Two Thousand Twelve

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2011 has come and gone – unbelievable, right?! I’m currently in Lake Tahoe, snuggled up next to the fireplace, drinking vino {thanks Tracy & Matt!} and can’t help but reflect on how incredibly lucky I have felt in 2011. Le sigh.

It was a big year for me in many ways, considering… I took a leap of faith and launched my own blog/website, which gave me the perfect excuse to explore my passions and travel the world {I can’t believe it took me so many years to do it}. I moved in with my boyfriend. I was named Woman of the Year. I was named one of the Most Valuable Lifestyle Bloggers by CBS. And now I’m embarking on a few new projects that I can’t wait to share! Despite the little bumps in the road, life isgood grand!

So, as we enter 2012, I invite all of you to jump on the bandwagon, discover new things and live your passions. I am wishing you great success and hope you find what it is that you love to do, and then make the jump and just do it! You’d be surprised what a little believing in yourself can help you accomplish.

Here are a few of my favorite snapshots of 2011! Ole!

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[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="24" size_format="px"]P.s. There is so much to be excited about so let's start this year off with a bang! x[/typography]

Mexican Hot Chocolate

[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="22" size_format="px"]Baby, it's cold outside...[/typography]

This post is dedicated to my abuelita, Mama Juana, for her passion, love and the delicious treats she makes for us.

My abuelita's introduction to this decadent beverage began in a little pueblo in Michoacán, Mexico where she used it as an easy, affordable and delicious way to feed her six kids {and counting} for breakfast. To this day, she will peek her head in our offices and eagerly ask me, “mija, quieres chocolate con pan?” and I will always answer her, “por supuesto Mama Juana.” Gosh, I’m feeling very fortunate at this very moment…

So what’s so special about Mexican hot chocolate? Well, you get the rich and bold flavors from the dark Mexican chocolate with just a hint of spice and cinnamon to trigger your senses. Go ahead, I dare you to try… Ole!

{Past and present abuelita. Isn't she stunning?!}

{Frothing the hot chocolate with a wooden molinillo}

{Ole! Le finished product}

[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="20" size_format="px"]Mexican Hot Chocolate[/typography]

Directions:

Combine 2 ½ cups milk (about 5 ounces), one cinnamon stick and coarsely chopped Mexican chocolate, such as Ibarra or Abuelita, in a pot. Turn on the stove to a medium-high level. Put a wooden molinillo in the pot and begin whipping the chocolate by rolling the handle quickly back and forth between your palms {a whisk or an electric beater will work just as well}.

The movement is a little like rubbing your palms against each other to warm them in cold weather — only here the molinillo’s wooden handle is between them. After a few minutes of vigorous beating, dip a spoon into the mixture to make sure the chocolate has dissolved (they’ll always be a few bits of chocolate on the bottom) and the mixture is foamy.

p.s. Pair with a toasted bolillo {Mexican roll} to dip the bread in the chocolate and you’ll be in heaven!

[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="22" size_format="px"]Happy Friday mis amores! xo[/typography]

Adventures in Yosemite

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[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="22" size_format="px"]Yosemite Valley is always a sunrise, a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space...
 -Ansel Adams[/typography]

Last week my mom and I took a quick trip to Yosemite for the Ahwahnee Vintners' Holiday Tasting. It was quite an honor to be invited back considering that most of these legendary vintners have been coming for the past 20 years {can you blame them?!}. This place is a nature junkie’s heaven, with its vast array of hiking, waterfalls, biking, lakes, wildlife, breathtaking views and insanely gorgeous scenery.

The wine sessions took up the majority of our time {no complaint here!} but we did have a chance to escape into the forest and explore the park by foot. Despite the freezing chilly weather, it was instantly therapeautic, breathing in the clean and pure smells of pine and fresh rain. We were even lucky enough to see a bear in the middle of our trail, but in the midst of yanking out my camera my mom fled the scene in a yelling panic attack, poor thing {insert laughing here}. Love you mom!

I could go on for hours about this place but I will leave it up to you to see the beauty of Yosemite… Ole!

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{Partially frozen Bridalveil Falls}

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{View from Yosemite Valley}

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{Half Dome at sunset}

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{Entrance to the Ahwahnee Hotel}

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{My traveling gnome, a bottle of Ceja Sauvignon Blanc!}

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{Tuolumne River}

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{Frozen Mirror Lake}

Time Lapse Tour of Yosemite  via Henry Jun Wah Lee

p.s. Take a peek at this killer timelapse video showcasing the beauty, the wonder and the amazement that resides in Yosemite. If this doesn’t make you want to bust out your camping gear and delve into nature, then I don’t know what will…

[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="24" size_format="px"]Besos! x[/typography]

Give Thanks

Last night's Thanksgiving feast was decadent and delicious. It was so heartwarming to enjoy the company and conversation of 20 of my closest family members and friends. We did something a bit differently this year and went around our huge “Kings” table and asked everyone to say what they are thankful for. It got me thinking about all the things I’m thankful for in my life {especially today}.

Here’s a random list of little things I'm thankful for today:

Cameras My immediate family Skype Best friends *Best friend's new baby girl Adam My Mama Juanita’s Mexican hot chocolate My abuelitos Colorful leaves Feather down comforter Napa on ice {ice-skating!} Ugly sweater parties Dulce {our vineyard cat} Puss Puss {our cat} Laughing Kisses My cruiser bike Pandora Cuddling Dancing Books Movies {Breaking Dawn!} Fro-yo Sweater dresses Dresses Mac book pro Crisp mornings The color yellow Wine Tea {Jasmine + Earl Grey} Supportive, motivating & inspiring people Being able to travel the world Living my passions…

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What random little things are you thankful for?

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! I can’t wait to have some leftover stuffing and pumpkin pie for breakfast. 

P.s. This weekend my housemates & I are throwing an Ugly Sweater Party! I'm so excited and can't wait to share pictures next week. Ole!

[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="22" size_format="px"]Have a great weekend! [/typography]

In A New York Minute

This past weekend the BF and I flew out to NYC for a friend’s wedding. New York is beyond incredible. There’s always somewhere to go and something to do. Every time I go I’m mesmerized by the nonstop energy, vibe, food culture and fashion scene. This time we took the city by storm, walking and taking the subway everywhere. We expected the weather to be much colder, but it was ideal with highs in the 60’s. Score!

[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="22" size_format="px"]I’m in a New York State of mind… [/typography]

Most of our time was spent walking around my favorite neighborhoods including the fashionable Soho and West Village area, followed by breezy strolls around the trendy Meatpacking district. A must stop is the famous Chelsea Market, where you’re captivated by the amazingly wicked bakeries, shops and local food stands. I swear, the majority of time we ate and drank and ate some more {a girl's gotta eat!}. People watching came in a close second and that was almost as much fun.

Here are a few of my favorite snapshots of the weekend… Ole!

[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="24" size_format="px"]I hope everyone has a wickedly delicious and happy thanksgiving!!![/typography]