Spring is here and now is the time to start adventuring. Well actually anytime is better than never! I've been living back on the Central Coast for a year and a half and it's crazy how time flies. I was born and raised here and yet there is so much to do and see, and I can't believe I am finding new places to go every second. It's hard to Imagine that you can live somewhere your entire life and be missing out on all the secret and beautiful places it has to offer. Well I've learned that more than ever now. Every weekend I've been wandering off to experience new places and taking a chance for myself to slow down and "stop and smell the roses" because life is really too short to pass every beautiful and meaningful tidbit by.... Everywhere you look there is beauty. People, nature, the ocean. I can't get enough of it. There is a spot high above the city where you can get to on a beautiful windy road with warm spring air in your face. You can see the green rolling hills to the right and the endless emerald ocean to the left. The trail 90 had a little trouble going up the steep hill, but I made it. It's nice to feel the breeze on your skin when you are on a motorcycle. I'm hoping to update my blog weekly with each "secret" spot on the Central Coast I have been taking advantage of over the last few weeks. It opened my eyes that no matter where you are, or what your doing - if you just take some time out for yourself to notice the little and beautiful things in life - it really will change you forever. Until Next Time - Peace to all Hillary

Hi All,
Hope you can make it to Laguna Supply in downtown Laguna Beach this Friday.  I will be there creating one of a kind "peace" teeshirts.  You can also see the handmade pillows I made out with re-used vintage fabric.  Hope to see you there!

Happy Holidays!
Hillary


 

 When it Rains It Pours,

The drive up the I-5 of California entails a long endless road of empty fields and a mind full of thoughts.  I left my house around 6 am - and blasted all my tunes from the past along the way... Offspring, nofx, mason jennings, alan jackson.  The final section of the road down to the lake was serene, and beautiful. The lake was low and desert like since I had last seen it.  I finally made it to the dock at 2 pm as I had hoped.  I parked my truck and made my way down the ramp.  I was at ease... For the first time - in a long time I was alone and at peace.  No one around, the hot dry air was surrounding me and the warmth of the sun heated my shoulders.  I waited....I soon heard the echo of  loud streaming music and laughter... A boat was in the distance.  It swung it's way around and entered the no-wake zone.  I jumped in excitement.  The boat got closer and the crew of 12 greeted me, including my boyfriend - who was wearing his short, tight red and white star quiksilver boardshorts I gave to him.  (oh I love those!)... I was ecstatic.  3 days ahead filled with sun, exercise and relaxation.

I piled me gear in the boat and we headed out.  We arrived at the houseboat which was tucked away in a corner far from any other human interaction.  I threw all my bags on the upstairs bunk and we headed out for some afternoon wakeboarding... It was incredible to ride on such smooth water.  It was the best feeling with the sunsetting over the hills, the smooth glassy water at my feet, and not a care in the world.  The days and nights were perfect.  Good food, good people, laughing, joking, relaxing, music, cruising... All the things I love in life.

Things can take a turn oh so quickly when you are on top of the world  ..The next day we loaded onto the boats for some wakeboarding.  I took off riding switchstance - I went to 180 back to regular and all of the sudden I hit the water at full force. Something smacked me hard on the head.  I figured it was just the water but  when I came up everyone was looking at me weird.  They yelled "your head is bleeding!"  I felt my head and looked at my hand and it was completely covered in blood.  I was so completely annoyed that I was injured because I didn't want anyone to have to go out of their way to take me to the doctor... I thought the cut was salvagable so when we got back to the houseboat we tried some medical superglue to hold it together - it didn't work and stung like crazy.

I decided it would be best to get a few stitches.  The boat driver gave me a ride back to the Marina and just as I was walking up to the truck a crew of people told me there was a car accident and a car ghostrode down the hill into a bunch of other cars at the bottom.  I scurried up over the hill as fast as I could only to see my nice 2006 dodge ram truck smashed into by a car.  A Ford Ranger had lost it's brakes, shot down the hill - swiped a brand new prius, and pushed an additional car into my truck.  Long story short - I waited there with my bleeding head to get it all figured out.  Luckily I finally made it to the doctor hours later.

I got stitched up fine and the truck will get fixed.  I really do believe - when it rains it pours.  I was bummed I had a day of bad luck.  But at the same time I was so greatful for everything I have in my life.  A truck is just a truck, and a cut will heal.  I'm so thankful I am doing what I love, I am enjoying every minute of life, and I am surrounded by amazing people that inspire me everyday.
 
Until Next Time,
Hillary

the damage


additional lake sports

lake showering works good



 

the other damage

 I am super excited about my new (old) mode of transport.  I have always loved riding off road motorcycles - and I started researching some alternative ways of getting around (I LOVE my 1985 ford f150) don't get me wrong - but the gas really does start to add up after running around on all my adventures.  I am obsessed with vintage anything and that is when I came across the Honda Trail 90.  I actually found some old catalogues and ads at my grandparents house (when we were clearing it out) and got really excited about finding one.  The old ads are the best... "you meet the nicest people on a Honda".. So how could I resist - I really wanted to meet the nicest people on a Honda - so why wait!  I found a nice man in Arroyo Grande who had a 1971 for sale.... I took it for a few test runs and it ran like a champ.  The thing is flawless.  It even still has the original tool kit that came with it.  These bikes used to be used in the 1970's for hunters, campers and adventureres... everything I could ask for.  I've been running the bike around town, in the backyard, and everywhere in between.  And the best part about it all? It gets around 90 mpg's... (I hate that word mpg)... Anyhow take a look and see what you think.  Now I just have to figure out how to put a surfboard rack on that thing.....  Until Next time - Happy Summer "I wish it could last forever" - Hillary

No matter where I have been, or where I am going it never leaves my 



mind of how much I love and respect the central coast of california.  



It must have been destiny that I was born here and was able to grow 



up here.  This truely is the soul I was born with.  Driving highway 1 



along the ragged coast with poppies and wildflowers blossoming - the 



dry summer breeze blowing through the window - this is what I was 



meant to admire and enjoy in life.  Seeing the glassy ocean, the 



cows, the fields, the old tattered barns are what comforts me. Ever 



since I turned 16 I would jump at any chance I could get to hop in my 



old ford truck and roam the coast up to the infamous Big Sur area in 



search of waves and a piece of mind.







Over the weekend I took a trip and shot a few photos along the way to 



to add to my journal of what my life looks like.  I like to mix 



things up and sometimes pretend there are no rules.  Which in your 



mind - there aren't any rules.  I love soft vintage hues, the 



unexpected, the unexplained, type, letters and words.  I love family, 



my boyfriend, the outdoors, happiness, and love (I love - love, funny 



but true!).  I miss the ones who have passed on who still love me and 



who I think of often.







I recently worked on and helped renovate my grandparents 1930's home 



and bungalow in the San Francisco area.  My grandfather passed away 2 



years ago and my grandmother the year after that (they had been 



married for 75 years).  Along with my parents, and 2 brothers - we 



repainted, cleared out the furniture, the knicknacks, the 



memorabilia, the pictures, the diaries, the books and the war 



uniforms.  I learned a lot about "things" in general and why we 



collect them and what happens to them when we are gone.  It felt 



really weird looking through their personal things - there were 



little boxes filled with meaningful tidbits and notes and things they 



had collected along the way.  I was overjoyed by the wonders I was 



able to collect from my amazing amazing grandparents- my grandma was 



quite the seamstress - she had mounds of colorful vintage fabrics 



perfectly tucked away, zippers, buttons, vintage purses, belts, 



sewing machines and patterns, knitting supplies - I now know where I 



get my craft obsessiveness from!  And now I have even more supplies 



to create with- which I am so so thankful for.  It was an amazing 



experience and their house is going to look beautiful repainted and 



all fixed up.  I'm sure they are looking at it now!







Things in the "studio" are great. I've been working on a lot of 



illustrations and design work (which I'll update you soon, and post 



some more photos).  I'm hoping to make a trip down to southern 



california soon too, to visit all my friends that I miss.  Until Next 



Time - happy summertime - Hillary