New Life

[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="22" size_format="px"]With new changes, and new chapters unfolding, brings new life…[/typography]

I’ve been best friends with the same five girls since we were twelve years old. It’s amazing to see that our friendship has lasted through middle school, high school, college and now into our 20’s.

I’m so excited and thrilled to say that one of those girls is expecting the first baby of the group! Congrats Lauren and Peter, I know this baby girl of yours already has the love of five more tias {aunties!}.

I can’t wait to meet you little one! xoxo

P.s. For those expecting mamas out there, get inspired with my favorite stories by The Rockstar Diaries.

{Happy mama & healthy baby}

{I love this picture}

{Le best friends, minus Cassandra}

{A classic. One of my favorite books as a little girl}

 {Hold on tight little one, you're almost here! besos}

Move. Learn. Eat.

You know that feeling you get when your heart starts racing and you can’t stop thinking & dreaming of all the endless opportunities in life? The thoughts that keep you up into the wee hours of the morning?! Well, that’s the feeling I got when I watched this video. Do yourself a favor and WATCH… Video in a nutshell: 3 guys, 44 days, 11 countries, 18 flights, 38 thousand miles, an exploding volcano, 2 cameras and almost a terabyte of footage... all to turn 3 ambitious linear concepts based on movement, learning and food into 3 beautiful and compelling short films = a trip of a lifetime…

MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

I’ve mentioned it in previous posts {but to make it perfectly clear} I have an addiction to traveling the world. Much like the MOVE video, I had a similar experience, but mine took place a year and a half ago in South America with my best friend. Exploring five countries, over 500 hours of bus rides, crashing in hostels, visiting Machu Picchu, trekking up an active volcano, falling in love {with Chile}, swimming in the gorgeous white beaches of Brazil, eating amazing asado {Argentian BBQ} and most importantly, discovering who I really am…

For me, my experiences can be described in three words {that are tattooed on my forearm} - live your passions. I felt so inspired and moved by this video and it reminded me so much of my own travels that I wanted to share my enthusiasm and excitement with you!

Here are some of my favorite pictures {and memories} when I traveled to South America. Ole!

{Local Peruvian women & children with Lamas that we met in Cusco, Peru}

{Kids playing soccer in Cusco City, Peru}

{Exploring Machu Picchu with my traveling gnome: a bottle of Ceja Vineyards Merlot}

{Man-made floating islands made out of straw. Lake Titicaca, Peru}

{Brazilian men, tanning themselves. Rio de Janeiro}

{View from the top of the Villarrica Volcano. Pucon, Chile}

{Watching the sunrise on Copacabana beach, Rio de Janiero. Amazing}

{Capoeira dancers in Bahia - Northern Brazil}

{Ipanema, Beach 9 in Rio de Janeiro}

{Tango dancers in La Boca. Buenos Aires, Argentina}

P.s. What are some of your favorite travel experiences? I love hearing stories, so please share!

Coastal California Camping

[quote][typography font="Homemade Apple" size="22" size_format="px"]It’s official, camping makes you happy![/typography][/quote]

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that being in the great outdoors and spending quality time with your family & friends is going to make you happier. In my opinion, camping can be good for the soul too…

This past weekend we drove up north {again} to the gorgeous Redwoods in Mendocino County. It was a family affair with 24 family members in tow. We camped out at Richardson’s Grove Park {the campsite itself wasn’t my favorite, it lacked a lake and was too close to the highway}, but being immersed in those magnificent Redwood trees made the trip worth it.

Our itinerary was simple: get up early, make a hot, steaming breakfast, go for a long walk and attempt a swim in the river. For a change, it was refreshing to be disconnected from technology and instead we relied on senseless humor, games {pssst check out Apples to Apples!} and perfected the most delicious s’mores a kid {or adult} could ask for.

So grab your tent, and get away for a long weekend – just tell your boss it’s doctor’s orders.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures. Ole!

{Eel River}

{ I recommend a visit to the Avenue of the Giants. Spectacular Redwood trees!}

{ I felt tiny compared to the giant trees!}

{Blueberry and banana pancakes for breakfast. Yum!}

{My friend, Pacifico, joined us for a walk through the Redwood trees}

{Tri-Tip skewers for dinner}

{Camping is great for the soul. Now try it!}

Just Married ♥

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[quote][typography font="Homemade Apple" size="24" size_format="px"]Love is in the air...[/typography][/quote]

This past weekend we packed up the car and drove to Plumas County, north of Lake Tahoe. The bride, Wendy {our Ceja Vineyards wine club manager}, got married at the breathtaking Plumas Pines Golf Resort, overlooking a gorgeous valley filled with tall sweeping pine trees. It was a relaxing landscape immersed in nature’s glorious surroundings.

This barnyard themed wedding was all about rustic chic. I loved all of the textures – from her gorgeous chiffon wedding dress to the burlap runners. The evening was festive and fun as we danced the night away to the sounds of a live rock n’roll band.

Congratulations Wendy & Riccardo Jacobus, it was a beautiful wedding!

  p.s. for all of you engaged ladies, take a peek at Ruffled. It has fabulous tips & ideas! Ole!

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{Wine opener name card. Fun wedding favors!}

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{I wore a Royal blue BCBG dress, Banana Republic necklace & vintage bangles}

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{Rustic & lovely table setting}

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{Reception at the white barn. Awesome theme!}

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{Mr. & Mrs. Jacobus}

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{Congrats Wendy & Riccardo! It was a gorgeous and memorable wedding. xoxo}

NVMAVA Inaugural Celebration!

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[quote][typography font="Homemade Apple" size="26" size_format="px"]¡Si se puede![/typography][/quote]

This past Saturday, July 30th, was a historical day for my family and the newly formed NVMAVA, “Napa Valley Mexican-American Vintners Association.” It was a day to celebrate and toast to the unity of many Latino vintners. Some of the founding board members include Ceja Vineyards, Mi Sueño Winery, Robledo Family Vineyards, Encanto Vineyards, Alex Sotelo, Maldonado Vineyards and many more.

This inaugural event was a celebration of the first and only U.S. wine organization of its kind, whose purpose is to promote and bring awareness to the family owned Hispanic wineries in the Napa Valley. The afternoon festivities were memorable and fun! We feasted on delicious food catered by top Latino chefs from Napa and sipped on wine provided by all of the NVMAVA participating wineries.

It was an exciting afternoon shared with proud family members and friends who have worked so hard to create this important association. My dad, Pedro Ceja, was instrumental in creating the NVMAVA logo, which symbolizes “the inner circles of the Hispanic community coming together.”

As the daughter of two ambitious and hardworking Latino parents, I felt proud and honored to be sharing a part of history that will make an impact on the wine industry. Ole!

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{The next generation: my cousin Belen & I}

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{My dad giving a speech about the NVMAVA logo}

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{Try a splash of our Sexy Ceja Pinot Noir}

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{Turquoise dress via French Connection}

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{Ceja Vineyards bell symbolizes a "celebration of life"}

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{Maldonado Caves}

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{Please visit nvmava.org for more info!}