KAABOO Del Mar Music & Art Festival || Day 1
There's nothing quite like a nice music festival to get you pumped up. KAABOO* is a three-day festival & it just wrapped up day one. The fest is still on a roll, but I wanted to show you some of the moments I captured. It was a hot day especially if you're sitting in the sun. With all the wonderful live music, the funky art, the hilarious comedians, & the delicious food it's hard not to enjoy yourself.
Take a look at some of the photos I shot at KAABOO Del Mar. I'll be heading out there today as well but I wanted to give you a little glimpse into what it was like. I'll add more photos & individual bands later. But here's a teaser. Hope you enjoy. :]
Take a look at some of the photos I shot at KAABOO Del Mar. I'll be heading out there today as well but I wanted to give you a little glimpse into what it was like. I'll add more photos & individual bands later. But here's a teaser. Hope you enjoy. :]
Gwen Stefani of No Doubt |
Tony Kanal of No Doubt |
Snoop Dogg |
Fitz & the Tantrums |
The Revivalists |
Anthony Jeselnik |
Chris D'Elia |
KAABOO is off to a fantastic start. There were masses of people & I believe it has the ability to grow & become the next Coachella. But we'll have to see about that. I just have to say that Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal, & No Doubt were absolutely glorious live. Gwen's voice is magnificent & she's just flawless in general. I mean look at those abs. Which photo is your favorite? :]
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*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary ticket from KAABOO. All opinions in this are 100% mine aka Carmen's. :]
*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary ticket from KAABOO. All opinions in this are 100% mine aka Carmen's. :]
What to Make with Pumpkin Puree - 50 Ways to Use it
Celebrate the perfect pumpkin dish depending on what you're in the mood for and what ingredients you have. Whether you're in the mood for breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner, sweet, savory, drinks, food, you can pick a combo or come up with your own idea to suit your taste. You can create sweet pumpkin cookies, delicious pumpkin sauce for pasta or gnocchi, enjoy pumpkin oatmeal, the list goes on! You can buy pumpkin puree on Amazon.
Joy to the world; autumn is here. I love that the season gives me an excuse to use that pumpkin goodness! I'm not talking the artificial pumpkin flavor that you can find in your chain coffee shop. I'm talking real pumpkin, leftover pumpkin puree, & all that good stuff. I had a very tempting can of pumpkin puree sitting patiently in my cabinet & I figured there's no better time to utilize it.
Pumpkin is a favorite flavor of fall and winter! It goes great with all sorts of food, from sweets to savories. If you're looking for healthy pumpkin recipes or things to make with leftover canned pumpkin puree, you'll find some inspiration here!
Of course, we all know that there's pumpkin pie, but how else can you use pumpkin puree? Well, check out this list of ways to utilize it. I wanted to challenge myself to find a variety of options to consume pumpkin without feeling bored. I was thoroughly surprised with the flavor & depth it gave my food & drinks. It's as simple as adding it to your favorite grub, beverages, & sauces. Autumnize your recipes by dropping in some pumpkin! Check out this list.
Wanna get excited for autumn? Be sure to read 23 Things to Look Forward to in the Fall! :]
Pumpkin Puree Drinks
1. Coffee2. Chai latte
3. Milkshake
4. Protein shake
5. Smoothie
6. Pumpkin pie spice cider
7. Hot chocolate
8. Pumpkin spice latte with pumpkin whipped cream
9. Egg nog
10. Cocktail
You could even do a pumpkin kombucha! Here are 70+ kombucha flavors to pick from.
My oatmeal tasted scrumptious with pumpkin puree, pecans, & chia seeds. |
Sweet and Desserts Things to Make with Pumpkin Puree
11. Pumpkin oats or pumpkin baked oatmeal
12. Pumpkin pancakes with maple syrup or pumpkin chocolate chip pancakes
13. Waffles
13. Waffles
14. Muffins
15. Cookies
16. Macarons
17. Empanada
15. Cookies
16. Macarons
17. Empanada
18. Pumpkin butter
19. Pumpkin cheesecake
20. Yogurt (Greek yogurt or other)
21. Pumpkin bread
22. Scones
23. Brownies
24. Fudge
25. French toast
26. Pudding
27. Ice cream
28. Cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting
29. Donuts/ donut holes
30. Applesauce
31. Cream cheese
32. Granola
33. Syrup
34. Coffee creamer
35. Frosting
19. Pumpkin cheesecake
20. Yogurt (Greek yogurt or other)
21. Pumpkin bread
22. Scones
23. Brownies
24. Fudge
25. French toast
26. Pudding
27. Ice cream
28. Cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting
29. Donuts/ donut holes
30. Applesauce
31. Cream cheese
32. Granola
33. Syrup
34. Coffee creamer
35. Frosting
36. Pumpkin cake
You can add items like mini chocolate chips, chopped pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon sugar, pie spices like nutmeg, cloves, or ginger, sweetened condensed milk, raisins, honey, coconut milk, vanilla, pure maple syrup, nuts, streusel topping to any dessert. You'll be baking or making these all season long.
Cook your veggies normally & include some pumpkin puree along with your spices. |
Savory Canned Pumpkin Puree
37. Gnocchi
38. Stir fry
39. Pasta
40. Macaroni & cheese
41. Risotto
42. Quinoa
40. Macaroni & cheese
41. Risotto
42. Quinoa
43. Hummus
44. Cornbread
45. Curry
46. Mashed potatoes
47. Quesadilla
48. Dinner rolls
49. Biscuits
50. Pumpkin Alfredo sauce
44. Cornbread
45. Curry
46. Mashed potatoes
47. Quesadilla
48. Dinner rolls
49. Biscuits
50. Pumpkin Alfredo sauce
51. Pumpkin hummus
52. Soup, stew, chili
You can add items like fresh sage, smoked paprika, garlic, parmesan, salt, whole grains to savory dishes. Add a spoon of pumpkin to leftovers. Want to store something after you made it? You can freeze it in your freezer to have later. No need to waste. Simply thaw it out or cook it on the stove. It makes it easy to whip up a bite to eat rather than cook something from scratch.
Not sure where to get pumpkin puree? You can find some on Amazon - click here! They sell some by the can but some are in bulk.
Combine a couple tablespoons of pumpkin puree with your pancake batter. |
What to Make with Pumpkin Puree
You can find pumpkin puree in a can from your local grocery store or on Amazon. Do you have a dusty can of pumpkin puree from last year? There are so many delicious recipes with pumpkin that you'll find yourself buying more this year. If you want to make your own pumpkin puree, you can do that too! It's truly as simple as incorporating a little dollop of pumpkin puree to your food. Put some in your quesadilla or drop it in your mac & cheese. There are plenty of healthy pumpkin recipes out there. Most of these can be made vegan or gluten-free. Plop a little into your coffee or latte for some flavor. Mix some into your usual cookie or brownie batter. There are loads of pumpkin puree recipes out there. There are easy dinner recipes, healthy dessert options, pumpkin pasta dish, and a plethora of ways to add some seasonal flavor into your foods. How will you use leftover canned pumpkin puree this pumpkin season? Are you a fan of pumpkin or do you find it overrated? Did I miss something? Leave a comment with other ideas on how to use pumpkin. :]
Spending the Day in Luxembourg City
Luxembourg is the capital of the small European country of the same name. To avoid confusion it's often called Luxembourg City. The country borders Belgium, Germany, & France so it's the ideal destination if you're heading to any of those places on your trip. The city is known for its medieval fortifications & is one of the largest fortresses of modern Europe. Pretty cool, huh?
Luxembourg is a city full of history & beauty. I only spent the day there but was able to experience enough to whet my appetite. It was a sweltering day -- the kind of hotness that leaves you sticky & uncomfortable. Humid. It was so different compared to the influx of rainy & cloudy days spent in Copenhagen & Amsterdam.
Le Chemin de la Corniche is a must-see because it overlooks the old city; that was probably my most favorite thing in Luxembourg -- being able to witness so much history in one spot. I'd recommend spending one to two days in Luxembourg if you're making a visit. It's the perfect amount of time so you can enjoy all the sites without feeling overwhelmed.
I viewed several of Luxembourg's most well-known sights. The Cathédrale Notre-Dame (Notre Dame Cathedral) is the only cathedral in Luxembourg. It's a beautiful church with Gothic architecture & really cool door handles. It's quaint but definitely worth a look see. The Monument National de la Solidarité also known as the Monument to National Unity is centrally located with a golden woman atop the long column; it's also a popular tourist destination. You'll find a crowd of people around it taking photos.
Le Chemin de la Corniche is a must-see because it overlooks the old city; that was probably my most favorite thing in Luxembourg -- being able to witness so much history in one spot. I'd recommend spending one to two days in Luxembourg if you're making a visit. It's the perfect amount of time so you can enjoy all the sites without feeling overwhelmed.
I was ultra excited by the amount of bakeries & scrumptious, colorful goodies. I mean seriously. They're mouthwateringly beautiful. They're so magnificent that they're almost too pretty to eat. Almost. I definitely ate my fair share of pastries. But can you really blame me?
Visiting the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam
The Anne Frank House is a must to experience if you're in Amsterdam, Netherlands. There's no denying that. The Anne Frank House, also called the Anne Frank Huis, is a humbling reality. Anne Frank is a Jewish girl who went into hiding during World War II to escape the Nazis. You've probably heard about her journal The Diary of Anne Frank & its many other titles.
About Anne Frank
Anne Frank is known for keeping a diary during her time in the Secret Annex. She wrote short stories, diary entries, & favorite quotes from other writers. She wanted her diary to be published as a novel after the war, which was why she attempted to rewrite it. She didn't get the opportunity to finish because her family was discovered & arrested. Anne, her family, & four others hid in the small Secret Annex for two years before being found.
Waiting in Line
Prepare for a long queue if you want to visit the Anne Frank House. The waiting time ranges. I ended up waiting for 90 minutes, but I talked to a local who said it's not unheard of to wait up to four hours. It really varies per day & depends how long you feel like waiting in line. If you know ahead of time when you're heading to Amsterdam & the Anne Frank Huis, you may buy entrance tickets online, print them out or show them on your smart phone. It gives you a direct entrance. However, these tickets can be sold out months in advance.
Admission & Tickets
You may purchase your tickets in advance or buy them at the door. That just means you have to wait in the queue. Adult admission prices are €9. If you're 10 - 17 years old or have a European Youth Card, it's €4.50. You can learn more about prices, admission, & hours of operation here.
Once You're Inside
Photos, videos, & using your cell phone are not allowed out of respect for other visitors & to preserve the original documents & photos. That said, I have no pictures from inside the building. That's just something you'll have to witness yourself. Once you're inside, you can see the photos that Anne hung up in her room & even the lines on the wall to mark the growth of the children. Throughout the Annex you'll see personal documents from the Frank family & even some videos with background information.
The Overall Experience
The Anne Frank House is a place to learn & understand the history & horror of the past. It's not a palace with enormous chandeliers & gold covered ceilings. But it most certainly is grand. It's magical. It's thought provoking. You will leave the Annex feeling changed, feeling inspired, possibly even feeling somber but grateful. If you make it to the Netherlands & Amsterdam, absolutely take the time to go to the Anne Frank House. I recommend it to anyone.
Have you been to the Anne Frank House? Have you read her diary? I'd love to learn about your journey too! :]
The Overall Experience
The Anne Frank House is a place to learn & understand the history & horror of the past. It's not a palace with enormous chandeliers & gold covered ceilings. But it most certainly is grand. It's magical. It's thought provoking. You will leave the Annex feeling changed, feeling inspired, possibly even feeling somber but grateful. If you make it to the Netherlands & Amsterdam, absolutely take the time to go to the Anne Frank House. I recommend it to anyone.
Have you been to the Anne Frank House? Have you read her diary? I'd love to learn about your journey too! :]
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Copenhagen (Denmark) Street Art & Graffiti
I seriously love street art. Sometimes it has something important to say. Sometimes it has nothing to say. Sometimes it's just a visual to peak your interest. Sometimes it's colorful. Sometimes it's black & white. Sometimes you only find it if you're looking. I've featured several posts on the graffiti, stickers, & street art I've seen throughout the years.
There's Oceanside, Los Angeles, Seattle, Venice Beach, Canada, & Israel. Take a gander at some of my previous finds! Street art & graffiti always manages to capture my attention; I know it's not for everyone, but I shall forever enjoy the small but public art gallery that is street art. If you keep your eyes open, you can see the world.
There's Oceanside, Los Angeles, Seattle, Venice Beach, Canada, & Israel. Take a gander at some of my previous finds! Street art & graffiti always manages to capture my attention; I know it's not for everyone, but I shall forever enjoy the small but public art gallery that is street art. If you keep your eyes open, you can see the world.
Today I'd like to share with you the street art, stickers, & graffiti that I found throughout Copenhagen, Denmark. Denmark has a lot to offer for anyone interested in art, architecture, & history. Copenhagen, also referred to as København, is the stunning capital of Denmark.
There's The Little Mermaid sculpture made of bronze & granite, inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. There's Amalienborg Palace, constructed in the 1700s, where you can see the changing of the guards as they march from the barracks. I visited these sites & admired their grandeur. However, I kept a keen eye out for any sign of graffiti on the streets.
There's The Little Mermaid sculpture made of bronze & granite, inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. There's Amalienborg Palace, constructed in the 1700s, where you can see the changing of the guards as they march from the barracks. I visited these sites & admired their grandeur. However, I kept a keen eye out for any sign of graffiti on the streets.
Some of the street art I captured has political undertones & commentary on social issues. While some others are just silly little monsters. Take a look at this Copenhagen gallery for yourself. Let me know what you think of them. If you haven't ventured into a museum or art gallery lately, consider this a free admission. Hope you enjoy.
Which Copenhagen street art was your favorite? Do you have any in your city? Keep an eye out from now on. :]
Which Copenhagen street art was your favorite? Do you have any in your city? Keep an eye out from now on. :]
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Things To Do in Julian, California
Julian is a quaint town nestled in the mountains of San Diego County in Souther California. Julian is an official California Historical Landmark, ideal for a cute day trip with friends or a sweet weekend with your honey. It's located wayyyy up in what's considered to be North San Diego County.
This is a town known for its apples, think apple pie, hard apple cider, regular apple cider, apple butter, you name it. Julian is certainly a small town that you don't need too long to visit. It's not a place that you would need three days to explore, it's more known for its quaintness, apples, & charm. Julian is one of those places you absolutely need to visit. It makes a great day trip for a few hours or spent the night in a cottage as a weekend trip. You could even camp nearby.
I visited Julian CA several times as a little girl, but this was my first experience going as an adult with my own agenda. My boyfriend & I explored the town on foot; it's so petite that you can see nearly everything in about a day. Here are some of my favorite things to do in Julian CA & on Main Street!
Stop by this century old cottage for tea. Call ahead to make a reservation or come in early to do so. There are only a handful of tables, so don't miss out. You get bottomless tea for $3.95 per person & there's a lunch menu too. The teas are tasty & the food is handmade! Everything is so charming. We got the Cream Tea which came with buttermilk biscuits, jam, whipped cream, & lemon curd for $8.95. All handmade! Shop for tea, teapots, & everything tea related. Even my boyfriend loved the experience.
2. Julian Pie Company
Julian Pie Company is a must. This place is a legend. They sell their pies across the county, so they've gotten more popularity & you'll usually find a line out the door. There are only a few tables to eat at; you're lucky if you get a seat. We stopped by to try something different than their famous pies: cider donuts. Yep, apple cider donuts. They were pure heaven with a touch of spice. Kinda wish I had one (or two) right now. They offer chocolate, cinnamon sugar, & maple varieties. They have pies, of course, but don't skimp on the muffins. The pumpkin muffin is *MUAH! Chef's kiss delicious.
3. Old Julian Book House
Get your knowledge on with this cool bookstore. They have a vast selection from birdwatching to old school Nancy Drew novels. Most come at very reasonable prices but definitely not thrift store value. Some are vintage & some not so much. You'll find a variety of books. Each room has a few selected genres: religious, fiction, sports, to make your journey simpler. I was pleased to see anyone from young kids to grandparents in the book house.
4. The Candy Basket
Like sweets? Know someone who does? Stop by this nostalgic candy shop & buy some in bulk. There are plenty of taffys, gummies, chocolates, lollipops, & licorice to choose from. There's also those classic candies you rarely see anymore like Mary Janes & Walnettos. We purchased some of the cheaper bulk candies; kids will love you for it. Munch & reminisce.
5. Julian Soap Company
I adore handcrafted items made with love. Michaeline creates everything herself. Shop for soap slices, fabric wrapped soap, potpourri, room sprays, & more. You can smell the mixture of scents wafting through the air the second you walk in the door. If you're like me, you'll sniff everything before making a decision. I purchased the Lemon Thyme soap for my mom; she loved it.
6. Blue Door Winery
We were walking around & spotted a "wine tasting" sign. I was sold. You'll get six tastings for $10. Now that's a price I'll get on board for. I recommend their sangria; it was so scrumptious & poured in a reusable plastic cup you may keep as a souvenir. Wine is served in wine glasses. The tasting room is open, light, & welcoming. Feel free to bring your dog. Beware! Blue Door Winery is closed Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday.
Related reading: One of the Best Views in San Francisco: Pier 14
Support small businesses & browse the wonders that Julian has to offer! There's more than meets the eye. We had such a joyous time exploring & walking around the town. It was especially wonderful since it was cold & gloomy, an experience we rarely witness in San Diego. Which of these looks like a place you'd like to visit? Have you been to Julian? :]
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