Tucked away in a small shopping center, one would never know to look for this trendy eatery located on the south end of Costa Mesa. Fortunately, Avanti Cafe’s long-standing reputation in the community and beyond keeps diners and foodies coming back to this gem of a restaurant that serves local and organic vegetarian food. Kim…
Perched atop the hills of the Santa Monica Mountains, I can see it from a distance. It’s a blue sky and sunny day, the kind that only Southern California knows in the middle of a January winter. Winter? Eh, sure. No doubt there’s a snowy blizzard in some other part of the world, just not…
no comments
It’s been a while since I posted here. I took some time to reflect on life, and everyday, I am reminded of how truly amazing life is. There’s beauty in the mystery of what lies ahead. I came across this quote today and wanted to share it: “Afoot and lighthearted I take to the open…
no comments
I love postcards. I love collecting them. I love sending them. I love receiving them. In fact, I shamelessly beg friends to send me postcards when they travel. Ahem, hint hint. For this holiday season, I did some more begging and asked some friends to send me a “digital” postcard of what they were doing,…
8 comments
These were really fun to look through. I especially loved the colorful and festive ones from Prague and New York. AND the tortellini en brodo (one of my all time favorite dishes). Thanks for asking me to contribute. Happy New Year
Michelle- what a nice idea to collect all these photos from travelers. Loved looking through them 
Here’s to LOTS more trips in 2012!
~ Dave
This turned out really cool! Though I’m partial to holidays sans snow, I love them all. Such a great idea and looking forward to the monthly feature.
Grazie Michelle per questo bel mash-up Buon Anno Nuovo!
Thanks for thinking to ask me I was very happy to be a part of it! I did not know you were a huge fan of real postcards too (like me!). Email me your current address and I will send you one!
Thank you to all of you for sharing a little bit of your holiday with me. Happy New Year!
I know how it feels to receive stuff from all around the world. I have a little collection of shot glasses friends send me from all around the world. I am from Montreal but now living in Australia. I can send you some nice digital postcards from my Christmas down under. There is no lights or trees but some breath taking beaches 
I have a blog too.. But I didn’t write anything in a while. I just love traveling and seeing pictures of other people traveling. I’ll be glad to share!
Really cool, Michelle!! More than happy that I could helped out. As you know, I love postcards too. Looking forward to seeing more.
It seems every tourist that visits Amsterdam makes an obligatory stop at the iconic I amsterdam structural sign located in front of the Rijksmuseum. I am no exception. The catchphrase was initially used as a marketing campaign to promote the city and its businesses, but quickly became a motto that represents the pride and dedication…
no comments
This was taken a few weeks ago during my trip to San Francisco. I made two attempts to wake up at 5:00 am to capture some sunrise shots of the Golden Gate Bridge. Alas, it was never meant to be because who really gets up that early when they’re on vacation? Apparently, not me. Instead,…
1 comment
Such a beautiful brilliant red in the bridge. Great shot!
Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that 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. — Mark Twain He ran as fast as he could to…
2 comments
Looks gorgeous! You look quite chilly, though. John’s story is sad but it is great that he keeps up with sailing and enjoys the life he has.
Michelle – Nice photos! I should have lent you my -50 degree sleeping bag and or my full body down suit meant for Antarctica! I’m sooo looking forward to temps in the upper 70′s and 80′s this weekend in Pasadena
A couple of weeks ago, my friend Dave Thompson invited me to join him to help with harvest season in wine country Napa Valley in Northern California. Dave started The Napa Wine Project, in which he is personally visiting, tasting and reviewing every winery and commercial wine producer in Napa Valley. He has visited more…
9 comments
This winery looks divine. Great photos Michelle! How pricey is this wine? I imagine if they don’t distribute it much it must be a little higher in price.
Wonderful photos and post, Michelle and Dave. How fun to taste the juice right out of the crusher! I really enjoyed my visit to Tedeschi Winery and meeting Emil, too. I got to do some “tucking” of the vines. The vineyards are lovely and I love Emil’s style of wine production. I hope to visit there again sometime soon, especially after reading your post!
Great photos! You really got the red carpet tour!
It is nice to see a small winery still in operation. Thanks for sharing the great pictures and story.
Beautiful Photography Michelle, Plus another check off the Bucket List – Good for you!
Thanks for the making the long trek up north Michelle – love the photos 
You should see the valley now – its a patchwork quilt of brilliant yellows, oranges and reds. The first major frost will turn this color explosion to grey in a matter of hours.
You’ve captured well the essence of Tedeschi’s tiny vineyard and the flurry of activity during harvest.
Those are some awesome images. Really love that first image of the grapes. Makes me want a glass of wine now
Thank you all for your comments!
Rease – I believe the price ranges between $36-$70.
Dave – Amazing how just a couple of weeks can make such a big difference in the landscape this time of year. Thank you again for taking me!
– Michelle
Great Pictures and story. I am happy that someone is paying attention to the smaller wineries.
Congratulations to Emil and his sons!
You guys did it!
It’s a heaven of sweets and indulgence. I found it by accident and at the last minute. I had to leave for the train station to go to the airport in a couple of hours. After a relaxing six days in Amsterdam, alas, it was finally time to leave for my next vacation destination to…
5 comments
Amazing! This is my dream – to travel the world, eat the food, and take amazing photos. Your blog will suffice until then I guess. Kudos!
Brings back fond memories of Amsterdam. A city that is best seen on foot, on bicycles and on the trams. Taking it in slowly, this city is a treasure trove of artistic, architectural, cultural, and culinary delights.
Your lovely tempting photos of this particular pattiserie invokes me to dig my sketches of Amsterdam during my travels there, back when mobile phones didn’t exist.
Franklin — It’s my dream too!
Anthony — Amsterdam is a charming city, isn’t it? I would love to see some of your sketches of the city.
Looks like you are living the dream. Keep traveling, eating well, and taking great pictures.
Yes, I loved walking around Amsterdam and wish I would have found Unlimited Delicious.
Wednesday, October 5th. The morning started off with torrential downpour. Yes, torrential downpour because we spoiled Southern Californians tend to over-exaggerate when the temperature dips below 75 Fahrenheit degrees and the happy yellow sun doesn’t show up on our smart phone’s 7-day weather forecast app. Living in Orange County, I always dread driving up to…
no comments
2 comments
So hungry. Everything looks like a work of art and sounds delicious. I love that you got to know the owners and their story a bit too. It’s so cool that her dad made the tables.
The food looks absolutely gorgeous, sometimes food really is art.