Stone fruit season is probably one of my favorite times of year – the farmers market is bursting with goodies. A few weeks ago the lovely Maia McDonald of Bitte Shop posted a photo of these delicious Peach Coconut Banana Muffins. They looked heavenly. I had been searching for a recipe to make with all of the delicious peaches I was bringing home each Sunday. This one is a hit in our house. Maia was sweet enough to share her recipe and photos with all of us. I hope you enjoy this one – it’s not to be missed before peaches are gone. Enjoy! Peach Muffins Ingredients 2 cups flour 1 cup oats – old fashioned or quick cooking ¾ cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 1½ cups low fat yogurt (plain, peach or vanilla) ⅓ cup vegetable oil 2 large eggs 1 tablespoon vanilla 1 cup diced peaches (thawed if frozen) 2 tablespoons granola or toasted nuts for topping Directions Pre-heat oven to 350 degree and grease a muffin pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients: flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, ginger, baking soda and salt. In a stand mixer or separate medium bowl, whisk together wet ingredients: yogurt, oil, eggs and vanilla. Slowly add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and stir until combined. Fold in the peaches and divide evenly into muffin cups. Bake for 35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Maia is sharing her other favorite – Zucchini Muffins over on Apartment 34 today! Be sure to check out our past On the Menu recipes for more inspiration in the kitchen. Recipe and photos by Maia McDonald #entertaining #cooking

Entertaining when you have a toddler can sometimes present a challenge. What my husband and I have learned is that it’s best to have guests arrive once Jackson is asleep. I can still prepare for the dinner and have the dining room prepped over the course of the day. Before I even start prepping my house for guests – I do a quick cleaning job and then to make it smell inviting I use this go-to recipe from Buzzfeed here. I also try to buy everything I need for the meal the day before entertaining. I like taking a morning to go to the flower market early and then hit the supermarket just as it opens. The grocery store is quiet and nearly empty and before you know it, I’m finished shopping for dinner. I love the ease of using my #BlueCashEveryday American Express card. It’s great knowing I get 3% back at all U.S. grocery stores. This adds up quickly in our household! Here are my five tips for creating an effortless epic summer dinner in: Consider buying some items already prepared. At this dinner, I purchased a roasted corn salad and then mixed it with arugula and feta cheese. It was prepared in no time at all and was budget friendly! As always, I used my #BlueCashEveryday card to make my money work even harder for me. Always try to have fresh flowers or cutting from your garden. Especially in the summer months, even when you are entertaining inside, it’s nice to have a bit of the outdoors in your home. I love mixing flowers I bought with a few vines of clematis from the garden. Candles create an intimate atmosphere that shows you are thinking about the finishing touches for your guests to feel special. I usually stick to white candles, but this time I decided to go with a light gray that would coordinate with the flowers. Cloth napkins are a must. If you don’t have any, consider buying inexpensive fabric and making a set to use everyday or when guests are visiting. To make your guests comfortable while they dine, consider adding pillows to the chairs. This creates a cozy atmosphere and your guests will be so comfortable! Most of all, try to make the effort to have friends dine with you. Entertaining can seem daunting, but if you just set out to complete it step-by-step, it really isn’t that difficult. I hope all of you enjoy the last days of summer to the fullest and let’s make a toast to our friends and loved ones! This post is a partnership with American Express Blue Cash Everyday. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting sponsored posts that keep Sacramento Street doors open. Photos by Delbarr Moradi #entertaining

As most of you probably know already, I love it when I can buy from small local companies. On my trip to Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, I stopped by one of my favorite shops – Kendall Conrad. All of the accessories she makes are made in California of sustainable materials. The design is timeless, with wallets, weekenders, purses, shoes and jewelry made from saddle leather and supple suede from Italy, Spain, and France. What strikes me about Kendall Conrad are the simple designs of each piece that all stand the test of time and can be enjoyed for years. I picked up one of the leather bracelets, perfume, and a key holder with a stunning leather and brass tassel. If you don’t live in Los Angeles or Santa Barbara, you can also buy online. KC boutiques are in Venice, Brentwood, and Montecito and are so worth a visit. Beautiful photographs as well as Picasso prints, create an atmosphere you won’t want to leave. I’m coveting a pair of sandals and a bag that I can’t stop thinking about…next time! Photos by Caitlin Flemming #style

I’ve lived on Sacramento Street for over 10 years. I love that the street has become a mecca for designers and interior design shops. When I need to source, I just step out of my home, and the first place I set out looking is on the street I live on! Recently, I’ve decided it’s time for me to be a bit more grown up, so I got an American Express Blue Cash Everyday card. I like being able to shop the street and also go out to lunch all on the same card, and it feels great to know that I’m getting 1% back on those purchases with this card. If you haven’t been to Sacramento Street lately, come on over and check it out! There are so many shops for design that are fun and filled with fascinating items. I’ve outlined a few of my favorites that I would recommend. St. Frank This is the new kid on the block and let me tell you, if you want to find something unique, this is the store for you. The owner has a carefully curated shop filled with items she has found in her travels around the world. Beautiful fabrics have been made into both wall hangings as well as pillows. Items from Mexico, Africa, Istanbul, Morocco and beyond are all represented here. The St. Frank store also has an extensive collection of design books that are impossible to resist. Anyon Atelier I often find myself lured into Anyon Atelier when I see something beautiful in their windows. I have found unique bowls and lamps that are the finishing touches for design projects. They also have a strong selection of photography that has tempted me a more than one occasion. Hudson Grace If you need a hostess gift or finishing touches for your home, be sure to visit Hudson Grace. I often will buy a large platter here as a wedding gift. They also have an extensive collection of silver they have picked up in Paris and London. Hudson Grace has their own line of candles that smell out of this world. Right now I’m loving the Brentwood Candle with it’s cedar undertones. I have also find some hard-to-find interior design books here. They often have authors in for book signings which can be great fun! Jessie Black If you like a serene interior, come by Jessie Black and you will find the best collection of neutral goodness found in one place. Cashmere throws, antique pieces from France, baskets, and more await you in the stunning shop of Jessie Black. As Quoted Finally, after all of this shopping, you may want to stop for lunch or a coffee. Be sure to stop by the newest place on Sacramento Street – As Quoted. I love the salads there but they also have a turmeric latte that is out of this world. Now that I have my American Express Blue Cash Everyday card, I can leave home with my list of things I need to buy, and know that I’ll be getting 1% cash back. Another perk – after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 3 months of Card Membership, you will receive the $250 back in the form of a statement credit. It’s easy, fun and just out my front door! Happy shopping – I hope to see you soon on Sacramento Street! This post is a partnership with American Express Blue Cash Everyday. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting sponsored posts that keep Sacramento Street doors open. Photos by Caitlin Flemming | Portrait Shots by Claire Giffen #lifestyle

At times it’s hard to believe it’s summer in San Francisco. This is the time of year that the fog rolls into the city and rarely burns off in our neighborhood. Regardless, there are times I am willing to bundle up for some time outdoors. I decided to ignore the fog and pretend it felt like summer and planned an outdoor picnic at Baker Beach here at the edge of the city. To be honest – I chose a perfect day. We saw dolphins who were so close it looked like we could reach out and touch them! There were fishermen and a few dog walkers, but we were some of the few people enjoying this outdoor treasure. If I had needed to prepare this picnic from scratch, I might never have actually get it together to invite friends to share a simple meal. Instead, I bought the items already prepared. I picked up delicious open-faced sandwiches at Tartine Bakery and also put together a cheese board with all of my go-to goodies (see this post for details on cheese board essentials). Just because I wasn’t home (where we have zero outdoor space), didn’t mean I had to use paper plates. I pulled out some of my favorite favorite blue and white dishes from Elsie Green. They were a mix of different patterns that looked so pretty together. I also brought a beautiful remnant of fabric from Elsie to use as a tablecloth/blanket for everyone to sit on. I even brought some of my houseplants to make it feel a little bit more special. And to make the setting more comfortable for friends, I brought along my favorite striped pillows from Studio McGee and the blue series pillows from Citizenry. It was comfortable, intimate, and had a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Can’t get much better than that! Sometimes, we have to take pause from our hectic life and take a few minutes to spend time with the people we love. Photography by Delbarr Moradi #lifestyle #entertaining

There are few shops as well curated as Garde. The owner, Scotti Sitz, chose items that are unique, of stellar quality and not seen in other shops. Every time I walk into Garde on Beverly Boulevard, the beauty of items and the perfection of the shop blow me away. I have never left without purchasing something – an Italian wool blanket, pottery, or a candle. Make sure you add this to your list as a destination when you go to Los Angeles. GARDE is located at: 7418 Beverly Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90036 For more shop features click here! Photos by Caitlin Flemming #interiors #lifestyle

Most of the time when I travel, I prefer to stay in Airbnb places so I can feel more at home in the places I visit. This trip, however, I was only staying for a few nights, so I decided to try an area of Los Angeles relatively new to me – Koreatown. I stayed at The Line Hotel, a freshly updated hotel in the heart of everything. The location couldn’t have been better. A lot of the work sourcing for clients is close to the location. It was great having the beautiful Commissary that felt as though you were in a greenhouse with a beautiful outdoor courtyard with tables, sofas, and the swimming pool. Tip: When booking or checking in – ask to stay on the view side of the hotel. Next time you need a place to stay in Los Angeles, consider Koreatown and The Line Hotel. For more getaway ideas – pop over here. Photos by Caitlin Flemming #travel

When you have a toddler who loves to be outdoors most of his waking hours, it’s good to find ways to change up the trip to the local park with something with a bit more adventure attached. We are fortunate to live right next to the Presidio and this is where we go when we’re looking for a good dose of adventure. Jackson comes alive when we take a hike, play tag, or sit and eat a picnic lunch. You don’t have to go out of town to have an adventure. Just try something new and your kiddos will love it. Outfit Details Caitlin: Classic Chambray Shirt in Black | Mid-Rise Stay-White Rockstar Super Skinny Jeans / Twill Utility Jacket | Lace-Up Gladiator Sandals in Black Jackson: Elephant Printed Crew-Neck Pocket Tee | Chambray Pocket Shirt / Denim Shorts | Double Buckle Sandal in Brown Jackson is growing so fast and it’s nice to be able to buy clothes that won’t take a huge chunk out of our budget. I have come to depend on Old Navy for his wardrobe. The clothes are cotton, comfortable, and fun. He’s currently obsessed with animals and this shirt has him fascinated with the elephants marching in every direction. And to be honest, whenever I go into Old Navy, I end up with clothes for me as well. I kid you not, I get so many compliments on the things I buy there. My absolute favorite jeans this summer (just try to get me out of them!) are a pair of white jeans from Old Navy. I like them so much, I bought a second pair to put aside for next summer! With our adventures, Jackson loves to wear his sandals that he can actually put on himself. When he wants to get outside, you know! He’ll hand you your shoes and put his jacket around his neck. What I love about the Old Navy clothes, is that they are fun but they also mix and match so nicely. We can use the same pants with several t shirts I bought there. The same is true for me. I can get so many outfits out of what I purchased there. When you are buying, just keep in mind choosing items in the same colors and tones. That way you can use them in a variety of ways. I hope you find your own adventures with your kiddos this summer. These are the memories we’ll remember when they’re grown up and out on their own adventures! This post is a partnership with Old Navy. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting sponsored posts that keep Sacramento Street doors open. Photos by Suzanna Scott #style

I do a good amount of sourcing as a designer. My trip to Los Angeles last week was to do some major sourcing for clients. I saw so many beautiful showrooms but Galerie Half nearly knocked me off my feet. This was something beyond my wildest dreams as a well curated collection of furniture, art, and lighting from around the world. There were chairs designed by the Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier. These chairs came from Chandigarth, a city in the northern part of India that serves as capital to Punjab and Haryana. Le Corbusier was charged with helping to create a planned city for the newly independent India. Not only were every building designed, but every detail including furniture, was taken into consideration. As time went by, much of the furniture was discarded for more modern choices. The old chairs (as well as daybed’s) were resurrected from the city dump after years of neglect. Some had bleached down to a beachwood color. Others were still the walnut stain originally applied to the furniture. Caning has been redone but these chairs are an example of the exquisite design found throughout Galerie Half. Galerie Half is worth a visit if you are in Los Angeles! Address: 6911 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90038 Photos by Caitlin Flemming #interiors

When it comes to growing our family of three to four – we asked ourselves, should we wait or have another right away? Both Eric and I went back and forth about the age difference we would want between our kids. If it were up to Eric we would already have baby number two on the way, but I’m an only child and wanted to spend quality time with Jackson as the only kid in the household. Now, I know there isn’t a magic number of years between each kid but I’ve always wanted at least two years between baby one and two. Here are a few things that I think about having baby number two: The second pregnancy isn’t like the first. Now, I had a pretty rough pregnancy in terms of sickness. I had all day sickness until I was seven months pregnant. Part of the reason I’ve wanted to wait on having baby number two is because if I do get sick again, I want to be prepared for how I felt with Jackson. There is no perfect time. Although we may be “planning” when we want to ideally have baby number two, there is no perfect time. Just like baby number one – your world is turned completely around but the experience is incredible. There will probably be moments of freaking out. Yes, just like when you are pregnant with your first little, you have those “am I ready?” moments. I felt very ready for Jackson to arrive and excited. I know I’ll be just as excited for a second, but since I am an only child I will probably have some of those “oh my goodness” moments a little more. These are the three things I think about most when deciding when we should grow our family. I’d love to hear from all of you about expanding your family. What’s the best piece of advice you can give? What do you love most about having a family of four or five or more? Any wise words you can share, I’d love to hear them. Read about how these other amazing mamas have to say about co-parenting! Could I Have That Parker Etc. Apartment 34 The Refined Woman The Effortless Chic Ave Styles Sarah Sherman Samuel Sugar and Charm The Life Styled And be sure to check out past posts from this series. #lifestyle