Author: mrsem

Pacific Grove sits at the furthest point of a peninsula beyond Monterey and Pebble Beach. Its famously-rocky coast is packed full of kelp, otters, seals, birds and whales and the town has an adorable victorian charm, with a few small hotels and a municipal golf course. It is the ideal setting for a murder mystery…

Thanks to reader Cari’s suggestion, I tackled an entirely new theme for this week’s party: rustic Italian. I don’t know if my menu meets authenticity standards; it’s mostly the rustic Italian of my imagination. I was excited to try two things I’d never cooked before: polenta and whole trout. Menu Appetizer of seeded bread and…

Busy, busy getting ready for tomorrow’s dinner party and the beach weekend ahead. While I work to prepare a rustic Italian meal, here’s a look at a quick running-around-town outfit. Layers are a must in our breezy San Francisco summers: Sunglasses – I love buying men’s sunglasses. Usually cheaper and a bit more stylish. I…

Here’s the great thing about throwing a dinner parties: once you start inviting people over, they start inviting you back!  We’re not even to our second event in the Weekly Dinner Party Challenge and had our first invitation out. Last night, Rob and I walked two doors down to have dinner with a friend from…

I am counting down the days to a big family weekend at the beach! We are headed to Pacific Grove, just south of Monterey and north of Pebble Beach, to take over two vacation rentals right near the coast. The weather in Monterey can be foggy and cool, especially in the mornings at the coast,…

Gorgeous food, easily prepared. Great conversation with friends. Meeting new people. Last night’s dinner party was everything I love about hosting!  Here’s the play-by-play guide: Spanish-inspired Menu Appetizer of Spanish cheeses Mussels in a chorizo, chickpea, tomato broth Fresh tomatoes with kale pesto dressing Roasted cauliflower Warm crusty baguette Dessert of grapes and spanish dark…

Everything is ready for tonight’s dinner party. I stocked up on cheese and chocolate at the Spanish market, Nosa Ria, down the street, made a centerpiece out of dark red dahlias and prepped a chorizo-chickpea broth for the mussels. Now, just to get dressed for tonight’s dinner party! Skirt – A full volume, high waisted…

It’s been quite a year already. Out of the last six months, I’ve been traveling for five: France, Hawaii, Turkey-Greece-Croatia and Alaska. Whew! Now, we’re back in San Francisco and I’m taking on a new adventure. It’s no secret that I’m a bit agoraphobic when it comes to social life. I’d much rather have a dinner…

Alaska…there’s a reason they call it “The Last Frontier.” With 22 hours of functional daylight in the summer, mosquitos, bears and the shaky internet access you fondly remember from 1997, Alaska is not for the faint of heart. It is, however, a gorgeous place to get far off the beaten track, to hike, to gawk…

A spa day is a perfect way to wrap-up two weeks of Alaskan hiking, sight-seeing and adventure. There are not many good choices for spas in Alaska. Alyeska is a hotel and ski resort just outside of Anchorage in Girdwood that seems to be the best from my research. In the winter, the top of the…