Daily Donato

curiously caught reading...

2011-11-10T20:37:00.000-08:00

A morning with Bay Area's Bari Biscotti

2011-08-10T14:04:00.000-07:00

As part of my May tasting box (yes, I know it's August. These are backlogged posts), I received two Bari Biscotti; lemon poppy seed and authentic almond. These were a perfect compliment one morning as we were preparing to sell our home. Yes, we have put our house on the market and moved. Pardon the lack of post these last several months. Story of my life! But I guess you now know why.

The timing couldn't have come at a better place in our lives and even though I had dreams of amping up my bungalow kitchen we have now made our contemporary modern house a home. No needed renovations here!

Foodzie monthly tasting box: May

2011-07-13T14:58:00.000-07:00

Surprise! Here's what came in.

This month's tasting box brought in a fresh sample of goodies. I most especially enjoyed how the items were a great mix of spring and summer flavors, a good variety of sweet and savory. Stayed tuned for post reviews on each product, recipes and how we enjoyed this month's gift of flavor.

Dried Pineapple- Peeled Snacks, Brooklyn, NY
Alfajores- Dulce Caramel Co., Buffalo Grove, IL
Lemon Poppyseed and Almond Biscotti- Biscotti Bari, Petaluma, CA
Fresh Herb Seat Salts- Woody's Gourmet, Campbell, CA
Pure Southern Iced Tea- Pluff Iced Tea, Bluffton, SC
Seaweed Snack- SeaSnax, Los Angeles, CA

Check Foodzie.com if you'd like to subscribe to their monthly tasting box or purchase full sized items of those that you've seen here.

Look what's arrived! My monthly tasting box provided by the folks at Foodzie.com

2011-05-20T16:30:00.000-07:00

Foodzie.com is an amazing website filled with crafted, hand-made food by small specialized companies. I first discovered them almost two years ago when they were first on my radar in San Francisco.

With rumors of "the rapture" looming, my monthly tasting box couldn't have come at a better time. I can't wait to share with all of you what was hand picked this month. Stay tuned!

www.foodzie.com

xoxo

May the Fourth be with you. Happy Star Wars day!

2011-05-04T19:16:00.000-07:00

xoxo

novywankenobe

Mama like.

2011-04-14T14:04:00.000-07:00

Nike Black and White All-Court Canvas Mids
Outfitting my husband in nike. These would be the only way he'd wear this brand and they would look great on him!

Munny diecast keychains
Available at Kidrobot.com

Acne Dance Draped tank dress
Available at Shopbob.com

3.1 Phillip Lim K.C. Satchel
Perfect for carrying it all, including an SLR

Dilligently thrifting, craigs listing and ebaying for a mid century dining table without having buyer's remorse.

Terrariums
There are so many DIY online sources using what is already right out your front door. On one of our daily walks around the neighborhood we found succulents and moss for plucking.
This idea also sparks another DIY, dressing up our courtyard fire place.

Moss Graffiti!

xoxo

Party nails

2011-04-14T09:39:00.000-07:00

A girl's got to get her nails right and for tonight's concert, it's party time.

Deborah Lippmann Collection, $18

available at Nordstroms

Now starring,...

2011-04-13T15:36:00.000-07:00

Vanity Fair does it again in their February 2011 issue amusing me and simply loving (even more) these Hollywood stars. Photographer Howard Schatz had a brilliant idea, gather a group of respected actors, place them in a series of roles with dramatic situations of course, and interpret these characters as only they would. Their faces are a hoot!

In Character, Starring …

WRITTEN, DIRECTED, AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY HOWARD SCHATZ

MELISSA LEO
Left: You’re the “pilot” of a drone over Pakistan, watching on your computer screen in Nevada as a rocket you fired vaporizes an al-Qaeda safe house. Center: You’re a woman suspected of murdering your husband, breaking down after six hours of denials and saying, “All right, I did it—and I’m glad I did it!” Right:You’re a three-year-old drama queen, emphatically letting your mother know your feelings about Brussels sprouts.

JOHN SLATTERY
Left: You’re a priest in a hardscrabble factory-town parish, listening to your brother’s son confess that he has killed a man. Center: You’re a gangsta rapper being informed by a haughty bouncer that you are not on the list. Right: You’re a six-year-old who has skinned his knee in the playground, waiting to cry until your mom gets off her cell phone.

TRACY MORGAN
Left: You’re a father teaching his daughter to ride a bike, watching as she takes a header on her first solo try. Center: You’re the cat that ate the canary. Right: You’re a man in denial, figuring that if you don’t listen to your girlfriend’s breakup speech she’ll stick with you.

BRENDAN FRASER
Left: You’re a factory foreman with $200 riding on the game, watching your team’s placekicker muff a 23-yarder with 0:01 remaining. Center: You’re a first-time skydiver, reacting to your instructor’s saying it’s your turn: “What? Can’t hear you! Sorry ... what?” Right: You’re in the back row of sixth-grade health class, exulting with your pal in the fact that your female teacher just uttered the word “penis.”

RICKY GERVAIS
Left: You’re the office toady, having a dutiful laugh over your boss’s latest racist joke—and all too aware that everyone else at work hates you. Center: You’re a Miss Universe finalist in the nanosecond between being named fifth runner-up and remembering to flash your best I’m-so-happy smile. Right: You’re the school doofus, blissfully unaware that your having just been named prom king is a cruel, Carrie-style stunt by your classmates.

KEN JEONG
Left: You’re the new longboarder on the secret beach with the famous break, preparing for the onslaught from the territorial locals. Center: You’re a suburban car dealer demonstrating in your three a.m. ad slot how much your customers $$$AVE when they come to you! Right: You’re a Romanian gymnastics coach, exasperated at the failings of your 12-year-old star pupil, screaming, “You are imbecile!”

JASON SCHWARTZMAN
Left: You’re Adam, a five-year-old boy sneaking your pet rat into your seven-year-old sister’s underwear drawer. Center: You’re Lacey, the seven-year-old sister, having just opened the drawer. Right: YYou’re Adam, hiding in Lacey’s closet as she screams, “Adaaaaaam!!!”

LAURENCE FISHBURNE
Left: You’re a broke, struggling screenwriter emerging from a pitch lunch at a Beverly Hills restaurant, just in time to see a landscaper's pickup back into your borrowed Lamborghini. Center: You’re a stoned, purely mercenary substitute teacher telling your third-graders, “Anyone who makes any noise while I’m resting will be sent home to Mommy in several little boxes.” Right: You’re a nerdy 11-year-old video gamer surrounded by BlizzCon posters and fellow nerds, and you’re taking this particular session of World of Warcraft waaay too seriously.

HOPE DAVIS
Left: You’re fresh out of the Yale School of Drama, desperately overselling Lady Macbeth’s “Out, damn’d spot! Out, I say!” speech at a summer-rep audition. Center: You’re a 13-year-old girl, seething as your precocious younger brother is heaped with lavish praise at an extended-family gathering. Right: You’re a lonely woman with a stalker’s crush on a TV star, spotting him coming out of a restaurant and certain that he is making a beeline toward you!

JANE LYNCH
Left: You’re a child swallowing a spoonful of medicine that your mom promised would taste good, and now she’s telling you that if it didn’t taste awful it wouldn’t work. Center: You’re at a social dinner with your work colleagues and their spouses, desperately trying to signal your partner to stop talking so freely about your shared sex life. Right: You’re a bunny-level skier who has decided to try a black-diamond slope, and now, with no idea how to stop, you’re headed straight for a tree.

BROOKE SHIELDS
Left: You’re a celebrity guest at a White House state dinner, forced out of desperation to finally confront the creepy “nobody” crasher who has been trying to catch your attention all evening. Center: You’re a Kansas homemaker on vacation in Vegas, enjoying the stage show of the hypnotist, who has successfully programmed his volunteer (your husband) to quack like a duck. Right: You’re in the fourth row of a high-school auditorium, watching as your 15-year-old daughter begins singing Annie Oakley’s “Doin’ What Comes Natur’lly”—and freezes halfway through.

THOMAS HADEN CHURCH
Left: You’re the head of the Naples Mob, listening to a young lieutenant announce that he’s branching off to form his own operation: “That’s O.K. by you, right, boss?” Center: You’re a gay decorator who has just been hired to “do” one of the emir’s palaces, but first, says his deputy, the emir insists upon having you over to dinner … with your wife. Right: You’re a 15-year-old emerging from a college party (where you’re not supposed to be), watching some frat boys abscond with your dad’s Lamborghini (which you’re not supposed to have).

JANE KRAKOWSKI
Left: You’re a finalist on America’s Next Top Model who is hearing Tyra tell the other girl she’s out—and you’re prepping to give your nemesis a “sincere” hug. Center: You’re a stand-up comic performing at a Toronto showcase packed with S.N.L. and HBO scouts—and your “lesbian chickens” bit is utterly tanking.Right: You’re, like, 15, and he’s, like, 17, and even tho U have only ever said, like, “Hey” in the hallways, he’s just texted 2 ask U 2 B his D8 @ the prom!!! the prom!!!

JEFF DANIELS
Left: You’re an N.B.A. power forward who’s been lightly grazed by an opponent, flailing and wincing with Oscar-worthy panache to elicit a foul call. Center: You’re an insufferable epicure at a revered restaurant in Lyon, having an out-of-body experience on your very first bite. Right: You’re a high-school freshman who’s just been publicly hazed by a bullying senior, skulking away ashamedly—but getting the last word.

GEOFFREY RUSH
Left: You’re the cornerman for a winded female boxer, desperately exhorting her: “She’s run away with your boyfriend! She’s kidnapped your kid! Get out there and kill that heifer!” Center: You’re five years into a contented but sedentary married life, protesting to your wife, “I said you’re ‘Rubenesque.’ It doesn’t mean fat. It means … Rubenesque!” Right: You’re a 10-year-old in a high-rise apartment, playing fetch with your fox terrier and a tennis ball—which has just bounced out the window, with your dog in full pursuit.

ELISABETH MOSS
Left: You’re the secretary of state, suspicious of your Russian counterpart’s jolly assurance that his country will gladly commit 50,000 troops to the U.S. effort in Afghanistan. Center: You’re an Academy Award nominee, keenly aware that a camera is trained on you, at the precise moment when you hear that the Oscar has been won by someone else. Right: You’re a Peace Corps volunteer fresh from Yale, stepping out of a Land Rover at a refugee camp and witnessing starvation and abject poverty for the first time.

JEFF GOLDBLUM
Left: You’re the surly 14-year-old son of a single mother, steeling yourself as she awkwardly, haltingly begins a belated and unnecessary “birds and bees” talk. Center: You’re at your daughter’s college graduation, and the pretty classmate of hers that you’ve been secretly ogling has just said, “Mr. Lefkowitz, you can’t be 58—you’re too cool!” Right: You’re the valedictorian of your high-school class, having just been introduced to give the speech of your young life—and your mind has gone completely blank.

FRED ARMISEN
Left: You’re at your first official White House dinner, trying not to nod off while Joe Biden regales your table with tales of brokering backroom deals with Howard Baker in the 70s. Center: You’re in a meeting with your national-security team when an aide whispers in your ear that the Reverend Jeremiah Wright has just shown up unannounced at the White House gates. Right: A month after your inauguration, you discover that Dick Cheney’s “undisclosed location” was a pantry in the private residence—and he’s still there!

GREG KINNEAR
Left: You’re a rookie cop whose sergeant is telling you that the boy you just killed was holding a cell phone, not a gun. Center: You’re a city kid using a telescope to spy on people in other buildings—and catching your math teacher in bed with your guidance counselor. Right: You’re a presidential candidate at an epic meet-and-greet fund-raiser, holding that smile in place as you work the endless rope line.

JOHN GOODMAN
Left: You’re a geek flirting with a cheerleader, unaware that you don’t stand a chance. Center: You’re departing the nursing home where your wife resides; it is your first visit in which she didn’t recognize you. Right: You’re a college basketball coach, on the cusp of an N.C.A.A. tournament berth, screaming at the referee, knowing that if you’re ejected, your boys will turn it up a notch.

CHLOE SEVIGNY
Left: You’re a hyperkinetic eight-year-old drama queen at her birthday party, hearing that the clown has just arrived. Center: You’re a mom at your seven-year-old daughter’s ballet recital, watching her execute an adorably imperfect pirouette and an almost flawless curtsy. Right: You’re a high-school senior whose parents are at work, just about to have sex with your boyfriend for the first time, when your kid sister bursts into the room.

WHOOPI GOLDBERG
Left: You’re the ever obeisant wife of a charismatic televangelist, and you’ve just learned that a male prostitute is about to go public with his story of a years-long affair with your husband. Center: You’re a fabulously wealthy Fifth Avenue matron, greeting your building’s doormen—whom you never tip—with a cheery “Merry Christmas!” Right: You’re Barbara Walters, interviewing a recently divorced actress about her latest movie, suddenly going for the jugular with the question “Did it hurt more that he left you for a younger woman?”

MARISKA HARGITAY
Left: You’re a middle-aged woman at your mother’s hospital bedside as she hovers near death, remembering the quarrel you had with her when you were last together. Center: You’re a perky gal in your 20s whose boyfriend of two years has asked you to close your eyes because he has a very special surprise for you!Right: You’re a six-year-old at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus for the first time, startled by a bang from a huge cannon and the sight of a sleek, silver-clad woman flying high above the crowd in an arc.

IAN McSHANE
Left: You’re a politically ambitious prosecutor trying a sensational murder case, and you’ve just realized that the defense’s key witness has given you a huge opening to prove that he’s lying. Center: You’re an ex-Marine, on the way home from a workout at the gym, suddenly confronted by a knife-wielding mugger. And you’re thinking, “This dude has picked the wrong fookin’ guy to take on.” Right: You’re watching your son on television in his first Formula One race, moments after his car has hit a wall. Track workers have lifted him out of the tangled wreck as the announcer says, “He doesn’t appear to be moving … “

DAVID STRATHAIRN
Left: You’re a 9-year-old boy hearing about the details of sex for the first time from your 16-year-old brother. Center: You’re an evangelical preacher, screaming to your flock, “Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, JESUS!” Right: You’re an ex-jock dad, apoplectic over the penalty the soccer ref has called against your seven-year-old son for a tackling foul.

MICHAEL DOUGLAS
Left: You’re a man whose daughter has been missing for two months. You’ve been called in by the police to identify the body of a young murder victim. The sheet is pulled back … and the victim isn’t your daughter. Center: You’re a boy at a freakish carnival, watching a pierced performer munch live cockroaches. Right:You’re a 14-year-old girl who’s just opened her 18-year-old sister’s bedroom door to find her having sex with her boyfriend.

JOHN LEGUIZAMO
Left: You are a hostage in a desert prison camp, overhearing your buddy being tortured in the adjacent room, knowing you’re next. Center: You are a four-year-old boy at a new, “realistic” dinosaur theme park, getting a lick on the head from a 50-foot-long mechanical brontosaurus. Right: You are a heroin addict begging your dealer to give you a fix, promising you’ll pay him later, really.

NATHAN LANE
Left: You’re an eight-year-old boy whose friend convinced you to shoplift the latest Grand Theft Auto. Now you’re sitting in the security office at the mall, waiting for your father to arrive. Center: You’ve just excused yourself from the table at a dinner party where you’ve been placed between the two most boring people on the planet, and you’re in the bathroom, wondering how you’ll survive two more hours. Right: You’re the idealistic young teacher of an out-of-control fourth-grade class, exploding after 20 minutes of complete chaos.

JOHN MALKOVICH
Left: You’re an ingénue actress, new to Hollywood. Your agent has just called to say you’ve been chosen for a role in a big movie … as George Clooney’s love interest. Center: You’re a construction worker having lunch with your buddies on the street in front of the job, calling out to a sexy woman passing by, “Hey, hon, wanna see what’s in my lunchbox?” Right: You’re a mid-level drug dealer with a big payment due to a Mob boss, getting the news from one of your street runners that he lost the big coke stash in, “like, a weird gust of wind.”

AMY POEHLER
Left: You are sneaking a peek, in the middle of the night, at your sweet new boyfriend’s computer … and discovering e-mails to and from his three current “other” girlfriends. Center: You are a Park Avenue matron, paying your husband a surprise visit at his office and discovering him on the couch in flagrante delicto with his secretary. Right: You are a disoriented homeless woman being arrested for loitering.

HUGH LAURIE
Left: You are a dedicated father who, with your wife, has just sat down to dinner with your 15-year-old daughter, who is defiantly announcing that she’s pregnant. Center: You are a fashion designer on the morning of your big runway show, realizing that nothing in the collection is ready or fabulous. Right: You are a blustering, pompous member of the British Parliament, giving a speech that is being broadcast on the BBC, and you’re thrilled at the sound of your own voice.

xoxo

Thursday evening spent.

2011-04-07T20:01:00.000-07:00

Coffee, Crack pie, interwebz, ranunculus, daffodils, and trucks.

Diagnosis

2011-04-04T14:52:00.000-07:00

You are in a perpetual quest to find the new, the exciting. Emotionally volatile, you are known for sudden changes of opinion, of appreciation, and behavior. Following rules and established methods is difficult for you and the difficulties of higher education are usually quite daunting. Knowledge is best gained through an intimate association with the matter at hand. Usually driven by attitudes and desires of the group, you are talented in an established field of endeavor. Emotions come and go without a strong understanding of their causes. They are unexpected guests in an otherwise placid landscape. You live by your own codes of conduct, which can be noble or terrible depending on the individual. Authority is meaningless to you. You hate to be predictable, at all costs. Rarely verbally effusive, you can at times feel as if your feelings are too deep for words. You are very observant, but rarely express these observations to others.

1:40:27

2011-04-04T14:32:00.000-07:00

Congrats to my husband for completing his first Mud Run! We're teaming up for the next one.

Write up coming soon.

Bills, paid.

2011-04-04T14:26:00.001-07:00

A toast

2011-03-22T16:23:00.000-07:00

"Let us toast to animal pleasures, to escapism, to rain on the roof and instant coffee, to unemployment insurance and library cards, to absinthe and good-hearted landlords, to music and warm bodies and contraceptives... and to the ‘good life,’ whatever it is and wherever it happens to be." ~Hunter S. Thompson

You are.

2011-03-18T12:03:00.000-07:00

The Market Grill- Monrovia, CA

2011-03-12T14:29:00.000-08:00

This quaint sandwich shop located on the corner of Colorado and Shamrock in Monrovia is nestled snuggly within and to the left of a small market. Open from 11am - 7pm Monday's thru Saturday I didn't stroll in here for their classic cold case sandwiches or their hot on the griddle burgers atop of homemade buns. Oh no, today's treat would be their homemade chocolate chip bacon cookies.

Now, forgive me if this has already been done. I know I'm way behind the food trends and I'm sure this recipe could be duplicated at home. I mean, is it really that hard to mix in maple smoked bacon into cookie batter and bake? No, not for me but tell that to my uncooperative oven with varying hot spots which makes baking anything for that matter a big pain in my ass. The Donato clan would not be happy with a frustrated wife/mom cursing her oven. So, instead I make my way here after a mid day matinée watching Battle L.A. (great movie btw). Behind a line of hungry patrons, most of whom are locals or locals bringing their weekend guests, I wait patiently till I get up to the counter where these bad boys are cradled in a basket.

Today's momma fresh baked specials were cake pops, peanut butter cookies, PBJ cookies and the BCC cookies. No nutella versions today. Be forewarned as these are just average sized cookies and not the beyond-normal proportion cookies that so many of us are used to paying. Two baggies, four cookies in total, $3 and some change later I walk out a happy gal.

When opening each bag you can't ignore the smokey aroma coming from the bacon and the sweetness of the chocolate.

Upon closer inspection (oink!oink!) you can see pieces of the candied bacon.

Soft centered cookies with crisy edges just the way I like them.

Devoured.

Each cookie had a good ratio of chocolate to bacon to dough. The bacon was maple smoked so the cookie didn't need all that much bacon pieces for the scent and flavor to permeate the disc. As it turned out the bacon didn't have a lot of saltiness to it which I thought would have given the cookie a nice balance to the smokiness and sweetness coming from it and the semi sweet chocolate chips.

The Market Grill

525 South Shamrock Avenue
Monrovia, CA 91016
(626) 303-4314

xoxo

Ms. Badu

2011-03-08T18:48:00.001-08:00

Far busier than before, a tale of tasks.

2011-03-08T18:47:00.000-08:00

You'd think with all this time on my hands after the rest and relaxation and "personal vacay's" I would have the opportunity to tackle my ever-growing list of things to do around the home and projects that have been put on hold NOT adding more to it. I'm sure it has happened to the best of us.

You see, it all became clear today as I noticed the light switch to my son's room is on the verge of shorting. This put's a hold on my errands and projects for the day as my electrician did not give me a definative time that he would arrive. "I'll be there after I'm through with this job." Great. The hungry bird gets the worm and with that said did a walk through around my charming Pasadena bungalow and made yet again another list of things to do around the house and projects to tackle. Because of course, you got to get your ass off the couch, feed the beast and make moves.With spring cleaning just around the corner what have you been putting off? Or what places have you been wanting to visit or things to do?

Here's just a snippet of mine:
-Prepping a small plot of land for our vegetable garden.
-Re-bricking my front patio.
-Re-organize my closet. Follow the rule of thumb, if you have't worn in recently its best you give it up. Shoes and accessories don't apply of course.
-Spring cleaning. I meant heavy duty stuff fare beyond the usual scrubbing and dusting. I mean doing things that you dont' do on a regular basis. For example, de-greasing the air vent above the stove or deep cleaning my oven. Or washing window screens and carpets. Lot's to do but well over-due.
-Take advantage of all the free and fun things to do around the city; museums with my tot, farmer markets.

Update 6:46pm

Guess who finally showed up?!

This stirs me up from the inside out, rekindled.

2011-03-01T15:43:00.000-08:00

Gaaahh! I. die.

2011-02-12T19:57:00.000-08:00

lace details, not overdone.

Burberry prorsum pre-fall 2011. luscious.

xoxo

A little thing called football- Super Bowl XLV

2011-02-05T15:58:00.000-08:00

A little thing called football is not so little in the Donato home.
Tomorrow we'll be hosting our annual Super Bowl Bash and cheering on our favorites. Decorated with colors of black, yellow and green (you pick your poison), a tablescape of food and beverages (you pick your poison) and house filled with friendship and family- it's said to be another EPIC gathering.

I like to keep my menu on a theme but that went out the window when I selfishly forgot about my family and friends and their dietary brackets; low-fat, low cholesterol, vegans, vegetarians, meat lovers and just plain eaters. So I threw out the idea of riding out a Latin menu and just took a slew of different items like vegan 7 layer, salads and charcuterie, couscous w/olives and roasted tomatoes, grilled meats and veggies of all kinds, skewers of chorizo and shrimp, vegetarian chili, guinness chocolate cake (thank you Nigella Lawson!) and refreshing fruit to appease our palates. At least I'm steering clear of the doritos, twinkies and chicken wings??

xoxo

Mind on Bali, Bali on my mind

2011-01-29T12:52:00.000-08:00

A student of mine is going to a beautiful luxurious high end resort, Alila Villas Uluwatu for his externship in Bali. He invited me at the minimum "cheap" rate of $600 a night, minimum 4 night stay. Hah!

Additionally, my coworker is moving back home to Bali, Indonesia. An invite is extended to my family if and when we travel the south pacific. Hmmm...

She mentions of trained monkey's fetching the best fresh young coconut for us to drink and her outdoor pool. But who wants to swim at any pool when you have all that beauty surrounding you?
Here are some photos of the beautiful island, resort and culture. Paradise. Wouldn't this be a lovely winter getaway?

xoxo

No, my first name ain't baby, It's Janet... Ms. Jackson if you're nasty

2011-01-15T16:34:00.000-08:00

This entry goes to the only and only Janet Jackson.

Did you get tickets to her Number One's tour??

I did. See you on April 14th!
*A second show has been added- Friday, April 15th at the Gibson Amph.

xoxo

Welcome Back DineLA 2011

2011-01-12T11:10:00.000-08:00

Happy eating!

xoxo

Eagle Rock Music Festival 2010

2010-10-01T21:59:00.000-07:00

Another solid line up; $5 suggested donation, kid's 12 yrs and younger are free, free parking, and shuttle service! Add this on your list of to-do's this weekend (if you can stomach the hipsters).

Emerging Stage
4:00 So Many Wizards
5:00 Moses Campbell
6:00 Mia Doi Todd
7:00 Darker My Love
8:00 Blank Blue
9:00 Dunes
10:05 Announcements
10:15 The Soft Pack

Global Stage
Dublab "Future Roots" Stage
4:00 frosty
4:45 Lucky Dragons
5:30 Hashim B
6:15 Chicano Batman
7:00 Mahssa
7:45 Rainbow Arabia
8:30 Mochilla DJ Set featuring B+ and Coleman
9:15 Shinehead
10:00 Egyptian Lover & Arabian Prince

Blue Hen
Zocaloc/Razorcake Stage
4:00 Driven
5:00 Mut!ny
6:00 Handski
7:00 The Highbinders
8:00 La Bestia
9:00 Nervous Gender
10:00 Toys that Kill

Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock
Experimental Stage
4:00 Santa Cecilia Orchestra
6:00 Tygerstrype
6:45 Asura and Ana Caravelle
7:30 LA Vampires
8:15 Speculator
9:00 Geneva Jacuzzi
9:45 Sun Araw
10:25 SASSAS soundShoppe

Kids' Stage
4:00 The Funky Slippers
5:00 Wacko
6:00 Ellen and Matt
7:00 Earthworm Ensemble
8:00 4SCoRE
9:00 The Dustbowl Revival
Special DJ sets from Nanny Cantaloupe (Dublab)

Colombo's
Outside
6:00 Joe Johnston Band
Inside
4:00 Vertigo Road
5:00 Tim Yalda
6:00 Remake/Remodel
7:00 Ann Likes Red
8:00 Erica Lake and Paul Jacques
9:00 Blue Soul

Low End Theory Stage
4:00 Jonwayne
4:30 Teebs
5:00 matthewdavid
5:30 Take
6:00 Dibiase
6:30 SAMIYAM
7:00 Free The Robots
7:30 Ras G
8:00 D-Styles
8:30 Daddy Kev
9:00 The Gaslamp Killer
9:30 DJ Nobody
10:00 Nosaj Thing
MC - Nocando

Rantz
7:00 Eagle Rock High School Latin Jazz Band
8:00 Ollin
9:00 La Santa Cecilia

Welcome Inn
7:00 Bonne Musique Zydeco

Women's 20th Century Club
5:00 Eric Ekstrand

Panang -- Kingsize/The Ship Stage

Kingsize
4:00 Seasons
5:00 Downtown/Union
6:00 Drunk on Crutches
7:00 Pay the Man (with Raymond Pettibon)
8:00 Hi Ho Silver Oh
9:00 The Submarines
10:00 Monstre

The Ship
4:30 Honeybreath
5:30 Manhattan Murder Mystery
6:30 Radars to the Sky
7:30 Wait.Think.Fast.
8:30 Frankel
9:30 Walking Sleep
10:30 Fidlar

all information here

Identifiable luggage: Surpassing the colored luggage tag with stickers

2010-09-26T22:46:00.000-07:00

All photo's from Asylum and product purchase can be made at The Cheeky.

xoxo

A gift from Cartier to Kanye

2010-09-19T21:55:00.000-07:00

Loving the Leve collection and considering getting a ring for husband Donato.

xoxo

Backyard BBQ: Who says summer's over?

2010-09-18T15:21:00.000-07:00

Casa de Donato is hosting a backyard boogie bbq under a string of twinking lights. The guys are in the mood for grilling and machismo while the ladies nibble the charcuterie, chit-chat and sip wine. Good times to be had in T-minus 3 hours.

Stay tuned for a photo posting.

xoxo

Fall finds: Eye on the prize

2010-09-16T23:07:00.000-07:00

Fall is my favorite season of the year; crisp mornings, pleasant temps, earth tones and layers, and because my birthday month falls during this time. Fashion wise fall to me means boots, leathers, layers, coats, rich hues and textures. Here are a few images and possible purchases.

*Unfortunately husband put my spending to a hault, on a ban till November. Nevertheless, please enjoy!

Boots, booties and maybe a wedge

One of my favorite tranny shoes are now back in stock

warm me up baby!

Love, love, love J.Crew. Matter of fact that's where I got my wedding gown. Want this vest.

jewels

On Vacation! See you in a week

2010-09-11T13:08:00.000-07:00

A proposal

2010-07-31T10:44:00.000-07:00

Mr. Donato threw a no-brainer offer at me. Or at least at the time it was.
"I know you've been wanting to rennovate the kitchen. What you do say we skip our vacation and put that amount toward this project?"

Uhm, yes. Hell yes!

Maybe I can finally get that farmhouse sink after all. Yipee!

Fast forward several weeks later I find myself asking, how much longer will we have to wait until we can comfortably take a family vacation? Would I have to be chained to that natural stone counter top till we can recoup some funds? More menu planning to come? Was this a trick question? Hmmm.

Kitchen rennovations are some if not the most expensive changes to a home. DIY projects save you more greenbacks while hiring professionals can rack its way up to the $100k mark to include design, products, and installation. You wont see me anywhere near that range.
Our kitchen is, cozy. It's not the fanciest yet gets the work done and truly makes magic. It's treated me well. Ideally I would love to have our breakfast nook area, which is seperated by a wall from our kitchen, spilling onto our outdoor courtyard. The flow, the chi of the space would be wonderous. Knock down that seperating wall and I'm in heaven. Entertaining for days!!!

If I take him up on the offer I have a lot of planning ahead of me and like any major purchase, there's a budget and we should spend what we can afford.

I'm grateful enough to have some of you recommend vendors and businesses where I can pick up materials and appliances at an affordable price. So to those of you, thank you.

To take it on, or not?

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!

2010-06-23T22:27:00.000-07:00

June 16, 2010 UCLA Royce Hall: An evening with Anthony Bourdain

2010-06-23T22:00:00.000-07:00

The man we've all grown to know and love through the evil world of television, Anthony Bourdain is, "All about unicorns and rainbows these days."

*Gasp*

He's a father to a 3 year old daughter and admits to the above statement that,"Being a dad does this to you." Don't I know it.

So what happened to the witty, sarcastic, untamed mother-effer we've watched from such shows as The Travel Channel's No Reservation? From what I gathered not much.

Husby and I attended a speaking engagement at UCLA's Royce Hall "supposedly" for his newest book Medium Raw. While I had hoped that he'd get into more detail about his new book and it's content (I'm nosey), the event turned out to be exactly as I had expected - An overview of all of his books combined into 1 1/2 hours of talk. Good, amusing talk at that. He goes on to share the obvious dislike of certain Food Network "celebs", the ambivalent bag that is Alice Waters, is still very much antagonistic toward the vegetarian/vegan movement, his stint on Top Chef, and asks the audience to really think about where your food comes from and to make a conscious effort in eating quality food i.e. ditching the fast food chains, "The Clown, the King, the Colonel."

Photo courtesy of DailyGluttony

He engages us on what is revered as a perfect meal and have to agree that it's not about the ridiculously overpriced, overhyped 20+ course tasting menu at the newest Michelin star receiving establishment but one with a story to tell. It's a meal where you let life's unexpectancies lead you to fully enjoy the food, the culture, your surroundings and those who you are with, allowing the universe to guide you as you let go and savor the moment.

It's undeniably so he has one of, if not, the greatest job in the world: worldly travel, working closely with his friends, and making some kick ass documented memories along the way.

We ended the evening with Q+A and would like to share those thoughts with you.

What he had for dinner last night:
In-N-Out burger. Can't say enough good things about it.

What does he think of the L.A. food scene and has he had much time learning about it?
Hasn't had enough time to dive into the LA food scene, envies our melting pot of cultures and inexpensive eateries (ie. soup dumplings).

Must see places per request of Mr. Bourdain himself:
San sebastian Spain (already on my to-go list), Bahia Brazil, Hanoi Vietnam.

As a NYer, Laker's or Celtics?
Lakers.

xoxo

How the World Eats

2010-06-19T13:31:00.000-07:00

As I go through my weekly menu I'm cognizant of the kinds of food we're eating. For example, the amount of red meat and the frequency of having it during the week, the amount of salt, bad/good fat, the amount of vegetables in a meal, and overall the ratios of each food group of each meal. It's a lot to take in and think about but for the sake of the health of my family (and pocketbook) it's worth it. I'm having a lot of fun along the way.

These first two week's of weekly menu planning has come to remind me of an interesting article published in Time magazine, which featured gorgeous and personal photo's by Henry Mendel, of what families across the world eat each week and what their weekly expenditure bought them.

Not all families are equal nor are the total amounts the same but looking at the photos below I'm amazed at the kind of food purchased for each particular family. The main aspect that shines through in some pictures are the amount or lack of fresh produce. Additionally, I am boggled at all the processed food.
Interesting isn't it?

Italy: The Manzo family of Sicily
Food expenditure for one week: 214.36 Euros or $260.11

© Peter Menzel www.menzelphoto.com from the book Hungry Planet: What the World Eats

Germany: The Melander family of Bargteheide
Food expenditure for one week: 375.39 Euros or $500.07

Mexico: The Casales family of Cuernavaca
Food expenditure for one week: 1,862.78 Mexican Pesos or $189.09

© Peter Menzel www.menzelphoto.com from the book Hungry Planet: What the World Eats

Poland: The Sobczynscy family of Konstancin-Jeziorna
Food expenditure for one week: 582.48 Zlotys or $151.27

© Peter Menzel www.menzelphoto.com from the book Hungry Planet: What the World Eats

Egypt: The Ahmed family of Cairo
Food expenditure for one week: 387.85 Egyptian Pounds or $68.53

© Peter Menzel www.menzelphoto.com from the book Hungry Planet: What the World Eats

Ecuador: The Ayme family of Tingo
Food expenditure for one week: $31.55

© Peter Menzel www.menzelphoto.com from the book Hungry Planet: What the World Eats

Bhutan: The Namgay family of Shingkhey Village
Food expenditure for one week: 224.93 ngultrum or $5.03

© Peter Menzel www.menzelphoto.com from the book Hungry Planet: What the World Eats

Chad: The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp
Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs or $1.23

© Peter Menzel www.menzelphoto.com from the book Hungry Planet: What the World Eats

United States: The Revis family of North Carolina
Food expenditure for one week $341.98

© Peter Menzel www.menzelphoto.com from the book Hungry Planet: What the World Eats

xoxo

Weekly menu planning: June 14th-21st

2010-06-12T12:44:00.001-07:00

This week is much different than any other week. Come to think about it as previously mentioned this month is pulling us in all different directions. Funny how life has it's way with you right when you think you have a hand on it. *sigh*

Today we discovered a gas leak that was more of a plumbing issue. Go figure! We had to tap into our account thus making the menu planning that much more important for us to break even. *sigh*

With Father's day ending this week and another celebration, kick starting next, we continue onward with diligence.

Monday 6/14:
-Brekkie: Instant soup. I jazzed it up by adding veggie to sustain me through to lunch. Nugget had Joe's O's, yogurt and half a banana.

-Lunch: Turkey sandwich, dried fruit and nut mix, water

-Dinner: Shrimp with Mungo and spinach over steamed rice. One of my standby comforting dishes. Even during these warm summer months I can always for a bowl of this.

Tuesday 6/15:
-Brekkie: Pastry of the day (bought from work cafe), cup of coffee (brought from home)
Nugget enjoys: berry mixed applesauce, grilled cheese sandwich

-Lunch: Take out lunch special from neighborhood thai spot; Chicken yellow curry, steamed rice, salad with peanut sauce dressing, vegetable eggroll

-Dinner: BBQ ranchera chicken, pico de gallo. For dessert, a coke float.

Wednesday 6/16:
-Brekkie: Fruit bowl from merchant at the Santa Monica farmer's market. If we have time maybe some Sweet Rose Creamery on the way back.

-Lunch: Take out lunch at Krua Thai. I'll be picking up the husby in North Hollywood so I figured I pick up a tasty lunch while near.

-Dinner: Dinner in Westwood. We'll be attending the Anthony Bourdain event at UCLA's Royce Hall. I still haven't decided where we'll dine or if we'll dine before or after the show. I will however, have some pre-show cocktails =)

Thursday 6/17:
-Brekkie: Oatmeal with cinnamon and dried fruit, coffee with creamer

-Lunch: Homemade Gỏi cuốn with spicy peanut sauce, apple

-Dinner: Chicken Paillard w/creamy dijon sauce, black beans and rice

Friday 6/18:
-Brekkie: I'll probably get something at work and have a cup of coffee brought from home. Nugget: sliced apples, oatmeal, milk

-Lunch: Bought at work

-Dinner: Steak and potatoes. Filet mignon, buttered fingerling potatoes and zucchini

Saturday 6/19:
-Brekkie: Over-easy egg and pan fried spam, steamed rice, coffee

-Lunch: Spam musubi. Yay to left over spam, rice and handy dandy nori!

-Dinner: Spaghetti ala bolognese, vegan vanilla soy dream dreamwich

Sunday 6/20:
Happy Father's day!
We'll be traveling to Santa Barbara and will be dining out for all meals this day. Should be a great family day for us! Please stay posted.

xoxo

Monday menu: June 7th

2010-06-07T15:10:00.000-07:00

We're weekly menu planning again. Today calls for:

Brekkie
-Raspberry danish (leftover)
-Cup of green tea

Snack- shared with my nugget
-Goldfish cheese crackers
-Raisins
-Water

Lunch
-Lavash wrap with cheddar pimento spread and layered with breaded chicken and romaine lettuce leaves
-Strawberries, blueberries and grapes (leftover from Sunday)

Dinner
-Chicken pad thai
-Choice of cupcake: carrot or chocolate ganache (leftover from Sunday)

xoxo

Weekly menu planning: June 7-13th

2010-06-07T14:04:00.000-07:00

What the warm and balmy summer months ahead for the Donato's mean is a lot of commitments; birthdays, graduations, dinners, concerts and events, vacations, anniversaries, and family getaways. It also means it's going to get expensive. Not wanting to miss out on fun and memories, in order for us to attend as many of these as we can we're making another effort to eat at home and plan weekly menus.

Now I'm no stranger to menu planning but have to admit it's not an easy feat when you first begin and it may or may not work for you. There are so many components that make up a successful week. Menu planning is just that, planning, with a pinch of diligence.

The idea of menu planning for the week came suddenly (10 pm last night as we looked ahead at our calendar-followed by an, "oh shit!") and didn't leave much time to sort through recipes and work a creative menu. If you have more time than I did a great place to start is by browsing your weekly grocer's ads, paying close attention to the produce and protein pages. Let them guide you to creating a spectacular meal.

I also found that buying staple items in bulk really go a long way and while it will make a dent in your wallet that first week keep in mind that they will be used more than once and perhaps throughout next week's planning. A bag of rice goes a long way in the Donato home and since there are just three of us in the family I also make it a point not to overpurchase the amount of each item on my list. Unless of course it's say, a double pk of whole fryer chickens on sale, in which case I purchase. Use one for the week and use the other for the next. Ultimately you'll have to weight out what works best and what is financially smart for you and your family.

Before you make your way to the market look through your cupboards. Use what you have in stock to develop your recipes and ideas and make certain you aren't double purchasing items on your list. Work with those spices and sauces. Turn that plain grilled chicken to something exotic with a few dashes of cupboard spices. Add items to your list if you don't have them in stock.

Lists. Yes, lists. Lists keep me on track and keep me from buying items that I would have otherwise unconsciously thrown into my cart. Like that giant bag of cheese flavored chips that I had to get and after just a few bites have been left to stale over. Oops.

I try and keep my trips to the market to a minimum, no more than two maybe three times a week, and stick with what I have on my list. This helps with cutting down on costs of gas, added mileage to your vehicle and having spending your time on this task (which should have been taken care of earlier). Time is money and and to other more precious that that so use it wisely. I went to a couple of market's this morning to buy some ingredients for this week's menu. For the week I spend about $100 with a lot of the items going toward menu's for future weeks. By next week I'd like to keep my budget at $20 a week. Purchases made today went towards the adult menu and some of nugget's picky palate meals. Here's what we're working with this week:

Monday 6/7:
-Breakast: Raspberry danish (left over from Sunday), hot green tea.
Nugget had: sliced of toast, havarti cheese and cup of yogurt

-Snack (shared): Goldfish cheese crackers, raisins and water

-Lunch: Lavash wrap with pimento cheddar spread layered with breaded chicken
breast and romaine lettuce
Nugget had: breaded chicken strips with ketchup
Strawberries, blueberries and grapes (shared and left over from Sunday)

-Dinner: Chicken Pad Thai, choice of cupcakes; carrot or chocolate ganache
Assortment of fruit (left over from Sunday)

Tuesday 6/8:
-Breakfast: Oatmeal with maple syrup and cinnamon, assorted fruit, coffee

-Lunch: Lavash wrap with pimento cheddar spread layered with breaded chicken
breast and romaine lettuce.
Assortment of fruit

-Snack: Banana

-Dinner: Miso soy glazed salmon with sauteed pea sprouts and garlic, basmati rice
Choice of cupcakes; carrot or chocolate ganache
Nugget: Salmon and rice with steamed veggie, perhaps carrots I have
in the freezer

Wednesday 6/9:
-Breakfast: Miso soup with broccoli and carrot slaw I already had in stock, green tea
Nugget: Bowl of Joe's O's (Trader Joe's version of Cheerios),
sliced bananas

-Lunch: Turkey, tomato, havarti and romaine sandwich on TJ's shepard's bread, water

-Dinner: Shrimp, bacon and mushroom alfredo sauce over pasta

Thursday 6/10:
-Breakfast: Sliced toasted shepard's bread with scrambled egg, banana, green tea
Nugget: Toast with scramble egg, yogurt

-Lunch: Lavash wrap with pimento cheddar spread layered with turkey and
romaine lettuce, banana

-Dinner: fried chicken

Friday 6/11:
-Breakfast: Toast with cream cheese and jelly, coffee

-Lunch: Large salad

-Dinner: Bo luc lac, pickled onions, chinese broccoli with oyster sauce, ice cream (MIL brought over) for dessert

Saturday 6/12:
-Breakfast: Steel cut oats, cinnamon, maple syrup, Coffee

-Lunch: Left over's. I'll be working this weekend but my family will be attending a functions so lunch will be provided for them there. Lucky ducks.

-Dinner: Chicken satay skewers, homemade pickles and left over pickled onions.

Sunday 6/13:
-Breakfast: Donuts and coffee provided by the folks at our church. Nugget will likely have a bowl of cereal with a banana and yogurt.

Snack: Cheese cubes, crackers, fruit.

Lunch: Out for lunch

-Dinner: BBQ'd bulgogi, brown rice, roasted veggies, red wine.

Stayed tuned for what's in store next week and what challenges I'll face then.

xoxo

Are you ready for some Futbol!?

2010-06-05T17:07:00.000-07:00

I'm going to South Africa.

I kid. I kid. But how incredibly awesome would it be if the Donato's could visit one of the world's loveliest coastal lines, and meet friendly folk? Plus, attend that little thing named the FIFA World Cup. Okay, it's not a little thing, it's an enormous thing, a sought after event.

Some of my earliest childhood memories are of me and my pops sitting on the couch, he with his ice cold bottle of beer, me with a bowl chips and salsa, watching the World Cup series.

Since then I've been watching games and 20 years later I'm taking the opportunity to watch it with my husband and hopefully interest my little one. I still have high hopes that one day I can bring these important men in my life; dad, husby and son, to attend a world cup event. One can dream right?

You've heard the stories, the craziness the world cup brings out of people, the parties, the sportsmanship, the unending boozes and fan loyalty. It can't get any better than that!

image courtesy of YFile

xoxo

Oeuf en cocotte

2010-05-24T11:35:00.000-07:00

Vegetarian oeuf en cocotte

Happy Monday!

xoxo

Sunday

2010-05-23T20:27:00.000-07:00

This evening's Suns vs. Laker game came equipt with simple tacos that took less than 30 minutes to make from grill to plate. Take that Rachael Ray.

xoxo

Finish

2010-05-15T15:37:00.000-07:00

Heeee's back! Banksy in L.A.

2010-04-11T20:07:00.000-07:00

One (of many) of my favorite street artist is in town, again. *squeal*

With a long time fellowship and dozens of graffiti books side by side on my home office shelves, an opportunity came in 2006 for myself and 30,000 other aficionados to see his behemoth exhibition debuted in a non descript warehouse in L.A. Sure I could've gone to his pop up store in New York Oct. 2008 titled, 'The Village Pet Store and Charcoal Grill,' but being 7 months pregnant, was prohibited from flying. Shoot! It has been four, count 'em four years, since my last highly concentrated dose of the man behind the riveting and cheeky street art.

Yes Banksy, the British artist synonymous for the graffiti/stencil style art with an international reputation is premiering his film, 'Exit through the Gift Shop' in L.A.

It took only a matter of moments before his pieces popped up in the city.

Update Apr. 12

He hits my cousin-in-law's office parking lot over the weekend

Bombing on La Brea and 4th

Photo courtesy of Ben Phen

Below are snippets of the hijinks and what has been dubbed without a doubt, 'The World's first street art disaster movie.' Till then, be sure to check here for a cinema near you.

xoxo

SpottieOttieDopaliscious

2010-04-06T21:55:00.000-07:00

I tried to think of witty words, informative tidbits for my write up to my picture of a red beet salad but when I thought of the word marinate the first thing that came to mind was Outkasts' SpottieOttieDopalicious and the last line of the song, "Go on and marinate on that for a minute."

Yep, that's all i got.
A dope song and a perfect marinating song for you and these beets. The horns are sick. Enjoy!

xoxo

Focus Films: Babies

2010-04-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

All I want for mother's day is to see this documentary.

Yes, I'm already looking ahead.

The Biggest Loser Challenge

2010-03-25T18:45:00.000-07:00

I'm referencing of course to the game show and its concept: Take a group of ordinary Joe's who have dealt with body weight issues, struggled with self-confidence and want total change, put them on a strenuous work-out schedule and strict diet over the course of several months and see who, at the end, comes through weighing the least amount and feeling good about it!
In between the course of the diet/recovery program, each participants' progress is recorded with weight-ins.

And since you can't have a pizza hanging over the treadmill as a motivator, they throw in a wad of cash. It's all about the green backs if you ask me and while you're at it, lose some weight too.

This part, unfortunately, does not reign true for me.
You see, my company has taken part in our very own 'Biggest Loser Challenge.' Not as intense as the TV show, is run at your own pace, with weight-in's every few weeks and, no moola as an incentive. And what's the point now?

I'm not taking this challenge as seriously, doing this mostly for fun and information. Our diet has changed compared to what and how we use to eat. We indulge here and there, fall off track, but for the most part we're doing much better than before. Here are some examples.

*Red meat is now eaten once maybe twice a week and considered a 'treat' for us. This is where I purchase lovely tender cuts of filet mignon's or go ravenous at a korean bbq joint for date night. Cowboy ribeyes are a thing of the past unless we split it.

*Fast food is limited and if we do go out, are thoughtful of our choice. We do however miss King Taco and Hooter's three mile-isle wings. Now I can just as simply create my own flavor packet controlling as much or as little of the sodium. A great plus for us! Grilling them, in my opinion, are sooo much better tasting.

*For the most part I've given up on soda's but occassionaly have a sprite. I don't do diet soda. It is not one of my weight loss tools. I absolutely hate anything "synthetic" and "artificial sugar."

*Fat, steaming bowls of calrose white rice have been replaced with brown and/or an occassional other grain. Sometimes we skip out starches entirely. Oatmeal has become our friend and congee, is loved by everyone not just the little one.

*Tofu and/or a vegetarian menu has replaced a meal during the week. Vegetable intake has increased thrice fold and the Husby is getting to know and enjoy more seafood. Yes, it has gone beyond wild caught salmon.

God only knows with old age comes a lower metabolism. Fortunately as Angeleno's we're spoiled with year round gorgeous weather which calls for the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. Get active outside! We prefer this to working out in a gym.
It's work in progress and we're learning together to find a balance where we're not having a low-sodium, low-fat, no-sugar, false sugar, high protein, cabbage soup diet, etc. diet. God bless those who do!

We love what we eat and I have to say we've been feeling pretty damn good and looking pretty good. I've lost 10 lbs already.

Getting High.

2010-02-08T14:31:00.000-08:00

It was a matter of time before all of our joyous outings and delicious adventures in food would catch up to us. At our yearly physical exam a full panel screen was administered and holy shit, are the results alarming!

Which is why I decided today for lunch I'd indulge in a high saturated, high triglyceride, high sodium, no-good-for-you but ooh-so-good tasting filipino meal.

Lumpia (shanghai) - a type of eggroll, fried, mainly filled with meat. In this case, ground pork and teeny tiny bit of aromatics.

Boneless Bangus (boneless milkfish) - split and fried.

Pickled mustard geens, tomatoes and onions - Probably one, the only one thing that was healthiest.

Dinardaraan / Dinuguan (depending on your dialect) - Savory filipino stew of blood and meat (typically stomach, intestines, ears, and snout) simmered in a rich, spicy gravy of pig blood, garlic, chili, and vinegar. Yep, another pork dish with no vegetables.

Longaniza - Pork sausage similar to chorizo except this version is slightly sweeter. I threw it on the frying pan to crisp it up even more. I love them crunchy.

Do you see the reocurring theme here?

My cholesterol level is swiftly rising.

Controlled restraint. I love dindardaraan! Notice the portion control? I could have easily, easily had a huge bowl of it.

I already feel my levels rising but damn, was it finger lickin' good.

A week from tomorrow my work place is hosting a Biggest Loser competition with monies at stake with a buy in price of course. I could use to lose the last dozen post baby pounds and a piece of the pot wouldn't hurt either. Be on the look-out for a complete u-turn on my dining options and a real effort in eating healthier- for all of us. As for today's choice, no regrets. I loved every bit of it.

xoxo

Three day weekend. Days two and three.

2010-01-23T14:04:00.001-08:00

If you thought by some miracle, fairy dust, or by alcoholic binge I got better- you're wrong.

If you thought I was almost keeling over, watery eyed and stuffy headed- you're right.

My immune system is fairly strong but those few days really got it's ass pounded and handed on a fancy nouvea plate.

Three day weekend. Sunday, day one.

2010-01-17T12:17:00.000-08:00

Yesterday for most would've been day one of their three day weekend but for me Sunday takes that mark. I wanted to take this time to make the most of this extended weekend by doing a lot of what I had been pushing back to do, or evn visit places that I've wanted to see. That is until an unwanted visitor came to pay me a visit.

Yesterday at work I began feeling the effects of an oncoming cold and as the day progressed began feeling worse and worse by the minute. This morning I felt like a truck hit me; head pressure and congestion, watery and itchy eyes, runny nose, chills, and hot flashes. What a way to start my weekend. It just goes to show you can't really plan for things and have to just roll with the punches.

Corporate america has asked me to work tomorrow (just a half day with double and a half pay) so I'm praying for a better day where I can function and be productive. The weather man calls for rain these next few days so that news limits us to what we can do and where we can go. Who knows, maybe its gods way of telling me to just relax at home and take it easy, to enjoy the simple things in life, like a quiet evening with the fireplace lit, a glass of wine in hand while listening to the sounds of raindrops against your window.

Hope your MLK weekend is treating you well.

Thanks for your readership!

Xoxo

Mobile uploads

2010-01-16T15:08:00.000-08:00

I'd like to take the time to display my mobile uploads in concurrence with events and moments that have occured these last few months. Enjoy!

Nugget as a skeleton for Halloween

Our attempt at making a Jack Skellington Jack o' Latern

Here's husby unwrapping his gift, a new samsung LCD flat screen TV.

We had all you can eat ribs for Husby's birthday dinner. Yum! Robin's blueberry cornbread was to die for!

Getting crafty as I got ready making party items for nugget

Bloody Mary's Thanksgiving morning

Weak display of banchan during out dinner date

Nugget's smash cake

Holiday dessert buffet at work

Our yearly Xmas light outings

NYE 2009 dinner

The streets of Pasadena, day after the Rose Parade. Disgusting!

Here's a sample of the double chaise lounge that we're searching for

Change. Take it how you will.

2010-01-16T14:01:00.000-08:00

With all time that passes we each have some sort of change occuring in our lives. Whether it be good or bad differs with what we put forth in our lives and what we choose to take in.

In reflection of the last month and few months prior to 2009 ending I've had a multitude of blessings and heartache occur. I'd like to the take the opportunity to use this forum as my platform to share with you the up's and down's.

My last post noted a new change in where we would be residing. We officially moved in October of 2009.

A picture of the living room during the first stages of rennovation.

We didn't purchase a credenza so to speak but we did get an inexpensive storage unit to house our enormous collection of DVDs and display our photos. We laid it on its side to utilize the length of space. It's the expedit storage unit in dark brown from Ikea reasonably priced at $70.

I'm holding off on a tripod lamp. I just havent found one that I love. However I am in the market for a double chaise lounge sofa (Double chaise, double lounge factor!) and a butlers tray table/or stylish cabinetry to hold our ever growing liquor stash.

I was also in the first stages of planning for nugget's 1st birthday party. Unfortunately we did not end up celebrating due to a sudden case of a stomach virus that left us staying in the hospital for 3 nights. A very scary and uncomfortable episode for all of us. I am happy to report that nugget is doing much better and walking around all on his own! We had his party a couple of weeks after his intial date and almost everyone was able to make it. Thank you for those who did and made it that much more special!

A week before he got sick I landed a job that I had my eye on for a few months. I have to say it's a dream job and unfortunately can't divulge too much information about it. Let's just say it's a complete blessing!

Our 2nd Christmas together as a family was just as special as the first one, one week after bringing home baby from the hospital. We purchased another fresh tree and this year he had an official stocking hanging from the chimney. We spend the day with family and couldn't have had a better time. Pictures to be posted soon.

Our 2009 ended with a delicious home cooked dinner. I got a little fancy this time around and had a full course meal complete with wine and desserts. I took the time to make this one extra special. Afterall, I wanted to end the year and begin a new one with good food, drink and amazing company.

Here's the menu:

First
Sea scallops benedict over enoki mushrooms served with country ham grits, a salad of frisee & side of pickled cucumbers

Second
Chinese 5 spice soup with bok choy & sweet potato

Third
Nobu's miso marinated black cod with flash steamed baby zucchini

Fourth
Grilled fillet mignon with freshly made bearnaise sauce topped with pan fried onions & yam mash

Final
Several choices of dessert wines, dark chocolates and macarons

As noted in previous entries I'm a bit of a party hostess whore. I'm glad I could do this for my family. I'm looking forward to more dinner parties and events to host and hold. Next up, Super Bowl! Who's in? But first brain storming a menu.

These first few weeks of this new year is exciting and our outlook is promising. We have several trips lined up; Various aquariums, LV, SD, and Maui. We're trying to squeeze in a NYC trip but we're playing that by ear.

Hope all of your resolutions are stead fast and your new year is going just as smoothly. Good luck with all of your endeavors and best of the best for you and yours!

Thanks for your readership!

xoxo

What's wrong with this picture?

2009-11-20T22:59:00.000-08:00

From time to time I do research on the (de)increasing value of my home. I'm always looking at the value of other homes, be a bit of a peeping tom into the living rooms and bedroom of those whose homes are up for sale (is that weird?), and search 'for sale' homes in neighborhoods that I dream of living at.

I came across this picture while browsing homes. What's wrong with this picture?

Did you see the baby perched up on the top shelf? Disturbing right?

As a mother, this gives me nightmares. *shivers*

Home is where the heart is

2009-10-23T11:08:00.000-07:00

We've been renovating our home for the last four months and we're finally ready to move in. We're down to painting our kitchen but for the most part the other rooms are ready to be decorated and vacated.

For the last few weeks I've been doing online browsing and getting inspired for nugget's first birthday coming up in December. I've decided to go with a jungle/animal theme inspired by Hefty zoo pal paper plates I bought when nugget was just a mere 3 months old. Oh how time flies by!

Aside from that major task we've been looking purchase new items for our home. From drapery, to floor lamps, to bar items and even credenza's. I'd like to share an easy picture blog post with you of some things that I admire and some that inspire.

Okay so this item wasn't on the 'to buy' list but like pavlov's dog, I had a sudden craving for ramen.

credenza

Far from your typical college dorm torchiere floor lamp

These among other items really inspired me to make our house into a home that was warm and inviting, function yet hip to our taste. I'll be sure to post up pictures noting our changes along the way.

Thanks for your readership!

xoxo

Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-10-15T16:34:00.000-07:00

These toddler alice in wonderland costumes are so beautifully detailed and intricate. You can see the love and time put into them that you don't ever get from store bought costumes. Hope I win this costume set! Click on the link for you chance to win. Good luck!

Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

Home made tempura shrimp udon

2009-10-14T19:27:00.000-07:00

This one was a doozy. Between making the dough, cutting the dough, setting up the broth, to cutting veggies, prepping and frying the prawns, to tending to my infant it took several hours that I was able to enjoy the fruits of my labor. Hard work tastes too good.

xoxo

Happy birthday Fort!

2009-10-13T11:26:00.000-07:00

We're lazy when it comes to food and dining out. This has become a really bad habit for my husby and since having met me has gotten better, but not quite.

I love cooking and entertaining it's true. Yet those moments when the easiest cop out to nourishment is going out for food, often times fast, we're terrible. When opportunity permits (ie when we have a sitter) we look forward to trying out the newest restaurants and taking in some couple's time and letting go for those few hours. It's tough for us. We don't, whoops I mean I don't, have the luxury to spend hours looking in my closet for an outfit to wear to date night or spend time getting made up. Forget about switching up purses I'm wearing a diaper bag where my only necessities taking up space are my cell, chapstick, wallet and car keys. So when my husby's best friend AKA brother since the age of 4 called to ask us out to dinner we obliged (after some debating of course).

Where you ask will this birthday dinner be? Alhambra's The Boiling Crab Restaurant. Shit. So we, the couple who relys on fast food and take out, has to not only drive through insane SGV traffic but we have to wait god knows how long for some boiled seafood? Sure we've been wanting to try this place out for years now but hearing about their ridiculous policy about "all parties must be present before being seated," turned us off. This better be good and hot damn it was.

The joint was filled to the brim and lucky for us, a 4 top, only waited 30 minutes to be seated. After scanning the dry erase board menu we decided to got with pounds of their shrimp smothered in their 'whole shabang' sauce. Yes, I understand that their crawfish are what set this place apart, actually no, it's their sauce that does but you know what I mean, yet having shrimp we felt would get more bang for our buck. Besides I haven't had crawdaddies since I was 8 years old and I'm positive I'd look like a fool trying to pry the meat out of them.

I've read bad reviews about their quality of seafood and outcome of the finished product but our bags of shrimp came out sweet, firm and not overcooked. The sauce is addicting and quite potent on your fingers as most of you probably already know. A great way to get that garlickly spicy smell is to rub the lime wedges that they offer you onto your hands. They help tons!

Notice all the shrimp heads on my pile? That's because my husband throws them away. I love sucking on them. It's the best part aside from licking my fingers.

Another satisfied customer

Our bill after tip and tax was just under $50. We went a little beer happy this round and the next few visits our bill run just under $23 each time and yes, you guessed correctly we opted for take out. Score! Now if only we could find away 'round SGV traffic.

The Boiling Crab
742 W Valley Blvd
Alhambra, CA 91803-3231
(626) 576-9368

xoxo

Vroom! The newest edition to our family

2009-10-02T15:37:00.000-07:00

Papa, aka Husby, got a new toy for his birthday two months ago. We bade farewell and gave a warm thank-you to our silver bullet (one of the fastest V6 stang's in SoCal) and said, "Hello!" to our newest edition...

She's a beaut and fast too.

xoxo

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Diaz

2009-10-01T14:37:00.001-07:00

In a society where over 50% of marriages end in divorce and/or seperation, falling in love and staying in a loving and commited marriage can be a daunting and frightening thought. To begin with, how does one know if that person is the one?

You can go by the many expressions like: "You feel like you have butterflies in your stomach," "You can't eat or sleep because all you want is to be with them, see them or touch them," or "When you know, you just know."

For me I met my husband by happenstance. We were both in semi-serious relationships at the time and as all relationships go, had some disagreements with our then-partners. It was through this wonderful virtual world that we connected. It all began with a band named KoRn and this little city of Bakersfield.

Through friendly phone converstaions and with those two things in common our phone calls grew into a trusting and comforting friendship where we could come to one another for a shoulder to lean on, cry on, or for a good laugh. We had filled a void that was empty in our then-relationships and out of respect to them, decided it best to part ways. I would miss him.

Fast forward several years later. I received a birthday email reminder. He's alive! *The strange thing about this bit of info is that I hadn't received birthday reminders for years past. I tried to contact him through several outlets and finally was able to reach him. A simple, "N***? How are you? Btw, it's Novy" was all it took to spark another one of our epic conversations. We had so much to say! I had reunited with my friend!

Our friendship budded into a relationship. My friend became my best friend. I knew the moment after our reunion conversation that I would marry this man. And I did. He was the one who was there for me from the beginning and though time had past he never left my heart. There isn't a day that I don't want to be away from him. I still get butterflies in my stomach and when I knew, I knew.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Donato's had the privilege this last weekend to join a church filled with people who love, respect and care for our friends Anne and Robey, and witness as they pledge their wedding vows. This day had finally arrived and they were forever joined in matrimony. It was a beautiful ceremony and I teared, I must admit.

I could not express enough how much love filled the air, how not a single frown appeared throughout the day (except maybe at the heat wave), and how each guest left confident and in faith of the happy couple.

"Marriage should not be so much about looking at each other but looking in the same direction together. Remember the positive things that brought you together and then concentrate on positive goals to achieve as a couple."

May our friends out-do one another in kindness, never go to bed angry and continue to love and support one another. Thank you both for including us in your special day. Anne and Robey we wish you all the very best that God has to offer in this beautiful journey of marriage and we're so happy you found your "one's." We love you both!

xoxo

Trader Joe's chocolate soufflés

2009-09-07T11:51:00.000-07:00

A stop at my local TJ's had me browsing the dessert section and to my surprise saw ready to bake soufflés in their own ceramic ramekins. Forget trying to seperate the whites, get them airy and gently fold them into the mixture. Plus at less than $6 (what!) for the two, that price point was the cherry on top or should I say, the whipped cream on the soufflé.

No more worrying about gently folding those whites into the chocolate.

Popped into the hot oven for about 20 minutes and I'd say they turned out okay. Not as puffed up or fluffy as restaurant quality soufflés go but not bad at all. The portions were just right for the two of us without have to overindulge and they were tasty.

xoxo

Alternative uses- AltUse

2009-08-10T10:56:00.000-07:00

So you've bought a bulk jar of mayo (cause you're out and making sandwiches for lunch) at the warehouse grocers thinking, "I'd save some money and still put it all to good use." Think again! So, what do you do with all that mayo that you've repackaged into smaller containers because the original bulk jar itself doesn't fit into your fridge? No worries. Here's where AltUse comes in handy.

AltUse believes that items have several alternative uses besides what they were intended for all while helping you reduce waste, promote saving the environment and saving you money.

Being a child of the 80's I've always known that mayo is not only a great slather for your sammie but can substitute as hair conditioner (not that I've ever tried myself). Okay so after you've hair conditioned several times and made sandwiches several times, you're still left with lots of mayo. Bad example, I know.
But all of those coffee grounds from cups and cups of daily joe can make for perfect garden compost. Toothpaste has not only aided me in drying out a zit and kept plaque and bad breath at bay but can also polish silverware, patch up a hole in a wall (white paste), soothe the stinging pain from a bee sting and keep your fingers smelling minty fresh after you've dug your mitts into bags and bags of boiling crab bliss.

xoxo

Bfast

2009-08-05T12:38:00.000-07:00

Eggs, chinese sweet sausage, green onions an over rippen tomato, with a toasty bolillo and a glass of pineapple juice.

xoxo

4th of July weekend- Part 2

2009-08-05T09:46:00.000-07:00

I love entertaining. I'm all over any occassion that allows me to plan a menu, prep a meal, shine off the silverware and bar accessories and host my guests. I get giddy thinking about what ingredients are in season, keeping in mind my guests preferences and hopeful welcome of the day's dishes. I almost always get overzealous and make more food than needed. Portion control is not one of my strong points. Besides my mother always said, "Better to have left-over's than to run out of food."

My siblings had come in from San Diego and were staying with us for a week with the weekend intermingling with the 4th of July holiday and my sister's birthday. Double prizes!!! Since we were expecting additional guests I had to make something not only delicious but easy, plentiful of course and festive.

Menu:

-Haricots verts and cherry tomatoes salad with lemon vinaigrette over crispy shallots
-Ribeye and veggie kabobs in a thick sweet soy glaze
-Grilled pork belly
-Lemon pepper shrimp skewers
-Grilled summer sweet corn
-Vanilla pound cake with whipped cream and fresh berries

The evening went on I'd like to say without a hitch, but we topped off the night with a light show for nugget and full bellies.

xoxo

OFFALly good breakfast

2009-07-27T12:18:00.000-07:00

Menudo

xoxo

(un)Happy wedding anniversary dinner- Malbec

2009-07-20T10:02:00.000-07:00

Traditionally for a the 1st year wedding anniversary a gift of paper is given. The options are endless. We contemplated the idea of taking a trip or even a freeway series game for the occasion. Initially I wanted to make a sweet gift by hand but it took some serious patience and an extreme amount of time. As a full time mom and wife I barely have time to keep my own appointments. Looking ahead to the rest of the year and the home renovations engulfing us in the months to come, which involved major paper $$$ in itself, we chose to go out for an early dinner.

This would be our first time out together without nugget for several hours so choosing to dine in town was a must. Malbec, a fairly new argentinian restaurant, was referred by numerous Chow Hounder's and received high reviews and praise on Yelp. Sounded perfect. I had high expectations. My husby made reservations several weeks ahead of time. We were set for a 3:30 dinner reservation.

As we walked up the shade covered concrete of Green St., we could see through the windows a dining room filled with people. Thank goodness we got there early, or so we thought. We arrived 15 minutes prior and could not find a host(ess) at the restaurant station positioned on the sidewalk. A 4 top was ahead of us and was waiting for a host(ess) too. They were finally acknowledged but had them wait just a few minutes more while they acclimated the seating area.

Meanwhile, we were not being helped even though we were recognized. I was tempted just helping ourselves sit at one of the several available tables on the outdoor patio. At approximately 3:40pm I walked inside trying to flag any of the employees. The gentleman who had helped the family ahead of us looked up and I asked him if there was anyone who could help us, we had reservations for 3:30 and had been waiting outside for several minutes already.

More minutes pass by and it was clear that this dining experience would be a long and hellish one. I spotted the first flag. I should've walked back out to our car and gone someplace else. I should've yelled, "Eff this!" But I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt. I came up to a busboy clearing off a table and I asked him if we could just seat ourselves to the clean and empty table out front. He gestured to do so and 20 minutes after our reservation time, we had sat down.

Our waiter came to our table without menus and asked us if we were ready to order. Oh, and apparently our names were not on the list of reservations for the time we requested. I called several other restaurants asking about their current wait times hoping we could get in for a better experience. No such luck. After he apologized for the confusion, we were on track with ordering our meals; two appetizers, a bottle of wine, two waters and our entrees. Maybe things would turn around??

Our bottle of wine arrived first, a full bodied Malbec.

Then arrived our bread with chimichurri dipping sauce. 15 mintues later arrived our single order of empanadas accompanied by a small side salad. There was miscommunication with the order and we ended up receiving two orders instead of one.

We devoured a whole basket of bread in no time. Refills please!

The couple who had arrived before us were placing their dessert order and next to us a yelp couple was being seated and placing their orders. We dropped in on their conversation to hear that they too had hear great things about this place. For their sake I had hoped that they would having a better time.

Half a bottle later, more bread and you guessed it, another half hour passing by, our "starter" of Costa Patagonia, a dish of shrimp, calamari and scallops in a red paprika and garlic sauce, arrived. The dish was bland and screaming for acid.

Excuse the mess, we were HUNGRY!

My husby said how it would be hilarious, given our luck, if we ended up consuming the entire bottle of wine well before our entrees arrived. Sure enough we emptied the bottle, mind you finally receiving our waters (thank god), before we ate our entrees. Joking aside we were very disappointed with the lack of service and lack of warmth that reviewers had praised Malbec so highly for. We did not get that whatsoever. Even the yelp couple kept looking at their watch and waiting.

Finally over two hours later from the moment we sat down our entrees arrived and the couples' next to us did too. Interesting. However the couple waiting on their dessert, did not get their sweet treat still.

The ribeye steak

Overall we were completely dissatisfied with our time spent. The food paired with the horrendous service made for an unpleasant evening and would not likely return. We wanted to have a romantic time with outsanding service but only got poor service. If I could turn back time I would choose someplace else to dine.

When we were ready to go (three hours earlier) the couple who have been here longer than us have just gotten their dessert. Here's my review. I'd hate to read their's.

Malbec
1001 E Green St
Pasadena, CA 91106-2404
(626) 683-0550

xoxo

South Pasadena Farmer's Market - 4th of July weekend

2009-07-20T09:24:00.000-07:00

South Pasadena farmer's market varies greatly from the Pasadena farmer's market in that the SoPasFM carries food vendors. A popular Thursday afternoon stop for the neighbors in the hood. Bring a blanket for a picnic on the lawn, stroll the isles, buy some beautiful produce and have some good eats.

Happy Inka, happy tummy

The pupusa stand. A must stop at the SoPasFM.

Garlic fries, brats and a tri-tip sandwich!

South Pasadena Farmers' Market
Thursday 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Meridian Avenue & Mission Street
South Pasadena Los Angeles

xoxo

The Donato's do Disneyland with the Dingle's

2009-07-18T08:17:00.001-07:00

Abbybee has been planning her extravaganza birthday excursion for months on end. Our nugget was just several months old when she insisted that the cousins get together and celebrate. It was a year ago that day that we last reunited.

The plan, as listed by Abs, would be to gather up at Lany and Chris' house to meet the newest edition to the family, check in to the hotel, settle in for a bit and head out to the park.

photos courtesy of Jong Jong

Nugget is happy to be at the happiest place on earth

After buying passes, upgrading and waiting on our party while the others checked in we finally entered the gates at noon. Lunch time! But first I had to feed my nugget and made our way to the family lounge.

I hadn't given it a second thought that Disneyland even had facilities such as this. Ask me prior to having a baby and I wouldn't even care but now that we have a family of our own we're all over that lounge and it's ammenities. The facilities are very comfortable offering me a semi-private room to nurse. There are several other rooms where you can change your child, potty training facilities, feeding areas and a kitchen to wash and warm any baby food. The building is air conditioned. It was perfect for that particularly hot day. For the next several feedings through the day I was one happy and cool mommy.

Next up - lunch! Everyone met up dining on fried chicken and their choice of sides. We waited here till the remaining party arrived.

My MIL snatching up Jong's chicken. He was starving and apparently so was she.

Ready to roam the park!

The birthday gal and her prince

After lunch we made our way to Tomorrow Land to get a flash pass for space mountain. A 2 hour wait!! From there weaving our way through the crowd, onward to the It's a Small World newly rennovated ride. But first, another food stop.

Corn on the cobb, giant fried chimichangas and turkey legs!!!

Sharing is caring.

My ma sure loves her fowl friends.

After everyone got their fill of food we made our way to the It's a Small World ride. We all boarded, with the exception of Ma, who stayed behind.

After feeling nauseated from the repetative singing, not the ride itself we went up to Toon Town but not before having another, you guessed it, food break! This time for ice cream and drinks. Ma, nugget and I stayed behind while the crew went to ride the rollercoaster.

Several feedings later, a couple of rides in, the Donato's called it a day. Time to go home. We were pooped! It was so refreshing seeing everyone and finding the time to get together even through our busy lives.

xoxo

A welcomed break

2009-07-15T15:59:00.000-07:00

Seems not only myself, but a few other blog friends have been on hault with blogging as of late. Life happens and I usually blog about these happenings. For the last couple of months a lot has been going on where I simply cannot find the time to blog. It's the last on my list of priorities. I'm embarrassed since this blog is titled 'daily' donato. Should be more like 'when the urge strikes.'

Mr. Donato has been busy with the daily grind. He's amazing; able to help me through the pregnancy, birth of our son, and rearing of our child all while working full time, going through the school program full time and loving me with full attention and care. He's the absolute best.

I've been working it seems, 24 hours a day. With a growing child and milestones in nugget's life that amaze me it's been a complete blessing. Although I've been going to bed so much earlier than I'm used to and not getting derrrruuuunnk I'm glad I'm still standing. Husby and I have been able to have date nights with the help from my MIL watching nugget for a few hours but that's about as exciting as it gets in our social scene. Oh and if we do go out with friends or attend get-togethers we bring nugget along. He doesn't mind and neither do our friends. They're the best too. I wouldn't have it any other way than being together and just relying on us and no one else. We do not miss staying up till the AM hours. We go out occasionally for drinks here and there don't get me wrong, but partying it up Thursday, Friday, Saturday and throwing in a Sunday event is now, not in our future.The mutual feeling has been, "Been there done that. Time to grow up."

With some penny pinching and careful planning we have been blessed to be able to afford changing our current space into a bigger one. Nugget is growing by the minute and we all could use more room. We're in the beginning stages of renovation, the shopping stage. I've been doing crazy searches on sustainable furniture, eco friendly and child friendly products. I'd love to keep it luxe but on a budget. Our little bungalow is on the cusp of change and I'm excited!

I have a thing for subway tiles as the backsplash.

I'm doing the white cabinets like pictured but maybe a different shade of tiles. White on white is all the rage now but I don't think I could keep it prestine.

If budget allows, a big farmhouse sink.

Husby has been busy looking at other furnishings...

Nugget as mentioned, is growing up so fast and I've already found myself getting 1st birthday ideas. i also have to plan for his dedication. All of that along with home renovations calls for absence in blogging. It's going to get carazy! I greatly appreciate all the readership and will do my best to find the time to keep in touch. Please do not give up on me as I have not given up on this. Stay tuned...

Thank you.

xoxo

Patio dining

2009-07-13T08:34:00.000-07:00

My family and I love dining al fresco from the comforts of our own backyard patio. People watching and dining al fresco usually go hand in hand but tonight (or any other night) we don't mind staring into each other's eyes.

I found my bear claw salad tossers that I got from Alaska. *note the PBR in the background-likers (not lovers) of the beer pre hipster association.

Nothing beats the summer heat like a fresh salad. My husband would argue otherwise and say a cold beer, or ice cream is number one. Since I am not looking for dehydration, but maybe ice cream at the end of the night, on that particular (hot!!!) day I opted for greens. From the looks of his face I would say he enjoyed it too.

A simple garden fresh salad of mesclun and tomatoes. Real soon we get to add nugget's chives!

A plate of apples and brie with my glass of wine (not pictured).

Maui bone-less beef ribs marinated with asian spices, crushed pineapple and pineapple juice to add a touch of sweetness.

Dinner's ready! Yes, goddess dressing for our salad and a few other drink set-ups.

The glow from our patio lights reminds us it's summer time!

xoxo

B.Y.O.B!

2009-06-29T10:42:00.000-07:00

Bring your own brats!!

Good on their own but so much better together!

xoxo

Rolling the dice and shaking the rattle: Vegas with our baby - day 3

2009-06-28T15:23:00.000-07:00

What a perfect way to start our morning and end our visit to Las Vegas than a taste of Bouchon Bakery in the Venetian.
We had a long trip ahead of us so we gathered sweets to take for the ride.

A purchase of chocolate bouchons and macarons to go please!
Those darn bouchons would have been the death of me. Thank goodness the bakeries, let alone TK's restaurants, are not in close driving distance. This particular one is four hours away.

On the road now and it was soon nearing lunch time so we stopped at none other than Bakers famous Mad Greek, where truckers stay forever (from the looks of the photo below). We took it to go since we were falling behind on schedule.

Several minutes on the road we were bum rushed with a rainstorm and dust devils. Las Vegas has taken its toil on us and we definitely were able to rest and relax but I'm glad to say it's good to head home to El Lay. Thank you Las Vegas, until next time...

xoxo

Bouchon Bakery
Venetian Hotel and Casino
3355 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 414-6203

The Mad Greek
72112 Baker Blvd
Baker, CA 92309
(760) 733-4354

Rolling the dice and shaking the rattle: Vegas with our baby - Day 2

2009-06-21T18:39:00.000-07:00

One our last full day in LV we had a day chock full of activities. We started early, much earlier than your average Las Vegas tourist. First up, breakfast-the most important meal of the day. Since I was not able to have steak and eggs for dinner we made it a point to have breakfast downstairs at the coffee shop.

Menu prices have gone up since our last visit and we didn't notice the change until we received the bill. $20 for a measly steak and eggs plate?! Nice buttery eggs and crisp hash browns but the steak was sinewy and rimmed with gristle. I suppose I can't complain too much. At least it would hold us over until lunch.

After breakfast and numerous cups of coffee we jumped in the rental and made our way north toward the speedway to the Carroll Shelby Museum. My husby is a follower/buyer of Ford Automobiles and an admirer of Mr. Shelby. This was a must see for us while we were vacationing in LV.

Our happy faced rental for the week

As you approach the speedway exit you can immediately spot out the Ford buildings in their classic blue and white trim. Upon entering the museum you're overwhelmed with all the beautiful shelby's new and old. We participated in the free museum and factory tour given only once a day at 10:30am. It gave us a rundown of Carroll Shelby's career racing history, his current state of health (the oldest living heart transplant patient), and his philanthropic heart. Our guide took us out back to the garage where the cars were built and photo's prohibited.

The older classic Shelby's (my favorite era) were gorgeous and valued up toward the tens of millions. With less than a dozen guys working on these beauts they whip out about 100 Shelby's per year with wait list's to build-your-own also taking severals years from start to finish. From there we went into an even massive garage where the newer shelby's (husby's fav) were getting their final touches. Unfortunately we were a few weeks short of the unveiling of the 2010's. The tour was informative and interesting for someone like me who doesn't know much about automobile's and their history let alone anything about the Ford corp.

Our next stop was the Mandalay Bay hotel's shark reef aquarium. We were lucky enough to beat the crowd that had grown when we emerged from the aquarium an hour later. Guests are encourage to stay for as long as the exhibit is open that day. For about $16 dollars per adult we were led upstairs greeted by the hostess and green screen photographers. The aquarium portion of the tour had a sunken ship theme equipped with a touch tank. This was my favorite part. I have to give the MB hotel credit for having an extraordinary aquarium and all of the marine creatures and land animals present. It is afterall in the desert and their three green turtles made a long trip out to get here.

baby eater

big eyed bunch

After the aquarium we had a couple of hours to relax, freshen up back at the hotel, chill pool side and get ready for dinner. Husby took the opportunity to take a dip in the pool while I stayed upstairs to feed the little one. At the Wynn, we consumed their buffet complete with split crab legs. Why work at getting to your food especially when it costs you $45 a head? Their fish entrees were delicious but their lamb was a miss. I was disappointed when having their lamb osso buco, the succulent meat had dried underneath their heat lamps and over their steam pans. Our eyes were certainly hungrier than our stomachs could hold and we left feeling full but not satisfied. Until next time, if we still plan on doing this each time we come in to town.

Cholesterol on a plate

Husby did a little gambling while the nugget and I (with a glass of champagne in tow) walked and window shopped throughout the Wynn & Encore Esplanade. Nothing like burning off all of that food/calories and stuffing my eyes with the beauties of Chanel, Cartier, Manolo, Louis, Alexander McQueen, and others. Suddenly I had an intense urge for "dessert" and I knew they could certainly do the trick in my hankering for pretty things. I could do some serious damage to our account as I am sure my husby has already taken the liberty of doing so on the casino floor. I hold myself back.

After an hour or so of browsing and coming in under we make our way back "home" and call it a night. The next day we would check out and make our way over across the street for some tasty treats to send us off on our way and back to reality.

Tomorrow: Farewell, Hello(!!!) Bouchon Bakery & Greece in the Mojave

The Coffee Shop
Treasure Island
3300 S Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89136

Shelby Museum & Shelby Automotives
6755 Speedway Boulvd
Las Vegas, NV 89115
(702) 942-7375

Shark Reef Aquarium
Mandalay Bay
3950 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(702) 632-4555

The Buffet at the Wynn
3131 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 770-7000

xoxo

Rolling the dice and shaking the rattle: Vegas with our baby - Day 1

2009-06-18T10:59:00.001-07:00

Yes, we chose Las Vegas as our mid-week get-a-away. Prices were right in comparison to southern California and northern California locations, there were endless dining choices, and for a city synonymous for its secrets we wanted and were determined to make it work for us- finding family friendly Las Vegas.

Our deluxe room boasted views of the West, of the strip and Mirage's volcano. We also had a great view of the pool below. After putting our feet up, unpacking, feeding my nugget we decided to take it easy this evening by checking out our hotel pool, ordering a drink, walking down the strip, taking in the Mirage hotel's volcano and interior and the Venetian's gondolas before we heading back in to our room.

photo courtesy of mirage

Gin and tonic for daddy at Japonais. Mommy is still babysitting her beer.

Here's husby (cheesing it up), Sigfred, Roy and lion.

View of the stip and its expansive array of casinos.

Swingers or pimp?

We ended our night by staying in and ordering room service; a giant cobb salad for me and hot wings for husby. Tomorrow: the Carroll Shelby museum, Shark Reef Aquarium, hanging out pool side, and defeating the Wynn Buffet.

Treasure Island Hotel, Las Vegas
3300 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 894-7111

The Mirage
3400 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 791-7111

Japonais
Mirage Hotel & Casino
3400 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89162
(702) 792-7979

xoxo

2009-06-17T13:56:00.001-07:00

Post after the jump or before...whatever.

2009-06-17T13:48:00.000-07:00

City of Sin: bringing baby to Las Vegas

2009-06-15T16:00:00.000-07:00

This last year has been quite intense. With husby going into the program full time at full speed all while holding down a full time job and full time family his schedule leaves very little time to relax let alone have quality time with fam. Immediate action had to take place. We needed a break from all the monotony that is our life.

San Diego? The few hours drive south looked promising but certainly way out of our price range (go figure!) and with the current swine flu outbreak it was out of the question. Husby's classmate and his family just got back from SD and he contracted the flu. We weren't about to roll the dice on that one.
San Fran? I love the city but Husby wasn't keen on the costs of parking. Santa Barbara? Yes but what would've been ideal was touring the wineries. Next! After scouting hotel recommendations and prices, researching activities and ideas we settled on LV.

I know what you're thinking.
Bringing a baby to Las Vegas? Are you insane? Trust me everyone, and I mean everyone, was giving us grief about our choice. Yeah, Las Vegas really isn't an ideal location for kidlets. Vegas started to make a transformation making it more "Family Friendly" but then reverted back to "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" - it's an adults playground. We were determined to find a different side of Vegas, a family friendly one.

Are there really family friendly options in the city of sin?
Why yes, yes there are on and off the strip despite LV's fizzled attempt of attracting families to the 702. Hoover Damn, Grand Canyon, Lake Mead, Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon are great day trips. Off the strip is the Springs Preserve - great for everyone. Maybe we'll take part of that when our little one is older.

Um, what about all that smoke?
Trust me with an infant in tow I too was concerned about breathing smokey air in the casinos but Las Vegas has been doing it's very best in enforcing and achieving a clean indoor air act. However casino floors, strip bars and standalone bars are exempt. No problem since the three of us we were least likely to be caught at one of those places. To my surprise the air in the hotels that we visited smelled very fresh and clean. Great ventilation!

Costs to stay in Vegas during the week along with hotel ammenities and all the great restaurants sold us and with tyke in tow we made the 4 hours drive.

Our room at Treasure Island offered fantastic views of the west and the strip.

During our stay we certainly utilized room service for nights that our little one just wasn't in the mood to brave through the overwhelming sounds of the casino floor and crowds. We visited and bore witness to ponies being built, splashed in the hotel pool(s), petted fish, saw a different kind of love, and gut busted at the buffets (all to be posted in detail in another post). We enjoyed ourselves and I even think our nugget liked the change of pace and scenery.

With time for research you can certainly find family friendly things to see and do in Vegas (on and off the strip) without having to subject yourself to the over exposure of sex or without having to pass by the flyer clicky clackers on the strip.

Here are some great sources:

www.vegaskids.info

offthestripdining.blogspot.com

Treasure Island Hotel, Las Vegas
3300 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 894-7111

xoxo

Bouchon Bakery

2009-05-30T17:15:00.000-07:00

I just had a chocolate bouchon. Literally not two minutes ago did I devour a chocolate bouchon from TK's Bouchon Bakery. My tastebuds were literally screaming orgasms when these dense chocolate goodies touched my tongue.

Droools.

Here's a recipe found in the LA times of Mr. Keller's famous chocolate corks. Now you can enjoy what I just did from the comforts of your home. You can purchase the molds at Sur La Table or Williams Sonoma.

photo from LA Times online

Thomas Keller's chocolate bouchons

Total time: 45 minutes, plus cooling time

Servings: Makes 12 bouchons

3/4 cup (3 1/2 ounces) flour

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon kosher salt

3 large eggs

1 1/2 cups plus 3 tablespoons granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter, melted and just slightly warm

6 ounces semisweet chocolate, such as 55% Valrhona, chopped into pieces the size of chocolate chips

Butter and flour for the timbale molds

Powdered sugar

1. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder and salt.

2. In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the eggs and sugar on medium speed until thick and pale in color, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the vanilla and mix until incorporated.

3. With the mixer on low speed, add about one-third of the dry ingredients, then one-third of the butter, and continue alternating with the remaining flour and butter. Add the chocolate and continue to mix to combine. (The batter can be made up to this point and refrigerated, covered, for up to one day.)

4. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour 12 timbale molds. Set aside.

5. Put the timbale molds on a baking sheet. Place the batter in a pastry bag without a tip, or with a large plain tip, and fill each mold about two-thirds full. Bake the bouchons until the tops are shiny and set (like a brownie), and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out moist but clean (there may be some melted chocolate from the chopped chocolate), 20 to 25 minutes.

6. Transfer the bouchons to a cooling rack. After a couple of minutes, invert the molds and let the bouchons cool in the molds. Remove the molds and serve, or store until needed (the bouchons are best eaten the day they are baked).

7. To serve, invert the bouchons and dust them with powdered sugar. Serve with ice cream, if desired.

Do your own thing

2009-05-21T12:59:00.000-07:00

Get the fuck outta dodge.

(via Don't touch my moleskin)

xoxo

Thomas Keller and Williams Sonoma partner up again

2009-05-20T11:05:00.000-07:00

Yes, the man does it again bringing you another bite from his empire.

I wanted to check out the new digs on the Williams Sonoma store and look for gift ideas for father's day - maybe a grill gift basket of sorts for my husband and a kitchen gadget for papa- and that's where I saw it snuggled on a corner display table partnered up with deep fryers, skillets and mesh grills- a ready made packet of Mr. Keller's famous buttermilk fried chicken mix sans chicken of course.

I couldn't believe it. You mean instead of rolling the dice on opentable.com and hoping to get a reservation to Ad Hoc on any of the two Monday's and making my way up to Yountville I could just buy a packet and make it myself from the comforts of my own home?
Talk about short cuts.

At about $15 a packet you would still need to buy your whole chicken, buttermilk and a few other staple fresh ingredients. The packet is pretty much just the dry ingredients seperated for both the brining and frying used in his famous comfort food dish. Each packet, if I remember correctly, prepares two whole birds.

If you were to do it yourself from scratch it's been noted to take almost 24 hours, depending on preferred brining time, before you could bite into that succulent hot piece of bird. Kudos to those who have that kind of patience to do so!

So if you're dying to see what all the hype is about and wonder if it's really true (yes, it is!) here's a shortcut way of finding out yourself. Personally, I'd still try my luck rolling the dice.

Recipe of Thomas Keller's famous buttermilk fried chicken (from Epicurious)

Teavana- Heaven of Tea

2009-05-19T12:59:00.000-07:00

Teavana, part tea bar part tea emporium, is now open in the newly built promenade at the Arcadia Mall.

The first visit drew me in, nose first. The sweet brew had me asking, "What blend is that and how can I get my mitts on it?" Teavana was swamped with customers and with little to no help and some observation I found out what the brew was and pounced right on it. Not only was it delish but contained health benefits-tasting good and feeling good too!

Prices were unbelievable, depending on the type and blend of tea, and at $5.50 per 2 oz. for my blend I was one happy momma. Mind you 2 oz of loose leaf tea makes roughly 15 cups of tea which equates to a bit over 30 cents a cup! You know you love those odds and what better way then coming in to Teavana and finding the right brew for your tastebuds, you and your body. Be sure to sample the hot and cold brews of teas throughout the store. Again prices differ but I'm sure you can save money by buying by the bag.

They carry more than teas offering a rainbow of choices of tea cups, various pots, kettles, tea sets and tools. For the tie hard tea lovers Teavana also offers a tea of the month club. Teavana also gives back to the world community where their teas are grown donating a percent of their annual profits. Kudos!

Teavana
400 S. Baldwin Ave.
Arcadia, CA 91007
(626) 821-0849

Find your local Teavana here!

Mission Svelte

2009-05-02T11:25:00.000-07:00

At a recent party I had to sneak off to feed my peanut. Here my husby managed to sneak a shot of me huddled by the corner.

getting there. Btw, there's a baby under there.

My funny man

2009-04-29T16:13:00.000-07:00

Thumbs up for sleep!

Bored so I blow bubbles.

xoxo

Pasadena farmer's market

2009-04-29T15:27:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago while husby was out working the 12 hour shift at the hospital my lil peanut, my mother-in-law, and I went down the street to our local farmer's market.

Here's peanut enjoying the sun and cool breeze.

The Pasadena farmer's market, frequented by Jonathan Gold himself and located next to Pasadena High School, is held every Saturday morning till noon and was buzzing. The weather had been overcast and even rained a couple of days throughout the week but the weather was absolutely beautiful and even more so was the produce and fresh made goods.

The famous Breadman still had some of his heavenly bagettes. He must have made extra because he still had plenty at 10am.

There are also several entertainers from a saxaphonist, a children's drum circle, to a blind elder man singing beautiful mexican songs. He by far was my favorite and reminded me of my father who would always sing old mexican songs reminded by his childhood. I remember hearing it throughout our home when I was younger myself. I miss my papa.

Here's my MIL and nugget. I stopped to take this picture because he was so talkative. Here's capturing a moment during their conversation with one another.

At the end of our visit we left with sampling some staple items, purchasing a couple of leeks, a basket of oyster mushrooms, and strawberries.

Pasadena Farmer's market
N Sierra Madre Blvd & Paloma St
Pasadena, CA 91199

(626) 449-0179

xoxo

Where the wild things are

2009-04-23T11:06:00.000-07:00

The inner child in me REJOICES!!!!

Thanks cousin!

xoxo

Los Angeles Magazine: 101 Cheap Eats

2009-04-23T09:53:00.000-07:00

LA Mag comes out with another issue of their cheap LA eats. In these tough economic times May's 2009 issue covers restaurants and their eats for under $15. Talk about a recession safe bet.

LA Mag

The Most Amazing Thing To Ever Hit Dodger Stadium

2009-04-15T09:03:00.000-07:00

What's two feet long, weighs three pounds, hangs out at Dodger Stadium, sweats grease, and isn't Tommy Lasorda's forearm?

Shut yo' mouf!!

xoxo

The return of Polaroid

2009-04-08T14:33:00.000-07:00

I love Polaroid and was saddened that they'd discontinued their film. Afterall my husband bought me a beautiful vintage Polaroid camera that I wanted to use from time to time. Sadly it's sitting in my closet filmless.

R.I.P.

Polaroid is coming out with another version of the original, Polaroid pogo set to be released June 2009.

Polaroid pogo

xoxo

To buy or not to buy. To sell or not to sell.

2009-03-31T09:03:00.000-07:00

This is a website I stumbled across almost a year ago and to my chagrin didn't take note of the address.

This morning it appeared again on the morning news and I promptly jumped on it.

Zillow.com is a site that allows you or anyone to search the "zestimated" cost of your or any home or neighborhood that you are interested in buying.

It's alarming!

How many of you owe more on your home than it's currently worth?

*raises hand*

Honey, you were right. We should've sold years ago.

xoxo

Visual DNA

2009-03-27T11:00:00.000-07:00

Here's another quirky test explaining your Visual DNA. Just click on the photo in that category that appeals to you most and continue onward til the end.

Visual DNA

The most annoying and patient-testing game ever!!!

2009-03-27T10:35:00.000-07:00

If you have the time and patience play this never ending level game. Good luck and don't explode!

Never ending level game

AYCE KBBQ - say what?

2009-03-26T19:31:00.000-07:00

Craving AYCE (all you can eat) Korean BBQ and not wanting to head out to K-town on such short notice we quickly googled this place and, what the hell, gave it a shot.

$17.99 included 4 types of meat- chicken, bulgogi, brisket and pork belly (yum!), sliced onions and a mushroom a person for the grill (wth?!), steamed rice, and about a dozen banchan including their sizzling kimchi and tofu stone pot soup (gye gran jjimand steamed egg soup. MMmm delish!
I suppose anyone else wouldn't mind the lack of veggies but my husby knows that I'd eat more of the veggies over the meats. One mushroom per person, in my opinion, was cheap.

While the banchan weren't bad flavorwise the meats, excluding the chicken, could've used more time marinating. The brisket came out frozen and curled just like the kind you find at mangolian bbq places. The bulgogi was bland-a downside for us since we've had more flavorful tasting beef elsewhere- and the pork belly was just too fatty for my taste. I particularly enjoy pork belly but this tasted off.

The restaurant uses gas rather than charcoal which made it hard for us to control the heat on the grill- that and the ventilation wasn't strong enough to pull up all that smoke. Service was not steller and we had to constantly flag down a waitress to fill our water glasses. There's nothing worse than your glass on empty while BBQ in front of a grill with horrible ventilation and air conditioning at that.

Upon finishing our meal we did notice the sign behind us that noted any parties with leftover meat (whether that meant cooked or not was not clear) would be charged an additional $20 to their bill. That could pose a problem so we were sure to finish what was in front of us for fear of being charged extra. Our bill totaled up to roughly $45 dollars (overpriced in my book) and included a large Hite for my hubs.

Next time we'll plan dinner ahead of time and make the trek over to K-town (maybe to Gui Rim) for a better deal with better tasting food and more options.

xoxo

Seoul Jung Korean BBQ
1431 S Baldwin Ave
Arcadia, CA 91007
(626) 447-5479

Lyrics Born

2009-03-25T11:15:00.000-07:00

Lyrics Born comes out with a new album, As You Were and just released a new music video to his record "Funky Hit Records."
Bringing it back with an 80's flavor. He does not disappoint.

Recap

2009-03-24T14:40:00.000-07:00

So here's a recap of all the goals and tasks I wanted to accomplish or rather follow religiously. I'd say I'm in the red at some items. Some things have got to give.

a)PP diet and weight loss: I found that the more I lost, even though it was a few pounds in a couple of weeks, my milk supply diminishes (not so good). Lord knows water weight is hard to lose especially when I'm thirsty while feeding my nugget.
Not only that but I think my mother in law is secretly trying to keep me plump. She came by on Sunday to drop off lunch; Lechon, Pancit, Shepard's Pie, Baked Mac N' Cheese, Italian Salad and chinese strawberry sponge cake. Ugh.

It's a catch 22 in the world of dieting and breastfeeding. I still can't fit into my post pregnancy jeans but that comes way last when it comes to nourishing my guy.

b)Living within our means by spending a strict amount each week: Geez. That went straight to hell several days after I made that proposal. It's gotten better here and there but we do and have dined out occasionally.

Last week for example, I purchased some amazing produce at the Santa Monica Farmers Market and yet for lunch that very same day spent $50 on shrimp at none other than Bubba Gumps the epitome of tourist trap dining. Hmph. I'm embarassed.

This one's a tough one to keep on track since I love dining out and experiencing all the wonderful cuisine and new restaurants Los Angeles has to offer. Better than NYC right honey? :P

c)Making meals at home: Spending time with my family is my absolute favorite thing to do and what we do together doesn't matter as long as we are together. Cliche isn't it?

We've made some wonderful meals together and dined al fresco in our lovely backyard patio. Matter of fact Husby just bought a awesomely new BBQ grill (totally going against my previous point) which we've already put to good use. The weather in Pasadena has just been beautiful minus that one Sunday that brought in rain. With spring already here I expect to spend more time outdoors with my family before the real heat comes.

Scariest places on Earth

2009-03-23T12:24:00.000-07:00

Remember MTV's Fear? This show aired in 2000 when a group of 5 participants were placed in an alleged haunted location to investigate whether or not the place was indeed haunted. Channel surfing during lunch lead me to SciFi's very own rendition, Scariest Places on Earth.

The show is hosted by The Exorcists' Linda Blair and narrated by Zelda Rubinstein who is best known for her distinct voice. You may recognize her voice from the movie Poltergeist.

The concept is still the same except where the particpants aren't related in the MTV show, SciFi's places families in haunted locations acroos the globe. Today's mid-day episode is a two parter where the family returns to a cursed italian monastery: Return to Lucedio.

Some of the family members are characters taunting the spirits and even asking them the ultimate question, "Why can't we be friends?"

This show makes for good lunch time television.

xoxo

Molestown. Play it now!

2009-03-16T14:54:00.000-07:00

Cute!

Easy TJ meal

2009-03-10T15:52:00.000-07:00

Trying to get back to cooking meals at home, spending time with family and saving moolah along the way I looked in the pantry, fridge and freezer to find some items that would create a quick and delicious meal most of which are Trader Joe products.

I still have some non-organic products at home so we are not yet a full organic product home. I believe it will take some time before we get to that point especially if I'm not keen about throwing food away. Which reminds me, husby forgot to freeze a pound of organic ground beef. It went bad after discovering it in the back of the refridgerator several days later. Grrrr...Didn't mean to put you on blast honey.

Back to the food shall we?

Slice up chicken breasts into strips (I used two, one per person) and season with salt and pepper. Heat up some olive oil and cook chicken. Add a medley of veggies ( I used TJs' sliced zucchini and eggplant and some crimini mushrooms), slice onions and minced garlic, saute until tender and golden brown, add your choice of curry sauce (we had yellow). Simmer for a few minutes and serve over rice.
I LOVE using their brown rice. Two minutes in the microwave and you're done. No more waiting 20 minutes to cook rice the traditional way.

Voila! Dinner in less than 30 minutes.

xoxo

Momma Like

2009-03-08T11:49:00.000-07:00

Spring's here and from what I've seen, me likey.

Maxiumum Fringe Necklace.

Yummy candy colors of Gabriel & Schwan's "Knot" Necklace.

Husby wants to get me a new laptop. Oh honeeey...

or maybe just the wireless mouse

HP.com

I saw this in red. Killer. Very Palm Springs-esque.

net-a-porter.com

Drools.

pinkmascara.com

Happy shopping!

xoxo

Living within our means: Day two

2009-03-06T14:24:00.000-08:00

Fail.

We broke budget by spending close to $50 on a sushi dinner last night.

At least I got leftovers for lunch out of it.

xoxo

Free day at the Huntington Library

2009-03-06T12:24:00.000-08:00

I waited a whole month to take part in the Huntington Library's free day.

The Huntington Library and Botanical Garden is located in San Marino, Ca and situatied on 207 acres.

Hours and Admission

Monday
12 noon to 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
12 noon to 4:30 p.m.
Thursday
12 noon to 4:30 p.m.
Friday
12 noon to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday
10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sunday
10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Weekdays Weekends, Monday holidays
Adults $15, $20
Seniors (age 65+) $12, $15
Students (age 12-18,
or with full-time student I.D.) $10, $10
Youth (age 5-11) $6, $6
Children (under 5) free, free
Groups (15 or more) $11 (per person), $14 (per person)
Members free, free

Of course there are free days (every first Thursday of the month) and can only be reserved a month in advanced. Tickets sell out fast and can be requested 5 at a time so set your alarm and get them resereved. Their website is provided after the jump.

Thursday, March 5th proved to be a beautiful day and well worth the wait.

We arrived right on time and took advantage of the grounds first rounding our way to the palm and desert garden. Unfortunately for me I didn't bring my macro lens. There were many beautiful cacti blossoms that I would've jumped on.

From there we cut our way across to the jungle garden and made a pit stop at the lily pond.

Our mid way stop was the acclaimed asian gardens, Japanese and the newly built Chinese garden.

Here's my view from the wheelchair accessible trail. I would've loved to come in closer but I was pushing nugget up the hill.

This particular themed garden included a tradition japanese home. During park hours the door panels were opened to give visitor a glimpse of a 19th century Japanese dweling. Here's a picture of the japanese tatami dining room.

Here's my little monkey who slept through the entire trip. Apparently he's unimpressed.

Just a little north of the japanese garden was the chinese garden. We could see the arched rooptops in the horizon. Here we were able to enjoy a nice cup of loose leaf tea from their tea shop. The seating was so peaceful as it overlooked the lotus ponds.

Peach blossoms

We were pressed on time so didn't take too many architectural shots of each themed garden. After soaking up the scene we made our way to the conservatory but quickly made our way out. The humidity proved to be too harsh for us. At outside temperatures nearing 80's the last thing we wanted to do was be someplace hotter. I can only imagine how monkey felt about it. The conservatory also house a childrens garden. I can't wait till monkey is old enough to understand the science and biology taking place here.

Our final stop, the north vista, is where I found most if not all the parents and their younger children. This long narrow way had a large and beautfil fountain with statues lining the pathway to the mansion. Swimming at the base were ducks and swimming beneath were koi fish. These kids absolutely loved it!

I wish we had spent a little bit more time to tour the libraries and view the artwork but my husby had to be on his way. Hey, at least it was free and a gorgeous day to boot.

The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
626.405.2100
www.huntington.org

Fuji Film Funny

2009-03-05T15:27:00.000-08:00

xoxo

Kashi: Free frozen entree

2009-03-05T14:47:00.000-08:00

I love Kashi!

It started with a sample of Kashi's GoLean Blueberry cereal which held me over on a long layover in Taiwan.

Then I got another sample of their TLC oatmeal dark chocolate cookie. Mmmm fiber! But now on a voluntary product recall list. Hmph.

We've been eaters of their TLC cruncy honey 7-grain granola bars. These are perfect for that extra boost of enegry!

Now they've done it again. Kashi is offering a free frozen entree made with all natural ingredients.

click here for your sample and be a believer of 7 whole grains on a mission!

xoxo

Get Frugal

2009-03-05T14:45:00.000-08:00

I owe my frugality (is that even a word?), to my mom. She's an amazing woman who stretched her dollar, lived within our means and was a part-time iron chef who could whip up amazing dishes with what was readily available.

For one week I will try to live on a grocery budget by making meals at home and using ingredients already in our pantry. This eliminates the multiple trips to the market per week, cuts down on costs and helps us use ingredients that would normally have been neglected, left for spoiled and thrown away.

Today we started off having veggie fritatas for breakfast, hot tea (-$6) and honey oat granola bars as a snack and for lunch I had a 7-grain turkey and cheese sandwich. Dinner will be interested as I will attempt to make my ultimate favorite dish I remember having at Olive garden (R.I.P. chicken vino blanco).

There are great sites that offer recipes and weely budget menus to help save money. Aside from www.foodnetwork.com and www.recipezaar.com, www.frugalmom.net serves a great starting point for tips on frugal living.
One great tip for helping you keep on track with that grocery list is to come with an exact amount, in cash! In my case with just the three of us, one of which is still breastfeeding, a reasonable amount that I've budgeted for us is $40 ($20 per person) a week.

I can easily spend over $40 on a dinner out but with this challenge I hope to spend more time with my family, get creative and try out new recipes, and save money for one of our many dream trips we've been oogling.

xoxo

Daily intake

2009-03-03T13:28:00.000-08:00

I began my post baby diet on Sunday, March 1st. It didn't start off the most healthiest of feats but it's only day three.

A thread on a baby forum asked what each of us women took/ate daily.
As of 1:30 p.m. today here's my list:

-cup of orange juice

-large egg fritata made with bean sprouts, fresh flat leaf parsley, sliced green onions, button mushrooms

-water throughout the day

-2 fried chicken thighs (dark meat rules!). Hey, it's Popeye's Tuesday YET not organic. Hmph, we keep slipping...

The day is young. What have you eaten today?

xoxo