The Lola Alice Beach Cottage

Lola Alice "Cheeseburger Salad"

2012-01-03T16:15:00.000-08:00

So I'm on a diet... which means heading to our favorite fast food joint for a tasty cheeseburger is kind of a treat. I mean, something we aren't doing to much of these days.

{unless we are on vacation of course. I don't diet while I'm on vacation!}

Wanting to satisfy Erick's craving for a cheeseburger, and not wanting to rock the boat on my diet... why not make a "Cheeseburger Salad"!? Well, in our case, we're opting for a healthier version and using TURKEY instead of ground beef. But hey, if you're not worried about your calorie intake, splurge and go for the beef. This might even be a salad you can get your kiddo's to enjoy!

So what you'll need: {I've included our healthier twist on this, but by all means, use the real stuff!}

Ground beef (or ground turkey)

Ketchup

Yellow mustard

Dijon mustard

Barbecue sauce

Baby tomatoes

1/4 of a red onion

Shredded cheddar (or fat free mozzarella cheese)

Hamburger or hot dog buns (or whole wheat buns)

Butter (or non fat cooking spray)

Romaine lettuce

Slice up tomatoes, and red onion. Grate cheese, and chop hamburger or hot dog buns.

Don't forget to chop some lettuce... I mean, we ARE having a salad of course!

Brown the beef or turkey in a skillet, with a little butter. Drain well and return to skillet. Add some ketchup, yellow mustard, barbecue sauce and Dijon mustard. Simmer on low for a few minutes while you build your salads....

Lay your bed of lettuce on your plate, top with ground beef mixture. Add all of your fixin's on top!

There ya go! A healthier option instead of those fatting old juicy cheeseburgers!

{probably tastes just as good too!}

Lola Alice "Cranberry-Coconut-Orange Muffins"

2012-01-03T12:42:00.000-08:00

Woke up this morning desiring some home-baked goodness...looked around my pantry and discovered enough to make these lovely concoctions. Serve these babies warm with a pad of butter, and I guarantee your family members wont be able to eat just one! I watched Erick devour three during breakfast!

What you'll need:

2 cups all-purpose flour (about 9 ounces)
1 cup sugar, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons grated orange rind
3/4 cup orange juice (about 1 large orange)
1/4 cup canola oil
1 large egg, lightly beaten
4 tablespoons of shredded coconut
2 cups coarsely chopped fresh cranberries (about 8 ounces)
1/3 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 400°. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Set aside 1 tablespoon sugar. Combine flour, remaining sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture.
Combine rind, juice, oil, and egg in a small bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until moist. Fold in cranberries and walnuts. Spoon batter into 16 muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle evenly with reserved sugar, and a little more coconut! Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until the muffins spring back when touched lightly in center. Run a knife or spatula around outer edge of each muffin cup. Carefully remove each muffin; place on a wire rack.

Lola Alice "Honey-Orange Lemonade"

2012-01-02T22:37:00.000-08:00

Erick and I stopped at a fruit stand in Fillmore, Ca. last week and purchased a bag full of lemons and a crate of oranges. I had been wondering what I'd do with them first, and a Honey Orange Lemonade sounded so delicious I couldn't wait to start juicing. {by hand of course!} We scored the "apple honey" from a fruit stand several months ago in Winthrop, Wa. on one of our adventures.

What you'll need!

4 to 5 oranges

1 to 2 lemons

1/4 cup honey

5 cups room temp water

Juice lemons and oranges. (You want the combined juice to equal AT LEAST 1 cup.) Whisk honey into water until fully dissolved. Add fruit juice and continue to whisk. Pour over ice and drink or refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours. Enjoy!

**side note, Erick said it tasted great with a shot of Tequilla in there too!

"New-Old" Memories for the Cottage

2012-01-02T20:04:00.000-08:00

Isn't this adorable? You'll never guess who it is...

Would you believe me if I told you that I actually have memories of when this photo was taken? I can remember glimpses of the day. Just small tidbits. It's clear to see why my dad always called me Squirrel. Those fat cheeks still haunt me to this day...

It 1984, I was 2 years old and my mother snagged this photo moment of me wearing my daddy's t-shirt.

We were at Gunlock Reservoir.

This photo has always been one of my Aunt Pymm's favorites. In fact, this very photo had been sitting in her bedroom ever since it was taken...

While Erick and I were visiting my family for Christmas, my Aunt Pymmie surprised me on Christmas morning with her treasured photo. She kept saying how she had really hated to part with it, but knew I would appreciate it and she wanted me to have it. AND I LOVE IT! I did however take it out of the original frame and replaced it with one to match my living-room. The photo is very old and extremely sun damaged but somehow it makes it that much more perfect to me.

Thank you Aunt Pymmie for the treasured memory, it fits perfectly in our little beach cottage.

Lunch on Pier 39

2012-01-02T00:27:00.000-08:00

Pier 39 is a great place to be if you're hungry! Dozens of restaurants and places to grab a drink or two! We stopped at Bubba Gumps. Cajun peel and eat shrimp, shrimp tacos, and coconut shrimp n' fries. Erick drank a Corona-rita and I had the Lt. Dan's Punch. {Yummy}

To see more photos of our lunch on Pier 39, click here.

New Years Eve! Welcome 2012!

2012-01-02T00:12:00.000-08:00

For our last night in the bay area, and to celebrate New Years Eve, Erick spoiled me rotten by treating me to dinner at Skates. 5 star. Supurb food. When we arrived, we were told there was quite a wait unless we could find a table that didn't have a reserved place card on it in the bar. We walked through the entire bar and all of the good window views had a reserved place card. Disapointed we wouldn't have a table with a view, I turned and out of the corner of my eye saw a table that had been freshly cleared and without a reserved place card. It was a corner window view. 180' of pure water view, secluded, and the best table in the house. We rushed over and sat down. We knew we had snagged a table that someone had forgot to place a card on it. We spent the next three and a half hours drinking fabulous cocktails and eating some of the best food we've ever had.

We started our meal with a crab and artachoke cheese dip with asiago cheese bread. Divine. For our entree's Erick ordered himself the handcut rib eye, and I chose the Roasted Dijon Chicken with silky truffle potatoes and spinach. Talk about first class. Everyone was envious of our table seating and our view. Throughout our meal you could see diners and staff alike starring at us at the highly desired table with a view.

Dessert followed our entree's with a smooth and creamy key lime pie with a lemon mint sorbet.

For $200.00 you can't enjoy a better meal with better scenery. Only I'd highly suggest a reservation if you ever visit Skates on a holiday. We mearly lucked out thanks to a waitors neglect by not putting a reserved card on the table before we sat down.

2011 has been one of the best years of my life. 2012 will bring only more wonderful experiences with the love of my life and my sweet little family.

Life is sweet. Beautiful. I'll never forget looking at Erick during dinner as he sat back as tears welled up in both of our eyes. He told me how he would not rather be anywhere else, with anyone else that he was with right then and there. I'm so blessed to have found the man of my dreams. The man who treats me like a queen, the man who has always been my very best friend, my better half. I love you Erick. Happy 2012, and thank you not only for a beautiful dinner and evening...but a beautiful life. Everyday is a treat, and an adventure with you.

To see more photos of our dinner at Skates, click here.

Adventures on Alcatraz Island

2012-01-01T23:59:00.000-08:00

Upon arriving in San Francisco we knew we would have to get up very early to get our tickets for Alcatraz as they usually sell out for the day within 10 minutes of opening. We woke up at 4:45am, got ready and headed down to Fisherman's Wharf on Pier 33 to the Alcatraz Tours. We waited in line until 8:00am when the counters opened, and snagged two tickets to the infamous island. At 9:10 we were the first to arrive on the island. So much history and wonderful things to look at.

We spent about 4 hours on the island and saw everything we could. I was totally impressed with all of the plant life that covered the island. Really added a touch of beauty to the old and weathered buildings.

There was also a special visitor on the Island the day we went. A former inmate, ex con. It was great listening to his stories about his time at Alcatraz.

To see more photo's of our trip to Alcatraz Island, click here.

Santa Monica Pier

2011-12-30T22:02:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't love funnel cake? It's one of those fun messy foods that makes you feel like a kid again every time you eat one. We spent the evening down on the Santa Monica Pier. Once again, beautiful weather. We've barely seen one cloud on our entire trip.

Belly dancers, cartoon characters, artists, rollercoasters, carnival food and the beach. "Growing older but not up" has certainly felt like our motto lately!

To see more pictures of our Santa Monica trip, click here.

Venice Beach

2011-12-30T21:55:00.000-08:00

We had a lot of fun at Venice Beach. Another beautiful day in California, mid 70's. Perfect weather if you ask me! It was great day to walk the boardwalk. It wasn't overly crowded, and all the vendors and street performers were out in force doing their thing, entertaining the passerby's.

We got there early, and grabbed a bite to eat at a cafe on the boardwalk and did some people watching. Lot's of colorful people out and about for sure! Erick bought me a new pair of sunglasses, we enjoyed some of the local's art that was on display and we visited with some locals.

Had some blended margarita's later in the afternoon while we did some more people watching and that was fun. Just another lovely day at the beach!

To see more pictures of our Venice Beach trip, click here.

The Hollywood Historic Hotel

2011-12-30T21:49:00.000-08:00

Formally known as the Hollywood Melrose Hotel, on Melrose Ave.

What a fun place to stay! Across the street from Paramount Pictures park and just a few blocks off of Hollywood Blvd., this was a fun place to stay. I'm sure back in the 30's and 40's, this was {THE} place to be. Very "old Hollywood". Loved it. And, the rates were more than reasonable. It was very quiet, room was clean and staff was friendly. Older hotel, but no complaints here!

Fillmore, Ca. Fruit Stand

2011-12-30T21:43:00.000-08:00

On the way towards highway 101 in a little town called Fillmore, Erick spotted a road-side fruit stand. {We love these!} We love supporting local farmers by purchasing their produce. We figured this was the place to be to get some really delicious citrus fruits.

A bag of lemons, a box of oranges, 2 small mystery fruits that look like rotten tomatoes {I cant pronounce what they are called}, some coconut candies, chili & lemon pistasios, and my newest fav find..."Chamoy Mango". {Holy hot!} Sweet, spicy, and just the most divine sweet/hot treat your mouth has ever had. Be careful though. One piece will surely clear out your sinuses but leave you craving more and more even though your mouth is on fire.

Can't wait to make homemade lemonaide with our california lemons once we get home! If we were going to be home in just a few days, we would have bought much more fruit to take home. But I think we bought enough to satisfy ourselves.

To see more of our trip to the Fillmore Fruit Stand, click here.

Mel's Drive-In Diner

2011-12-30T21:33:00.000-08:00

Located in the heart of Hollywood on Sunset Blvd., you might recognize a familiar diner. Remember the film "American Grafitti"?

At this little diner you'll find American food at it's best! Homestyle cooking. Dinners, salads, burgers, sandwiches, fountains and our pick...breakfast! Erick opted for a Mel's Club Breakfast #3 and two breakfast slider's. I ordered up the homemade corned beef and hash. The best I've ever had. This is the real deal. Seasoned to perfection with my requested "over medium" egg on top. Homefries, toast. I was stuffed.

Best part of this little diner is you can tell it's where the local's eat. It's casual, diner food. For all you late nighters... this gem is open 24 hours.

To see more pictures of our trip to Mel's, click here.

Hollywood Walk of Fame

2011-12-30T21:20:00.000-08:00

If you're in the neighborhood and haven't done the "Walk of Fame", it's kind of a staple. Okay, its totally something everyone should experience at least once. Kind of reminds me of a mini Las Vegas Strip. Flashy lights, lots of crowds, annoying people trying to do tricks for cash, and lots of shopping. Although it's easy to get lost in the millions of stores selling the same tourist trap crap...

Museums like Ripleys, Guiness, and Madame T,'s line the streets. We were wanting something a little more "adult"....so we headed east a little to the Museum of Death. A little odd just the thought of it, but we thought we'd try it out. I wish they would have allowed camera's inside because I could have showed you all some very interesting photos but I can kinda understand at the same time why they ask no camera's. I mean, let's have a little respect for the dead. The museum was very informative though. I was just basically astonished with how many items they actually had displayed inside. Thousands and thousands of artifacts, photographs, original prints and letters. Something really to be seen if you're into that kind of stuff. They had exhibits on several of the infamous serial killers with clothing, photographs and handwritten letters. Erick and I did get a little uneasy about halfway through the museum. I'd just like to put out there that it's definatly not the place you want to be if you are queezy.

To see more photo's of our trip down Hollywood Blvd, click here.

Mission Beach and Belmont Park

2011-12-29T22:36:00.000-08:00

Before heading to Mission Beach, we did visit Old Town for a minute or two. The place was kinda empty while we were there so we opted to spend the rest of the day at Mission Beach and Belmont Park.

I think the Giant Dipper {the wooden roller coaster} was our favorite. Made us feel like kids again.

Cold beers at the Sandbar cooled us off after spending some time on the beach soaking up the sun and the sights. Beaches are so romantic when you're with the one you love.

To see more photo's of our trip to the Mission Beach area and Old Town San Diego, click here.

We made it {finally} to the San Diego Zoo!

2011-12-29T22:29:00.000-08:00

The other day we had decided we were going to make a trip to the zoo. Only problem? We decided to go at noon instead of early in the morning. {Bad} idea! We circled the parking lot for over an hour, fought with other tourists, tried cutting people off, got cut off by other people, and finally threw our hands up and decided we would go back the next day early, before the park doors even opened.

Were we successful? Well you're looking at the pictures aren't you!? We set our alarms early and ventured into downtown San Diego to try the renowned "Broken Yolk" for breakfast. It was amazing! Afterwards, we made it to the zoo by around 8 am and there were like 10 cars in the parking lot. We were the first ones in line even.

The park was wonderful. Not too crowded, wasn't too hot. Crisp & cool 68' or so. We saw everything in the park, and must have walked a ca-zillion miles. {I was in heels too}

After a long day at the park, and a couple "Twisted Margarita's", we departed the zoo and found ourselves at an amazing little restaurant in Old Town San Diego. What a day.

To see more pictures of our San Diego Zoo trip, click here.

Our Stay at the Hotel Del Coronado

2011-12-29T22:19:00.000-08:00

If you're in the San Diego area and you're looking for a little piece of {Heaven on Earth} this is the place. Luxurious Hotel Del Coronado sits right on the beach on Coronado Island and is the perfect setting for complete relaxation and first class service on the California coastline.

We absolutely loved the morning brunches. The most absolute gorgeous breakfast you've {ever} seen in your life, served buffet style in the 5 star dinning room inside the hotel. I even was able to have a mimosa with my brunch. {pretty sure it contained a very expensive champagne too}.

The hotel has also been featured on many television programs not only for the hotels accommodation but for it's "ghostly hauntings". Just another reason we wanted to check this gem out!

The grounds and gardens were really something special to be adored. Beautiful flowers and well manicured landscapes made you feel like you were no where else but paradise.

To see more photos of our stay at Hotel Del Coronado, click here.

Stroll through Seaport Village

2011-12-28T19:34:00.000-08:00

A day spent at Seaport Village couldn't have been any sweeter. Talk about beautiful weather we are having here. I mean blue blue {BLUE} skies, and temperatures in the high 60's. Perfect weather if you ask me.

I actually got my first {real} souvenir while on vacation here too! (well souvenir alcoholic beverage containers don't count. I have 5 of those so far...) Erick bought me a beautiful starfish wind-chime-like piece that we will be hanging in our beach cottage once we return back to Washington. Super excited about that!

As evening approached us, we were getting a little hungry so we dove into an oyster bar for some drinks, crab won-tons and Erick ordered two rounds of pepper-vodka oyster shooters. {YuCk!}

To see more pictures of our trip to Seaport Village, click here.

Beautiful La Jolla

2011-12-28T19:25:00.000-08:00

There are few things as beautiful as a sunset in La Jolla. This was Erick's first visit to this area, and he most certainly would agree with me on it's caliber of beauty. We arrived around 4pm and stayed until sunset. Beautiful colors danced off the rocks and bounced off the water. There were hundreds of seals beached on the sandy area's and on the rocks ledges. So {adorable}. We must have walked up and down the boardwalk area several times. Thank you Erick for the beautiful sunset gazing. I wouldn't have asked to have enjoyed it with anyone else.

To see more of our evening at La Jolla, click here.

Favorite grub's in Vegas and the Hoover Dam

2011-12-26T23:46:00.000-08:00

We left St. George early this morning and drove just a little over an hour to enjoy some breakfast at one of our favorite restaurants, Hash House a Go-Go! It's "Twisted Farm Food", and absolutely the most delicious breakfast you could ever have! Erick faced the Man vs. Food challenge, and I opted for one of their holiday specials. Both of us ate our entire meals, and even {shared} a little with each other.

After Hash House, we took a 40 minute drive out to the Arizona, Nevada state line to check out the Hoover Dam. I hadn't been there since I was a little kid, and the entire place had been updated and changed completely. It was like going for the {very first time}!

We were there for a couple hours before heading back to the Las Vegas strip for some much needed gambling and margarita's at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville (another one of our favorite places ever!) Volcano nachos and cocktails that cost $18.00 a piece were more than enough to fill us up. That "5 o'clock somewhere" cocktail {really} did the trick!

After the strip, a short stop at Buffalo Bills at the Nevada/California state line for some more gambling and {free} drinks.

We are now safely resting in our king sized bed at the resort in San Diego. More adventures tomorrow!

To see more photo's of our trip to Vegas and the Hoover Dam, click here.

the Sugarloaf...

2011-12-25T17:53:00.000-08:00

Red dirt is in my blood. It's where I grew up and it's in my being. Something I haven't always claimed with pride of course, but today it was nice to remember a place that was part of my growing up.

We went to the "Dixie" today, or the "Sugarloaf" as some call it. Beautiful scenery, lots of hiking. We could see the entire valley from the top. {Lovely} view. It was fun having Erick get his feet dirty in some "Red Dirt".

To see more of our trip to the Sugarloaf, click here.

xoxo.Love {Santa}

2011-12-24T23:02:00.000-08:00

Becca has been a very good girl this year.

Merry Christmas sweet pea.

From Seattle to St. George

2011-12-24T21:56:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays everyone! The last 24 hours have been jammed packed full of adventures ever since we left Seattle. (Which by the way I had to include the pancakes that were served to us at a truck stop somewhere in Idaho. When they came to our table, we all could have {sworn} they were Mickey pancakes and Jodie must have been watching over us during our travels. I mean, they DO look like Mickey pancakes don't they!?)

We arrived in St. George early, early Christmas Eve morning and spent the day getting settled, and preparing for the Christmas Eve dinner at my mothers house. I have been craving a glacier and picadilly chips ever since I left Utah in 2009 so I had to drag Erick to Frostop for the staple I had growing up. YUMMY! {Oh and yeah, with REAL "fry sauce".}

We drove around town a little bit and Erick soaked up the sites. {church sites that is}. We giggled a little because Washington State is so full of rich historical landmarks and American history, and well, Utah just has a bunch of Church History. {cool nevertheless} I think he was somewhat confused as to why there were so many strangers that were so nice and talkative. Not something we generally see in the Seattle area.

Going to visit Jodie's cemetery plot was hard, {but I did alright I think}. She was actually buried right behind my best friend that passed away when I was a Freshman, so I was able to visit both of them. {Bittersweet} I'll defiantly have to see the tombstone they will have made for Jodie, because I'm quite positive it will be amazing. Just like her.

Christmas Eve dinner was fabulous. Erick, Becca, myself, Mom, Brett, Great Aunt Pymmie, Great Aunt Joan, my half brother Skyler, his wife and 3 kids gathered around the beautiful table and ate a fabulous meal. Auntie Pymmie was more than thrilled Erick and I had stopped to get a bottle of wine and champagne. She must have thanked us both a dozen times ranting and raving about how it really makes the meal even better.

{That was cute.}

Everyone's tucked in bed now, except Erick and I. I, of course am blogging, and Erick has been busy putting together another Barbie house for Becca from {Santa}. Tomorrow will be a wonderful day. I better get off of this thing though because it's time to play Santa. Can't wait to upload the pictures tomorrow for you all.

To see more of our Trip to St. George, Utah click here.

Gifts from the {Glam} Queen

2011-12-22T20:03:00.000-08:00

Around 2006 or 2007 I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting a gal named Tari. She was a client of mine at the tattoo shop where I had opened my first salon. Now when I first met Tari, her and her soon to be husband were in the beginning process of opening their own tattoo shop, and I remember coloring her hair with blue peek-a-boo's for her wedding. {she was my daring and wild client at the time} We shared a love for all things wild, crazy and colorful in the world of beauty. After I left Washington to return to Utah through my divorce, Tari had gone on to becoming a makeup artist for MAC. This woman knows her makeup!

Tari is one of those special individuals I was happy to reconnect with once moving back to Washington in 2009. She's been a faithful and wonderful client, but more importantly a friend...ever since. And lets face it. I never thought I'd ever find another woman who would wear proudly the same colors of eye shadow that I do!

She's my "go to" gal when I have questions about makeup or skin care and I'm looking forward to learning even more from her. She's a talented business woman, and wonderful wife and a fantastic mother of 2 now.

Before leaving on our vacation, the two of us were able to meet up for dinner with the kids and exchange small gifts. She surprised me actually, with some of my favorite eyeshadow trio's, and one of her newest fabulous finds, the Revlon Lip Butters. (In Lollipop! The exact shade I was hoping to try!) She also had an adorable Forever21 necklace for Becca and some lovely cards. She's such a wonderful friend and I'm truly lucky to know her. I hope that 2012 will bring us closer and our busy schedules can find us spending more time together.

Mrs. Meyers {clean day}

2011-12-21T19:33:00.000-08:00

So one of my new favorite things? Mrs. Meyers Clean Day products are my new craze. Thank you Dana, (my wonderful client and friend) for introducing me to this fabulous line. I can't wait to try the others. Today Dana and her Husband brought in a lovely gift basket for my Christmas present containing three of these products. Hand soap, dish soap and countertop spray. {in "Basil" scent} --So Delicious!

These little gems call themselves "uncomplicated products for a clean and happy home". Who doesn't want that?!

The Basil scent is a cool and crisp that cleans your head and calms your nerves. Talk about Aromatherapeutic!

{I can't lie. The beautiful blue labeling matches my coastal cottage oh.so.beautifully.}

Thank you Dana!

When it's Cold Out, Bring on the Cocoa!

2011-12-20T19:56:00.000-08:00

One of Becca's favorite things to do when it's cold out, is make herself a cup of hot chocolate. Now we're not talking about just {ANY} old cup of hot cocoa. We're talking sprinkles, whip, marshmellows and anything else she can get her hands on. Her latest {fav}? Stirring her cocoa with a peppermint candy cane. Yum!

Tonight I caught her in the kitchen with her friend making a warm and sweet concoction. She's just like her mommy. Loves to warm up with a delicious hot drink in her hands.