Sugar & Science

Sugar & spice science & everything nice is the perfect description for my latest find! The L.A. Based ice cream lab is defying the laws of sugar, cream and ice. Their unique take on creating this classic favorite is done by using liquid nitrogen to flash freeze their organic ingredients in special mixing bowls. The best part is there are no secret ingredients so you don't have to feel as bad about eating additives, preservatives or chemicals! Everything is made to order right in front of your very eyes! It's like your own little scientific ice cream lab!

Who could resist flavors like angeles apple pie {organic vanilla ice cream mixed with homemade apple pie filling and graham cracker} or coffee brittle {fresh roasted intelligentsia coffee, homemade dark chocolate toffee brittle and almonds}. My mouth is watering just writing about it!

Next time you are in la-la land you should make it a priority.

address:
9461 Santa Monica Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
phone:
310.795.6505
hours
Sun-Wed: 12pm - 11pm
Thurs-Sat: 12pm-12am
website:
www.icecreamlab.com

Check out the video below to see the lab & how the ice cream is made.



Original post found on PureWow here

Avocado Feta Dip

Happy {belated} St. Patty's day!

This past weekend some of my amazing neighbors hosted a {fitting} green themed St. Patty's day party.

The menu included corned beef cabbage {mmm}, black & tans, Irish car bombs, lime Jell-O shots, green whiskey frosted bundt cake, Irish soda bread, jalapeño cornbread muffins {amazing} and my contribution: avocado feta dip.

It was such a hit! I received early morning texts with requests for it! So...here's the recipe.

ingredients:
2 avocados, peeled and pit removed
1/2 cup feta cheese
1/4 cup onion, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 jalapeños, minced
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
Juice of 1 lime
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

directions:
1. Place all ingredients in a bowl & mush together until combined. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

2. Break out the pita chips and dip away.

Super easy.

*recipe loosely based from here

{iphone pic}

The MOST fabulous find. Ever.

It's been a rough week. This past Monday a dear friend finally lost her battle with cancer. This is my letter to her:

Dear Melissa,
I know it's only been 4 days, but I miss you more and more as each day goes on. On Tuesday, I missed messaging with you about Hart of Dixie and how much we love George. BTW...he really is such a hunk! #teamsuit&tie

I also missed telling you about how I am finally caught up on Carrie Diaries. It is getting really good and feels a little more SATC (Sex and the City) with each episode.

On Wednesday morning I had a crazy workout at the Crossfit gym. You were always so good at keeping me motivated and helping encourage me to keep at it because you believed I was strong enough to reach my goals. You were really the strong one.

On Thursday I found this awesome Pinterest DIY project that I KNOW you would have loved. You always offered to come over and help me decorate, paint, shop and do DIY projects, but these projects won't be the same without your input. I truly valued your opinion.

It's Friday and usually I write about a "fab find" whether it be a recipe, drink, beauty product, shoes or clothes. Today, because of the empty place in my heart since the heavens took you away...I am writing about one of the MOST fabulous things I have ever found: YOU.

I miss your smile.

I miss your humor.

I miss your strength.

I miss your optimism.

I miss your selflessness.

I miss your forgiving heart (even though sometimes it took some time for you to forgive, rightfully so).

I miss your beautiful smile.

I miss your fashion savvy-ness.

I miss talking to you.

I miss shopping with you.

I miss your silly sayings.

I miss your love for Beyonce.

I miss reminiscing about our crazy days.

I miss our friendship.

I miss you.

Although you were taken way too unbelievably soon...nothing will ever take away the place you hold in my heart. We may have gone our separate ways for a few years before, but you were always close at heart. I will cherish each moment I got to spend with you and look forward to someday reuniting, having another girl's day and picking up right where we left off. I love you friend.

In memory of the strong & beautiful Melissa Williams 

{1982-2013}

Spring for Lace

I love a great deal. Plain & simple.
Saks had this adorable yellow lace girl's dress. Perfect for Spring. It retails for over $100! I wanted it, but I could not give in to the splurge for my 4-year-old who is growing as fast as Kim Kardashian's baby belly. So you can imagine my excitement when I stumbled across this fab find.

{Saks Hullabaloo dress via; Target brand dress via}

cloudy with a chance of sunshine

My kid's bathroom is just that: cloudy (grey) with pops of sunshine (yellow).

This space was inspired by canvas art with the song "you are my sunshine". It was perfect. Actually, more than perfect because it's the song I have been singing to my son since he was a baby every night when I tuck him in to bed.

Neutrals + a pop of color + sentimental value = design love.

Happy decorating!

{my inspiration}

{the details}

un-Valentine's days are the best

My hubby is NOT a fan of Valentine's day. So a few years ago he made a deal with me. If we stopped celebrating valentine's day he would plan a special date for us 4 weeks before or after the "non-holiday". It has been a win-win situation. He doesn't have to celebrate the over hyped Hallmark holiday and I get a romantic weekend planned all for us.

Friday night fancy dinner @ Ella in Sacramento

Saturday hiking day @ Bidwell Park

fun fact: it's the largest park in the U.S. within city limits

Lunch @ Nubby's in Chico.

Two words: crunchy cheese.

Alumni {bar} Tour in Chico

I'm not a beer girl, but Apricot micro brew & Sierra Nevada Torpedo were awfully tasty.

 

**special shout out to our friend who made it on the Hall of Foam @ Riley's Bar back when he was in college. If you don't know what that is...you should go there and find out. :)

DIY chalkboard love

Who doesn't love a chalkboard accent in their home these days? It's a really big trend right now & a super easy update to your home! Here's my updated "chalk-tastic" kitchen pantry door. It only took 3 coats of paint and I did it on a weeknight.