Summer Solstice + Cheesecake

Last night, to celebrate Summer Solstice, we ate cheesecake! Cheesecake is a rare occurrence around here – I usually only make it once a year for Blake’s birthday. I learned how to make it the year we were engaged – Blake’s mom Becky used to make it for his birthday every year growing up and he loves her cheesecake. She was sweet enough to teach me how, and I’m still trying to perfect mine but…
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Fennel, Arugula, & Blood Orange Salad

Blood oranges are in season around here and I’m loving it.  Some great friends of ours’ gave us a ton of blood oranges from their yard, so I’ve been looking for fun things to make with them.  I’m also always looking for good side salads to make with meals, so I was pretty excited when I stumbled upon this recipe.  Not only is it so pretty to look at/serve, but the different flavors mix so…
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Mom’s Christmas Cookies | Russian Tea Cakes

In an effort to make it feel like Christmas in Southern California, i’ve been trying to practice lots of the traditions my family did growing up.  One thing I always remember is how my Mom used to make Russian Tea Cakes.  She’d make dozens and dozens, pack them in cute Christmas tins or on plates, and give them to friends, family, and basically anyone who showed up at our house in the month of December.…
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Pumpkin Pie Cake | Thanksgiving Dessert

My Mom made this dessert when I was younger, and I’ve always loved it.  Now that I’m older, I love it even more because I realize how much easier (and less scary) it is than making a pie!  Does pie crust freak anyone else out?  I come from a family of really amazing pie-makers, and I’ve always been nervous to make my own crust from scratch. So if you’ve been assigned dessert for Thanksgiving, I…
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Friendsgiving | 2015

This year, I wanted to start a new tradition here in California with some friends that are family.  We are constantly traveling and leaving this beautiful place we call home, especially for holidays, that sometimes we forget how great it can be to just stay home.  I am so thankful to live here, and feel so grateful and lucky to have friends that we can count on.  Hence – the first annual Friendsgiving at our house…
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The Ritz Prime Seafood | Grand Re-Opening

Last night was an extra-special date night for Blake and I – we got a sneak peek at an amazing restaurant in Newport before it’s  grand re-opening.  The Ritz Prime Seafood restaurant is located on the PCH – 2801 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach to be exact (right by Billy’s at the Beach).  You can’t beat the location, right on the docks among the boats – but the renovation they did on the restaurant is amazing.…
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Tea With Me

I’m a dork, but when I envision the person I want to be, it somehow always involves sipping tea throughout the day.  I love tea, but I also love the process and atmosphere that comes with it.  I just want to be the kind of girl that offers people tea when they come over, and as a result has long meaningful talks about life with her nearest and dearest.  So basically, if I ever offer…
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Healthy Peach Snack | Just a Dash

Blake and I have been saying lately that we need to be better snackers.  Meaning, we never snack or keep snacks around, so if we feel even a little bit hungry we end up just eating a huge meal.  We especially notice this after we workout – we come home starving, too hungry to even get through making dinner! ;).  So last week, I got serious about finding snack options, and reached out to my…
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Blue Apron | Sirloin Steaks & Purple Potatoes

We LOVE Blue Apron around here – if you know me, you already know this because I’ve probably already tried to get you to use it!  For those who haven’t heard, Blue Apron is a service that delivers all the fresh ingredients you need (in exactly the right proportions) to make really awesome, healthy meals.  We love it so much, that Blue Apron is letting me give you guys 2 free meals each!  Scroll down to…
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Dinner for Two | Seared Salmon with Barley

I had to post this recipe, because it was so simple and satisfying.  Disclaimer: it’s another salmon recipe.  I know I post a lot of salmon but hey, we EAT a lot of salmon.  And I feel like it’s so easy to cook without a lot of fuss/ingredients, and still tastes so good!  Which is exactly how I feel about this recipe… Ingredients: 2 skinless salmon fillets 1/2 cup pearled barley 3 ounces baby spinach…
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