The Dose

C’est La Vie!

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By Greer Wylder
July 09, 2010

Oh, to live like a Parisian. We’re not dissing staycations (ever), but remember real vacations, especially European vacations? We just found out about CobbleStay.com, a Newport Beach-based online service that helps travelers find carefully selected apartment rentals in Paris in all price ranges—for budget to luxury. Bookings start from less than $200 per night and $1,200 per week. The company’s founder, Drew Graham, is a former Yahoo! executive who lived and worked in Paris for nearly a decade and knows first-hand that hotels in Paris don’t always meet the needs or expectations of U.S. travelers. The service can be ideal…

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Bite This!

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By Greer Wylder
July 07, 2010

Sometimes, just a bite is all you want and need. And that’s exactly the delicious simplicity of OC’s own Just a Bite™ Cake Pops. The darling cake pops are hand-dipped, decorated and wrapped and we say perfect for party favors, place cards, centerpieces, or even elegant, classic or funky displays—it’s your call. Owner and baker Mindy Himmel started baking cake pops a few years ago for parties and for friends, and one thing led to another and before she knew it she created and perfected Just a Bite fun and unique cake pops. Just a Bite™ Cake Pops offers a…

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Starbucks of Taiwan Arrives in OC

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By Greer Wylder
July 06, 2010

It’s one thing to be popular, it’s another to be downright cult-like. And that’s the way it is over at 85C, the bakery’s U.S flagship location in Irvine. In Taiwan, 85C is as ubiquitous as Starbucks (so we hear). It’s a coffee and bakery chain, named for the degree at which coffee is brewed. 85C is known for its black squid-ink bread, taro root bread, everyone’s favorite milk bread, blueberry cream cheese that fans swoon over, delicious blueberry brioche, brick toast, mini-cheesecakes and much more. And don’t forget to try its no-one-does-it-better (or maybe we don’t just know anyone who…

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Romancing the Stones

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By Greer Wylder
July 02, 2010

OK, so we were tipped off by the fabulous Leslie S. Christen Lifestyling that we should know about Nan Fusco, a Laguna Beach-based jewelry designer, and guess what? We agree. Nan Fusco’s collection of handmade fine jewelry and a new line of convertible sterling chains took our breath away, and that doesn’t happen all that often. One piece of Nan’s jewelry can satisfy your many stylish moods: cool, chic, summery, eclectic, you name it. And wow, she has access to delicate and unique stones that set her designs apart: lapis, blue chalcedony, oval cabochons, blue lace agate, iolite, pink, lavender…

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Our Next Major Crush

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By Greer Wylder
June 30, 2010

We have a major crush on The Winery’s “Crush Hour” happy hour. We just checked it out, and if you’re a foodie, a wine enthusiast, or just need a relaxing and delicious break, you need to as well. Here’s the entire Crush Hour menu. And there’s a new addition: every Sunday is Crush Hour—an ideal way to wrap up a weekend, from 4:30 to 10 p.m. (with live jazz at 6:30 p.m.). Wine by the glass $6 to $6.50, beers $4 to $5, martinis $6.95 and appetizers for just $6.95. Monday to Friday 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., Monday to Thursday…

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