Article: A Weekend-by-the-Sea

Share

Mar 6, 2026By the Sea

A Weekend-by-the-Sea

This is one of those weekends that reminds me why we do what we do. Carmel-by-the-Sea feels stitched into my family’s story. My grandparents celebrate anniversaries here. My mom tells stories of visiting as a child. I’ve always loved Carmel; it feels like a place where I will someday call home. During our time in Carmel, I got a glimpse of what it might look like for Isla & Saige to belong here, too.

Friday, January 16th

We move a curated edit of our core collection into the Say Yes Mama pop-up space in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea. The weekend is brief but sweet, and I leave hungry to have our own space here one day. For now, we settle into what will soon be an Italian deli, owned by Anthony and Alissa, founders of the local favorite, Stationæry.

I’m not quite sure what to expect from a space meant to become a deli. What greets us instead is a small, sunlit retail room—quiet, understated, and already working as a shop. Opening is fifteen minutes away. We move quickly, setting up alongside Vntna and Wally’s, turning the space into a shared home for the weekend.

We meet Kevin, owner of Vntna, and a local who’s generous with introductions. I mention wanting to shoot our collection in Carmel. Moments later, Kevin waves someone over. “This is Josh,” he introduces. Josh, local photographer, stops for a quick hello before disappearing back onto the street.

Saturday, January 17th

Five o’clock wake-up call. We drive Highway 1 toward Big Sur, curving around Bixby Bridge as the sun rises over the ocean. With my mom and business partner, Suzanne, conversation runs without pause—snippets of memory, fabric swatches, ideas for what we’ve built, and what still feels just out of reach. The car hums, the ocean glows, and our routine finds new life on this stretch of road.

Back in town, we spot some familiar faces as we find our way to Stationæry for breakfast. Inside, the restaurant hums quietly as the morning begins. We chat with Anthony, the owner and our gracious host for the weekend. The space is warm and understated. White tile, wood counters, light pouring in through the windows. I order the off-menu cinnamon roll a local mentioned yesterday. The coffee stays warm longer than the cinnamon roll lasts.

We open the shop to a quiet day of retail. The weather is too beautiful to stay inside. Thanks, sun.

Sunday, January 18th

This morning, instead of heading south to Big Sur, we drive the 17-mile route through Pebble Beach. Few mornings are this quiet—ocean on one side, manicured greens on the other, deer running through the streets.

The shop has more energy today. I’m enjoying the stories the locals share as they browse. We’re tucked away from the main streets, where things move differently. It's the last day, and now familiar faces continue to pass by the window. Conversations pick up where they left off.

I’m talking with a customer as she sifts through the racks, telling me about her life. She splits her year between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Mexico. Carmel is home; Mexico is where her work takes her. She moves between our navy and yellow pieces, saying the palette fits her life perfectly. Deep navy for California, sun-washed yellows and whites for Mexico.

The last weekend of the Say Yes Mama winter season was an intimate meeting of our brand and a new community. At 3pm, the shop closes early, and we load the car for the drive home. Only a few days here, but Carmel already lingers. As the road stretches ahead, I can’t help but think that someday Carmel-by-the-Sea will be home to Isla & Saige.

xx, Brittany