I am a huge Etsy fanatic, both my home and closet are filled with handmade gems from artisans selling on Etsy. As a freelancer myself, it genuinely gives me joy to support a small business owner who is living the dream of being self-employed. Not only does the Etsy platform allow small businesses to thrive, but they also elevate and support artists who are pushing the limits in the design world and serving up fresh inspiration.
Read MoreChristmas truly is a special time of year, itβs as close to magic as we can get as adults. My idea of a hygge Christmas is making new memories at home and enjoying quality time with family. All the while indulging the senses with all the classic holiday joys.
The cold winter weather makes us naturally want to cuddle up and partake in nostalgic holiday rituals. All it takes is a little effort and preparation to really bring the season to life in the perfect hygge setting.
Read MoreIn my own personal opinion, pesto pizza gives the traditional red-sauced pizza a run for its money. The savory and salty flavor of homemade pesto adds a new layer of seasoning, and itβs complimentary to so many different toppings. Itβs very easy to customize your pesto pizza to create a crowd-pleasing culinary dish.
This cashew pesto pizza recipe is also incredibly versatile. You can alter the recipe to make it vegan, vegetarian, plant-based and even keto. Either way you decide to make this favorite food, itβs always a healthy yet still satisfying and filling.
Making your pesto with cashew nuts instead of the traditional pine nuts is a very easy swap, and the flavor is not terribly different. Both cashew and pine nuts have an abundance of healthy fats, which give your pesto a creamy texture and flavor. Cashews are also less expensive than pine nuts so you can save some cash too.
Read MoreWhen it comes to toys for our kids, we often think the fancier the better. But the reality is sometimes they can be so entertained by the simplest things. And if we are being honest, shiny new toys purchased from the store become βoldβ and uninteresting very quickly. The best part about using common household items is that many of them you have around your house will make perfect toys to entertain them for hours.
Read MoreI have been brainstorming creative projects where I can showcase my favorite Polaroid photos. Iβve always been drawn to vintage Polaroids, thereβs something so nostalgic and whimsical about capturing the moment without the advancements of digital photography.
I purchased both my vintage Polaroid cameras from Etsy vintage sellers and they work great! These days we rarely take the time to print out photos, they usually just live forever digitally. So having something tangible to hold and put on display makes Polaroids extra special.
Read MoreThis beet, watermelon and feta salad is the perfect addition to your summer backyard picnic table. The sweet and savory flavors compliment each other and the presentation is bright and colorful. It makes a great light side dish to entrees such as BBQ, sandwiches, burgers and kabobs.
This recipe only has a small handful of ingredients so it's fairly quick and easy to make. I've also listed alternate ingredients and dressings, so you can customize your salad for your guests.
Read MoreIn California we are so lucky to have a bounty of fresh produce available all year long. We are an agriculture state and many of our favorite fruits and vegetables are grown not far from where we live. I try use locally and seasonal produce whenever I cook and food prep. Making your charcuterie board with seasonal fruits and vegetables can both ensure freshness and make it extra festive special events.
Read MoreBecause I regularly suffer from migraines, I often have muscle pain in my neck and shoulders. Finding a drug-free solution to this chronic pain can be difficult, which forces you to open up and try new avenues of pain relief.
In this blog post I will describe my experience with cupping therapy, and hopefully provide helpful information for anyone interested in giving it a try for themselves.
Read MoreThis blog post includes different categories of gifts for all types of women. Thereβs definitely no one size fits all when it comes to the wonderful ladies we are celebrating. This guide has goodies for pampering at home, home decor to inspire a project, cute kitchen finds, and little jewelry gems.
Read MoreIn these past couple months life has been kinda crazy for all of us. Quarantine life has its ups and downs, but the truth of the matter is that many businesses are financially suffering. Sadly small businesses and βnon-essentialβ companies are especially vulnerable during these uncertain times.
The good news is that companies like Etsy are going above and beyond to support their small business sellers. Instead of pulling back, they are going all in to champion for the artisan community. Iβm proud to a be partner and affiliate of Etsy, they truly help so many creatives make their dreams come true.
Read MoreFeast your eyes on the best foodie trends the new decade has to offer! You can either whip these up in the kitchen yourself or find restaurants who are on top of their foodie game and serving the latest and greatest on their menus.
While I donβt recommend you try all ten of these healthy food trends in one week, this blog post is meant to serve more as inspiration to try out new things and expand your knowledge.
Read MoreThis blog post is just another excuse to host a happy hour gathering with friends and family. I've put together my gin with citrus cocktail recipe which is simple to make but full of sweet flavor.
Gin is one of those alcohols where you definitely donβt want to skimp on quality. A cheap gin will have poor texture and taste like rubbing alcohol, yuck! For any boozy gin beverage I always choose Prairie Organic Spirits because of their high quality extra smooth and full-bodied gin. Prairie gin also has notes of citrus (which makes it perfect for this citrus cocktail recipe!).
Read MoreIf I had to describe a βclean dietβ in one sentence, it would be: "Freshly cooked or prepared meals made from whole food with an emphasis on plant-based foods and greens." Fuel your body with fresh nutrients and avoiding overly-processed fast foods.
Read MoreOne of the biggest aha moments I've had in my own wellness journey was discovering the power in taking daily probiotics. For as long as I can remember, I've always had abdominal discomfort, regularity and bloating issues. In the past it was such an issue that I could only wear fashion styles that didn't put any pressure on my abdomen.
Finally I went to a holistic doctor who recommended probiotics. At the time probiotic supplements weren't nearly as common as they are now and I had never heard of them. After consistently taking probiotics for a few weeks, I noticed considerable improvements in my abdomen comfort, energy levels and overall wellbeing. Yay for probiotics!
Read MoreThere's two times during the day when I do my best to take a moment and pause from the crazy shuffle of work life and parenthood. I put time aside in the morning to set myself up for success by creating a game plan, and secondly at night to unwind and shake off any stress from the day. For myself the mark of a good day is a productive one, where I feel like I accomplished everything I had planned.
Read MoreMy daughter Scout will be turning two years old this upcoming spring. The winter time is a challenge for toddlers like Scout, she loves to be active and play outside. Battling cabin fever is a true reality for us parents, especially on cold and rainy days when we can't take them outside to the playground.
Currently in our city of Sacramento, California the days are filled with rain, and the temperatures are in the 40's. So Iβve been working on creating the perfect hygge home to make our winter hibernation warm and cozy.
Read MoreWe are in the heart of winter here in Sacramento, and the temperatures have been dropping down into the 30βs. Which means family time is often spent indoors cuddling around the fireplace. It definitely feels like weβve gone into hibernation mode. So of course itβs the perfect time to enjoy a family pizza party!
Read MoreLast night I hit the town with my fellow Sacramento foodie enthusiasts to enjoy a preview tour of the 2020 Dine Downtown Restaurant Week. I got to meet some new faces and eat crème de la crème meals.
Read MoreWhipping up healthy weeknight dinners can be a challenge after long workdays. These three salmon recipes are very simple and quick to make - but still full of flavor! Salmon already has a great natural taste so all you need are a few ingredients to build a meal.
Read More