OpenTable, the world’s leading provider of online restaurant reservations, announces the 2013 Diners’ Choice Award winners for the Top 100 Outdoor Dining Restaurants in the United States. These awards reflect the combined opinions of more than 5 million reviews submitted by verified OpenTable diners for more than 15,000 restaurants in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

With summer travel season on the horizon, perhaps you’re considering a sun-soaked Caribbean beach holiday. I can hardly blame you. To find out where the best Caribbean beaches are and get answers to questions regarding travel to the area, join CheapCaribbean.com’s Best Beaches Twitter party on Tuesday, May 21 from 11:00am – 12:00pm PST (1:oopm – 2:oopm CST). I’ll be there as a compensated panelist, along with other travel enthusiasts.

Robatayaki, sometimes shortened to robata, literally translates to fireside cooking. And, similar to a traditional campfire, this Japanese food is a social experience that even kids enjoy. While hard to find, at least in San Diego, seek it out in Japan as a healthy alternative to sushi or ramen — though, don’t get me wrong, you can really fill yourself with robata without effort. If you’re visiting Tokyo with kids and don’t mind the cost, [...]

Did you know that tiramisu actually means “pick me up” because of its two caffeine-containing ingredients: chocolate and coffee? Maybe you have an awesome Italian dinner planned but are looking for a more forgiving recipe than an actual tiramisu. Your alternative? tiramisu brownies. I was sent a gorgeous basket of ingredients  for this recipe by Barista Prima, who happens to make my favorite Keurig coffee  flavors. The basket would make an excellent DIY hostess gift [...]

I drastically underestimated the degree to which the Louis Vuitton Neverfull GM handbag would change my life (insert my husband rolling his eyes here). I’m writing this post is because this handbag entered my radar about a year ago and I delayed buying it because I couldn’t decide which print to go with and I (wrongfully) thought I didn’t need another Louis Vuitton handbag. I don’t want you to make the same mistake. There is [...]

I’m working with Central Garden and Pet on a sponsored campaign (full disclosure below) about gardening products that I already use. About 3 years ago, I started regularly applying Alaska Fish Fertilizer to my yard on the advice of Barrels and Branches, a fantastic nursery in Encinitas. My plants were looking sluggish to the point where I was considering a pricey yard overhaul. After one application of fish fertilizer, my ginger plants started flowering again [...]

Reader Results: 16 Health Conditions Helped By Drinking Lemon Water

May 7, 2013
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One of my most popular (and plagiarized) posts is about 10 reasons to drink hot lemon water in the morning. The post discusses why you should drink it (antioxidant rich, etc.) but as it grew in popularity, people started leaving hundreds of helpful comments about regarding how lemon water has actually improved their quality of life by helping to heal certain health conditions.

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Guess Where The World’s Largest Rubber Duck Is? And, He’s Coming To The U.S. Next.

May 3, 2013
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Do you recognize this skyline? If it wasn’t for the fact that my daughter is in school while he’s floating around in Victoria Harbour, we would have flown out to see him (her?). You see, this duck has been a media sensation in Hong Kong over the last few days and I have enjoyed reading the media coverage as well as commentary from my friends over there (Hong Kong was our home for 5 years). [...]

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San Diego Marriott Del Mar Review & Their May Giveaway For Moms

May 1, 2013
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Though I’ve driven by the San Diego Marriott Del Mar more times than I can count, I hadn’t visited the property until my daughter and I were hosted by the hotel in advance of their May celebration of moms. Four lucky moms will win a one-night stay and a $50 credit to Arterra, the hotel’s signature restaurant.  Before I give you the contest details, let me tell you more about all the property has to [...]

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This Is Hilarious: Meet Hotel La Jolla’s Mat (A Must-Watch VIDEO)

April 30, 2013
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Hotel La Jolla is ‘Rolling out the Mat,’ a new program making custom-designed Gaiam yoga mats and roll-out service available in every room. To celebrate the launch of this program, the hotel has brought to life Mat, a fun-loving, charismatic and stylish yoga mat who is hiding around the property for the next two weeks. Seriously, this is the best hotel promo video I’ve EVER seen. Hotel, lounge and restaurant visitors who spot Mat around [...]

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