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!}

Tulum and Coba Ruins (Part Four)

As you might have guessed {and seen from my previous post} I have a huge fascination with all old ruins & pyramids, including Mayan, Aztec and Inca. There is something so intriguing and mystical about cities that were built thousands of years ago before there was electricity, forklifts or even something simple like a hammer. It boggles my mind that there were such skilled architects and engineers with nothing more to work with than mud and limestone {I know, when did I become a philosopher, right?}

The last few days in Mexico we ventured to the Southern region of the Yucatan Peninsula and explored Tulum and Coba. Both are Ancient Mayan civilizations that once stood as powerful & influential civilizations over a thousand years ago. Tulum was a city built on the coast of the Caribbean ocean and was used as the main port of the royal government for exporting goods to neighboring countries. Can you imagine having this view as your backyard? These nobles definitely took advantage of their gorgeous surroundings.

Coba is located deep in the Yucatan jungle surrounded by two lagoons and was once known for being a political and religious center for the Mayan people. I had the opportunity to climb the largest pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula named the Nohoch Mul pyramid. It was quite a trek but once up there it was so worth the climb with its breathtaking panoramic views!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures {and videos} that we captured… Ole!

{Check out this video filmed at the beachfront of Tulum!}

{The exotic Mayan ruins at Tulum}

{I love this picture. Iguana attack!}

{I named her Loca Lilly the Toucan}

{Check out my video on top of the pyramid at the Coba ruins!}

{La Iglesia pyramid at Coba}

{Natasha, the adorable monkey at Coba}

{One of two Mayan ballgame courts at Coba}

 {Sitting at the top of the Pyramid in Coba. Amazing views!}

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Playa del Carmen (Part Three)

[quote][typography font="Homemade Apple" size="20" size_format="px"]Here’s to the days where the sand is your seat, the waves kiss your feet and the ocean pulls you into paradise…[/typography][/quote]

I can truly say that Playa del Carmen is my new favorite beach destination in Mexico.  With its gorgeous white beaches, wide array of activities, luxurious {and affordable} accommodations, and exquisite food scene you are immersed and captivated into the tropical splendor of the Caribbean…

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Playa del Carmen, it’s located in the heart of the Maya Riviera, about 40 miles south of Cancun and directly across from Cozumel island.  Having quickly grown from a small fishing village to a bustling cosmopolitan town, it attracts international travelers to experience a true Caribbean beach vacation. Its central location also makes it convenient to the sights & adventures on Mexico's tropical coastline.

We spent four glorious days in Playa {as the locals call it}.  It was hardly enough time to explore this beautiful beach town. Everyday we were swept away with the magical experiences of zip lining, white beaches, archaeological sites, cenotes {large sinkholes}, authentic Mexican food, mojitos, etc. In the evenings we explored Quinta Avenida, a popular pedestrian street that runs parallel to the beach. This charming avenue is filled with amazing bars, restaurants and shops.

I felt like a kid in a candy store and couldn’t get enough of the sun and fun. I wish I could have packed it all up and taken it home with me.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures in Playa del Carmen… Ole!

{Top choice for breakfast in Playa. Enjoy eating & sitting in the middle of a lush jungle setting!}

Breakfast: chilaquiles & fresh fruit juice at La Cueva del Chango. Amazing!}

{Beautiful skylight made out of wine & beer bottles at the restaurant. I want one at home!}

My traveling gnome: a bottle of Ceja Vineyards Chardonnay. I don't leave home without one!}

{Beach view from our hotel The Mahekal Beach Resort. Paradise.}

{Fresh fruit stands at the beach}

{Street food: pineapple, watermelon & papaya with lime juice & chile powder}

Dinner at the famous Cuban restaurant, La Bodeguita Del Medio. Check out the live salsa music & killer mojitos!}

{In another life, I think I was a mermaid...}

{A few incredible days in paradise made amazing memories that won't soon be forgotten. Hasta la proxima vez!}

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