Goodbye 2015 Hello 2016!

Hey Loves! I am feeling refreshed and ready to embrace the New Year. How about you? I took a much needed blog vacation and a break from social media. So often people get so attached to social media that they often forget what it was like to communicate before we had it. This year has gone by so quickly and I wanted to share some of the highlights of my fashion posts from 2015. I am looking forward to a phenomenal 2016! Enjoy the pictures:-)

It was a fun year!

Time for lots of reflecting and introspection

Embracing life as it comes

great expectations

Good eats and a coffee obsession

vibrant color

 Walking into newness

Life should always be lived with passion and purpose and while you are living, don't forget to stop and smell the roses:-)

Blog Vacation

Hey Loves! It has been a couple of weeks since my last post and sometimes life just gets in the way of things. It is very easy to get burned out and as a single mom I have plenty on my plate, so a brief blog vacation is much needed right now. I am really looking forward to taking a little time for myself:-) Who knows, I might share a post or two during my vacation, but you can expect me to be back and completely refreshed in a couple of weeks!

 

Booted

Hey Loves! I have been waiting for cooler weather to arrive. This time of year is the time to pull out all of those cute boots that have been in hiding all summer. I love a great pair of boots and now is the time to wear them, but the warm weather in the City of Angels is lingering, so I might have to wait a little longer to put away my sandals and transition into more fall attire. Boots definitely add a lot of pizzazz to any outfit. Don't you love a great pair? 

 

These are a gorgeous color and super cute!

I love the detailing on these

I love a great pair of over the knee boots. You can see more of this look and how I styled mine, by clicking here

 Whether flat or with a heel, the right pair of boots is always stylish.

I have quite a boot and shoe collection and quality leather lasts forever and a riding boot never goes out of style.These flat riding boots are one of my fall favorites and the rich neutral color goes with everything. You can see more of this post here

Aren't these blue python boots gorgeous?

 

I am a big fan of color. You can see more of my snakeskin boots and this look by clicking here

What types of boots do you like?

 

Second Story (LV's LA)

I just love a good adventure, which is probably the reason I discover so many hidden gems like Second Story restaurant in Manhattan Beach. This restaurant is tucked away in the chic 60's inspired Belmar Hotel. If you blink you will miss this cute tucked away eatery. On each occasion I have dined here, the food has been consistently delicious and the ambiance is very cozy. During the day, the vibe is low key and you may find yourself the only patron, but at night, when the sun goes down, Second Story takes on her sassy alter ego with flickering candles, ambient lighting and a clientele as diverse as the menu offerings. Some of my favorite items are the crab cakes (pictured above) and their delicious and inventive salads.

This cute wall display of candles and fresh blooms will greet you as soon as you enter the restaurant.

The atmosphere is warm and inviting. We lingered long after we finished our meal and had didn't want to leave the relaxing and quiet atmosphere

 

These fish tacos were flavorful with just the right amount of seasoning and a generous serving of fresh guacamole and pickled onions. Absolutely delicious

I convinced my friend to try one of my other favorites, the blackened chicken quesadillas and she thought they were phenomenal

Second Story has a serene and peaceful environment during the day. My friend and I had the entire restaurant to ourselves and the servers were very attentive to us

We finished our meal with a delicious croissant bread pudding with caramel drizzle and fresh whipped cream. Perfect sweet ending to a great meal. 

This restaurant is in a great location and walking distance to the beach, so if you want to burn all those calories from your amazing meal, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll to the Manhattan Beach boardwalk. Great food and atmosphere and the prices won't make your wallet anorexic when you leave:-)

Second Story

3501 Sepulveda Blvd

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

310-750-0132

Wings

I like pretty things. Sometimes I stop and think about the beauty of a butterfly, but it is not often that I ponder just how much is happening inside the cocoon for the butterfly to become what it was born to be. Everything about the caterpillar must change inside the Chrysalis before it emerges as a brand new creature. It becomes completely brand new and everything about it changes.

EVERYTHING

 

During the time of isolation is when the wings are developing and the butterfly prepares to come forth. Nature is an amazing thing and it is something we can't change or alter. A butterfly will become a butterfly in its correct time and season and nothing can stop it, but it most go through a process before those wings and every vibrant color and intricate details of its wings are developed and it is strong enough to fly.

 

Once the caterpillar emerges as a gorgeous butterfly, you will not see it chillen with caterpillars. 

 

Why?

It goes against the law of nature to go backwards. Always move forward and surround yourself with what speaks to your future and not your past. Just like the butterfly, you will not go backwards, you will spread your wings.

 

 Butterflies are not hanging out with caterpillars because they are too busy enjoying their new wings and soaring to new heights.

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come" 2 Corinthians 5:17

 

Take your new wings and FLY.

 

Garlic Herb Salmon and Chopped Salad

Have you ever had a salad that you got excited about? There is something about eating a fresh salad filled with vegetables in every color of the rainbow. Chopped vegetables salads are a favorite of mine, but when you add a succulent piece of salmon and place it on a mound of chopped salad, it is next level deliciousness. This salad is quick, healthy, flavorful and full of nutrients. 

A good friend of mine made me a chopped salad that was similar to the way I make mine, but her addition of avocado, olive oil, sea salt and lemon was a great complement to the Kale, Spinach, radicchio and all of the other colorful vegetables that make this such a satisfying salad. I like to add as many vegetables as possible, so this salad has kale, spinach, radicchio, purple cabbage, red leaf lettuce,orange bell pepper, Persian cucumbers, carrots, fresh garlic, green cabbage, radish, cilantro and I like to add fresh chopped tomato or dried cranberries to balance out the flavors. 

Kale is full of great nutrients and it does not get soggy like Iceberg or Romaine

Spinach marries well with Kale and adds a nice balance

I love a crunch salad and red cabbage adds that perfect crunch

Carrots also add a hint of sweetness and crunch

Radicchio is slightly bitter, so just a hint of it is needed

I find that Persian cucumbers seem to stay crunchy longer than the traditional ones and love how they taste in the salad

Finely chopped cabbage adds a little more flavor and texture

Any type of bell pepper is perfect for this salad, but I like the flavor and color from the orange bell pepper

 A large creamy Avocado is delectable in this salad

And this is what all of those yummy vegetables look like in a chopped salad. Even without meat, this is a very satisfying salad and the fresh lemon, avocado, vinegar and salt bring out the brightness of the salad and add such a great flavor dimension that salad dressing is unnecessary. If you decide to add a little salad dressing, you will not need a lot if it.

This makes quite a bit of salad, so invite a few friends over or munch on this for a few days. The great thing about Kale and Spinach, is that they hold up well even with a light dressing on it. So are we ready to make this amazing chopped salad? Lets Go!

Salad Ingredients (serves 6-8)

1 Bunch of Kale

1/2 Head of Cabbage of small bag of chopped green cabbage

1/2 Head of red cabbage 

1 Bag of fresh spinach leaves

2 cups red leaf lettuce

1 small bunch of radicchio

2 carrots

1 orange bell pepper

1 bunch of radishes

1/4 cup cilantro

2 Persian cucumbers

1-2 fresh garlic cloves

1/4 to 1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar

1 avocado

1/2 Fresh Lemon

Dried Cranberries (optional)

 

Directions :

Wash all produce and then chop the salad ingredients finely and toss in a big salad bowl. Cut the avocado into small pieces and add to salad. Squeeze a fresh lemon all over the salad greens. Mix olive oil and Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar and then drizzle all over salad. (add more if needed) Sprinkle with a little sea salt and begin tossing the salad and making sure avocado, oil and vinegar is thoroughly mixed into the salad. Place a generous serving on a plate and top with a freshly cooked piece of salmon or your choice of meat. This salad will keep for a few days in the fridge, but is best eaten right away.

Salmon Directions:

Add olive oil to a frying pan. Lightly brush salmon with oil and sprinkle with garlic and herb seasoning. Sear until blackened and cooked through.

Note: One or two pieces of salmon is enough to go with the 6-8 servings of salad. Slice the salmon into several slices and place on each serving of salad.

 Bon Appetit!