It’s 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 I’ll tell you the best way to discover the favorite “must see” spots in Petaluma that are tailor-made for us millennials. Build your itinerary with where to stay, what to eat and where to explore… 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 didn’t 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 there’s a whole world of scents I had to discover.
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 we’ve realized it’s 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 homeowner’s dream is to be able to customize their living space and maximize its potential. If you’re planning a renovation, here are some things to think about as you’re 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 there’s 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 Mother’s Day gift and it was wonderful. This spa has been awarded Best Day Spa in Sacramento for eleven consecutive years, so you know there’s pros at providing excellent services.
Read MoreWhen you start looking for baby-friendly music on YouTube, there’s a few obstacles that you’ll commonly run into. In this blog post I have tips on why the ones I’ve 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 MoreI’ve 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 didn’t 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 Mother’s Day and mothers, please know you are not alone. If your feelings about Mother’s Day are uncomplicated, please know those around you may not share that experience.
So what do we do when Mother’s Day comes each year? We give ourselves the Gift of True Self-Care. I’m offering a 10 Gifts of True Self-Care with the understanding that you will take what you need and pass on what doesn’t 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 you’ve 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. I’m hesitant to even call it a sauce because it’s 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 I’ve tried. It’s 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.
Read MoreWhen we were planning for my pregnancy with my daughter, one of the biggest concerns I had was how to manage my migraine headaches. Over the next 9 months of pregnancy, I devised my own treatment plan to help me navigate through migraine pain while maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
Read MoreSpringtime is when we all come out of hibernation and start enjoying the surf and sandy beaches. I grew up in the California coastal town of Half Moon Bay and my parent’s house is a short 10 minute walk to the beach. Nowadays I love visiting my family there and enjoying beach days with my daughter and bae. We take road trips from Sacramento to the coast almost every month, especially when it gets too hot inland.
Read MoreThis list began because we had friends visiting us in San Francisco and they were looking for trendy and photogenic places to see, while still staying on a budget. And the more I started thinking about it, the more ideas and places kept popping into my head. I grew up in Half Moon Bay, a beach town 45 minutes south of San Francisco and I’ve been exploring the city for years.
Read MoreJoshua Tree National Park is the meeting place of two deserts, the Colorado Desert and the higher and cooler Mojave Desert. Each area has its own distinct ecosystem with diverse territory. The Mohave Desert is the only place on earth where the Joshua tree grows. This 774,000-acre preserve has a rich history and flourishing natural scene with wildlife and plant-life.
If you’re a shutterbug like me, you’ll understand how I love to explore and photograph all kinds of subjects. The last time I visited Joshua Tree a was very pregnant so I couldn’t venture out too much. But the below list contains all the locations I hope to explore on my next visit!
If you’re a shutterbug like me, you’ll understand how I love to explore and photograph all kinds of subjects. The last time I visited Joshua Tree a was very pregnant so I couldn’t venture out too much. But the below list contains all the locations I hope to explore on my next visit!
Read More