Weekend Update with Seth Meyers (well, Weekend Update)

Sea Isle city is completely packed.  And made for the 21 year old community.  But we went anyway.  It was the most crowded beach I have ever been on by far but as soon as you are laying out under the sun you could care less.  Yesterday I went with a few girlfriends to catch rays and drinks on a quick day trip.  I've been to Ocean City a bunch already this summer and we are heading to Atlantic City Friday so we wanted to switch it up.  We were happy when we were reminded there are young kids pushing carts yelling FUDDDGGGEY WUDDGGEY....now you just don't get that on the other beaches.  Being the entrepreneurs we are, we suggested they start carrying beers incognito and charging $5 a pop, they would kill! I haven't had a Popsicle in forever and this had pieces of strawberry in it.  We caught up on our research (us and in touch magazine) and discussed the efficiency of Match.com.

My gift from the Fudgey Wudgey Boy

 As people packed into the OD (Ocean Drive) we were too busy falling in love with the DJ to notice.  Now I am not talking about physically; I am talking about his choice of music.  While we knew we were entering the town of 21-25 being the majority age, he was playing the beats of our high school years and we were loving it. 

Lucky us just in time for $5 happy hour $3 refill Sweet Tea Vodka

I was so exhausted when I came home I hit the old lady button and showered and crashed early.  I slept in today for the first time in forever but I couldn't lay around.  With my crazy schedule this upcoming week I have a ton that had to get done.  This would be normal boring Sunday chores of laundry, unpacking/packing, cleaning and blah blah.  I got most of it done and went to see this !cute face! before heading to the grocery store....

The monsoon that hit Audubon today happened just in time for my grocery trip but I can't complain: I saw someones car stuck in a flooded section of the shopping center, she was having a much harder day then me.  The rain slowed up my plans and I was starving by the time I got home so I wanted something quick, thankful for the pre-made rotisserie chicken, what a good idea.

Quick steamed broccoli

Made my own quick dressing (and enough for the week) Balsamic, splash of EVOO, sea salt & pepper, scoop of Dijon mustard and if you have it around, finely chopped garlic (you can do with or without) Healthier then a bottled version and SO much better.

Left over Rotisserie chicken put to lunch this week.

After dinner it was apparent the rain wasn't letting up and my entire house was perfectly clean, so it was time to bake.  This recipe is one of my favorite and it is from the website ElanasPantry.Com, which I think is one of the best Gluten Free/Sugar Free sites around. Chocolate Chip Banana Cake:

First bowl: *3 cups blanched almond flour *1/2 teaspoon sea salt*1 teaspoon baking soda
Second Bowl:1/4 cup grape seed oil, 3 large eggs, 1/4 agave, 1 tablespoon vanilla
Third Bowl: 2-3 very ripe Bananas, mashed
Mix together, Add cacao chocolate chips *I do almost a cup. Bake for 35 minutes

To stay productive while it was baking I mixed together this bath tub cleaning spray I pulled from Pintrest.  Best way to clean your bathroom tub by far, I will never buy a tub cleaning product again!

Same parts Dawn Liquid Soap & Vinegar, heat in micro quickly and dump into spray bottle.  Spray on tub, let sit for 15 minutes and wipe away.  Your tub will never look so shiny.

All this and the cake was done just in time to set up for Sunday HBO: True Blood & News Room *my personal opinion of best shows on TV right now.

Feeling productive.  Was your kitchen getting any bake love on this rainy day?

Breakfast today

The weather is perfect today in Strathmere, NJ. Its about 82' and there is a soft warm breeze off the ocean. I grew up vacationing in Ocean City and I am surely a OCNJ girl, but Strathmere is growing on me. Its more peaceful and less crowded here, you can hear your thoughts. There is no fight on the beach for a spot and you aren't squeezed in byob style to the next family. No one is bothering you about beach tags, or your pitchers of alcohol at the bottom of your towel.  Last night around 1am we could actually see a group of people making a fire on the beach from our deck. I haven't seen that since Daytona Beach spring break. I may be changing my mind about where I want to settle my future beach house. 

 To start the morning I made  the "frozen cappuccino" recipe from my vitamix guy. It's a great way to sneak carrots and spinach into your morning. 2 cups of almond milk, 1/4 cup agave, 1tbs cacao, 1tbs instant coffee, 3 cups of ice and any veggies you want to disguise. It absolutely tastes like coffee and you won't taste whatever you throw in. I had two organic eggs and 2 pcs of bacon as well. I need a breakfast that will hold me over all day on the beach. 

Almost forgot to snap the pic

Looch helping with breakfast 

Today's view, no fog in sight

I am posting this blog from a lounge chair  with that view, so grateful. Have a great day!

Vacation!!!

Good morning Strathmere island! On vaca with the fambam, get to wake up to this face every morning!

It's overcast right now but I totally expect that to lift so we can all go out and play. 

View from bed

Foggy now but not for long

Made over easy eggs and smoothie for everyone to try. Above: spinach, pineapple, strawberry, hemp seed and ice. I think the color scared them at first until they tried it and then they were surprised. I have a request for something with banana tomorrow. 

On the boards last night celebrating....

Baby sis getting engaged! 

Thrifty Finds

You know how every time you go in a Target for one item you get to the counter and your total is always $100- something, and you think to yourself, "what did I just buy??"
I do that every time I walk into a Marshals/Home Goods.  EVERY TIME. So I have to limit this action.  I love the saying "only have things in your home you find beautiful or useful."  I hate clutter, but I find so many things I love!  Below are my most recent purchases ------->

So when I first came across the bags I carried them both around for awhile, trying to decide which to get.  My thought was that they would be perfect for work as I could easily slip my Ipad and file folders right in.  I thought the tan made the most sense because it was better suited for summer and fall. But I loved the black as well and I really wanted to have it for the winter.  As any home goods shopper knows everything is a one time buy, now or never..so after carrying them around I decided, on both!

I'm having a little backyard party in a few weeks for my girls and I wanted to find a few more things to light the yard.  This was perfect.  

AAA light them up, so I can also drape different flowers or leaves depending on the season and not worry about starting a fire.

Paleo Mug Cake

Sometimes a girl just craves some chocolate..or wine..or Italian..but tonight I was craving something chocolate.  I didn't want to  completely blow the gym time I had earlier but I knew a yogurt wouldn't cut it.  Last week I was printing out some recipes I wanted to eventually get around to trying, but I kept throwing them in a folder that was turning into no mans land.  I remembered there was a "mug cake" so I went searching through the pages of over confidence in my free time to cook and found it.  I originally found this recipe through Pintrest, it links back to the blog: www.thewannabechef.net.  Lots of yummy ideas can be found. Here is the link for the recipe: http://www.thewannabechef.net/2011/12/02/paleo-mug-cakes/
It only has 5 ingredients that I always have on hand.  I also threw some crushed walnuts in which I highly recommend.

I could only eat half, it was filling.  So I think you could make one cup for two people to kick a craving. I wanted to have a little green tea with it as well, so I have to share my adorable coffee mug,,

One of the mugs from Loochies 1st birthday <3

                                   Another Pintrest project. Modge Podge on small tiles                                                                                    

I love coasters. I bought these down the shore.

Lazy morning breakfast

Today I woke up not feeling well. I smacked the snooze button one too many times and slowly rolled out of bed. My breakfast had to take 5 seconds.

I grabbed a coconut milk strawberry flavored yogurt and a bunch of almonds. The lemon was because I felt a sore throat coming on so I plan to have it in the office today with hot water. 

I wasnt in the mood to accessorize. The skirt and top are from the limited and I threw the first long necklace on the rack on. 

Work heels from Nine West 

Pretty sure this could be a Forever 21 or Charlotte Russe random pick up. 

Quick sneak peek of my buddy last night 

Hungry Man breakfast

Good thing I had a little more time today because I woke up hungry 

I had some left over chicken sausage from dinner. (Organic and an animal welfare 4 score at Wholefoods) I threw in some fresh asparagus and in a small separate pan cracked an egg (organic/carefree), couple slices of "o" apple. 

What I have been using lately on my eggs

This should give me the energy I need to hit 4 straight meetings before noon. Have a great day!

Loving this green color for summer.

My baby sister is having a baby girl!

After being blessed with two beautiful nephews the family was thrilled to hear we could buy pink in the future! The big reveal was Monday night and we can't wait for Stella to join our crazy crew. 

The fellas ;)

Hump day

Wednesday breakfast quick smoothie. 

Frozen banana, Strawberries, Almond Milk and Hemp Seed for protein. 

Dress by Calvin Klein. Michael Kors Watch, Ann Taylor red ring, Express Necklace. 

Off to make the green that pays for the play. Excuse the mess in the home office!

Quick Breakfast

Quick breakfast thrown together today. I keep cut up onion and pepper in the fridge because I use it for so many things and lets be honest if it wasn't pre cut it would probably end up thrown away!

Two organic eggs for a protein boost and turkey.   Took 10 min before my rush to work. #noexcuse

While I was waiting for it to cook I also tossed things in my blender so I would have a smoothie for later this afternoon. 

I don't know why but kale keeps longer in glass jars so I keep a few servings ready in the fridge. 

I add hemp seed as my protein of choice. Always add protein to fruit smoothies. 

Ready to go in 2 minutes. Don't mind the color the pineapple and strawberry are what you taste!

3 Generations say Hello to Mexico!

This trip tells me I am truly blessed.  We were coming up on my beautiful Grandmothers 80th Birthday and my mother and I decided to take her to Mexico to celebrate.  This was a once in a life time trip to get three generations together on a plane for an adventure.  Many of the stories that will make us laugh so hard we would cry are private, but I can still tell you, if you have any chance for a trip like this, TAKE IT! If a picture could paint 1,000 words....

I had a limo pick gram up in style for the airport, it was an 80th Birthday after all!

Mexico celebrating the Dawn of the Dead

pictures with the resort monkey

pool time with Gram

getting ready for dinner...

the breakfast before the breakfast on our balcony

Add caption

She is hilarious to go out with, never a dull moment.  Doing 80 well!

Having her steak and lobster dinner!

ladies lounging

Beautiful mommy

Last dinner 

Last day visiting Playa Del Carmen for some shopping and goofing around

I'm telling you, she is a blast!

Just another day in paradise

So gram does not "swim" in the pool, but she loves the "swim up" bar, so she rides in style

boo to going home

laughing this hard is good for the soul

getting silly on the plane

Valentin Imperial, Mexico

yikes to the look, but what a great trip to the last minute on the plane ride home