Cupid shot me...

Happy Valentines Day <3

A conveinently placed street sign



New sugar lettering from Michaels



I know they say that this holiday was made up by the candy company and Hallmark- so that they could sell a lot of sappy cards. But to tell you the truth, I like this phony Holiday. I like having sweets and planning time to spend with my better half. Even though we don't go all out and buy each other life size stuffed animals and pay too much for a bouquet of flowers- we still play into the tradition of having a valentine.

I made some Red Velvet cupcakes tonight for my sweet heart because they are his favorite. I have tried like four or five times to made red velvet from scratch but to no avail I have failed each try.'Till one day I stumbled upon the Dunkan Hines mix, well actually my sister told me to buy it, and it stomps out the competition. Numerous times it has been mistaken from home made... and I didn't correct them, oops!



Makes 24 Cakes



For a little Valentines Cupcake surprise.

Make the cakes like the directions say on the box. Fill your paper cups.

In a bowl. Take 1 8oz. packet of softened cream cheese.

mix in 1 egg, 2/3 cup of Brown sugar, 1 cup flaked coconut.

Mix everything and then spoon some into the middle of each filled cup.

Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

For delicious Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting.

Brown 8 TBSP of butter in a saucepan.Take 1 1/2 packets of cream cheese and one container of store bought cream cheese frosting and mix with butter using a blender. Fill a large Ziploc bag with the frosting and snip an end for the point. Fill each cooled cake with frosting and enjoy with your Valentine or yourself or a friend tomorrow!!

xo Ciao



Ready for tomorrow with Chamapgne.



While on a Walk: Farmers Market

My day to day life during the week is pretty routine. I workout in the morning before the sun comes up, I walk to work, and when I come home I eat dinner and pass out on the couch haha. I wear boring clothes to work (I'm a personal banker and I usually have to dress very conservative). I also don't go out late on "school nights", because I have to wake up early for the next day. So when weekend rolls around, I like to break the cycle and do something fun, wear something new, go somewhere out of the ordinary or just go on a walk with my unit- AKA my dog and my boyfriend.



Spring is coming...



I wish I could take this home, but Mother Nature wouldn't like that

On Sundays, I like to get up early and walk to the Farmers Market in Japantown, mentioned here. My boyfriend will usually put up with it because he knows he'll get a treat out of it. We stopped at this cute coffee shop on the way. Roy's Station used to be a gas station, but it was refurbished into a great local hangout. We grabbed a couple of hot drinks and this yummy veggie pumpkin bread while walking to the market. If something catches my eye in any of the store fronts, I always take a peak. One of Maddie's favorite stores is Biscuits, the cutest dog store that offers everything from all natural treats to adorable clothes and even birthday cakes. 

Maddie hoping for a bite...



New yummies for the week



I took some photos of this classic Chevy and even posed for my boyfriend while he snapped a few. All the while, the owner of the car was right across the street watching the whole thing, and we had no idea? OOPS good thing we made sure to look and not touch. As soon as we finished with the impromptu shoot, we saw the owner move the car to his driveway and we just laughed at ourselves.

I have always been a sucker for a Chevrolet

dress- Forever 21, sweater- OLD Abercrombie & Fitch, sandals- Slim Havaianas,
bag- Chanel, glasses- Electrics, watch- Michael Kors



kinda like my name...

Have a great weekend.... xo
P.S. check out this site for a farmers market in your area.

From Madewell with love ♥

Just got the new Lucky Magazine yesterday and I have already read it cover to cover. The March issue has everything and anything you would want to know about Spring style. From color pallets to denim lengths and it even has a great spread about all the most popular shoes, I'm a sucker for shoes. These are a few of the styles that caught my attention. Now, I just have to get my pocket book to agree...

But the BEST article was the article about Kin Ying Lee, Madewell's head designer. If you ask any girl in the Bay Area, you can be sure that most have at least one design from Madewell. It is a great clothing company filled with classic, well-made pieces or as Lucky writes... "how-did-I-ever-live-without this-urban-chic-essentials" line. This woman is remarkable when it comes to her design lines (Her husband is J.Crew menswear designer, Dan Perna- talk about a power couple) The article is a behind the scenes look into her home in Brooklyn. I love all the eclectic decorations that they have collected over the years and original artwork she has lining the walls.

Enjoy the scans from the magazine.
xo Ciao

Pecan crusted Talapia & Bok Choy

So, the other night my boyfriend turned into Prince Charming and took me to Nordstrom and said "Pick whatever you like." .... wait that didn't happen,,, what am I thinkin'??

But really, what happened was that I came home from yoga and as soon as I reached our floor, my nose filled with the most delicious aroma and my knees buckled beneath me.

please be coming from my home, please.. please.. please.

I opened the door and it was from my house, and I had delicious talapia and bok choy waiting for me. He had prepared a delicious meal and he said it was easy.. light bulb came on and I knew I had to post it here.

Our day began, at Race Street where we picked up some gorgeous talapia fillets that already came with pecans on the outside. This is a great time saver and the price between a plain fillet and a pre-nutted one is not very much- especially because you would have to buy the nuts and crust it yourself at home. Ones that are already done makes for a fancy dinner without the fuss.

Race Street Fish Market (we call it that, because we can never remember it's true name.)

the pretty fish counter

Earlier that weekend we got some bok choy from the farmers market, so we already had that for the dish. Most of our veggies come from the farmers market, I like to buy local and support my community plus I can buy organic for less than Whole Foods. When I picked his brain he told me the recipe was very basic.

Recipe: Take the bok choy (washed and trimmed) lay it on a baking sheet with a silpat or parchment paper. Grate some carrots and shallots, and sprinkle them on top for some color. Drizzle some olive oil over the top and season with the seasoning/spices you like. we usually like red pepper flakes, lemon, or tarragon.  Bake (covered) at 400 degrees for 5-7 minutes. Then take the baking sheet out and place your fish centered on top of the bok choy. Cover it back up and put it back into the oven to bake for another 10 minutes.

Fresh Bok Choy

Shredded Carrots

This is a recipe that can easily be made on a week night. Total preparing/cooking time is 30-40 minutes and it is so healthy and full of good for you vitamins; vitamin B12, niacin, omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, vitamin A, antioxidants, folic acid, potassium and its low in carbs... pretty amazing dish. And I have no one else to thank but my amazing boyfriend... xo

DONE!!!

Want a bite? :)

1.2.3.4.

Pretty Things

When you visit your grandmas, don't you feel like a kid again? It's not so bad that she pinches your cheeks and treats you like a 7 year old especially if that means spoiling you with ice cream or treats when you're out.

After visiting my Grandma, I couldn't help help but have a feeling of warmth inside from reminiscing over all the old memories. My sister and I have so many funny stories that we keep replaying over in our heads, that have happened throughout the years while at grandma's house. She lives in Nevada, so it really is over the river and through the woods. She is adorable. She gets her hair done Mondays, volunteering on Tuesdays, manicures on Wednesdays, Church on Sundays- She's a classy lady, we even went to tea while visiting. Her house is so shabby chic inside, everything is constantly on display. My grandma is so fashionable and has taught me a lot over the years.

Some of my favorite life lessons...

1. Why cook at home? Especially, when their are infinite restaurants and chefs that would be happy to do it for you.
2. If there isn't enough ice cream left in the carton for a sundae... then just eat out right out of the container.
3. Remember that you are always going to be a strong woman, but if a guy wants to open the door for you, let him.
4. Just when you think you have finished decorating a room, you find something more to be done.
5. Flea Markets, vintage shops, antique stores and garage sales are full of treasures waiting to be found.

Antique phone in the guest room

Sparkle-y things at the bed side



cool opera glasses



 Chanel Eau de parfum

Sister Day

Its really horrible to say that my sister and I live less than a mile away from each other and yet we have to schedule time to see one another. ok.. ok... cut me some slack, we both have busy lives and setting a date and sticking to it is easier than spontaneously deciding to see one another,, which never works.

So on one of our day dates the other weekend we decided that a trip to The City was just what we needed on a sunny day. I guess I should clarify everyone in the bay area calls San Francisco, "the city."

My sister and dog vintage shopping in Haight and Ashbury

Some rockin' skates... I wish they had my size

Ok so this is my first attempt at an outfit post... I really didn't know what I was doing. so don't laugh. Hopefully Ill get better at being photographed or maybe I can figure another way to display my clothes?

 

tank- Free People, blouse- Target, jeans- Siwy, boots- Steve Madden, watch- Michael Kors, glasses- Electric,
bag- Marc Jacobs, bracelets- Chan Lau 

This guy was so cool... just hanging out on a street corner, writing poetry.

After shopping, we decided that a trip to the Marina might be in order. Especially because my sisters work has a location there... and really who isn't in the mood for a cupcake. We walked around and looked at all the gorgeous homes that we cant afford... but we wished really hard...

happiness



The beautiful boats at the dock area in the Marina District

                                                           
Cant wait for the next one...



20 things to put into your shopping cart

Eating healthy is all about knowing what you're sticking into your body. Well once you know what it is you're about to consume, shouldn't you know what it's going to do for you. I've compiled a short list of some of the more important items I usually have on my shopping list along with the reasons why they're good for you.


Easy and Effortlessly. Done. Enjoy <3

Almonds- great source of protein and minerals. a perfect afternoon snack


Asparagus- Tons of vitamins and a million different available recipes online makes this a no brainer meal. Plus research published in the International Journal Cancer Letters suggests that the consumption of asparagus may halt the formation of cancerous tumors.


Avocado- These babies are packed with heart healthy mono saturated fats and vitamins A,D,E&K. Jazz up your omelet in the A.M. or swap out the mayo on your sandwich for lunch!


Beans- specifically black beans and garbanzo- have a great source of fiber and protein, a perfect addition to any meal.


Bell Peppers- More power packed vitamins A,C&E. They are fun colors to add to any dish and they can help the body neutralize free radicals- so good for your skin.

Berries... any kind will do. They have tons of antioxidants and vitamin C, plus they are a nice 3P.M.
pick-me-up instead of the regular coffee.


Broccoli- Good vitamins A&K, this veggie is easy to digest and protects against cardiovascular health.


Brussels Sprouts- Packed with vitamins A,B6,C,E&K... whats not to love? Saute with a little Olive Oil and garlic and throw in bacon if you dare.


Carrots- Contains Vitamin A, which is really good for your eyes but also your skin multitasker. Carrots also contain a large amount of Vitamin C and have fiber to keep you full.

Chicken- 18 amino acids and no carbs. Eating protein at every meal forces the body to work harder to digest it and that burns more calories. Plus lean chicken is great for developing lean muscles.


Dark Chocolate- Yes, you heard me right, it has been proven that dark chocolate can help lower blood pressure, it's rich in antioxidants, and magnesium  Dark chocolates help the brain to release endorphins, which help in mood elevation and also remove headaches. It is also a good remedy for treating depression.


Edamame- tres chic and good for you too!! There are vitamins C,B&E and antioxidants found in the little guys. So order up next time your at Sushi. (my favorite place)


Eggs- ummm..... I'm sure your bored with the information overload you have been getting from the health industry lately... check this out for the 411.


Flax Seed- Whether you’re sprinkling it onto your cereal or blending it into your smoothie, this powerful plant provides a good source of fiber, magnesium and calcium. These seeds also contain a high amount of lignans, which have been linked to the prevention of multiple health issues.


Salmon- Omega 3 fatty acids and a super dose of lean protein. BBQ up some fillets on the grill and make a home made pesto to drizzle with some pine nuts on top, yum.


Soy Milk- Did you know that about 70% of the population is lactose intolerant? Cows milk is very hard for the human stomach to digest, so I suggest soy- rich in vitamins A, B1&B2. There are the same flavors as cows milk, they have more protein per serving and sometimes less calories (well.. not the chocolate milk ).

Spinach- A great low calorie food with tons of vitamin K- salad, steamed or in a sandwich... just eat it.


Squash- Low in calories and high in vitamin C. Plus it's got beta-Carotene and beta- Cryptoxanthin which studies show to lower the chance of developing lung cancer. Bonus!! So eat up, so you can protect against the air pollution.
Sweet Potatoes- Tons of vitamins and minerals in these like; fiber, beta carotene and vitamin A (they really help with your eyesight).


Tomatoes-Theses little babies pack a punch when it comes to nutrition. Lycopene (prevents skin from sun damage and protects against prostate cancer) Antioxidants (good for everything) And they taste so good with a little sea salt and a big bite to follow.


Yogurt- In addition to being a great snack, healthy breakfast or delicious side at dinner. Research has also shown that yogurt can help with digestion and lowering your body fat percentage. I love frozen yogurt- but I make sure it's not loaded with tons of sugar and has all the important probiotics.


more info here and here