Summerland Beach House Cafe

Hello Lovelies!

 I am excited to talk to you today about a lovely place I visited while on an adventure in Santa Barbara.  Moving to California earlier this year I have been exploring all over this state and seeing all of the beauty it truly has to offer. Santa Barbra stole my heart and I have been heartbroken since I had to leave… I spent 24 hours there and didn’t even scratch the surface of what Santa Barbara has to offer. 

To start off this lovely adventure, I had breakfast at a lovely spot in Summerland called Summerland Beach Café. It is a popular café with indoor and outdoor seating and you can even bring your fur babies along! How amazing! I sat outside on the back patio and was surrounded by lovely trees and a wooden fence and tables with umbrellas and it was so cute!  I fell in love with the decor and friendly staff before even trying the food.

 As per my previous posts I love Eggs Benedict and I always have to try it any place I go to for breakfast. At Summerland Beach café I did just that, but a crab Benedict! So delicious! This wasn’t my first time having a crab Benedict, but it was one of the best I have had! The crab meat was so fresh and the flavors all just went together so well with every bite!  I enjoyed coffee and water with my meal and to help save water and our planet they only offer bottled Voss water which was only $1 so you won’t break the bank on staying hydrated. The coffee cups had a cute saying on them about table etiquitte and you can purchase them as a souvenir. 

 They also offer hats and t-shirts and have a wall that displays all the famous people that have stopped by the café along the years.  It was the perfect first stop on my Santa Barbara adventure.  I had about 4 cups of coffee before finally deciding it was time to venture off to the beach! I loved my experience at the café and will be returning on my next Santa Barbara trip! After leaving the café I headed to the beach for the day and just explored around taking photos and making endless memories and soaking up the sun.  It was a wonderful adventure exploring and by far my best time so far living in California in those 24 hours.A romantic adventure full of fun times and great food and it all started at Beach house Café.

 Until next time Santa Barbara, thank you for the memories!

Xoxo Shaunté

Crab Bendict with a side of seasoned potatoes 

Steak Omelet with potatoes, onions, avocado and grilled peppers. A english muffin and potatoes come on the side.  

“Do you ever just realize, wow I am going to miss this moment when your’e actually living it. ”

Gracias Madre

Hello Lovelies!

I hope everyone had a great weekend and has been enjoying their summer as much as I have. I have been checking out a bunch of different places throughout California to share with you lovelies lately. Today is one of my favorites I came across in Hollywood off Melrose ave.  Having healthier options is still something I am trying to stick to with and Gracias Madre not only has healthy options and all their food is organic,  but are known for being a vegan and vegetarian restaurant.  I try to not eat meat a lot throughout the week and try to keep one-day meat free for the most part. I was super excited to have lunch at Gracias Madre and catch up with my friend Cassi while doing so.  The restaurant offers inside and outdoor seating with bar seating as well. It has a Spanish look to it with beautiful wood tables and white and tile designs.  I sat outside with the weather being a beautiful 80 degrees it was the perfect lunch setting. They have a lovely menu with items ranging from salads to tacos and full entrees. They offered a tasting menu for lunch that let me try a little bit of everything. You pick a drink and get chips and guacamole for an appetizer and then two items for your entrée.

I selected their margarita for my drink and nacho cheese cauliflower and their jackfruit carnitas taco.  My friend ordered a kale salad and we shared everything it was the perfect amount of food for lunch. The ambiance of the restaurant was so fun with upbeat music playing and the chatters of people having a great time over delicious food and company. They had a bar outside and I can see this place being a fun spot to grab a drink with friends for a night out. There was also a fireplace outside which would be a nice touch on the colder times of year.  The service was fantastic and our waitress helped me decide on what items are the most popular and liked.

I was very pleased with my selections and the Jack fruit taco just melted in mouth and I couldn’t tell that is was a meatless option from the Smokey flavors and sweetness of the sauce.  I will definitely be coming back here for dinner and drinks soon! They also have specialty drink pitchers and other specialty cocktails that sounded to delicious and of course I want to try more amazing food! The other great part of the location of this place is that you are near so many shops and stores to walk around and check out before or after eating. It’s a lovely location and the food complements it you will be saying “Gracias “for the recommendation of this place I can promise you it’s a spot you won’t want to pass up if you’re in the Hollywood area!

I will see you lovelies back Friday for a lunch sandwich that’s perfect for the beach, lake or pool days! Have a lovely rest of your week!

Xoxo Shaunté

Ensalada del Mar: sea vegetables, kale, tahini, hearts of palm, fresh herbs, coconut, avocado

Barbecue Jackfruit Carnitas Taco:  cashew crema, pickled cabbage, crispy onions

Coliflór Frito: cauliflower, cashew nacho cheese, lemon

Purista Margarita: tequila reposado, agave, lime, orange bitters, sweet citrus salt rim

Chips and house made guacamole 

“Inhale Tacos. Exhale negativity.
Namaste. ”

Copa Vida

Hello Lovelies!

I hope everyone had a great weekend! Today I am excited to share with you a coffee shop that did more than bring two people together over coffee, but fall in love. Not me… maybe one day, but my lovely cousin met the love of her life sitting inside Copa Vida last year around this exact time. She loved the coffee and atmosphere of the shop, as do I. One day the love of her life happened to sit two seats over from her. My cousin was recently in town visiting from Nashville and we went to Copa Vida to have lunch; there she told me about a love story most believe to only exist in books. I was very excited to visit the place that helped create this fairytale love story and enjoy an amazing cup of coffee…food as well. The shop is pretty big with tons of seating along the window. High and low top tables to fit your every need of comfort.  The one great thing I really liked about the coffee shop was that they offer a grab and go station from 7:30 a.m.- 10:00 a.m. Monday-Friday. You can bring your own cup for faster service and to save a little money! This is so perfect for busy work days when you just don’t have time to wait on that specialty latte.  

Besides the wonderful coffees and teas Copa Vida offers, they also have a great selection of food! They have a wide variety of sandwiches, salads, and soups. Copa Vida’s grab and go options include: Matcha granola, Mocha cereal, and a delicious selection of pastries. All the baristas were so nice and friendly, helping me pick the perfect entrée for lunch! I decided on the kale salad and it was so light and flavorful. I also enjoyed a vanilla latte that was just the right amount of sweetness. Copa Vida makes their very own vanilla syrup too so it complements the coffee perfectly! Overall I really enjoyed this coffee shop and will become a frequent visitor after my experience. My lovely cousins story also makes it a little more magical. My cousin wrote Copa Vida a letter to express how much they impacted her life and I wanted to share with you a piece of it.

“We know your hope is to create a space that will cultivate relationships over a cup of coffee. So, we thought our story might encourage you and validate that you are indeed succeeding at creating that space. 

One year ago, we met at the bar, sitting next to each other as complete strangers. Our dating relationship consisted of talking and growing together over many many many pour overs, cold brews, lattes, etc. Ten months later, we got engaged in that very same spot at Copa Vida & shared yet another special moment over coffee.” -Cailey & Cooper 

I really hope you lovelies check out Copa Vida if you’re ever in the Valley… Hey you never know you could find the love of your life?!

Have a great day Lovelies!

Xoxo Shaunté

Citrus beet salad: Pickled Beets,smoked tea goat cheese, red lentils, toasted pecans dressed with a citrus-tarragon vinaigrette. 

Grilled Cheese:  Swiss cheese, mozzarella cheese, and mild cheddar cheese. 

Roasted Veggie sandwich: Garlic confit hummus, piquillo peppers, sauteed mushrooms, zucchini, ricotta cheese, arugula w/ basil aoli. 

spniach, granny smith apples, red onions, dried cranberries, coffee candid bacon, apple vinaigrette. Served with herbed goat cheese crostini. 

Smoked Turkey Melt: Smoked Turkey, mozzarella basil, tomatoes & chipotle aioli. 

“I can’t expresso, how much you bean to me. ”

Nekter

Hello Lovelies!

I am excited to share with you one of my favorite juice spots. I originally had my first Nekter juice in Las Vegas in downtown Summerlin. Once I moved to California I noticed they had locations all over. I was super excited since they have some of my favorite juices ready to grab and go.  I never was in love with juice and it took a while for me to ease into liking them, until I realized what I liked. (dates,ginger,apples!)  Nekter makes not only fresh pressed juice, but smoothies and Acai bowls which are definitely one of my favorite foods ever! (especially when it’s summer time!) Some locations also have grab and go snacks like parfaits and yummy protein bars to enjoy on the go.  Nekter also has pre made juices you can grab and go which is super covenant if you just finished a work out or are heading to work, I also like to buy one for the next day to enjoy if I get a pressed fresh juice.

If you ever wanted to try a juice cleanse, but not sure if you can go more than a day Nekter has you covered. They offer a one-day juice cleanse for less than $40.00 and offer three or five day cleanses as well.  Sometimes it’s nice to do a cleanse to reset your system to a more natural state and give your body the essential vitamins and nutrients it needs.  Each juice from Nekter contains 3lbs of fresh fruits and veggies that will help fuel your body throughout the day.  The great thing about Nekter is they have locations in the Las Vegas, California, Texas and Arizona and are still expanding. I love knowing I can get a healthy yummy juice wherever I end up traveling.  I am happy I found a juice place I can trust with quality and taste.  You can also join Nekters loyalty program through their app to get even more juice for your squeeze.  I hope you lovelies check out a Nekter in your neighborhood or if you see one on your travels to stop on by.  I will be posting a yummy Easter recipe next week so stay tuned. Have a wonderful day and stay lovely!

Xoxo Shaunté

Your next hangover cure! 

Coffee and juice?!  Yes please!! 

My two favorite grab and go Juices : Strawberry skinny lemonade & Strawberry Pitaya  

Banana berry acai bowl & acai mango bowl 

Basin 141

Hello Lovelies!

Today I am talking about my first bar I went to while living in California! I went here with some family and friends for happy hour and loved it. The best part was it’s only 5 minutes away from my house! Oh, Yeah! It’s on a lovely street in Montrose, Glendale with a street full of shops and restaurants. At night the street is bright with hanging lights and lamp post it’s quiet cute and a perfect date spot! Basin has a great selection of craft beers on tap as well as specialty cocktails and a full bar stocked with all your liquor needs. They do have the best Michelada’s and bloody Mary’s however! They make their own house infused Vodka with a handul of special secrets. SO delish!! The best part about their happy hour is it is seven days a week 3-6 p.m. so you never have to worry about missing it! I went again with my friend Megan recently to check out the happy hour to write about it and share with all of you lovelies! We ordered everything on the menu since I didn’t try everything the first time. Except the salad we decided to skip that since it was cheat day! I eat enough salads throughout the week…. My favorite items were the wings & short rib sliders. The flavors were just so unique and flavorful with hints of spice to them. I didn’t not like anything, everything was as good as it sounded and with a good variety of food to select from.

I decided to get a beer this time around as well since the last time I can’t tell you how many Micheladas I had? I like beer and when it’s on tap even better! I tried the Hanger 24 lager it was nice and light, but with a crisp wheat taste to it. It paired well with my food and didn’t fill me up too much.  The staff was very nice and friendly and I almost forgot to mention they have a photobooth!! Yeah how awesome is that?! It’s free and you email yourself the pictures! I like to do a before we start drinking picture and after. Then you catch all the fun of the in between.  This weekend is St. Patrick’s day and Basin will be hosting a special Irish menu and will be opening early at 1pm to start the drinking and fun! I will be in Las Vegas for St. Patrick’s day and wanted to include some bars to check out if you are in the Las Vegas area. I will list them at the bottom and since Friday is this wonderful holiday, I will not have a recipe this week. I hope you lovelies make it over to Basin for all my valley CA residents it’s always a good time. Have a safe and wonderful St. Patrick’s day and week!

Xoxo Shaunté

Tacos: Carnitas, Shredded chicken, Crisp pork belly, Patato taco. 

Garlic Parmesan fries with ketchup and ranch 

**K-Town wings : Savory pepper sauce, chopped cabbage, Thousand island & ranch for dipping. 

**Braised short rib slider: Chedder cheese slaw, cilantro jalapeno aoli. Small side fries 

Michelada comes with Corona. (My favorite!!) 

Happy hour 7 days a week 3-6 p.m. 

For my Vegas people some Irish bars to check out this St. Patrick's day: 

• McMullan's 
• McFaddens 
• Nine fine Irish men
• Three angry wives 
• Hennesey's Tavern 

“Shake your shamrock ”