February 11, 2014

My Preppy Valentine




blouse: H&M, skirt: thrifted, flats: TJMaxx, purse: Target, belt: Loft 

I love wearing sparkles for any occasion (or without one). Valentine's Day calls for something extra special so I'm breaking out my sequin skirt. Of course, there is the traditional LBD and heels but why not go with something preppy? Dust pink and navy is one of my favorite color combinations right now because it's effortlessly stylish. And flats enable you to move easily and break out into dance moves at any moment, because love is a great reason to celebrate. This Valentine's Day which look are you going for? Sexy or cute? Preppy or daring? I still haven't decided on the outfit but I adore this look. 
Thank you for stopping by! 


February 10, 2014

My Tasty Valentine {Eggs Benedict Recipe}


Let's face it, anyone can buy a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates. But it takes special thought, preparation and care to do something extra nice for your significant other. Making their favorite dessert (my favorite is crème brulée ;-) or bringing breakfast in bed, or even surprising with weekend getaway all would be extra special. 
I'm a self proclaimed queen of breakfast food. I love everything from french toast to savory crepes with smoked salmon, but nothing tastes better than a hot plate of Eggs Benedict first thing in the morning. Of course, it takes practice to get the egg perfectly poached but it's certainly worth it. Then comes the sauce - smooth, velvety, decadent Hollandaise sauce. I have made the sauce from scratch and it was delicious but using packaged dry mix is just fine too. Your sweetheart won't know the difference tasting this delectable dish and admiring the work you put into it. 


Ingredients: 
2 Eggs
1 English muffin
2 slices of Canadian Bacon
1 Package of Hollandaise Sauce dry mix (make it from scratch recipe here)
2 tbsp butter 
1 cup milk 

Method:
First, bring a pot of water to a boil. While the water’s boiling, place a few English muffins halves and an equal number of Canadian bacon slices on a cookie sheet. Lightly butter the English muffins and place them under the broiler for just a few minutes, or until the English muffins are very lightly golden. Be careful not to dry out the Canadian bacon.
Now if you do not have an egg poacher you can poach your eggs by doing the following: With a spoon, begin stirring the boiling water in a large, circular motion. When the tornado’s really twisting crack in an egg. Or two. Or three. The reason for the swirling is so the egg will wrap around itself as it cook, keeping it together. Cook for about 2 ½ to 3 minutes but be careful not to over cook the eggs because they will be hard inside and that's not how you eat eggs Benedict. With a slotted spoon remove the eggs from water and place them on paper towel, keep warm in the oven heated to 200F until ready to serve. 
Melt two tablespoons of butter and add the dry sauce mix, whisk together incorporating it into the butter. Increase hit to high and add the milk, keep stirring and bring to boil. Set aside.
Place the English muffins on the plate, face up. Next, place a slice of Canadian bacon on each half. Vegetarian variation: you can omit the Canadian bacon altogether, or you can wilt fresh spinach and place it on the muffins for Eggs Florentine, which is divine in its own right. Place the egg on top of the bacon and then top with a generous helping of Hollandaise sauce.
Note: To ensure that everything is hot at the time when it’s ready to serve plunge the poached eggs back into the hot water just before serving, and make the Hollandaise at the very last 


Recipe adopted from here.


February 6, 2014

I'm Not Ready



Before having Jonathan, I could not imagine loving a baby so much. I didn't think I was ready for the responsibility of motherhood but more than that, I wasn't ready for all the love. Now, with every passing day I'm still not ready for the enormous experience of unconditional love that motherhood is. I'm truly not ready for the time to fly so fast.

I'm not ready for him to grow up  and abandon the cute infant stage. I'm not ready to give up the random hugs and kisses when we are goofing around. I'm not ready for the most sincere and funny laugh I have ever heard every time I  tickle or play with him. I'm not ready to be a mom of a toddler. I'm not ready for the love that overfills my heart to the point that it almost hurts. I'm not ready to feel the ache when I think about anything that may hurt him. I'm definitely not ready for the enormous responsibility of raising a human being, a gentleman, future husband and father. I don't know if I'm up for the job. I'm not ready for the tantrums and gentle discipline. I'm not ready hold my tamper when all I want to do is yell. I'm not ready for his hands to wrap around my neck when he had a scary dream and I calm him saying everything is ok. Mommy is here. 

I'm not ready for his serious face when I tell him not to touch something and he's trying to tell me otherwise. I'm not ready for the bruises and scuffed knees. I'm not ready for the boyish fun and rombanxious spirit that wants to come out every time he's on the loose. I'm not ready for his impressionable soul to take everything in. I'm not ready for all the funny giggles and sweet smiles right after nap time. I'm not ready to see him grow and change with every minute of the day. I'm not ready to teach him right from wrong, because some things I'm still unsure of myself. I'm not ready to show him all the hurt and darkness of the world.

I am not ready for my heart to be so full, and life to be so different. I feel like most days I want the time to stop and speed up at the same time. I want him to grow up yet to stay little forever, because I'm not ready for the depth of emotions and huge responsibility of parenthood. Yet it's here. I'm here. No matter how much I prepare myself, I don't know what the future holds. But I know Who holds tomorrow and that I can trust God to hold me in His hand. So, although I feel no ready for this life ahead of me and the role of motherhood, I know that God knows my heart. He will be with me through it all, guiding through the unexpected and unknown.
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

So, bring it on, life. 
I'm ready.



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