This weekend I had one of those ‘pinch me, I live in California!’ moments. It was warm and sunny enough to go the beach with our books and a frisbee for the afternoon, drenched in a sun so strong that we only lasted a few hours before taking our slightly scorched skin home for some much needed aloe vera gel.
It doesn’t escape me how lucky I am to live in a climate like this when the UK is battling with dark evenings, unrelenting rain and the threat of snow every other week. I used to suffer from the dreaded January Blues every year without fail back in Bristol, a period tinged with Seasonal Affective Disorder that lasted until mid-late February when the days began to get just the teensiest bit longer.
Getting a dose of vitamin D every day has meant a complete absence of winter blues this year, something that’s had a huge impact on my wellbeing and is frankly rather good for the soul.
I wasn’t sure if a coastal breeze would affect the temperature at the beach, so in true British style I took a jumper along with me, ‘just in case’. It turns out I needed to use it more to protect my skin from the sun than from the cold, but in San Francisco layers are a must, whatever the weather forecast says!
Floral print dress – New Look / Cream chunky knit jumper – Topshop / Oak ‘Effie’ bag – Mulberry / Tan Chelsea boots – c/o Topshop, Cabot Circus
I’m so envious of you. It looks lovely. We’re being blessed with some sunny weather at the mo but it’s still so cold. Lucky you to live somewhere warmer! Rachel x
Thanks Rachel – I feel very lucky indeed to be missing out on a British winter for a change :)
Oh, how amazing to be on the beach in Feb! Totally envious of you and now VERY homesick for India. It’s funny you carrying an extra layer with you to the beach, I used to do that in India too…even though it was 30 degrees C – must be a British thing
Ha! Definitely a British thing! I think we must be born and raised with some innate ‘prepare for every weather eventuality’ gene…
I am SO jealous of you right now! ;) I wish I was by the seaside!
Maria xxx
Beautiful photos SJ, I hope you’re enjoying Cali life. I dream of wearing a chunky beach sweater and heading to the beach around the corner. NOM.