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Travels

Happiness Files: Carmel Valley

June 9, 2016

We went to Carmel Valley to celebrate the birthday of one of our favorite people, and cheated on our beloved Carmel Valley Ranch for Bernardus Lodge… and let me just tell you CVR may have a little competition…

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The gorgeous onsite restaurant – Lucia

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They have the best outdoor spaces – fire pits, stone fire places, putting green, bocce courts, and most importantly lots of string lighting.

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The birthday crew.

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A beautiful lavender, lemon & gin concoction to start our trip off on the right foot.

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There were fresh flowers throughout the hotel (that I obviously loved).

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The outdoor chandlier didn’t hurt either…

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When traveling with the boys, we must always spend some amount of time on a golf course (le sigh).

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Charming walk through Carmel by the Sea.

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Our poolside view.

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Splurging on the most delicious blueberry lemon ricotta pancakes at Lucia.

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The prettiest view on 17 Mile Drive that definitely made it hard to head home.

Until next time Carmel!

Travels

Happiness Files: LA Trip

June 2, 2016

Last month I was lucky enough to snag my mom for an amazing girls weekend.  Despite my horrendous seasonal allergies we were able to enjoy some amazing spots in LA… here were our favorite parts:

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We loved our hotel Mr. C’s in Beverly Hills… the location wasn’t ideal for our itinerary, but the complimentary car service certainly helped!

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…the complimentary Cipriani Bellinis didn’t hurt either…

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We voted our favorite meal of the trip was at SQRL (be sure to order the Sorrell Pesto Bowl with kale, and the Kabbouleh Salad)

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Cute cactus on our walk to Silverlake

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Quaint flower shop

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Was so bummed we carried on and couldn’t take any of these goodies home from Bar Keeper

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Loved the fresh blooms at Claire Vivier

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Stairs into AOC Wine Bar (go for their happy hour and get the date appetizer and a cocktail… also be sure to check out their outdoor patio space)

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(the Fire & Smoke cocktail at AOC Wine Bar)

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The “Only in Mexico” cocktail (casamigos reposado, mezcal, pineapple, serrano chili, cilantro, key lime, tamarind foam) from Toca Madera (amazing bar, cool vibe to grab a drink…or two).

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My mom knew I would lose my mind in the Restoration Hardware in West Hollywood (I did).

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Restoration’s amazing rooftop view

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Despite the million cocktail pictures I have, there is 1 picture of us together and 2 of us separately #fail

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Gracias Madre’s Purista margarita (their special salt recipe coming to the blog soon!)

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We to pop into Jessica Biel’s Au Fudge to see if JT was in the building (he wasn’t), but we did see this adorable neon sign (and picked up a few cute things in their store).

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We met Micheal Aram at the opening of his new West Hollywood store (needless to say we were confused why they were giving us champagne in our workout clothes upon arrival)

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I need this chair.

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…And this chandelier.

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Had to stop by Compartes for some chocolate (I came home with Strawberries and Champagne, Vanilla Bean and Animal Crackers and Salted Pistachio)

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We tried out Kali – originally a pop up – and I loved their Swedish fish cocktail made with vodka and strawberry shrub (also be sure to order the Yellowtail and Uni appetizer, and the duck entree)

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Oh and the next night I went to Beyonce (overall good weekend I’d say) 🙂

If you are in LA anytime soon, I would also recommend the following:

  • Drinks at EP & LP – awesome rooftop bar (great bobba tea cocktails)
  • Brunch at Le Pain Quotidien on Melrose (amazing green smoothie and GF options… would choose over Urth Cafe)
  • Cocktails at Ysabel – a beautiful space with amazing people watching
  • Brunch at Republique – I ordered the Croque Madame (and while delicious) was lusting over my mom’s burger

We didn’t go to any of these places but they were recommended and definitely on our list for next time:

Travels

Happiness Files

August 6, 2015

It’s crazy to think it’s been a month since I’ve done a happiness files and so much has happened… my little sister got a job (and moved to the city), J and I were able to take a handful of fun weekend trips, we celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary (a few pics coming soon!) and we’re moving into a new house! Summer 2015 has been pretty good to us – here were some of our highlights:

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Philz Mint Mojito (with coordinating skirt)

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Celebrating Kendall’s employment!

IMG_8137 A snapshot from our 1,500 person Company Picnic I put on

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Finally made it to the new DGDG suite at Avaya Stadium to see Barcalona vs the Earthquakes

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SF Sister date at Tru Normand and Mourad

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A yummy Concord Grape mocktail I whipped up for Sunday brunch

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I got to tag a long on this cuties golf trip. While he did this…

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Travels

Happiness Files

July 23, 2015

J and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary last week and celebrated at one of our favorite places – Laguna Beach.  We happened to simultaneously plan it with the most intense rain/thunder storms in all of history, but it was a fun low key weekend of lots of reading, bubble baths and relaxing… here were some of my favorite parts:

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The coolest cloud formations on our flight in

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Lobster rolls and palomas for lunch

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Pretty views at dinner

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Prickly pear margaritas at our favorite – Javier’s

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A surprise visitor!

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One of my favorite hotels

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A monarch butterfly flower preserve on our walk

Travels

Happiness Files

June 11, 2015
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watching Robert Plant perform

In high school my sister and I would force ourselves not to get overly excited about a particular event we were looking forward to, in fear that it wouldn’t meet our expectations.  As I’ve gotten older, and have had some awesome opportunities presented to me, I’ve realized the one’s I wasn’t expecting much from were the ones I loved the most.

“Under promise, over deliver.”

This past weekend I had the opportunity to go to BottleRock – a music/food/wine festival in Napa.  Not being a HUGE festival/concert goer, I wasn’t as ecstatic as I should have been… luckily 5 minutes into my arrival I realized how clueless I had been.  String lighting and beautiful paper lanterns, amazing food from some of my favorite restaurants (Ca’Momi, Morimoto), the coolest lounges and even better cocktails and wine (their house cocktail was a Grapefruit Basil Collins that I have to recreate for FDF)!

Overall it was a weekend to remember and I can’t wait to book our tickets for next year – be sure to join in on the fun! Here were some of the highlights:

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catching Young the Giant perform… from backstage.

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some of the coolest decor in the Platinum Lounge

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one of my favorite parts of the weekend

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these sea salt caramels changed my life

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hanging with Miss Sandee

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enjoying some of the best pizza in Napa (maybe the world) from Ca’ Momi

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the cutest coconut water presentation – gotta stay hydrated!

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i wish every street/road/freeway had string lighting