Two Peas in a Pod

[quote][typography font="Homemade Apple" size="20" size_format="px"]A girl should be two things: Classy and Fabulous -Coco Chanel[/typography][/quote]

This is one of my all time favorite quotes from Coco Chanel, and perfectly describes my friend and photographer, Lianne Milton.  Lianne captures the elegance and beauty of people in her photographs the same way that Chanel captured the elegance and beauty in fashion.

In these lifestyle pictures taken by Lianne, you can see how she has captured the two of us laughing and acting so natural.  A picture is worth a thousand words, and these photos genuinely reflect our positive emotions and very memorable moments.

This weekend is the birthday of my gorgeous cousin, Belen! Belen and I have always been very close, and are really like two peas in a pod.  I am fortunate to have so many wonderful women in my life, but Belen has always felt like the sister I never had.  She is one of my best friends and "partner in crime"!

Happy Early Birthday darling cousin! I can’t wait to celebrate with you this weekend! Ole!

p.s. To view more of Lianne Milton’s work please visit www.liannemiltonphotography.com {she rocks!}

Mexican Fruit Salad

[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="22" size_format="px"]I don’t know about you, but the warm summer weather makes me crave the refreshing taste of fruit![/typography]

I’m fortunate to live close to many fresh fruit stands, and on my way home yesterday I bought the freshest, sweetest assortment of white peaches, nectarines, papayas, mangos and cucumbers. At home, with my bag of goodies, I decided to make my version of the ultimate Mexican fruit salad. The inspiration for this refreshingly delicious snack comes from the outdoor Mexican fruit stands, or "puestos de frutas", that serve fresh fruit with a pinch of chili powder, salt and lime juice {my favorite snack when visiting Mexico!}.

If you’re tired of the “standard fruit salad” {with melon, watermelon, grapes and bananas} then this recipe is for you. I’ve made this salad several times, with various fruit combinations, and it never fails to please. It’s a truly sublime concoction. You get the exotic sweetness from the seasonal fruits {papaya & white peaches}, the crunchiness from the cucumbers, the subtle spiciness from the chili powder and the acidity from the lime juice.

{Fresh Papaya}

{I love the color combination of the chopped fruit & my handmade tablecloth from Mexico}

{My grandmother's chile powder: chili flakes, cayenne pepper & chile ancho powder}

It’s a healthy snack alternative and I love that it’s so easy to make! Be prepared to share with everyone and watch it disappear! If you want some for yourself, make extra. That way you can still have fruit salad for breakfast {maybe with a warm slice of banana bread and a big, steaming cup of tea?}. Yes, please!

Mexican Fruit Salad

Ingredients: Serves 4 people

• 1 Papaya
• 2 Mangos
• 4 White Peaches
• 1 Cucumber
• 3 Nectarines
• Lime juice
• Salt to taste
• *2 pinches of chili powder
• Optional: a splash of Tapatio sauce

*You can find the chile powder at most supermarkets & Latino stores

Directions:

Prepare the fruit. Slice up the fruits and cucumber into semi-big pieces and spears— {In Mexico this is street food, often eaten with your fingers}. You can make the salad ahead, up to this point, and chill the fruit until you’re ready to serve.

Assemble the salad. Place the fruit in a large bowl. Squeeze the juice {of one lime} over it and season generously with salt and chili powder. Stir gently and keep adding, stirring and tasting until you pick up the flavor of the chili powder and a little heat. Add as much chili powder as you and your dinner guests can comfortably take—that’s a key part of this salad’s charm. Serve immediately and enjoy! Ole!

Thrifty Train Tracks

[quote]Whether you call it recycled, resale, vintage or thrift, I call it Fashion...[/quote]

One of my absolute favorite places to shop in the Bay Area is Crossroads Trading Company. It’s a clothing store that buys, sells and trades women's and men’s designer attire. I call it my personal treasure chest and always walk out with amazing fashion gems.

If you’re a vintage or thrift store shopaholic who loves designer fashion, this is the place for you. I could honestly spend hours browsing the neat and tidy racks, obsessing over each color coordinated section {the dress section is my personal favorite!}. What I’ve always said about this store is "Great fashion for great prices, and Crossroads nails it!"

I found this long, coral, vintage maxi dress at Crossroads a few weeks ago and thought this was the perfect outfit to welcome and embrace the long awaited summer heat. I accented the dress with flat sandals, my new favorite turquoise pendant from Versa Jewelry {by Caitlin Clarke} and a leather belt from Sola Lucy Boutique in Berkeley. I love this outfit’s simplicity, yet it has a fun and flirty bohemian chic appeal.

There is something so rustic, edgy & adventurous about walking down abandoned train tracks so I thought this would be the perfect backdrop to showcase this outfit. The setting also reminds me of one of my favorite childhood movies, Stand by Me, which brings warm, familiar, summer feelings. What are some of your favorite summer memories?

Feliz Cumpleaños Mamacita!

DaliaAmeliaStoryboardFull copy

[typography font="Calligraffitti" size="27" size_format="px"]Today is the birthday of my beautiful mom, Amelia Ceja![/typography]

This past Sunday we hosted a big Gemini fiesta for my mom and for all of the other June birthdays. The weather cooperated with a warm and breezy day, making it a memorable birthday celebration. We feasted on Paella, vino and a delicious Tres Leches cake {my favorite!}. It was wonderful to see so many good friends and family come out to celebrate my mom, who is such a special woman. 

She might only be 5 feet tall but she has a personality as big as a giant! She has a heart of gold and nonstop energy that fills a room with contagious excitement and warmth. I would call her a woman of movement, a woman of passion and a woman with BIG dreams. Over the past few years it’s been quite evident that she has been a mover and shaker in our family and in our family business. I’m so inspired by her everyday and am grateful to have such a wonderful mentor in my life.

AmeliaStanding

{I love this black & white portrait of my mom}

AmeliaLuisMiguel

A few years ago Luis Miguel visited our tasting room {for those of you who don’t know him, he’s like the Elvis of Mexico}. Women swoon over him and men are envious of his singing talent. In Mexico, it’s customary to be woken up in the early morning hours serenaded by family and friends to Las Mañanitas {the Mexican morning birthday song}. Mom, if I could, I would have Luis Miguel serenade you to the Las Mañanitas song! Here’s to wishing you the happiest of birthdays!!!

Te quiero muchisimo. Besos y abrazos.

Ole!

Berrylicious Pie

[quote]Blackberries, raspberries & blueberries, oh my! Keep your fork, there’s pie![/quote] When I was a little girl, my brothers and I would take advantage of our summer break and find any excuse to wander the endless Carneros area {where we grew up}. Minutes away from our parent's house was a creek that happened to host hundreds of plentiful wild blackberry bushes.

I remember digging my way into the thorny bushes eager to pick the sweetest and juiciest blackberries. Our teeth and clothes would be stained purple as we ate to our heart's content {oh, to be a kid again.. it brings back such nostalgic feelings}. We could never bring back enough berries for my mom to make a pie, and I’ve always longed to make my very own, from scratch. So here it goes… my mouth is watering already!

The result was exactly what I hoped for in a summer pie.  The oozing berries, bursting with flavor, had just the right mix of tart and sweet. The crust was flaky, crisp and buttery. I'm already looking forward to eating it for breakfast the rest of the week, with a big, steaming cup of Earl Grey tea. Here’s to enjoying a delicious piece of berry pie and reliving your own childhood memories.

Berrylicious Pie

Ingredients: Serves 8 people

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups fresh blackberries
• 2 cups fresh raspberries
• 2 cups fresh blueberries
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• Pastry dough {click here for a simple & easy recipe}

*Special equipment: a 9-inch metal/glass pie plate & a pastry cutter

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 450°F.

Whisk together granulated sugar, cornstarch, tapioca, and salt, then toss with berries. Roll out 1 piece of dough {keep remaining piece chilled} on a lightly floured surface and fit into pie plate. Trim edge, leaving a 1/2-inch overhang. Chill shell while rolling out dough for top crust, then use pastry cutter to make semi-thin strips of dough.

Spoon filling into shell, then layer dough strips to make a beautiful lattice pie crust. Trim crust with kitchen shears, leaving a 1/2-inch overhang. Press edges together, then crimp edge decoratively. Lastly, brush top of pie with beaten egg {to give it a glossy look}.

Place pie in the middle rack of the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Then reduce oven temperature to 375°F and continue to bake until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbling, about 40 more minutes.

Cool pie for at least 2 hours before serving to allow juices to thicken slightly (filling will still be juicy). Enjoy eating a slice of this delicious pie with a spoonful of vanilla bean ice cream and you’ll be in dessert heaven! Ole!