Mexican Hot Chocolate

[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="22" size_format="px"]Baby, it's cold outside...[/typography]

This post is dedicated to my abuelita, Mama Juana, for her passion, love and the delicious treats she makes for us.

My abuelita's introduction to this decadent beverage began in a little pueblo in Michoacán, Mexico where she used it as an easy, affordable and delicious way to feed her six kids {and counting} for breakfast. To this day, she will peek her head in our offices and eagerly ask me, “mija, quieres chocolate con pan?” and I will always answer her, “por supuesto Mama Juana.” Gosh, I’m feeling very fortunate at this very moment…

So what’s so special about Mexican hot chocolate? Well, you get the rich and bold flavors from the dark Mexican chocolate with just a hint of spice and cinnamon to trigger your senses. Go ahead, I dare you to try… Ole!

{Past and present abuelita. Isn't she stunning?!}

{Frothing the hot chocolate with a wooden molinillo}

{Ole! Le finished product}

[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="20" size_format="px"]Mexican Hot Chocolate[/typography]

Directions:

Combine 2 ½ cups milk (about 5 ounces), one cinnamon stick and coarsely chopped Mexican chocolate, such as Ibarra or Abuelita, in a pot. Turn on the stove to a medium-high level. Put a wooden molinillo in the pot and begin whipping the chocolate by rolling the handle quickly back and forth between your palms {a whisk or an electric beater will work just as well}.

The movement is a little like rubbing your palms against each other to warm them in cold weather — only here the molinillo’s wooden handle is between them. After a few minutes of vigorous beating, dip a spoon into the mixture to make sure the chocolate has dissolved (they’ll always be a few bits of chocolate on the bottom) and the mixture is foamy.

p.s. Pair with a toasted bolillo {Mexican roll} to dip the bread in the chocolate and you’ll be in heaven!

[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="22" size_format="px"]Happy Friday mis amores! xo[/typography]

Adventures in Yosemite

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[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="22" size_format="px"]Yosemite Valley is always a sunrise, a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space...
 -Ansel Adams[/typography]

Last week my mom and I took a quick trip to Yosemite for the Ahwahnee Vintners' Holiday Tasting. It was quite an honor to be invited back considering that most of these legendary vintners have been coming for the past 20 years {can you blame them?!}. This place is a nature junkie’s heaven, with its vast array of hiking, waterfalls, biking, lakes, wildlife, breathtaking views and insanely gorgeous scenery.

The wine sessions took up the majority of our time {no complaint here!} but we did have a chance to escape into the forest and explore the park by foot. Despite the freezing chilly weather, it was instantly therapeautic, breathing in the clean and pure smells of pine and fresh rain. We were even lucky enough to see a bear in the middle of our trail, but in the midst of yanking out my camera my mom fled the scene in a yelling panic attack, poor thing {insert laughing here}. Love you mom!

I could go on for hours about this place but I will leave it up to you to see the beauty of Yosemite… Ole!

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{Partially frozen Bridalveil Falls}

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{View from Yosemite Valley}

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{Half Dome at sunset}

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{Entrance to the Ahwahnee Hotel}

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{My traveling gnome, a bottle of Ceja Sauvignon Blanc!}

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{Tuolumne River}

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{Frozen Mirror Lake}

Time Lapse Tour of Yosemite  via Henry Jun Wah Lee

p.s. Take a peek at this killer timelapse video showcasing the beauty, the wonder and the amazement that resides in Yosemite. If this doesn’t make you want to bust out your camping gear and delve into nature, then I don’t know what will…

[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="24" size_format="px"]Besos! x[/typography]

Mad About Polka Dots

 

 {Vintage Betsy Johnson Dress, Nine West Booties, Calvin Klein Jacket, Franni de Montfalcon Bracelet, H&M Aviators}

Guess what, ladies {and gentlemen}? Polka dots are back. As if they ever went away, right? It's the sort of terrifically feminine, utterly elegant, perfectly timeless dress that I could easily imagine wearing out on a spontaneous date with my bf or pairing it with a cute little denim jacket to fashionably run errands.

It’s a stylish, playful & feminine fashion trend that exudes a sophisticated appeal. Most importantly, polka dots never go out of style, and they can be interpreted in a different way for every season of the year.

I have to admit, I don’t have much polka dot clothing but it’s definitely a wonderful excuse to start collecting some timeless, classic pieces, including this gorgeous clutch… Ole!

[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="24" size_format="px"]Have a fabulous week amigos![/typography]

Ugly Sweater Party

You’re invited to a special bash And here’s your chance to make a splash: Be sure to wear a Christmas sweater, The uglier it is, the better!

So mug a grandma, trawl a thrift shop, An elegant choice would be a flop. The most obnoxious earns the praise; Celebrate the kitschy side of the holidays!

This past Saturday my BF, roommate and I went all out and turned our 1896 Mansion suite into a Christmas wonderland for our Ugly Sweater Party. With the holidays in full swing, what a better way than to spread Christmas cheer! Right?

Ahhh, and the tackiness of the holiday sweaters… oh, the sweaters {or vests}. This is the time of year when ugly is good, hideous is better and hideously ugly is truly remarkable! From reindeer and snowmen to Bill Cosby, we had an ugly sweater collection that would make Santa Claus proud.

Scroll down to see our shenanigans unfold… Ole!

I couldn’t have asked for a more spirited and entertaining evening filled with obnoxious Christmas music, dancing, laughing and voting on the ugliest sweater {definitely one of the highlights!}. With so many hysterical moments and memories, I can’t wait for next year as this will now become an annual tradition!

[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="24" size_format="px"]Happy Holidays![/typography]

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Give Thanks

Last night's Thanksgiving feast was decadent and delicious. It was so heartwarming to enjoy the company and conversation of 20 of my closest family members and friends. We did something a bit differently this year and went around our huge “Kings” table and asked everyone to say what they are thankful for. It got me thinking about all the things I’m thankful for in my life {especially today}.

Here’s a random list of little things I'm thankful for today:

Cameras My immediate family Skype Best friends *Best friend's new baby girl Adam My Mama Juanita’s Mexican hot chocolate My abuelitos Colorful leaves Feather down comforter Napa on ice {ice-skating!} Ugly sweater parties Dulce {our vineyard cat} Puss Puss {our cat} Laughing Kisses My cruiser bike Pandora Cuddling Dancing Books Movies {Breaking Dawn!} Fro-yo Sweater dresses Dresses Mac book pro Crisp mornings The color yellow Wine Tea {Jasmine + Earl Grey} Supportive, motivating & inspiring people Being able to travel the world Living my passions…

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What random little things are you thankful for?

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! I can’t wait to have some leftover stuffing and pumpkin pie for breakfast. 

P.s. This weekend my housemates & I are throwing an Ugly Sweater Party! I'm so excited and can't wait to share pictures next week. Ole!

[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="22" size_format="px"]Have a great weekend! [/typography]