Category Archives: California

California, New Zealand, North America, Oceania, United States

A-Z Challenge: Boyfriend

April 2, 2015 zaagitravel@gmail.com 8 Comments

How did a girl from Los Angeles, California fall in love with a boy from Auckland, New Zealand?

Where in the world do I begin?

I met my boyfriend James in February 2014.

But before that… in the summer of 2012 I met his sister Tessa. You can spot the gorgeous blonde gal in this post.

Tessa became one of my closest friends when we met while traveling with Contiki around Europe for 4 weeks.

Nearly two years later I spotted a Facebook/Instagram post of hers. A picture of her with a really attractive dude.

It read: “Adios brother! Enjoy the great continent! #USAbound #adventures #luckybugger #hugelyjealous”

Said photo…

Now, to make a long story short enough to read…

I offered to show him around my neck of the woods. And on February 23 of last year I took him around to Huntington Beach and Newport Beach. And life was never the same.

Months after we met our friendship evolved. It didn’t take me long to realize that James is the most incredible person I’ve ever met.

He’s the definition of genuine, kind, thoughtful, honest, hilarious, intelligent, adventurous, strong, brave, hard-working. He is so happy, he brings so much positivity to every single situation and makes even the simplest of moments gleam and mean something.

There was just no comparison. He was the macaroni to my cheese. And how cheesy is that?

I sincerely didn’t know relationships could be this amazing. I couldn’t be more proud that this is mine.

We didn’t have the most typical/average beginning. What we have is better.

It’s been 65 days since the photo below was taken.

It was taken at the Down Under Bar & Cafe in the Auckland Airport terminal minutes before I left to return to Los Angeles.

It was taken in the same spot as Tessa’s original Facebook photo, the first time I ever laid eyes on the person who would give my world a new glow.

The countdown to seeing this face again is nearly over. Now we’re just days away from the next chapter of this insanely amazing adventure.

California, Expat Life, New Zealand, North America, Oceania, United States

A-Z Challenge: America to nZ

March 31, 2015 zaagitravel@gmail.com 12 Comments

Well, if you’re reading this there’s a good chance you already know I’m moving to New Zealand.

If you didn’t know… now you know!

And I’m moving… this week.

I’ll keep this post relatively brief because there will be some lengthy ones to come.

In the month of April I will be blogging EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Ok wait. That’s not true.

I’ll be blogging every single day of the month aside from Fridays… or Thursdays if you’re in North America. Technically the rules of the challenge I’m completing (more on that below) include breaks from blogging on Sundays. However, I’m a rebel so I’m choosing Fridays.

Basically… while researching blogs about Americans that have moved to New Zealand I came across Albom Adventures, a blog written by a female American expat living in Auckland.

She has completed the A-Z Blogging Challenge for the past four years. I was inspired. And being that this will be one of the biggest months of my entire life thus far, I want to document it the very best I can.

My blogging lately has been pitiful, and that’s being kind. But I feel extremely motivated to complete this challenge.

Some of my upcoming posts will include information pertaining to travel, including my experience with Global Entry as well as the special visa I’ll be on.

But most importantly, it will follow the shenanigans I get up to with the best sidekick in the world, my boyfriend James.

Upcoming topics include…

On April 11-12 James and his dad Brett will be attempting their second Guinness World Record, for the longest game of squash, playing 36+ consecutive hours to raise $36,000+ for the Child Cancer Foundation.
I’ll also be discussing Kiwi food, Kiwi slang, and some of my favorite places I’ve already traveled to around New Zealand.
Some of the most fun you could ever imagine!

And! As it turns out… Rhonda from Albom Adventures has themed her A-Z posts ‘AmaZing Auckland’! I look forward to discovering more about my new backyard through her blog as well!

Please feel free to follow this journey I’m about to partake on.

And buckle up. It’s gonna be a crazy beautiful ride (on the left side of the road… Oh goodness!)

California, North America, United States

À La Minute Handcrafted Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream in Claremont, California

February 6, 2015 zaagitravel@gmail.com 1 Comment

I love my best friend Rhea and I love ice cream.

And tonight I got to combine those two loves when I met up with my bestie and her fiancé Manako at the new local ice cream shop, À La Minute, in Claremont, California.

The latest addition to the downtown Claremont scene has thrown a new spin on everyone’s favorite frozen treat.

They handcraft your individual serving of creamy goodness with the use of liquid nitrogen! Because science.

If, like me, you hear the words liquid nitrogen and have no clue what that actually means…

Here is a description from À La Minute about their special ingredient:

“Liquid nitrogen is simply nitrogen (which makes up 78% of our atmosphere) in a liquid state. It is -321 degrees [fahrenheit] and is obviously very cold. Using liquid nitrogen to make ice cream minimizes the size of ice crystals and results in a much creamier ice cream.”

On top of that, À La Minute also uses a 100% organic ice cream base and places a high priority on using local & seasonal ingredients.

Your order is literally as fresh as it gets. And on top of that, we also watched our waffle cones being made right in front of us!

The shop – which shares a space with Augie’s Coffee House – is located inside the Packing House (the largest historic building in The Village)!

If you’re looking to spend an entire evening in the Claremont Village, a scoop from ALM would make an extra special post-dinner treat after a drink/meal at Eureka Burger or The Back Abbey.

Back to our experience…

Staring at the board of flavors and making a decision took us quite awhile.

Finally we made our choices…

I ordered the Espresso Chip with added caramel sauce on top! Needless to say I was more than happy with my pick, and highly recommend it!

Rhea opted for the most unique flavor — Butternut Squash and Black Garlic with Burnt Sugar Syrup! She and I both liked it but Manako wasn’t a big fan of the frozen vegetable and garlic concept.

Manako (A.K.A Beast Mode) chose the classic Chocolate Chip! Let’s just say it was pretty much gone in a manner of seconds.

We all LOVED our super delicious indulgences. As we were leaving Manako exclaimed, “I’m going to be coming back here!”

I have to say that I completely agree.

If you’re curious about this liquid nitrogen ice cream you can grab a scoop (or two! or three!) from À La Minute at one of their three locations in Southern California: Claremont, Redlands and the city of Orange!

532 W. 1st Street Claremont, CA 91711

19 East Citrus Avenue #105 Redlands, CA 92373

117 N. Glassell Street Orange, CA 92866

If you still want to know more check out this video to learn how they use liquid nitrogen to form their extra delicious desserts!

California, North America, United States

Sailing at Sunset in Long Beach, California

November 13, 2014 zaagitravel@gmail.com

My very first GoPro-documented adventure!

Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-check it out!

This is what sailing in Long Beach, California at sunset is all about, y’all!

Soooo…….. awhile back…….. I enjoyed a Groupon excursion with Pacific Sailing.

This is our captain. I wish I could tell you his name.

But I can’t, because I have been the worst slacker EVER……….. this sunset sail occurred seven (gasp) months ago. Horrendous, I know. I’m sorry. I promise the next few months will be better!!!

We bought a deal for a 90-minute sunset sail with a bottle of wine for only $99!!

After buying the Groupon we just contacted the company to set up a date and time. The company was a little difficult to get ahold of at first, took a couple tries on the phone.

But once we had the details down we were all good to go!

On the day we drove to Long Beach’s Shoreline Village — a collection of shops, restaurants, and fun activities (including a carousel, arcade and bike path)!

This is where we parked, just a few steps away from the meeting place down on the marina, where we checked in and waited to set sail.

A couple from Burbank were the only other passengers to join us.

The passengers were allowed to sit back and enjoy the ride while the captain took care of nearly everything. We were only asked to change sides of the boat once to help with positioning the vessel to better turn around.

During the trip around the stunning California coast we learned tips and tricks about sailing, history of the area, etc., all while sipping on a bottle of wine and enjoying the last of the sun’s warmth.

The view of Long Beach was stunning as we exited the harbor.

We could see the famous Queen Mary ship, which always reminds me of Titanic. Yes, I just brought up Titanic in a post about sailing. Get over it.

TIPS

I do have some random general advice for sailing if you don’t have a lot of experience. Some of this may seem obvious, some might not, bare with me.

Out on the ocean, the wind can pick up a bit….. after all, wind IS required to sail.

1) Naturally, I would recommend bringing a coat or light jacket. Even on beautiful days during spring and summer.

Being freezing might ruin the ambiance a little. Be prepared. If you get cold easily, bring a blanket, a scarf, whatever it takes to keep you comfortable.

2) Take your hat off and be careful with your sunglasses. That wind/mildly bumpy ride could cause you to lose loose items fairly easily. And good luck getting them back if they fly off.

3) Ladies… don’t bother styling your hair. If you leave it down it’s going to become a crazy tangled mess. Just bite the bullet and throw it back into a ponytail. You’ll be able to SEE and you’ll save yourself from some nasty split ends. So come prepared with something to tie it back with!

4) Use the restroom before you board the sailboat. 90 minutes is a long time to be wishing you had.

5) Take some pictures!

6) But don’t just be experiencing the view from behind a screen or lens. That’s why I loved bringing my GoPro. Taking pictures with it was discrete and it meant that I was looking at the view with my own two eyes!

7) Enjoy yourself! Because who doesn’t love the ocean?? If you don’t, we can’t be friends. It’s that simple. I’m kidding. Kind of. Not really. Yeah, I’m not kidding.

But seriously… Sailing is incredible way to get back to nature. Relax and leave your troubles on the dock. And when you get back kick those troubles into the water and watch them drift away. Unless your troubles are a person. Then please don’t kick them.

I’ll end this post with ONE OF MY VERY FAVORITE QUOTES EVER by Mark Twain.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Also, before I sign off, you should know that Pacific Sailing also offers sailing lessons — something I’ve been dying to do!

I highly recommend checking the company out — especially if you can get a deal on Groupon — whether it’s for a romantic date night (or anniversary, birthday, graduation celebration and so on), or just to get out and do something new.

*** I did not receive compensation of any kind to write this post. This is my honest opinion and was written purely for your interest/entertainment/knowledge.

California, North America, United States

Opening Weekend at the Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Stadium

April 12, 2014 zaagitravel@gmail.com

There’s something so very “American” about baseball. And there’s something so very “Los Angeles” about the Dodgers.

Some of my favorite childhood memories took place at the Dodger Stadium.

The second day of the opening weekend seemed like the perfect occasion to celebrate the beginning of spring with my baseball-loving boyfriend, Ryan.

On the day of the game we stopped by CVS to grab sunscreen (which I highly recommend for day games). Ryan didn’t use any and came home with sunburnt knees which have now turned in to a very interesting tan. Use the sunscreen, people.

We fortunately didn’t hit any traffic (unheard of in L.A.) until we exited the freeway and began the drive up to the stadium parking lot.

TIP: Bring some cash, general parking costs $15.

Since we got to the stadium early we walked around and watched them prepare the field.

It was fun to see the crowd react to Matt Kemp’s return. He has been out for quite awhile due to ankle and shoulder injuries. Needless to say, Matt’s first game back has been long-awaited and anticipated.

The thing I anticipated? DODGER DOGS.

It definitely would not have been an authentic experience without the famous hot dog! Too long to even fit in the bun, piled with ketchup and mustard and onions! Yes, please.

[source: bryce_edwards flickr]

It wasn’t long until game time so we went back to our seats.

We made it back just in time to see Robin Thicke perform a few songs, including “Blurred Lines”, on a roll-out stage out on the field. It was definitely a cool way to start the game. The following day Lupe Fiasco performed. Yay perks of living in L.A.!

Then it was time to watch some ball!

I had originally bought these tickets for Ryan and I for Christmas. Our teams are rivals, and we are both very competitive, so I thought it would be ~~interesting~~ fun to go to one of their first games of the season versus each other.

Even though the Dodgers lost, it was nice to see Ryan’s team win. I’ll always be a Dodger fan though, don’t get me wrong.

If you haven’t been to a baseball game recently (or ever) I highly recommend going to a Dodger game. It’s a great thing to do during the spring or summer with friends and family.

You can get seats from just a few bucks all the way to… uhhh, a lot. Ticket prices depend on location in the stadium, the visiting team and time of year.

If you pack snacks you can probably get away with a day at the baseball field for under $20/person or so.

I had a great time and can’t wait for the next game!

GO DODGERS!

California, North America, United States

Carmela Artisanal Ice Cream in Pasadena, California

April 2, 2014 zaagitravel@gmail.com 2 Comments

In Spanish, “Carmela” means garden.

The garden-themed ice cream concept behind Carmela began with co-owner, Jessica Mortarotti, and her childhood memories of cooking with her grandmother, whose name is… you guessed it, Carmela. Ahhh, it’s all making sense now.

Jessica, along with Zachary Cox, began producing Carmela Ice Cream in 2007. They started out at local farmers markets and eventually expanded into two permanent locations —

1) PASADENA: 2495 E Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104

2) LOS ANGELES: 7920 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Carmela Ice Cream has now turned into a well-known and well-regarded spot in Los Angeles for a bowl (or cone) of exclusive, seasonal, artisanal frozen flavors — made with organic dairy and farmers market ingredients!

Last week my mom and I decided to go check out what we had been hearing about all across town.

Our rendezvous began with lunch in downtown Pasadena and a short jaunt across to the north side of the 210 freeway to the ice cream shop for dessert.

The shop is in kind of an awkward spot — it’s difficult to find parking, but if you go past it a little bit and turn right there is 20 minute parking just before the residential street. This area was open for us, but I should point out that it was on an overcast Wednesday around noon. I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to find a parking spot on a sunny day or during the weekend!

After entering the shop and waiting our turn, we were helped by Jessica and one of her employees, Kira. I could immediately tell that they both have an obvious passion for their ice cream and for creating the best possible experience for each and every individual that enters their door.

Kira and I enjoyed sharing our love for blogging (she has a fantastic food blog — www.kikicuisine.com — which you should absolutely take a look at!)

I was actually having so much fun chatting with Kira and snapping pictures of the charming interior (the chandeliers are such an adorable touch) that I nearly forgot to order.

Now, on to the good stuff: I sampled “Fresh Mint with Cacao Nibs” and “Lavender Honey”. I ultimately decided on a scoop of “Dark Chocolate with Cacao Nibs” and their best-seller, “Salted Caramel”. I was more than satisfied with my decision! Carmela ice cream is everything I hoped it would be! There’s a reason they have awards and articles on display (they’ve won multiple “best ice cream” accolades in a variety of LA-based publications), they’ve truly earned them. Seen here, here, and here…

The “Dark Chocolate with Cacao Nibs” had an enticing texture — the chocolate flavor was deep and rich; cacao nibs were chopped into tiny pieces and blended throughout, allowing the right amount of crunch in each bite. The “Salted Caramel” was not your average caramel, it was mature and evolved. It had somewhat of a warmth to it that emanated through the frozen confection, in a very very good way. The saltiness made me crave more and more and more. The flavor never got old, every spoonful exploded with flavor.

My mom ordered Brown Sugar Vanilla Bean and added salted caramel sauce on top!

I’ll be honest, I don’t normally choose vanilla. They always seem to taste the same. Not this one! Carmela uses real vanilla beans with absolutely no need for artificial flavoring. By far the best vanilla ice cream I’ve ever had.

Thanks mom, you were a great hand model!

Tell us! What have you ordered (or would you order) at Carmela?

California, North America, United States

Day Date in Laguna Beach, California: What to See, Eat & Do

March 30, 2014 zaagitravel@gmail.com 1 Comment

Laguna Beach, an upscale, coastal, & artistic Orange County community in Southern California, is famous for a variety of reasons: the “Laguna Beach” reality television show, the Festival of Arts Pageant of the Masters, the Sawdust Art Festival, it’s gorgeous, snorkel-worthy beaches, the list goes on and on…

There’s no denying it’s a beautiful place any direction you look. It’s also chock-full of great food, great shopping, and great views. Here are some of my favorite things to do on a day-trip to Laguna Beach.

So grab your mom, your dad, your boyfriend, your girlfriend, your husband, your wife, your best friend, your dog, your grandma, your grandpa, your daughter, your son, your pet rock! Grab them and enjoy a day here with my best recommendations to get the very most out of your day in Laguna Beach.

What better way to begin a day-date than with… a movie.

The small Laguna South Coast Cinema is a cool place to catch the latest flick. Adult tickets are only $8.50, or $6.00 for a matinee (before 5:15).

Afterwards grab a bite at my absolute favorite restaurant in Laguna Beach, The Cliff, located in the Laguna Village. The restaurant offers a reasonably priced valet parking service for your convenience.

Here is one of the many reasons I love eating at The Cliff. Just let that view sink in.

If you can tear your eyes away from the turquoise waves long enough to take a glimpse at the menu, you’ll find a variety of delicious seafood options, as well as sandwiches, burgers, salads, and so on.

Did I mention the view?

Alright alright, back to the food.

I recently ordered two “Scallops Wasabi” for the first time. They’re described as “raw scallops on the 1/2 shell topped with seaweed salad, pickled ginger and wasabi cream sauce”. As of March 2014, pricing is $3 ea. / $25 doz.

Now… let me just say… I love seafood. I love sushi. I love scallops.

These scallops were the BEST scallops I’ve ever had. They were SO GOOD. If you like raw seafood (i.e. sushi), you have to try these. I could eat these everyday for the rest of my life. A little tang, a little spice, a little crunch, a lot of YES.

My mom ordered Fish N Chips ($16), minus the chips, plus fruit. So. Fish N Fruit you could say. I had a bite of hers and it was ALSO some of the best fried fish I’ve had. Light, not oily, and flavorful.

For my main entree I had Halibut Laguna ($25), “fresh grilled halibut filet topped with mango and papaya tropical salsa served with rice and fresh mixed greens”. Also fabulous!

That view again. I can’t help myself.

The rest of the Laguna Village is filled with cute, little specialty & art shops. I bought a gorgeous gold-filled anklet from Shelby’s and my mom bought some coral and shells from Rudi’s (located on the eastern side of the Laguna Village, near the street.

Meeting and chatting with Rudi and Linda was a highlight of our day! Rudi is from Vienna, Austria and Linda is from Cape Town, South Africa. Since I have previously visited both of their original hometowns we had a blast discussing our favorite parts of each destination. They told me about the under-rated Tokai wine region in Cape Town, a place I’ll most definitely be visiting on my next visit to Cape Town (which is hopefully sooner, rather than later)!

Their adorable dog, Bear, greets customers with a wagging tail when he’s not lounging in his cushy bed.

My mom was so inspired by Bear’s haircut that she requested I groom up our Pomeranian/Papillon pup just like him. I tried. But I’m saving you from the visual. I’ll leave it at that. Admire Bear’s handsome looks, instead.

After checking out the Laguna Village I recommend taking a stroll along the sand… because everyone likes long walks on the beach. Am I right or am I right?

I also highly recommend heading to the main downtown streets, Forest Ave and Ocean Ave.

Here, you’ll find Scandia (248 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651), an awesome bakery popular with locals.

It’s filled to the brim with salads, pastries, and a comfy warm coffee aroma.

From cookies, to tarts, to danishes… they have something for every sweet craving.

Choosing between a danish and a coconut macaroon was next to impossible. I ended up “eenie-meenie-minie-mo”-ing it.

You’re lucky I paused to take a quick photo before gobbling this baby up! Ain’t she a beaut?

ANDDDDD… MORE SHOPPING! Because shopping. Duh.

I was ecstatic when I came across Tuvalu (295 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651), a home furnishings store with a shabby chic/oceanic theme. Totally my style!

Being that I semi-grew up in Orange County (die-hard beach baby since birth, just ask my mama), and sailed around the world on a ship, I have a deep LOVE for coastal interior designs.

Tuvalu is the epitome of unique, rustic and beautiful. Their furniture, lighting, dining, bedding, art and accessories have even been featured in Coastal Living, Sunset Magazine, Ocean Home, Real Simple, and InStyle.

(Heads up: Their website is currently under construction, but Pin this and come back to it later! Even if you can’t make it out to Laguna Beach, you can still browse/shop online when their website is back up!)

Tuvalu also has a fun and eclectic book section towards the back of the store.

And it gets better. The owner/buyer, Laurie Alter, is totally awesome! She’s very hands-on in the store and one of the most helpful and cool business owners I’ve come across since I started blogging.

Be sure to check out the Tuvalu blog and Pinterest account! I’m already obsessed.

Next up, one of my favorite clothing boutiques in Laguna Beach: Muse!

Muse, formerly known as Ivory Moon, has been around for fifteen years. I’ve been coming here for at least five of those years.

The clothes are consistently interesting and desirable. This is because Muse sees itself as more than just a clothing store; they aim to be an art and fashion gallery by showcasing up-and-coming designers.

After speaking with the owner, I learned that he is inspired by the casual, artistic feel that the Laguna Beach community is known for. The boutique/gallery hopes to inspire it’s customers to be different and unique.

The clothing and accessory pieces are discovered and brought to the shelves and racks of the store from all over the world. For example, the canvas bag (on the left in the photo above) is from Madagascar!

Muse is a fun place to explore the future of the fashion world. I’ve often wondered if fashion-mogul Lauren Conrad gained inspiration from the boutique as she was growing up in Laguna Beach. (Shout out to LC! Her blog is to-die-for!)

If you’ve been to LB, what are your favorite things to see, eat, and do? Have I missed anything note-worthy?

California, North America, United States

The Best of “The Village” in Claremont, California

February 20, 2014 zaagitravel@gmail.com 1 Comment

Claremont, “The City of Trees and PhDs”…

It is well-known in the academic world for being a town of topnotch colleges. Which ones, you ask? Well, Pomona College, Scripps College, Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, and Pitzer. They are basically the West Coast’s version of an Ivy League. As of 2013, four of them rank in the top 25 liberal arts colleges in the entire nation.

On top of that, in 2007, it was voted the number five best place to live by CNN/Money. Being that I grew up in the town next door I’m pretty proud of that accomplishment.

Claremont has been something like an adopted hometown to me, since my own town is seriously lacking in the cool restaurants and boutiques department. We frequent C-Mont often, particularly the downtown area known as “The Village”. This aesthetically pleasing and charming part of Southern California is a can’t-miss for anyone looking for a day trip or new area to explore. I’ve collected some of my own favorite things about The Village and laid them out for your convenience below.

P.S. You’re in for a treat, literally. The first handful are more than enough to indulge any irresistible sugar craving you may have.

If you’re on a diet, enter at your own risk.

So, without further ado, welcome to my ‘hood (kind of)…

First up!

1) 21 Choices

Imagine mixing Baskin Robbins, Yogurtland, and Cold Stone all into one; you would get something similar to 21 Choices.

This frozen yogurt shop is one of the originals, having been in business for decades (although switching and adding locations a couple times). They now have two locations in Claremont, one in downtown Pasadena, and another on the USC campus.

Their unique concept begins with offering six flavors/choices each day — two usually being the classics, Dutch Chocolate and French Vanilla, and the other four changing daily. Examples of their vast variety of flavors include Kahlua Mudslide (my personal favorite), Root Beer Float, Circus Animal Cookie, Orange Creamsicle, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate-Covered Strawberry, Snicker-doodle, Reese’s Extreme, Banana Cream Pie, Nutella Chip, Brownie Magic, Oatmeal Cookie, and so on. There are literally thousands.

The second unique aspect to 21 Choices is that they offer to mix toppings into your frozen yogurt. Using two hand-held blades, your taste-bud-bliss-inducing associate carefully chops up and thoroughly combines whichever toppings you select into your chosen flavor(s). Toppings range from fresh fruit to M&Ms to gummy bears to baked goods to breakfast cereals to well, a lot more. Because why not?

Depending on the size you choose (pretty much any size but a tres small — their smallest size), you can potentially have up to all six flavors jamming together in your cup.

21 Choices is THE place in the Inland Empire/San Gabriel Valley/whatever this area is called… to grab a sweet treat. It’s a social gathering place for high school and college students, families, dates, friends, and so on. It’s not uncommon to see a line out the door during the evenings. It has a fantastic energy with friendly, upbeat staff and delicious, customized fro yo!

Fun Fact: nearly eight years ago I walked into 21 Choices and filled out an employment application. It became my very first (non-entertainment industry) job. And I loved it. And so did my sweet tooth. And so will yours.

2) Some Crust Bakery

The Some Crust Bakery, which opened in 1916, prides itself on it’s European-style baking methods.

It’s not just a popular spot for baked goods. They serve up yummy breakfast & lunch also – including design-your-own sandwiches and sliders!

Some Crust bakes up fresh cakes, cookies, pastries, danishes, croissants, scones, muffins, pies, bars, cupcakes and so on.

My favorite is the Mocha cookie! Nom. Nom. Nom.

3) Bert & Rocky’s Cream Company

Bert & Rocky’s Cream Company is a sugary heaven. With 50 flavors of ice cream, cases full of candy and chocolate, and massive caramel apples, it guarantees something good for everyone.

Their ice cream counters hold all the classics as well as unique flavors like “Guava and Goat Cheese”. Say what?!

But… if ice cream isn’t your thing ~~(then you’re weird)~~ you can check out these beauties below.

4) I Like Pie

As a somewhat new member to the Village, I Like Pie is quickly establishing itself as a big player.

Next month, this charming pie shop is partnering with the Claremont Chamber of Commerce to host the 2nd Annual Claremont Pie Festival. It’s being held out front I Like Pie on March 15th, 2014 from 11:00am-4:00 pm. It’ll be a great opportunity to come check out all the local pies!

I Like Pie also features a gluten-free option daily and vegan options Friday through Sunday.

All of the sweet and savory pies I’ve tasted have been delicious. I even ordered a full-size Apple Cranberry one for Thanksgiving last year! It was decorated with leaves made from pie-crust. So cute!

5) Laemmle Movie Theatre

The 5-cinema Laemmle Movie Theater offers up a wide range of movies, from the biggest box office hits to obscure independent and foreign films.

In other words, a simple recipe for a romantic evening (or just a friend-date) in the Village :

Sit down for dinner on the patio at The Back Abbey (a cool gastropub behind the theater)

Catch a movie at Laemmle

And finally, enjoy a dessert at any of the fun options above!

6) Nectar Boutique

Because… a review of any downtown is not complete without a shopping recommendation!

Nectar Boutique. It’s full of cute clothes and accessories for, well, women. Sorry dudes.

After being referred here by many friends I finally came in to take a look around.

I literally can’t come in without buying something. Every time.

Oh and they have an employee named Alexa. Automatic awesome. And as it turns out she’s really helpful and cute. I mean, her name IS Alexa… ha. Terrible joke. Just terrible. Moving on.

7) Rhino Records

If you’re a music fan, be sure to check out the impressive selection over at Rhino Records.
It’s like walking back into the good ‘ole days when there were things like records… and… CDS. Gasp.

Tap into your inner hipster. You know you want to.

8) Walters Restaurant

Lastly, if you’re in the mood for something a little different (but not too different) then check out Walters Restaurant. Their menu is made up of American/Afghan fusion and it’s… it’s just… really good.

Two of my favorites items on the menu are:

1) – Afghan Fries (left) – Fresh potatoes dipped in a special ethnic batter and deep fried.

Those Afghan Fries though. Served up with some ketchup. Yee haw!

And

2) – Spicy Corn Cakes (right) – Topped with homemade black beans, salsa and sour cream. (Vegan)

My mouth is watering.

My sister-in-law recommends…

3) Bolawnies – An afghan dish made up of ground beef, potatoes and onions stuffed in a thin dough and deep-fried. Served with fresh yogurt sauce.

I’ve actually never tried them but they’re on my to-try-very-soon list.

The Village’s HONORABLE MENTIONS!!!

Two of my other favorite places in the Village are chains and I tried to keep this post all about what is UNIQUE to Claremont.

But because I love them so I will list them here.

1) Le Pain Quotidien – I go here for breakfast and lunch with my mom quiiiiite frequently. Their steamed apple juice, coconut macaroons, cheese almond danish, and curried chicken salad tartine with harissa-cranberry chutney can turn any frown upside down. Exclamation point. Exclamation point. Exclamation point.

2) Eureka Burger – Fresno Fig burger with sweet potato fries and extra ranch. And a Belgian wheat beer. Please and thank you.

—–

What are YOUR favorite things about Claremont?

Or if you haven’t yet had the pleasure of exploring my neck-of-the-woods, which business above looks most appealing? What would you do if you had a day to spend in C-Mont?

California, North America, United States

How to Spend A Morning in Pismo Beach, California

January 27, 2014 zaagitravel@gmail.com 1 Comment

Pismo Beach is a small beach town on the central coast of California. In the 1950’s it adopted the moniker “Clam Capital of the World”, a culture it still closely identifies with today. You may have also heard of this little gem from pop culture classic, Clueless, when Cher identifies herself as captain of the Pismo Beach Disaster Relief.

The real disaster is if you haven’t ever heard of Pismo Beach. However, if this is the case, it’s not too late.

What you should know now:

The downtown area is a popular stop for travelers making the long trip up or down the gorgeous coast (bias aside…) of the golden state. It is also the closest beach to San Luis Obispo, home to Cal Poly SLO, a well-regarded university.

Lately I’ve been loving the monthly road trips with friends up to our friend Kevin’s oceanfront vacation home. Let’s be real, who doesn’t love indulging in delicious food and stunning Pacific Ocean views…?

If you’re planning on a visit to Pismo Beach, do yourself a favor and put your diet on hold. Trust me, it’ll be worth it.

There are three things you must do when visiting Pismo Beach, California…

1. Eat a to-die-for cinnamon roll at Old West Cinnamon Rolls on Dolliver St. Extra points for a specialized cinnamon roll, like the one I devoured that was coated with slivered almonds. BOMB! Other topping options include: crumbs, pecans, walnuts, raisins, and raisins & walnuts.

2. Take a relaxing stroll on the pier or beach (PSSST! Silver dollar central on the north side of the pier during low tide. I found 12 in under 12 minutes!)

3. Finish up with a hot sourdough bread bowl full of award-winning clam chowder from the famous Splash Cafe (an awesome tip I got from my boyfriend, Ryan: add the “seafood topping” for a $1.00… it is SO good!)

What do you love most about Pismo Beach?

If you could only choose one, which would you have — an Old West cinnamon roll or clam chowder from Splash Cafe?

California, North America, United States

Cooking Observation at the Village Kitchen Shoppe in Glendora, California

November 14, 2013 zaagitravel@gmail.com 1 Comment

I’ve been on quite the hiatus — first it was Nashville for the KEEN Digital Summit, and then I had a health issue to address… but I’m back into the swing of things again! I’m ready, you ready? Cool. Let’s get it then.

So I first visited the Village Kitchen Shoppe nearly a year ago.

When I get people gifts I often like to give experiences, rather than things. And being that my dad loves to cook (he’s basically an undercover gourmet chef) I thought it would be fun to gift him a cooking demonstration for his birthday.

The idea of sitting back, relaxing, and drinking a couple glasses of wine while observing new cooking techniques followed by a delicious meal sounded right up our alley! And it was.

I’ve been back to the Village Kitchen Shoppe many times over the last year. Their well-stocked shop is a great place to find cooking-related gifts. Each time I go I discover exciting, new trinkets and tools — like colorful, magnetic, stackable measuring cups & spoons or the absolute coolest mixer I’ve ever laid eyes on.

So… last month, when I discovered a pair of passes to another one of these cooking demonstrations at an auction organized by the David & Margaret Home, I was determined to win them to surprise my dad with a sequel to our previous culinary training.

The $50/person “TAB (Take a Break)” class was lead by 1 head chef, Gina, 1 sous chef and about 8-10 observers. It lasted from 10:30am – about 1:30pm. Gina, who has been working at the Village Kitchen Shoppe for four years, is likable and full of interesting knowledge.

A sample of things I learned specifically about eggs from Gina during the TAB class:

— Egg shell attracts egg shell. If you break an egg and a piece of the shell falls into the bowl, use another piece of shell to help fish it out.

— Egg yolk is always the same size. It’s the egg white that differs amongst the various sizes of eggs. Who knew?

As you can see below, the demonstration was best seen from the overhead mirror that reflected the table Gina worked on.

The food itself was fabulous! During this particular demonstration (the menu is different each time) they served a sweet and sour holiday brisket, a massive iceberg salad with refreshing dressing and blue cheese, roasted fingerling potatoes and carrot coins, goat cheese popovers, and a pumpkin pecan cake bar with a cream cheese vanilla bean frosting.

The brisket was tender and full of incredible flavor. The goat cheese popovers, perfect for mopping up the crazy good sauce from the brisket, were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The vegetables, deceivingly simple to make, seemed like there just had to be some fancy, special secret to them.The gloriously gigantic pumpkin pecan cake bars were a perfect way to end the meal and indulge in the festivity of fall. Moist, sweet, surprisingly light, yet still wonderfully rich — I was a big fan.

The following weekend I made the fingerling potatoes and carrot coins (with a Beer Braised Beef dish by the Pioneer Woman) and it was boyfriend-approved! Both recipes were ridiculously easy to repeat but tasted like I’d slaved in the kitchen. Loved that.

Overall: I recommend the classes at the Village Kitchen Shoppe to anyone in the San Gabriel Valley area looking for a new way to spend a Saturday morning or celebrate a special occasion.

Zaagi Travel

Category Archives: California

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The Best of “The Village” in Claremont, California

How to Spend A Morning in Pismo Beach, California

Cooking Observation at the Village Kitchen Shoppe in Glendora, California

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