A California Christmas

It's Christmas tomorrow and I keep going down my mental checklist of things to do. Presents wrapped and mailed? Check. Flights booked? Check. Party details sorted? Check. Still, my mind keeps wandering back to the unanswered emails in my inbox and the unfinished projects I left back at the office. I know, I know. Every "thought piece" on the internet these days tells you to unplug, unwind, and let go.

Pfft, easier said than done. It's hard to untangle yourself from the 9 to 5 when your brain is so used to being on and so unfamiliar to the idea of being on holiday. Whenever this mental checklist of mine gets overwhelming, I take a walk along the beach, which just so happens to be in my backyard.

what-to-wear-beach

It's moments like this, when I get to feel the sand beneath my feet and watch the waves calmly wash onto the shore, that make me grateful to be living in Santa Monica. The winters here in California are rarely colder than 60 degrees and more often than not, you'll get days where the afternoon is a warm 80 degrees.

california-winter

Sure, we don't have snow and I do sometimes miss the magic of a winter wonderland. Yet the truth is that you really can't beat sandals in the middle of December. It's not unusual to see Angelinos (LA natives) wandering in light slacks, a comfy tee and a cardigan during our "chilly" winters. For this particular stroll, I went with Zara flower print drawstring pants (which may or may not also be part of my summer wardrobe), a Ralph Lauren champagne-taupe cardigan over a white tank, Oliver Peoples sunglasses, and leather sandals.

what-to-wear-winter-california

Style Note:
Ralph Lauren Champagne-Taupe Cardigan sold out but similar here
White Tank similar here
Zara Flower-Printed Drawstring Pants alas! also sold out but similar here & here
Oliver Peoples Emmy-Style Sunglasses
Leather sandals similar, and achingly summer-ready, here &  here

Photos by Sarah Hadley
Merry Christmas Ambitionistas!


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RESPONSES

  • Ashley says:

    I haven’t experienced a winter christmas but I don’t think I’m being left out. I like spending christmas with my family on the beach, the sands on our feet makes us feel relaxed and contented. Hope you’ll have a blissful and blessed Christmas, Heidi!

  • Kylie says:

    And a Merry Christmas to you, too, Heidi!

  • Desiree Lynch says:

    Hope you had a wonderful and breezy Christmas, Heidi 🙂

  • Lorelei Chung says:

    I’m sure you had a warm Christmas, so next I’m wishing you a blissful New Year too 🙂

  • Susan says:

    My kids requested for warmer holidays, so we decided to spend it in Newport Beach and it was really awesome. The biting cold of winters really get to me during the holidays so having spent it on a beach is a relief. Maybe we’ll be doing this every Christmas – spending it on warmer places – and start a tradition, don’t you think!?

  • Angelique says:

    Here’s hoping for a warmer Christmas season in the next years to come. I’ll make sure I’ll put California in my next list of holiday venues 🙂

  • Jessica Ryan says:

    That’s nice – a warm yet still cold Christmas in Cali. I’ve been there once, too and I loved the breeze from the ocean on a holiday morning. I like the floral you’re wearing Heidi!

  • Helga says:

    Oh, that’s a really pretty & cool ensemble, Heidi, I love the printed pants and the bag! It’s warm here also, where I’m staying and I wouldn’t trade it for any snow slushie in the world 🙂 Hope you had a nice warm Christmas and New Year!

  • Victoria says:

    As always, whatever the season or the event, you always manage to look great! I love the printed pants Heidi 🙂

  • Amanda says:

    My family and I were able to send Christmas in Hawaii, so I know how you felt about having a sunny cold Christmas. It was our first time there and we thought it’d be fun to have a sunny holiday every once in a while 🙂

  • Michaela Keens says:

    It’s getting colder lately in our place too. I love the cold but there are times when I want to spend the holidays in the beach, too. Santa Monica sounds like a beautiful place to be this Christmas. Maybe I’ll go visit there 🙂

  • Charlene Merk says:

    Wow, beach party on Christmas really appealing to me!

  • Belle Martin says:

    I would love to spend Christmas in California too. I am a little old for the cold weather. A change in scenery would surely do me good.

  • Mishca B says:

    Ahh… that place is so marvelous! I’d go there whatever the season!

  • Melinda says:

    I would also love to spend my holidays near the beach, that’s gonna be awesome!

  • Isabelle says:

    I’d love to spend Christmas on the beach for a change! You sure have a very beautiful backyard 🙂

  • Theresa says:

    Baby, it’s cold outside lately.. I wouldn’t mind spending Christmas near the beach.. That would be warm and awesome compared to the biting cold of winter.

  • Krisha Pressley says:

    I just spent Christmas in California too, but it already started getting cold, so I got cold feet going to the beach, literally and figuratively.. Hope you were warm enough on that day.

  • Rowena Stan says:

    I spent Christmas in California with my sisters and although it was quite warm enough, the winds were still so chilly and we were too chicken to brave out the waters.. hahaha.. Hope you had a great one Heidi!

  • Nicolette says:

    Love that cardigan sweater you’re wearing Heidi!!

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