Happy 2020 everyone!!!

My friend Katie and I have a little mantra for the new year and it’s to make everything pretty! And I plan to stick to it making everything pretty around me…starting with my condo entryway.

Today’s feature is all about McGee & Co. who makes everything look pretty too so it is very fitting to introduce you to them today!

Studio McGee was created in a spare bedroom with lots of big ideas and no room for fabric samples. After many late nights of brainstorming and collaboration, husband and wife team, Syd and Shea McGee decided to take what was a small business for a stay-at-home mom and turn it into something much more. After graduating with a degree in Public Relations, Shea realized that what she really wanted to do was design. A few semesters into design school, her bright and clean aesthetic had attracted a waiting list of clients and no idea how to handle the workload. Meanwhile, Syd had worked for six years to build a start-up digital marketing firm that was acquired and left him searching for a new start-up to dive into. He soon realized there was the perfect candidate right in front of him. Their team’s work has garnered attention in the design world from House Beautiful, Domaine Home, Design*Sponge, Apartment Therapy, SMP Living, and One King’s Lane to name a few.

They have a storefront in Costa Mesta California!! And of course they have an on line shop so if you are not in Costa Mesta, don’t worry!

I absolutely adore my Hello Doormat!! It is the prettiest hand-lettering!! Designed by the Studio McGee team, this McGee & Co. exclusive welcomes your guests with its cheery greeting.

I love all of their holiday decor and it’s on sale right now so I would stock up! I also love these Sienna Stoneware Vases which are actually in my cart right now. The Wood and Marble Server Set was on my Christmas list but Santa must have not read it.

I visited Costa Mesta and Laguna ( as Laguna is only 17 miles away from Costa Mesa…it’s all Southern California to me though) a while back and never got around to sharing a out it so today is as good of a day as any to publish a little travel diary for you with McGee & Co. not to be missed of course! And please note we were only there for the weekend so I know there are more fabulous places and I really hope to visit again soon!! Lin has lots of friends that live in that area and we are due for a visit. My best friend Ashley also just moved to Napa! So I am seeing lots of Southern California in my 2020 future.

We traveled on the motorcycle and on this particular stretch of the trip we came in from Santa Barbara. It’s such a gorgeous drive!

Here are the places I recommend visiting in Costa Mesa!

The LAB Anti-Mall: The LAB stands for “Little American Business” and that’s exactly who they are and what we strive to support. The LAB began its journey to combat retail monotony when it was recycled from a night-vision goggle factory, more than 25 years ago! In the midst of Orange County’s suburbia, they recognized a need for an original, indoor-outdoor unconventional hang-out packed with a wide array of cafes, restaurants and retail that embraced a vibrant community of lovers in art, music, fashion and hip cuisine. You'll find them located about a half a mile south of the 405 Freeway on Bristol Street. I loved exploring the artists installations! I would definitely do dinner at Habana. Everything is so divine! And the outdoor patio is just so lush and gorgeous!

Pandor: Such a delish French boulangerie serving French breads and pastries that are not found anywhere else in Southern California. You have to visit and taste their labor of love with rich, buttery dough, and a wide assortment of artisan breads, pastries, tartlets, as well as breakfast fare, specialty salads and paninis. Pandor's history began with master French bakers and skilled French pastry chefs to create the exciting menus and recipes of Pandor today.

Here are the places I recommend visiting in Laguna Beach.

The Montage: This was my second time to visit The Montage and Oh-emmmm-geee-it’s just my favorite! We love having cocktails in The Lobby Lounge. As the resort’s centerpiece, the Lobby Lounge is a comfortable setting complete with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean with Craftsman-inspired decor featuring rich hues and plush wood furnishings. Indoor and outdoor seating allow guests to sit back, relax and soak in the true California beach experience. This Laguna Beach lounge offers light breakfast items and coffee and tea starting at 6:30am (view menu) as well as craft cocktails and beers and wines by the glass. (view menu).

Gelato Paradiso- This artisanal gelato is hand-made in small batches every morning, right in the shop. Each flavor is rendered using old world recipes and traditions that have been passed down and improved upon through generations of master artisans. When they say “artisanal,” what they’re really trying to convey is hundreds of years of gelato history, knowledge, and expertise behind each bite. It is the some of the best gelato I have ever experienced.

Really sad to her Cafe Zoolu has since closed too. I had an awesome steak there!!!