While I hide in the middle of California – 20 minutes from Solvang, 40 to San Luis Obispo and the fine wine region in between, I can’t help but notice all topics relating to this quick and easy getaway for this California gal. In this case, the modern take on a beautiful home in Monterey – That’s all. Have a nice day 🙂
I’ve traveled enough to learn that the best season for those folks without children in school or otherwise retired, is the moths of September and October. Although, the secret is out and those with new born babies or pre-schoolers have also realized the fact, the least crowded time to travel and the best of weather is early Fall as well. So the concept has taken a new hype. So, if you are planning a trip right about now for departure sometime in September or October, here are some helpful suggestions:
I am presently what is referred to as – the salad bowl of Calfornia. Otherwise knows as California’s central coast. The place where all the beautiful farming takes place. I love being here because it is the best getaway for this city girl, tired of the steel, stone and glass all around, and too much construction throughout the city of San Francisco. Which I am not certain if it’s to beautify it or add to the chaos. I’ve lived in the city all my life, and watched it grow into something, I am not sure I appreciate as much as the simpleness the city once was. Sure I live in the outer sunset, which is a bit quitter than downtown, but still, the city is growing in a direction I am having trouble with truly appreciating the older I get. With that said, I make a conscious effort to escape to the countryside, whether east of the city, or south, I take a drive or a flight to somewhere surrounded by farms, where downtown consists …
Okay, so here’s a solid recipe to a favorite dish of mine – spicy Italian sausage, veggie (in this case zucchini, or eggplant that I love, and all sorts of cheese). As you well know, I am always searching for variations to the simplest of ingredients making up a fun recipe and this one works – because in my household, we are divided – 1 Keto (me) and the rest not so much. So, this is what I do to make two dishes out of one recipe: INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 pound ground spicy Italian sausage 1 small sweet onion, diced 4 medium heirloom tomatoes (or regular), roughly chopped 2 cups cherry tomatoes 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves 1 tablespoon fresh chopped oregano kosher salt and pepper 1/2 cup red wine (cut out for hardcore Keto followers) 1/4 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped, plus more for serving 6-8 no boil lasagna noodles (replace with sliced Halloumi cheese or just cut out the noodles altogether) 3 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/8 inch slices 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese 1 cup fresh mozzarella cheese, torn 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese {more}
Throughout England, I had become accustomed to see the brick homes perched along the blocks or even the countryside, with a simple twist to the old architecture – such as adding a solarium or perhaps even a pop of color for the shutters and the front door. Not much more than that – unless of course you venture out to the countryside and see a row of pre-fabricated, mindful to the style of homes throughout England, in a newer community that’s been developed. But this wonderful ‘work of art‘ (literally) caught my attention last night on Dwell, and I needed to share. You know, considering I am an artists of all sorts – dabbling in writing, illustration, and photography. So you can imagine what I would take from this design:
Never would I have imagined the truly beautiful towns across America that made it on this list, until I had the chance to travel throughout coastal England and get a glimpse of why it is that some of these very towns in the U.S. were named after those in England. ]
A few days ago, I pulled out an old black and white patterned dress from the back of my closet – and aimed to wear it to a party in chilly San Francisco. Being a city girl, I normally opt for a simple black cardigan when I put on a dress, but that day I decided to dress it up to a season appropriate color, salmon and then two days later – since the dress is my favorite – I chose a sort of mulled wine tone and I couldn’t be happier. I know this concept isn’t a new idea, or one I discovered but I thought I might share it just in case you have an amazing ensemble hanging in your closet, that could use a refreshed look with cardigans
Can’t get enough of these unique decor details… {featured image source}
This recipe is pretty keto friendly – in fact, this is almost the Keto staple minus the corn and toasted bread of course . But if you are on a meal plan such as myself, you can surely do without the corn and the bread – in fact if you are super watching what you consume – delete the Tahini drizzle also. Otherwise, the recipe is awesome, but since I don’t care for gruyere cheese, I am replacing it with Halloumi cheese. Check out the ingredients and then do away with what isn’t good for your diet plan or stick to the recipe just the way it is – omelettes are an amazing dinner alternative: INGREDIENTS 6 eggs kosher salt + pepper 2 tablespoons fresh chives finely chopped 2 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup oil packed sun-dried tomatoes oil reserved + tomatoes roughly chopped 1 cup shredded gruyere cheese 2 slices crusty whole grain bread, toasted 2 ears fresh corn grilled + kernels removed from the cob 1 avocado sliced 2-4 slices cooked thick cut bacon 2 handfuls fresh arugula LEMONY TAHINI DRESSING 1/4 cup tahini 1/4 cup olive oil juice from 1 lemon 1/2 cup fresh fresh cilantro + basil kosher salt {more} {featured …
I don’t think it is realized just how important a little sunshine every day is until summer in San Francisco, waking up every morning to a dense fog and temperatures in the mid to high 50’s at most. I know to some folks that’s not cold, but it is in the bay area standards. So, this Monday morning I need some motivation to…
rawsilkandsaffron.com 