{TGIF & Father's Day}

Hi lovelies.

Friday is here!!! And I am excited? Yes, very excited. It's been another crazy week and still not feeling 100% (which could totally be because of the cooler rainy weather that we've had). But the weekend is here and since our kitchen is complete we'll be able to relax and spend the weekend celebrating Father's Day spoiling my guy (and maybe plotting our next room to decorate...).  

If this is my guy, please stop reading now! xo

My guy is always tough to buy for because he seriously has everything but this year I've done my research and here are a few ideas I have up my sleeve.

Fathers Day! by natalie-drb featuring a blackberry leather case

1. Grand Taxonomy of Rap Names (Print) /2.VOLCOM Traction Mens Crew Socks 3. Bonobos 100% Cotton Blue Tattersall Wrinkle-Free Slim Dress Shirt 4. SONOS PLAY:3 Wireless HiFi System - Black 5. Deni 6100 Automatic 70-Watt Stainless-Steel Ice Crusher 6. Paul Smith leather case /7. Dyson Dc34 Handheld Cordless Vacuum Cleaner 8. Lite Hooded Wind Jacket/9. Cuisinart Premium Grill Set 10pc

Hope you all have a fabulous Friday!
xo

Dishes {Spinach & Red Pepper Quinoa Patties}

How did the weekend come and go?? I don't know about you but in-between some family engagements and my guy finishing our kitchen (holy trips to Home Depot) it came and left in a blink of an eye. Craziness.  I am hoping this should goes by quickly (a crazy busy one all planned) but it's only Tuesday...

Oh and since our kitchen has been under construction I found myself falling into a rut of pretty much cooking the same things over and over! It's sooo bad I tell you. So when I found this recipe I knew I had to try it. These little suckers were exactly what I needed to bounce back (that and my kitchen in order!). They can be prepped ahead, taste amazing reheated, crumbled and thrown in a salad, as a side or with some yummy toasted bread and banana peppers as a sandwich.

Adapted from this SkinnyTaste recipe.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup cooked quinoa (use package directions)

2 cups of spinach

1 red pepper

1 small onion

2 cups water

4 eggs, whisked

1/3 cup shredded cheese (I used a mix of Manchego, Parmesan, Aged Provolone)

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1 tbsp oregano

1 tbsp rosemary (I used fresh from my garden)

1 cup plain breadcrumbs (for GF, be sure to use GF breadcrumbs)

1 1/2 teaspoon olive oil

Directions:

Cook quinoa per package directions and set aside to completely cool. 

Use food processor to grind up red peppers, spinach, onions, garlic, rosemary and oregano. 

Whisk eggs.

Add mix and eggs to quinoa along with rest of ingredients (including water) and let it sit for 10 minutes to absorb liquids. This should be moist but not watery. If necessary add more bread crumbs ( a table spoon at a time) to get better consistency .

Form patties 1/4 cup each.

Heat the oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. In a few batches, cook the patties covered for 8 minutes on each side, they will be nice and golden brown when cooked.

This recipe made me about 20 small patties, which is perfect for the week or your next party! Gina from Skinny Taste served it with a fried egg on top....  And looked just yummy. But I made them as a side for dinner and they were guy approved!

Oh so delish. Please let me know what you think!!! Thanks for reading.

{Loving Right Now}

Hello my lovelies! The weekend came and went so quickly that it left me in a serious case of the Monday blues, on top of that things have just not gone right this morning. I am thinking I was meant to crawl back in bed, but here I go to finish my work day, make some green juice for the week and beg my guy for a dinner out instead of me cooking...

Oh and instead of the dish I meant to type up and post for you I thought  I would share a few things I have stumbled upon this weekend that I am loving.

1. Summer time means second-hand shopping and these Flea Market Tips From a Stylist will be studied.

2. I plan on living in tunics this summer, they are just simple and stylish. Perfect for my work from home schedule and this one from Zara is perfection.

3.The kitchen backsplash is almost complete and since my guy worked so hard on his days off it's time to make him his favorite chocolate cake. It is hands down the best chocolate cake recipe EVER.

4. Love these ideas on how to dress up your guest room.

5. Farmers market opened this weekend and this bag is perfect for walking home with  my fresh goodies...

6. Love this article on what to keep in mind before resigning.

7. Donuts are just fabulous. And these look incredible.  I can picture serving them for brunch, with mimosas, fruit salads and coffee. Mmmm brunch.

8. 25% off at J.Crew with code SUMMER. I want this, this and this.

9. I have way too many swimsuits but this one is on my LOVE IT list.

I am hoping to stay indoors as much as possible today, working with my windows open and  maybe heading out to yoga tonight to balance out all of the yummy food I indulged in this weekend... I hope you had a fabulous weekend and are having a better beginning to this week than I am.

{Memorial Day Weekend}

For me Memorial Day = LWD {little white dress}. Yup I'll definitely be wearing a version of this outfit all summer long.

Monsoon v neck dress / Diane Von Furstenberg top / Steve Madden summer sandals / Kate Spade / Karen Walker Eyewear cateye sunglasses / J.Crew summer hat

It is also a day to remember those soldiers that lost their lives for our freedom.

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend doing whatever you have planned, make sure and enjoy every moment.

Thursday, really??

Hello my lovelies,

Hoping that your week has gone by as quickly as mine!! Wow. You'll have to excuse my MIA status but after an incredible weekend in NYC for the Brooklyn Half Marathon, I have been swamped with work. That is it, nothing interesting but work.  We also are getting to the next stage in the kitchen makeover {new appliances, counters and sink this week!} which has kept the house a hot mess and me feeling like I can't concentrate!

But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Like tomorrow being Friday!!! Yes, and the fact that it's a long weekend. Yup, my lovelies the light at the end of the tunnel is pretty bright. Oh and can I tell you it's day 4 of no coffee, no alcohol and keeping it pretty clean on the diet front and I feel good. I know I'll start missing my latte's soon but today I am feeling lovely and pretty wide awake. 

I'll be back next week with the regular scheduled program. Promise. 

Have a fabulous weekend my lovelies. Do something you love and spend it with someone that makes you smile; I know I will be. 

{Le Weekend}

Hello lovelies,

I am on a train to NYC as I write this. Heading into my lovely city for some meetings and the Brooklyn Half Marathon tomorrow! I can't lie I am a little nervous about my first half marathon in a while. I have been training but not as long as I usually do. My goal is just to finish. Give it all I got, finish and enjoy it.  Happy for a weekend of R&R, good food and maybe even a few celebratory cocktails.

Wishing you all a fabulous weekend.

Let's Train {Pre-Run Fuel}

Hello lovelies,

On Saturday I am suppose to run my first half marathon of 2013. The first since a little hiccup in my health and my second Brooklyn Half Marathon. Can I tell you that running in Brooklyn was one of the most fun half's I have ever run. Anywhooo, after reading Eat & Run on vacation I realize that fueling my runs with what I eat on a daily basis is one of the best things I can do for energetic runs and quicker recovery.  

My problem is that I can't eat before I run. Not even a banana. Races start super early {check in at 5:30am this Saturday!} and I just can't handle it.  But this smoothie is light {and yummy} and seriously gives you this boost in your energy and it will be on repeat for all of my runs. Here is my version of the Green Power Pre-Workout Drink {pg 52 in the book}.

{Pre-Run Fuel}

1 frozen banana

1 cup of spinach

1 cucumber

1cup of frozen mango and pineapple chunks

 (use whatever frozen fruit you have for sweetening)

2 cups of water

1 cup of ice

1 cup of coconut water

2 tsp spirulina powder

1 tsp miso

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend for 2 minutes. 

Until mixture is completely smooth.

You want to enjoy it 15 to 45 minutes before a run. And it made about 3, 20 ounce servings. The greenness may look a little intimidating but it tastes yummy. Make it,  and go for a run. I swear it will speak for itself.

Happy Thirsty Thursday lovelies and I hope that you have some long{er} runs planned for the weekend!!