food and wine Archives - Inspirations and Celebrations

Join Downtown Napa & The Culinary Institute of America at COPIA in the #TravelAtHomeChallenge

While you can’t travel to your favorite places right now, you can bring a taste of them home to get you inspired about future adventures. In collaboration with my friends at Downtown Napa, they’ve invited me to participate in the #TravelAtHomeChallenge by AFAR Magazine. Join The #TravelAtHomeChallenge AFAR is encouraging all of us to Continue Reading

Lifestyle Travel

6 Cozy Restaurants To Visit During The Holiday Season

Even if you’re cooking Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner at home, if you plan to dine out during the holiday season, here are 6 cozy restaurants in destination locations across the USA that are ideal for visiting. From iconic restaurants in New York City and Carmel, California to popular eateries in spots like Lake Tahoe, Santa Continue Reading

Entertaining Lifestyle

Holiday Entertaining Guide: How to Host a Bubbles & Bites Happy Hour

This post is sponsored by Cupcake Vineyards. All opinions are my own. Holiday entertaining is always a great idea, especially when it’s easy and effortless. That’s why a holiday happy hour is one of the simplest ways to celebrate the season. In today’s entertaining guide, learn how to host a “Bubbles & Bites Happy Hour”, Continue Reading

Lifestyle Special Events

Secret Supper & Roca Patrón Host an Adventurous Dinner Series in Monterey County and Beyond

The most memorable moments occur when you least expect them. That’s exactly what happened on a magical Fall evening last weekend… We were recently invited by Secret Supper to attend the Secret Supper presented by Roca Patrón event in an undisclosed, exclusive destination in Monterey County. They told us to bring a Continue Reading

Lifestyle Travel

Travel Guide: 6 Iconic Restaurants To Wine & Dine in New York City

When you’re visiting New York City, one of the best things to do (aside from taking in a Broadway show and exploring the Big Apple) is to wine and dine at one of their outstanding eateries. From gourmet restaurants to popular bars with views of the Statue of Liberty, there’s no shortage of exceptional places […]

Entertaining Lifestyle

Entertaining Guide: How To Make Beach Picnics More Joyful

This post is sponsored by Cupcake Vineyards. However, all opinions are my own. One of our favorite things to do on the weekend is to spend a leisurely day at the beach with our fun-loving puppy. Whether we’re playing catch with him or just lounging on a beach blanket while drinking wine, a beach day […]

Entertaining Lifestyle

The Chef’s Guide to Entertaining: How To Make a Gourmet Steak Dinner at Home

To help us learn how to become expert entertainers, my mom and I often enjoy taking cooking classes at Sur La Table, as they’re an exciting and interactive way to learn tips on how to cook gourmet meals (while being able to do a fun activity together). As my birthday gift to her, last week […]

Lifestyle Travel

5 Insta-Worthy Restaurants on The Monterey Peninsula (with Great Food & Gorgeous Views)

Whether you’re a Monterey Peninsula local or just planning a vacation in our beautiful area, today’s travel guide shares five of our favorite Insta-worthy restaurants (that also offer great food) in Carmel and Pebble Beach. From epic ocean and golf course views to picturesque courtyard garden settings, these Monterey Continue Reading

Lifestyle Special Events Travel

Charming Wine Tastings in Napa Valley & Sonoma County

When it comes to finding delightful places to go wine tasting in Napa Valley and Sonoma County, there are a number of gorgeous wineries throughout the sprawling area. From enchanting gardens in Napa Valley to vineyard vistas in Sonoma County, below are four charming places for wine tastings, tours, and events. Charming Wine Tastings in Continue Reading

Entertaining Lifestyle Special Events

5 Industry Insiders Share Their Sizzling Entertaining Tips at the 12th Annual Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival

As a foodie, one of my favorite annual festivals on the Monterey Peninsula is Pebble Beach Food & Wine. From live cooking demos and grand tastings with celebrity chefs to 250 of the world’s best wineries and spirits’ brands, to call this mega-fest anything but decadent would be an understatement. In addition to Continue Reading

Lifestyle Travel

13 Majestic Luxury Hotel Restaurants with Gorgeous Views

Aside from indulging in gourmet food, an integral part of any fine dining experience is immersing yourself in the atmosphere of the restaurant. That’s why restaurants with gorgeous views make any dining excursion even more memorable. Whenever we plan a vacation, one of the first things we evaluate are the restaurants at the hotels. Continue Reading

Lifestyle Special Events

Relais & Châteaux GourmetFest 2019 Brings the Upper Echelon of Food & Wine to Carmel-by-the-Sea

Last week in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, the 6th Annual Relais & Châteaux GourmetFest captivated the senses of both culinary enthusiasts and hospitality leaders at the historic landmark hotel, La Playa. As a “global fellowship” of independently-owned and operated gourmet restaurants and luxury hotels around the world, Relais & Continue Reading