A Side of Sweet

Perfect Sugar Cookies & Royal Icing Recipe

Recipes for basic royal icing and perfect soft sugar cookies that keep their shape. They are both super easy to make and totally fool proof!

To everyone that made it out for my Macy’s demo this past weekend, thank you so much for your support! I was so great to meet and chat with all of you. I had such a fun time I wanted to share a few photos and memories here, as well as full recipes for awesome sugar cookies, perfect every time royal icing, and of course my favorite – edible food paint! There’s also a little video with some clips from the event, so make sure you check that out too.

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Sutro Baths San Francisco

Sutro Baths in San Francisco is a magical place best enjoyed during golden hour or at sunset! It has stunning ocean views and transports you back in time.

If you’ve been around here long, you’ll know that whenever my girl Holly comes for a visit, photo magic will be happening. She’s an amazing photographer and always up for an adventure, be it staying on a tree farm in Oregon, or living the Washington wine country dream.

This time, our adventure was closer to home. We headed to Sutro Baths, which are actually ruins of an old public bath house built in 1894. Apparently at one time their were seven swimming pools with different temperatures as well as slides, trapezes (!), diving boards and a high dive! Old photos of Sutro Baths look amazing and it’s such a shame it eventually fell into ruin. Now it’s protected by the National Parks Service and is the darling of photographers and Instagrammers…. Read More »

Nick’s Cove Cottages Tomales Bay

Nick’s Cove Cottages and Restaurant in Tomales Bay, California is the perfect place for a getaway. Feast on oysters and enjoy your ocean front lodgings.

Pat and I had the chance to take a much-needed mini getaway to Nick’s Cove in Tomales Bay last weekend.

Nick’s Cove has actually been on my wanderlust list for ages and to say I was stoked to have the chance to stay there was an understatement.

It’s hard to picture a more romantic setting than a cottage perched right on the water in the sleepy Tomales Bay area. It’s one of those places that is always just a little bit foggy and it’s just far enough outside of San Francisco to leave the hustle behind, but still close enough (about 1.5 hours by car) to do it as an overnight trip…. Read More »

A Side of Sweet x Macy’s Cooking Event!

Holy crap! I’m about to say something out loud that I never thought I’d say.

I’m doing a cooking demo at Macy’s this weekend.
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Pistachio Pavlova with Rhubarb Curd

A gorgeous and delicious recipe for pistachio pavlova with rhubarb curd. Make it a day in advance and only have 5 minutes of assembly time before serving!

All rhubarb all the time has been my motto this Spring.

I’m not the only one. It seems like everyone I’ve talked to lately has been on the hunt for rhubarb! It makes me miss my time in the midwest, where rhubarb was found in abundance this time of year. People brought it by the armful to work, and my mother-in-law had a particularly robust patch. Sort of like our lemon situation here in San Francisco.

Luckily, I found rhubarb at the Ferry Building Farmer’s Market this year. Thank goodness, because I’ve had rhubarb pavlova on the brain for some time. I’ve made pavlova before, but this version has pistachios nestled in the layers of baked meringue. It’s quite spectacular really and pairs well with the tart rhubarb.
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San Francisco Ferry Building Farmers Market

The San Francisco Ferry Building Farmers Market is a favorite for tourists and locals alike. Here are some suggestions for things to eat and stands to visit, plus style inspiration for your urban adventure.

Often tourists barely scratch the surface of what San Francisco has to offer. There are so many neighborhoods and gems that are almost completely passed over!

There are a few ‘tourist destinations’ in San Francisco though, that are just as loved by the locals. An obvious one is the Golden Gate Bridge, but there’s also the Farmers Market at the San Francisco Ferry Building. On any given day, you’ll see thousands of people visiting the stands – from tourists to top area chefs.

There’s a reason chefs go there to fill their restaurant pantries. You’ll find some of the best produce in the San Francisco Bay Area, all located right on the bay, with great city views. It’s a market that caters to everyone from the casual visitor to the serious foodie. It’s also quite possibly the most-photogenic farmer’s market ever. Not that I choose my activities based on that.… Read More »