San Francisco + Highlights

And we're off! See you on Monday loves after I return from up north!

On the San Francisco agenda: going out at the marina triangle bars, football celebrations, birthday parties, hotel dance parties, & yummy eats & drinks.

Some places on my San francisco radar to eat & drink:

• Foreign Cinema - California/Mediterranean 
• Benu - Contemporary American
• Saison - Contemporary American
• Zuni Cafe - Modern European
• The Slanted Door - Modern Vietnamese
• Yank Sing - Dim Sum
• Swan Oyster Depot - Seafood
• A 16 - Italian 
• SPQR - Italian
• Rye - Specialty individualized cocktails
• Nopa - Italian 
• Little Star Pizza - Pizza
• Pizzetta 211 - Pizza
• Nopalito - Mexican
• Nick's Crispy Tacos - Mexican

See below for some highlights of the week...

1. A different way of looking at a loving marriage. Via sethadamsmith.com.

2. Brent Bolthouse talks The Bungalow and the evolution of LA nightlife. Via The New Potato.

3. Having a bad day? Let New Girl's Schmidt brighten your day. Via Thought Catalog.

4. All that glitters - Kate Spade's holiday gift guide. Via Kate Spade.

http://theraddiaries.tumblr.com/

Fall Recipes From Baked By Rachel

My mouth starts watering every time I look at Rachel's - of Baked by Rachel - food blog. Below are a few delicious fall recipes I'm trying in my kitchen this season.

Caramel Stuffed Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies:

Banana Cinnamon Waffles:

Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl Bread:

Slow Cooker Two Bean Buffalo Chicken Chili:

Soft Batch Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies:

Slow Cooker Cinnamon Apple Butter:

Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins:

Plus, two guest posts that Rachel profiled:

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork With Apples And Onions:

Apple & Salted Caramel No Churn Ice Cream:

http://www.bakedbyrachel.com/

Recipe: Champagne Cake

As usual, this morning I woke up and read through my daily emails. I always enjoy a quick click through of my Glitter Guide email and today was no exception. This time of year, I somehow always develop a baking habit. So, this morning's Glitter Guide email satisfied my baking craze because I'm newly inspired to bake the naked champagne cake that the lifestyle site profiled. It isn't a particularly fall recipe but it is perfect for a ladies brunch or a girlfriend's birthday.

Recipe for cake:

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 6 egg whites
• 2 cups champagne

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans (or cut and use parchment paper to fit the pans).
• In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
• In a mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar for 3-5 minutes until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and beat in the eggs one at a time.
• Beat in flour mixture and champagne in three alternating additions, starting and ending with flour to prevent curdling. 
• Pour batter into pans and bake 35 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. 
• Let cool and then frost the middle and top layer only with Champagne Buttercream Frosting.

Recipe for Champagne Buttercream Frosting:

• Beat butter for 1 minute in a mixing bowl.
• Gradually add powdered sugar, champagne, milk, and vanilla. 
• Continue beating until smooth and creamy.

I'm toasting to a happy Tuesday for everyone!

http://theglitterguide.com/

Spring Fever

I'm out enjoying this gorgeous Los Angeles spring day with my sister! Ciao!

http://oraclefox.com/, http://prettystuff.tumblr.com/, http://mango-watermelon-love.tumblr.com/, http://hawaiiancoconut.tumblr.com/, http://thrivingtwenties.tumblr.com/

Hello Pumpkin!

Well friends, I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving full of family, friends, and food! While I've had a smashing good time this fall watching leaves change, wearing orange, and baking pumpkin goodies, I'm already changing gears and jumping head first into Christmas season!

Until next autumn, pumpkins! I'm off to do a little Christmas shopping...

http://mango-watermelon-love.tumblr.com/, http://bippityboppityboo.tumblr.com/, http://pinterest.com/

Eat Like The Locals: Phoenix

I'm spending a few days in Phoenix so I thought I'd profile a few of my favorite spots to eat. If you live in Phoenix then you know how great these restaurants are. However, if you are from elsewhere then remember these spots in order to eat like a local in Phoenix!

1. The Herb Box. Try: the cocktails.

2. Petite Maison. Try: the escargots.

3. Arcadia Farms Cafe. Try: the pesto grilled shrimp salad.

4. Rice Paper Eatery. Try: the different types of fresh and crispy spring rolls.

5. La Grande Orange Grocery. Try: the commuter sandwich.

6. Postino Wine Cafe. Try: the bruschetta.

7. Vincent's Farmers Market. Try: the omelets.

8. Geisha A Go Go. Try: the dessert roll.

9. True Food Kitchen. Try: the edamame dumplings.

10. Hillstone. Try: the grilled chicken salad.

http://awellchangedwoman.tumblr.com/

Picnic Pick-Me-Up

After a long weekend full of fun and all things green, I can't think of a better way to spend today than by having a relaxing picnic with the one I love. Unfortunately, I can only imagine such a picnic but you know what they say... distance makes the heart grow fonder. For now, I am inspired by these images.

http://thesugarmagnolia.wordpress.com/, http://mango-watermelon-love.tumblr.com/