Cherry on Top

Happy Friday! Today definitely feels like a winter day more than  spring.  I am ready to put  away the winter attire, but the weather has been warm one day and cold the next. Totally unpredictable. Life is like that too. Sometimes you just have to roll with it.  What are your plans for the weekend?

Red Fedora: Flea Market, Black Blazer: F-21, Tan T-Shirt, F-21, Scarf: LA Fashion District, Bracelet: New York Street Vendor, Booties: Urban OG, Satchel Bag: Coach

Dreams

 Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend:-) Last week I had an important event to attend and the closer I got to the date of that event, the sicker I got.  I had a combination of a bad cold and allergies all wrapped into one.  Sneezing, hacking, coughing stuffed up and couldn't breathe. It was brutal. I am feeling much better now, but during those couple of days that I was sick, I was so touched that my four year old son tucked me in, fluffed my pillow, massaged my temples and then kissed me on the forehead and said:  "Sweet Dreams Mommy, I hope you feel better" 

Dreams is something I have been thinking a lot about lately.  Do you dream a lot? I know I do.  Although some of my good dreams take place in a deep state of delta sleep, I do my best dreaming when I am wide awake. I can tell you from personal experience that every great thing that has happened in my life, I dreamed about it first. Dreams are what give birth to visions, destiny and purpose. if you can see it in your mind, you can hold it in your hand. Guard your dreams carefully because you cannot share them with everybody. Not everyone has big dreams and when they don't, they usually don't want to hear about yours, but there are some who understand because they dream big too. You know the crazy ones who start companies like Apple, or the ones who write those amazing scripts that turn into the movies we pay to go see, or those who create something out of what others thought was nothing. That is the power of a dream. So dream on dreamer...

On many nights before my son goes to sleep we chat and our conversations often go something like this:

Kaden: "Mommy what do you want to be when you grow up?"

Me: "I am already grown up"

Kaden: "Mommy what do you want to be when you grow up?"

And he absolutely will not relent until I say what I want to be when I grow up:-) then after I name something, he says: "What else?" so I name another thing and my son says: "What else?" and then after each thing he says: "What else?" The lesson in this is that in a child's eyes you are not grown up, and neither are your dreams. Children don't see limits like adults do. My son without even realizing it has taught me that although I am a grown up, I am still growing. You can dream and be and do anything you set out to do, but you have to see it first and then you have to speak it and then you have the joy of fulfilling it. I am proud to say that many of the things I dreamed about when I was younger, things I said I would do and places I said  would go, I actually did, but now there is room for new dreams:-) What dreams did you give up on? Its never too late. There is an old saying that the best inventions,  are in the graveyard buried with the people who gave up before their dreams ever had a chance to see the light of day.  Don't stop dreaming and don't stop believing.

You may not be able to tell from this photo, but the striped top I am wearing is actually a mini skirt I am wearing as a top. It was way too short for me to wear as a skirt, although on someone short I am sure it is perfect:-)

Red Blazer: Metrostyle, Striped Mini skirt (worn as top) H&M, Tan Pumps: F-21, Clutch: DIY,

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

 

Red Velvet Cake is one of those cakes that you can't help but love. These delicious whoopie pies are a cross between a delicious cookie and a cupcake. I love to make desserts from scratch, but there are those times when you want something quick and easy to satisfy your sweet tooth. This is the perfect recipe! The scrumptious cream cheese frosting is made from scratch and the cookie batter starts with a red velvet cake mix.

These are so good with a big glass of milk

Can you see all of that delicious cream cheese icing?

Moist? mmmm....you betcha

Are you ready?

Cookie Ingredients

• 1 (18.25 ounce) box red velvet cake mix
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon vanilla

For the frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese
5 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2½ cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375˚ F.

 Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Mix together cake mix, eggs, oil, and bourbon in a large bowl. Roll the dough into balls the size of walnuts. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until the tops start to crack, about 8 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack. 

 For the Frosting:

 beat the cream cheese and butter on medium-high speed until well combined and smooth, about 2-3 minutes.  Mix in the vanilla extract.  Gradually beat in the confectioners’ sugar until totally incorporated, increase the speed and then beat until smooth.

Spread frosting onto the flat-sided cookie of each pair, leaving the edges clear.  Sandwich the cookies together so the flat sides are facing each other and press gently to help the filling reach the edges.  To store, refrigerate in an airtight container.

Brand New

Newness is an amazing thing.  When something is new, it is at its most dynamic. When leaves fall from trees, petals from flowers and new ones bloom in there place, many times they are more vibrant than they were before. I am feeling brand new today, not because I am so great, but because I simply want to be be better than I was yesterday. You can be brand new too:-)

Shirt and Jeans: Vargas Boutique, Chain: F-21, Bracelets: (random mixture from a variety of places) Pumps: Target, Bronze Clutch: DIY

 Sometimes you just have to walk into your newness

 Walk without fear

We can be brand new whenever we make a conscious choice.  Don't let anything hold you back! Here is to being brand new:-)

Orange Caper

Happy Wednesday! It is cold and nippy outside today. Such strange weather. It is like summer one day and then cold the next. Perfect day for an orange cape since it is rather chilly outside.  You may remember that I wore this cape in a previous post. See it here.  I wore it with tan and orange, but I could not resist wearing it again with black and my gorgeous accessories from Mimi Boutique. I actually forgot to post these photos, but wanted to share them with you.  I hope your week is going great so far:-) 

Blessings to you! Have a great day!

Gray and White

Happy Monday! I hope you had a amazing weekend.  I had a couple of negative situations last week and even one that popped up last night. Excuse me while I vent for a minute...I have learned that there are some people in this world that take delight in bringing misery to other people. Ever heard that old phrase "misery loves company." I think it  takes an awful lot of energy to be negative, yet so many people do it. And others speak negative about people they don't even know. That's another one that leaves me scratching my head. People listen to second hand information, but you really have to know a person for yourself before you start forming opinions. It can be disturbing when people say things about you that aren't true, but at the end of the day there is nothing you can do about it. I take comfort in knowing that the truth always has a way of revealing itself. I try not to waste my time with people who speak or bring negative energy.  That kind of force is diametrically opposed to who I am and who I serve.

Sometimes you can't even have a conversation with a person intent to be negative. When you try to debate with someone intent to spew venom your way, it is draining.  Sometimes the best thing to do is walk away. And since today is a new day, I am refreshed and ready for a great week! How about you? Today I am wearing a very light weight trench coat and some neutral colors.  It is very warm today, so this trench is about to come off:-) 

I feel spring in the air. I am thrilled that our days are about to get longer:-)

My DIY clutch has been making a lot of appearances lately:-)  And it is reversible. Not bad huh?

Trench: Burlington Coat Factory, Sweater: Macys, Clutch: DIY, Spectator Pumps: TJ Maxx, Chains: F-21

Fish tacos with lime cilantro slaw

I seriously love fish tacos.  When I first discovered them nearly ten years ago there was no turning back.  They are filling, flavorful and healthy if you grill the fish rather than fry.  They are delicious both ways and this fish taco with flavorful lime cilantro slaw will not disappoint.  In traditional tacos, most people fill with lettuce cheese and tomatoes,  but I love the way shredded cabbage compliments the lightness of the fish.   I love to serve these with crunchy tortilla chips and beans. It is the perfect dinner!

Fresh Juicy Limes 

 Shredded cabbage

Sour Cream

Ground Cumin

 Jalapeno adds the right kick and a hint of spiciness

Does this make you a little hungry? Lets make fish tacos!

Ingredients:

1 quart oil for frying
1 pound cod fillets or your choice of fish, cut into strips
1 (12 ounce) package corn tortillas
1 bag slaw mix ( shredded cabbage)

Fish Batter

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon seasoning salt
1 egg
1 cup beer

Cilantro Lime Slaw 

Slaw mix or 1/2 cabbage head shredded 

2/3 cup sour cream

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/3 cup minced onion

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1 teaspoon mexican oregano

1/2 jalapeno minced 

 Combine all ingredients and toss with cabbage and set aside.

Instructions: 

1. To make beer batter: In a large bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Blend egg and beer, then quickly stir into the flour mixture (don't worry about a few lumps).
2. Heat oil in deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
3. Dust fish pieces lightly with flour. Dip into beer batter, and fry until crisp and golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Lightly fry tortillas; not too crisp. To serve, place fried fish in a tortilla, and top with lime cilantro slaw

You can also grill your fish for a healthier alternative

 

Note: A dash of hot sauce makes the tacos even more flavorful:-)