THE NEXT JEN

Hi there! I just recently arrived home from a few weeks away from home. Felt inspired to share my love for a special little place. But first, a little bit of a back story.

About a month ago, I was sitting in front a fire pit with a family friend on what seemed like the first chilly night after a very hot, long summer. Embers glowing in front of us in the bright sea-green glass, we chatted about our upcoming plans with blankets around our shoulders.

“It’s Car-mel.”

“What?”

“Caaaar-mel,” she repeated, drawing out the long-sounding “A” consonant. “Not ‘caramel’, like the sweets. I keep thinking you’re talking about candy.”

While I was a bit flustered at first, I was so grateful for the correction after the fact. I had been explaining my upcoming plans to visit the coastal town of Carmel in Northern California the following weekend, and apparently… I had been pronouncing the name of the city incorrectly. My family friend was a cultured, classy, and very sweet woman. I’m grateful she either a) knew the correct pronunciation in the first place, or b) had enough confidence to look me in the face and make me aware of my error.

Arriving in Carmel, I could quickly see why some would believe pronouncing the name mattered more than just being knowledgeable and polite… Carmel was a dream…

Nestled along the ruggedly picturesque coastline, Carmel is a charming coastal gem that effortlessly marries natural beauty with artistic sophistication. This idyllic seaside village, with its quaint streets and rustic cottages, exudes an undeniable sense of timeless elegance. Pristine, white-sand Carmel Beach stretches out beneath the iconic cypress trees and art galleries dot the village, showcasing the talents of local artists and offering a glimpse into the thriving creative spirit that infuses the town.

It’s like a page from a storybook come to life.

We stayed a bit down the road from the main drag at the Carmel Mission Inn.

I wasn’t feeling 100% once arriving, but the accommodations and staff were lovely. Additionally, the stack of buttermilk pancakes layered in fresh berries, fragrant maple syrup, whipped butter, and powdered sugar on their Breakfast menu at the in-house Shearwater Tavern was the ultimate medicine, of course.

We were in Carmel to celebrate my cousin’s wedding – which was incredible. What a stunning place to make incredible memories!

I had picked up a really beautiful (and slightly-pricey) dress initially to wear to the wedding, but last minute needed to switch it up and overnight this little Amazon number. It turned out not so bad at all! I loved the emerald green color.

We were only in Carmel for a few days – but those days spent sipping hot chocolate, shuffling through puddles while walking amongst the art shops, and bundling up in fluffy scarfs are days I won’t soon forget. The beauty, the company, the feeling of relaxation…

Cheers to being in love in beautiful places. We all should get out more.

Xo, Jen