We wanted a cruise that departed from SF and found the California Coast on Princess. Great, we said, easy days, no pressure. Warm breezes. According to the weather forecast it was supposed to get warmer as we went south, from the 70s in Santa Barbara to the high 80s in Ensenada.

The start was relatively warm and sunny, but we awoke to clouds and cool weather the next day. We had a few sunny moments, but even Ensenada was relatively cool. So much for the last hurrah of the summer clothes I took along.

This was my second cruise out under the Golden Gate. The first was to Alaska 3 years ago, then the sunny departure was marred by cold fog by the time we got to the bridge. Not this time!

#1, 2 & 3. On deck getting ready, leaving the city behind and under the bridge (great for hair). A few weeks earlier I spotted this VC field jacket at Macy's and bought it--impulse but so useful as it turns out. Also, I wore the quilted MK jacket I bought at NAS. Very lightweight but good against wind. It does leak feathers though.

#4, 5. First day at sea I had a fire and ice pedicure in the salon. I wore this lightweight BR sweater that I bought on sale a couple of weeks ago. Somewhat strange optical illusion on my body. The VC jacket again, and I show off toes in my Paul Green shoes bought 2 1/2 years ago--one of my best buys ever.

#6 This photo not on cruise, but happily I took this along. Eileen Fisher Moto bought while shopping with sisters. Very cozy.

#7 Standing in front of the original Sambo's in Santa Barbara, where we lived for five years before moving to the SF Bay area. Meaningful to us. Santa Barbara has changed a lot since we moved away. We walked up and down Main Street, remembering the old days when Lower Main was skid row.

#8, 9. On the deck of the Queen Mary at Long Beach and in the park next to it. I have on my trusty VC and white Kut from Kloth jeans several years old. Can you believe it? This old guy hit on me.

#10 San Diego was dark and overcast most of the day. We lived in LA the first 12 years of our married life (before we moved to Santa Barbara) and visited SD many times, so this day we stayed on board.

This is my Freya swimsuit in the spa. How I love it. It's a tankini, tops and bottoms sold separately. The top comes in a longer and shorter version--hallelujah my belly doesn't hang out. Also, comes in cup sizes. Heaven. The bottoms come in a more covered up version, which I am wearing but you can't see here.

#11, 12 Ensenada shop with owner. I bought several silver bracelets and bought more even cheaper on the street, but with less variety. You can see my NYDJ skinny pants bought on NAS sale and MK bag bought earlier this year. Our Stanford gnome, Lee, shows off the loot. (Grandkids gave us Lee as a Christmas present last year. We try to embarrass them by not leaving him in the garden, but showing him off on Facebook in various locations. By the end of this year I will probably have more Continuing Studies credits at Stanford than undergrad credits from my alma mater, UCLA.)

#13, 14. We did not go formal on formal night, but did dress up somewhat for portraits. I swear I have full makeup on. I'm wearing a BR black knit blazer, crocheted burgundy JCrew outlet top, and a gray VC tube skirt--also my Paul Green not-quite sandals. I'm also wearing a diamond pendant from Na Hoku--an anniversary present from this year. DH wears his trusty Nordstrom blazer.