A Side of Sweet - Beautiful Food, Travel & Design

Wilbur Hot Springs Resort Review

Detailed review of Wilbur Hot Springs Resort in Northern California, with photo tour and tips for what to bring and what to know before you go.
Hot springs are pretty much a lifestyle here in northern California. The sulfuric waters draw people from far and wide to unwind, heal and disconnect. From small hot pots that require a day of hiking to access, to luxurious resorts, there are many ways to enjoy them.

Pat and I spent the weekend at Wilbur Hot Springs, about 2½ hours north of San Francisco. This relaxing oasis literally forces you to disconnect thanks to no cell phone reception and no electrical outlets available to guests.
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Rainbow Beet & Roasted Cauliflower Salad

Gluten Free Nut Free Egg Free Vegetarian

Add a pop of color to winter with this colorful rainbow Beet and Roasted Cauliflower Salad recipe. It’s healthy, hearty and absolutely beautiful!

It’s been particularly grey and dreary in San Francisco this winter, with days of rain turning into weeks. There’s been a drought for most of the time we’ve lived here so it’s definitely a shock to the system to have had such a wet winter!

I’m overcompensating for the grey-ness of life with this gorgeous rainbow salad. No artificial colors or dyes, all the pops of color come from plants! I always say that nature is the best artist, and I think looking at the photos you’ll have to agree…. Read More »

Orange County Travel Guide – What to Do & Where to Eat!

An Orange County Travel Guide with everything you need to know! Read on for where to eat, what to do and all the hidden gems you just can’t miss!

Orange County has something for everyone. You’ll find access to nature, adventure sports, and world-class dining and arts, balanced with laid back California vibes. Located just south of Los Angeles, and with its own streamlined airport, it’s the perfect destination for a long weekend. Read on for the perfect mix of iconic spots and undiscovered hidden gems.

Lemon Curd Tart Recipe with Olive Oil Crust

Nut Free

A lemon curd tart recipe baked in a delicious olive oil tart shell made with Spanish olive oil. Plus, everything you need to know about choosing, storing and tasting olive oil.

You really can’t go wrong with lemon curd. Right now our lemon tree is producing like crazy, providing us with a bounty of lemons to use. We’ve been eating lemon curd by the gallon. Although I love spooning it on homemade yogurt, my new favorite thing is making baking it into this lemon curd tart. For this recipe, a traditional tart crust gets a delicious twist with tart dough made with olive oil. And for a plot twist – the lemon curd also uses olive oil instead of butter!

Intrigued? Read on…

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2 Things to Do in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

2 things to do in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico including an amazing scenic hike and a sunset cruise, plus tips for visiting Cabo!

With direct flights that are just a couple of hours, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico is the ideal getaway for us here on the West Coast. The white sandy beaches, perfect weather year-round and amazing resorts make it relaxation paradise. Molly and I spent the majority of our time at Grand Velas los Cabos, sampling all their amazing food, sipping cocktails and alternating between the infinity pool and a day bed. In short, it was awesome.

We did want to get out an about and explore Cabo a bit though, especially the famous Arco del Cabo (Cabo Arch). Here are two unique ways to see this classic Cabo landmark and a few tips for visiting Cabo…

Grand Velas Resort Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Grand Velas Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico is an all-inclusive resort with some of the best restaurants in Cabo, spacious rooms and top-notch service.

This month I was lucky enough to spend a long weekend with my friend Molly relaxing in Cabo. Our home base was Grand Velas Los Cabos, an all-inclusive resort. The resort has incredible world-class restaurants and beautiful decor, and all the amenities you could dream of. It was an amazing way to spend my first time in Cabo!… Read More »