valentine's day Rachel in Bay Area and Los Angeles next week

I'll be in the Bay Area (for all of two days, January 27-28), and then in Los Angeles January 29-February 1st. Looking forward to meeting as many cupcake bakeries and eating as many cupcakes as I can. To arrange a meeting, email me at cupcakestakethecake at gmail.com - so far I have plans to visit Cupkates cupcake truck in Oakland on Thursday, and am also going to be tasting and reviewing the frozen yogurt cupcakes (frocakes) by Los Angeles' Half Baked Co. I'll probably be back in both places at some point, but if you have any tips, let me know. I'm hoping to meet up with Kimmie again, who drove down from the Bay Area to go to CupcakeCamp LA, again, so we can compare cupcake notes.

valentine's day Paula can't ruin this day...

Better late than never, right? Well as promised here's a follow up post from the Jetplanes' Mexican Adventure. Even though we had a hell of a time getting down there, it was worth all the trouble.

valentine's day Mr. Jetplane, as always, had a great time...As you can see by the picture he decided to join in with the band during the cocktail hour...oh yes I was ever the proud wife...

The first day we were welcomed by the Bride and Groom and had a fabulous Cocktail Meet and Greet. We had delicious food and drink, and broke it down at da club....

Let's just say...there was alot of fun being had by all. After a travel nightmare its good to let loose with several adult beverages...right?

The next day was the wedding and after all the drama from Hurricane Paula, it turned out to be an absolutely beautiful day in Mexico. I had always envisioned Jill getting married on the beach. There is only 1 thing that you have to worry about when getting married on a beach resort... valentine's day Guys in speedos...Thankfully my drunk husband liked to take pictures of the randoms walking by and gawking at the wedding. I'd like to say this is the only one...but I can't :)

Here is the lovely bride walking down with her father.

The whole wedding party as they exchange vows...I may have cried. Look at that sky...seriously wasn't a hurricane supposed to hit? Maybe it did...in the form of our friend that ended up in the pool. This picture is of him fully clothed...thankfully we don't have pictures when he wasn't :)

Here are a few additional pictures from the photographer. valentine's day I think you can really see how truly happy they are. I love these pictures.

Here we are getting her together before the I do's.

valentine's day Here's the whole crew that attended the festivities. Screw you Paula!

And just for fun... valentine's day Congrats Jill and Billy....we love you. xoxo

valentine's day We're Back...

That bitch Paula and U.S. Airways ain't goin to keep me out Mexico for wedding...

I promise to fill you in on all the juicy details from the wedding weekend which included

1 drunk husband and 3 orders of room service club sandwiches that he passed out before he ate

1 jump into the pool during the reception (perhaps not fully clothed...this was not drunk husband)

1 fabulous couple who got married on a beach (with 2 beautiful dresses)

1 hell of a day before the trip trying to get down there after my flight was cancelled

But it was all worth it!!

p.s. due to trip, previous flu before trip, and laziness I fell off the fit train for Project Get Sexy...I ran today, it was NOT PRETTY!!! Mr told me that for every week you don't run you lose 2 weeks of training...well I've been bad for 2 weeks so you do the painful math there :(

valentine's day Friends till the End

valentine's day

Its not just a great Lifetime movie starting Ms. Shannen Doherty, it exemplifies how I feel about a certain friend of mine.

Tomorrow the Jetplanes are heading south to enjoy the wedding festivities of one of my best friends in the entire world, Jill. Jill is getting married to her long time beau and I am thrilled to be able to partake in the ceremonies and be one of her bridesmaids.

I cannot say enough kind words about Jill. She is and always has been this positive ray of energy that makes everyone happy around her. She has an amazing sense of humor and a contagious laugh. She's a true friend and will have your back no matter what.

I met Jill freshman year of college. We were in the same rush class. We were suite mates in the sorority house. We hung out every single weekend and most days during the week. We had a lot of fun crazy times...some which we might not always remember :) or some we wish we could forget.

But on top of all of that, Jill is truly a walking miracle. Right after graduating from college I moved to Indy and Jill stayed in her hometown (our college town). She was working at a clothing store in the mall during the time right after graduation. We had all planned to converge back at college for Homecoming, which at my school was a weekend of pure debauchery that wasn't beat the entire year, and believe me WE TRIED.

I don't recall who called me, but I got a call letting me know Jill was in a terrible car accident. She suffered some pretty severe injuries including breaking neck. She broke the same vertebra as Christopher Reeves, luckily hers broke the opposite direction that his did.

Yes, she was "this close" to be paralyzed. "THIS CLOSE" to being paralyzed. I remember getting to see her for the 1st time. I saw her right after she got out of the hospital. She was sitting in her mom's car, in a Chinese food restaurant parking lot and I can honestly say I was scared to see my friend. I was happy to see my friend alive and believe it or not, still smiling, but I was sad to see my friend in a halo. I wanted to give her a hug but couldn't, really. Over the next few months, I tried to visit her as much as I could. Luckily, living in Indy I was only about 2 hours away from her.

She had a rough road ahead of her but she went through it like a champ. She battled through her recovery and came out on the other side a hell of a woman. As I said before, she is truly a walking miracle and I'm lucky to have her in my life and honored to call her my friend. Every single time I see her, I thank God for keeping her in our life and allowing her to walk. I honestly think about it every single time.

I love you Jilly Bean. You are a wonderful woman and I'm so completely thrilled to watch you marry your best friend this week. You deserve all the happiness in the entire world.

valentine's day San Diego: Dancing and Dining

Dancing Topiaries at the San Diego Botanical Gardens

Get your dancing shoes on!

We visited the San Diego Botanical Gardens (located North of San Diego in Encinitas) while on vacation last month, and were quite taken with the topiary flamenco dancers. It didn't take much to get into the act. In fact, a subtle invitation, and I was dancing....

Dancing at the San Diego Botanical Gardens

The gardens were a wonderful surprise. I had not realized that San Diego had such a developed public botanical garden. A friend of mine told me about it before we left for our trip, and I am so happy I got a chance to see it.

Lady in Green

There are sculptures throughout the park which make for a experience of delightful discovery. In the Bamboo forest, it was almost fairy tale like. Giant seed pods looked almost ready to flower.

valentine's day Each piece told a bit of the story. Lanterns to light the way.


Giant hat pins holding wisps of grassy locks in place.


And then there were those moments when a glance just made me hold my breath....water falling into lily ponds.

valentine's day
Layer upon layer of color and texture.

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Spots for quiet contemplation filled with the scent of herbs and roses.


And then there were the plants that tall tales are made of, like the Giant Dutchman's Pipe which has fashioned itself to look and smell like raw meat to attract flies for pollination....curiouser and curiouser...




There were places for secret dalliances....




And trees that have stood the test of time....




And as we were leaving that day, a gift just for me.....



valentine's day Katydid

Another chance discovery on our adventures was a place that made us feel right at home. We returned more than once to The Mission in Mission Beach. The best breakfast to be had for miles around.

I had the corn meal blueberry pancakes and a Chai Latte. Apparently word is out....get there a bit on the early side and the wait is only a couple of minutes. Even if you are late....the wait is worth it. Hop onto the website HERE for menus telling about the goodness.

valentine's day Chai Latte complete with spoon to scoop up the foam. Best.

valentine's day Best Blueberry Corn Meal Pancakes with Blueberry Pure, Eggs and Bacon. Mmmmmm.

Next time you are in the San Diego area, try a little Dining and Dancing!

valentine's day Be Good.

valentine's day When a day is beautiful, not only for the eyes, but also for the heart...it stays in the memory forever.

A picnic in Napa with Tim, the girls, my Mom and my Aunt. Laughter, feasting, breathing in deep all of the time together before my oldest takes wing and starts life on her own.

Wishing you all a good weekend!

valentine's day Need a Vacation from my Vacation

The Jetplanes headed back to Illinois on Thursday afternoon and got back on Monday afternoon. Let me tell you, while the trip was great...it went by way too fast and I am totally exhausted from it.

Sadly we had to put our 2 furbabies in the kennel, and let me tell you they are still tired lil boys, and probably still a lil pissed off at us. I hate putting them in a kennel, Milo hasn't been boarded in almost 4 years and last time Charlie was boarded he cried and didn't want to eat....yeah needless to say we were worried.

Thankfully, it looks like all went well, except the kennel owner kept calling Milo by the wrong name....he kept calling him Otis. Yeah...I know. But enough of me being the crazy dog mama that I am.

The trip was jammed packed with family, friends, and tons o' fun. I got to see my mama, Mr's grandma, our newest nephew, my grandpa, and tons of friends. We got to attend a fabulous wedding at a gorgeous venue, drank too much champagne and danced our booties off.

I seriously love attending weddings, especially those of my friends. I miss my friends so very much and its wonderful to get to see them at these important events. I love breaking it down on the dance floor with my friends and feel like we're taken right back to senior year of college...perhaps... dropping it like its hot on the dance floor.

You want to know what song takes me straight back to college days partying it up at the college parties, afterhours, beer breakfasts, etc....




Within the next year, all of my best girlfriends will be married ladies. Its so amazing to see us all growing and becoming wives and mothers. I love meeting and developing relationships with their husbands and babies.

Sadly my camera was D-E-A-D at the wedding...but I do have 1 picture. Thanks to my cell phone which was ALMOST dead.

Hope to steal some from others off of Facebook.

Side note - I was in desperate need of an eyebrow waxing so I got mine did at a Mastercuts near Mr's brother's house and he decided he'd get a haircut. Poor guy the woman brutalized his hair...he is still livid. Just because he's in the military people doesn't mean he gets a buzzcut...poor guy :(

valentine's day San Diego: Lost in the Wonderland of The Urban Seed

The Front "Foyer" held a grand concrete table with a truly monumental bouquet of daisies which melded into the iron chandelier which was probably 5 feet in diameter.

I have a habit of losing my family when we are exploring. We were visiting San Diego's Old Town in a fun shop selling pretty trinkets and I was buying one of those hooded striped blanket type sweatshirts from Mexico, I turn around, and the family unit had disappeared.

The Urban Seed has beautiful sunburst mirrors. The sconces were beautiful! Note the great lamps and tin lanterns.

Well...they had to be somewhere, so I wander out looking for them and stumble upon The Urban Seed. I immediately forgot all about the family....I had found my "spot" in Old Town.

International flair, with the French style bench, Moroccan table, tropical bamboo chair, Spanish style candlestick holders, Mexican Tin Mirror.

The Urban Seed is a cacophony of garden delights and imported treasures carefully cultivated by, Maurice Taitano and Michael Bliss, husband and wife team. Maurice (wife) was in the shop when I walked in and we hit it off right away. Kindred spirits, we. She graciously led me through her little plot of Heaven while I kept stopping to take picture after picture. She had the patience of a saint.

French Armoire, Red Lacquer Bamboo Chair

There is a charming collection of rooms here, each with its own flavor. The overall feel is of the historic influence of European colonization of Mexico. Full of sunburst mirrors, lanterns and twig adorned chandeliers, antiques, garden elements, unique and perfect accessories and gifts. The Urban Seed could have held my attention all day.

Rustic Wood Settee, Gilt Sunburst Mirror, Planted Urns, Moroccan Lantern create an inviting vignette.

I was a little bit under a spell I think. Are you?

Blue Wire,Chandelier, Limed Gate leg Table, with all of the surrounding garden elements, charming!!

I glanced at my watch and realized I had abandoned my family, who by now was surely worried. I said my goodbyes to Maurice and rushed back to reality.

Pedestal Table with modern vase....great contrast! Loved the small paintings on the shelves.

But I was sad to go. I will have my pictures to remind me to return very soon.


Beautiful hand made beads hanging from bare tree branches. Glass Bowls of botanical matchbooks. Gorgeous mosaic table.


Huge mirrored sconces, metal star lantern and wire sphere.


Lots of succulents, cactus and beautiful garden elements. Great twig table!


More!

This is the Seed Room. Maurice and Michael are continuing to sell vegetable and flower seeds in the footsteps of Charles Ledgerwood who started the company known as "Reliable Seed" in this same location. These are the original seed bins. Click here for the full story!

valentine's day And here is the lovely Maurice. She and her husband Michael design gardens as well. Be sure to check out their website HERE.

Thank you Maurice for the wonderful tour! I will be back soon.

My family was indeed beginning to worry, so I am glad I finally found them in the Mexican Tile shop across the courtyard. It was time for a Pina Colada and Guacamole....and our next adventure.

valentine's day Have a Peaceful Labor Day Weekend!

valentine's day One of my favorite photos from our vacation to San Diego...the Dovecote in the Children's Zoo at the San Diego Zoo.

Happy Long Weekend!

valentine's day Extraordinary: Extraordinary Desserts

Creme Brullee

I just have to ask....is it fair? One does try to keep one's figure, but really.....the battle is already lost as soon as one enters HERE. But then again, who cares, when surrender is so delicious?

Caramelized Chocolate Lava Bun

A friend of mine, who happens to know my penchant for sweets, suggested that I check out a little place by the name of Extraordinary Desserts. I thought, "why not....the kids always like to go to bakeries". We were planning a walk through downtown San Diego anyway to see the changes since I had been there last (did I mention before that Tim and I met on New Year's Eve in downtown San Diego? Anyway, I digress....) After our hike through the city, a little refreshment might be just the ticket.

Lemon Cupcakes

Little did I imagine I would end up looking like the the latest Lotto winner as soon as I entered the door. I have never seen so many and such beautiful desserts in my life....and believe me, I have seen plenty.

Chocolate Strudel

At first we just sat there staring with our jaws hanging open. One enters Extraordinary Desserts to the full view of the pastry cases. You must pass them to get to the seating area. We discovered that there is no "dessert menu". When you are done with your meal, you get up and peruse the cases, and try to narrow down the choices to one. Ahem....our waitress thought we had gone AWOL since we were trying to decide for at least 15 minutes.

Raspberry Linzer Danish

By the way, Extraordinary Desserts does have very tasty salads, sandwiches and paninis, which we did eat as well. Tim kept it light with a hummus and olive plate. I had a delicious smoked salmon sandwich, and my daughter had a grilled cheese panini....all very good!

Coffee Cake and Choclate Chip Cookies

But really, what could upstage these confectionery superstars? Here are just a few more pictures just you can understand why my defenses were overrun.

Flourless Chocolate Cake heaped with Fresh Fruit

Chocolate Covered Truffle Loaf Bundt Cakes and Cream Cheese Brownies

Cakes ready for Take Home

After I realized surrender was really the only option, I relaxed and enjoyed the clean and contemporary surroundings punctuated with an Asian flair. The restaurant had a relaxed feel, but I still felt like I was in a place where I would be pampered.

Extraordinary Desserts Restaurant Interior

Extraordinary Desserts Desserts Case Display

So....are you curious as to what we picked? Tim had huge self control and only ordered the Kiwi Lemonade (made with crushed Kiwi fruit....there were many other flavors as well....yum!).

Tim's Kiwi Lemonade and Hummus Plate

That control seemed to fizzle as soon as my, and my daughter's, desserts were brought to the table. My daughter had the chocolate croissant bread pudding.

Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding

I had the Nectarine Crostata. (I am a sucker for fruit desserts of any kind.) Tim dove across the table like it was his last meal. I literally had to move my plate out of reach before it was completely devoured. My poor daughter had to fend for herself at that point. Nothing comes between me and my dessert.

valentine's day Nectarine Crostata

For more info about the restaurant hop on over HERE and for more about the amazing chef and founder, Karen Krasne, click HERE