Cheryl Shops

I'm a firm believer in always trying new things. You could hate it, and that's ok—you never have to do it again—or you could totally love it and discover something new that you really enjoy. That is my two-part introduction to this week's bonus second outfit post. First, the outfit revolves around this floral-print skirt. I am not a floral person at all, but the second I saw this skirt, I knew I had to try it. I'm glad I did, because it's my new favorite skirt! The second part of this equation is that this is my first-ever linkup with the fabulous Jennie from A Pocketful of Polka Dots, but more on that later. Let's get back to that skirt...

When I was younger, long weekends meant short trips. I was constantly running off to Miami or Boston or upstate New York, and while I love traveling, I've also learned I need to take it easy. I've discovered something about myself as I get older, and that's the fact that I love to stay in the city on long weekends when everyone else is gone. (Conversely, I still like to take long weekend trips, but I take a day off of work and travel when not everyone else is doing it.) There's plenty of street parking, you can get reservations at hard-to-get-into restaurants, and as I've recently discovered, it's a great time to do a spa day. I have a few favorite spots in the city, but for Labor Day, decided to step it up and, on a friend's recommendation, visit the Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn.



In less than an hour door to door, I felt like I was transported to another world. The Fairmont Sonoma is tucked away on a Sonoma side street, and considering it was a three-day weekend, was quiet, serene, and not at all crowded. The grounds are landscaped beautifully, and there are all sorts of spots to plunk down with a glass of wine...or have an impromptu photo shoot.



The star of my spa outfit is this kimono, which I've worn over everything from a dress to a tee and denim shorts. The flow of it disguises a multitude of sins while giving you a boho-exotic vibe that says "I go to day spas regularly." I chose it, however, because it doubles as a pool cover-up. And because you can spin in it.



Speaking of pools, there are many at the Willow Stream Spa—three outdoor, two indoor (plus a steam room, sauna, and cold-water dunk)—and all feature mineral water, since the entire property sits on an ancient thermal mineral spring that flows from 1,100 feet below. Use of these pools is included with your spa treatment, or you can do a day pass. Either way, it makes for an incredibly relaxing day, and I'm with the Native Americans in believing that the waters do have magical healing powers.




OUTFIT DETAILS: Helena Quinn kimono || Everlane tee || Topshop MOTO denim mini || Quay Australia Odin Sunglasses || Cult Gaia Ark bag || Stella & Dot Setta necklace || Sam & Libby sandals (similar here on sale!)

One of my favorite things about San Francisco is that you can get out of it quickly. After living in New York for years—where trains, buses, and even boats were required to take you mere miles away—I love that you can drive for 30 minutes and be in a completely different climate, which is pretty much necessary in August, when the city is constantly blanketed in fog (we call it Fogust). If you follow me on Instagram (and you should!) you know that I make frequent weekend trips to wine country; in less than an hour, I can be outside in the sun with a glass of rosé in my hand, and that is just perfection.

Over my four (!!!) years living here, I've gotten my wine country outfit down to a science. It involves the following:
1. A cute dress
2. A light jacket or sweater to keep you warm on the drive out of the city
3. A hat and sunglasses (must shield one's pale office-dwelling skin from the sun)
4. Low-heeled sandals for rocky and/or hilly terrain; bonus if they slip off for picnics


I'm wearing several of my favorite pieces of the moment. This sweater (sadly sold out!) is from Modern Citizen—a store so great, keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming post on them—and I've been wearing it nonstop. I love this dress because you can eat (or drink) as much as you want, and it's loose enough that you can't tell; it also has a really flattering hemline that's lower in back and not scandalously short in front.


As for the bag, I impulse-bought it a few weeks ago, and I don't think I've ever received more compliments on a purse, especially from men. It's really lightweight; I got the small size because the large felt a bit too large, like I was carrying a picnic basket.


Nearly every design magazine has covered them recently, but Scribe is the first winery I joined as a member, and I hate to refer anyone else there since it's always a madhouse, but it's one of the most magical places in Sonoma (it's where I conceived #sundaywinechurch) and their wines are delicious. I also recommend Larson Family Winery—it's a completely different experience, but their wines are tasty and reasonable, everyone who works there is incredibly friendly, and it's a great place to hang out for a few hours or all day.


OUTFIT DETAILS: Sole Society Panama Hat || Modern Citizen Ofelia sweater (sold out, sadly!) || Topshop T-shirt dress || Cult Gaia Ark bag || Raen Durante sunglasses || Madewell Greer sandals (sold out; similar here) || Rachel Zoe tassel bracelet (similar here) || Hermes Clic H bracelet || HappyWay Jewelry X-ring



Right down the road from Scribe is Domaine Carneros, which is where I like to go when I want to feel fancy. A wise woman taught me, too, that a proper way to start a day in wine country is with bubbles. Also, I'd like to note that temperatures in Napa reached 107 degrees on the day these photos were taken; I was wearing a denim jacket that I shed by 10 a.m. because it was already that hot (and yes, we like to start drinking that early). And when it's hot, we drink rosé.



This dress, sadly, is from last year. I bought it in Nice, France, from the most typically chic French woman you can imagine. It's incredibly lightweight and comfy, but chic too, and I always feel like I'm on vacation when I wear it.



There are a gazillion amazing restaurants in Napa, but our latest find is The Charter Oak, which had catered the fancy party I was at last weekend. It's by the same team behind The Restaurant at Meadowood, which has three Michelin stars (and like five dollar signs), but it's much more casual and the perfect stopping point for a midday refueling. Also, it has this very Instagram-friendly spiral staircase.


OUTFIT DETAILS: Etoile Isabel Marant dress (similar here)  || Raen Durante sunglasses || Cult Gaia Ark bag || Minnetonka Savona Sandals || Rachel Zoe tassel bracelet (similar here) || Hermes Clic H bracelet || Stella & Dot arc pendant, Signet ring || Chanel scarf (similar here)