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.

TravelGennifer RoseJune 2, 2021International DestinationsComment

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.

TravelGennifer RoseMay 25, 2021SacramentoComment

13 Ideas for a Modern Feminist Girl Power Themed Party

When women celebrate other women, we all win! The below guide to throwing a modern feminist themed party can be used for all sorts of occasions. These tips are great for bachelorette parties, bridal showers, birthday parties, baby showers, Galentine’s Day and even #BOSSBABES graduation celebrations.

LifestyleGennifer RoseMay 19, 2021Modern MamaComment

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.

TravelGennifer RoseMay 16, 2021Southern California, Los AngelesComment

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.

TravelGennifer RoseMay 10, 2021San DiegoComment

The Cutest Rooms to Book at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo

Located in the heart of San Luis Obispo, the Madonna Inn has become a California landmark and a favorite road trip destination. One of the first things you might notice when looking at all these photos is "My gosh, the decor is just so tacky!". And you would be spot on to think so, the fabulously tacky style of the Madonna Inn is its claim to fame.

TravelGennifer RoseMay 5, 2021Northern CaliforniaComment

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.

TravelGennifer RoseApril 30, 2021San DiegoComment

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!

LifestyleGennifer RoseApril 21, 2021SacramentoComment

Plant Based and Vegan Charcuterie Board Ideas

If you’re looking to put a healthy twist on the classic charcuterie board then look no further! While traditionally these boards are filled with fatty deli meats and dairy cheese, I have listed several plant based and vegan options for a lighter and healthier assortment.

These types of grazing boards are easy to throw together and can be served for all kinds of occasions. From date night to larger gatherings, a pretty charcuterie board instantly makes it a party!

LifestyleGennifer RoseApril 18, 2021Recipes, Healthy & Natural LivingComment

The Summer Guide to Auburn, California

The gold rush town of Auburn in Northern California is often considered the summer playground for the city folk living in San Francisco and Sacramento. Auburn is centrally located between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe with one hour drive from each city. For many years it was considered a stop over spot on your way to Tahoe, but more recently travelers have realized that the history and charm of Auburn make it a great weekend destination.

TravelGennifer RoseApril 16, 2021Northern California, Sacramento Comment

The Sacramento Brunch Guide

Brunch, the most important meal of the weekend! The Sacramento brunch scene is always buzzing on the weekend and you’ll see so many people out and about in Midtown and East Sacramento. My friends from San Francisco love to come up and visit Sacramento to soak up some warm sunshine and eat some yummy brunch food.

We’ve been living in Sacramento for over 3 years now and I’ve seen so many new trendy restaurants open up. Needless to say, I am very willing to taste test each one to give you the scoop.

Read on to browse my list of top 20 Sacramento brunch spots and start planning your weekend. P.S. You know many of these restaurants are so Insta-worthy because that's how we roll.

TravelGennifer RoseApril 4, 2021Northern California, SacramentoComment

Bloggers' Guide to Photo Styling with Props

Take your blog and social media photography to the next level with perfectly selected and styled props. Creating content is not just about the written text, your image quality is also a very important component to compliment your prose. These small token props can really set the stage and tell a story just using visuals. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words!

Investing time and effort into your photography will really pay off, especially because high quality images are very valuable. When it comes to styling your photos, it takes a lot of trial and error to develop your own aesthetic and find your groove. You want all your visual content to have a cohesive look and feel throughout your blog and social media, which means you need to develop a signature style.

School for BloggersGennifer RoseMarch 29, 2021Comment

San Diego Foodie Guide for Instagrammers

The San Diego eateries I’ve chosen for this list are popular with the Instagram crowd because they’ve mastered the art of trendy decor and creating fun photo opportunities for patrons. You’ll find brunch restaurants, ice cream shops, cafes and perfect date night places.

These top picks can be found all over the San Diego area because there’s just so many cute neighborhoods in this colorful city. Whether you’re a visitor on a beach vacation or a local, there’s always be new areas to explore.

TravelGennifer RoseMarch 28, 2021San DiegoComment

Foodie Photographer's Guide to San Francisco

Like most people I enjoy indulging in delicious food but I especially love it when your meal is also a feast for the eyes! I often bring my camera with me when I go out to eat because fancy eats can truly be a fun subject to photograph. I like to call it “Poetry on a plate!”

In this blog post I’ve listed San Francisco eateries where your meal is truly an experience and there’s ample opportunities to capture beautiful photos. Whether it’s for Instagram or your personal portfolio of photography, these spots are filled with natural light and airy aesthetics… and of course yummy eats!

TravelGennifer RoseMarch 11, 2021San FranciscoComment

The Ultimate California Highway 1 Road Trip Guide

I grew up in the small coastal town of Half Moon Bay, located 30 miles south of San Francisco. Driving up and down the Pacific Coast Highway (also known as Highway 1) was a regular occurrence in my childhood. I didn't realize until later on in my adulthood how lucky I was to experience such scenic ocean views everyday. As a local I love to share the love and tell where to find my hidden gems spots.

Beginning from North to South, I've built the ultimate guide with the top spots along Highway 1 worth pulling over for!

TravelGennifer RoseDecember 22, 2020Northern California, Southern CaliforniaComment

Sneak Peek at the Christmas Prime Rib Dinner from Raley’s

There’s a good chance you spent the week of Thanksgiving running around the grocery store picking up ingredients, followed by long hours laboring in the kitchen. Give yourself a break from all the frantic shopping and cooking with a premade holiday meal from Raley’s.

We were lucky enough to get an early preview of Raley’s Prime Rib Christmas dinner. We had no problems being taste testers of this family sized feast!

LifestyleGennifer RoseDecember 6, 2020Holiday SeasonComment

Best Photography Locations in San Francisco

I first started my blogging career back when I lived in the bay, and we spent pretty much every weekend looking for new San Francisco photography spots for the blog and Instagram. Over the years we covered every corner of the City by the Bay and captured memorable pictures on my camera.

In this guide I’ve got over 30 San Francisco photography locations. Some of them are familiar iconic landmarks and others are hidden gems known by locals. Both San Fran newbies and veterans will find inspiration for your next urban photography adventure, I promise!

TravelGennifer RoseDecember 1, 2020San FranciscoComment

Planning Guide to a Traditional Nochebuena Holiday Celebration

My household is comprised of mixed heritages so we celebrate the holidays in all kinds of ways. My husband’s family comes from Mexico and on my side we are mostly English and Irish. Our kids are lucky to have so much diversity because it just means more reasons celebrate!

Christmas Day is the big event for most Western cultures with a morning family brunch, opening gifts and then a big Christmas dinner. In Latino households Christmas Eve is known as Nochebuena which translate to “A Good Night” in Spanish. Nochebuena is the biggest evening of celebration for traditional Mexican families and it’s the one my husband remembers most from his childhood.

LifestyleGennifer RoseNovember 17, 2020Holiday SeasonComment

Checklist and Shopping Guide for Second Baby

We’re about to re-enter the crazy world of labor and delivery, and then having a newborn. But this time around we also have a 2-year-old toddler in the mix, which definitely makes things a bit more complicated.

By the time your second baby arrives you’re already in full-blown parent mode. Fortunately we already know how some of the journey ahead will go, but learning to balance our attention to two children is a new experience.

Having the right gear can definitely make the transition easier for both the parents and the children. You may also want to refresh your baby gear with new and upgraded products. Some items can be re-used from your first baby, and others may have to replaced.

LifestyleGennifer RoseNovember 16, 2020Modern Mama, PregnancyComment

Locally Made Holiday Foods and Desserts in Sacramento

The city of Sacramento does an excellent job of making the holiday season extra special. It’s one of the few places in California where the trees change into vibrant colors, and the fall foliage really hits its peak the week of Thanksgiving. For Christmas there’s twinkling lights and trees adorning the Downtown and Midtown streets.

There’s many locally owned restaurants, artisans and foodie shops in the Sacramento area that have seasonal offerings. You can find your favorite holiday foods and sweets available during the months of November and December. These foods and treats are either available to order online and take home or you can enjoy them on-site.

TravelGennifer RoseNovember 13, 2020Sacramento, Holiday SeasonComment

Travel

San Francisco Neighborhood Guide to the Marina District

Back 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 it’s so scenic! If you’re staying in San Francisco, cruising the Marina is a great way to spend a few hours. This neighborhood is worth visiting anytime of day, they’ve got great brunch spots, ample lunch options and a lively nightlife scene.

Baby-Friendly Travel Guide to Santa Monica

My 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.

100 Things To Do in San Francisco Under $10

This 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.

Where to Find Blooming Almond Orchards in Northern California

We just returned from a drive out to Woodland to visit the almond orchards that are currently in full bloom. This magical time of year comes and goes so quickly but when you catch it just right, it’s such a gorgeous scene. The orchards are a beautiful place for family portraits, bridal photos and of course spring style OOTD looks.

Le Marais Bakery: San Francisco's Newest Favorite Instagram Cafe

I especially love the Le Marais Bakeries because the aesthetic is so bright, filled with light and French elegance. Absolutely perfect for Instagram photography! It’s so easy to take beautiful photos, even if you’re new to the Instagram game.

Lifestyle

How to Build the Perfect Charcuterie and Cheese Board

Using fresh ingredients in your recipes is the key to amazing food. I try to source locally whenever I can, and this includes fresh dairy products that are produced in California. I used both Real California Milk cheddar cheese and cream cheese in this recipe.

Fashion & Style

The Thrifted Fall Capsule Collection - Top Brands and Wardrobe Essentials to Buy Second Hand

Fall is a popular season and social media has been buzzing with anticipation waiting for crisp cool air, pumpkin spice and chunky sweaters. There are about one million reasons to love autumn, and on the top of my list is the fashion. Fall brings about a whole slew of style options, and with layering being so important, the outfit style options are endless!

Thrifting has always been the way I find my favorite wardrobe pieces. I don't have a massive budget to pay full retail prices, plus I enjoy the hunt for the gems! Shopping thrift I get way more items for the same amount of $$.

The Ultimate San Diego Bucket List for Summer

San Diego is the best place to experience a real California summer. There's so much sunshine and plenty of parks and beaches to enjoy your time outdoors. My list of top 10 spots will help you plan your most perfect summer days.

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