A Side of Sweet - Beautiful Food, Travel & Design

What to Do in Monterey – FULL TRAVEL GUIDE

Pat and I are fully vaccinated, so now is the moment to get back out there and travel again! We decided for our first trip we would explore a region close to home but still far enough away that it felt like a vacation. We love Monterey County so it was a natural choice. It’s just an easy drive from San Francisco but feels like you have truly escaped from the hustle and bustle of the city.

I’m happy to report we felt very safe during our trip. Most people in the area wear masks consistently, even outdoors. There is plenty of outdoor seating and all cleaning COVID protocols seem to be meticulously followed.

You can tell tourism is starting to pick back up in the region, so I definitely recommend making reservations ahead of time and booking in advance when you can.

Read on for my guide to Monterey, in partnership with the Monterey County CVB…
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What to Get Her for Mother’s Day

Mother's Day Gift Guide

Mother’s Day is coming up quick and I have some great gift ideas for any mom, grandma, or just someone special in your life. You’ll find the perfect products for a little pampering, gifts for the mom who craves adventure, and so much more! Many also have an eco-friendly component so you can feel good about minimizing the environmental impact of your gift. If you tend to be a last minute gift giver, a few are even available on Amazon prime or via express shipping.

Read on for the guide…

Chickpea Cauliflower Tacos with Lime Crema

Vegetarian Vegan

Chickpea cauliflower tacos are healthy, easy to make and packed with flavor. Vegetarian, gluten free and brightly colored, they will look stunning on your dinner table.

These vegetarian chickpea cauliflower tacos are a recipe that caught my eye on Pinterest because of their gorgeous bright colors. It’s also one of those meals that became an instant go-to dinner recipe. We made twice in one week after one batch just wasn’t enough for Pat and I!

In addition to being beautiful and delicious, these tacos are also gluten free, vegetarian, and without the lime crema – vegan! With the healthy protein of the garbanzo beans and the good fat from avocados, I promise you won’t even miss the meat…. Read More »

2021 Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

Valentine Guide

This year let’s all agree to move beyond the traditional Valentine’s Day present of chocolates and flowers. I’m all for giving and receiving something practical for Valentine’s day instead. If you’re scratching your head, don’t worry! I’ve done the legwork for you with my annual Valentine’s Day Gift Guide! I’ve tested each product personally and can 100% vouch for them and the companies behind them. Many have an eco-friendly or natural ingredient spin so you can feel about supporting the company behind them. A few are even on sale or have a discount offered if you sign up for their mailing list.

Read on for what to get for Valentine’s Day!… Read More »

Valentine’s Candy Bark with White Chocolate

Gluten Free Vegetarian

Valentine’s Candy Bark with White Chocolate is equally festive and delicious. It’s easy to make and is a great Valentine’s party recipe.

I’ve had Valentine’s candy on the brain in a big way lately.

Picking out the perfect candy for this Valentine’s bark recipe, I felt like I was three years old again. Rows and rows of heart-shaped candy with more shades of pink than a crayon box. Heaven. It’s the most wonderful time of the year for my sweet tooth…. Read More »

Perfectly Moist Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

The BEST perfectly moist carrot cake recipe. It’s perfectly spiced, perfectly sweet and so delicious! So good, I made it for my wedding!

I don’t think I’ve mentioned this on the blog before, but baked my own wedding cake. Is that crazy? If it is, then I should also mention that made a full dessert table – full of my own dessert creations.

The crown jewel of the dessert table was a two-tiered wedding cake. The larger tier was this incredible carrot cake. It’s my favorite cake in the whole world – and my husband’s too!

Read on for the best carrot cake recipe decorated with beautiful candied carrot curls…