Web Trends in 2012

Three days into the new gig (which would explain my absence from the blog-go-sphere) and I'm already learning about some great new trends happening in 2012. I already spoke to Viddy on my facebook, which is quickly becoming a fave, but here are some additional trends happening in 2012 in the digital world:

Postagram - While there are quite a few postcard apps out there, the thing that stands out to me the most about Postagram is not only its low price of $1.98 to send the postcard, but the fact that you can actually POP OUT the picture within the postcard to frame...genius! 

Loku.com - Get to know your local spots with Loku.com. Check out local stories and news in your area and find places all the buzz. The fun interaction with loku allows you to narrow down your hot spots with fun filters like "flirty", "hipster", and "swanky"...ya know, the real way you should discover your new scene. 

Loose Cubes - This is truly a unique idea for those who either work from home or in their smaller company office across the nation, even across the globe. Loose cubes allow you to share office space, and a majority of these locations being quite inspirational - prompting working relationships, partnerships, and new business! 

Clothia.com - Ladies, brace yourself...there is a new virtual closet coming soon (available for sign up only - smart, like Pinterest!). Only clothia.com comes also with a virtual fitting room - which makes me intrigued on what that entails given the rise of online shopping now a days, but the downfall of not being able to actually try on your online purchases. Sign on up to be part of the test, you can always unsubscribe if it doesn't fit...

Cacti Pots

I've been seeing these really vibrant cacti pots as decor everywhere in San Diego, so I was really interested in getting some for the patios of my new place, or as a kitchen table centerpiece. After hitting up a really cozy garden center here in Solana Beach, I realized these cacti could end up well out of my price range ($200-$300 a pop!)...but I'll keep looking or grow them myself! The Cedros Garden area boasted a lot of other unique items, like these mosaic outdoor showers and high top outdoor patio sets - its about time we start seeing more of these!

Out and About in San Diego

Taking a quick break from job hunting to update you guys on some fun experiences I've already had in San Diego! Need to clear my head a bit from "resume upload" :)


My new insta-friend Molly and I went on a great craft beer tour around La Jolla (pronounced "La Hoya") and visited some really great bars and restaurants that I'm happy to now know! Thanks to both Molly and La Jolla Wine Tours! 


La Jolla Wine Tours have amazing options available from a romantic wine tour for you and your lovah to coaster tours up the coast stopping at up to 18 destinations for taking down your liquid sunshine. Such a great idea and Heather was an amazing tour guide. She took us to three key breweries and craft beer servers in the area that I can now take my incoming visitors: 


The Public House - with over 50 craft beers for us to choose from our sampling menu, the choice was hard. But the Flying Dog "Double Dog" Double Pale Ale came in first in my book! And a great avocado cheese salad too!


La Jolla Brewhouse - Tastiest Brushcetta known to (wo)man and a great pumpkin ale to help top off. 


Karl Straus - Where the beef skewers were delicious and the beer was harder to take down as our last stop, but we managed! The Belgian Tripple finished off my palette.


It was such a great idea and really allowed me to get to know the area. And what's great is these tours are perfect for bachelor / bachelorette parties, corporate outings, birthdays, gifts or if you're just visiting the area!

I've been looking into a lot here in San Diego, so I haven't been able to get out too much just yet, but I did take a ride back to Del Mar to do a little reading and watch some 30 surfers or so take the marine layered waters. Hopefully will get out there soon once I'm settled, would love to really learn how to surf instead of me sunbathing on my board back east!

I also got to thankfully take in a concert here in San Diego early on, which put me right in my element. My friend Matt text me about a great charity concert going on at the World Beats Center in Balboa Park, where we got to see very entertaining acts such as The Makepeace Brothers and Living Love, where Matt's friend Nikki danced her BUTT off as their dancer. Was very cool to watch both these acts and the music made me drift off into the Caribbean! Loved the drummers!

It's been a good week here in San Diego, I still can't believe it' only been a week, and there is so much more to see! The adventure is only just beginning... 

All Around Town...

Prepping Prepping Prepping....and sort of all over the place this week! Next week I will have a bit more time to post before my departure, so please pardon the interruption as I scramble for the upcoming road trip :) which is coming out great! So many great adventures await us!

And in the meantime, between errands during break, farewell lunches and dinners, I've been discovering some hidden gems in the city...just as I'm leaving! Figures :)

Green Street Vault - much like a food truck, but droppin street clothes, pumps & kicks...I like it...Derrick Cheung and Howard Travis are running this show and can be found all over Boston, just list for the sweet beats heading down the street!

Window dining on Newbury street at Umai - feels a little silly at first, but its such a great view!

The hidden Italian oasis that is Canestaro...this place has amazing food and a great atmosphere

Enjoying some liquid sunshine with Mer and Perla!

A day out in Ptown!

The weekends go by so fast don't they? But it was a great weekend with a trip to Ptown with the fam on Saturday. The weather was gorgeous, the sun was out, and everyone was in great spirits...and in Ptown, how can you not be!

 

We left early in the morning for the two hour boat ride across the bay. The water was so clear and it was smooth sailing all the way. We arrived around noon, called in our mooring and got picked up to head in to the dock! Boat to boat service...I like...

 

We walked around for a bit before sitting down for lunch at Pepe's Wharf, overlooking the harbor. I got an amazing lobster salad and we quenched our thirst with some nice tropical beverages!

We shopped at all the little trinket stores, spotting some vibrant glass coasters and colorful Dakine plaid luggage set...want!

And with so many shops and boutiques, we shopped some more...before we spotted Carson in the Roots home decorating store! An amazing find! ;) This store had so many great items and some of the greatest pillow artwork. I especially loved the pillows displayed below!

So after a wonderful day of sun, food, drinks, shopping, celebrity sightings, we took to the sea to start our journey back across the bay. A beautiful sunset await us and it was the end to such a great day.

Bloomin' Onion Bread Mate

Ahh...the bloomin' onion...straight from the open plains of the Aussi's mate..or your local Outback.  But this homemade bread twist is a perfect appetizer to warm your guests as they arrive, not to mention less mess and guilt! It's extremely fast and super easy for something that looks rather fancy. We just might have the next staple that will be showing up at dinner parties far and wide....crickey!

 

 

Bloomin' Onion Bread

Source: The Changing Table

1 unsliced loaf sourdough bread

12-16 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, thinly sliced

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup finely diced green onion

Cut the bread lengthwise and widthwise without cutting through the bottom crust. This can be a little tricky going the second way but the bread is very forgiving.

Place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Insert cheese slices between cuts. Combine butter, onion, and poppy seeds. Drizzle over bread. Wrap in foil; place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Unwrap the bread and bake 10 more minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Where to celebrate Cinco de Mayo

Happy Cinco de Mayo! I hope everyone is ready to celebrate and you have your Mexican fiesta ready!

Here are just some of my favorite places to celebrate - from Boston to NY and LA:

Arriba Arriba (Upper East Side, NYC)

Hands down the best margaritas in the city! I think my friend Jess can attest to the absolute laughter that comes out of taking down one of their specialty tequila drinks - try the coconut margarita! And giggle away all the way home...

La Paloma (Quincy, MA)

Where the chef's favorite "Honey Chipotle Quesadilla" is my favorite. Voted one of the best Mexican restaurants around!

Dos Cominos (Downtown NYC)

Order up some grilled Mahi Mahi taco's and you won't be disappointed. And their chips are wonderfully salty!

Ole (Inman Square, Cambridge)

Beautiful music of strumming guitars swarm the aisles, making Ole a romantic hot spot to celebrate!

Rosa Mexicana (Union Square, NYC)

My boss in NY would order guacamole from here probably twice a week.  So I learned quickly that when you want the freshest and tastiest guac, you come to Rosa Mexicana! 

Malo (Los Angeles, CA)

Read my reviews on Malo and how chewy chips changed my life!

Salsa's (Hingham + South Boston)
Now I thought Acapulco's served up my favorite tequila cosmo, but Salsa's serves it in a bigger glass :). Also try their papa taco with the tinga - my favorite thing on the menu!


Where are some of your favorite places to celebrate?!

Pom Poms...

All images from marthastewartweddings.com

The latest and greatest DIY project comes from Good Ole Martha herself. The tissue Pom Pom! This cheery project isn't just delightful decor for your next dinner party, wedding, or a little princess party, they're wonderful to hang in your bedroom or around the house too! 

I must mention I am in love with these orange and coral colors going on here - sooooo pretty :)  

All you need is some colorful tissue paper and 24-gauge white cloth-covered floral wire, and you are in business! Maybeee just don't advise Martha help you in that department...

Hanging Pom-Poms
1. Stack eight 20-by-30-inch sheets of tissue. Make 1 1/2-inchwide accordion folds, creasing with each fold.

2. Fold an 18-inch piece of floral wire in half, and slip over center of folded tissue; twist. With scissors, trim ends of tissue into rounded or pointy shapes.

3. Separate layers, pulling away from center one at a time.

4. Tie a length of monofilament to floral wire for hanging.

Napkin Rings
With just a few changes, these follow the same steps as the hanging pom-poms.

1. Stack four sheets of tissue. Cut a 10-by-5-inch rectangle, going through all layers. Make 3/8-inch-wide accordion folds.

2. Fold an 18-inch piece of floral wire in half, slip over center of tissue, and twist to secure. Trim ends of tissue.

3. Separate layers, pulling away from center one at a time.

4. Bend wire into a loop to fit around napkin, and twist end around loop to secure.

Read more at Marthastewartweddings.com: Pom-Poms and Luminarias How-To

Custom Invitations made with Sweet T!

Miss Jenn Bailey is an A&R extraordinaire, hippest momma around, and an amazing custom stationary designer! Based in Atlanta, this momma draws inspiration and creative passion for stationary from her adorable rocker baby Taylor - miss Sweet T herself! She now blogs about hip kid items at For the Babes and makes custom invitations and announcements.

At I am Sweet T on etsy, Jenn custom designs all of your announcement and invitation orders and are all HAND made with Sweet T love!:

NOTECARDS
BABY ANNOUNCEMENTS
BABY SHOWERS
WEDDING
WEDDING SHOWERS
BIRTHDAY PARTY
THANK YOU
EVENTS
LOGOS
BIRTHDAY BOXES
HOLIDAY CARDS
and much more...

The winter holiday season is right around the corner, time to make your nice list!