Had to post

I couldn't finish my day without posting this.  I got an email from my son's teacher a few moments ago and this is what it said

"Hi,
I just had to tell you a conversation I overheard Justin having with his friends.  The arm came off the 3-D glasses he brought in.  The boy who took it off was upset adn Justin told him not worry because his dad could fix it.  The boy asked Justin "Your dad won't be mad? How come he won't be mad" and Justin replied "cause he's a nice daddy and he is good to me".  It was so sweet to hear those words.  Justin said them with such love and conviction that his dad loves him and takes care of him.  We don't get to hear these things as enough as parents and I wanted you to know how much he loves his dad.
From Mrs. Teacher

::::tears welling up::::
I'm enitrely too lucky to have this family!!!

Deeee-lish

Last night I tried a very delicious recipe from the lovely Rachel Ray who has continued to make my life easy with her 30 minute meals.  Now I'm not gonna lie, she tends to call for ingredients that are weird and not easily attainable,  I do a lot of substituting and omitting because I am an ass and can never remember just don't have the time to pick up some things...as I was making these I was certain they weren't going to come out right but they actually came out perfect and I couldn't believe how good they were.

Spicy Potato Pancakes with Holiday Guacamole
Takes about 15 minutes to prepare, 10 minutes to cook

(Makes 6-7, 3" pancakes)

Keep in mind how HEALTHY this recipe is - you're only using 1 sweet potato and 1 avocado...which are both power foods! I tried to be a little stingy with the olive oil because I didn't want them greasy tasting, which they weren't...be sure NOT to use vegetable oil and if you want alternatives to EVOO, try canola/almond/peanut oils

INGREDIENTS:

1 Large Sweet Potato

EVOO

1/2 medium sized sweet onion

1 beaten egg

1/3 Cup Corn Meal, All Purpose Flour or Matzo Meal (I used corn meal)

1 tablespoon Chili Powder

2 teaspoons Ground Cumin

2 teaspoons Paprika

Sea Salt

1 Haas Avocado
1/4 Red Bell Pepper, diced

2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice

1 small clove of garlic, pasted with a small amount of salt

Fat free sour cream (optional)

Frank's Red Hot (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

--Peel and shred the sweet potato with a box grater, drain all the excess water (this is very important - get the potato as dry as possible)
--Heat EVOO in a skillet, enough to make a small puddle - about 1/3 cup
--Grate the onion over the bowl of shredded potato, allowing the onion juices to mix in
--Add the beaten egg and corn meal and season with the spices and some salt
You may have to add additional corn meal, you want the pancakes to form together nicely to avoid ending up with hashbrowns rather than panacakes
--Form small pancakes (about 3" in diameter) and place in the hot oil
--Cook until golden brown on both sides (I kept the heat at medium to ensure an even cook through, being careful not to burn)
--While the cakes are cookin, combine the avocado flesh, diced red pepper, lemon juice and garlic paste - either mash by hand or use a small food chopper/processor
--Let the cakes 'de-grease' on a paper towel before serving...serve with the guacamole and (optionally) fat free sour cream mixed with a little Frank's Red Hot sauce

Mangia...

H&M Garden Collection

H&M is one of those stores that I always forget about, I don't know why but I just never remember this store when I have shopping in mind.  I think, in part, its because the closest H&M to me is located in a very lame mall that has ZERO potential for good finds so I never end up in the vicinity of the store itself.  But when I do cross paths I always end up finding so many items I love love love. 

H&M recently released their 'Garden Collection' which is beyond perfect for Spring - incorporating ruffles, flowers, feminine detailing, gorgeous flowy dresses and uber cute shorts.  I love that they also throw a few masculine pieces in for that fem/mas contrast that's so popular right now.  Here are some of my favorite pieces and looks

I would have shopstyle'd or polyvore'd these pieces but since H&M doesn't sell online I couldn't.  But you can see what pieces would go with what...I absolutely love love love that blue dress with the ruffled detailing along the sides (comes in that pretty blush color as well) and depending on how long it is would go great with a skinny belt and some cute layered necklaces!! That baggy blue tank with the loud print floral skirt would definitely be a hit and the blush colored dolman top and those blue ruffle shorts - so cute! I think that pleated top dress would be an awesome fit for a spring/early summer wedding and the rest of the items speak for themselves!

And the best part - these pieces are all very budget friendly - almost all of the items are $35 or less

To check out the entire collection click HERE

Have you purchased any of these items? Do you plan on it?

Happy Manday

I hope all my lovely readers had a great weekend.  Mine was pretty good.  Friday we had some friends over for drinks and Saturday I tried a new class at the gym...tried is the key word...because I thought I was showing up for Les Mills' Body Pump (which I've done a billion times) but in fact, it was quarterly launch and I was attending Les Milss' Body Attack...well it attacked me alright and needless to say I probably won't do that class again.  I'm not a fan of the overly choreographed fitness classes...I like pilates, strength training, yoga and kickboxing.  The basics and body attack was just about anything but basic.  I like Les Mills classes because they have something for everyone.  You can check out videos, descriptions and even find a club that offers the classes HERE

Saturday night, hubbs and I joined my cousin and his girlfriend (one of my best friends) who is super cute and pregnant for a night out and yesterday while hubbs finished sheetrocking the bathroom walls I shopped!! It was so nice to get some new things. 

Picked up the Old Navy belted trench on sale for $35 + 10% off
Peach lace cami paired with light brown fitted cardigan $8 and $11.99 respectively + 10% off
Sweetheart fit bootcut jeans on sale for $15.99 + 10% off and plain 3/4 sleeve shirt for $4.99!!!
Headed to Kohl's for some Lauren Conrad line but they were basically sold out ::wahh::: I did get 2 pairs of Daisy Fuentes crop capri's on sale for $27.99 each (for work) along with Levi's destroyed skinny's on sale for $29.99 and some really cute Candies & Vera Wang jewelry at 60% off (I showcase the Tiffany's version of the mesh earrings I got because I couldn't find the Vera Wang version) but they're basically the same ..here's a wrap up of what I got this weekend a la Shop Style - ooh and VS has their lace waist thong panties on sale 5 for $25 - they are very similar to 'The Lacie' if you like those but for a much better price

More Old Navy...

And no worries - I did not forget Manday - featuring the very (Mc)Steamy, Eric Dane

 Have a good one! xoxo

Dare to Wear: Shoulders

I must say I am very saddened at the Splitsville news of the Bush and Tush...wtf is Reggie's problem? Why on Earth won't you marry Kim? She's without a doubt one of the hottest biatches out there and she's ridiculously successful? Reggie Bush...you are officially a turd in my book.  :::but you're still really cute:::

That being said, today's Dare to Wear is structured shoulders! And no one does structured better than Kimmy K
She's photographed wearing the strong shouldered blazer time and time and time again and she does it so effortlessly it looks ah-mazing on her.  I am officially daring to wear this item:

Here's my (budget) version:

Kimmin It by justinsmami featuring TFNC dresses

Items in this set:
ArynKJet Set to Paris Dress, $78
TFNC Sequin Shoulder Pad Cut-Out Back Dress, $69
TFNC Cross Front Shoulder Pad Dress, $68
Warehouse Bright Feather Stripe Shift Dress, $59
ASOS Shoulder Detail V Neck Ponte Dress, $27

Asos does a fantabulous job with the shoulder looks ;)

Happy Weekend everyone! Hubbs got paid today so I'm hopin for some shopping this weekend!!!!

Health & Fitness - Recipe Share

I'm trying to get re-motivated at the gym through an aggressive workout program.  I figured if I promised myself I'd attend certain classes I would have a much better chance following through than if I was just promising to attend the gym at some point.  I like taking classes because they are on a set schedule and for me, it is a good way to keep it interesting.  It avoids wasted time trying to figure out what to do each day, you just show up/listen to someone and leave.  I find that you tend to make good gym friends at the classes as well and they're always great motivation! So here's my aggressive schedule for the next week:

• Thursday - Kickboxing from 5pm to 6pm
• Saturday - Body Pump from 9:15am-10:15amMonday - Body Pump from 5pm-6pm
• Tuesday - Pilates from 6:15-7:15pm
• Wednesday - Body Pump from 6:15-7:15pm

I'll follow this schedule week to week for the next 8 weeks which will bring us to Memorial Day weekend.  I know I will have a much more difficult time maintaining a 5 day/per week gym schedule in the summer since the booger will always want to play outside so I will more than likely go down to 2-3 days per week then. 

So on to the health side, I have decided to give up desserts.  This is an area that I struggle with consistantly.  I cannot seem to resist ice crea, tiramisu, brownies, you name it.  And I know this is reeking havoc on my midsection.  I have extreme difficulty refusing chocolate of any sort and any sweet for that matter so I have made a conscientious decision to give it up completely - as I did meat (which I'm still going strong).  We'll see how this goes.

disclaimer: Rita's Italian Ice does NOT count as a dessert - especially considering it is fat/trans fat/cholesterol free

And in the good spirit of health and fitness, I'm sharing a very yummy and VERY simple concotion that I personally L-O-V-E...mind you, this "recipe" is for 1 serving (because hubbs and booger do not eat fish I usually cook this for moi only)...again, sooooo easy

Ingredients:

--1 Fresh Mahi Mahi filet (or whichever white fish you have handy - mahi mahi is just really good)

--Birds Eye brand Steamfresh bag of Whole Grain Rice (10 oz.)

  

--Birds Eye brand Steamfresh bag of Peas (the package you want is the one that comes with 4 individual serving bags - use one bag for this "recipe")

--Fresh Salsa...like this (which is basically some chopped up tomatoes, jalapenos, red onions, lime juice, cilantro) luckily for me for $4.99 you can pick up a container of this already done for you it's called "Fresh Salsa" lol

--EVOO

--Balsamic Vinegarette (I highly recommend the Good Seasons 'make your own' version because it is beyond good and you can sub half the amount of oil for more water/more balsamic for a less fat version)

--this yummy delish perfection seasoning: McCormick's Perfect Pinch Lemon Pepper - or any Lemon Pepper seasoning (even the ones from the dollar store work great)

And for the easiness:

1. 
   
   Cook the rice as directed on the package (in the microwave...oh yeah)
2. 
   
   Cook one serving of the peas as directed on the package (in the microwave...oh yeah again) 
3. 
   
   Heat up a skillet so that its pretty damn hot and add a little EVOO
4. 
   
   While that's heating up, rub a little EVOO on the mahi mahi and sprinkle some of that yummy seasoning on it (rubbing it in) and do this on each side, coating it generously
5. 
   
   Put the filet on the heated skillet and cook on each side basically until its seared and cooked most of the way (approx 4 minutes on each side)
6. Add half the rice and the entire bag of peas and drizzle with the yummy bals vinegarette dressing (drizzle, DONT drench) and basically cut up the fish filet with a spatula so that's its flaky and combed through
7. Plate the dish and throw a few tablespoons of the fresh salsa mix on top -- VOILA!!!

There you go - a super yummy and ridiculously easy 'recipe' courtesy of Maria ;)

Holy Tuesday!

Well the weekend sure flew by - I cannot get over how absolutely gorge the weather was.  We, my fam, tripped it out to the Philadelphia Zoo on Saturday followed by City sightseeing and sushi dinner so it was a good day for us.  It was a stunning 79 degrees here in Jersey/Philadelphia and Sunday was no disappointment either.  I believe the high temp throughout the day on Sunday was 77 degrees.  I absolutely love love love this sunshine and springy weather.  Although yesterday was a rainy mess the clouds are beginning to break today for what looks like another day of sunshine :)

You bet yo arse I was wearing flip flops and tanks all weekend.  Which brings me to tanning - it is officially time.  Although I'm not much of a fake baker I usually do it for about a month in April (so we're just in time).  I'm naturally very fair and unfortunately the ultra ultra fairness that winter brings is not nearly as cute as a base tan.  I'm not talking Jersey Shore color, my friends.

Speeee-aking of which....who caught the premier episode of the ULTRA ridiculous 'Jerseylicious' on the Style Network Sunday night? I find it incredibly hard to believe that any of this show is even remotely real and that there are actually people who act like this who have jobs, let alone careers.  Here it is in all its ugliness. 


I feel bad for these people, seriously.  They are being mocked beyond control and I honestly don't even think they realize that.  Oh well.

On a separate note, since I didn't post for yesterday's 'Manday' here is a snippet of who I would have otherwise featured...because he is freakishly hawt...Gilles Marini (Mr. Marini is currently starring in the ABC series Brothers and Sisters on at 10pm EST on Sunday) you may also remember Gilles as Samantha's LA sex craved neighbor on SATC the movie?? Ya know, the one with the tight buns who showered naked on his back porch - the one who Samantha watched nightly?

And if you love SATC as much as I do, then you already know that

S L A T E D   F O R    R E L E A S E   M A Y   2 8 ,   2 0 1 0

yay :)

That's all for now....xoxo