Author Archives: Ems

Let’s Talk Travel

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Part of the reason (a big part) I started this blog was to provide comprehensive guides of cities I have traveled to. I already research like crazy before a trip, excursion, getaway, restaurant (anything really) and so I wanted this blog available to those who don’t love researching as much and just wanted to know the best of the best.
Let’s be honest, a big part of the fun for me in traveling is the research in discovering the best mix of touristy must sees and local gems. That feeling after your research has paid off and memories are made is priceless.

Sometimes (okay, maybe a majority of the time) I wish I could go to a different city every day and explore and find the best things to do, eat, see and experience. It would be a dream really. Unfortunately, that is not my day time gig so for now I will travel the world every day through pictures and others’ experiences. Sometimes I feel like I work so hard to save money to travel the world and yet because I have a day job my travel is insanely limited. I don’t know how people do it. Between holidays and family events, there goes my PTO. But, I am not trying to complain. I am thankful for all that I have. I am thankful for where I am. I am thankful for living in a place that offers so many diverse staycations. I am thankful for the time I do have to travel because it makes me prioritize.

Here is a list of my current top 5 places I am planning to see and experience (it changes weekly):

1. Turks + Caicos

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2. Puerto Rico

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3.Phuket, Thailand

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4. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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5. Istanbul, Turkey

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Yes, I realize all of these places are surrounded by the ocean. I guess I just have sandy toes and salty hair on the brain.

What are your top five travel destinations as of late?

ems

PS I just set up a new Facebook page so be sure to “like” my page in order to get all the new updates. Come with me on this blogging journey. The best is yet to be!

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Penny Ice Creamery

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So you know how everyone used to be obsessed with cupcake shops and now the obsession has moved to macaron shops? Well although I do enjoy those sweet treats, my favorite shop to scour the streets and internet for is homemade icecream. My sweet tooth loves nothing more than unique flavors and waffle cones (homemade of course). And guess what I found while in the Santa Cruz area? The Penny Ice Creamery!

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It was amazing!! Like died and gone to heaven amazing. I tried almost every flavor because with a menu that diverse how are you really supposed to settle on just one? My top three were salted butter toffee, honey yogurt walnut jam and peaches n’ cream (in the end I went with salted butter toffee). Another plus, the flavors change daily! I would probably at lease peruse the menu everyday if I lived in the area. I have to do my due diligence, right?

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Yes, this was my second dessert in 3 hours and yes it was completely worth it. B said, “This must be your favorite day having two chart topping desserts in one afternoon”. Yes B, it was a great day.

photo 4I saw this house on our walk to The Penny Ice Creamery and had to snap a photo. I really love all homes with ivy growing lusciously on the exterior. I dream of having an ivy covered home someday.

What are your favorite flavors of ice cream and where can I get it? Please do tell!

ems

Strawberry Picking in Davenport

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This weekend B and I headed to Davenport to go strawberry picking. We were excited to spend the first day of Summer at a beach town soaking up the sun. Little did we know it would be insanely windy, overcast and 60 degrees (really makes me miss my Southern California beaches) but some great memories were made nonetheless!

Davenport is a small town about 12 miles north of Santa Cruz. It is known for Whale City Bakery and Swanton Berry Farm. It also has some beautiful cliff side beaches — do stop at Shark Fin Cove (also known as Shark Tooth Beach) for some gorgeous views of the whole coast. It was a little too foggy when we went to show the views I am talking about but trust me, don’t miss it! Shark Fin Cove is located 1 mile south of Davenport Beach.

First stop, Swanton Berry Farm. Swanton Berry Farm is a quaint farm where you are able to pick strawberries from their luscious fields and purchase their homemade pies, cobblers, scones and jams yummmmmm.

I grew up with strawberries growing in my backyard so being here in these fields really brought me back. It was fun to walk up and down searching for the best of the best. Swanton Berry Farm provides a box that you fill to your hearts content and then pay by the pound. I plan to eat our strawberries dipped in sour cream and brown sugar (have you ever tried doing that? I know it sounds crazy but it is scrumptious).

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There is a shop located in the back of the farm where they sell the baked goods and fresh jam (it is also where you pay for your strawberries). When you first step inside, you feel like your transported back in time. I almost felt like I was at my grandfathers house with all the vintage knick knacks decorating the place. It was quite charming. They even have you pay for your goods by way of “The Honor Till”, which means putting your money in their open cash register (aka CASH ONLY + no tax).

afterlight-8 afterlight-7IMG_20140621_122244  Do not leave this little gem without getting some type of jam or baked good. Everything there is so delicious and fresh! I opted for the Olallieberry cobbler (topped with homemade whip cream — the only kind of whip cream worth eating). It was amazing and not too sweet. IMG_20140621_122341IMG_20140621_122532IMG_20140621_122854  IMG_20140621_123149B had fun taking pics of all the fun vintage trinkets (including this camera). How cute is that little pitcher? I wish it was for sale!

All in all, it was a great day in the strawberry fields.

How did you celebrate the new season?

ems

Link up: Local Adventurer

Friday I’m in Love: Day Date Surrounded by Redwoods

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 Last Saturday, B and I ventured up to Muir Woods for a hike in the wilderness. Everyone must have had the same day date idea because it was packed! But, we didn’t let that stop us from taking in the beautiful scenery and exploring the forest. It was the perfect activity to enjoy the weather and each other. We were lucky enough to have B’s BFF, his wife and their cute little babe join us for a day to be mesmerized by the stunning redwoods. We only walked a couple miles around the park but what we saw was majestic. Fun fact! Did you know redwoods can grow as high as 394 feet? Also, redwoods are fire resistant! This is due to their thick bark that holds lots of water.  Some redwoods live as long as 2,000 years!

If you are in the Bay Area and interested in seeing the redwoods this is a great spot to go but I think Big Basin (located approx 25 miles from Santa Cruz) is even better. There are more trees and the trees appear to be bigger. Also, there is usually far less people! Muir Woods is beautiful and has more greenery but I would choose Big Basin given the option (although the road is very narrow and windy on the journey).

photo (1) photo 1 (1) photo 3 photo 4 photo 5I used to really really hate hiking when I was younger. I am not really sure why but I think some of it had to do with how long my Mom wanted us to hike. It always seemed never ending. She would literally stop at every tree/bush/rock/flower and take a picture. However, as I grow older I understand why she did that (I mean it is a little excessive), but this world is so beautiful and she wanted to take it all in. I am still not a fan of strenuous, backpacking type hikes but the day hikes that take us away from the cares of the world are good every now and again. It was fun to just hold B’s hand and explore aimlessly.

Take a hike this weekend and lose yourself in the beauty of this world.
Where is your favorite place to hike?

ems

 

The Closet Essentials: Chambray

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 I am so excited to share with you guys a collaboration I did with Emma of Inspire & Instyle. Emma and I connected over Instagram and then later found out we grew up not too far away from each other in Southern Orange County. It is crazy the connections you can make (and otherwise wouldn’t) by joining the blogging community. She has the cutest little family and the best fashion & beauty tips so be sure to check out her blog here!

Emma has put together a reoccurring series on her blog entitled “The Closet Essentials” and invited me to participate. She has previously styled a little black dress & pencil skirt. This time,  we thought it would be fun to style a chambray top two different ways to show the versatility of the piece.

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I chose to dress my chambray up by pairing it with a midi skirt, wedges and a bold necklace. This skirt is one of my favorites because of the way it moves. I was trying to reflect that in my pictures below but I don’t think photos do it justice. I am also loving the monochromatic outfit trend.

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Shirt: H&M (similar) // Skirt: ASOS // Shoes: Nordstrom // Sunnies: Lulu’s // Necklace: Etsy (Similar) // Rings: Etsy

Emma styled it down and paired her lighter chambray with black shorts and a bold necklace. Be sure to check out the details of her outfit over on Inspire & Instyle!

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How do you style chambray?

Linked up: Treat Yo Self, What I Wore, Spotlight Weekly

Allow Me to Introduce Myself…

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Through this blog, you know my  interests, fashion style and how I met my husband. But, sometimes as a reader of blogs you want to get to know the blogger on a friend level.  And let’s face it one of the best parts of Cosmopolitan articles is how they have the celeb fill out a survey at the end. I always feel more connected after reading it. So here it goes..

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One of the reasons I started this blog was to meet more people and develop friendships so I would love to hear your answers to the above questions!

Thanks for reading!

Stars & Stripes

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With 4th of July coming up (I realize I may be a tad early but have to prepare for shipping and lets face it I am early in all that I do), all I can think about is what I will wear to celebrate America accordingly.  We were wanting to venture down to Big Sur for camping at the beach but all the tent spots are completely booked so we will probably just head to a beach nearby. All I need is some bbq, a beach and fireworks and it is a good 4th of July.

I realized after putting, this board together, I do not have any red in my finds.
I know, I know I am a bad American, but I think it is because I just love white & blue so much. I figure sweaters, accessories and lipstick can bring the red in, right?
Also, how amazing are those star slip ons? If that doesn’t scream “God Bless America” I don’t know what does.

What are your plans for fourth of July?

 

Roses & Lemonade

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Nothing is more refreshing than a nice cold glass of lemonade as the days begin to get even hotter (bay area is reaching mid 80’s this week!).
But, sometimes the average lemons + water +sugar just doesn’t cut it so I was so excited when Lauren Conrad provided two new twists on the this classic beverage.

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She recommended infusing your lemonade with roses or lavender.
Rose infused anything is like the new “it” flavor. I have had rose flavored macarons, ice cream, tea, lollipops and facial products! Everyone is incorporating it with anything and everything and I am totally on board. It seems to make any product a little bit more posh and unique. And not only is it trendy but there are proven health benefits to applying and consuming rose water! Rose infused lemonade is not only good for the soul but for your skin, hair, eyes, healing, etc.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 4 cups cold water
  • 1 tablespoon rose water
  • lemon slices for garnish
  • rose petals
  • ice cube tray

Instructions:

  1. Boil enough water to fill an ice cube tray, let cool, then fill tray half way. Freeze. Once frozen, place rose petals in each cube and fill to the top with water. Freeze until all cubes are completely frozen.
  2. Heat sugar and water on stove to dissolve sugar. Put sugar syrup mixture in the fridge and let cool for 2-3 hours.
  3. Juice lemons. Place lemon juice in a pitcher with sugar syrup, water, and rose water.
  4. Stir mixture and pour into glasses. Serve with rose petal ice cubes.

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Check out here to learn how to make your own rosewater or buy it here.
What are your favorite ways to use rosewater?

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be happy

 

I have a serious case of wanderlust (especially on Mondays). Lately, all I can think about is the next adventure I am able to go on with my love (which aside from our weekend explorations probably won’t be till August). I even try to convince B to quit our jobs and travel the world for the next couple months (but I know I could never really do this and our bank account could never really do this). But, I can daydream. I can daydream about walking around Brussels, enjoying the sights of Rio de Janerio and basking in the sun in Indonesia. My travel bucket list just keeps getting longer and longer the more books I read. Oh the places I hope to go!

What is on your travel bucket list?