Fall in Love with Key West

This sultry island offers a lifestyle full of Caribbean charm...

Ah, Key West - just possibly the best place for doing nothing but relaxing, indulging in decadent seafood, taking advantage of the amazing water activities and enjoying the region’s beauty. I spent one glorious and laid-back afternoon {a few months ago} exploring this gorgeous place and have been daydreaming of my next visit. Just a stone’s throw from Cuba {90 miles}, this sultry island has inspired loyalty from many happy, content tourists and islanders, including me.

Fly into one of the many South Florida gateways, rent that convertible you’ve always dreamt about and steer your way down through the many mile markers to the place that gave laziness and key lime pie a good name. 

Red Hot Valentine’s Day Outfit

French Connection Dress/BCBG  Stilettos/ Citizen Eco-Drive Watch/Mac Lipstick, Russian Red

All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt...

I like to think of Valentine’s Day as not just a day for couples, but a day to make the special people in your life feel loved. Whether it’s with cards, gifts or candy, we can’t get enough of letting the world know how much we love being in love and the feeling of love around us, right? I’ve never been a fanatic about this day but why not doll up a bit and add to the pink and red madness {talking from a girl who has a slight color obsession…}

Recipe for Style: A cozy night in or a big night out…

1. Keep it playful - add a pop of color either to your outfit, stilettos or with bright red lips. Yowzaaa!

2. Step out of your comfort zone - a sweetheart neckline, a sheer top or a backless dress will make you feel and look {oh, so darling and sexy}.

3. Keep the mystery alive – Don’t just use this one day to show your loved ones how much you care about them. Adding some mystery and sparkle at random times will ensure spontaneous romantic gestures.

Spicy Mexican Cornbread

If you can't stand the heat, get out of my kitchen!

Let’s talk about Spicy Mexican {jalapeño} Cornbread. I’ve always been a huge fan of this baked delight and couldn’t resist recreating this super classic treat with a twist! Doesn’t it sound delicious, ultra-comforting and just plain sexy zesty? Well, it pretty much melts in your mouth with every bite. I love my cornbread to be subtly moist, sweet and with just a hint of spice and found that this recipe does the trick.

I’m pretty convinced that everything is better when it’s made in a cast iron pan, so if possible get yourself one of these babies and I promise you it will do wonders for your cornbread!

For a detailed look into this recipe watch the step-by-step cooking video here and get to know the Salud! Napa blog - more killer recipes & videos!

{Impeccably cool pics taken by my bro, Ariel Ceja - Órale!}

P.S. Dazzle your love this Valentine's Day with this fun and fiery recipe that will ignite the fire and have him/her fall head over heels in love {with you & your cooking even more!}.

Mexican Cornbread - Serves 6 Cook Time: 45 minutes   Level: Easy

Ingredients

• 2 ears of corn or 2 cups of frozen and thawed (charred) corn
• 1/2 stick cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3 jalapenos, finely diced with some seeds
• 1 1/4 cup cornmeal (preferably stone-ground, not coarse)
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cup well-shaken buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup honey

Directions

*Special equipment: a 9 1/2- to 10-inch well-seasoned cast-iron skillet

Heat grill to medium high. Lightly brush corn with oil and grill turning every 3 minutes until charred and golden brown. Cut kernels off cobs then sauté kernels with chopped jalapenos for 3 minutes with a little bit of olive oil. Set aside. If using frozen corn, make sure corn is properly thawed before sautéing with jalapenos.

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 450°F. Add butter and oil to skillet and heat in oven until melted (typically 5 minutes), then carefully pour into a medium bowl.

Whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Whisk buttermilk, corn/jalapeno mixture and eggs into melted butter and honey, then stir into cornmeal mixture until well mixed. Pour into hot skillet and bake until a wooden pick or skewer inserted in center comes out clean, 18 to 22 minutes. Cool in skillet for 5 minutes then serve & enjoy!

Hot Winter Trend: Green

Our reaction to color is almost instantaneous and has a profound impact on the choices we make everyday...

I suppose it goes along with my spring fever and possible {slight} color obsession but I am really giddy over all shades of green. It is undoubtedly one of my favorite colors and it adds a refreshing pop of color to many aspects of my life – fashion, food and places I’ve traveled.

While the thought of wearing something so bright may be a bit daunting to some, this color should be embraced! I find that green is soothing to the eye and adds a wonderful contrast to dull and dark colors in a revitalizing way. Whether you wear the color green, eat green foods or live a green lifestyle, this color symbolizes life and should be happily welcomed. I guarantee you’ll be smiling more often! 

Bocce Ball and Wine Anyone?

Bocce Ball at Ceja Vineyards Winery

[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="23" size_format="px"]There is no other game where drinking, while playing, is such a good combination...[/typography]

A few years ago my dad became infatuated with the game of bocce ball and decided to build not one, but two bocce ball courts at our Ceja Vineyards headquarters in Carneros. It’s a fun and addicting game, especially when you put two highly competitive and energetic teams together. The only major rule {that we really enforce} is that you have to have a glass of {Ceja} wine in your hand when you play. Pretty simple, right?

I came across these two bocce ball sets, and they're the prettiest I've ever seen. The $2800 Chanel one, of course, is for serious players and would take your bocce ball game to a whole other level. With Spring only a few months away, which outdoor games are you looking forward to playing?

Petanque-Chanel-Bocce-Ball-Set-1

regulation-bocce-ball

{Chanel Bocce Ball Set - Regulation Bocce Ball Set}

P.s. Click here to see my dad explaining the bocce ball court construction process. Ole!

[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="23" size_format="px"] Besos,[/typography]

[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="23" size_format="px"]Dalia x[/typography]