pier, Nick’s cove, on Tomales Bay, Canon Digital Rebel Xti

One of my intentions this year is to have more girly time. At some point I realized that I had slipped away from girlfriends that I love and decided that if it wasn’t going to happen organically (I rarely have spontaneous coffee dates or stay out late in the city these days) I was going to have to institute something more official. This has currently taken the form of monthly girly slumber parties. I discovered these recently when a friend of mine was going through a breakup. I could tell that she didn’t want to sleep in her house alone so I offered to come sleep over. It was such sweet time that we had her sleep over here the following week. There is something so rich and intimate about a good old fashioned slumber party. If you haven’t had one in a while, I recommend it!

With that in mind, my friend Marcia who is a food writer and the founder of the column and site Tablehopper thought of me for an incredible overnight stay at the new restaurant and cottages called Nick’s Cove. It is Pat Kuleto’s new creation. He is the owner of Farallon, Boulevard, Jardiniere and many other gorgeous San Francisco restaurants. He is known for his design style and his knack for transporting you. She was on assignment at Nick’s and I got to be her guest. (Hot tip to readers: Make friends with a food writer!)

The adventure began when Marcia picked me up in her sassy little red italian car. I am not usually impressed by cars but I have to admit that it was fun to be the girls in the hot little number zooming along the highway. People were letting us into traffic a bit more than usual, and every motorcyclist that zipped by gave us a wave and a salute. Seriously. We looked that cool. 🙂 (The hours in my day when I look cool now are SO few I couldn’t figure out all of the attention at first. I thought we had a taillight busted or a skirt caught in the door)

Marcia, the Tablehopper, with her little red Alfa, Canon Digital Rebel Xti

Petaluma cow, Canon Digital Rebel Xti

The cottages are out near Point Reyes, one of the most beautiful places on earth. Truly, if you come to the bay area take a little day trip here. It has some of the most beautiful roads, beaches and hiking around. Not to mention the food… I tried my very first oyster during this trip and it was amazing! I had always been afraid taste them and somehow escaped the opportunity all these years. As I was about to put it in my mouth, I thought of Ben, realizing that he gets this same scary feeling every day. Not knowing what something will taste like, or what it even what it is. I had so much compassion for him in that moment. Needless to say, it was delicious (some of the best oysters in the world come from this area) and the barbecued oysters were off the hook.

trying my first oyster, Canon Digital Rebel Xti

Our cottage had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a wood burning stove and heated italian tile in the bathrooms. Fresh local cheeses, apples and wine arrived to our room before dinner, fresh bread and french press coffee were at our door when we woke up. I know. I am torturing you, so I will stop there. It was dreamy.

Big Rocks cottage, where we stayed at Nick’s cove, Canon Digital Rebel Xti

Have you had your dose of girly time lately? I highly recommend it… a slumber party can do wonders.

Marcia, the Tablehopper, Canon Digital Rebel Xti