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Malibu Adventure Guide: California Dreamin’

August 24, 2023

Hurricane Hilary didn’t stop us … we made the most of our SoCal vacation. We hope you will too for your next visit!

STAY

Surfrider Hotel

Come for the views, stay for the views. The rooftop bar at this award-winning hotel boasts a phenomenal lookout over Surfrider Beach. Bask in the California sunshine on their rooftop bar and resturaunt! At the end of the day, we highly recommend you order the chocolate molten cookies with milk, baked to perfection and delivered right to your doorstep (I dreamt in chocolate).

    • Pros
      • Located right across from the Malibu Pier
      • Phenomenal rooftop bar and restaurant overlooking Surfrider Beach for guests ONLY (complimentary Malibu Hour 4-5 PM-Get your refreshing cocktail made to order each day for guests)
      • Luxurious Boutique Hotel. Live in style why don’t ya!
    • Cons
      • None

Seashells are having a major moment, and I hope they’re here to stay. Remember, you don’t have to lean entirely into one design aesthetic … instead, lean into your own style. Ask yourself: what makes you happy? Over the years, I’ve explored several styles, and elements of each combine to define the unconventional layers behind the Clouz Houz brand.

Here are two ways I’m bringing “California Cool” aesthetic back home to the Central Oregon High Desert with me.

  1. Add architectural figures — for example, place faux coral on a stack of books. When styling a space, try to create dimensions. I picked up this faux coral from Pottery Barn a couple of years ago, and have used it time and time again.

 

2. Entertain often? Grab one of these seashell serving platters. Serving dishes can tell a story and spark conversation around a dinner table. Derrick & I love to cook and entertain, and we take any chance to make a tablescape a little more meaningful!

*Try not to get this stuck in your head: “Sally sells sea shells by the sea shore.” Haha!

 

Shell Bowl

Marks & Graham Silver Shell Serving Platter

EAT

Now, let’s talk food. Turns out our daughter Emma is quite the foodie! She chose these six restaurants, and I would highly recommend ALL of them (don’t forget to make reservations ahead of time).

Nobu

Be sure to sip on the Mango Passion Fruit Martini (my mouth is watering thinking of this gem). Also: Yellowtail Jalepeño Sashimi. And that’s all! Perfect amount of spice, crunch & savory details. If you don’t get a reservation ahead of time, that should be okay. We arrived when the doors opened and just waited in a short line. Totally worth it!

Malibu Farms

We ate lunch at the restaurant (not the cafe), sitting on sofas right on the pier overlooking the Pacific Ocean while watching the tide roll in — a true “pinch me” moment. I’m proud beyond measure of my first born Emma, and this was a special spot to celebrate her college graduation. Cheers to all the moms with growing babies! There was unbelievably fresh seafood (we devoured the lobster rolls), as well as a street corn chicken salad. By the way, we send out weekly recipes in our exclusive Sunday Subscriber Newsletter. Be sure to subscribe here for a mouthwatering, Malibu-influenced recipe coming to your inbox this week! Of course, we are dessert lovers well … and the famous olive oil cake with maple vanilla ice cream did not disappoint.

The Ivy

We made a pitstop at the West Hollywood location on our way to Malibu. Off the charts brunch stop! Our personal favorite was the chilaquiles. Be SURE to save room for the red velvet cake, it’s a must. We heard this is the spot for a SoCal celebrity sighting, but our luck ran dry … or should I say wet. Really, really wet (thank you Hurricane Hilary)!

Taverna Tony’s (Malibu Country Mart)

Conveniently located near the Surfrider Hotel, you’ll find divine and authentic Greek food. Before dinner was served, they treated us to a whipped feta and garlic/herb dip & sourdough. What a delight! We loved the calamari, accompanied by a refreshingly crisp Mexican Coke. Girl dinner. ?

 

DRINK

What’s your drink of choice: Aperol Spritz or Martini? We’re 50/50 around here.

RELAX, SHOP, HIKE & CATCH A TROT THROUGH LATIGO CANYON

High Horse Malibu

Of course, we had to check out the horse scene here. Emma grew up riding, and we had a horse named Lily for five years. This was the highlight of our trip to be back in the saddle. We strongly recommend High Horse Malibu for a joy ride through the crest of Latigo Canyon. If you’re a horse lover like we are, you must include this activity on your Malibu itinerary. We recommend going early in the morning to avoid the scorching sun.

The stunning trails traverse rolling hills, wooded canyons and striking rock formations, with sweeping ocean vistas around every corner. We enjoyed the hour and a half private trail ride and the spectacular ocean views. Truly, it felt like we were on top of the world. Core memory! And, our guides were friendly & funny, making this a five-star experience.

From the wildflowers to the greenery to the ocean’s horizon, I also brought home a few color palettes as inspiration. Let’s design something with a little Malibu escape in mind! Any takers?

Pacific Palisades

GORG shopping area just 15 minutes from Malibu. We stopped at a few of our favorites, including Amber Interiors, Serena & Lily, Isabel Marant, Anine Bing, and Diptyque. Not to mention, we paid a visit to Erewhon (buzz is buzzing and the smoothies were delish).

I’m currently swooning over this Shoppe Amber Interiors Malibu Grass Print. Hang this serene landscape over a four poster bed and call it a day, then crawl into your sheets and be whisked away …

Here are a few more pieces I was eyeing and may have brought home with me ?

Serena & Lily Montrose Napkin

Diptyque FLuer D’Oranger (Orange Blossom) Reed Diffuser 

Anine Bing Tania Boots Modern take on traditional cowboy boots

Point Dume Hike

To wrap up our trip, we took a beautiful hike along the picturesque shoreline on the 1.5 mile out-and-back trail in Point Dume. Tread carefully down the staircase to the beach. The hike back up will be a total calf burner, but it’s worth every ache!

It’s always a pleasure to clear your mind with an ocean breeze. I highly recommend How To Infuse Mindfulness Practices Into Your Everyday Routine — it’ll leave you feeling peaceful and grounded.

 

Last But Not Least, Let’s Talk Outfits

I found these three affordable outfits on Amazon and accessorized them with a few of my go-to’s. You can shop the Malibu Vacation Edit looks here.

 

That’s all for now. Check back on my Insta here for the inside scoop on our family vacay, girl’s trip & creative work retreat! Travel always is a time to reflect, replenish and feel inspired by your adventures that await you!

If you find yourself on a dreamy Malibu vacation be sure to share with us all the fun you had ☀️

 

XOXO,

Allison & Emma

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While renovations are an investment, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned after years of designing homes is this:
It’s not about how much you spend. It’s about where you spend it.

The homes that feel the most elevated aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest budgets. They’re the ones where every decision was made with intention.

That’s the philosophy behind everything we do. We help our clients understand where it’s worth investing, where they can save without sacrificing the overall look, and how to create a home that feels layered, timeless, and beautifully functional. Because a thoughtfully planned home will always feel more luxurious than one filled with expensive choices that don’t work together.

Good design isn’t about spending more.
It’s about making every dollar work harder for you-and creating a home you’ll love living in every single day.

If you’re planning a renovation or a furnishing project, we’d love to help. Learn more through the link in our bio.

17 2
Open
While renovations are an investment, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned after years of designing homes is this: It’s not about how much you spend. It’s about where you spend it. The homes that feel the most elevated aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest budgets. They’re the ones where every decision was made with intention. That’s the philosophy behind everything we do. We help our clients understand where it’s worth investing, where they can save without sacrificing the overall look, and how to create a home that feels layered, timeless, and beautifully functional. Because a thoughtfully planned home will always feel more luxurious than one filled with expensive choices that don’t work together. Good design isn’t about spending more. It’s about making every dollar work harder for you-and creating a home you’ll love living in every single day. If you’re planning a renovation or a furnishing project, we’d love to help. Learn more through the link in our bio.

People often ask why renovations have always been my favorite. The easy answer is that I love watching a transformation. But if I’m honest, I think it’s something much deeper than that.

Years ago, our family walked through a season that forced us to start over. It wasn’t something I would have chosen, but looking back, it changed the way I see everything. Homes. People. Even myself. I stopped looking at what something was and started paying attention to what it could become. Maybe that’s why fixer-uppers have always felt so familiar to me. I know what it’s like to feel like you’re starting over. I know what it’s like to wonder if something beautiful can come from a season that feels uncertain. That’s why I love renovations. They’re hopeful. Every wall that comes down makes room for something new. Every decision is an act of believing that what’s ahead can be better than what was there before.

The funny thing is... I don’t think this is really about houses. I think all of us have something in our lives that feels unfinished, overlooked, or in need of another chance. I’ve learned that the middle of the story rarely looks like the ending. And sometimes the most beautiful things aren’t built from scratch. They’re simply revealed.
For anyone who’s ever had to start over... I’m rooting for you!

130 7
Open
People often ask why renovations have always been my favorite. The easy answer is that I love watching a transformation. But if I’m honest, I think it’s something much deeper than that. Years ago, our family walked through a season that forced us to start over. It wasn’t something I would have chosen, but looking back, it changed the way I see everything. Homes. People. Even myself. I stopped looking at what something was and started paying attention to what it could become. Maybe that’s why fixer-uppers have always felt so familiar to me. I know what it’s like to feel like you’re starting over. I know what it’s like to wonder if something beautiful can come from a season that feels uncertain. That’s why I love renovations. They’re hopeful. Every wall that comes down makes room for something new. Every decision is an act of believing that what’s ahead can be better than what was there before. The funny thing is... I don’t think this is really about houses. I think all of us have something in our lives that feels unfinished, overlooked, or in need of another chance. I’ve learned that the middle of the story rarely looks like the ending. And sometimes the most beautiful things aren’t built from scratch. They’re simply revealed. For anyone who’s ever had to start over... I’m rooting for you!

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the little things.
After moving across the country, leaving behind everything we’d known, and living in the middle of a major renovation, I’ve realized that joy isn’t waiting for me on the other side of a finished house.

It’s in the fresh flowers on the counter.
The windows open on a summer morning.
A glass of rosé at the end of the day.
Clipping greenery from the yard.
Lighting a candle just because.

These small rituals have become the way I slow down, stay present, and make this house feel like home-even while it’s still a work in progress.

ICYMI, I wrote all about this in my post “A Home That Feels Like Summer.” It’s a collection of the simple rituals, thoughtful edits, and favorite finds that are helping me embrace this season instead of waiting for the next one.

You can read the full story through the link in our bio.🤍

25 3
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Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the little things. After moving across the country, leaving behind everything we’d known, and living in the middle of a major renovation, I’ve realized that joy isn’t waiting for me on the other side of a finished house. It’s in the fresh flowers on the counter. The windows open on a summer morning. A glass of rosé at the end of the day. Clipping greenery from the yard. Lighting a candle just because. These small rituals have become the way I slow down, stay present, and make this house feel like home-even while it’s still a work in progress. ICYMI, I wrote all about this in my post “A Home That Feels Like Summer.” It’s a collection of the simple rituals, thoughtful edits, and favorite finds that are helping me embrace this season instead of waiting for the next one. You can read the full story through the link in our bio.🤍

For a long time, I lived with a “one day” mindset.
One day, when the house is finished...
One day, when life slows down...
One day, when there’s something to celebrate.

But moving across the country, leaving behind everything familiar, and renovating a home while living in it has taught me something I never expected.

If I keep waiting for the perfect moment, I’ll miss the life that’s unfolding right now. So now I set the table on an ordinary Tuesday. I buy the flowers. I light the candles. I pour the wine. Not because everything is perfect. Because it isn’t.

It’s because I’ve learned that every season of life is worth enjoying—even the messy, unfinished, uncertain ones.
Ironically, some of my favorite memories have been made in a home covered in dust, with projects half finished and paint samples still on the walls.

Maybe that’s the real purpose of a home. Not to impress people. But to remind us to slow down, gather together, and find beauty in the season we’re living in.

66 6
Open
For a long time, I lived with a “one day” mindset. One day, when the house is finished...
One day, when life slows down...
One day, when there’s something to celebrate. But moving across the country, leaving behind everything familiar, and renovating a home while living in it has taught me something I never expected. If I keep waiting for the perfect moment, I’ll miss the life that’s unfolding right now. So now I set the table on an ordinary Tuesday. I buy the flowers. I light the candles. I pour the wine. Not because everything is perfect. Because it isn’t. It’s because I’ve learned that every season of life is worth enjoying—even the messy, unfinished, uncertain ones. Ironically, some of my favorite memories have been made in a home covered in dust, with projects half finished and paint samples still on the walls. Maybe that’s the real purpose of a home. Not to impress people. But to remind us to slow down, gather together, and find beauty in the season we’re living in.

This is probably the advice I recently give more than anything else: finish one room.

I know... everyone wants to tackle the kitchen, the bathrooms, the furniture, the lighting—all at once. I get it. But I’ve watched so many people get burnt out trying to make hundreds of decisions across five different spaces. At some point, you stop enjoying the process and start second-guessing everything.

One finished room changes that. Not because your house suddenly feels “done” (it doesn’t), but because it gives you confidence.

You start learning what you actually love to live with, and every room after that gets a little easier.

One thing that’s really important to us is taking a holistic approach. Even if we’re only designing one room today, we’re thinking about how it connects to the rest of your home-both now and years from now. Those bigger-picture decisions are what make a home feel collected instead of pieced together.

That’s also why we offer different ways to work together. Maybe you need help getting unstuck in one room. Maybe you’re ready for a complete design plan. Either way, we’re here to help you move forward with confidence.

If you’ve been thinking about starting a project, we’d love to help. You can explore all of our design services through the link in our bio.

7 0
Open
This is probably the advice I recently give more than anything else: finish one room. I know... everyone wants to tackle the kitchen, the bathrooms, the furniture, the lighting—all at once. I get it. But I’ve watched so many people get burnt out trying to make hundreds of decisions across five different spaces. At some point, you stop enjoying the process and start second-guessing everything. One finished room changes that. Not because your house suddenly feels “done” (it doesn’t), but because it gives you confidence. You start learning what you actually love to live with, and every room after that gets a little easier. One thing that’s really important to us is taking a holistic approach. Even if we’re only designing one room today, we’re thinking about how it connects to the rest of your home-both now and years from now. Those bigger-picture decisions are what make a home feel collected instead of pieced together. That’s also why we offer different ways to work together. Maybe you need help getting unstuck in one room. Maybe you’re ready for a complete design plan. Either way, we’re here to help you move forward with confidence. If you’ve been thinking about starting a project, we’d love to help. You can explore all of our design services through the link in our bio.
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64654 Cook Ave Suite 3,
Bend, OR 97703, US

Located inside Tumalo Home

(503)422-5682