Travel Guide to Yolo County - Hidden Gems & Small Towns to Visit
Travel Guide to Yolo County - Hidden Gems & Small Towns to Visit

We live in the heart of East Sacramento, which means that Yolo County is right in our backyard. Yolo County is located directly west of the urban Sacramento city blocks and across the Sacramento River. Surprisingly West Sacramento is technically part of Yolo (go figure!) and is the most populated and developed part of Yolo. The further west you travel, the more rural the landscape becomes with quaint countryside scenes.

This blog post guide is filled with photos and stories from our family adventures in Yolo County. Here you’ll find my top recommendations for agritourism farms to visit, foodie and restaurant eats, photography spots and unique shopping experiences.

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern CaliforniaComment
How to Go Platinum Blonde: 7 Tips to Dyeing Your Hair Without Damaging It
How to Go Platinum Blonde: 7 Tips to Dyeing Your Hair Without Damaging It

This blog post documents my hair journey from my natural color of strawberry blonde to platinum blonde, silver gray and then rose gold. While I do like my natural shade of red, I definitely got bored after having the same hair color my entire life and I wanted to mix it up. There's a thrill you get when going platinum, like you've got a new spring in your step!

I will admit that I was very naive about this process before I got started and I learned a lot of lessons along the way. Hopefully you’re doing a bit research so that you’ll find yourself better prepared than I did.

Read on to see my top tips on how to dye your hair platinum blonde while minimizing the damage to your hair. I also go into detail about how to care for platinum hair and using platinum as a base for other trendy pastel colors.

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Fashion & StyleGennifer RoseBeauty & SkincareComment
Non-Maternity Dresses to Wear During and After Pregnancy
Non-Maternity Dresses to Wear During and After Pregnancy

When you’re pregnant getting dressed can be a daily challenge. Your body is growing and changing every few weeks, and you’re probably feeling pretty uncomfortable as well. Maternity clothes can be pretty expensive and you may not want to spend a bundle on maternity pieces you’re only planning to wear for 9 months.

Most of the dress styles in this blog post you can wear throughout pregnancy, during postpartum, and even into your new years of motherhood. The cuts are very forgiving around the waist and hips, giving you plenty of room for your baby bump.

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Fashion & StyleGennifer RosePregnancyComment
SFO Airport - Top Things To Do During Long and Short Layovers in San Francisco
SFO Airport - Top Things To Do During Long and Short Layovers in San Francisco

Whether you're stuck in a long layover or have a few hours to kill before your next flight, there's no need to be bored at San Francisco International Airport. With plenty of things to see and do, you can make the most of your time at SFO.

Planning ahead will allow you to better enjoy your travel time and take advantage of any unexpected delays during your trip, rather than simply waiting around bored for your flight to come. So take on an adventure and take advantage of one of these excellent options the next time you have a short or long layover in San Francisco.

About me, I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and my husband and I lived in an apartment very close to SFO. All of the recommendations in this blog post are things that we have done ourselves when either waiting for a flight or entertaining friends and family visiting on a long layover.

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TravelGennifer RoseSan FranciscoComment
40 Bucket List Things To Do Before You Turn 40
40 Bucket List Things To Do Before You Turn 40

So, your 40th birthday is on the horizon. Congrats! You might feel a little bewildered about this next chapter, wondering whether you’re still considered young (or over the hill). Is it time for your mid-life crisis yet? Hint - you’re as young as you feel!

Regardless, turning 40 is a remarkable milestone. It is time to reflect on your life, the past as well as the future. If you’ve been living all footloose and fancy-free, maybe it’s time to finally start β€œadulting” and working towards big goals and building a sustainable future. 

Where your 30th birthday was about saying goodbye to the wild days of your 20s and entering the β€œ30, flirty and thriving era”, your 40th birthday is going to be more about creating the ideal life for yourself with all the life experiences and wisdom you’ve gained.

I myself am turning 37 years old on my next upcoming birthday. I will admit that the second half of my 30’s really snuck up on me, but I’m doing my best to embrace this new era of womanhood. This blog post is not only things to do on your 40th birthday, but also how to approach midlife with gusto and zest for life.

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LifestyleGennifer RoseComment
25 Baby Bump Friendly Boho Dresses
25 Baby Bump Friendly Boho Dresses

Flowy boho style dresses are a pregnant woman’s best friend during the spring and summers of pregnancy. They are so easy to wear when you’ve got a big baby bump and you can continue to wear them for postpartum and beyond. These dresses are so versatile and a closet staple for sure, you can wear them to all kinds of events or just around the house. Not to mention that you’ll feel like a Greek goddess in all her glory.

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Fashion & StyleGennifer RoseMaternityComment
Top 30 Ways to Celebrate Your 30th Birthday
Top 30 Ways to Celebrate Your 30th Birthday

Birthdays come around every year, but you only turn 30 once! Your 30s are an exciting time full of growth, new adventures and meeting personal goals. Quoting one of my favorite characters Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City: β€œYour thirties are to learn the lessons.” And yes, during your 30’s you do truly grow into adulthood and learn who you are and where you’re going in life. But for myself, the 30’s have been the best so far. You can appreciate this special shift in your life by planning an awesome celebration.

In the last few years, one by one my friends and I have turned 30. We all found fun and unique ways to mark the β€œDirty Thirty” occasion. In this blog post I share all kinds of ways to plan not only your 30th birthday, but this next decade of your life. It’s so exciting to consider the potential changes and possibilities in the upcoming years. While you anticipate what the future will bring, make the most of the present with a fun celebration.

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LifestyleGennifer RoseComment
Celebrating Your 30th Birthday While Pregnant - 10 Fun and Safe Things To Do
Celebrating Your 30th Birthday While Pregnant - 10 Fun and Safe Things To Do

Your 30th birthday is truly a milestone event unlike any other, especially if you celebrate it while pregnant. When you enter into your 30’s 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 you’re 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 β€œDirty Thirty” 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 don’t 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 you’re 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.

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LifestyleGennifer RosePregnancyComment
Creamy Chicken and Bacon Bowtie Pasta Salad Recipe - Perfect for Barbecues and Potlucks!
Creamy Chicken and Bacon Bowtie Pasta Salad Recipe - Perfect for Barbecues and Potlucks!

This pasta salad may be easy to make, but it really delivers when it comes to flavor! You’ve 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 you’ve 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 it’s time to cook the pasta and bacon, chop the bacon, and then mix it all up. If you’re working diligently, you can make this recipe in under 30 minutes, and it yields a large amount of pasta salad to feed a crowd.

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LifestyleGennifer RoseRecipesComment
How to Wear a Midi Skirt in Fall
How to Wear a Midi Skirt in Fall

Skirts are a closet staple that are fun to wear all year long, but shorter lengths can be impractical once the season starts to turn. If you want to continue enjoying the easy and chic vibe that they give to your outfits, then midi skirts are your best bet.

The mid-calf length minimizes leg exposure, so you can wear midi skirts even when temperatures are starting to drop.

Today’s midis are also available in a variety of fits, from the narrow and sleek style to the popular A-line design, which starts fitted at the hips and then flares out to the hemline.

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Fashion & StyleGennifer RoseFall StyleComment
How to Build a Maternity Capsule Wardrobe with Pregnancy Clothing Essentials
How to Build a Maternity Capsule Wardrobe with Pregnancy Clothing Essentials

Putting together this blog post was like a walk down memory lane from the last 4 years. I am a mama to two little ones and I recently wrapped up my second pregnancy. My maternity style consisted of a mix of comfort essentials, pieces from trendy maternity lines and non-maternity clothes that I was still able to wear and style with a baby bump.

Dressing for pregnancy was definitely more of a challenge than I expected. I'm not gonna lie, I definitely had days were I just felt so uncomfortable and all I wanted to wear was leggings and an oversized sweatshirt. But with some creativity and trial and error I found some staple pieces that I wore over and over again through both pregnancies.

In this blog post I get into the weeds of the challenges of maternity dressing and I explain how investing in a maternity capsule collection can help you get dressed everyday with a growing bump. I hope that you will find my story informative and relatable because let's be real, pregnancy isn't always a walk in the park.

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Fashion & StyleGennifer RoseMaternity, PregnancyComment
Best Snowy Places in California for a Winter Road Trip
Best Snowy Places in California for a Winter Road Trip

Looking 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!

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern California, Southern CaliforniaComment
Where to Stay in Santorini – Fira (Thera) or Oia?
Where to Stay in Santorini – Fira (Thera) or Oia?

My husband and I spent a couple weeks traveling through the Greek islands during the summer month of July. During the process of planning our trip, I did a ton of research on the island of Santorini. Specifically I wanted to know if we should plan on booking our hotel in the city of Fira (also known as Thera) or the village of Oia. There are pros and cons to each location, and it ultimately boils down to what kinds of activities you plan on partaking during your Greek island trip.

Read on to see my detailed breakdown of both the Santorini cities Thera and Oia. I also provide activities and itinerary suggestions for each location, making planning your own trip a breeze!

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TravelGennifer RoseInternational DestinationsComment
Top 10 Day Trips from Sacramento - Northern California Road Trips Under 2 Hours of Drive Time!
Top 10 Day Trips from Sacramento - Northern California Road Trips Under 2 Hours of Drive Time!

Sacramento is centrally located in Northern California, making it the perfect basecamp for exploring all that the region has to offer. My husband and I have lived in Sacramento for over 5 years now and we quickly discovered how incredibly convenient this prime location is for road-trips.

Within a 2-hour drive of the city, you'll find plenty of scenic places to visit, including top destinations like Lake Tahoe, Napa Valley, and San Francisco. So whether you're looking to enjoy the great outdoors, experience some of the best wine and dining in the country, or want to explore a big urban city, Sacramento is the perfect starting point for your road-trip.

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TravelGennifer RoseSacramentoComment
Guide to the First 48 Hours with a New Puppy
Guide to the First 48 Hours with a New Puppy

Getting a new puppy is one of the most exciting things you’ll ever experience as a pet owner. After all, nothing beats finally getting to pick up your pup and bring them home for the very first time. My family has owned dogs my entire life, and we've welcomed many puppies into our homes. The adorable puppy you see in this blog is Mia, my parent's newest fur baby.

Because puppies are essentially babies, you need to make sufficient preparations to help your pup get acclimated to their new home. To help you give them a warm welcome, this guide has a few tips on how to best spend the first 48 hours with your new pup.

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LifestyleGennifer RoseDog MamaComment
Top 10 Ways to Make Your Kitchen More Eco-Friendly
Top 10 Ways to Make Your Kitchen More Eco-Friendly

All 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 it’s 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. Let’s take a look at some super easy ways to get started.

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LifestyleGennifer RoseEco-Friendly LivingComment
Sparkling Blood Orange and Lavender Cocktail (Plus a Mocktail Version!)
Sparkling Blood Orange and Lavender Cocktail (Plus a Mocktail Version!)

This 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.

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LifestyleGennifer RoseRecipesComment
The Best Things to Do in North Park, San Diego
The Best Things to Do in North Park, San Diego

The 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 America’s 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.

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TravelGennifer RoseSouthern California, San DiegoComment
6 Simple Yet Luxurious Ways to Pamper & Spoil Hard Working Moms
6 Simple Yet Luxurious Ways to Pamper & Spoil Hard Working Moms

Moms, the unsung heroes of our lives, deserve all the appreciation and love for their tireless efforts. Balancing work, home, and personal life, they often make tons of sacrifices and put their own needs on the back burner for the kids, family, and they care about.

Busy moms have it a little bit, but they still manage to push through the challenges, keep the family intact, and raise successful kids. The woman who raised you automatically deserves some pampering and spoiling from time to time, so go ahead and spoil her whenever you can.

Here are some ideas on simple yet luxurious ways to make mom feel spoiled and pampered as you appreciate her for the hard work she puts in.

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LifestyleGennifer RoseModern MamaComment