meatless pasta & salad

My all time quick and yummy pasta dish for Sophia (and us) is this Pastina with Peas and Carrots by Giada De laurentiis. I altered the recipe a little bit to make it healthier by using whole wheat pasta and adding a few other veggies. If you have a hard time getting your kids to eat veggies, you must try this recipe. Luckily for me, Sophia loves her veggies... I use this recipe mostly to get carbs in her (i know, who's heard of a girl that isn't crazy about carbs?!) . The cheesy sauce (cream cheese + mascapone cheese) is amazing when combined. You know its worth a try when, you have a toddler cleaning her plate and asking for round two.

I actually paired this meal with a Caprese salad this week, just because I had tomatoes that needed to be used. It actually paired the meal perfectly. Give it a try.

my dream catcher [Navajo print]

Hoping to catch this dream..... awesome rug

perfect as a shawl or a blanket around the house

can you say....georgous sofa?!

i want to move in now.

fantastic color

the perfect cooler spring day dress

hot stone rice [salmon & Ikura roe]

Wish you were there with me to hear this bowl sizzle. My newest obsession is eating anything off a hot stone rice bowl. This bowl is full of rice, cooked salmon and salmon roe (ikura), onions and some yummy sauce. The best part is that once your done emptying your bowl, you have a layer of crispy hardened rice at the bottom that you can just break apart and munch on... almost like dessert. So good... the only thing is that the meal is so hot (i wasn't kidding about it coming out sizzling) that you have to take your time eating it. It really is hard to wait for each bite to kind of cool down before putting into your mouth.

PS: we also love this place for the $1.00 beer, [shown right behind the bowl].

PPS: My hubs had the ramen and he said it was the bomb.

PPPS: My toddler had the chicken yakitori and said it was the bomb too (well not really... but she happily ate the whole thing)

PPPPS: Ajito Japanese Grill & Yakitori 11314 South St. Cerritos, CA.... if you were wondering.

Saturday Breakfast [Pesto-Egg Sandwich]

I love pesto. Its so easy to make and it lasts a while in the fridge and freezer. This morning, I used up some of the pesto in my fridge to make a hearty breakfast sandwich. It was soo good.

1.) spread some pesto onto whole wheat toast, and lay down a layer of pepper jack cheese. Toast in oven until the cheese is melted.

2.) make an egg (any way you like, really)

3.) Lay the egg on top of the melted toast and enjoy.

Its a punch of flavor and tastes so savory and good for the morning. I feel like I can run a marathon now... not really, maybe just go for a light stroll to the farmers market.

Kimono [for Japan]

I made this little Kimono for my friend's baby girl that will arrive in a few weeks. While sewing this little project in the midst of hearing all the tragedies of Japan, I've decided to start an etsy shop to help Japan. I just received super cute fabrics imported from Japan yesterday for boy and girl. I can't wait to get started. Spread the love friends...50% of proceeds will go to Japan. I"ll keep you all posted with details soon. What do you think?

"no one has ever gone poor from giving..."

Sophia's party [inspirations]

How cute is this mama with her daughter?!?! I love it! Sophia and I have several matching outfits in our closet too.... this pic reminds me of us in a couple of years. PS: She will definitely putting her hand on her hips and posing too (not because I've asked her to...but because she's just that kind of girl : )

In the meantime.... she's got to turn 2 first, which is just around the corner! I've been in planning mind for a couple of months already. I know what the theme will be and have several great ideas. Here are some images that are part of my inspiration for this party.

Can you tell there's going to be a lot of ballons?

Guilty Pleasure [Lenten Penance]

My last purchase before Lent began. Yes, total guilty pleasure...but they were so perfect that I couldn't resist. It has the perfect color, straps and heel! I've been wearing them several times this week with several different outfits and they are pretty comfy for a busy mom to run all her errans in, while carrying a tot on her hips!

PS: There is a zipper on the back. You didn't really think I'd buy a shoe where I had to spend my time fastening all does straps, did you? Also, if your feet do swell up a bit in the summer time, the straps loosen up too (added bonus for prego moms).