Porto’s Bakery

I was first introduced to this wonderful-in-everyway-place by my lovely sister in law. This introduction, unfortunately was over instagram. You see my SIL lives in LA. Once she finished USC (yes, extremely proud over here), she officially took the plunge of living the high life of a studio apartment *sarcasm indeed*. What is not sarcastic however, is that I am living vicariously through her. Who wouldn’t want to be young, with tons of fun friends, on your own, in Los Angeles? So when we went to visit this past summer my only wish was to go to this place. It’s obviously the closest I was going to get to being young and fun in LA, with children behind me. haha So off we went:

The architecture inside and out was so pretty. I wanted to take tons of pictures, then redecorate my house accordingly.

Tell me one thing in this case that me, my husband, and my two girls wouldn’t want to take home?! Every. single. thing. I wanted to buy and smuggle on the plane.

This is what my husband and I settled on: Tiramisu on the left and mochachino on the right. Mine is the right, good thing, cause it was the most delicious one! I could use one right now, this 1200 calorie diet I’ve been on needs to be blown up!

A Latte Love <3

I know that Valentine’s Day is done, but one more post on that thought, okay?

I made this drink cozy for my husband a couple years ago, but came across it again just in time for the day. Unfortunately things have been crazy at work for him, so I stopped by Starbucks & bought the biggest cookie I could find… because I equate chocolate chip cookies with love, don’t you? I believe that he thought it was the best Valentines as well.

Staycation - Michiana

 

As you can all see from my recent posts, I have just been in California recently. This being said, I will have to plan some things closer to home now that I have limited funds for a bit.

I have been noticing around the Blogosphere that lots of people have been posting about staycations just in the nick of time. This got me to thinking, I need to start thinking about what things I want to do this summer. Here are a few of my favorites around the area, but I am sure we will be doing new things as well. We’ll blog about them later!

 

     

Potato Creek

My family and friends like to go to Potato Creek and have day picnic/grilling out sessions. We also have been known to take a hike on the trails after, to burn some of those calories

 

 

Saint Joe, MI

We absolutely love Silver Beach, it might be a little chilly in the water, but it feels wonderful on those hot August days!  Once we brush the sand off our feet, we take a little walk uptown to the Main street, so that we can have ourselves some Kilwin’s. This ice cream place is like an old-fashion soda shoppe, they have fudge and chocolates too! YUM

 

                

Shipshewana

There are so many things about this town that I love, I really don’t know where to start. The amish all around make you feel like you are taking a step back in time.. I love the slow pace, it makes you appreciate the little things. The crafts everywhere make you appreciate the handmade. There are bakeries around every corner making it time for a cookie, all the time.

 

 

The South Bend Chocolate Company

Whether you visit the factory or just the café downtown, you are in for a treat (pun intended). I visited the factory for the first time last year, and believe me it is worth the small upcharge to get to make your own chocolate spoon! They give you a tour of the factory, give you free samples, and finish up with a movie. If you decide to go to the café, there is much to see there as well. They have an indoor jungle gym for the kids, a café with cheesecakes and mochas for the parents, and a old timey candy shop on one side for both. I don’t need a reason to go to this café, seriously.

 

 

Faux Raspberry Mocha

Isn't this cup beautiful? I spotted it at Marshalls, and I couldn't walk away from it. I bought a pair actually :) With this cup, I was inspired to write about another love of mine....

some people like Margaritas, some people wine, some people like Throwback Pepsi, while others like Dr. Pepper. Not me, I obsess over Starbuck's mochas.

During the winter months I go with a peppermint mocha, and sometimes just a plain o' mocha will do, but kids, we are headed into Spring!

Raspberry Mocha for me!

I know what you might be saying... but Katrina, Starbucks gets a little pricey if you make a trip there too frequently. Well, I got the hook up for you then :)

Just add water!

Start with your regular hot chocolate mix, and make according to directions on package.

Next add a half {according to MY tastes} package of these travel instant coffees, & yes you can buy the cheap one.. there are so many other flavors competing anyway.

And finally get your syrup ready, I add 2 Tablespoons, but that might be because I not only have a sweet tooth, I have a sweet FANG!

Voila! Yummy Faux Raspberry Mocha, and you didn't even have to brew a cup of coffee :)