Summer Style: Pretty Pastels

Nothing compliments a warm summer day more than a sweet and pretty pastel piece. It's been getting warmer everyday so you'll definitely need a wardrobe item that can match the weather outside. While color hues like pastel mint and lavender have been taking the streets by storm, I prefer a more timeless approach to the trend and opted for this light and airy pastel peach dress. I love the soft, girly appeal that can be dressed down with simple flats or spruced up with a neutral colored wedge for a hot summer night out. 

P.S. One of my best friends is getting married this weekend! I've known her since we were 12 years old and I'm so excited to share this special moment in her life! 

Sail Away With Me To San Diego

Last weekend I spent a few incredible days learning how to sail with my entire Sonoma State University EMBA class. It was one of the best experiences of my life, proving to be both intense and rewarding. Until last Thursday my few sailing experiences included a sunset sail with a bottle of wine, while comfortably being nestled under blankets, thinking that this was the life. Le sigh. Despite the less glamorous setting, this excursion was even better than I ever imagined, while getting to know some pretty stellar & dynamic people.

In fact, the goal of this experience wasn’t just to learn how to sail, but instead was to focus on leadership and team building while having fun! Let me emphasize by telling you that those are not easy skills to hone while also learning to do something as physical and technical as sailing with the aim of winning a competitive race. My muscles are still screaming. Yelp!

I feel so lucky to have shared this experience with all of my classmates and can’t wait to see how the next 16 months unfolds {hold on to your pantalones!}. These are the people and relationships that I feel are going to be important to me for the rest of my life, something rare and truly special.Isn’t that simply marvelous? Sailing in sunny San Diego wasn’t too shabby either – it was amazingly gorgeous!

P.S. Today is also my beautiful mom's birthday! Happy Birthday Mamacita! You're such a beautiful soul - compassionate, generous, hardworking and kind. I hope your day is full of as much joy as you bring to my life. Te quiero mucho!

Auction Napa Valley 2012

You are cordially invited to the most extraordinary wine event in the world...

Auction Napa Valley has come and gone but I couldn't resist highlighting the decadent wine filled weekend that raised $8 Million for charity! My mom and I attended Saturday’s iconic Live Auction Day at Meadowood Resort where we hosted a table, poured Ceja Vineyards wines & participated in one of the live auction lots.

The over-the-top live auction was held in a huge white tent where, for more than three hours, 800 bidders, vintners and media socialized, cheered and chose to bid on more than 40 extravagant live auction lots. Why should you bid? Since its inception in 1981, Auction Napa Valley has given more than $100 million to dozens of Napa County health, youth development and affordable housing non-profits – pretty awesome!

Top Three Live-Auction Lots

1. Chappellet: $720,000

• A 12-day African safari for four, dinner for 10 at the winery and four large-format bottles. Winning bid was $360,000, paid by two separate bidders.

2. Chappellet, Chateau Montelena, Gargiulo, Raymond, Shafer and Silver Oak: $460,000

• A private concert for 28 people with Lady Antebellum, two-night trip to London and six large-format bottles.

3. Antica Napa Valley and Dalla Valle: $300,000

• Three-night excursion in Napa for four, 10-night trip to Tuscany for four and 16 large-format bottles {Yay Maya!}.

If that still doesn’t quite do it for you, the food just might. Famed chef, Thomas Keller kicked off lunch with Ad Hoc’s fried chicken and Gotts Road House stand served over 700 burgers during the live auction. Emeril Lagasse hosted a sunset dinner on the lawn that included salmon crudo and roasted Colorado lamb rack accompanied with more than 200 Magnums of wine to pair. Doesn’t get much better than that! Ole!

P.S. I'm heading to San Diego today with my EMBA class to sail with the USA Women's America's Cup team. More info later! Have a fabulous weekend!

Comfortable Classics

Recipe for Style: Colorful + Comfy Classics

Lately I’ve been favoring simple basics with a twist – a long white skirt, a colorful top, leather belt, vintage beaded jewelry, a pair of my favorite white ankle strap sandals and a carryall that I’m currently obsessed with. When it comes to comfortable classics I like to keep my outfits colorful, casual & breezy but also like to switch it up with a pointy toe stiletto heel or a wedge to add a little edge. This outfit is good for a lazy Sunday afternoon, brunch, playing bocce ball or going wine tasting {obvi}. 

With summer around the corner what pieces are you mixing into your wardrobe?

Banana Republic Skirt, Urban Outfitters Top, Vintage Necklace, Belt & Earings, Bracelets via INTI, ASOS Chevron Rings & Melie Bianco Purse

Mexican Mango Cake

In honor of Mother’s Day, I decided to whip out my go to recipe for this delicious and light cake that everyone seems to love. I personally think there should be over-the-top displays of appreciation and beauty celebrating all moms and, in this case, it will come in the form of a delectable dessert.

I simply adore everything about mangos and what a better way than to add a hint of this exotic fruit into the salsa for the cake. You’ll be surprised at how easy this recipe is to make and the presentation is equally as beautiful. It’s true, I love food that looks as good as it tastes! This cake is delicate and impressive and sure to bring a huge smile to any mom’s face. Enjoy and bon appétit!

{For step-by-step cooking directions watch my video below!}

Mexican Mango Cake Serves 8 Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes   Level: Medium

Ingredients for the Cake: 3 cups cake flour 6 large eggs 3 sticks of unsalted butter at room temperature 2 tsp vanilla extract 2 cups granulated sugar 2/3 cup buttermilk 1 tsp salt 1 1/2 tsp baking powder orange zest

Ingredients for Mango Salsa: 2 1/2 cups chopped fresh or frozen and thawed mango 2  cups granulated sugar 8 oz cream cheese 2 tbsp water edible flowers as garnish, optional

Directions for Cake: Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a large bowl. In another large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, beating well after each addition then mix in vanilla extract, buttermilk and orange zest. Then add dry ingredients and continue mixing. Pour batter into a cake pan. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove cake pan from oven and place on a wire rack and allow cake to cool completely. Invert cake onto a platter or serving tray.

Directions for Mango Salsa: Combine the mango, water, sugar and cream cheese in a blender or food processor and mix until smooth adding extra water if necessary. Pour the mango salsa evenly over the cake and feel free to decorate with edible flowers.

Tip: Try the Mango cake with Ceja Vineyards "Dulce Beso" Late Harvest Dessert Wine! This wine has richness with an opulent concentration of white peach, vanilla, tropical essences and citrus accents which will pair beautifully with the cake! Ole!

*Images via Ariel Ceja