The world knows Silicon Valley as the global hub for everything high-tech, but I know it as my backyard growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area. As an adult I spent several years living and working in Silicon Valley before we settled down and ended buying a house in Sacramento. More recently, I spent Easter weekend with some gal pals as a guest at the Hotel Nia in Menlo Park.
Read MoreBack in the day before we became parents, my husband and I used to house sit a cute little apartment in the Marina District. My favorite part of this neighborhood was that you could walk to pretty much everything and itβs so scenic! If youβre staying in San Francisco, cruising the Marina is a great way to spend a few hours. This neighborhood is worth visiting anytime of day, theyβve got great brunch spots, ample lunch options and a lively nightlife scene.
Read MoreItβs hard to resist going crazy spending big bucks on fancy gifts for your little birthday girl or boy. But the reality is that with a one-year-old, often keeping it simple is best. They still know how to appreciate the simple things in life and they get so much entertainment out of natural toys.
Read MoreOften when people think of Sonoma County they picture rolling hills with vineyards and wineries. Petaluma is a hidden gem amidst California Wine Country, a little town filled with charm and yet surprisingly very modern and trendy. Petaluma has somehow managed to walk the fine line between preserving all the old-world antiquities while still keeping the vibes fresh and welcoming for millennials.
In this guide Iβll tell you the best way to discover the favorite βmust seeβ spots in Petaluma that are tailor-made for us millennials. Build your itinerary with where to stay, what to eat and where to exploreβ¦ and of course where to take photos.
Read MoreTruth be told, I have always wanted to get creative with my collection of essential oils and make new blends and infused skincare products. But I honestly felt very intimidated by it and didnβt know how to get started. In the past I had always stuck to the basics of lavender, peppermint and cinnamon because they were familiar scents I could recognize. But I knew thereβs a whole world of scents I had to discover.
Read MoreStyling an oversized wardrobe item like a poncho or a cape can feel overwhelming because it is such a statement piece. The challenge is to still keep a flattering shape and not look overly frumpy. When this look is achieved just right, it really has all those autumn and wintery vibes we love. Plus it will keep you super warm and cozy!
Read MoreEvery year I anxiously await the autumn season so I can bust out my favorite plaid shirts. Theyβre everything a gal needs - flattering, soft, comfortable and versatile. Pretty much fashion magic! Thereβs all kinds of plaid prints and color combos, making it way to easy to end up with a closet full of plaid.
Finding the shirt with the best fit for your body is important, especially since you know youβre going to be living in it all of fall. The plaid shirts Iβve selected in the below shopping guide have that modern cut and fit weβre looking for.
Read MoreMy husband and I have always dreamed of living in Los Angeles, we have a lot of family in Southern California and we visit often. Santa Monica is one of our top areas in LA to explore, and since having Scout weβve realized itβs a great option for vacationing with a baby.
The beaches of Santa Monica are the hub of tourism and lots of families travel towards them to have some quality R&R. Santa Monica is a haven for trendy restaurants, boutique shops and of course the promenade and pier. Read on to see our top 10 spots where we love to take Scout.
Read MoreEvery homeownerβs dream is to be able to customize their living space and maximize its potential. If youβre planning a renovation, here are some things to think about as youβre designing the spaces in your home. The goal here is to add features that will make your everyday life much easier.
Read MoreNothing feels more nostalgic than curling up with a blanket under the stars waiting for the fireworks show to begin. California always has great options for a quick vacation, so many scenic cities to choose from. Make the most of your PTO vacation days with a 4th of July getaway. This list of California destinations offer great scenery and awe-worthy firework shows.
Read MoreFor all of us serious avocado lovers, we can eat avocado toast anytime of the day. This easy and healthy meal has surpassed just breakfast and brunch and is now a lunch and dinner staple too. That being said, sometimes you just need to mix it up and add a new twist to the classic bread and avocado combo.
Read MoreI grew up in the coastal town of Half Moon Bay in Northern California. Santa Cruz is just a scenic one hour drive south along Highway 1 from my hometown. Our summers were spent at the beach, playing in the ocean with boogie boards and surfing.
No doubt surfing is the unofficial state sport of California. Many people plan their vacations to the beach towns along the Pacific Coast Highway to take advantage of the perfect surfing conditions. Santa Cruz is a world famous surfing destination and the best part is that thereβs surfing spots for all levels of surfers. The surf culture of Santa Cruz is difficult to put into words, you just need to experience it for yourself.
Surfing is also a great spectators sport, it can be really fun to watch the surfing action while enjoying a picnic on the beach. If surfing is too intimidating for you, worry not! Grab your freshly made smoothie, wear those sunglasses and chill by the beach watching the pros glide over the waves. A paradise for surfers and beach lovers, Santa Cruz in California has something for everyone. As your trip winds down into the evening, be ready to witness gorgeous sunsets during your Santa Cruz surfing getaway.
Read MoreWhen you're looking to book your next spa retreat in Sacramento, consider making reservations at the prestigious Arden Hills Club & Spa. My family booked me a massage and spa day here for a Motherβs Day gift and it was wonderful. This spa has been awarded Best Day Spa in Sacramento for eleven consecutive years, so you know thereβs pros at providing excellent services.
Read MoreWhen you start looking for baby-friendly music on YouTube, thereβs a few obstacles that youβll commonly run into. In this blog post I have tips on why the ones Iβve listed standout as excellent options for you to play for the little one. After listening to many playlists, the heavy lifting has been done for you and you can enjoy these videos straight from this blog post.
Read MoreIβve had many dogs in my life since my childhood, and each one holds a special place in my heart. With each dog came new challenges on how to keep a clean home, they all have their own personalities and messy habits. This blog post is filled with all the learnings from my experiences and can help anyone smooth out the process of bringing a new furry family member home.
Read MoreThe extra 20+ extra pounds was something I expected with pregnancy, but what I didnβt expect is how much the weight would stick afterwards in postpartum. My daughter Scout is 10 month olds and in that time I've had multiple set backs with my return to my pre-pregnancy weight. I re-gained weight because of travel, stress eating, and hectic schedules. But the important part is that you circle back you're ready and keep working towards your healthy goals.
Read MoreIf you have more complicated feelings about Motherβs Day and mothers, please know you are not alone. If your feelings about Motherβs Day are uncomplicated, please know those around you may not share that experience.
So what do we do when Motherβs Day comes each year? We give ourselves the Gift of True Self-Care. Iβm offering a 10 Gifts of True Self-Care with the understanding that you will take what you need and pass on what doesnβt work for you.
Read MoreWith all the information floating around about moon grounding ceremonies, altars and crystals it is easy to get swept up in a vortex of mystic information. Before you know it youβve ordered every metaphysical book from Amazon and have purchased copious amounts of crystals and are still unsure what to do with it all. Here we will dip our toes into the moon phase pool and learn about ways to ground oneself, set intention(s) using crystals, alters, and self care while touching on the ever so ominous Mercury in Retrograde.
Read MoreFor all of us health conscious folks, eating enough vegetables and getting all of our daily nutrients is always on our to-do list. Our busy lifestyles can make cooking fresh meals a challenge, which is why Otamot is a panty must-have.
This very versatile sauce can be used to whip up a variety of recipes, and all you need to add is a few fresh ingredients. Iβm hesitant to even call it a sauce because itβs so much more than what you typically expect in a tomato based sauce. It has a rich and hearty texture, and the savory flavor really goes above and beyond any other sauce in a jar Iβve tried. Itβs incredibly nutrient dense with plant-based nutrition from 12 vegetables and healthy oils, making it a super food!
Read MoreSo you wanna launch a podcast? Host and creator of Spark Intention podcast, Jenna Monaco shares her pro tips and outlines all the steps to help you get started on your own podcast.
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