wear this there: lotusland.

we're headed to a polish opera singer's botanical bit of paradise in the hills above santa barbara.

we’re heading somewhere a little different for this wear this there, and daytripping to a destination i’ve wanted to visit for a long while — lotusland, and it looks just as dreamy as it sounds. created by madame ganna walska who purchased the estate in 1941, lotusland is tucked away in the montecito hills above santa barbara — a 37-acre estate and botanical garden with over 3,000 rare plants, all collected by the eccentric madame walska, a former opera singer from poland. after minimal success as an opera singer, and married six times, she devoted the last 43 years of her life to the creation of these beautiful botanical gardens, now open to the public by reservation.

i thought we’d make a day trip of it to santa barbara, and after visiting the beautiful botanical gardens, make our way down to the beautiful sandy beaches along the pacific that this area is so well-known for. we’re going casual and comfy to cover the garden grounds but in style, of course, with a little bit of whimsical pattern play as an ode to madame walska — a chic floral print blouse, my favorite khakis, some bright, bold sandals, and a contrasting sunhat. for the beach, i’ve naturally packed a swimsuit, cute coverup dress, beach towel, and flip-flops all tucked into a great big beach tote. i thought it would be fun to learn more about the flamboyant madame, so i’ve also packed her biography, there’s always room at the top by madame ganna walska, herself. i do hope you enjoy this day trip to one of southern california’s most exotic locales.

wear this there: la double j printed silk-twill shirt; lorna murray island capri hat in valencia midi; frank & eileen wicklow italian chinos in army green; free people diana double strap flats in paradise ibis; food52 steele canvas waterproof beach tote bag; gucci velvet matte lipstick; mirth kyoto house dress coverup in camelia bloom; read this there: there’s always room at the top by madame ganna walska; the beach people blossom beach towel; havaianas women's tio basic flip-flops; vitamin a goldie underwire bikini top & high-waisted bikini bottoms; loeffler randall soo multi beaded necklace set; caddis dogleg sunglasses; clare v. midi sac in safari green & coral woven checker.

• photography credits: courtesy of lotusland.