Apple Cider Vinegar Elixir

Apple Cider Vinegar is magical. Truly. If you enjoy sweet drinks, including juice, soda or sports drinks, may I suggest this healthy elixir as a replacement? 

The benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar include healthy skin and hair, aides in digestion by killing harmful bacteria in the mouth and gut, boosts energy and metabolism, and is said to regulate blood sugar levels. See, I told you... magic! One draw back -- the taste! I've known about this amazing antecdote for several years now and would always power back a shot of the stuff when I felt like I was coming down with something. Over the past few months however, (sorry, I've been holding out on you!) I've concocted a wonderful way to enjoy Apple Cider Vinegar on the regular. Major plus -- it's zero calories so even someone on the strictest diet can sip this baby all day. Give it a try...

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Apple Cider Vinegar
Water
Stevia

Make sure your find yourself organic ACV -- my favorite is Bragg's. Apple Cider Vinegar is potent so to make, add just 2 tablespoons of ACV to a full glass of water (at first you may want to try just 1 tbs). Add a teaspoon stevia (or more to taste) and a bit of cinnamon or shaved ginger. For other variations, try adding cayenne pepper, lemon, honey or fruit.  

PS. I've heard of people using Apple Cider Vinegar as a facial toner to promote clear skin. Has anyone tried it? Perhaps I'll give it a whirl the next time I have a breakout. Stay healthy, babes xo

Heart Cookies

Although Chad and I don't make a big fuss over Valentines day (all I ask for is a card), I absolutely LOVE this holiday. I love the pinks and reds, hearts and just all the LOVE goin' around!! My dearest friend Susanna and I got in the holiday spirit over the weekend by baking some delicious heart shaped cookies. I must admit, the process was a little more time consuming than either of us thought it would be, but the cookies are absolutely delicious and the perfect Valentine for a friend, co-worker or lover ;)

Here's the recipe if you'd like to try making them yourself. Apart from normal baking ingredients, we used a special cookie cutter by Linzer. You can also use two different sized heart shaped cutters for the same effect.

Ingredients:
1 Cup (2 Sticks) of Butter
2/3 Cup Granulated Sugar
1 Egg
2 Cup Flour
2/3 Cup Almond Meal (finely ground almonds)
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/4 Teaspoon  Cinnamon
Seedless Raspberry Jam
Confectioners Sugar (optional)

Special Equipment includes:
Two heart shaped cookie cutters (one large & one small)
Rolling Pin
Parchment Paper

Combine flour, almonds, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Beat sugar and butter (softened) until light and fluffy and add, vanilla and egg in a separate bowl. Slowly add in the flour mixture. When all ingredients are mixed together, place dough in plastic wrap and let it cool in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours (this is where we initially failed - make sure the dough is cool before you try to roll it out). On a floured surface, use rolling pin to roll out the dough until it's about 1/8 inch thick. Use large heart shaped cookie cutter for the bottoms, and use the small cutter to make an additional cut for the top of the cookies. Make an even number of cookies for both top and bottom. Place cookies on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Remove cookies to cooling rack and when they are completely cooled, sprinkle the "tops" with powdered sugar and spread a thin layer of jam on the "bottoms." Sandwich the bottom and top of the cookies and you've got yourself a wonderful, tasty Valentines treat!

Also, if you're still looking for something a little extra special for your Valentine, you can find instructions for a thoughtful Paper Hearts DIY project here.

Treasure Hunt [Revamped]

A few months ago, I shared my finds from the Melrose Trading Post (also known as the Fairfax Flea Market). If you recall, I purchased a new coffee table and entry way buffet. Well, I am pleased to share with you my new and improved coffee table. Below you can find the before and after photos and a guide to revamping your own favorite pieces of furniture. 

After

Before -- $25 

 So, what do you think? I am pretty happy with the way it turned out. As you can see, after a good clean, I decided to keep the buffet yellow for now and I have used it as my TV stand. It works great to hide cords and other things no one wants to look at. 

For the coffee table I distressed the top using a hammer -- I hammered the sides and even used the hooks to make some indents on the top. From there I painted a couple of coats of grey paint. When the grey was dry, I brushed a light coat of white paint on the top and wiped it off before it could fully dry. This gives it the whitewash, distressed look. For a step by step guide to whitewash furniture you can read this article. 

I needed the cubbies for extra storage so I found the baskets and boxes at Ikea. The funny part is at only $7.99 a piece, the baskets still cost more than the table! With absolutely zero storage space in my loft, I created storage for remotes, office supplies and a lot of other stuff too. I then painted the outside of the table white, and kept the interior shelves black. I like the contrast of modern with a touch of shabby chic. Now all I need is a rug (and a refill on the candy jar!) :)

Guilt-Free Milkshake

If you've got a never ending sweet tooth (like me), dieting can be a tricky battle. Heres my fix that I like to eat in between meals or as a meal replacement. Tastes like the real thing but it's actually good for you! To make, blend a hand full of ice cubes, half of a banana, a scoop full of peanut butter (or almond butter), your favorite protein powder (my favorites are Jay Robb or the vegan friendly Sun Warrior) and chocolate almond milk. 

Viola! You've got a chocolate milkshake that will make even the pickiest eaters say Yummmm! The benefits of almond milk is that it's super low in calories (even compared to non-fat milk). The protein powder makes the shake a complete meal -- providing nourishment for your muscles and giving you the energy you need to go about your day. 

A few additional tips: 

If you're on a regular workout routine, try a shake as an after workout snack. But, if you're trying to lose weight, a large shake can replace a meal. If you're calorie conscious consider original almond milk and skipping the peanut butter. 

Make sure you have a good protein powder like the ones I mentioned above -- a bad tasting protein powder will ruin the taste and a bad quality will ruin the health benefits.

Try adding a boost like aloe, greens or spirulina -- they won't affect the taste but they'll pack in some additional nutrients! 

Tea Time

Ever since I can remember, my grandma, my mom and I have always gone to Christmas tea. What started at the Ritz Carlton, has now migrated to the St. Regis and Christmas tea has become one of my favorite holiday traditions.

Three Generations -- Me, Grandma & Mom

The beautiful St. Regis, Monarch Bay

This year, along with our annual tradition, I decided to host a tea myself. I invited three friends whom I met while studying abroad in Oxford. We get together a few times a year, and while we have enjoyed many a High Tea together - both in the UK and in the states - we've never tried a tea from home. I was more than happy to break out my crystal and fine china for the occasion, and it turned out beautifully.

It was surprisingly easier than providing a normal lunch. Scones with clotted cream and jam, tea sandwiches, and a few sweets were set out on the three tier tray (from Target). All that needed preparing were the sandwiches and a salad. These were easily made the morning of, and once my guests were there, all I had to do was pop open the champagne and turn the stove on to boil some water.  Try to host a tea of your own, I think you'll be surprised how easy it is to prepare. It was so much fun and can turn any time of the year into a special occasion!

Hostess tip: Whenever I have guests over, I love to put frozen strawberries in the pitcher of water. It's a nice touch that not only looks good, but keeps the water cool and makes it taste delicious. Give it a try xo 

The Ultimate Holiday Cocktail

If you haven't tried Rumple Minze, it's time to get to your local grocery store and buy yourself a bottle. When it comes to Christmas cocktails, a dash of Rumple Minze is really all you need. Try making a peppermint martini, or my favorite nighttime drink to snuggle up and watch a movie with is a Rumple Minze Hot Chocolate. To make just grab your favorite instant hot chocolate, add your desired amount of Rumple Minze, and top with whipped cream. 

Imagine a peppermint mocha -- with a little kick! Yum!

Lentil Salad

With all of the holiday parties, I've been indulging in more than just a few sweet treats! I can feel the difference in my energy level and hence I've decided to try and eat healthy at home for the next few weeks so I can feel free to indulge when I go out! Here is a delicious salad that I made earlier this week and I thought I'd share it with you. Although very similar to the Quinoa Salad I shared, the flavors are surprisingly different. It's another great dish to serve at a party. Chad and and I enjoy it as a meal and then I will usually eat the left-overs for lunch the next day. 

To make, combine and mix all of the below ingredients:

Cooked Lentils (I use pre-cooked from Trader Joes)

Organic Garbanzo Beans

Chopped Parsley

Chopped Green Onions

Halved Organic Plum Tomatoes

Lemon Pepper

Lemon Juice

Olive Oil

Enjoy! Xo

Decorating the Tree

There's something about a Christmas tree that really makes the holiday come alive. I love to decorate our house for Chrismas every year and in particular I take great pride in decorating the tree. A few years ago. my dear friend Gary ( who does windows for Ralph Lauren) decorated my family home and taught me the proper way to make a designer tree.  Here I share with you two easy tips to take your tree from ordinary to extraordinary!

Disclaimer : Patrick (the pup) loves to chew the bulbs so the bottom has to be kept bare!

1. Ribbon. White lights are an obvious must, but one thing that a lot of people forget is ribbon. Notice all the different ways I've used ribbon in my tree. First of all, you'll see that I've used a huge statement ribbon that wraps from the top to bottom.  Along the way, using pipe cleaners, I have taken portions of the ribbon and attached it further inside the tree. I then have hidden the pipe cleaner with a bow in a complementary ribbon. This gives the affect that the ribbon is moving.  

A flowing ribbon

 In addition, I've used the same ribbon to make a bow for the top. The bow ends cascade down the tree and as a finishing touch, I've curled and added another complementary ribbon to cascade from the top to bottom of the tree. 

Top of the Tree

2. Ornament Clusters. I like hanging single ornaments, but more importantly, I love ornament clusters.  By combining more than one ornament together, it's easier to fill holes in the tree and it really makes a statement. To create the clusters, take three or more ornaments of different colors and size and loop them together on a pipe cleaner. Then attach the cluster to the tree, fastening it with the ends of the pipe cleaner. 

 Helpful tip: I use pipe cleaners to attach the ribbon, the ornaments, and the top. But be sure to get either green or brown so that they camouflage. Also, pay extra attention to the top of the tree, because that's what will be shown in photos. Happy decorating!

Sock Buns

I'm fairly capable of doing my hair and make-up, so when buns made their comeback I was ready to jump on the bun band wagon. However, my bun never looked quite right. It always looked too tight or too small, or a little lop sided. Considering I have realtively thick hair, I could not figure out where I was going wrong. 

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About two weeks ago, a girl I work with had the perfect bun and she was all too excited to tell me that there was actually a SOCK in her hair. What?! How did I not know about this little trick?! I went home and watched this video on you tube to achieve the perfect bun. Sure enough, I went out with my new, perfected bun, and a girl walked up to me and said, "Sorry we were all staring at you, but we're admiring your bun. How did you do that?" Just the reaction I was always hoping for! And good news, it's super quick and easy. Watch the video here and try it yourself. Below, find some fancy variations to spice it up :)

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Happy Halloween!

Mr. Bones

Happy Halloween, everyone! I always love dressing up for Halloween and this year was no exception. Chad and I celebrated over the weekend. Take a look at our costumes. 

Cruella De Vil and her Dalmation... Puppy love!

I hand painted all the polka dots on Chad's costume with black acrylic paint onto a white v-neck shirt and white linen pants. The ears and tail were made from lonely socks. I pinned the ears onto a headband to stay put. Coming third in the costume competition,  Cruella and her pup were a hit!

I only need 100 more puppies...

To celebrate tonight, I have the most delicious, simplest recipe for pumpkin cookies. You really can't go wrong with this recipe. All you need is one can of pumpkin and a box of all spice cake mix. That's it! 

Combine both ingredients in a bowl and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. I like to add oatmeal and chocolate chips to mine. Even if Halloween is over by the time you get around to baking, these cookies will stay in season all the way through Thanksgiving. Enjoy! 

Quinoa Salad

Yum, yum. This delicious salad is one of my all time favorites. Plus, it's gluten free, vegan and packed with protein -- It's great for a party. I serve it as a whole meal for lunch or dinner. 

To make: Cook red (or tri-color) quinoa according to directions on the package. Once the quinoa has cooled, add one can of organic garbanzo beans, halved organic cherry tomatoes, fresh chopped basil, and organic spinach. Then mix in a small amount of olive oil and the juice of one or two whole lemons. Add salt & pepper to taste. So yummy!

Pumpkin Time

One of the best things about entering Fall, is that we also enter the holiday season! Kicking it off with Halloween, my dear friend Morgan hosted a pumpkin decorating, arts & crafts night. It was tons of fun and now I have gorgeous pumpkins to get me in the spooky halloween spirit! 

Such a great eye, @Morgansmith

image via @brittbarrack

My finished product

Painting the pumpkins was a lot faster than carving, and now they should last all the way until Thanksgiving. Thank you for hosting a fantastic night, Morgan!

Tiradito

So you may be wondering what I've done with all the fish we caught in Ensenada. We enjoyed everything from fish tacos to a little raw sashimi. What I'm most excited about, is the delicious tiradito that I made. I loved this dish so much when I was in Cabo that I made the waiter give me the recipe. I recreated the dish with some of our fresh Yellowtail and it was a hit! 

To make, stack the following ingredients in thin layers inside of a large tupperware or baking pan. Start with a layer of bay leaves, then continue with thinly sliced red bell pepper, red onion & ginger, and lastly thyme. On top, place thin slices of the freshest whitefish you can find ( I recommend Yellowtail). Top with one part soy sauce, 3/4 part fresh lime juice, and enough olive oil to saturate the upper layer of fish. Cover and let sit in the drawer of the fridge for at least 6 hours. When you're ready to eat, simply take the first layer of fish off of the top and arrange neatly on a plate. Use your imagination for your favorite garnish, I like jalapeños and a squeeze of lime. Enjoy!  xo

Cabbage & Chickpea Salad

This cabbage salad is a creation all on my own. I'm not sure what possessed me to make this combo but it is absolutely delicious and super easy. Did I mention that it not only tastes good but it's good for you, too? The cabbage is more sustainable than ordinary lettuce so it's a hearty enough dish to serve as an entree, plus it will last in the fridge a few days... great to take to work, a luncheon or a shower! 

Ingredients:
One whole organic red cabbage

Two cans of organic garbanzo beans (chickpeas)

Handfull of chopped organic parsley

Mustard (Preferably brown/whole seed)

Olive Oil

Rice Vinegar

Garlic Salt
Pepper

Cut the cabbage into quarters and place into a pot of boiling water. Let cook for 5 minutes - careful not to overcook so that the cabbage maintains it's crunch. Meanwhile make the dressing with three parts mustard, one part olive oil and one part rice vinegar. Feel free to make as little or as much dressing as you'd like, you can always use leftover dressing for another salad. After cabbage is finished, let cool and discard the outside leaves. Chop remaining cabbage into bite sized pieces. Mix all ingredients in a bowl, add garlic salt & pepper to taste, and garnish with parsley.
Enjoy! xo

Paper Hearts

Did you know that according to tradition,  the one year wedding anniversary gift is Paper? I had no idea until it was just a few months before. Sounds boring, right? Well, with a little inspiration from one of my dearest friends Morgan, I made Chad a wonderful gift with just the right amount of sentiment. Take a look...

To make, I found images of vintage looking maps online -- places we've visited, where we met, our honeymoon location etc... I then printed the files at my local photo kiosk where I also picked up a poster board and a foam board. I used a compass and ruler to make the prefect heart, which I traced onto all of the photos. From there it was a little cutting and pasting and viola, a work of art! To make it extra chic, I used foam board to mount the hearts and the molding.

The original idea came from Smith, Here - Morgan is a DIY genius and my biggest blogging inspiration! 

Treasure Hunting

Yesterday I went to the Melrose Trading Post (also known as the Fairfax Flea Market) to find some new furniture to spice up my living room. I put my blinders on to find a new coffee table and a buffet for the entryway. For some unique pieces that are still good quality (and within my price range) there's no place like a flea market! 

While I could have spent loads of time and money on clothing, jewelry and everything in between, I made a clean getaway with two fantastic pieces. Take a peek...

"Before" -- $65

"Before" -- $25

I am looking forward to some DIY with a little painting, sanding, and distressing! I'll keep you posted with the "after" photos xo

PS. While the Fairfax flea market is held every Sunday, making it oh so convenient, the more prestigious flea market is at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. It's once a month, usually on the second sunday :)

Take me Back to Paradise

On our honeymoon, Chad and I drank the most delicious drinks! It was a homemade cocktail that I still just can't get enough of. Perhaps it's the summer heat, or maybe it's the fact that we are approaching our one year anniversary, but my drink of choice has recently been the Pog Punch.  I'm getting ready for a weekend in Palm Springs and I can't wait to sit by the pool sippin' this lovely libation...

To make, you'll need 1/3 dark rum and P-O-G. Which is a blend of Passion fruit juice, Orange juice and Guava juice. And yes, these are actual photos from my honeymoon (lucky me!). Check back in for photos of my weekender..!

When Life Gives You Lemons...

Make Lemonade! While I don't particularly like lemonade the drink, one of my favorite places to eat in LA is Lemonade the cafeteria. I'm so proud to say that DTLA boasts not one, but TWO locations of Lemonade. And, lucky me, both are within walking distance! 

One of my favorite dishes is the Israeli Couscous with Truffle Oil (front and center below)....very tasty! I've managed to re-create this dish at home. So, if you aren't fortunate enough to have a Lemonade close to you, you can still try a taste. 

For this dish you will need: 

Israeli Coucous

Olive Oil

Organic mushrooms (I like white)

Parsley

Truffle oil (very important)

Lemon

Parmesan Cheee (optional)

Salt & Pepper

DIY

You can find all of these ingredients at Trader Joes or any other large supermarket, with the exception of the truffle oil. I found my truffle oil at Williams Sonoma and while it is pricey, it's totally worth it because it can turn an ordinary dish into extraordinary! Ok, so here are the steps:

Cook the couscous according to the instructions on the box (duh).  Slice mushrooms and cook in a pan over medium heat with olive oil until they are tender (about 5-10 mins). Finely chop the parsley leaves (I like to use cooking scissors). Once everything is cooked, combine the couscous, mushrooms, and fresh parsley in a bowl. Add a dash of salt & pepper, lemon juice (a whole lemon or more) and a few drops of truffle oil. When the dish is cooled, you can also add parmesan cheese. I don't measure so use your judgement and taste it as you go along! Enjoy!