In 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 MoreHawaii is a popular place for Americans to travel with their babies, my parents took me to Hawaii for the first time when I was just a couple of months old. Visiting the islands truly feels like an escape to paradise, but you don't need a passport because you aren't leaving the country. Getting a passport for a baby can be a hassle, so this is a big bonus. There's also no Zika is Hawaii so it's a great place to have a baby moon while pregnant!
The people of Hawaii are very welcoming to families and children, you'll find ample baby friendly dining and activities. In this guide youβll find the best beaches, places to eat, baby-friendly activities and my top parenting travel tips.
Read MoreMy husband and I took a summer 10-day trip to the Greek islands during the month of July. We flew from San Francisco to London and then onwards to the island of Santorini. On the way to Greece we had an 8 hour layover in London, on the way back we had a 17 hour layover in London. Both times we wanted to maximize our time in England so we left the airports to do some sightseeing.
Yes, I know what you're thinking - those two long layovers in London are definitely not enough. You're right! Even a week might not be enough to experience the city, take in all the incredible sights, and marvel at London's beautiful architecture. However, if you're there already and have the opportunity to spend the day exploring, you should unquestionably take advantage of it.
Because there are so many things to see and do in London, you may be overwhelmed by the options, which is why I made this guide. It will help you make the most of your time in the city by offering tips for where to go and what to do during your one day in London.
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 MoreAlthough the Hawaiian islands are small, thereβs so many sights to explore - especially on capital island of Oahu! When youβve only got 4 days to vacation in Oahu, its definitely worth your time to plan your itinerary in advance.
Iβve broken this blog post up into sections - each one caters to specific travel interests. Thereβs plenty for foodies, beach lovers, nature adventure seekers and family fun. My suggestion for building your Oahu 4-Day Itinerary would be select your top four must-see items and then add-on meal options.
Read MoreSacramento is quickly becoming a California foodie destination, and a true foodie can really appreciate quality ice cream, gourmet donuts and apothecary candy stores. In Sacramento youβll find a mix of old-established family ice cream parlors and new trendy ice cream.
In preparation for this blog post, I had a lot of fun doing βresearchβ eating ice cream all over Sacramento. Itβs a tough job but someoneβs gotta do it!
Read MoreHalf Moon bay is the perfect weekend warrior destination, especially if youβre planning dog-friendly travel. There are many outdoor spaces where your furry babies are allowed to accompany you. Also thereβs a good selection of eating establishments that are willing to accommodate dogs.
The recommended spots in this guide are just a quick drive from San Francisco or San Jose area, about an hour away from either city. You can opt for a day trip or an over-night stay, Iβve got a list of hotels that are pet-friendly.
Read MoreOne of the biggest challenges of being the parent to a young child is finding ways to enjoy the outdoors. When my daughter was born I quickly learned that many of my favorite hikes and walks were not very stroller friendly.
This blog post began because I spent so much time researching where I can take my toddler on scenic walks and urban hikes. Luckily the San Francisco Bay Area has several options where you can walk at least a solid mile uninterrupted with your stroller.
Read MoreYosemite is a beautiful place to vacation during any season. Although you have to battle the cold during the winter months, there are some major perks to visiting during the off-season. We once went to Yosemite on 4th of July weekend and the park was absolutely packed and the traffic was terrible. But this past January we took our toddler Scout on a family trip to Yosemite and we pretty much had the whole park to ourselves!
The main thing to remember when visiting Yosemite is to take it slow and enjoy the scenery. It's truly one of those places filled with so much natural beauty that it takes your breath away. This guide covers all the fun activities and sightseeing that is available during the winter season.
Read MoreWe are so lucky in California because there are several places to see these beauties bloom. The flowers across the state of California begin sprouting up in late February and can last until the heat of summer dries them out.
Fresh blossoms can be found in fields and others are in tree orchards. Some of these places occur naturally in the wild, and others are cultivated on farms. Either way, vibrant flowers looks stunning both in person and on camera. I know all you Instagrammers are looking for that perfect shot!
Read MoreChico is one of the greatest gems of Northern California, and it also happens to be my college town. I spent five years living in Chico while I attended Chico State University working towards my bachelor's degree in Business Marketing. I graduated in 2009 and there's been so much growth and development in this town over the last ten years. In 2019 Chico was actually the fastest growing city in California!
Probably one of my favorite things about Chico is that it's able to keep that small town feel while still being contemporary and modern. Both millennials and baby boomers have both fallen in love with Chico, there's something for everyone.
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 MoreSan Diego's neighborhood of Little Italy has evolved into one of the most modern and trendy areas of SoCal. The lively social scene makes it the perfect place to enjoy both a day and night out on the town. I've compiled a comprehensive list of the best 45 spots to eat, drink and be merry in Little Italy. From the swanky high brow spots to the cool and comfy, it's all here. Plan a romantic evening with that special someone or invite your pals out for a brunch date.
Read MoreProbably the most iconic landmark of San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge. While you can see the bridge from many locations around the city, for photography purposes there are limited places where the bridge is large enough to show up clearly in photos.
Having grown up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Iβve spent many years roaming around the city with my camera. In this blog post youβll find my recommendations for best area in and around San Francisco for photos with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.
Read MoreSpring is a great time to travel in California because thereβs a good chance youβll be treated to some awesome weather. Spring break is also a popular time to vacation because many students have time-off from school.
This California Spring Break Guide works for both college students and parents with kids who are on break from school. My top destinations have a bit of something for everyone!
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.
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