Thanks to TikTok, Tusia and I were very busy last week (for one day) creating some TikTok products. The first was…..
Tik Tok Waffle Tic Tac Toe Board
We went to the art store and bought air drying clay — then molded it into a waffle
Tik Tok Trends
Food
Yaks on the 5
Last week, we dropped of my son, Cruz, at his boarding school in Ojai, California. Per his request, he asked to drive down from Oregon. He had never been on a “road trip” before so we crammed 14 hours of driving in two days. One of the highlights of the drive was asking chatGPT to find the best spot for lunch in between Eugene and San Francisco. And sure enough, it found a winner (thank you, AI!) We had a truly enjoyable lunch, right off the 5 (Interstate 5) — Yaks on the 5.
The drive.
Thank you, Ken for driving! I made a basket. 🙂
We made it to California!
And finally to Yaks on the 5 — a burger place! The line was manageable and we were able to eat outside, so win win all around.
Cruzzie and his burger.
Ken had a pastrami sandwich.
All of it so delicious.
Toosh and the burger, too.
I had a salad with wings and ribs on it (picture didn’t turn out) and they were the best ribs I have. ever. ever. ever. eaten. So highly suggest Yaks on the 5 if you happen to be in that neck of the woods, and also suggest chatGPT for recommending such a great spot!
Currently Loving August 2025
So basically, my August loves are the same as July’s loves. I mean, same same different. Same type of thing, but different at same time. But in the spirit of sharing (over sharing sometimes, too!), here are my loves for August.
1. Fresh Peaches
The problem is trying to figure out what to do with all the peaches. We had a bake off and had three different types of desserts with peaches — so delicious.
Holbox + California Science Center
Apparently all I do is eat, but when in Los Angeles last week, every activity was planned around where we would eat. My (extremely cute) 90 year old uncle is so adventureous and doesn’t just sit at home — quite the contrary, he is out and about all the time, in touch with the best restaurants and exhibitions, etc….So he suggested going to the ONLY MEXICAN RESTAURANT with a MICHELIN STAR (Holbox) which was right next to the California Science Center — and we jumped on both. Â We LOVE science museums (interactive, fun, interesting) and we love Mexican food — so win win win!
First of all, this cliche view never gets old. But I loved it on this particular night because you could see a sliver of the moon — nothing makes me happier than pretty skies.
Gjusta + Getty Villa
Ok, so going with my theory of always doing something cultural and eating something delicious, we had a great day at Gjusta Bakery and visiting the Getty Villa (different than the Getty Center!) in Los Angeles. These are not next to each other, but it was a quick drive from the bakery to the villa. And we wanted to do both (and recommend both, too!)
GJUSTA BAKERY
Gjusta is the sister restaurant of Gjelina (which is forever my favorite restaurant in LA, and also has the best cookbook and best sticky toffee pudding you will ever eat). It is located in Venice and everything in it is just beautiful and delicious.
George’s
It has been a minute since I posted — not because I didn’t want to or because I didn’t try, but because I was having issues with the website and uploading images. All that to say, sorry! And I am back! And with so much content! In the past two weeks I have spent time in San Francisco area, Oregon, Los Angeles, and back to Oregon — and I have found some incredible things to share! So stay tuned and report back to the blog! In the meantime, I wanted to first share with you an incredibly tasty donut shop in San Francisco. So good that if you are anywhere in the area, you will want to go to George’s. They don’t just sell donuts, but also cocktails, champagne, and meals too. But we went for the donuts.
So cute — love George’s donuts and merriment.
Currently Loving July 2025
Halfway through summer denial, but here we are. Mid July. And here is what I am loving right now!
1. Breaking 4
Everywhere you go in Eugene, there is some type of homage / support for runners. This is for Faith Kipyogen who is trying to break a 4 minute mile….
Mango Sorbet
I might as well make this a baking blog now because that is all I have been wanting to post about recently! HA! I am the worst cook, but I love baking and experimenting in the kitchen. Recently, we made mango sorbet AND mango ice cream in a bake off — and hands down, the winner was the mango sorbet. Â So if you feel like making something SUPER easy, delicious, and refreshing, make this!
First, you peel the mangos (make sure they are good ones — it makes all the difference). Then, you blend them with water, a little sugar, some lime juice, and THAT IS IT!
Chez Panisse Blueberry Cobbler
Love nothing more than picking fresh fruit in the summer! So this past week, went to one of the many blueberry farms in the area and picked 6.5 pounds of blueberries! Since we always keep 1/3 fresh to eat, 1/3 freeze for future use, and bake something with the remaining 1/3, I went down the rabbit hole of what the best recipe would be to use with these delicious blueberries. Thankfully, found NYTimes recipe on Chez Panisse Blueberry Cobbler and knew that it was a winner. Sure enough, this dessert is incredible and easy to make (double win)
Blueberry picking! Literally half go in my mouth, the other half in the bucket.
Caffe Panna
Nothing beats a scoop of ice cream on a hot day. Actually, even on a cool day, a scoop of GOOD ice cream makes everything better. Last week, I was introduced to Caffe Panna, an ice cream shop located on 19th and Irving, started by Hallie Meyer (the daughter of Danny Meyer, famous and fabulous restauranteur). I was super excited to try this ice cream, and it EXCEEDED my expectations. It was so so so delicious, and I want to go back and try multiple different flavors. And yes, I am lactose intolerant, and ice cream hurts my stomach, but this ice cream was worth it, trust me.
How cute is the store front? It Is just a window where you order and receive the ice cream.
Currently Loving June 2025
BLINK and here we are in June. In disbelief at how time flies, floats, and passes. So here is what I am loving right now.
1. My Boy Home
My boy is back from boarding school and I couldn’t be happier to have him home. And with me. And in my arms. He had the best year and I am forever grateful for this experience at his new school, but man, I have missed him. And so happy to be reunited.
Steve’s Key Lime Pie
I have a lot of favorite desserts, but one of my TOP favorite desserts is key lime pie. And now just any key lime pie, but Steve’s Key Lime Pie. Steve’s pies are sold at dozens of stores in Manhattan, but if you want the freshest, then you have to travel to Red Hook in Brooklyn to his store. Yep, 30 minute drive — but oh so worth it. Especially on a beautiful sunny day, nothing beats eating Steve’s Key Lime Pie with the water view.
We used to come out to Red Hook every weekend to grocery shop, walk around, and feel like we lived in the burbs. Now, it is a fun adventure to go just to look out at the water and eat pie.
Doughy
As many of you know, one of my favorite pastimes is to browse gourmet grocery stores. Yes, I know, weird, but nothing is as calming and fun than being in a great grocery store! So it is no surprise that on one of my recent trips to a great grocery, I came across, Doughy. Doughy is a healthy cookie dough company, where you can eat the dough raw, or bake it like a normal cookie. This dough is vegan, gluten free, grain free, low in calories and sugar, and made only with 7 ingredients. WAAAAAAYYYY healthier than eating Pillsbury cookie dough (which I often do) and also, way tastier.
I fell in love with this company that I needed more than the little tub I got at the grocery, and went straight online, to their website and purchased a case of 3. I have yet to try all of them, but knowing that I finished a mini tub on my own, I have complete faith that I will be able to eat all this before summer time.
Two New NYC Restaurants
This past weekend, we wined and dined in some new restaurants — both of them we loved and would return in a minute. Therefore, needed to tell you all, as both are special and must visits.
Located on the 4th floor of Louis Vuitton’s NYC flagship, this cafe is a gorgeous location to have a special meal.
Tusia did her hair and looked gorgeous for our mother-daughter Good Friday (aka no school) date.
Juice Press Sprouted Almonds
OK, I didn’t believe it at first — but there is NOTHING like these almonds. Nothing. Sorry, I wish you could find “sprouted raw almonds” that tasted just like this from somewhere else, but nope, not possible. Only from Juice Press.
These almonds. Worth the hype. I didn’t want to believe it. But they are this good. Trust me. You can buy them at Juice Press (which btw, ships nationally!)
Green Goddess Salad
My daughter does not eat salad. Like ever. Never have I ever seen her eat a salad before. And yet, somehow, she not only devoured this entire salad at a friend’s friend’s house (yes, friend of a friend), but demanded that I get the recipe and make it for her. So when that happens, you FOLLOW THROUGH. Thank you, Dana, for giving me a new salad to feed my child and finally saying she eats salads! Ok, so this salad is from Baked by Melissa (who knew she did anything other than cupcakes?) — and trust me, make it. Your non-salad-eating-child will change their mind. It is basically a lot of healthy, nutritious, delicious greens all in one — dressing and the salad itself.
Ingredients:
GREEENNNNNN
For the salad Continue Reading
Crans-Montana, Switzerland
One of the difficulties of having two kids in two different schools (in two different states!), means that they have different spring breaks. Our son, Cruz, had the first two weeks of March off, and my daughter, Tusia, has the last two weeks of March off. FUN FUN FUN! So for Cruzzie’s second week, I went with my friend Catherine, Â her son, and another one of their friends to Crans-Montana and Paris. Crans- Montana — NEVER HEARD OF IT BEFORE — but you should keep on your radar, because it is such an incredible place.
Crans-Montana is a ski town in Switzerland. It is a 90 minute drive from Geneva, and super easy to get in and out of. And don’t you love meat, cheese, and pickles?
Chocolate Croissants x 2
YUMMMMMMM. One of my family’s favorite food items is chocolate croissants — I mean, WHO doesn’t love chocolate croissants??? So when in the Flatiron area of Manhattan last Friday, I fell upon not one, but two, different bakeries, that were so beautiful and scrumptious, that I had to get something at each. First off….
The store looked like a museum. On the ground floor, there was a sit down cafe, and to order take out, you walked up the stairs to where the baked goods were all displayed and where you placed the order. Even the bags are beyond chic and beautiful.
Casa De Thorn
There is nothing like home baked cinnamon rolls and banana bread — especially when you don’t have to bake them yourself!
Hand baked, hand delivered, SELF devoured.
Currently Loving February 2025
February has been an insanely busy month. On top of the normal parts of life, I have also traveled to California, Montana, and Florida. Yes, lots of times on planes, but of course, all worth it. Here is what I have loved this month.
1. Family Time
We went to California to present with my uncle his story on the Holocaust to the Thacher School. It was an incredible assembly and experience, and I was so happy to have been a part of this special event. And yes, Cruzzie’s jeans are gigantic.
2. Erewhon Hailey Bieber Shake
While we were in CA, we stopped in at Erewhon, which is the most incredible health food store I have ever been to. Had I not had a carry on, I would have bought everything to bring back to NYC. In particular, this smoothie was delicious. Worth the hype.
3. The Getty
Despite rainy and cold weather, we went to The Getty to kill time before our red eye that night. We loved looking at the views, the art collection, and just being there. Highly recommend. And did you know it was free?
In between all the travel, the family went to Governor’s Island to see the Ice Sculpture competition. Although it was fun to see the ice sculpture, it was even more fun just to walk around the island, even in the cold weather.
5. Bedazzling
Bedazzling!!! The new fun hobby! It takes a lot of patience and time — you have to glue every single one of the pieces of glitter (!), but look how fun and cool my AirPods look. Thank you, Tusia!
6. Blockus
This has always been one of my favorite board games — but I always seem to lose the pieces (not good!). We just bought a new set, so here we are playing it. Love this game!
I devoured this book in two days (which says a lot because these days I am a very bad reader). Dark, raw, vulnerable — loved this book.
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What are you loving this month? Do share! I hope you have a great week.
Comedy Cellar
This past Friday, instead of going out to dinner, I went to Comedy Cellar with a friend (Ken and Tusia were skiing for the weekend). Not only was it fun to mix things up — instead of a typical Friday just going to dinner with other couples or friends, but doing an activity. Always love an activity — especially when it is a super fun activity like STAND UP COMEDY. Can it get any better or more fun? We LAUGHED AND LAUGHED AND LAUGHED and omg, I want to go back as soon as I can. It was that much fun.
Comedy Cellar — the best place for comedy. It was my first time going, but definitely not my last!
There are a bajillion shows per day — and on this Friday night, we attended the 6:45 pm show (there were 3 shows AFTER this one!). You must reserve in advance on line (it sells out quickly) and the cost is 2 drinks minimum. We showed up in the rain hungry, so we went to Artichoke Pizza and ate a slice of pizza at the counter — another fun highlight. (When was the last time that happened? Loved it)
Currently Loving January 2025
Last week of January — longest month EVER!!!! — it (always) feels like it lasts a full year instead of just a month. Especially this year. Here is what I am loving this month!
I am currently listening to this as an audio book — and I love it so much. Every part of it — and it feels like Mel Robbins is speaking to you as a friend. HIGHLY highly recommend reading it — but even more, listening to it.
Luna Luna + Din Tai Fung
At the VERY start of break (yes, I am very behind on all posts and catch ups), we went to one of our favorite dumplings spots, Din Tai Fung, and also to a fun immersive art experience, Luna Luna. I highly suggest going to both — for taste, color, experience!
Luna Luna
Lots of color — and super cool to learn about everything. (It was VERY cold and we stayed in our coats the entire time)
Thai Diner
Always on a hunt for an adventure and a new restaurant, I read about Thai Diner and knew it was somewhere I needed to try. So I dragged the family there this past weekend — and loved every minute. HIGHLY recommend if you are in the city! Or if you come to visit — loved it. A mixture of diner food and Thai food — lots of flavor, spice, and deliciousness. It opens at 10 am, we got there at 11:45 am and had a 45 minute wait, but. we roamed the streets of Soho, so didn’t feel like a wait. There was a line around the block for 2 hours when we left. 2 HOURS!!!!
Located in Nolita on Mott street — across the street from my favorite (but no longer there) retail store, Warm, RIP). Easy to get to from our place on the subway.
Currently Loving December 2024 – Part 1
Mid way through December, say what??? Here is what I am currently loving at this very moment in time.
1. Funny Meme
I had NO idea about this until I saw this — and now feel so dumb. Thought I would share with you all too, just to make us all smarter!
