Coronado Island

It was not officially summer yet when we went to this beautiful Coronado Island.  It was a tad cold but thank heavens for the sun's warmth in spite of the chilly winds.  Coronado is definitely my vibe and I like it more than the other beaches we had visited here in SoCal throughout the summer.  And of course, me, being the summer girl that I am, was more than ready to start wearing all my summer clothes.   

When I was a lot younger and thinner, I used to be so self-conscious of wearing cropped tops.  Being an Asian and growing up in a predominantly conservative culture in the Philippines during my time, showing your belly is not always appropriate.  Fast forward to the present and after residing outside the Phil for quite a while, my body views have changed a lot.  I am more comfortable now with what I am given with and I will wear what I want especially if I know that it works for me.

So here I am wearing my bikini top as part of my ensemble and I don't really give a helluva of a damn if I am not slim enough to rock this top.  I made it work somehow by wearing a high-waisted pants. Girls, don't be afraid to experiment on some style with your body type.  Having a fuller body built does not mean that you are limited to wearing big- sized tees and dresses. You just have to know and see for yourself what looks good on you and your body. Always remember to love what is given to you and surely enough, self care and confidence altogether exude beauty too.

WHAT I WORE:

cropped bikini top from COCOBEACH

striped pants from H&M

sneakers from CONVERSE (JACK PURCELL)

bag from STEVE MADDEN

hat from H&M

At Hotel del Coronado

Tidelands Park

with the hubs

beautiful Coronado Shores

White Sands

summer scene

Tidelands park

the Hotel

Coronado shores

SAN DIEGO STRIDING IN STYLE

 I have put a little more thought in this outfit more than my usual days of everyday ensemble preparation.  I needed to wear something comfortable and casual for my park dalliance as well as get me through my office visit.  Definitely, it had to be smart casual.  Wearing the jumpsuit alone felt like too much of an office attire for me; something that won't really fit into a park setting.  I threw in the long green vest to downplay the corporate style a bit more.  A bit of square heels and off to the park I went.

WHAT I WORE:

black jumpsuit from H&M

polished gold belt from LUXESHOP

square heeled boots from H&M

long printed green vest from H&M

tote bag from COACH

eyewear from MIUMIU

with mini-me

BALBOA PARK

I was really excited to go to this park and had it planned  even before I set foot again in California.  The last time I was in California, I was not really able to go around but since I stayed in SoCal for most of my trip, a Balboa Park visit was a must.  I had seen this in countless reference park pictures at work; even used it for some of my projects too.  I consider it as one of the most successful urban parks in California, mainly because a lot of people actually go to this place not just to visit/tour but to actually stay, relax,people watch...you know, those park stuff activities.  Moreover, it has its own sustainability and conservancy strategies that is why it thrives even in drought stricken Cali.  I did not have much time to explore the whole park because I passed by this on the way to the AECOM San Diego office with my mini-me and aunt.

But the truth is, the park did not disappoint at all even if I was there for just a couple of hours.  I was like a kid in the candy store, I could not decide how to maximize my time especially with so much stuffs relevant to my work. There were a good number of people, most taking refuge from the scorching sun and the mayhem of the dense San Diego City.   As an architect, it is a reference project feast.  As a photographer, it is still a visual smorgasbord.  Too bad, I did not have time to go into the museums or the bridge but nevertheless, I enjoyed every bit of it and I will still go back to this place when I return to San Diego.

click the link below to visit their website

BALBOA PARK

the museum entrance

the botanical building

Plaza de Panama

Lily Pond

Lily Pond

view of the botanical building from the lily pond area

like a Monet garden

inside the botanical building

botanical garden

Timken Museum of Art

pedestrian friendly

Japanese garden

Spreckels Organ Pavilion