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Thursday, February 20, 2014

~Surprise Valentine Trip to Ojai & Santa Barbara and Simple & Sweet Fridays~

Stan surprised me with a Valentine's trip to Northern California.
He told me to pack for 3 days,
on Valentine's morning and kept the destination a surprise.
He rented a Porsche boxster convertible.
We dropped off Maggie at the doggie day hotel 
and we were on our way.
I didn't know where we were going.
I was so excited, yet nervous.
The weather was perfect driving up the coast.
He ended up taking me to the Emerald Iguana Inn in Ojai.
Stan had heard from a friend that he really enjoyed the Inn and that it had beautiful grounds surrounding it.
It had a Mediterranean feel to it.
Very comfortable and quiet!
Another surprise was our daughter, 
Carly, came down from Santa Cruz to be with us too.
I was so happy to see her. We had a private patio outside our room so we ended up making a salad and enjoying 
each other's company the first night.
The area is so beautiful and relaxing.
This was the view outside our room.
The room had a lot of art work displayed everywhere.
I love how they stenciled above the beds.
The next day we drove up to Santa Barbara.
I wanted to check out a store my girlfriends kept talking about.
~Rooms & Gardens~
The inside was spectacular with everything I love.


Outside is the cutest garden.
I love the chickens, so cute!!
They have designed a little garden area with a chicken coop.
Loved it!!
If you're ever in Santa Barbara, check it out!
That day we shopped at all the wonderful stores,
it was so much fun!

On Sunday, we went to Ojai's Farmer's Market.
Love all the fresh local produce.
Beautiful Flowers too!

After the market we walked to 
The Lavender Inn.
It's a Bed & Breakfast.
I loved how they designed their gardens outside.
"How beautiful it is to do nothing and then rest afterwards".
Loved that quote!



It was beautiful inside too!
It was booked so we couldn't see the rooms,
maybe next trip we'll stay here.
Then we went to Bart's Books.
It is the World's Greatest Outdoor Book Store.

We all found a special book to buy!!
Our last designation was Regalo Olive Company in Ojai. 








Last weeks features:

An Extraordinary Day - Book Page Valentine Mantel

Kathe With an E - Valentine's Day Buffet Decor

Little Brags - Happy Valentines Day

Cottage Gal Style - Heart Spools All Dressed Up

Ms. Toody Goo Shoes - Have a Heart or Two: Shortbread Cookies

Savvy in the Kitchen - Valentine's Day Nutella Cheesecake Bars




If you have been featured on
Simple & Sweet Fridays,
feel free to add my button!
Rooted In Thyme

Enjoy the Simple & Sweet Friday linky party!

Rooted In Thyme
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25 comments:

  1. SwedishCorner ~ DownUnder...PernillaFebruary 20, 2014 at 12:44 AM

    What a wonderful surprise weekend! Thanks for hosting, Jody! Hugs from Australia♥ ~Pernilla

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  2. Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble ChristmasFebruary 20, 2014 at 5:17 AM

    Thanks so much for hosting!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  3. La Table De NanaFebruary 20, 2014 at 6:14 AM

    How fun to be surprised.. :) I would have enjoyed everything:)

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  4. Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynestFebruary 20, 2014 at 7:16 AM

    I so enjoyed your photos of your trip! California is so beautiful :-)

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  5. Laurel StephensFebruary 20, 2014 at 8:37 AM

    Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip! It's always so nice to get out of the snow and visit you in California. :)

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  6. Christine at Little BragsFebruary 20, 2014 at 8:37 AM

    Jody, thanks so much for featuring my little fuzzy Valentine Cutie here today!!! He is a killer!!!!! Lots of eye candy here from your little trip!!! xoxoxox Christine from Little Brags

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  7. Joy@aVintageGreenFebruary 20, 2014 at 9:02 AM

    Thanks for sharing your Valentine Trip, enjoyed every photo. Thanks too for hosting today.
    Joy

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  8. The Speckled Hen CottageFebruary 20, 2014 at 9:21 AM

    What a wonderful surprise getaway, loved all the "wish I was there photos"! Snapdragons and strawberries, how luscious and pretty~~~

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  9. PoppyFebruary 20, 2014 at 9:39 AM

    Jodi,

    WOW!! Loved this post for its sheer beauty and light and colour!! How lucky you are to have been surprised by your Stan and your sweet daughter, for a lovely get together away from home and in a charming and quaint haven!! Thanks for sharing this; I've been staring for several minutes...can't take my eyes away from the warmth and prettiness!

    Thanks for hosting and have a lovely weekend!

    Poppy

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  10. AnonymousFebruary 20, 2014 at 11:01 AM

    Such a lovely trip! Thank you for sharing with us. The bookstore looks amazing- I love bookstores and I know I could have spent hours browsing around. -Autumn

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  11. Art and SandFebruary 20, 2014 at 12:42 PM

    You and Stan were in our neck of the woods for Valentine's Day. My husband loves his Boxster and won't let me drive it. There is nothing better than to put the top down and go for a drive. We frequently drive up to Ojai for lunch. We also like to ride our bicycles from Ventura to Ojai and eat lunch at the pub at the Ojai Valley Inn.

    Rooms and Gardens is one of my favorite spots, but I love so many of the shops in Santa Barbara. We might even drive up to SB tomorrow afternoon to visit our son. That drive along the coast is one of my favorite views of all time.

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  12. Mary@mydogsmygardenandmaryFebruary 20, 2014 at 12:45 PM

    What a great surprise weekend. I love Ojai - it's so pretty there and so many interesting shops, restaurants. I bet you were really surprised when your daughter surprised you.
    The Inn where you stayed looks so very interesting. Glad you had a wonderful time and driving down the coast in a convertible how terrific.
    Have a great weekend - looks like another perfect weekend.
    Mary

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  13. Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. OlsonFebruary 20, 2014 at 2:30 PM

    Jody, what a wonderful trip! Sweet surprise for sure. Glad you had such a fun time and got to see your daughter. Thanks for hosting.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  14. Celestina MarieFebruary 20, 2014 at 3:11 PM

    Hi Jody, what a wonderful Valentine surprise trip. How special of your Stan and to also meet your daughter there too. Your photos are great. The shopping looks like so much fun. Love seeing the bookstore too. Your smiles show what a lovely time it was. Thanks for sharing your surprise.
    Hugs!!

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  15. UnknownFebruary 20, 2014 at 4:06 PM

    Hi Jody,

    Thank you ever so much for the feature! I feel very honored.
    Hugs, Lynnie

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  16. Madonna/aka/Ms Lemon of Make Mine LemonFebruary 20, 2014 at 4:09 PM

    Be still my heart. What a wonderful trip. I am putting that on the list. Thank you for hosting.

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  17. KatheFebruary 20, 2014 at 6:14 PM

    There I was, slowly scrolling through, enjoying your beautiful surprise weekend (well played Stan!), dreaming of blooming flowers and fancy Olive oil and then, see my buffet decor featured. I seriously gasped! To be featured on your lovely blog truly made my week Jody! Thank you! And, thank you for hosting each week!

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  18. Heirloom treasuresFebruary 20, 2014 at 6:35 PM

    What a romantic gettaway and lovely surprise. Such a beautiful place too. The farmers market looked amazing and the size of the strawberries, yum.

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  19. LizFebruary 20, 2014 at 9:24 PM

    Great, great pictures of Santa Barbara!! I've been there only once (I'm from the Netherlands), but I have really good memories. Such a beautiful place!

    Thanks for sharing this!

    Liz

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  20. Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouseFebruary 20, 2014 at 10:38 PM

    What a great trip! I loved discovering Ojai through your eyes.

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  21. Lady of the WoodsFebruary 21, 2014 at 2:30 AM

    OMG, you totally had MY perfect day! I love Ojai! I had a friend who lived there, I visited twice. I believe he may still own one of the chic clothing stores there. Ojai has the BEST ORANGE JUICE ever!~ can't believe all those strawberries, I'm still trying to grow mine, I have one....that is 1 little strawberry which I'm sure some critter will eat before me. I can't believe that bounty of strawberries in that picture! I'd be tempted to buy a crate and then not know what do with all of it lol...and those flowers....everything I loved....even the salad in the room. When I travel by driving, I keep certain things in my car and once I get a room for the night I find the local health food store, buy organic greens, make a salad and eat in my rooms. I never got tired of this. What a lovely time you had....sigh.... :D:D:D

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  22. Gina AlfaniFebruary 21, 2014 at 3:10 AM

    WOW what a fabulous trip and romantic surprise from your husband! Enjoyed the photos :)

    Thanks so much for hosting Simple and Sweet Fridays!

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  23. Sketchbook WanderingFebruary 21, 2014 at 7:48 AM

    Thanks for visiting my little blog & for sharing all this beauty & happiness!!!! It does feel very European, I wouldn't have guessed California! California seems like such a paradise & so far away from northern New England!

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  24. The Charm of HomeFebruary 21, 2014 at 7:07 PM

    Thanks for hosting! Love the markets!

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  25. Rosemary and ThymeFebruary 21, 2014 at 8:27 PM

    What a great surprise. So thoughtful. Your photos are so pretty. Ojai is on my must see list. Thanks for hosting.


    Janet

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