Perfectly Composed Gift Guide

This post was made in partnership with Yankee Candle-the candles I remember my mother buying all through my childhood. The opinions and tips are my own. Thank you for helping to support the carefully selected sponsors I work with.

Pack: a beach picnic bag + blanket, jacket, comfy shoes to climb down rocks in, and water.

• Davenport Beach (aka San Vicente Beach): Located on Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) directly across the street from Roadhouse Inn Restaurant and Bar. Visitors swear it's one of the best local beaches for finding sea glass.
  Cabrillo Hwy and Ocean St Davenport, CA 95017   Free Parking
• Abandoned Pier: Built by the Santa Cruz Portland Cement Company, this abandoned pier looks like the skeleton of beach days gone by. You can swing from the first pillar arch during low tide. Spoiler Alert: It's a dangerous doozy to climb down too though. You can only access it by climbing down a steep cliff with a rope. If you don't want to risk your life (like me) you can enjoy the view of the pier from the bluff on the left of the beach. It has beautiful views of the pier, ocean, and surrounding bluffs and a great place to catch a sunset (like these photos).
  9812 Cabrillo Hwy, Davenport, CA 95017  Only Accessible During Low Tide 
• Whale City Bakery: This in-house boutique bakery and full espresso bar comes with patio seating with ocean views and live music several nights a week. They also serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.
  490 Highway One, Davenport, CA 95017  Open Everyday 6:30am-8:00pm 
• Swanton Berry Farm:
  Stop by for some fresh berry pies, strawberry shortcakes, delicious hot soup, strawberry lemonade, strawberry apple cider & more! Enjoy these treats in their sheltered stand over a boardgame or a good read. If you feel like picking your own, it's $4.50/lb for 0-10 lbs and $3.50/lb for 10+ lbs. The weather is quite variable on the coast so they recommend bringing farm appropriate layers and footwear (warm grubbies and closed toed shoes - there may be mud). Organic U-Pick Strawberries ~ May- September.
  25 Swanton Rd. Davenport, CA 95017   Open Everyday 8am - 7pm
• Slow Coast Davenport Airstream Store: Formerly a vintage 1954 Airstream, this tiny shop is now full of local artists’ and farmers' wares and goods for you to peruse (my personal favorite is the local goat cheese). You can spot the Airstream between The Davenport Roadhouse restaurant and the Bonny Doon Winery tasting room.
  450 HWY 1, Davenport, CA 95017   Open: 7 days a week weather permitting 11 to 5pm
• Pescadero: Be sure to stop through the sleepy little beach town. It really shows off the charm of a small Northern California coastal village. I've already done a "Where to Go This Weekend: Pescadero, California" series on The Abstract Life, but it should still be considered for a Slow Coast stop. 
• Pigeon Point Light Station / Hostel:
  My Aunt used to work here and it has fond memories for me as I stayed here as a child when I visited her. It's a beautiful location with views that can't be described. Lots of whale watching and wild flowers scattered everywhere. There is a museum, vista point, hostel travel lodge, and picnic area. 
  210 Pigeon Point Rd, Hwy 1, Pescadero, CA 94060  (P) (650) 879-2120  Hours: 8am-Sunset

Watermelon just screams summer to me. When I think of the warm sunny days of summer I think of BBQs, beach and pool days, tan lines, and watermelon. SKYY® Vodka – a vodka born in San Francisco – celebrates my favorite all-American classic fruit with the release of SKYY Infusions® Sun-Ripened Watermelon. A refreshing, watermelon-infused vodka made with real fruit, SKYY’s latest sweet addition encapsulates the complex yet classic flavor of watermelon. So with the end of summer approaching I am sharing my two favorite SKYY Infusions Watermelon Vodka Cocktail recipes to celebrate the end of our sunny, long days.

And before you go all, "Hello? What's that Elisabeth? My early 20s called and wants its flavored vodka back???" I admit that, usually, when I think of flavored vodka I want to gag too. BUUUUT HANG ON WITH ME!!! This stuff actually doesn't taste like a girly jolly rancher. Since this is real-fruit infused vodka the flavors are elevated and bright (LIKE ME!) Ahem. So take a look at these recipes and thank me later. YOU INGRATES


WATERMELON SLUSHEE

Ingredients: (Makes two cocktails)
- 2 oz SKYY Infusions Watermelon
- ½ oz Coconut Water
- 2 oz Appleton Estate Rum
- ½ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- ½ Fresh Lime Juice
- Watermelon Slice (for garnish)

Blend ingredients with ice. Top with watermelon garnish. Enjoy immediately.

WATERMELON GIMLET 

Ingredients: (Makes two cocktails)

"Living for the weekend" is not a long-term strategy. You cannot go through life accepting that 5 out of every 7 days are going to be spent doing some undesirable to you. Take some time to examine how you are living your weekday lifestyle and try some of these tips for get over you Monday Blues: