Pink Floral

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dress: LOFT , coat: Target (similar here, here, here *on sale*), clutch: here,
booties: Old Navy (similar), watch: Kate Spade

If you seen Monster-In-Law movie, you know there a scene where the assistant gets totally fed up with the mother and she gives her a pieces of her mind. (watch trailer/movie here for clarification). Well, I feel exactly like that about the whole winter business. Notice mountains of snow around me? There is no where to escape as we are trapped in an ice age. Above 30F seems like a dream and hopefully we will be getting some sun this week. Although, I will believe it when I see it. In the mean time, I'm recovering from a nasty cold (which I successfully avoided all winter to catch in March. yeah.). If anyone is packaging sun and selling it online, I will take a whole bucket full please. 

MORE SPRING DRESS OPTIONS

Thank you for stopping by!

xo, Anna

Shrimp & Kale Quinoa Bowl w/ Cilantro Lime Pesto

Healthy and tasty shrimp, kale and quinoa bowl with cilantro lime pesto for your weekend dinner.

The other day I wanted something healthy and delicious. I wanted to feel full yet not like a tree sloth who's about to pass out from the amount of carbs digested. My hubby and I love shrimp (especially this delicious recipe. yep. hello carbs!) I had shrimp in my freezer and knew that a fresh and flavor-packed dish without the guilt of heavy cream sauce was the way to go. I went on a quest to find the perfect shrimp + something recipe on Pinterest and quinoa popped up. But most of the recipes seemed either too dull or too simple without any added flavors. I'm not the one to chew on kale just because it's healthy. So I decided to dig through my fridge and come up with something original. This is not a recipe I found anywhere so I came up with the pesto sauce myself. At first, I thought to add walnuts but they had too strong of a flavor, so almonds were perfect. Hope you like it as much as I did (even hubby approved of it).

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb shrimp

1 red bell pepper

1 bunch of kale (washed and chopped into 1in pieces)

1 medium onion (diced small)

1 cup quinoa

paprika, salt, pepper

1 garlic clove

2 tbsp soy sauce 

3 tbsp grapeseed oil

Pesto:

1 small cilantro bunch

1/2 cup chopped almonds

1 ginger root (peeled)

juice of 1/2 lime

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tsp sugar

PROCESS:

Cook quinoa according to the package instructions and set aside. (I add more water that way it's not so dry)

Peel and drain the shrimp onto a paper towel, sprinkle with salt, pepper and paprika. Heat a skillet on medium heat with 2 tbsp of grapeseed oil and add shrimp. Saute the shrimp until pink on both sides and set aside. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil and the onions. Saute onions until translucent for about 3 minutes on medium heat then add peppers and kale. Reduce the heat to medium/low and cook the vegetables for about 15-20 minutes until everything is nice and tender (unless you like your veggies crunchy). 

Combine shrimp, quinoa and kale and pepper together along with 3 tbsp pesto and soy sauce. Place more pesto on top for added flavor, if desired. 

For Pesto: Place all the ingredients into a food processor and pulse until a uniform mixture forms. Taste and add either more sugar or lime to taste. 

Enjoy!

Thank you for stopping by! 

Pin the recipe image into a Pinterest folder for later reference, or share it on Facebook to have it saved in your feed!

xo, Anna

Floral Pop

top: Sheinside (under $10), cardigan: Target, scarf: similar here (on sale!) & here,
jeans: J.Crew, bag: Kate Spade, booties: similar here & here, watch: Kate Spade (on sale!)

I'm so sick and tired of winter that I'm protesting the latest snow storm with (almost) spring outfit. Bright colors and gorgeous florals are asking to come out of my closet! I cannot wait for this snow to melt and cold to go away. On that note, never mind me while I get sick after taking these outfit photos in negative temperatures. Don't tell my mom. Also, don't let me do it again. Hope you are having a great week!

Here are some of my most glam and dreamy picks!

xo, Anna

Designer Look Alike For Less

Valentino // Marciano // Nine West // KOHL'S // Betsey Johnson 

Who hasn't drooled over the Valentino rock stud trend? Sure the fashion house has made every single accessory item with rock studs but it doesn't seem to slow down. From the previous fascination with Rock Stud Heels we have  jumped into bags. Or maybe I'm just catching up with the times. In any case, if you have been drooling over the studded bags but cannot bite the price tag, here are some alternative options for you. All at a (very) reasonable price.

PRADA // Ralph Lauren // Dorothy Perkins // Tory Burch // Ralph Lauren 

This Prada Tote has been on my Wishlist for a while. That is why when I saw a very similar in structure bag by Ralph Lauren, I knew I had to have it. It's a classic with a thick leather and solid design that won't go out of style. I have not had a purchase that I loved so much and that fit my personal style so well. I have worn it more than I can count! A brown satchel/tote is a must in any girl's closet. And if you are aiming at the lowest end of the spectrum, Target is always happy to provide cheap alternative ($34). 

Valentino // Seychelles // Halogen // Sam Edelman // Sole Society

I saved the best for last - the shoes. Who hasn't admired these heels by Valentino? Who didn't ever think about one day buying them? Well, guilty as charged. Here are some affordable alternatives that will make other fashionistas turn their heads. Snatch them up before they are gone! 

MORE AFFORDABLE FASHION TRENDS

Linking up with Mama and More
Enjoy the shopping!

xo, Anna

Ideas for Indoor & Outdoor Toddler Activities

Winter is long and brutal around these parts of the world. Most of the time we are indoors because it's either too cold or we are stricken with another disease. Although there were times when we actually ventured out and left a few footprints on the snow. It's fun and tiring at the same time. When we are indoors we try to stay busy with different kinds of activities but I wouldn't say we are extremely creative. Most of the time new and unusual things will keep Jonathan occupied for a long time. For example a 3 foot Styrofoam bendable cable that daddy had left over from one of the projects is a substitute for a stick - it's soft and safe, he can fall and play with it as he wants.

Her are some other ideas

Indoor

Build a Fort: kids love nothing more than small spaces they can crawl in and out of. They love forts and those aren't hard to make. Just grab couple chairs and old blankets and make a fun day of play inside

Finger Paint

This might involve a little more work and a lot more supervision but kids love it. Finger paint is cheap and can be purchased at Dollar Store or any craft store. They love to get their hands dirty and making a colorful splash on paper will be beyond exciting

Jump Over Mountain

Jonathan is constantly building huge piles out of pillows and blankets on the bed or on the floor. He loves jumping on them and because it is soft, it's quite safe. Just make sure to supervise if it's on the bed because they loose orientation quickly and can fall right off.

Balloons: every kid (and adult) loves playing with balloons. They are a cheap and fun entertainment that won't annoy you for long and you can be sure will keep the kids occupied. Grab different colored balloons and blow them up to fill a whole room. Play to your heart's content and then pop them when you are done. 

Outdoor

Sledding: grab some sleds and make snow tracks. Although the temperatures may be freezing the kids won't be cold because they are constantly moving and enjoying it. Plus they will sleep so much better after getting some fresh air

Ice Skating: grab some skates and drag that kid on the ice. Chances are, he/she will like it. It is tiring and physically exhausting activity for both parents and kids so there won't be any fighting about bed time.

Walking: bundle up and take a walk. It seems like a lot of work because you have to put on a million layers first on your child than on your self but they will enjoy a change of scenery

Visit the Library: most public libraries have a children't section. It's free and it's fun, with new books and pals to play. What could be better? 

Hardware Store Lessons: most hardware stores offer Saturday morning classes for toddlers and up in which they have many hands on activities. It's free and all you have to do is sign up.

How do you battle winter boredom? What's your trick to keeping toddlers occupied? 

Thank you for stopping by

xo, Anna 

xo, Anna