This post is going to be dedicated to almost all the shopping and eateries that we were able to get to on our Girls Getaway. State Street is the main drag in downtown Santa Barbara where most of the places are but there are plenty off the beaten path too. I can't tell you how many times we walked up and down State St. to go shopping or go have lunch or dinner. I sure did put in my walking quota for the whole year! There were so many shops...some old favorites like Restoration Hardware and some unique to the Santa Barbara area shops. One of my favorite shops was Rooms and Gardens for it's California Casual Decor.
When I think of a California Beach Home...I can see plenty of elements found in this shop that you would decorate with. From the stripy rugs to the rattan chairs and all the warm woods.
Lots of kitchen products, blue and white china, as well as squishy pillows and deep set slipcovered couches!
Speaking of pottery, they had one of my favorite type of terracotta pots with the scalloped edges with moss encrusted on the outside. I bought one a few years ago and a soccer ball killed it!
Perfect for a ivy topiary from Trader Joes. Take a look at this wood door...perfect patina with the wrought iron hardware!
This anchor American flag was my very favorite piece in the whole store..I wish I could of taken it home with me....but it was pricey and not in my budget at this time. I think it would look perfect over my fireplace mantel. It's she a beauty?
Going out their backdoor you come into this cobblestone courtyard...
with chickens!!! Can you believe it...the cutest little courtyard with a henhouse out back..I bet they love their view...they can see that cute little anchor flag from their coop.
Another great piece of architextural salvage are the white shutters and the cylinder birdhouse painted in my favorite color with a shingled roof.
I think it would of been nice if they had a few more plants in cute pots for sale..that would of taken this store up a notch or two.
They had Dash and Albert rugs and I was really, really tempted to pick one up for my kitchen, but I was not inclinded to carry that sucker up and down State. St. I should just order one online.
The BEST Mai {MEAN} Tai ever was found on the pier at Longborder's Grill. It had a great view of the pier and the ocean on both sides. It also came with cute little hibiscus flower skewers, it's all in the presentation.
This li'l cupcake shop off of State. St. we had to go to because my fellow Square Peg had seen them on Cupcake Wars, it also had a cafe attached to it and was darling so I had to snap up a few pictures of the cafe.
It was very homey with the iron stove and brick fireplace.
We got there at the end of the day so most of the cupcakes were gone I really like Red Velvet ones so I was disappointed that they were out so I got a lemon one which was good. Moist but it was at the end of the day so not the freshest.
They also have a shop in Carpenteria and I took this picture when we went on our vacay last time.
I liked this shop better with the industrial edge it had, the concreate floors the metal chairs and it was a lot bigger...but I did not get to taste one of the cupcakes, next time.
This little shop called PUNCH was packed with a lot of retro style things, it was like a trip back in time!! Very fun store to shop in and browse going back several decades.
This is a new restaurant opened this past month called the Benchmar, they had some great appetizers and I liked the Sangria, it was very fruity and refreshing.
They had this in the outdoor patio area....don't those plants look fake...nope they are the real deal.
You know I'm all about "cute things", those little darling red striped napkins had my name all over them...as well as those aqua blue water bottles, they say it's "devil in the details".
Had to take a zip into Restoration Hardware. Wow! Look in awe at that chandelier, the reclaimed wood with the iron, I think that would make a perfect fit in the family room over the sofa. I did need to pick up my Crack { No Crack Cream from RH in Belgian Linen} too so that was my reason for paying a visit to this shop. I can't always afford their beautiful merchandise but I gleam ideas from there decor.
Just looking at that white urn with succulents looks perfect on this vanity. I love the moodiness of this store with the dark gray walls and the wood finishes. I know my home is a lot different than this style but I can take the parts of it and use it in my home. The juxtaposition of the crystal chandelier with the rusticness of the wood or the rusted iron. That is what I'm drawn to.
We didn't stop here to eat or drink but when I walked by I thought it looked like a neat place...so I snapped a quick picture.
This restaurant by far was voted hands down by all my Square Pegs {Friends from HS} as the best food we ever had in our life!! The stuffed Squash Blossoms...to die for we ordered as an appetizer. I had Scallops as my main encourse....oh my gosh it was orgasmic, yes it was! And I'll say that here on the internet because it truely was!!
Sorry for the bad Cell phone picture I was enjoying my food too much to haul out my camera.
Toma is just North of the pier about 3 or 4 blocks. I highly recommend this place if you are looking for ambiance and GREAT GREAT Food!! It was so delish that I will definitely be back the next time I'm in Santa Barbara. That's my recount of our trip on the food and shopping part. One more post on SB to go. It is a must see town if you are in California, there is also Solvang that you should visit too.
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