When we purchased our fixer-upper home in Sacramento we got a great deal on the listing price, mostly because the house was in need of some serious TLC. Our tudor style home has two bathrooms and one of them was completely unfinished when we purchased the house.
Read MoreSanta Cruz is one of those perfect California surfer towns that is often filled with sunshine and warm weather. One of the most notable charms of Santa Cruz is the bounty of color and public art. You seriously canβt turn a corner without seeing a rainbow or surfer cool mural.
Read MoreWhen we bought our house in Sacramento it came with a large backyard full of trees. A few months later in November we got a sweet surprise, one of the trees was actually a pomegranate tree! Every year I have more pomegranates than we could possibly eat. So I have started incorporating pomegranate into my holiday cooking.
Pomegranates come into season around late October and November in California. Not only are pomegranates packed with sweet and tart flavor, theyβre also filled with healthy nutrients. And letβs be honest, they are one of the classiest fruits and immediately make you feel fancy!
Read MoreCornbread is such a versatile bread and it compliments all kinds of meals. Itβs great for the classic holiday dinners such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. But it also works as a great side dish for all kinds of family style meals throughout the year. And itβs quick and easy enough to whip up for a weekday dinner.
Read MoreBuying your engagement ring is one of the most significant purchases youβll make in your life, both financially and emotionally. This token of your commitment will become a daily fixture in your life, so itβs really worth your time to invest in the diamond and setting you truly want.
With Clarity is one of the fastest growing online engagement ring companies, and much of that boom is credited to their awesome βtry on your ring at homeβ service.
Read MoreOur trip to Dana Point and San Clemente was a bit on a whim and I felt so lucky that it turned out to be one of the cutest areas weβve ever visited in SoCal. My goal is always to find California towns with photo worthy scenery, fresh and healthy eats, and if Iβm lucky a colorful mural to brighten up my feed. We got everything on my checklist and then some!
Read MoreWe just wrapped up our visit to Capistrano Beach, just two days before our trip to San Diego for Thanksgiving. We were pleasantly surprised by all the charm we found in the beach towns of Capistrano, Dana Point and San Clemente. For our hotel accommodations we chose to stay at the Riviera Beach Resort located right in the heart of Capistrano Beach.
Read MoreThereβs something so comforting about your favorite mug, especially while sipping a hot beverage on a cold winter day. When that fabulous mug also happens to be a thoughtful gift from someone special, well then itβs even more magical.
When youβre shopping for mugs as gifts (and even for yourself!), Etsy has the best shopping selection. My list contains styles for everyone on your list, and even some extra quirky picks for your office White Elephant or Secret Santa office party. Happy Etsy shopping!
Read MoreBefore this this trip, we had never been to the Point Reyes area of California, and quite honestly we didnβt know where to begin. This area of California is known for being secretive and hidden away, with many of the roads unmarked and no chain brands in sight. While these characteristics make it an ideal destination to explore on road trips, it can also make planning a challenge.
Read MoreThe Danish hygge lifestyle is all about embracing everything warm and cozy during the cold days of winter. To achieve this state of ultimate cozy bliss, it does take some preparation and possibly shopping for a few investment pieces to complete your "hygge kit." Everyone has their own slightly different version of the perfect hygge winter, but there are some staple elements that most of us can agree upon and I've got them all on my list.
Read MoreI consider myself to be somewhat of a pro at Museum Hack Tours, this past tour at The Getty Museum was my third time around. Every excursion is like a completely new experience because each one is custom curated by the guide. During our Los Angeles visit we were guided by Baxter on the Un-Highlights Tour. I highly recommend him if you get the chance to join one of his tours!
Read MoreWe have taken many roads up and down Californiaβs famous Highway 1, but this was our first time staying in Carmel-by-the-Sea. This world renowned little beach town has been a popular vacation destination for many decades, and we finally got the opportunity to see why. Carmel is an exceptional destination on the Pacific Coastline because of its abundance of natural beauty and picturesque landscape. With both the shoreline and the inland surroundings, they strike a balance between untouched nature and a well loved and manicured town.
Read MoreBack in the day whenever you purchased goods from a store, the product came in either glass or paper packaging. When plastics were invented everyone thought it was be best thing since sliced bread. Little did they know that this new technology would be one of the worst things to happen to our planet. Our oceans and landfills are packed full with plastics that will take hundreds (in some cases thousands) of years to decompose.
Nowadays our daily lives are filled with plastics, and it can feel nearly impossible to avoid it. But the good news is there are quick and simple habits you can develop that will reduce your impact on the environment.
Read MoreThe 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!
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