Wandering Wednesday: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

^^ Family dinner at Maria Corona

^^ Leila showing Aunt 'Stine some love

^^ That's a 160 lb marlin! Go Mike!!

^^ Making friends with some seals! Isn't he handsome? :)

^^ Feeding leftover bait to the birds! That pelican almost took a finger. Phew!

^^ Me and my dad in front of the famous arch

A family beach vacation is a rare and wonderful thing around here. Since most of my family lives in Tennessee I generally travel there to see everyone once or twice during the summer and that is considered my "vacation". This time though my dad thought up a pretty genius plan...let's meet in Mexico! So last month, for five beautiful days, we did just that. It was relaxing, revitalizing, and adventurous all at once and I was so glad to spend some much needed time with my family. I constantly miss them and hate being so far away, especially from my nieces and nephew who are growing up so fast! Leila, my sister's little one, is at such a fun age right now (almost 2) and was talking up a storm when we were in Cabo. She'd wake up and right away say "ocean, ocean, ocean" and want us to lift her up so she could see the waves crashing from our balcony. It was the sweetest thing. The ocean in Cabo really is an incredible sight. The waves are actually so big that they don't allow swimming by the resort, which was definitely a bummer. But the threat is real. I lost my sandals to a wave that seemed to come out of nowhere one morning. I was just standing there taking photos and BAM. I ran as fast as I could but the current took my shoes along with it. It was a close call, especially since I had my camera in hand! The sacrifices we make for art ;) I will say that if you are visiting Cabo and looking to swim in the ocean, try venturing to the other side to a place called Lover's Beach. We didn't make it there this time around, we were pretty content swimming in the pool while enjoying the ocean view, but that crystal clear water is pretty tempting. 

This trip was more family oriented, so my little guide will reflect that. We stayed close to the resort during the day and generally went into town for dinner but didn't stick around to indulge in Cabo's vibrant night life scene. Maybe next time?! Here are the highlights...

STAY

Grand Solmar

This resort is truly breathtaking. It was built on the very edge of the island, called Lands End, creating beautiful views everywhere you turn. It is open and airy and blends into the natural rock formations around it. The amenities make it hard to leave, and you really don't have to if that suits you. There are 3-4 restaurants to choose from within the resort, all with pretty similar, local inspired food. I think I counted 4 pools, and apparently they have couple more on the way (there was a little construction during our stay but it didn't bother us one bit). The rooms are spacious and pretty with huge balconies that look right onto the ocean. As I said, we stayed pretty close to the resort during the day-- reading, relaxing, and splashing around. Loved it!

EAT

Grand Solmar, poolside

I have to say that one of the best parts of this trip was getting to eat fresh seafood everyday! Living in a landlocked state, I don't often get to indulge in one of my favorite types of food so I definitely took advantage. Shrimp tacos and fish ceviche by the pool became our go-to lunch order. I was in heaven. 

The Office

This place is pretty touristy but if you can get past that part you really can't beat the location. It literally sits right on the beach. The atmosphere is fun and lively and there is often a band playing during dinnertime. The food is okay, the drinks are better. Once the sun goes down, hundreds of Christmas lights light up and the party starts.

Maria Corona

If I were to pick a favorite restaurant of the bunch, this one would be up at the top. There was a traditional Mexican trio playing the night we went that blew us all away. They were such a great background to the whole experience. More low key than The Office, this place felt very authentic in terms of decor and food. I had a slow roasted pork dish that was served in a banana leaf....amazing.

Salvatores

This is the second time I've had delicious Italian food in Mexico. Apparently it's a thing? The portions here are huge so watch out. We ended up having lots of leftovers that we turned into breakfast and lunch the next day though so it actually worked out nicely! The food is pretty rich and heavy so I'd say go hungry. But don't skip dessert...the tiramisu is almost better than Spinelli's!

Flora Farms

I won't say too much about this restaurant here because I am going to write a separate Wandering Wednesday featuring it next week. Yes, it's so amazing it deserves it's own post. Flora Farms is actually located about an hour outside of Cabo Can Lucas in San Jose Del Cabo. I had no idea what to expect when we arrived. My dad said we were going to an organic farm restaurant which I interpreted as farm to table. I had no idea that I'd be walking into a literal farm oasis! Now I dream of returning regularly. Let's just say it makes an impression.

PLAY

Deep Sea Sportfishing

This was my first time deep sea fishing and it didn't disappoint. We started at sunrise and rode probably 20 miles from the shoreline fishing for Wahoo, Marlin, Tuna, Amberjack. We were sportfishing which means you can only keep a certain amount of what you catch, and some fish (specifically Marlin) are treated as catch and release unless you want to pay a hefty fee. I have to admit, I was mostly there for the boat ride. I can never say no to being on a boat and with the added entertainment of watching the guys reel in a few 160lb fish....yes, please! We (and I say 'we' because I was a really great cheerleader) caught all Marlin that day. Reeled in two and hooked four total. Those suckers can dance! It's a full out battle getting them into the boat! Fishing is so interesting to me because it is so much waiting around but once something bites everything changes. At the end of our ride, we feed our leftover bait to the birds and a couple seals that just hopped up right next to us. That was a definite trip highlight! So fun!

San Jose Del Cabo

San Jose is the laid-back sister of Cabo San Lucas. We took a day trip here and shopped around before dinner at Flora Farms. There is a string of shops along the main plaza and a beautiful church which serves as a central landmark of the town. My sister Kate and brother-n-law Mike actually spent their honeymoon here so they wanted to go back and visit a few of their favorite spots and have a drink at the hotel where they stayed. I much preferred this area to downtown Cabo San Lucas for shopping. In fact, I think overall this town suited me a little better and if I were planning my own trip back I would consider staying here. It's slower, and cheaper, and not as touristy. 

MAKE: 5 Ways to Indigo Tie-Dye, The Shibori Method

Shibori is one of the earliest known Japanese fabric dying techniques. It is a form of tie dying, also called resist dying. The manipulations of the fabric prior to application of the dye are called resists, as they partially or completely prevent the applied dye from coloring the fabric. There are countless ways to bind, bunch, fold or wrap your cloth in preparation for the dye bath, all producing different pattern results. I checked out a few books from the library (this one was especially helpful) and read up on the art before diving into this DIY, which I recommend. It felt good to have a little bit of knowledge on the subject since it was pretty new to me. 

The first step is to gather your materials. This takes a few days so I recommend planning ahead. After doing a little research online, I settled on buying this kit from Amazon, which worked great and I highly recommend! It makes the process very straightforward and inexpensive. It basically comes with everything you need absent a 5 gallon bucket and a stir stick. I did end up buying a few extra things at the Dollar Store and Ace Hardware, but if you don't want to fuss with all the different techniques you can really do a lot with this little kit. In terms of the fabric pieces I used, I wanted to start easy so I bought some flour sack tea towels, a set of cotton pillowcases and a top from Target. I also had a white dress I got on sale at Old Navy so I threw that in too! It felt a little risky but I'm glad I did it. When picking things out just make sure you are choosing natural fibers and not synthetic materials. 

MATERIALS:

- Indigo Tie Dye Kit

- 5 Gallon bucket with an air tight lid

- Stir stick
- White fabrics for dyeing

Optional

- Extra gloves (they only give you one pair in the kit and they are not the best, a little flimsy and they don't go past your wrists. Next time I am going to get something like this so my hands don't end up blue for a week!)

- Wooden pole or maillot

- String

- Scissors

- Marbles

- Extra rubber bands

- Tongs

- Notebook and pen (to document your patterns and results)

- 2 gallon bucket (for the water dip, this is necessary if you don't have a sink near your work space)

- Plastic tablecloth or drop cloth

This DIY takes several hours, so I'd set aside most of the day if you have it. Shibori is not meant to be rushed. Your pieces will not turn out well if you are in a hurry. I suggest waking up early, setting up your work space, and putting on some good tunes. Since I don't have the luxury of having a yard (I live on the 4th floor of my apt complex), I had to improvise a bit with my 'work space'. I picked a shaded spot by the corner of my building, laid down a drop cloth (which was actually a plastic table cloth from the dollar store), filled one 2 gallon bucket with warmish water, and set the other 5 gallon bucket out for my dye bath. If you have a sink nearby you won't necessarily need to 2 gallon bucket for water, but I didn't want to have to be running up and down the stairs so this was my solution. 

Making the Indigo dye bath: The kit has thorough instructions on how to make the dye bath, so if you follow them carefully you should be good to go. That being said, this was definitely the most intimidating part for me. The dye is sensitive and is not supposed to be exposed to oxygen, so just remember not to slosh or splash around. Stir in a gentle, steady motion to avoid introducing oxygen into the liquid in this phase (it can ruin the whole process). Once you have made the bath, it needs to sit for at least 30 min (an hour is recommended) so at this point you can use this time to fold, bind and tie your fabric. 

Shibori Techniques:

If I can offer any tips at all for this part I would just say go for it. There is no right or wrong way. This is the fun part, so don't dwell too much on how things might turn out. Photo documentation is helpful. I took a picture of the before and after of every piece so now I pretty much know how to get similar results in the future. Also jotting things down in a notebook and sketching beforehand is a good way to go once you get more familiar with the results you will get. I definitely felt like I was winging it a little, this being my first time, but I was really pretty happy with my results! Mistakes can often be beautiful in this art which is a major bonus :)

1. Itajime: aka Accordion Fold technique. Numbers 1. and 3. both use the triangle accordion fold technique. This was a super simple and quick folding technique that involves folding the fabric forwards and then backwards (like an accordion) making pleats in the fabric and then doing the same in a triangle shape. Here is a video example. Number 5. also uses this technique except for instead of folding it into a triangle I continued with a square pattern. This is a good video example for this technique. You may use wooden blocks or claps to secure your shape, but just keep in mind that anything covering the fabric is going to be white underneath. I just secured mine with a couple rubber bands. See below for results.

2. Arashi: aka, the Pole Wrapping method. See number 2. The term arashi is the Japanese word for "storm" which seems fitting for this method producing chaotic designs on a piece of cloth. This was one of the fastest and easiest methods in my opinion. Here is a good video (if you are a visual person like me). Basically you just lay your cloth diagonal to the pole, wrap it around, and secure it with a bunch of string. If you want a more linear patten, make sure not to cross the string, but I was aiming for a random design. See below for visuals and results. 

3. Ne-Maki: aka Bound Resist, circle method. Used in number 6.-- this technique involves placing marbles on the fabric (you can also use rocks, or even just bunch the fabric) and securing them with rubber bands. The rubber band creates a beautiful circular pattern. See below for visuals and results. 

4. Kumo: or Spiderweb method. this technique takes a little time but the results are beautiful. It involves randomly tying areas of fabric in place with ties (you can use yarn, string, plastic, wire, rubber bands etc.) in a cone or horn. I used this technique for number 4. I randomly gathered fabric, tied it at the top and wrapped it down. I did this in several places throughout the piece. It produces a beautiful spiral. See below for results.

{Match the numbers from the previous pic to the corresponding numbers in this picture to give you an idea of the techniques and finished results}

Once you have bound and bundled and done all you need to do to your fabric to produce beautiful patterns, you are ready to start dyeing! You must soak all of your fabric in warm water first and then one at a time place your pieces into the indigo bath. Make sure to stir your bath and remove the 'bloom' before your start. All of this is explained in the kit instructions. During this phase it is very important not to just drop your piece into the dye bath and let it sink to the bottom. Using your hands or tongs, gently submerge it just under the dye surface, making sure not to introduce oxygen into the bath (no splashing, hold very still). I put each piece in the bath for at least 3 min. When removing your piece wring it out underneath the surface and try to avoid as much dripping as possible. Place your piece on the drop cloth and let it oxidize for about 20 min. You will notice that at first the piece is a greenish yellow color, but slowly begins to turn indigo blue as it is exposed to the air. Repeat this process as many times as you'd like to achieve desired results. (I did it 3 times just to ensure a deep blue indigo color)

Now that you have dyed all of your pieces, let them dry completely in the sun, and then wash in cold water  to set the dye. Take pictures and label your results so you can do it again, even better next time! I'm so pleased with this DIY. You really can't go wrong with tie dye and learning the traditional Shibori technique is very cool if you ask me! Happy dyeing!

Have an exciting weekend!

Last night was one of the craziest storms I've witnessed in a while. I snapped this photo at sunset not knowing that those clouds would soon be a blanket over the city, creating a barrier between me and the most insane lightning storm. Rob and I were watching TV, but kept seeing the flashes of light every few seconds. Then we decided we were being lame. Whatever was on TV was not nearly as interesting as the show outside. So we grabbed two chairs, sat our our tiny balcony, and watched the sky light up for almost an hour. It was breezy and weirdly relaxing. It felt like we were watching a fireworks show that went on forever. We were finally forced inside when huge drops of rain and hail started to fall. The storm raged most of the night. I could hear it from my bedroom getting harder like a crescendo and then tapper off again. It was pretty mesmerizing, but also kinda scary at times. So yea...the weather. It's been nuts ;)

What's up with you guys this weekend? Tonight I am hoping to go to the MCA for a little rooftop music gathering. This is one of my favorite summer happenings-- good music, cocktails, and a panoramic view of the city. Can't beat it. Other than that we are expecting more inclement weather which means lots of time indoors to make something from this cookbook I just bought. I am thinking three cheese brioche maybe?! Enjoy it!

And, some things I like...

ETSY faves: here, here, here and here.

DONUT day: can everyone please stop taking about this national donut day thing?! It's clogging up my Instagram feed and you can only see so many colorfully decorated circles in a week. Okay but...these  look pretty good tho and I'm itching to try these two spots in Denver. ;) (Also--this)

NAME talk: I found this post so interesting. It made me want to write down all the names I've been called throughout my life and dissect them.

TRAVEL guide: Savannah, Georgia. Been twice, but dying to go back Southern road trip style.

SHIBORI dyeing: I just bought this indigo dye kit and can't wait to try it out! Love all the cool projects I've been seeing online--here, here and here

PODCAST obsession: people who know me well, know I love a good podcast. I am especially loving this one and this one right now. I have always thought Starlee Kine was hilarious on TAL and am psyched she now has her own show. Also going through a major Cheryl Strayed phase currently. I haven't read Wild, but I just read this book and it blew me away. Her advice is always so spot on in my opinion.

Have a lovely weekend!

I'm off to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico this weekend/week to soak up some much needed sunshine! May has been nothing but gray skies in Denver and it's getting really, really old. I'm looking forward to lounging by the pool, dipping my toes in the ocean, eating many fish tacos, hanging with my family, and relaxing. Have a great long weekend friends!

And are some cool things from the web this week...

READ: a day in the life of Pinterest. Hilarious.

ABANDONED houses: filled with 100,000 flowers. Just beautiful.

TAROT cards: come to life. Such a cool photo series.

DOTE magazine: enjoying this new online mag-- fresh articles and good photography

DOLLHOUSE: for the hipster parents' child. Confession: I secretly want it...

RECIPE box: will this be my next bread making venture?

BALLOON diy: loving these palm leaf balloons! So fun!

FUNNY stuff: if guys vacationed like girls.

TINY spaces: doesn't everyone have minimalist dreams?

(image via anthropologie)

MAKE: Tin Can Succulent Planters

I tend to keep things around not always knowing what they will become. These tin cans are a prime example of that. After using them for their intended purpose, I cleaned and stored them with the rest of my old jar collection...mainly because, well, they're pretty! I admit, I have slight hoarding tendencies. But seriously, I use my old jars and containers in countless ways and this is just one good example. It's called upcycling y'all, and it's good for the environment! This easy peasy project converts tin cans that you would normally just toss in the trash into something beautiful. Isn't that lovely to think about? 

I bought these pretty little plant babies for $3 a piece at the Cactus and Succulent sale at the Denver Botanic Gardens a few weeks ago. And since the planter is free, this whole DIY only cost me $6. I'd say that's pretty sweet! I am a big succulent fan. I love how they come in so many unique shapes and sizes! Also they are super low maintenance, which makes them a great beginner house plant. I have cared for several over years, mostly with success, but a few failures. Here are a few tips and tricks I can offer:

- Water only once a week, don't over water

- They like bright light, but avoid placing them in intense, direct sunlight

- Pick off any dry or withered leaves to avoid bugs

- Fertilize once a month during warmer weather

- Don't leave them outside in the snow or freezing temps (this one should be a no-brainer, but sometimes the weather changes quickly in CO!)

Materials: 

• Tin Can, empty & cleaned
• Succulent plant
• Drill with ¼" metal drill bit
• tweezers or forceps
• Potting soil

MAKE:

1. Make sure your tin can is empty, clean, and dry before you begin. You can also paint the outside with chalkboard paint or any other colors if you don't like the original design. Just make sure it is dry before you start your planting. 

2. Drill 3 holes in the bottom of the can (this may vary depending on the size, you may want to drill more or less)

3. Using tweezers or forceps remove residual metal bits from the holes
4. Pot succulent using potting soil. You may want to add a pretty good base on the bottom depending how you want your succulent to look. 
5. Place in a sunny location and water once a week.

Have a beautiful weekend!

I am trying to channel blue skies and sunshine today, because it's been hard to come by lately here in CO. I am hoping to be out and about this weekend enjoying some local festivities like Jazz Fest and maybe a farmers market. I so want to ride my bike around and be outside, so hopefully the weather behaves. Enjoy the weekend guys!

Also, a little link love...

ABANDONED love: photo series inspired by Miranda July's Learning to Love You More.

READ: Hahaha vs. Hehehe...How do you e-laugh?

BEAUTY tip: Do you suffer from tangly hair like me? This brush is a god send. My hair stylist used in on my hair last week and seriously it's the best thing that has happened to my hair, like ever. It cuts my morning routine in half. I know it looks pretty basic but it works wonders.

ETSY favs: this pretty turquoise ceramic bowl, these temporary kitten tats, & this sweet birdhouse for my imaginary garden.

FASHION statement: this caftan would be the perfect coverup for my vacation to Mexico coming up. If only...

MOSAIC potholes: aren't they wonderful?!

HOUSE envy: How dreamy is this countryside home?

SAY what: a cafe in Milan designed by Wes Anderson!

FAREWELL legend: B.B. King.

(photo by me)

MAKE: Quick & Easy Rhubarb Butter

When it comes to whipping up something rather quickly to spread on toast or a biscuit, fruit butters are my jam. Ha, see what I did there? But seriously, this recipe is something that takes minimal time and effort, and leaves you with a jar for yourself and a jar for a friend! What's better than that? Fruit butters are generally made with less sugar and no pectin. Almost all of the ingredients can be found on hand in your pantry. Since it is peak rhubarb season at the moment, (peak season = April-June) I picked up some stalks from the store the other day with the intention of making...something. A few days later it all came together when I realized that we had gone through almost all of our jam in the fridge. Good timing...

When choosing rhubarb at the grocery or farmer's market look for glossy red, crisp stalks with medium thickness. If they are long and floppy that means they've been sitting around too long. Also, did you know that botanically rhubarb is actually considered a vegetable? It is in the buckwheat family and is related to the sorrel. Due to it's tartness, it is often balanced by sugary fruits in pies and desserts, but, nope, not a fruit. Crazy, huh? I'm still going reference it as a fruit in this recipe though, because I just can't get use to calling this a vegetable butter. Too weird. 

Rhubarb Butter

Ingredients: 

Makes about 2 16 oz Jars // Prep Time: 20 min

• 4 stalks of rhubarb
• 1 apple, peeled and cored
• 5 strawberries
• ½ cup of agave or honey  
• Optional: 
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• ½ lemon, juiced
• ¼ tsp. rose water 

MAKE:

1. Rinse all your 'fruit'. Trim the ends of the rhubarb, peel and core your apple, and trim the tops off your strawberries. 

2. Roughly chop the fruit and add to food processor. Pulse in the food processor until well blended. 

3. In a heavy bottomed pot, pour fruit mixture. Add honey, and cinnamon, lemon and rose water (if using). Bring mixture to a gentle boil. Stir occasionally. 

4. Cook about 20 min. Allow the fruit to break down. When desired consistency is reached remove from heat and let cool. If you prefer your butter very smooth, you may want to puree again in the food processor or with a hand mixer. 

5. Once cooled, pour jour butter into a jar and label it! Store in the fridge up to 3 weeks. If you want to preserve it longer, you might want to freeze it or can it. I always tend to eat mine up quickly!!

Fruit butters are so versatile! This is another recipe that can be altered depending on your own personal taste. You may want to add more or less sugar or use honey or brown sugar instead of agave. You can also try different spices like cardamom or vanilla. Or different fruits, of course! It is really infinitely adaptable! I love pairing it with warm, freshly made biscuits and tea, but you can also put a dollop in your morning oatmeal or use it as an ice cream topping. YUM!