Disneyland Days: 60th Anniversary

June 2, 2015June 4, 2015Leave a comment

Disneyland kicked off their 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration festivities with a 24-hour event on May 22-23. Jason and I were so excited to be able to attend something so historic and fun!

We originally planned to get there at normal opening time around 10 AM, but we kept reading articles that predicted the park would reach maximum capacity and we were a tad afraid we would not get into the park if we waited until then. So, we woke up at 3AM and left our house at 4, to hopefully get into the park when it opened at 6. Success! We were in line by 5 and in the park by 6:05. The park did actually reach maximum capacity by 2PM that day.

Can we talk about how amazing Sleeping Beauty’s castle is all decked out for the Diamond Celebration?! I just love it. The atmosphere at Disneyland is always wonderful, but there is definitely something even more magical about visiting the park during this celebration. The energy and spirit is infectious. It is definitely our happy place here in California.

We were pretty excited to not only check out the new 60th Anniversary merchandise, but to also taste some of the special eats available during the 24-hour event. We enjoyed Mickey and Minnie cake balls from Candy Palace, while listening to ragtime piano. We ate at Carnation Cafe for the first time for lunch. We devoured their fried pickles pre-lunch and Jason ordered their country-fried chicken sandwich with honey-mustard coleslaw on brioche bun, available that day. That thing was so dang good! Directly following lunch was the ice cream sandwich from Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor, cookie dough ice cream sandwiched in sugar cookies! Um, hello?! We finished our culinary tour through the park at our favorite restaurant in the park, Cafe Orleans. They had bananas foster french toast on their menu for the day, which we inhaled when we needed a pick-me-up of coffee and something sweet. The bonus was when our sweet waitress brought us ‘anniversary beignets’ to celebrate our wedding anniversary.

We did not make it the entire 24-hours. We did, however, enjoy our day immersed in Disney culture and were excited to participate in history that we can tell our little ones about one day.

Breakfast: cinnamon roll french toast!

Mickey and Minnie cake balls

This is my size cupcake!

10:20 AM, already up 7 hours!

Fried pickles at Carnation Cafe

Fried chicken sandwich at Carnation Cafe

Ice cream sandwich

Bananas Foster french toast

Beignets!

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Travel Log: Cinque Terre

May 21, 2015February 26, 2018Leave a comment

A couple of summers ago, Jason and I visited Cinque Terre, Italy. The Cinque Terre, or five towns, is a string of five fishing villages on the the Italian Riviera. The five villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore are some of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. I still cannot get over the blue of that water! And, the food! Cinque Terre is the birthplace of pesto, so we obviously enjoyed our fair share. Lasagna there is white, not red, and is made with pesto. The seafood was so fresh and delicious.

This was also the day Jason and I took an accidental 3.5 mile hike from one village to the next. We decided that we wanted to make the most of our time and instead of waiting (20 minutes) for the train, we thought we would take the trail and get there faster. We clearly did not do our research. We did (finally) make it to the next village and were graced with the most gorgeous views of Vernazza. If you’re wondering, we waited for the train to transport us from village to village after our fun little hike.

Enjoying a strawberry basil martini at La Cantina di Miky. Basil was in everything there. I loved it!

Pesto lasagna!

Seafood pasta

The beach at Monterosso

Lemon gelato from Slurp. I loved that they used lemon peel!

Along our hike, we stumbled upon this lemon farmer and enjoyed some fresh made lemonade from his lemons!

Oh, Vernazza.

Coffee granita with the creamy, most delicious custard (?) EVER!

Arrrgh.

Manarola

Riomaggiore

SAN FRANCISCO: Embarcadero + Ferry Building

May 14, 2015January 11, 20161 Comment

One morning while in San Francisco, we took a stroll to the Embarcadero and the Ferry Building by way of North Beach. We planned on having breakfast at the Ferry Building, in fact, that was the very reason were headed that way. However, when walking through San Francisco’s version of Little Italy, one does not pass up a cannoli. At least this one does not. Jason and I each grabbed a cannoli from Mara’s Italian Pastry. The cannoli from this place were legit. They even had a chocolate ricotta filled cannoli. Sign me up!

The Embarcadero, “the place to embark,” is located on the eastern waterfront of the Port of San Francisco. During the early-20th century, before the construction of the Bay Bridge, what is now the plaza in front of the Ferry Building was one of the busiest areas of foot traffic in the world. The Ferry Building serves as the terminal for ferries that travel across the San Francisco Bay and also houses several food stores and restaurants. We planned on Blue Bottle Coffee for breakfast. Liege style waffles and individually prepared drip coffee, to be specific. We both ordered their New Orleans iced coffee, which is cold-brewed for 12 hours with roasted chicory (!!) sweetened with organic cane sugar, and creamed with organic whole milk. For a moment, I thought I was back in NOLA.

After breakfast, we happened upon some of the trolley cars hanging out on the tracks (unattended and unassuming) What’s a gal and her fella to do, but snap a few photos on them?

We’re both pretty accustomed to a couple of cups of coffee in the morning, so since the Philz Coffee truck was parked along the route to our next stop (okay, close enough to detour because it’s sooo good) we grabbed a couple of their delicious mint mojito lattes. I’d be lying to you if I told you this was the last time we had Philz Coffee in San Francisco. No judgement here, right?

The Ferry Building clock tower

New Orleans iced coffee + Liege waffle

Inside the Ferry Building

The Bay Bridge and a ferry

Number of Philz mint mojito lattes consumed in San Francisco at this point: 2.

Little Black and Bright Dress

May 12, 2015May 12, 2015Leave a comment

TJ Maxx Dress, Dolce Vita Wedges, James Avery Charm Bracelet & Earrings, Skagen Watch, OPI You’re Such a Budapest

The weather in LA has been slightly unpredictable as of late. Jason and I went down to Confexions last week to grab their special Cinco de Mayo treats and this dress worked out perfectly for a morning that was a bit chilly. I was initially drawn to the embroidery on this dress and it happened to be perfect for the occasion!

Napa Valley

May 8, 2015January 11, 20161 Comment

During our time in the Bay Area, Jason and I were able to spend a day exploring Napa Valley. Prior to our trip, we booked a couple of places to taste area wines. You know what they say about the best laid plans…our first tasting appointment of the day did not work out. Since our second tasting was later in the day, we had a lot of spare time on our hands that we had not planned for. We took advantage of the extra time by spending it in Calistoga, the cutest little town.

We started our day with some coffee and pastries at Bella Bakery on the town’s main street. After breakfast, we took time to explore all the cute, unique shops before stopping at Checker’s for lunch. I have discovered Chinese chicken salads since moving to California and this one did not disappoint. This one was packed full of mixed greens, cucumber, carrots, pickled ginger and roasted chicken. The salad was topped with green onions, almonds, won tons, rice noodles and finished off with a Chinese dressing. Jason opted for the roasted leg of lamb with sautéed mushrooms, roasted garlic, caramelized onions, that was sandwiched between two pieces of focaccia bread.

On our way back to San Francisco, we stopped off at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone for a late afternoon pick-me-up. I wish I had taken the time to snap a picture of the outside of the building, it was so gorgeous! The treat (pun absolutely intended) during our visit was getting to taste a pastry prepared by the students from the baking and pastry degree program.

The happy accident at the end of the day? Arriving back to San Francisco via the Golden Gate Bridge! Our GPS took us out of the city in a different route, so it was so fun getting to drive across the bridge while coming back in. We made it back just in time to catch the sun setting over the gorgeous bridge. I don’t think I could ever tire of that view.

I really love this funky coffee shop’s hanging signage!

The best type of train!!

Chinese chicken salad

Roasted leg of lamb sandwich on focaccia

iPhone snap inside the barrel room during our tasting

Culinary Institute of America at Greystone

Cappuccino + chocolate caramel pastry at The Culinary Institute

Crossing the Golden Gate!

That bridge + that sunset. One of my favorite moments!

Mini

April 14, 2015April 15, 2015Leave a comment

The Limited Dress, New York and Co Wedges, Alex and Ani Bracelets, Rebecca Minkoff M.A.B. Tote Mini

Recently, I snagged this funky, printed bag from Rebecca Minkoff online. I researched the style prior to purchasing and was still surprised at how small it was when it arrived! I debated on sending it back and exchanging it for a larger style in the same print, but decided it might actually be perfect for the spring and summer here in LA. It’s already so warm most days, that carrying any additional anything makes you sweaty and sticky.

Jason and I went out this weekend for lunch and a little shopping and I brought it out. I am so glad I kept it! it’s just about the perfect size for necessities–purse, lipstick, phone, sunglasses, cards, and it adds the perfect amount of pop to any outfit!

SAN FRANCISCO: Fisherman’s Wharf

April 9, 2015January 11, 2016Leave a comment

After enjoying our treat at Ghirardelli, we strolled down Jefferson Street and shopped as we went. We made it to Fisherman’s Wharf and spent some time at the Musée Mécanique, located on Pier 45. Musée Mécanique is one of the largest privately owned collections of coin-operated mechanical musical instruments and antique arcade machines that are still in original working condition. It was so fun to see all of the arcade games that were previously played at places like Coney Island in Brooklyn. Jason really loved this place! A bonus: the stunning views of Alcatraz from the back of the museum.

It was an absolutely gorgeous day that ended at Boudin Bistro. We loved Boudin’s atmosphere, the views of the street from the bar and their food! We initially went in to have some drinks before dinner and ended up staying for dinner. We had sourdough fish tacos, pepperoni pizza with a sourdough crust and cinnamon-sugar dusted sourdough beignets. Are you sensing a common denominator here? Boudin’s big on the sourdough, and I’m not complaining! It was all delicious, but let’s talk about those beignets. They were so good and served with vanilla gelato! Jason and I agree, one apiece was not nearly enough.

San Francisco: Part One

April 7, 2015January 11, 20161 Comment

Recently, Jason and I were able to take a trip up north and explore the Bay Area a bit. We fell in love with San Francisco – the history, the food, the bay, the fashion, the cable cars, the quirkiness, the row houses, the individuality, the fog. This city has definitely gotten public transportation right and it was so fun and easy to get everywhere. We rode the cable cars, the electric buses and historic streetcars (from different cities around the world).

First on our agenda was a sighting of the Golden Gate Bridge! It was so surreal to see it in person. Can I just say, I am in love with this red bridge?! We spent some time at the Walt Disney Family Museum and took in some Disney history on our first day, a half day, in the city before having dinner and settling into our room.

The following day, our first full day in the city, we started our day out with a walk (which obviously included hills, seemingly placed with no rhyme or reason) to grab a coffee (more on that later) and then headed to see ‘The Crooked Street,’ a portion of Lombard Street. Seeing people traverse this crooked little street in their vehicles was quite entertaining! We didn’t drive it, but we did start at the top and walk down.

Next stop was Ghirardelli Square for lunch at Lori’s Diner and a sundae for dessert at Ghirardelli. Jason and I have been pretty lucky in that Disneyland has a Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and we frequent that happy little place, but it was neat to be able to take in some of the history and enjoy a treat where the company got its start.

View from Walt Disney Family Museum

I just love these pretty little row houses + the scooter parked out front!

View atop Lombard Street

Lombard Street

Barbie Pink

March 19, 2015April 14, 20151 Comment

Nordstrom Rack Dress, Jessica Simpson Wedge Heels, Alex and Ani Bracelets, Skagen Watch, OPI That’s Hula-rious!

This weekend Jason and I both completed our finals for our respective courses and were so excited to be able to venture out and enjoy the amazing sunshine that Southern California has been experiencing. We started out our day in Burbank and enjoyed brunch at Granville. We actually planned to have brunch at a different restaurant, but stumbled upon Granville and really liked the menu and atmosphere there. So, we got a table on the patio and enjoyed the sunshine. I opted for their Carrot-Cake Hotcakes; chock full of cinnamon, cloves, ginger, cranberries, pineapple and toasted pecans and topped off with cream cheese frosting. I’m not sure I would have put all of those things together, but it was amazing! Jason tried their very unique Eggs in a Nest, a dish that included Tuscan ciabatta, beef stroganoff, onion rings and potatoes. Again, not things I would have put together in a dish, but it was delicious!

We spent some time strolling in the downtown shopping area in Burbank before heading back to Pasadena to finally try out Fair Oaks Pharmacy. Originally named the South Pasadena Pharmacy when it opened in 1915, throughout the 1920s and ‘30s it served as a popular rest stop on the westernmost end of Route 66. Today it still functions as a pharmacy and soda fountain. I was so excited that they had birthday cake ice cream on their menu, as my birthday was this week! Their ice cream was so creamy and flavorful! The ‘sprinkles’ in the ice cream were so sugary and crunchy. Yum! I also enjoyed a vanilla egg cream while Jason enjoyed a sundae with banana bread ice cream, chocolate ice cream, covered with chocolate and marshmallow sauces, topped with peanuts.

Birthday cake ice cream at Fair Oaks Pharmacy

Hangin’ On Melrose and Fairfax

March 13, 2015March 19, 20157 Comments

A few weeks ago, we decided to see what the Melrose Trading Post was all about. So, we headed down to LA and spent the morning perusing the flea market before strolling down Fairfax Ave. We planned to have burgers for lunch at The Golden State, a place that was featured on Food Network’s “Best. Ever. Burger.” Sweets and coffee at Canter’s Deli were a happy surprise that were quickly devoured, prior to lunch. What can I say? We live by our own rules!