a wonderful time...makes me want to go back right now!
I've always heard Carmel was really special! What a great place to visit! ♥
OOPS! CINDY I'M SORRY I FORGOT
YOU GOT THAT REALLY NEAT STICK
WITH THE BASKET.:o)
if only me, my husband & kids could live in Carmel...it's super lovely & beautiful over there. southern california is just too congested & busy for me.
I love this post! What a fantastic day.
Blessings,
Necel from the Old House in Texas
Cindy,
Next time you go to Carmel, have lunch at The Cottage on Lincoln. They have cream of artichoke soup that is to die for! Carmel is one of my favorite cities in the world.
Laurie
That looks and sounds like so much fun! I love that area of Calif. Only been there once a long time ago but loved it, would like to go back. Enjoy your girl trips, that is a good thing!!
Linda
A really cute litle village:)
hugs elin anita
Oh, how I miss Carmel! I used to live in CA, but get to explore small towns in the great northwoods in eastern Washington where I live now. I know every nook and cranny in your photos, and happily relived walking those streets with you and your friends through your post.
Annie
I love carmel. SO much character and romance. Love the oddles and oddles of baking shops and darling stores. Thank you for taking us on your trip! ~lulu
Just found your blog. Love it!
Hi cindy, thank you for stopping by my blog!! I'm new at this and still learning.Your blog is just wonderful.I get so much inspiration....Kathy
Wow, thanks for letting tag along, Carmel was beauteous!
Sandy @ My Shabby Streamside Studio
http://www.myshabbystreamsidestudio.blogspot.com
Thanks for sharing your day. It was a trip down memory lane. My son was born at Fort Ord 23 years ago. My friends and I often went to Carmel for lunch and bit of shopping. It is still as beautiful as ever! Linda
I love Carmel. Thanks for the pictures they brought back great memories of a really beautiful trip.
oh my heart is all aflutter! I'd love to go to Carmel, unfortunately it's across the country from me! Lovely photos!
WOW....what a darling little "village" that is....it's too bad the little homes are so expensive, maybe they should have an auction on them....as more people would be able to afford them ...and not have them left unattended.
Sweet little town. I have heard about it for years, but had NEVER seen any pictures of it before today.
What a treat that would be visit in person, but your pictures will have to do for me.... as Houston, Tx. is a LONG way from there.
Yes, PLEASE be SURE to bring your camera when you go again.
Rose
I'm just catching up on your blog and OH MY, what a fun surprise. My hubby and I stayed at the Lamplighter Inn and IN the bluebird Cottage. What fun to see it again.
Carmel is the closest place to Heaven here on earth! The beautiful scenery, wonderful scents, adorable shops and coziness of it make it one of my favorite places too!
One of my favorite places and I only got to spend an afternoon there. Can't wait to go back sometime and spend at least a couple of days! Thanks for the bakery tour lol.
I love your blog...it makes me smile. I'm a new blogger and I love it too! Your thoughts and photos are beautiful...
Thanks!
Sincerly,
Deborah <3
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