A Side of Sweet

Personal Chef Date Night with Kitchit

Previously, the idea of hiring a personal chef seemed to be a luxury that would just never be in our tight budget! I mean, does anything get more glamorous and fancy than hiring your own chef to cook you dinner!? Then I heard about Kitchit. Kitchit is a San Francisco-based company (currently with services only offered in San Francisco) that brings personal chefs into your home to do the cooking, often for less than you would spend at a restaurant! We decided to host our first dinner party in our new apartment.

I love hosting dinner parties. Heck, hosting pretty much anything in general! I really don’t need an excuse, whether it be having friends over for a fancy cheese and wine night or to enjoy the bounty of our backyard lemon tree…. Read More »

Mini Pavlovas for Four with Lemon Curd

Gluten Free

I’ve had lemons on the brain lately. I mean, it’s hard not to with a backyard lemon tree brimming with possibilities in the form of bright yellow orbs of deliciousness.

Coming from the midwest where a lemon means a trip to the grocery store, I just can’t bear to waste a single one. Our kitchen has been positively overflowing with lemon desserts these days. So much so that I had to invite some friends over to help me eat them all, including the mini pavlovas with lemon curd recipe you find below. But that’s a story for a different day or a different blog post at least!… Read More »

Bow Ties + Tips for Perfect Skin for Spring

I’m turning 30 in a few months (!) and it seems like overnight my skin has changed. I’ve noticed sun spots, fine lines and just an overall dull appearance for my skin. Seriously, what the heck!?

If you’re like me, you’ve been hearing a ton of hype about BB and CC creams. I love the idea of a lightweight moisturizer with perfecting coverage. One of my favorite brands (and a San Francisco company!), bareMinerals, just came out with Complexion Rescue. It’s all the best features of a BB and a CC, plus a tinted moisture. Before this, I had two modes – bare-faced or fully made up. With Complexion Rescue, it’s like a barely perceptible enhancement of my skin. Almost like photoshop! I’m happy now that I can enter my 30’s with a third mode – subtle, perfecting coverage.

For my tips for (faking) perfect skin and how I do a subtle smoky eye, read on!

Mixed Prints // Visiting Carmel Valley Wine Country

During my San Francisco staycation, we had a mini girls getaway to the Carmel Valley. Sarah, Annie, Alexis and I piled in a car and headed a few hours south of San Francisco for some relaxation in Carmel Valley’s wine country. I really didn’t know Carmel even had a wine country, but it definitely gives Napa a run for its money! We sipped wine, soaked in the scenery, gossiped and giggled. There was lots of giggling…. Read More »

Healthy Butternut Squash Dip

Gluten Free Vegetarian Vegan

Consider this recipe a public service announcement – get your root veggies while you still can people! It’s February folks, and before we know it, it will be asparagus season. And then berry season! Definitely, things to look forward to, but alas, butternut squash and sweet potatoes will be long gone. I recommend making this butternut squash dip while you still have the chance!… Read More »

Date Night :: Making Homemade Sushi

Vegetarian Vegan

I’ll be the first to admit that attempting homemade sushi rolls sounds pretty intimidating. Not only are there all sorts of supplies to buy, but people train for years to become sushi chefs! Working with raw fish at home takes skill and expertise, and can be dangerous if it isn’t stored and handled properly.

Making vegetarian and vegan sushi rolls is a great way for beginners to ease into making sushi. The process is actually much easier than you might think. Pat and I made sushi rolls together for a recent date night and it was so much fun! I’m hoping this post will give you a great starting point to try it for yourself. Read on for a shopping list, sushi rolling tips, and suggestions for sushi roll ingredients. I’m also turning traditional sushi on its head by using brown rice as well as quinoa!… Read More »