Gennifer Rose blog
Welcome to our California Travel and Lifestyle blog where youβll find our collection of all the content weβve created. Whether youβre planning your next California vacation, searching for some new healthy recipes or seeking seasonal style tips, youβll find that perfect blog post here.
This page allows you to filter to your interests or browse everything the Gennifer Rose Blog has to offer. You may discover something new!
Half Moon Bay is known as both a beach town and a cute farming community that comes alive in the autumn season. There are several family farms that convert into festive pumpkin patches for the public to enjoy.
The coast is one of the perfect places to take some time to capture special moments on camera. Thereβs so many beautiful backdrops for both families and Instagrammers.
Read MoreWith countless hidden gems, Sacramento is a destination that deserves to be on your California travel bucket list. The first time most people visit Californiaβs capital city of Sacramento, they almost always wind up spending some time in historical Old Sacramento. While many cities have their own version βold townβ, the Old Sacramento District really takes the cake with blocks of preserved buildings, working locomotive steam trains, shopping and dining, and beautiful Tower Bridge and Sacramento River views.
The Old Sacramento area is home to the highest concentration of historic buildings and landmarks in the state. It has a lovely Old West look and feel, with horse-drawn stagecoaches slowly making their way through its scenic streets. There are over a hundred shops and restaurants, as well as countless cafes and hotels now housed in its attractive old buildings.
Old Sacramento is one of those rare places where thereβs truly something for everyone. Within the 8-block grid of Old Sac thereβs kid-friendly attractions and not-so-kid-friendly spots. Families can bring their children and simultaneously adults can enjoy more mature activities with booze and sophistication.
This Old Sacramento guide is divided between things to do with your kids and adult only activities for a day out on the town or date night with someone special. Thereβs also plenty of foodie suggestions for those who enjoy eating well while on vacation.
Read MoreBlogtober is a content creating challenge in which a blogger publishes a new blog post and social media posts every day in the month of October. Not only is it a great way to pump out crucial content during a peak season, itβs also a really fun way to enjoy everything the fall season has to offer.
Read MoreThis light and aromatic cocktail recipe is a delight for the senses. The blood orange adds a sweet and tart zing, while the lavender and vanilla are fresh and botanical. For the for the piest de resistance, we used fresh lavender that cut ourselves on a California lavender farm.
This summer cocktail is perfect for any warm weather gathering such as the 4th of July or a grown-up birthday party. Your guests will love this smooth and refreshing cocktail which you can serve with a small food bites on a charcuterie board.
For this cocktail recipe we partnered with the expert mixologists from The Mixer who helped us deliver this elegant and elevated cocktail (and mocktail) recipe.
Read MoreHalloween is coming up quickly this October and we decided to get crafty with some DIY pumpkin painting. My 2-year-old daughter Scout insists that Halloween shouldnβt be scary, so instead we decided to make it colorful and full of art.
Keep reading to see my step-by-step guide to planning and creating your own Yayoi Kusama inspired painted pumpkins for the fall season.
Read MoreAll around the world, many people are trying to go green or live eco-friendly lives to reduce their impact on the environment. As well as helping out the natural world, going green can also provide some personal benefits, such as saving you money and making certain aspects of your day-to-day life easier and more convenient.
There are lots of ways to become more eco-friendly at home, starting off in the kitchen. And itβs not just about eating organic food or cutting down on the amount of waste you create; there are lots of creative and clever ways to minimize your carbon footprint through kitchen cleaning, organization, and general usage. Letβs take a look at some super easy ways to get started.
Read MoreThe adorable little neighborhood of North Park, San Diego has been blowing up all over Instagram lately and it's not hard to see why. The streets are painted those pastel colors we love, the walls are filled with urban succulent gardens and the matcha is oh-so-trendy. Not to mention the foodie scene is really happening with cuisine from all over the world, and of course plenty of fusions. Forbes named it one of Americaβs best neighborhoods for hipsters, which really sums it up.
My husband and I lived in San Diego and North Park was one of my favorite hangout spots. Our perfect afternoon out-and-about in North Park would be eating tacos Γ la lucha libre style and then sipping green matcha latte while window shopping boutiques. Read on to see North Park's top spots and begin planning your visit to one of San Diego's favorite neighborhoods.
Read MoreWe are officially entering into the month of December, which means the magical holiday season is upon us. Itβs a time for gathering with family and friends, spending quality time with loved ones.
Putting out a spread of food is a must and one of my favorite ways to feed a crowd is with an impressive charcuterie board filled with an abundance of foodie favorites.
If youβre new to building charcuterie boards, fret not! These culinary creations may look tricky or intimidating, but I promise itβs actually quite simple when you follow my easy steps. And the best part is that thereβs really no wrong way to build a charcuterie board, itβs all about what you and guests like to eat!
Read MoreWhen it comes to indoor plants, letβs face it β everybody loves them! They can spruce up a place and make it look more welcoming, warm, and filled with positive energy.
However, not everyone has a knack for keeping houseplants. I have to admit that I have unintentionally killed my fair share of potted plants. I have no problems caring for my human children and my dog, but for some reason my plant babies never seen to survive more than a couple months.
For this blog post I sought out the expert advice of a botanist who could provide valuable advice and knowledge to those of us who are not born with a green thumb. Below youβll find a list of low-maintenance houseplants that can still flourish with forgetful and preoccupied caretakers.
Read MoreTake your tastebuds on a trip around the world without ever leaving Sacramento. This blog post is filled with all kinds of global cuisine, some of them are traditional authentic and others are inventive fusion foods.
We moved to Sacramento in 2017 and weβve seen Californiaβs capital city become a coveted foodie destination with so many new restaurants opening up. I have to constantly be updating my Sacramento guides because the city is growing so fast!
Read MoreMy husband and I moved to Sacramento with two goals in mind, to buy our house and start a family. Weβve been living here in Sacramento for over five years now and we have a toddler and baby. We love exploring our city and finding new and engaging ways to entertain the kids.
Sacramento is a great place for families to both live and visit, with plenty of activities to keep children of all ages thoroughly amused. In this guide, we've put together some of the best things to do in Sacramento that are perfect for families. From visiting tourist attractions like the California State Railroad Museum to enjoying the great outdoors at one of the city's many parks, there's something for everyone in Sacramento.
Read MoreThe list of reasons why people loved to visit lavender fields is literally endless. Amazingly scented and full of olfactory delights, a visit to the vast fields of purple blooms is nothing short of time well spent.
Besides their captivating floral fragrance, the alluring beauty of lavender fields makes them picture-perfect as well as a great source of photography inspiration. But thereβs more to lavender fields than just being the perfect backdrop source for your next Instagram post. Visiting a lavender farm is a wellness and holistic experience.
But when is the best time to visit Californiaβs lavender fields? What are some of the best fields to visit, where, and what are they like? Read on to see our comprehensive list of visitor-friendly lavender fields in both Northern and Southern California.
Read MoreLooking for a winter road trip destination where you can walk through a real life winter wonderland? California is a great place to go! With its many snowy mountain ranges, there are plenty of places to explore.
Winter is a wonderful time to enjoy the snow, whether you're hitting the slopes or simply playing in the snow. Snowboarding and skiing are great ways to get out and enjoy the winter weather. Sledding and snowman-building are fun activities for families with young children. There's something about being in the snow that just makes people feel happy, and there's nothing quite like relaxing in a cozy cabin after a long day of playing in the snow. If you're looking for a reason to love winter, start with snow travel. It's an experience you'll never forget.
In this blog post, we will outline and give the highlights to some of the best snowy destinations in California. Whether you're looking for a place to ski or just enjoy the scenery, we have you covered. Keep reading to plan your trip to some of the best winter road trip destinations in the Golden State!
Read MoreThere are many moments in motherhood when youβre just too tired or busy to spend time in the kitchen cooking healthy meals from scratch. But that doesnβt mean you want to resort to fast food or overly processed junk food.
This guide will give you helpful tips that you can resort to when youβre crunched for time or in a pinch. Iβve also taken into account scenarios when youβre low on fresh groceries and freezer or pantry foods are your only option.
Read MoreYour 30th birthday is truly a milestone event unlike any other, especially if you celebrate it while pregnant. When you enter into your 30βs era, your life tends to shift and your priorities change. You begin to settle down and focus on big picture life changes. This is all particularly true when youβre about to become a parent to a new baby.
If you happen to be celebrating your 30th birthday while pregnant, you may be wondering how you can still commemorate this special occasion. This particular birthday is known as the βDirty Thirtyβ which can imply partying with alcohol and shenanigans. Well obviously the pregnant birthday girl will be responsible and not partake in any unruly or unhealthy exploits. But donβt worry, you can still live it up and have plenty of fun.
This guide is filled with pregnancy-friendly party and activity suggestions. All of them are great choices for any point in your pregnancy, no matter what trimester youβre in during your birthday. I myself have done all of these things during my own pregnancies so I speak from experience. Trust me when I say that you can enjoy plenty of get togethers with friends and family to make your birthday memorable without compromising your baby's health.
Read MoreIf you are looking for a fun day out with the family, then Funderland is your place. This small amusement park inside William Land Park in Sacramento, California is perfect for families with young children. Funderland is a long-standing family-friendly destination thatβs been providing wholesome entertainment for kids since 1946!
This guide was made to help Funderland first timers plan their visit and come prepared for a day of fun. Learn about all the things you can do inside the park and what kid ages are best.
The day that we took the photos in this blog post, my daughter was 3-years-old and my son was 1-year-old. If you have super young kids like mine, I will tell you what you can do with them at Funderland and if itβs worth your time to visit. For older children over the age of 5-years-old thereβs plenty of rides for them.
Read MoreHaving a sleepover as a tween or teenager was a rite of passage for many of us American girls. They usually involve snacks, movies, makeovers, and talking for hours about crushes. Itβs an easy way of having fun and a great bonding experience.
But the fun doesnβt have to stop in adulthood. Grown women can still have sleepovers and connect, just like in the old days. While it may look a little different than when you were 13, sleepovers can form a fun part of celebrating everything from birthday milestones to graduations and bridal and bachelorette parties.
If youβre looking for a budget-friendly and nostalgic way to hang out with your girlfriends, then youβve come to the right place!
Read MoreThere are many fun things to do in San Diego - and despite what you may have heard, not all of them break the bank.
If thereβs one thing this area is criticized for, itβs that the high-standards lifestyle often comes with a price tag thatβs just as soaring.
But San Diego is called Americaβs Finest City - not its priciest city. While there are some high-priced attractions and establishments that attract the affluent, itβs also possible to enjoy this amazing area without a big budget.
Today weβll highlight some of the best restaurants, attractions, and locations that allow you to fill your stomach and your day without requiring you to drain your savings in the process. Weβll also mention some of the spots you can head to when itβs time to splurge and treat yourself.
Letβs plan our San Diego day together!
Read MoreThis pasta salad may be easy to make, but it really delivers when it comes to flavor! Youβve got the tangy and creamy ranch sauce, smokiness from the bacon and a dash of fresh zest from the veggies. The protein from the chicken really makes this a hearty side dish, and it can even be a quick leftover main dish lunch!
Whenever I have a BBQ gathering coming up, or I need to make a potluck dish for work, this is one of my go-to recipes. If you have a busy schedule, you can make it ahead of time and leave it the refrigerator overnight. It can be served warmed up or at room temperature, either way its delicious!
Once youβve got all the ingredients purchased, prep work for this recipe just requires chopping up the veggies, cubing the chicken and mixing up the sauces. Next itβs time to cook the pasta and bacon, chop the bacon, and then mix it all up. If youβre working diligently, you can make this recipe in under 30 minutes, and it yields a large amount of pasta salad to feed a crowd.
Read More
