This is the second time trying North Italia and overall I was pretty pleased. My first time going there was when my new neighbor invited Sami and I for brunch. At first I was skeptical of the place because online it looked like a chain...
The other day, Sami and I were heading to the beach to relax and catch up on some reading. We were starving on the way and decided to pop into the nearest cafe for a quick bite. Luckily, that was Flower Child. Neither of us...
Last week I mentioned I'm starting up a new cocktail series and I kicked it off with a Grapefruit Thyme spritzer. As I was brainstorming for this week's recipe, I noticed my mint box was overflowing with fresh leaves and really needed to get pruned...
The past weekend was b-e-a-u-tifulllll. The weather was perfect, I squeezed in just the right amount of relaxation and got to kick off the BBQ season with the most delectable dishes! Being able to be outdoors all the time is something I've really been enjoying...
One area of the blog that I feel like I haven't really fully developed is a section for drinks! I'm thinking everything from smoothies, to juices, to mocktails and cocktails. I will say that mixology isn't something I've really dived into very deeply in the...
If you’re wandering around the East village and find yourself on Avenue C (aka Loisaida Ave) between 6th and 7th street then pop into the bar called Lois. Upon entering, you will be warmly greeted by two lovely ladies serving wine on tap! The story...
The weather in Santa Monica can get on the colder side sometimes, especially in the mornings and the evenings. I'm okay with that because it makes for a nice balance. Plus with the cooler mornings that means I can still get some use out of...
Whenever I'm out eating at an Italian restaurant and am craving pasta, I tend to steer towards the penne alla vodka. Regardless of how many good choices there are on the menu I know later on I'll regret not sinking my teeth into the rich,...
You might recall that in December’s “Industry Expert” piece, I mentioned that I am working towards a healthier lifestyle where I’m more conscious about what drinks and foods are going into my body. I’m following up on that piece with another interview, this time with Jules...
I love experiencing new cultures, learning about new cities, exploring new terrain. I’m not afraid of hopping on an unfamiliar transportation system and getting “lost” to discover new places. A few years back I went to Australia for work. As soon as I landed, I...
Sometimes it can be hard to find on the go snacks made with wholesome ingredients. I recently tried Bobo's oat bars which are made in small batches in Boulder Colorado! They have a pretty big selection of flavors which was the first key to my...
Wine can be an intimidating subject! There is so much out there to learn about wine it's hard to even know where to start. It was at an event back in November when I met Leslee Miller, a fabulous sommelier and the owner of Amusée...
Are you a big fan of spinach artichoke dip like I am? Spinach and artichoke is a pretty popular combination and when you meld that together with creamy cheese, the flavors and textures are undeniably delicious. The dip is a great item to serve at...
Over the years, I've built up a solid collection of kitchen equipment, gadgets, and housewares. So when it comes to the holidays and I'm asked what I would like as a gift it's really hard to say because I don't necessarily need anything. There is...
For 2018, better health and wellness is a major theme I’m going to be pursuing. Over the last year or so, I’ve started to develop a larger interest in essential oils, aromatherapy, finding ways to relax/recharge, and of course taking a closer look at my...
I love entertaining friendly dishes. When a host has out a plate of colorful appetizers and wine glasses filled, I know it is going to be a good evening! My all time favorite appetizer to serve during the holidays is butternut squash on toast. The first...
My mom's side is Italian so I did grow up on a lot of Italian style dishes including lots of pasta! I have a pretty big weakness for pasta. Especially when it's dosed in a rich and creamy sauce. For this dish, I created a luxuriously...
Last month I had the opportunity to attend a wine tasting event hosted by ALDI! It was located at Corkbuzz wine bar in NYC (one of my favorite after work spots). They did a really nice job of setting up various red and white wines...
Can you guys believe it's December? Not just December but we're already creeping pretty close to MID December. Feels like Halloween was just yesterday! In no time at all, holiday parties are going to be in full swing. Every great holiday party (in my opinion) starts...
I thought I would take a break from all the baking recipes going on my blog and switch it up with a nice crisp and refreshing salad! This is a recipe for one of my favorite go-to salads, it's great because it can be made...