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]

Red, White and Blue

IMG_5638

This past weekend was all about eating, drinking and catching up with friends & family. It was a much needed extended weekend perfect for BBQ’s, laying pool side with my lovely girlfriends, and picking up last minute items for our upcoming trip to Mexico this week! {Stay tuned for some exciting Mexico posts! We will be traveling to the Yucatán Peninsula… can you guess where?!}

Here’s a little peek of how I spent my 4th of July weekend… Ole!

IMG_5616

{Schramsberg Brut Rosé bubbles are my favorite!}

IMG_5842

{Me & my adorable niece Isa, a.k.a Chupi}

IMG_5655

{Homemade beer can chicken paired with Campesino Pinot Noir. Thanks Macario, it was deeelish!}

IMG_5666

(Dessert bar... I'm still dreaming of the coconut & chocolate chip cookies!}

Fireworks

{Stunning fireworks by the Napa Riverfront}

Chefs Market Cooking Demo

DaliaChefsMarket5

Cooking has always been a passion in my life {eating too!}. Ever since I was a little girl I've been in the kitchen, cooking alongside my mom, Amelia Ceja. I remember standing on a stool next to the stove, using both hands to stir the pot of Mexican hot chocolate, while sweet aromas of chocolate and cinnamon filled the kitchen. From that moment on I knew that food would always play an integral role in my life and now, more than twenty years later, I’m still cooking and learning from my mom.

Last week my mom and I had a wonderful opportunity to host the Chefs cooking demonstration at the Napa Downtown Chefs Market. This weekly event is what I consider to be the ultimate street party, with food trucks, wine/beer booths, crafts & cool art.

We decided to prepare one of my favorite dishes, “Camarones con Cebollitas Rojas y Ajo” {shrimp with shallots, garlic, lime juice & a dash of spice}. This recipe is simple to make and is a delicious appetizer to share at a fiesta! This particular day also marked the 2nd annual Chardonnay Day so we paired our Ceja Vineyards “Vino de Casa” Chardonnay blend with the dish. This flavorful and semi-spicy dish paired beautifully with the Chardonnay blend because the wine cut through the spice component of the shrimp leaving your taste buds begging for more!

Click here for the recipe and short cooking video. Ole!

DaliaChefsMarket2

{My adorable niece Isa scoping out the scene}

DaliaChefsMarket3

DaliaChefsMarket4

DaliaChefsMarket8

[nggallery id=3]

Melon Starburst

This Spring I’ve been living in dresses despite the temperamental Northern California weather {not that I’m complaining}.  Today was no different and I decided to brighten up my day by wearing this 50’s inspired melon colored halter dress paired with nude colored pumps. This is my idea of dressing for a relaxed Sunday afternoon, spending time with the familia {eating way too much yummy homemade Mexican food}, catching up on home improvement projects and lounging around our comfy and sunlit apartment.  Don’t you love how the simplest things can bring you the most joy?

{BCBG dress & Seychelles nude pumps}

Farmer's Market Fun in Napa

Over the weekend my boyfriend and I had a wonderful opportunity to explore one of the first Farmer’s market of the season in Napa {at the Oxbow parking lot}.  Although the sun had disappeared and had been replaced with chilly winds & grey clouds, it was still refreshing to be up and productive on a Saturday morning.

I love farmer’s markets for three reasons: you are able to buy the freshest and most delicious produce {for fairly inexpensive}. Secondly, there are some fabulous independent jewelers that sell unique pieces that no one else will have, {I happened to score a gorgeous brass elephant charm!}. Lastly, there is such a wonderful and positive energy that surrounds you with families and couples looking for nothing more than to enjoy each other’s company, taste a few local treats and go home with a new bag of goodies. You can’t beat that.

Here’s to a productive and happy workweek! Ole!

DaliaArtichoke

DaliaCherry

DaliaStrawberry

DaliaHolding

DaliaAnnie

DaliaElephant

DaliaRings

.