San Fernando Valley Breakfast Guide - All Restaurants Less than 10 Minutes from Universal Studios Hollywood!
San Fernando Valley Breakfast Guide - All Restaurants Less than 10 Minutes from Universal Studios Hollywood!

If you are a local in the San Fernando Valley or a visitor with an extended stay, this guide serves as an excellent resource for all kinds of breakfast foods available in the region. While this blog post was written with visitors to Universal Studios Hollywood in mind, I uncovered some gem foodie spots that anyone can enjoy for a weekend brunch in The Valley.

Growing up my family went to Universal Studios every summer because my grandmother lived very close to the park. The same goes with my husband, his aunt and uncle used to take the kids often. I have lots of fond memories and I still enjoy going going as an adult.

I wrote this blog post because oddly enough finding breakfast early in the morning near the park is a bit of a challenge. It’s very common for Universal Studios visitors to plan strategically with an early start to beat the crowds and high heat temperatures.

Read More
TravelGennifer RoseLos Angeles Comment
An Honest Review of Jurassic Quest - Is it Worth the Price of Admission?
An Honest Review of Jurassic Quest - Is it Worth the Price of Admission?

When I heard that Jurassic Quest was coming to town in Sacramento I jumped at the chance to obtain tickets to see it. Both my daughter and my husband are big fans of dinosaurs and it seems like a fun idea to have a β€œJurassic Park” adventure. Obviously we will never see real dinosaurs so this is as close as you can get to the seeing the jurassic period come to life.

This blog post is a Jurassic Quest review based on our experience and may help you answer the questions on whether or not it would be worth it for you to spend the money to visit.

Read More
TravelGennifer RoseFamily-Friendly Travel Comments
English Trifle Recipe with Custard, Raspberry Jam and Sherry
English Trifle Recipe with Custard, Raspberry Jam and Sherry

Traditional English trifle is a desert dish characterized by layers of cake, fruits, jams, custards and is served in a large glass bowl. Trifle is often spiked with some sweet alcohol such as brandy, sherry or white wine. The Brits often serve trifle for Christmas desert.

By far my favorite Rose family tradition is enjoying my mom’s English trifle every Christmas. She came to visit us here in Sacramento and together we made her signature trifle so that I could document the recipe for the blog.

While we all grew up in California, we love to honor our English heritage with this classic English dessert. My mother was taught this recipe from her wonderful old family friend named Wilma Woods. Wilma made this trifle every Christmas for dessert when our family went to the Woods’ house for Christmas dinner.

Mrs. Woods told my mom that trifle was a recipe created to use up old, stale cake that no one wanted. Since it rarely happens that there is uneaten cake, we have to make a cake to use in the trifle. Hence it is best made ahead a day or so and allowed to β€œdry out” a bit first so it will absorb all the ingredients.

Because this recipe is best made in stages, planning ahead is very important. It’s vital to give yourself plenty of time for the cake to cool and the custard and Jello to set in the refrigerator.

Read More
LifestyleGennifer RoseRecipes, Holiday SeasonComment
Weekend Trip to Los Gatos - A Family and Dog-Friendly Travel Guide
Weekend Trip to Los Gatos - A Family and Dog-Friendly Travel Guide

Because our children are currently so young, we don’t get super ambitions with a full itinerary when we travel. Los Gatos is the perfect small town to just take it slow and walk around with a stroller. The central downtown blocks of Los Gatos are known as a great walkable destination with many shops and restaurants to explore.

The temperatures are mild year-round in Santa Clara County so it’s comfortable to spend the majority of your day outside. Because Los Gatos is centrally located in Northern California, it’s a popular weekend destination for many metros areas including San Francisco, San Jose and Sacramento. The folks in the bay area are most likely trying to escape cold foggy days and head into Los Gatos for some sunshine. While the San Jose visitors are looking for that small town charm and then us Sacramento people are trying to get relief from over 100 degrees hot temperatures.

When it comes to traveling with your dog, Los Gatos is a great destination for a weekend trip. There’s great dog-friendly hotels and outdoor activities where your pup is welcome. We stayed at the Toll House Hotel which welcomes doggy guests and is very conveniently located in the heart of Los Gatos downtown. Right across the street is the Los Gatos Town Plaza Park with a large grassy lawn where your dog can go potty.

Read More
TravelGennifer RoseNorthern CaliforniaComment
How to Pitch to Hotels as a Blogger - Complimentary Hotel Stays in Exchange for Media Coverage
How to Pitch to Hotels as a Blogger - Complimentary Hotel Stays in Exchange for Media Coverage

Travel and lifestyle bloggers are often on the road and it’s very common to share the highlights from your hotel stays with your audience. A fabulous hotel can really enhance your travel experience and is definitely worth sharing in a blog post and social media.

A successful partnership media stay with a hotel is an effective marketing tool for both the hotel and the blogger - it can be a total win-win for both parties! I myself have had many media stays over the years and there are some important guidelines to follow to make sure you are professional in your approach and not overstepping any boundaries. This is not a β€œgive me a free hotel room” type of scheme but actually a true marketing collaboration.

Read on to see my best insider tips on how to pitch a hotel for a media stay. Fair warning, be prepared to do your homework and put in a little work to land the media stay. I’ve also included an email template to help you get started on your email pitch.

Read More
School for BloggersGennifer RoseComment
Best Places to Elope in California
Best Places to Elope in California

Elopements have become increasingly more popular in modern times as couples are sometimes less willing to pay large sums of money to get married. A traditional wedding can easily cost up to $10,000. In contrast my husband and I spent less than $500 on our San Francisco elopement. We are the type of couple who’d prefer to spend our savings on buying a house and travel.

California is a popular state for elopements because of both the beautiful scenery and pleasant weather. Unlike other areas of the country, there’s always a region in both Northern and Southern California with mild and somewhat predictable temperatures. Outdoor weddings and elopements are always an option which means that you don’t have to plan and budget for an indoor venue.

In this blog post I will outline my top recommendations for California elopement cities and locations. The locale themes will vary from urban metro spots to nature and wilderness areas. They will all have excellent backdrops for wedding photography and your elopement will be so sweet and memorable.

Read More
TravelGennifer RoseNorthern California, Southern CaliforniaComment
Ideas for Your Tropical Themed Charcuterie Board and Grazing Table
Ideas for Your Tropical Themed Charcuterie Board and Grazing Table

The tropical party theme is perfect for events and gatherings such as baby showers, gender reveal parties, bridal parties, birthdays, Galentine’s Day and more. For example if you’re hosting a home reception for an island destination wedding, a tropical themed grazing table can really help to cultivate those island vibes in your hometown.

Hosts putting on summer parties can also benefit from the colors and flavors of tropical-themed foods. On hot days the fresh fruit and lighter eats really compliment the summer vibes and atmosphere. The tropical theme can also lend itself to a Hawaiian Luau or even Caribbean inspired parties.

In my guide I will give tropical-themed food suggestions along with decor and hosting ideas. While there are many well-known foods and symbols associated with all those tropical vibes, I promise you’ll find some new and unexpected surprises in this blog post.

Read More
LifestyleGennifer RoseRecipesComment
What Can You Do with a Fashion Merchandising Degree? - A Fashion Student's Roadmap to a Career in the Industry
What Can You Do with a Fashion Merchandising Degree? - A Fashion Student's Roadmap to a Career in the Industry

My interest in fashion began at an early age and I knew that I wanted to somehow work in the industry. Figuring out exactly how to get there took a few years of paying my dues, plus some trial and error.

While there’s no one path to a successful career in the fashion industry, there’s definitely many common threads that up and comers will experience. And quite frankly, I think anyone interested in this field should learn early on the significant obstacles to gaining traction in this extremely competitive field.

In this guide to entering the fashion industry workforce, I will go into details about school coursework, fashion internships, entry-level fashion jobs to gain experience, and more helpful insider information.

Read More
Fashion & StyleGennifer RoseComment
Simple Ways to Elevate Your Everyday Moments
Simple Ways to Elevate Your Everyday Moments

Most of the days that make up our lives are routine and ordinary. We wake up, go to work, eat mediocre meals, etc. But the reality is that there are so many magical moments hidden within those 12 hours, you just need to learn how to find them.

There are so many small components that make up our day, both tangible and intangible. And by far the majority of them are choices we’ve made. We chose our homes, the clothes we wear, the foods we eat, almost everything is a choice. I truly believe you can chose joy. You can be very proactive in your own wellness journey by finding small ways to brighten your day.

Read More
LifestyleGennifer RoseHealthy & Natural LivingComment
My Best Travel Hacks for Long Haul Flights
My Best Travel Hacks for Long Haul Flights

While we love to travel to far away lands and explore new cultures, I have to admit that I do get a feeling of dread when I think about the long flight. The thought of being stuck on a compact plane for over 10 hours is certainly the least glamorous part of international travel.

In my lifetime I’ve traveled from California to Greece, England, Ireland, Spain, Japan, India, Mexico, Nigeria, New York, Hawaii, Bahamas, France and Holland. During these long haul travels I learned some tricks and travel hacks to make the air travel more tolerable. If you’re able to arrive at your destination well rested and relaxed then you’re setting yourself up for an awesome trip.

Read More
TravelGennifer RoseInternational DestinationsComment
Sacramento Craft Beer and Breweries Guide
Sacramento Craft Beer and Breweries Guide

There’s over 90 breweries in the greater Sacramento area giving enthusiasts a steady stream of new places to explore and beers to taste. Many of these Sacramento breweries are opening up their doors to the public, often with restaurants serving fresh artesian food.

In this blog post I will highlight some of my favorite beer-centric establishments and events in NorCal Gold Country. This is s great resource for planning foodie and drink-themed weekend road trips to Sacramento.

Read More
TravelGennifer RoseSacramentoComment
Foodie's Guide to a Weekend in Pasadena
Foodie's Guide to a Weekend in Pasadena

Pasadena is known for beautiful tree-lined streets, lot’s of greenery and flowers, and grand architecture. Being more inland, when you visit Pasadena your trip will be less about the beach and more about the finer things in life… like good food! During our visits to Pasadena, we pretty much eat our way through the town with pleasant city walks in-between meals. In short, Pasadena is a foodie’s paradise spot for a weekend retreat.

Read More
TravelGennifer RoseSouthern California, Los AngelesComment
Top 30 San Diego Instagram Spots for Photos
Top 30 San Diego Instagram Spots for Photos

San Diego is one of those bucket list California road trip destinations. It’s got everything you’re looking for in a vacation - warm sunny weather, beaches, palm trees, trendy restaurants, shopping and of course Insta-worthy photography locations.

In this guide I’ve listed over 30 San Diego spots where you can take bright and colorful vacation photos. The list includes the best neighborhoods to hangout, beaches, parks, where to eat and of course flower fields.

Read More
TravelGennifer RoseSan DiegoComment
Neighborhood Guide to Hillcrest in San Diego
Neighborhood Guide to Hillcrest in San Diego

One of the liveliest neighborhoods in San Diego is the Hillcrest Gay District. The streets are filled with vibrant colors and friends gathering to meet up for brunch, not to mention the thriving nightlife scene.

Hillcrest is known as the most diverse area of the city because they welcome all kinds of people and they have a strong LGBT community. Although San Diego in general is considered to be very gay-friendly, Hillcrest is truly the hub for gay-owned businesses and events.

Read More
TravelGennifer RoseSan DiegoComment
What to Wear After Giving Birth in the Hospital
What to Wear After Giving Birth in the Hospital

At this point I’ve been through pregnancy and postpartum twice with my two babies. And while each time was different and had its own challenges, there definitely were some similarities that most women experience.

Getting dressed both when pregnant and in the postpartum months can quite honestly be frustrating. You’re dealing with weight gain, bloating, aches and pains, heavy bleeding and nursing. There’s a lot going on!

I highly recommend building a capsule wardrobe that can accommodate all these needs and make you feel comfortable. During the postpartum phase you’ll pretty much do anything to make yourself feel a little better and cute clothes can do the trick!

Read More
Fashion & StyleGennifer RoseModern MamaComment
The Clean Eating Grocery List from Raley's O-N-E Market
The Clean Eating Grocery List from Raley's O-N-E Market

We’ve all had those moments where you’re standing in the grocery store examining a food product to figure out if its actually as healthy as it claims to be. The food industry has come up with all kids of deceiving ways to cut costs and artificially enhance products, and as a consumer it can be very difficult to know exactly what you’re consuming. Not to mention wether the brands you’re purchasing are using eco-friendly and sustainable practices. In a traditional grocery store it can be an endless guessing game with no real answers.

Raley’s O-N-E Market is a new type of grocery experience where you can feel confident that you’re making legitimate healthy decisions. Every item they sell inside their stores has high quality ingredients, organic when possible, minimally processed and sustainably sourced.

In order to maintain their very high standards they don’t foods that contain anything on their banned ingredients list. This comprehensive banned ingredients list is very lengthy and covers all kinds of categories such as food, drinks, beauty and wellness, household supplies, home and garden and more. It truly is a one stop shop for everything on your shopping list!

Read More
LifestyleGennifer RoseSacramentoComment