Drinking from Mason Jars

I have been seeing more and more restaurants these days serving drinks in mason jars, even some pretty nice restaurants. I personally love the way it looks :) However, if you like the idea but don't want to use an actual mason jar...I found these cool multi-purpose working glasses from {Crate and Barrel}

PS: Sarah Garza...this is for you :)

El Dorado Hotel & El Dorado Kitchen

I found {El Dorado Hotel / El Dorado Kitchen} in Sonoma, CA online last week and after checking out their menu I decided to make reservations for brunch on Mother's Day (today). From the pictures I saw on their site - of the restaurant, food, and hotel - I thought it would be pretty good. "Pretty good" is a complete understatement. This place was AMAZING - down to every single little detail. The food was phenomenal - unbelievably delicious flavors and the presentation of each dish was sensational! The interior design, architecture, and overall ambiance was perfect. The branding and design elements were impeccable - they did not leave out a single detail! From the bottles of water, the embossed leather menus, business cards, the piece of branded parchment paper that kept the butter dish covered, the fact that the tables each had a tall lamp next to them instead of the cliche candles on the table, salt and pepper mills instead of the usual shakers, the outfits worn by the servers and chefs were all cohesive with their logo on the shirt sleave (not overdone in the center of the shirt) and the chefs worse hats with the logo embroydered. I am blown away and cannot wait to go back and try lunch or dinner! I would give this 6 out of 5 stars :) It was a designers heaven. How cool is that work of art made with small twigs?? And the arrangement of green and white (my favorite) ceramics placed on the shelves in the lounge area of the hotel...I can go on and on but I think you got the point. If you are ever in Sonoma, CA - it is an absolute must that you do not leave without trying this place!

Dinner in a Treehouse?

I first heard about the {Yellow Treehouse} restaurant a few months ago and just came across some pictures of it today and wanted to share it for those who haven't heard about it. The interesting part is that modern treehouses are not new to architects, but the designers of this project in New Zealand were able to create something that blends with its host, a redwood tree. The fungus / chrysalis-shaped building is a restaurant build by, of all people, the New Zealand Yellow Pages. It is situated 30 feet up a giant redwood tree, just north of Auckland.