I can't stop it - come with me

I started Instagram a bit ago but wasn't ready to figure it all out. Now it is a full on every 5 min check-in addiction. I can't help it. So much fun to see people out and about in their worlds and the gorgeous ways they capture it. And now with the New Year and a sweet little January photo challenge I am hooked. If you are on already look me up!!! and if you're not...Get on!!!!

This belly of mine makes seeing all my new Christmas shoes hard to see.

My sweet family to date. Look at my short hair. Oh brother! Getting it cut tomorrow. Who knows what this pregnant brain will ask for.

5 days into January. Not too late for you join in! I'd love to see what you come up with!! And chances are some of your other favorite bloggers are already instagram-ing.

Gift Guide #5 A Dangerous Deal!

I just got this deal in my email and I have to share it with you! Fruit & Flour, a pie bakery in Echo Park, Ca. makes these delicious alcohol infused pies (and non-infused) flavours like Guinness Chocolate, Bourbon Pecan and Coffee Kahlua Cream Pie. You have got to be kidding me!!! The deal that is going right now is either get one pie with free delivery (in the LA metro area) for $20 OR join the pie-a-month club for $99. $99 and I could have a delicious pie at my door every month?! That sounds completely dangerous and yet I could finish the year with more new friends than I would know what to do with.

What to Fix?

Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Can you believe it? I still have my party hat on from New Years 2010. With Thanksgiving comes family, fun, naps and lots of delicious food. Sometimes I like having the left overs even more than the first meal but that may just be cause I am blessed with one of the best Chef's around as my mom, Show Food Chef's Cathy.
If you are looking to livin' up your annual menu or just want some food porn to get you through the day this is the place. Be sure to check out this Thanksgiving post cause there is a photo of me hiding in there among all the delicious recipe links.

Photo by Chef Cathy @ ShowFoodChef

A real help

I have a couple of friends who are pregnant right along with me. Nicole is 5 weeks ahead and Sarah is 15 weeks ahead. Being a part of this soon to be mommy world is a super trip. There is so much info you need to learn and sort through. There is even learning how to help the right away as opposed to the in the way. One thing I had heard about from a mommy of a 21 month old is the idea of baby mooning - this not a trip you take before you think you can never take a trip again but rather a nice bit of alone time with you and the father and the new member to bond and connect before the rest of the family and friends come in with all their eager excitement. The other thing I learned from her was the idea of dropping off meals or giving clean up help with out requiring the parents to host or entertain you but rather you are just helping out of love and that's it.
So, I went on a search to make this food/clean/help plan a little easier for anyone who is interested. TAKE THEM A MEAL is the answer. It is an online customizable spread sheet where you can invite friends and family to sign up for what they can do. The site will even send a reminder email! And the service is free!!!
I will be setting this up today for Sarah and Clay and their almost here baby. So exciting!
This isn't just for baby parents. Think about your sick friend or an elderly neighbor who could use a little friendly help. I love the idea of connecting in a personal way with real life people again. Some how the Internet has brought so many of us closer and yet so far away. I am happy to see it is working in our favor to benefit our humanity and souls.

The real Milk and Cookies

Just another reason having a baby and breastfeeding are rad.
I have known since I was a little girl that there is magic in cookies. But as I venture into trying to make a baby I have had to give up all sweets and fun snacky food. This means cookies. I have not found a single person who will go with me in my fight that "Cookies are magic" until now. Milkmakers. Besides for having a brilliant logo they also have a brilliant idea. Cookies that promote lactation. No joke!
"milkmakers lactation cookies provide your body with the calories it needs to make milk. milkmakers cookies have a combination of oats, brewer's yeast and flax seed that help with milk production, making it easier to pump when you’re away from your baby and breastfeed when you’re together."



PS- there is a video on their site. enjoy.

Get the grillin'

Summer is here which means it is time to stock up on coals and lighter fluid. No room for a BBQ? Hate that when it is not summer you have to have a small island taking up space in your yard? Fear no more. Grow some herbs to throw on your salmon or something more sustainable and get to grillin' with this rad Hot Pot BBQ from black+blum. I sure do love good useful design.

Healthy snack

via

I am addicted to kale. I love it. I love it. I love it. I seriously can not get enough of it. The other night I was out to dinner with all my ladies and their men and a discussion about Kale arose. When I said I eat it raw with a little lemon vinaigrette my friends gawked at me and nearly called me crazy. But i tell you - nothing will make you feel more healthy and excited to be alive than a fresh Tuscan Kale salad. So freakin' good!
But for those you want a crunchy yummy salty snack I offer you the Kale chip. So easy and so yummy. Get your Kale (any type will work) cut the center rib and stem off and toss around in tablespoon of olive oil. Add a bit of sea salt and some black pepper and bake in the oven at 3oo until crispy about 20 to 30 min. Boom! you have a delightful snack that won't make you feel like crap.

I think you are ready for this Jelly

In honor of the holiday season fast approaching I thought it would be good to arm ourselves with some fun party food creations.

Jelly Shot Test Kitchen has blown my mind with it's inventive and delicious gelatin creations. Many are alcoholic but there are some that are kid friendly as well.

I don't know which I will try first.

Paloma Cocktail

Mimosa with Orange Flower Water

French 75

Candy Corn (non-alcoholic)

Your votes count!

My mom need votes! It would be awesome to get some helping votes thrown my mom's way. You may even fall in love with delicious food blog while you're at it. She has stunning photos and recipes and my favorite is her Simple Saturday Series. Every Saturday she puts up a recipe that is yummy and easy and will be the talk of the party for sure.
So click here and give her a vote! please. I am telling you - SHE DESERVES THIS!

Cupcakes. Yum!

Potsch and I had our cupcake tasting and boy oh boy was it a hard decision! I feel like the luckiest girl in the world though to have my "brilliant at everything" mom doing our cupcakes (and our cocktail food!!!) I can't wait to share with you how these stunning cakes will be displayed. Potsch has worked his carpentry magic to make something of art to hold something of yummy art.
Our cupcakes flavors will be earl grey with a dense butter cream and chocolate brownie cake with fresh berry butter cream. I have a thing for butter cream.

What's for Breakfast?

I tell you what! Quinoa! Yummy yummy mother of all grains and packed with healthy protein- Quinoa! Here is a trick- use almond milk or Coconut milk or Vanilla Soy milk to add a punch of flavor. Throw in some taosted pecans and fresh fruit or dried fruit like raisin and apricots. SUper yum. Super filling. and Super healthy. You might even add a few drops of agave to sweeten the deal even more.

Yummy Yamashiro Market

Last night I had an impromptu invitation to joining some friends at the Yamashiro Farmer's Market which takes place every Thursday from 5pm to 9pm. It was amazing! The stands were great. The food was great. The view was to die for!!! If you get a chance to head over there I highly recommend it. Potsch and I just parked at the bottom of Franklin and had a slightly death defying walk up and a more death defying walk down at night. If you are not up for tempting death might I suggest the free parking on La Brea at Franklin with a free shuttle to the market.

Bring your own wine and snacks if you want and grab a table along the lower edge to enjoy one of the best views of a Los Angeles sunset. Truly romantic.


I promise to take better photos next time. I was just so excited!

Corn never tasted so magical

I had to share these. They made me laugh so hard.
Now on SALE for 4.99 at here.

Summer time means BBQ time

Living in an apartment means not investing in a great outdoor grill but it does mean slightly splurging on a Bodum Picnic Charcoal Grill. In so many colors you just want want them all!

Sold!

How stunning is this packaging? I want a whole old mother Hubbard's cupboard full of the Babee's.

More please....

Holy Yum!!!! I love the clean layout of this site. There is no bullshit cluttering the way of these brilliant cups of heaven by Ming Makes Cupcakes. I want one of each for each day of the rest of my life. MMmmmmm yum.



And the best part - you can make em yourself!

Yummy and funny by Donna Wilson

True, my heart lies with melamine but these ceramics by Donna Wilson make me giggle and get hungry. How could ever have a bad day with a kitty face on your plate?

The Menu

Finally!!!! Potsch and I have finally sealed the deal for our wedding food. It has been a lot of back and forth and a few switches but we have finally secured Wurstkuche!!! We are super excited. We had a dream and we are getting closer and closer to it being our reality. Fancy fun bier hall reception. Ha! it sounds crazy as I type it but in our minds it is brilliant.

(Thanks to my mom for her frame by frame capture of the menu selection process)

On the menu will be 4 different types of sausage complete with grilled onions and sweet peppers and spicy peppers and sauerkraut...YUM!!
Classic Bratwurst / Vegetarian (vegan) Smoked Apple Sage / Mango & Jalapeno (chicken & turkey) and for the adventurous guest - Rattle Snake and Rabbit with Jalapeno peppers (Potsch's fav)



On the side will be the most delicious Belgian fries and dipping sauces you could imagine.
Curry Ketchup / Walnut Bacon Blue Cheese / Pesto Mayo / Sweet and Sassy BBQ


PS- This food can only be eaten with a big tall frothy Franziskaner WeissBier (White Beer)!!!!


If you live in L.A. or are planning a visit you MUST come here!!! the atmosphere is great and the food and drink is brilliant and affordable. Wurstkuche.

I am happy to serve

Who wouldn't be happy to serve if you could do it on these trays?! Sometimes I think if i had that something special I would entertain more. Potsch and I are looking for a house and we found one that was in a sketchy neighborhood but the backyard was this amazing zen garden that was completely landscaped and beautiful. I thought, " I would make more friends so I could entertain out here". The house was not worth it but that garden almost had me. These trays by Angela Adams are that special something. My key to social excitement. I want one for each season. Heck, I want one for every day.