The Cliffs Resort – Pismo Beach (Hotel Review) The Cliffs Resort provided us with a hotel and spa experience that was absolutely dreamy. We were journeying up scenic and historic Highway 101 and Highway 1 from Los Angeles to San Francisco, and wanted to stay at the halfway mark near San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach. With amazing wineries, Hearst Castle, and a fabulous coastline there’s so much to do in…
In partnership with The Portola Hotel The Portola Hotel and Spa was the perfect place to stay while visiting Monterey on our recent family vacation. With Monterey’s largest spa, cozy classy and comfortable rooms and award winning dining we could have stayed right onsite for a few days and been perfectly happy. The location of the hotel however is unbeatable, set beside both the harbor and downtown where we had…
In partnership with Portola Hotel. As always, all opinions are my own The Portola Hotel landed the biggest of fish with their new Executive Chef, Danny Abbruzzese. He’s dedicated his life to learning about all facets of food and cooking, and is happy to be joining an already talented and enthusiastic staff at both of the Portola Hotel’s restaurants, Jack’s and Peter B’s Brewpub. Danny is extremely humble and prefers to…
#Hosted Holland America Line: America’s Test Kitchen Holland America Line sets itself apart in a crucial area when deciding on a cruiseline: the food! While aboard the ms Westerdam we were extremely impressed with the three pools, art galleries and friendly staff. However, as a self-proclaimed foodie none of these things were quite as important as the ship’s meals. On any vacation I want to be enjoying flavors and food arrangements…
In partnership with Peter B’s BrewPub and Portola Hotel. As always, all opinions are my own. Peter B’s BrewPub is Monterey’s original craft Brewery, so I was honored (and stoked) when asked to give a taste and review of their beer and food. The location is unbeatable, in the Portola Hotel right across from the Old Fisherman’s Wharf and in a happening part of downtown Monterey. I have a lot of good things to say about Peter B’s…
Many thanks to See Monterey for sponsoring today’s story and encouraging me to experience all that Monterey County has to offer. Monterey, California is easily one of the best vacation destinations that I’ve visited on the California coast. On our family trip this past week we decided that Monterey was the perfect place to stay and play with its abundance of family activities, natural beauty and tremendous food and wine. We made the…
This post is sponsored by Olympus® in partnership with Activate by Bloglovin, all opinions are 100% my own. With my food photography I would originally panic when something boiled over, spilled or splashed in an unexpected way. I was so worried that my perfect picture would be tarnished and ruined with such blemishes. I later realized that these unplanned imperfections were oftentimes the highlight of the shot, and would give a…
Thank you to Radisson Blu for sponsoring today’s post and inspiring me to dream up my trip around the world! Are you looking for some ideas for best travel destinations in the world. How about winning a trip around the world? The most anticipated #PaperCity contest by Radisson Blu® is finally here. If you haven’t played the game visit Paper City by Raddison Blu to start your journey and discover fun facts/clues…
In partnership with #DriveMitsubishi @Mitsucars and #DriveShop When making a comparison of crossover utility vehicles it is absolutely important to spend significant time driving the vehicles and feeling out for the one best suited for your many life adventures. For my family those adventures include weekend trips camping, packing six or seven people in for a road trip, excursions to the beach with all of the sand and water toys, and of course all of…
This post is sponsored by Olympus® in partnership with Activate by Bloglovin, all opinions are 100% my own. There is so much in this world to see, to discover and uncover. My passion for food and photography have pushed me to travel through many countries and cities across the world. Some of my favorites have been Singapore, Thailand, China, Spain, France and Italy. I started a family about 6…
The Ultimate Holiday Packing List for Teens Teenagers can be extremely picky, even when it comes down to packing for an upcoming holiday away from home. Therefore, they may need a little bit of guidance so that they can determine what they really need to take with them and what can be left at home. After all, you don’t want your teen to pack so much that they end up…
“Stay and Play in San Jose” + Win a 2 night stay at any Country Inns and Suites in USA and Canada Calling San Jose a travel destination probably wasn’t too common twenty-five years back, and back then you wouldn’t hear of people vacationing in San Jose nearly as often as you do today. Well as they say “times are a changin”, and the transformation in San Jose and the surrounding areas has made…
The renowned San Diego Zoo rightfully stakes its claim on any list of best family attractions in the United States and even the best family attractions in the World. With San Diego’s perfect year-round weather there’s never a bad time to visit, but going on right now is the extremely special San Diego Zoo Nighttime Zoo: Centennial Summer. The zoo is going all-out to celebrate the 100 year mark, a century rich in awe-inspiring experiences and…
Many thanks to See Monterey for sponsoring today’s story and encouraging me to experience all that Monterey County has to offer. Today’s post is sponsored by See Monterey, but my love for Monterey County is all my own! Planning for a summer getaway for your family? Or maybe you are still looking for the perfect place to spend your big summer vacation? It is so important to treat ourselves and…
Easy Ratatouille Recipe This Easy Ratatouille Recipe is one of my popular posts. You can make one day in advance, keep in the fridge (covered) and reheated before serving. Ratatouille is a traditional French Provençal stewed vegetable dish, originating in Nice. France is famous the world over for many things, first and foremost their unrivaled cuisine. From hors d’oeuvres like brie and pate, entrées such as bouillabaisse and duck confit, and desserts ranging…