Posts Tagged ‘ California Pizza Kitchen ’

Set the Scene for Thanksgiving with a Thankful Jar

I love Thanksgiving because it gives us a chance to reflect on all that we are Thankful for.

In the middle of all the hustle to get dinner on the table, keep up with the ever increasing to-do list (especially during the holiday season) and of course just trying to not loose your sanity it is important to stop and take a moment to reflect on all that we are thankful for and I have a thoughtful and creative way to do just that at your Thanksgiving table with a Thankful Jar.

A Thankful Jar is a pretty simple concept. Before dinner each person writes down what they are thankful or grateful for and then places it in the jar. Once dinner is underway the jar is passed around the table and each person pulls out one slip from the Thankful Jar and reads it out loud. Then everyone guesses who the slip belongs too.

Not only does it get the dinner conversation started, it makes for a fun and memorable way to share what we grateful for. Writing down what you are thankful for and then hearing it out loud is more powerful than just thinking about it and everyone can take part- even the kids table.

What You Will Need:

A Jar
Shipping tag
String
Cup of coffee
A fine tip marker
Slips of paper for guests to write on (I created a free printout to download for you)
Scissors
Pens/Pencils

Set the Scene:

The number of guests you have will determine how many jars you will need to make- I would estimate 8-10 people per jar.

Select a jar that is ornate, special and matches your table decor. Mine is pretty rustic/boho so of course I headed to Anthropologie at Fashion Show where I found this gorgeous botanical jar. It is made of hand blown glass, already contains some festive fall foliage (which helps add to the look) and is topped with a beautiful filigree lid.

Once you have your jar you will need to make a label for it. I used a shipping tag which I aged with coffee, stenciled “Thankful” on and tied to the lid. The string that held the original tag for the jar was perfect for my design so I re-purposed it to hold the new tag but you can use any type of string or yarn you like.

To age your tag simply dip it in coffee. Completely submerge the tag in the coffee then set it on a paper towel to dry. Repeat this process 3-4 times until it is aged to your liking. Make sure it is completely dry before you try to write on it. I would suggest doing this part a few days before the event.

Once your jar is completed, you will need slips of paper for your guests to write on. Rather than plain pieces of paper I like to elevate things a bit and give it a stationary like feel with printed slips that say “I am Thankful for…” It feels more personal and prompts the guest to finish the sentence.

To save you some time I created a FREE downloadable print out for you.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FREE PRINTABLE

Cut the slips out and place them next to the jar with pencils or pens.

Before dinner ask your guests to fill out the slips, fold them and then place them in the jar.

When everyone is done writing down what they are thankful for, take the jar to where you are gathering.

Throughout your feast, pass the jar around the table and each person takes a turn reading a Thankful note out loud. Make it a game and try to guess who wrote each one or just sit back and soak in all the good Thankful vibes.

A Thankful Jar is a great conversation starter and perfectly captures the spirit of the holiday. Not to mention, scientific research has found that the practice of focusing on gratitude a few minutes each day tends to positively influence attitudes, increase happiness and joy, reduce stress, foster relationships, encourages compassion, and improves overall well-being including immunity. So being Thankful is actually good for you!

Don’t forget dessert! Did you know that California Pizza Kitchen at Fashion Show sells WHOLE Pumpkin Cheesecakes?!? They are the perfect way to finish your feast- try serving them on these stunning chic canape plates from Anthropologie.

Botanical Jar, Canape Plate and Gold Flatware Available at Anthropologie Fashion Show | Order your Pumpkin Cheesecake at California Pizza Kitchen Fashion Show |

This post was created in partnership with Fashion Show. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sip and Shop at Fashion Show

Things are heating up here in Vegas and there’s nothing I like better, except maybe shopping, than a cool refreshing cocktail on a hot day.

I have a secret to share… you can have the best of both worlds and combine the TWO (Shopping & Cocktails) at Fashion Show!

Yes, Sip AND Shop!

Fashion Show has some of the tastiest restaurants around AND they are all featuring some delicious refreshing summer cocktails that pair perfectly with a light bite and alot of shopping.

California Pizza Kitchen

Spiked Cucumber Reviver and Beehive Sangria paired with the Banh Mi Bowl.

These two drinks are seriously THIRST QUENCHING. The Spiked Cucumber Reviver has a yummy cucumber/mint flavor that I would classify as Mojito adjacent. It’s light, sweet and totally thirst quenching. The Beehive Sangria is a refreshing, not-too-sweet, perfectly mixed Sangria with a oh-so-summertastic blend of strawberries, lavender and honey. I suggest grabbing one (or two) of these before you go try on swimsuits- it will make the experience so much more pleasant.

Cucumber Reviver- Pineapple/cucumber puree, fresh mint, Hendrick’s Gin and Cucumber, Lime Agave syrup combine to create this ultimate refreshing drink.

Beehive Sangria- Pinot Grigio, strawberry, lavender and honey.

Banh Mi Bowl- Quinoa, baby kale, fresh cilantro & mint topped with grilled chicken, watermelon radishes, fresh avocado, cucumbers, carrots, bean sprouts, scallions and sesame seeds. Served with housemade chili-lime vinaigrette and serrano peppers.

Jeannie’s at Nordstrom

Vine Street Cocktail paired with Herloom Tomatoes and Roasted Baby Beets

Did you know that on the third level of Nordstrom there is a restaurant (Jeanie’s) with a FULL BAR! YES! FULL BAR! After an exhausting try-on-sesh you can head up the escalator, order a cocktail and curate your shopping list without even leaving the store!

My pick from Jeanie’s, Vine Street, is a tasty cocktail that lands somewhere mimosa adjacent. The effervescence from the Prosecco and the sweetness of the muddled grapes gives it a light “lady’s lunching” vibe.

If you are looking for a lite bite that is healthy and satisfying this Roasted Beet Salad and Herloom Tomatoes are off-the-hook AMAZING!

Vine Street Cocktail- Chopin Vodka, Rose Wine, Fresh Lime Juice, Muddled Grapes and mint with a splash of Prosecco

Herloom Tomatoes, burrata, walnut Jam, Crostini

Roasted Baby Beets, Citrus zest, pistachios, mint

Maggiano’s

Peach Bellini and The Perfect G&T paired with Crispy Zuccini Frittes and Amalfi Lemon Chicken.

Hello adult slurpee. So yummy! This frozen take on a Peach Bellini will instantly cool you down. Packed full of flavor it’s the ultimate relief from the Vegas heat.

It was love at first sight and then first sip for me and the Perfect G&T. This simple yet sophisticated cocktail only has three delicious haute ingredients and is mixed with my all time favorite Tonic- Fever Tree. Fever Tree Premium Indian Tonic Water is crafted by blending spring water with luscious botanical oils including quinine and oils from Mexican Bitter Oranges to give is a clean unique taste. It really is the perfect Gin and Tonic.

I’ll take 2 of each and a patio seat please!

Perfect G&T- Hendrick’s Gin, Fever Tree Tonic, Cucumber

Peach Bellini- Bacardi Lemon, Ruffino, Prosecco, Peach Puree.

Amalfi Lemon Chicken- Lemon Brined Roasted Bone-In Chicken, Grilled Asparagus, Garlic Mashed Potatos

Crispy Zuccini Fritte

Neiman Marcus Cafe in Neiman Marcus

Pear Perfection paired with The Crab and Shrimp Cocktail

Lite, tasty, fruity and bubbly the Pear Perfection is not only totally Instagram worthy but also a summer thirst quencher.

It’s just-sweet-enough flavor is ideal for patio sipping and day-dreaming about those Chloe sandals you are obsessing about in the shoe department.

Pear Perfection- Grey Goose. la Poire, St. Germain, elderflower, lemon and Q spectacular soda

Crab & Shrimp Cocktail- jumbo lump crab, shrimp served with louie sauce and cocktail sauce.

RA Sushi

The Dragonbite paired with Crispy Spicy Tuna

This truly is The Mother of Dragons. Packed full of fruity flavor this delicious drink has a bite (ha ha get it ) and when paired with a spicy dish (like the Crispy Spicy Tuna) delivers you the sun and stars.

Refresh with this combo then snap a few pics at the most Instagramable spot at Fashion Show- The Rainbow stairs located within a few steps.

Dragonbite- Dragonberry, Bacardi Absolute Citron, Lemon Sour, Yuzu and Strawberry Puree.

Crispy Spicy Tuna- deep fried sesame rice ball topped with spicy tuna, cilantro, jalapeno,

Tags:Best Drinks at Fashion Show Best resturants at fashion Show Las Vegas California Pizza Kitchen Drink and Shop in Las Vegas Fashion Show Las Vegas Jeanie's at Nordstrom Las Vegas Maggianos Neiman Cafe Neiman Marcus Las Vegas Nordstrom Las Vegas RA Sushi Las Vegas Shopping Las Vegas Summer Cocktails Las Vegas.

Pizza and Horror Movies

October isn’t just about pumpkins, it’s also about Horror Movies and what goes better with horror movies than Pizza!

With Halloween just around the corner, now is the perfect time of year to share my Seven Sinister Slices.

I teamed up with California Pizza Kitchen at Downtown Summerlin for the ultimate list of pizza and horror movie pairings. These go together better than fava beans and a nice Chianti.

Mwah ha ha. So snuggle up grab a slice and let’s get scary!

ONE: Texas Chainsaw Massacre-(1974 & 2003)

This classic horror movie was so good they made it twice, you might want to order two of these pizzas because they are THAT good too! The Original BBQ Chicken Pizza (legendary BBQ sauce, smoked Gouda, red onions and fresh cilantro) at first you will be like, nah man, BBQ on a pizza?

Like the Old Man in the movie said, “Look… I got some good barbecue here!” Although, I don’t think he was referring to the pizza.

TWO: Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) And the other 8 movies N.O.E.S.

Wes Craven must have been cravin’ some Pepperoni Pizza when he created the character Freddy Krueger. Talk about a pizza face.

(A combination of rustic and spicy pepperoni with fresh Mozzarella and wild Greek oregano)

THREE: The Lost Boys (1987)

Roasted Garlic Chicken Pizza won’t protect you from these smokin’ hot vampires, “Garlic Don’t Work, Boys!” but it’s worth a try anyway and tastes so sinfully good! (Sweet caramelized onions, fresh Mozzarella, Parmesan, slivered scallions and cracked black pepper.) Word from Comic Con is that we will see a CW series in the next year based on this cult comedy horror movie!

FOUR: Children of the Corn (1984)

What was Stephen King thinking about? I mean kids in horror films already scares the bejeezus out me but creepy kids in cornfields — ØMG!

Let’s face it, the entire idea behind Children of the Corn and its numerous sequels is one big creepy-children horror fest, from its brainwashed children with pitchforks chanting “KILL!” to its charismatic child leader Isaac and his eerie preaching about the evil god of corn known as “He Who Walks Behind the Rows.” I have never been able to look at corn the same again.

All I know is, taking a bite into the Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pizza (Chipotle adobo sauce, shaved poblanos and Monterey Jack with housemade roasted CORN & black bean salsa, fresh cilantro and tangy lime crema) would make even the KING of ALL THINGS SCARY scream for more.

FIVE: Carrie (1976)

“They’re all gonna laugh at you” when you have marinara pizza sauce dripping all over the place once you bite into the Untraditional Cheese Pizza (Mozzarella and marinara pizza sauce.) Margaret White (Carrie’s Mom) just needed to try a slice maybe she would have loosened-up on poor Carrie a bit more “It was bad, Mama. They laughed at me.” Here Carrie, have a slice.

SIX: Suspiria (1977)

In the 70s this movie scared me so much that besides not having seen it again, I refused to go to a ballet class, granted I can’t dance but still NOPE not going to go to ballet school. Now they are re-making this expressionistic horror film which will be released in 2018! The Italian terror maestro Dario Argento knew what he was doing and so did California Pizza Kitchen when they created The Sicilian Pizza (Spicy marinara, Italian sausage, spicy Capicola ham, salami, Mozzarella, shaved Parmesan, fresh basil & oregano. Rustic meets refined).

SEVEN: Friday the 13th (1980)

Who doesn’t think of this movie every time Friday the 13^th raises it’s ugly head? I mean come on, Jason Voorhees, his white hockey mask and Camp Crystal Lake- I am convinced Jason lived on mushrooms out there in the forest while stalking campers and he would have gone wild over the Wild Mushroom Pizza (Shaved Cremini, Shiitake, Portobello and white mushrooms with slivered scallions, cracked black pepper, Romano and Mozzarella. Finished with Parmesan). It’s just a shame about all those campers, well more for Jason I guess… ki ki ki, ma ma ma or ch ch ch, ha ha ha.

These pizza’s are so good, all that’ll be left will be the bones (pieces of crust) in the bottom of the boxes from these serious eats!

Don’t forget to ask for the “double cut” so you can get more slices and if gluten terrifies you California Pizza Kitchen also offers these horror movie perfect pairings in gluten-free!