San Diego Staycation at the Marriott

a_house_in_the_hills_marriott-11 a_house_in_the_hills_marriott-1

Happy Thursday friends- one more day till the weekend!!!  Since we moved to San Diego in January I’ve only left once for a quick business trip to LA, and life has been hectic with the house selling/buying, 6 weeks staying with friends etc.  And since we’ve been settled in the house I feel like my brain is running non-stop about how we can make it feel like home (design obsessive disorder, let’s call it).  So when the Marriott reached out to offer us the opportunity to book a spontaneous staycation we jumped on that like a cat pounces on feather toy!  So one random day when the mood struck us, using their mobile booking and check-in app we left the beach, booked a room, threw a few things in an overnight bag and headed out for our overnight stay at the Marriott Marquis.  The mobile check-in app makes it super easy- you can check in after 4 pm the day before your arrival and the app notifies you when your room is ready!

a_house_in_the_hills_marriott-13 a_house_in_the_hills_marriott-3 a_house_in_the_hills_marriott-2

Once we got there we hung out by the pool, ordered room service, checked out the amazing views from our room on the 23rd floor of the north tower (I got a little bit scaredy-cat-ish on the balcony for a second), lounged around and just generally made sloths of ourselves.  It was just what the doctor ordered!  My brain turned off, my vacation self turned on, and we were able to relax.  Of course we snapped a few photos to share below.  And here’s the bonus:  From April 2 to December 31, 2015 Marriott guests who check-in with the mobile app during their stay at a hotel in the US, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands have a chance to win a grand prize of one million Marriott Rewards Points!  That could be you my friends, and that’s A LOT of nights of R&R!  Here’s a video Marriott produced to celebrate the millionth mobile guest check-in.

a_house_in_the_hills_marriott-4 a_house_in_the_hills_marriott-7

Click to read more

Home Inspiration- Pantries

Pantry1

As I spend more and more time fantasizing about our kitchen remodel- I spend exponentially more time fantasizing about a pantry that I can merchandise and fill with pretty things!  Speaking of which- do you ever merchandise your fridge- putting everything on display the prettiest way you can?  I don’t get to do it as often as I’d like but when I do it sure feels good!  Ok, so today’s inspiration- some pantry inspiration.  Hope you love!! xx- Sarah    {via 123 / 4 }

522918a957fbcc03-3009Dandala_MG_8267 crete2-1 4kPQYzNW_Wbx

sarah_yates_A_House_in_the_hills-349877

Happy Tuesday my friends!  I feel like I’m in the middle of a cyclone this week- and it’s only TUESDAY!  Yowsers!  Do you know what I’m talking about- the days where you feel like you’re just spinning and getting tossed about and wondering where you’re going to land?  Well, that’s me over here- or over there, WHO KNOWS?!  HA!  I hope you’re weeks are off to a less eventful start!  xx- Sarah

Shop this outfit:  tank: JCrew (25% off with code SHOPNOW), skirt: Asos (old), shoes: Thakoon Addition (sold out), bag: PB 0110, bracelets: Miansai here, here and here, arm cuff: Campbell, rings: Gabriela Artigas

sarah_yates_A_House_in_the_hills-349888 sarah_yates_A_House_in_the_hills-349887 sarah_yates_A_House_in_the_hills-349886

Click to read more

Browned Cauliflower and Kumquats

browned_cauliflower_kumquats_A_House_in_the_hills-2

I know.  I want to start this post by saying I KNOW. Every recipe I’ve shared of late has kumquats in it.  I don’t know what my deal is – I WANT TO EAT THEM ALL!  The tartness, the citrus-y goodness of eating the peel, the tiny cuteness factor- I just love them.  I love them only a little less than browned cauliflower, which is just up there with the best things ever.  And this dish, with the citrus champagne viniagrette- it’s a fresh and beautiful side dish.  If you eat eggs, add an egg and it’s a beautiful brunch.  I don’t know when I WOULDN’T eat this.  I hope you love, at least 75% as much as my undying love of kumquats- which is obvi A LOT!  Happy Monday my friends, let’s get it this week, whatever IT is for each of us!   xx- Sarah

browned_cauliflower_kumquats_A_House_in_the_hills-7 browned_cauliflower_kumquats_A_House_in_the_hills-4

Click to read more

Friday Links

IMG_6766-1

Happy weekend my friends!  What’ve you got on the books?  We have a fun and a little bit random collection of plans- our house in being blessed by Shaman Louie Saturday morning (gift from our incredible realtor), I’m going on a girls roadtrip with a friend to attend Rachel Zoe’s coachella pool party later that day, we’re meeting up with friends to paddleboard (or possibly surf!) on Sunday and we’re bouncing around the idea of a potential staycation that night to get out of the house and have some couple time together (sometimes all I can think about when we’re home is what I want to do with the decorating- it can be overwhelming- my level of excitement).  When I read that back I can only laugh because I sound like I’m living in a southern California version of Portlandia.  Almost like I’m a caricature of myself and it would be ridiculously easy to make a spoof out of it!  But sometimes life is just like that- funny and random.  I’m just along for the ride!   Hope you all have a beautiful weekend with great friends, yummy food and lots of good old fashioned belly laughs.  Links below for your lovin….  xx- Sarah {image via}

Click to read more

Passionfruit Chia Pudding

SILK_soymilk_chia_pudding_A_House_in_the_hills-4959

Happy Thursday my friends!  As part of my get-healthy mission I’ve been working with my gal-pal-yoga-instructor-nutrition-fitness-coach/ life expert January and she’s been reinforcing the importance of including more protein in my diet.  So I’ve been looking for all the yummiest, healthiest, prettiest ways to do so of course!  And I prefer plant-based whenever I can.  So today’s post, in partnership with Silk Soymilk (Non GMO Project Verified-  horray!!) is for a protein packed, sweet and tasty passionfruit chia pudding.  Not only does it take minutes to make but it’s the perfect mid-day pick me up (or evening dessert!).  I love the simple sweet taste of the soymilk and chia, and the passionfruit, kumquats, toasted almonds and shredded coconut add texture and some punchy flavors!  It’s a real treat, but also low in saturated fat, full of heart healthy goodness and a nutritional powerhouse.  I hope you love it as much as I do!!  xx- Sarah

SILK_soymilk_chia_pudding_A_House_in_the_hills-4966 SILK_soymilk_chia_pudding_A_House_in_the_hills-4968

Click to read more