Bridges

The other day I was walking across a bridge and I was thinking about how important bridges are. They carry you. I can guarantee that at some point in life you will have a bridge to cross over to get you to the other side. People are bridges too. Either you are the one carrying someone else over troubled water or you need someone to carry you. It is very important to never burn bridges because once you do, nothing but ashes remain and you have no hope of ever crossing that bridge again.  

I learned at a very young age that you never burn bridges with people. EVER. You might need them one day. I actually love the times in my life when I have been able to be a bridge for other people. There is something indescribable about helping someone else reach their destination. so what are your thoughts on bridges?

Whether a bridge goes a long distance or a short distance, it serves an important purpose

 I think this combination of pewter, turquoise and orange is a great bridge into spring:-)

This black duster by Alberta Feretti is a very versatile piece. Great for any time of year. I have worn this as a jacket and as a dress.

Black Duster: Alberta Feretti for Bergdorf Goodman (old) Scarf: LA Fashion District: Cream Shirt: Zara, Pewter Pumps:DSW, Orange Bag: Dereon

Do you like pewter?

Yes, very silly pose, but I couldn't resist:-)

Have an amazing day!

20 ways to be remarkably above average

 Remarkable. Sounds good doesn't it? Really it should be something we all aspire to. Being remarkable comes with a price and the attitude that you will do something bold, something unusual, something different than everyone else. Thats not as easy as it sounds when the natural default of the masses is average. There is nothing remarkable about being average and if you strive to be more, you sign up to swim against a current of mediocrity.

Not everyone wants to be above average or remarkably above average, but if you do, let me share 20 tips that will change your life.

1. Do things that challenge you and make you a little scared. If your dreams don't make you a little nervous, you are definitely playing it too safe.

2. Talk to strangers. Yes, mommy told you not to talk to strangers, but didn't all of your friends start off as strangers first?

3. Unchain yourself from your cell phone. If you can get through dinner without texting, looking at your phone or talking on it  you are already more impressive than 50% of people.

4. Don't live in a homogenous community. Sameness is boring and it does not enrich you in any way.

5. Read an intelligent book instead of watching another dumb reality show. Try growing brain cells instead of microwaving them with mindless television.

6. Don't accept everything people tell you at face value (sometimes people lie)

7. Question authority. Yes, I said question authority because sometimes they are wrong.

8. Reject the Status Quo

9. Travel to a foreign country. Learn the language and immerse yourself in the culture when you are there. If you are daring, make friends with the locals and explore the hidden gems your tour guide does not know about. The locals in a foreign country can  give you an experience unlike anything on a tour bus.

10.  Don't buy a big SUV and complain about the price of gas. If you bought it before the gas crisis, you get a pass.

11. Don't speak anything you don't want to happen. Words have power. Don't even open your mouth if something negative is going to come out of it.

12. Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you. Yes, I know you are brilliant, but you become like the people you spend the most time with.

13. Pick up the phone and call people instead of relying on Facebook as your only way to stay connected. That is not the way to nurture and maintain deep friendships with people.

14. Ignore Stereotypes, gossip and mudslinging. Get to know people for yourself instead of relying on what you hear from secondhand information.

15. Don't purchase a car that looks better than your home unless you plan to live in it.

16. Do work you love and do it so well that it can't be ignored.

17. Have an entrepreneurial spirit even if you don't own the company you work for.

18. Stop talking about what you are going to do and DO IT.

19.  Try leaving people, situations and things better than they were when you found them. Be a blessing.

20. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Yes, it is a cliche', but wisdom is wisdom.

Spring Forward

Happy Tuesday loves! Today is such a beautiful day. Sun shining, warm, blue skies. I love it! And my knee injury is all healed so now I can run, hike, sprint, do plyometrics. YAY! Today I am wearing a neutral blazer with a coral tank and an animal print clutch. What I love about neutral colors is that they are such a great canvas for bold accents. I decorate my home the same way. Neutral and bold pops of color.

These liquid leggings are so comfortable, but it might be time to put them and my boots away, so I can get ready for more summery attire.

Doesn't the beginning of spring make you happy?

Blazer: H&M, Coral top: Old Navy: Boots: Dereon, Liquid leggings: Nordstrom, Clutch: Ebay

Have a great day!

Sweet Potato Casserole

I really like sweet sticky things. And sweet sticky things with brown sugar and pecans...

 

Oh My

 

Sweet Potato Casserole is very addictive. This dish makes an appearance on my table quite a bit. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Sunday Dinner. It is the perfect dish. One of the things I love about this dish is that it can be a side dish or dessert and it is the ultimate comfort food. Crunchy Pecans, Brown Sugar, Butter, Fresh Yams. What is not to love? When you go to the store to get your ingredients, be sure to get yams. There are more than one type of sweet potato, but for this recipe, fresh or canned yams work beautifully. They should be orange, not white. I use the term yam and sweet potato interchangeably, so I hope I don't confuse you.

After you cook your yams or mash your canned yams and add all of your ingredients, the batter will look like this. I always add a little brown sugar to the batter, but I like things extra sweet. If you add extra like I do, this will taste more like a dessert than a side dish. I usually add 1/2 cup brown sugar in addition to the 1/2 cup white sugar. Either way, this is really really good.

Fresh Pecans really take this dish to the next level. If you have a mini chopper, just pulse once or twice and they are the perfect size, or you have the option of chopping them by hand or purchasing a bag of chopped pecans. I always like to leave a few whole pecans to garnish the top of the casserole.

Brown sugar babe, when I put it in my mouth I don't know how to behave...

Once you add all of your ingredients to the topping, it will look crumbly like this

And then...

Fresh out of the oven it looks like this

So do you want to experience this deliciousness? do ya?

Go get your ingredients and lets enjoy something brown sugary and sweet:-)

 

Ingredients

4 cups mashed sweet potatoes/yams

1/2 cup white sugar

2 tablespoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon nutmeg

4 eggs beaten

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/4 pound butter

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup flour

1 1/4 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

 

Preheat oven to 350.  Butter a 2 quart casserole dish, or your choice of a 13x9 pan or you can make two small pans. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sweet potatoes, white sugar, vanilla extract, nutmeg, eggs and heavy cream. Blend well and spread evenly in casserole dish or the pan of your choice.

For the topping, make sure the butter is very cold and chop it into little squares and then combine with the flour, and sugar with a fork until the mixture is crumbly. Add the pecans and when well combined and crumbly, sprinkle over the sweet potato mixture.

Note: this freezes beautifully. If you decide to freeze it, simply freeze in the pan without baking and when ready to cook, thaw completely and bake as usual. I often make a smaller casserole and freeze the other one in a small 8x8 pan.

Bake the casserole in a 350 oven for approximately 30-40 minutes. Topping should be golden brown.

Bon Appetit!

Ugo Italian Cafe (LV's LA)

There is just something you gotta love about a great Italian Bistro. Pasta and great bread and great bread. Did I say they have great bread? Ugo's is one of those perfect spots for a pre-movie cocktail, mocktail, or a great cappucino. This is a restaurant where the libations are the star.  I started off with pizza and Arancini then indulged in Rigatoni and Tiramisu with Cappucino, but I kept lusting over the amazing drinks I saw on other peoples tables. And then I just had to have one. Have you ever seen something that just looked so amazing you had to have it? The drinks look and taste UH-MAZING! If you don't listen to anything else I say, listen to this: "Order the Pesca Con Vino" I promise you will leave smiling:-)

 

 I actually think I enjoyed my drinks and dessert more than the actual meal, but you will definitely find lots of satisfying Italian favorites such as the Rigatoni Alla Sorrentina, or Lasagna, delicious pizza and a delicious basket of freshly baked bread. This is a spot where I love to dine Al Fresco and it is a spot I love to take my son  for Gelato. We have a great time here when the weather is warm.

 

 This pizza with buffalo mozzarella was very tasty and although it was vegetarian, it was quite satisfying.

Aracini on a bed of Marinara Sauce, If you have never tired this dish, these are rice balls with mozzarella and salami that are deep fried.

This outdoor dining area is perfect for relaxing and enjoying a little bit of Italy in Los Angeles:-)

 The indoor dining area is lovely and quiet enough to actually have a conversation without having to yell. There is an adjacent wine bar, and a dessert display of  delectable treats including many amazing gelato flavors.

 Fresh bread and olive oil with aged balsamic vinegar. Delicious!

 There is nothing like a great cup of cappuccino

 The perfect sweet ending was Tiramisu in a chocolate cup. YUM!

Ugo's is a great neighborhood spot and if you love drinks that taste like dessert this is the place for you. I am not a big drinker, but I love cocktails that make me feel like I am having an indulgent dessert. The noteworthy drinks I recommend are: The Pesca Con Vino, which is peach gelato ice blended with Sauvignon White Wine, or the Champagne Gelato Cocktail that has rich creamy Vanilla Gelato a splash of Champagne and a raspberry garnish . Both drinks are swoon worthy:-) 

The vibe at Ugo's is casual and reservations are not required.   After enjoying your meal, you can linger over your drink, walk around the many shops in the area, or catch a movie. I must warn you that these delicious libations are not cheap. Try $13.00 to sip and smile. But sometimes you need a sweet treat:-)

Ugo's Italian Cafe

3863 Cardiff Ave

Culver City, CA

310-204-1222 

I know You Know

Happy Monday loves! How was your weekend? In case you are wondering what the blog post title means, this is just the name of a song I love by Esperanza Spalding. If you have never heard of her, check her out here and here. I could listen to her all day. I am a huge jazz fan and play it all the time, especially when I am cooking or writing. Speaking of cooking, I have some deeeelicious recipes I can't wait to share with you:-)

 I was enjoying a wave of warm weather and now we are back to chilly weather, but I can't wait for the warm weather to come back so I can pull out all of my sundresses and all that cute little stuff you can only wear when its warm.  What is your go to spring and summer look?

I love to pair a bold color like this vibrant pink with neutral colors

I am not sure if this shoe is a Mary Jane or an Oxford, but I love them and they go with everything:-)

Blazer: H&M, Scarf: Burlington Coat Factory, :Pink Tank: F-21, Handbag: Big Buddha, Bracelet: New York Jewelry Vendor

I love the detail on this rose handbag

Have a great day!

Sweet Spicy Sticky Fingerlickin Chicken Wings

Can I just say that I love a good chicken wing.  The hot variety that we love to eat with blue cheese dressing, carrots and celery sticks is always satisfying, but these sweet, spicy and sticky wings are the kind that make you lick your fingers and suck the bone. Yes, the sauce is that good. Pour it over rice for a nice meal and  serve with your favorite vegetables, or pile them up on a plate and get ready for some good lip smackin, fingerlickin plate kissin chicken wings. 

The recipe can be adjusted to fit the level of sweet and heat that you prefer.  Most of the time when I cook, I just add a pinch of this, a touch of that until I arrive at the flavor dimension I want, but to make it easy for you to follow, I have some approximate measurements that I know will give you a great result:-)

The sauce burns easily due to the sugar content, so keep a close eye on your wings. The longer these marinate in the sauce, the more flavorful they will be. I like to marinate them in the morning and cook in the evening.

This is one of the special ingredients that make these wings so scrumptious. Oh Honey...

 I promise this is as good as it looks. Just think, you could be eating this in a couple of hours.

Ingredients

3 Pounds Chicken Wings

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons Franks Hot Sauce or Tabasco sauce

2 tablespoons chile sauce

1 tablespoon ground ginger

2 cloves garlic minced

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

Mix all ingredients together and pour over chicken. Cover and refrigerate marinating for at least one hour.

Preheat oven to 375. Arrange chicken wings in a single layer on a baking sheet and cook for at least 45-50 minutes. Baste wings a few times and turn wings once at half way point. Once Wings have cooked for 50 minutes.  Reduce heat to 225 and cook another 30 minutes. 

Bon Appetit!