Category Archives: good food

Chili Chili Baby

Humming the Ice Ice Baby beat now…Holy Balls! Antz decided to make chili from scratch. I honestly didn’t have high expectations cause chili is made from the heart, you let it slow cook for hours, drench it in juices and simmer in seasoning and use a recipe passed down from generation to generation. That guy blew my socks off. Paired with my Jiffy cornbread *it was my first time making cornbread using jiffy* WOW! I hope someone invents smellovision cause our house smells amazing right now. The chili had the perfect consistency. Spicy, but not too spicy. Perfection. I had 2 bowls! He told me his secret was adding sausage and chorizo.

 

My attempt at a chili cornbread cupcake, it tastes better than it looks
I bought all these new spices
Secret recipe

 

 

 

Delish, delish, delish!! Antz wins at chili goodness.

Today Liv had a playdate with her best bud, Kieran. The plan was for them to ride their scooters but choosing a park as the location wasn’t so smart. Liv rode her scooter for about 48 seconds. She then ran, climbing and jumped for an hour straight. She wore me out. It’s funny how she rides the scooter in the house all day but the second I take her to ride outdoors she’s like, nah.

 

 

 

 

 

I love this photo, she is midair during a jump…she looks like she’s levitating!
Liv looks so long, like 4 feet tall!
Surfin’ Dude!
Happy Happy weekend!!

I scream for Sprinkles Ice Cream!!!

Yup, tomorrow Aimee, Liv and I are going to Sprinkles ICE CREAM opening! I hope the line isn’t as ridiculous as the Sprinkles ATM was.

 

WOO-HOO! I love Memorial day weekend, it kicks off summer season and Antz will be taking off a bunch of days next month. He’s taking next Friday off so he can come to Scruffin Rock class with us to celebrate Liv’s birthday. Did I mention I went to Surfas and bought a mini cake stand and icing spatulas?

That little guy is for the edges
I want mine to look like this one

Rainbow cake #rainbow #cake

 

I’ll be freezing the cake Friday night so Saturday I can frost it nice and smooth.

So besides her doll, I need to finish working on her 2nd year video and wrap her presents. I really hope my laptop cooperates with my camera cause I’m going to be taking thousands of pictures. Lately I’ve been uploading 5 at a time which takes forever but it’s the only way I’ll ensure to not get those lame black images. Next week I’m definitely taking my computer in for service *and the Nikon D3000 too!*

I got her Shutterfly Photobook in the mail yesterday. I love how it came out. I really like their new chalkboard style. You can see it online here. We plan to make a book every year!

Ni Hao!!

That’s hello in Chinese cause Liv & I are watching some Ni Hao, Kai Lan at the moment. I was too tired and frustrated to blog yesterday. We went to the fabric store in downtown and I stocked up on materials for Liv’s birthday present. I bought her this book and now I would love to make her a doll she can take to Paris too.

Kiki & Coco in Paris

I found a bunch of awesome fabric and stuffing. I made my own version of the Bloom Theory camera strap *mine cost $3.25* saved $116.75!!

Sunkissis via Instagram

We picked up my Mom from her house in LA and then we had dinner at Wurstküche. I was expecting it to be crowded but it wasn’t at all. My Mom loved it, she had the rattlesnake and rabbit too.

Best picture ever!!!

Did you see the solar eclipse yesterday? I took these shots, you can see the reflection of the crescent.

Disney Concert Hall
Just caught the lovely sunset

Our internet was down most of yesterday *we think due to the eclipse* which really ticked me off, I couldn’t even get internet on my phone so it held me up from working on Liv’s doll. I’ll try to work on it in the evenings while she’s asleep.
I had to drive back to our house to pick up Ching Ching *my Mom’s pug* and by the time I drove my Mom house it was 11:30! I’m still having trouble with uploading photos and I plan to take a ton of pictures for Liv’s birthday so I have to get this fixed soon. Nothing bums me out like technical issues.

Today my special shoes I ordered for Liv’s birthday arrived. Care for a peek…?

WAINBOWS!!!

The verdict

After some serious taste testing with regular milk and *chock milk* as Liv calls chocolate milk, Kieran and Olivia *along with Terry and I* have decided the rainbow cake is a hit. I used cream cheese frosting which looks yellowish so I didn’t have the crisp white I wanted but boy was it yummers.

 

We only ate half the cake so there will be plenty for the three of us in Palm Springs. Even though the slices are small, with so many layers, it’s filling. I’m stoked to try it again in 2 weeks. I may bake some mini cupcakes for her dance class since she’s going the Friday before her birthday, depending on how busy I’ll be prepping for our trip.

Today we went to Scruffin’ Rock and took a nice long walk after. Liv has been liking murals lately.

 

sunkissis via Instagram

 

 

I love how she’s intrigued by art *future museum curator*  Tomorrow we’re going to an art show opening that has like 8 of our talented friend’s art featured. It’s a Just Desserts theme which is more than appropriate.

I can’t believe it’s almost summertime! I am ready for new bedding and this Orla Kiely bedding set has my name all over it. I am still kicking myself for missing her homewares line at Target a couple of years ago so I may have to jump on this *with my 20% coupon, of course*

http://cdn.babble.com/family-style/files/2012/05/OrlaKielyBedBathandBeyond.jpg

As excited I am for June to get here, it’s gonna be a busy month. We are going to our friend’s Carlos & Stephanie’s baby shower, swimming lessons, Father’s Day and Antz birthday will keep me busy. Our nephew and niece are expecting a baby in June and Liv’s pre-school is having a Summer Serenade Morrocan Masquerade party. I will be making masks for the whole family.

This made me pee my pants!! Happy Weekend lovelies!

http://www.hulu.com/embed/dVuPd2wHJSbw-xJffoy_pw

Rainbow CAAAAAAAKE!

It’s on!

Rainbow cake
I have no clue how they made this guy
My first purple layer *I’m loving the food coloring*

I’m making mine a mere 6 layers thick. I’m using One Charming Party’s recipe so if it turns out lovely, I’ll attempt 8 layers for Liv’s birthday. MERDE!! Her birthday is 16 days from today.

Hopefully in 3 hours or so, I’ll have this pretty guy. I’ll be back with more pics later.

Rainbow Cake

 

Update…why oh why is my cake coming out so dark? Boo, the color is so vibrant and lovely in the bowl but when I bring it out of the oven, it’s darkness. I’m using the special super expensive cake grease I bought from the fancy schmancy Chef’s store. I suppose we’ll see when we cut into it.

 

Not very violet
What’s the secret to keeping it this color?
BOO!! my bright turquoise blue looks green

 

While I’m slaving away over a hot stove, the BFF is in the living room engrossed in the smut book!

50 Shades of Grey

I’m back and four and a half hours later, I have completed my cake. It’s pretty, I am definitely happy with it but thank goodness I did a trial run before her birthday. I found some things I need to tweak to get it perfect. Mainly, remember to measure each layer, I have some pretty wonky looking layers. I had to slice the green layer in half since it was much thicker than the rest. I also needed to use a dowel to keep it from becoming a leaning tower due to the crooked layers. I ran out of icing, so I didn’t frost the outside but I will freeze the cake the day before Liv’s birthday so it’s easier to frost. The tools I got from Surfas really came in handy. I was wary about spending so much but I’m glad I bought the professional grade stuff. I am thinking of going back to pick up one of the cake stands I drooled over but thought I could find an alternative for less at Macy’s. I browsed the Martha Stewart section on Friday and even with the 30% off sale, I didn’t love them as much as the ones at Surfas, yet the smallest one was $29. I’m not sure how often I’ll make cakes to invest in one yet.

My Top Chef loot
So pretty, I want a small white one *the small ones are on the far right*

Here’s the remainder of my rainbow cake making. As you can see it’s crooked and my banner is much too big but this was the largest circle cutter *4 inches, I would prefer 6 inches* they carried so I bought it.

 

 

the cakes were just a hair too small to cut out 2 circles

 

This part was fun cause the cutter is so precise and easy to use

 

 

the cake looks like a green hamburger

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voila!
I love you Olivia!

 

Liv was beyond excited to taste it

 

I’m telling you, Olivia loves being nude

 

It’s gonna be a rainbow extravaganza!

By the way, I used 2 boxes of vanilla cake and cream cheese frosting. The food coloring doesn’t change the taste at all. It was yummy and we have tons of excess left over. I think I’ll use buttercream frosting next time. It’s possible the cake came out darker due to the vanilla cake mix being yellow. I may just go with a white cake to keep the colors bright. The work was tedious and long but fun!

 

The First Day of Spring

Which also happens to be my 35th birthday. We met Terry, Morgan & Kieran at Legoland.

It’s been 13 years since we went to Legoland on opening day *my 22nd birthday* and sadly the legos didn’t hold up well. They were sunfaded and dusty.
 Miniland

 Star Wars Miniland

This kid sucked at driving
They loved this ride

Liv is trying to give the peace sign
What a curious face
 We checked out the Legoland Sea Life Aquarium


Once again, my camera blows
Daddy kisses
I am totally serious, the restaurant Terry & Morgan took me to for my birthday dinner was called MISO HARNEY!!! Love it
Thanks guys for the yummy grub
Liv was going in for a kiss, Kieran was too fast for her
Tempura strawberries
I’ll help myself to some of that
Hubs and Olivia surprised me with this yummy birthday cake

I got my lovely present from Antz. I love it soo much!! Thank you, sweetie

Quincy ipad case
Thanks to my BFF for the Anthropologie giftcard

***I don’t want to toot my own horn or nothing but this so happens to be my 700th post, Say whaaaa?!

Glitterama

I am now covered from head to toe in orange glitter. Our gorgeous $8 Lowes pumpkin

 But it’s worth it, right?

 

 

 

 

 

 

While Antz was putting up the decorations, I was bored, so I started doodling…

 

I’m a dork, I know…
Yesterday we visited the Los Feliz Doctor Murder Mansion.

 

Even in daylight, the house feels super creepy. It’s been vacant since 1959!! I didn’t tell Antz the gruesome story until after we took these because I knew he wouldn’t want to get out of the car

 

I love spooky houses!!

 

After going to the Silverlake Craft Fair I use the term fair loosely.

 

 

I was digging this wig, but sadly it was not for sale.

 

 

 

 

This booth had some cute hairbows and jewelry.

 

 

 

 

This Mötley Crüe tank had Aimee’s name all over it!

 

I would rock this Prince tank like, for sure!
Muu-muu heaven

 

 

I really want a faux fur hat but this one was a tad too small, and I have a grape size head!

 

Awwww snap!!

 

Members Only! You know you want to join!!

 

As we were headed out I noticed this lovely Horsey cardi that was reminiscent of The Dude.

 

Too bad I spent all the cash we had or else it would have come home with me and my wonky boobs.

 

It was quite sparse if you compare it to the awesomeness of the Renegade Craft Fair but I did find a macrame booth. Holy Shizz, I was so excited and guess who’s booth it was?? Kenny my teacher from the hanging plant holder class!!
Perfect!! All measured and precut with the beads and instructions. I love it!
I am so excited to make my next plant holder. I am planning on teaching my own class with my Crafty Ladies club!
This morning I made blueberry-lemon pancakes *from scratch*

 

 

 

 

 

 So yummy!!
Then we had our Skype date with Evelyn & Dion. So much fun!!

They taught us to say “Coca por el culo” but I am certain I’m saying that totally wrong. Adios Amigos!!

PS I need to get back into regular posting, these once a week posts are getting to be very time consuming!

Zipping right along my Summer Fun List

This weekend was super busy. Friday night we drove out to Apple Valley to my Mom’s *for her birthday weekend* and Saturday we went to the Hesperia Zoo. What zoo you say? Believe it or not there is a quasi-zoo in the desert *all the animals looked fucking hot* I swear I saw a camel fanning himself. So Liv was able to pet a deer, sheep and llamas so petting zoo is done. We were pretty impressed that the lion *Aslan* was the actual one that starred in The Chronicles of Narnia.

 

 

 

 

They should have named it the Random Animals Zoo, why wouldn’t you see a reindeer in 100 degree weather?

Okay, this tiger was awesome but some asshole kid kept taking photos and smiling at him when the tour guide was like leave him alone, he isn’t liking it. Dude thought she wasn’t talking to him and he made the tiger growl and lunge at the fence. My heart was in my froat. It was scary, I instantly knew what the guys in the Hangover felt like because that tiger was enormous!! That fence no longer looked strong enough to “hold rhinos” as the tour guide told us.

 

She was not inside, she was outside feeding him raw chicken

YIKES!

 

The baboon was hilarious

 

Lemurs!

 

I’m sure you can’t see him but the Hollywood lion was laying on his back. The tour guide said most of the animals laid around all day conserving their energy from the heat. She said the lion roars every morning and every night because he’s a muthafucking gangsta!

 

 

That night we all made delicious gumbo for my Mommy’s birthday dinner.

My First Official Mother’s Day *for real this time*

Last year, I sort of was a Mommy because I was 8 months preggers although extremely stressed to max over our Bebe Shower and the garage roof repair. I don’t even remember what we did on Mom’s day last year but I guess that’s what this blog is for. I opened my Mommy’s day gift and to my surprise my lovely husband bought the necklace I spazzed out about at Spitfire Girl.

I love your guts with a REAL RUBY!!
It’s unbelievably stellar!!

 

He had it engraved but there’s a funny inside story behind it *sorry just between us* Liv and Antz made me a yummy breakfast in bed.
After my breakfast, I went to pick up my Mom *in LA* and Antz picked up some ingredients to make his Famous crunchy chicken tacos. We ate tacos for dinner and drank champagne while I downloaded some files to my Mom’s ipod *we gave her audiobooks for Mothers day*
We watched Salt *boo, lame* and Exit Through the Gift Shop on Netflix. I’ve now made my Mom a Banksy fan. She wants someone to do graffiti on her house in Apple Valley *yep, my Mom is pretty cool*
So this morning I drove my Mom home and dropped off Liv at my MIL’s while I went to acupuncture. I talked to Sarah about the headshot photoshoot and she recommended we do them at the Los Angeles Arboretum. Wowzers! Extremely rad location!! Now I have to figure out what the heck is she going to wear. I am super excited to send her headshots to the casting agent Gilli hooked me up with. I sort of wish Liv could meet them in person so they could get a first hand look of her personality.
Sorry, I know I am overdoing it with the wings but I LOVE them!!
**BREAKING NEWS**

Whilst at my Mom-in-laws house, Liv decided today was the day for walking. She did it a bunch of times. I am pretty sure it’s the carpet. Now I have to find her some cute saddle shoes *not like my giant Frankenstein-sized shoes*

I was sobbering like an idiot! I must be the only one who did NOT want her to walk. I am happy, don’t get me wrong, but the sooner she walks the sooner she’ll be running all over the place. I suppose the bright side is she’ll be needing hard soled shoes and I am loving these from Livie & Luca.

Smell ya later!

Sminko De Mayo

I wasn’t even aware it was May 5th. Time is irrelevant for this Busy Bee Mommy. Today Godmommy Aimee came over and we had a busy day of running around. We went to Target *had a blast in there and spent much more than I should have, even with $20 in coupons!*

Me and Aimee were cracking up at this shit. She bought some for Holden cause she’s GHETTOOO!

We seriously considered buying this cupcake pinata but we didn’t

 

Ugh, check out this super hot mess!!
So not cute, Liv is a Pampers Sensitive girl!!
We headed over to Little Tokyo
Liv was out for naptime

 

 

Aimee took me to Tenno for Mom’s Day sushi feast!!

 

 

She ate yummy sushi *don’t panic, it was bananas*

 

 

 

 

 

 

We went to Spitfire Girl and, of course, Aimee loved everything in there. I want her to buy this guy!

 

After pulling her from the store we went to Potted *a fabulous shop in Atwater Village* so I could buy her Mother’s Day present.

 

So many lovely things, we love this store

 

 

Happy Mother’s Day Bestie!!

 

So I’m finally home. I picked up the school application from Dr. Wang so it’s all finished and tomorrow morning I’m submitting it and paying $50 to put her on the waitlist. I am saying a prayer, rubbing a rabbit’s foot and wishing she will get in next April with no dramarama. Now I need to start making her pom poms for the big day!!