A Side of Sweet

Guilt-Free Artichoke White Bean Dip

Buckle up

Bear with me dear readers. Today’s post has approximately one point five million photos, but I just had so many great ones it was hard to narrow them down! Don’t forget to check out the guilt-free artichoke white bean dip recipe that this amazing event inspired at the end of the post!

Make-A-Wish Foundation event

Last weekend, Pat and I were lucky enough to attend Wishes in Wine Country, an event to benefit the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation hosted by Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards. It was a fabulous afternoon of sampling amazing dishes from Bay Area restaurants and sipping delicious wine. We seriously ate ourselves silly.

Scroll through for more photos and the recipe for Artichoke White Bean Dip! … Read More »

A Low Key Girls’ Night Birthday Party

As I alluded to in my post last week, I had a little birthday shindig a few weeks ago and I am so excited to share a few party photos with you!

I didn’t really have a strong theme for the party (bad blogger!), but it turned out to be a low-key girls’ night. It was perfect to relax, gossip and unwind, which is just what I wanted. Decorations were a piece of cake. No, not literally. The Flair Exchange sent me a party kit that included their tassel garland, confetti and a confetti balloon. Boom – instant party. I figured I wanted to spend the majority of my efforts on the food and party favors, so the party kit was perfect.

What I Wore :: Roses in Sonoma

Outfit Inspiration :: Roses in Sonoma - Floral Tank and Jeans Outfit Inspiration :: Floral Tank and Jeans … Read More »

Weekend in Sonoma + My First Vlog!

Weekend in Sonoma - A Wine Country Getaway

Pat and I had the opportunity to spend a weekend in Sonoma to celebrate our one year anniversary! Even though we live so close, it was my first time checking out this charming little wine country town.

Weekend in Sonoma - the perfect getaway in wine country

Read more and watch me embarrass myself on video after the jump!

Chai Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

I made this lovely chai cake with maple frosting for my birthday (I told you I make all my own birthday cakes!). Rather than a true birthday party, I hosted more of a girls’ night/gab fest to celebrate entering the last year of my twenties. It was truly more of an excuse for me to hole myself up in the kitchen for two straight days baking and creating to my heart’s content than anything else.

Read more after the jump!

San Francisco Faves :: Victorians of Lower Haight

The Lower Haight - Murals, Victorians and a laid-back hippy vibe

Pat and I love living in San Francisco, so much so that we talk about what it would be like to stay here forever. For me, the city has everything I’m looking for – great weather, an amazing children’s hospital, nature galore and a cosmopolitan feel. For Pat, some of the best biking in the country is just outside the city, the weather allows him to pursue the outdoorsy activities he loves year round and he has a great group of friends that are always doing something fun. We’ve made it a point to start exploring the neighborhoods of San Francisco on our days off to get a feel for the ideal place to live, and even buy a house, in the city.

San Francisco Victorian Houses - A Side of Sweet Explores the Lower Haight