Lentil Soup {Recipe}

I have been eating this lentil soup since I was about 10 years old. When we were living in Russia and struggling to make ends meet, my mom became very good at creating delicious, filling and cheap meals. The thing is - there isn't much of anything in this soup. All the ingredients are very basic and you can probably find them in your fridge right now. Lentils are very filling and have lots of protein. They are also cheap and almost everyone likes their taste. So here is a recipe that's a favorite of ours, which we make very often. It's very VERY easy to make and is absolutely delicious! 

Ingredients
- 1/2 cup green  lentils
- 1/2 cup red lentils
- 1 pint of chicken broth
- 1/2 of chicken breast
- 2 carrots
- 1 medium onion
- 1/4 cup of pickle juice
- 2 tbsp of Ajvar paste
- olive oil
- salt, pepper


***If you want to make your own chicken broth. It is hundred times better then store bought.
- 1 chicken breast
- 2 pints of water
- 1 celery stick
- 1 carrot
Put all ingredients into a pot. Pour boiling water and simmer for one hour. Drain through a sieve and set the chicken aside.

Method

Chop onions, peel and grate carrots. Pour 2 tbsp of oil on hot skillet and place onions. Saute onions n medium heat until translucent, add carrots and cook for another 5 minutes. 

Add ajvar paste and mix together, set aside.

Bring chicken broth to boil and add pickle juice. Wash lentils and add them to the broth. Let the lentils cook for 10 minutes. 

Add the onions & carrots, stir. Turn the heat down to low and simmer for 30 minutes.  Set aside and let soup stand for another 30 minutes.

To serve

Pull apart chicken breast and add to each individual bowls with a dollup of sour cream.

Enjoy!  

Jonathan //Three Months//

Dear boy,

I can't believe how fast time flies...

I can't believe how fast you are growing and changing...

You are a cute chunker and there isn't a day going by that I don't marvel at your sweet little face. You are so curious and love to explore. You love when I'm walking around with you facing the world - it's fascinating to watch you intensely inspect everything around you. 

You love chewing your fists and won't take a pacifier instead. Even though I don't mind you exploring your little hands, I don't want you to suck your thumb, so I'm on look out for that.

Also, you started reaching and grabbing things. When you lay on the floor play mat, you reach for the toy and hit it so it starts spinning, then you do it again. I think you understand what you have to do to get the toys moving. 

I love your cute babble. It has got to be the cutest babble talk out there! When I change your diaper in the morning, you just want to talk and talk and tell me all about your troubles. It's so sweet! 

When I'm blowing raspberries on your tummy you laugh. It's a real genuine laugh and not just some squeals which makes it such a precious time just for the two of us. 

One thing you don't like is noisy people. We had some relatives over and you just didn't like being smothered and carried by others. But as soon as everyone left, you were sitting in the swing and making googly sounds and smiling  Go figure! Although, you do very well in the nursery. 

We went out to eat for Mother's Day and you didn't make a peep, yet the day before we were hanging out at your grandparents and you were such a stinker. It seems that everyday is different and there isn't a set pattern with you.

You didn't like tummy time and would get really mad (read cry) when I put you on your belly. But it's good for you baby so you are getting better at it. Now you really try to lift your head up high but I think it's kind of heavy so I understand - it takes a lot of work.

Honestly, I couldn't ask for a better kid. You sleep through the night and eat well. Rarely have any colic and don't mind being in the swing for hours - you love falling asleep in it. 

I'm so blessed to be celebrating Mother's Day as your mama and thank God everyday for such a blessing in my life. You truly are God's gift and I love you!

Celebrate Mothers {Gift Guide}

elegant women's Emporio Armani watch
sleek and bright Kate Spade NY wallet
rose gold pave bracelet 
cat eye DKNY sunglasses
leather neon envelope clutch
gorumet rose petal petits fours

Mother's Day is just around the corner and for some of us, it's a last minute shopping spree, where we frantically run from store to store trying to find something special. 

Thankfully, I have already got our moms (my mom and MIL) something very special (read: photobook of Jonathan's baby pictures. Awwwwww.), so I'm all set. Although a box of gourmet chocolates and bouquet of fresh flowers is a must. 

So for those of you who haven't picked up a gift for mom, or the woman in your life who you consider to be your mom, or that first time mama who is over the moon in love with her baby, or the tired and worn out mama, who hasn't had a day off in ages - here's a gift guide that will please them all.

 Including myself. //hoping hubby is reading this//

This weekend is all about honoring the women in your life who do so much, who sacrifice and give. And give. Let them know how much you appreciate their care and constant unending labor of love. 

Mothers. They do so much! They deserve a day in a year all to themselves! 

Have a great weekend! 

P.S. And don't forget a card. She will love those thoughtful little details.

Everyday Life

tee: H&M, pants: Target, necklace: Burlington Coat Factory, clutch: TJMAxx, shoes Vince Camuto

Everyday life gets boring.

 Its mundane existence sometimes just drags between grocery shopping, running errands, working and making dinners. 

But then there are days when you realize how fast the time is going. One day you wake up and you are married, with a fancy college degree (that gave you a fancy student loan) and have a baby to take care of. Then you decide to make the most every moment of every day. That lasts about a day until the mundane and the boring gets to ya. And the cycle repeats.

But what's different now is that this new life that you brought into this world has forever changed everything. Seriously! Life is never dull anymore, it's full of glorious ups and downs. 

Every day is never boring. Ever again.  

Love Me Some Maxi

Considering that I'm on the budget now, I HAVE to think about every item (I mean every single thing) when I buy it. So to make sure that my buys are good investments and will serve me the entire season or two, I have been doing a lot of scouting. It used to be if I needed a maxi dress, I just bought whatever I saw first and then if something better came up, I bought that too. And on and on. 

Now, it's a whole different story.

So there are couple things I'm considering purchasing next month and one of them is a versatile maxi dress. Therefore I have come up with a few choices that fit my budget. Take a look.
Maybe you will find something you like?  

1. Tank Maxi - perfect for a beach vacation, can be dressed up with a cardigan or down with jean jacket for a night out. Love the Ikat stripe and different shades of blue

2. Grey Floral - the neutral color pallette makes it so versatile and you are ready for anything in a minute. I love the print and it will be great on any curvy figures.

3. Long-Sleeve - I love everything about this dress! The colors! The floral print! The modest neckline and the sleeve length! The only thing that's stopping me is the price - do I want to shell out a month's  budget on one dress? #undecided

4. Casual Jersey - this is an everyday, going to the store, running errands or lunch with girlfriend kind of dress. Love the subtle print and that it has short sleeve.

5. Kimono - this dress reminds me of Japanese style dresses, with wide sleeves. Although it's more modern and has a lovely floral print.

6. Date Night - this dress would be perfect for a any special occasion and has a very flattering bustling. Plus Navy blue is not as boring as another black dress.

7. High-Low - although this dress is from the Maternity Collection, it's got great color and colorblocking going one. Then it's high-low, which has caught my eye. Just gotta wait until it goes on sale! 

8. Lemon Lime - This color is absolutely gorgeous! It's a simple yet stunning dress, perfect for summer BBQs and road trips.

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER GIVEAWAY TO WIN J.CREW GIFTCARD HERE! 

HURRY ENDS TODAY!