Paleo Dinners

I wanted to share a few recent dinners that were big successes. Eating healthy doesn't have to be bland (and yes, I consider eating bacon to be 'healthy'). While I don't follow the paleo lifestyle completely, I do end up eating paleo meals a lot of the time. 

Bacon wrapped scallops over sauteed kale and mashed sweet potatoes:

This is a very easy dinner to make! To make the scallops, cook the bacon in a pan, let cool, then wrap the bacon around each scallop and secure with toothpicks. sprinkle the scallops with pepper, then cook them in the same pan as the bacon was cooked in, with some squeezed lemon on top. Cook on each side for two minutes. And voila! 

Cauliflower and almond flour crust pizza:

I have tried making cauliflower crust pizzas before, and they always turned out a bit soggy, which isn't ideal, especially for someone who loves a crispy crust! I tried mixing equal parts mashed cauliflower with almond flour, 3 eggs and some oregano for this pizza and it worked. Most cauliflower/almond flour pizza crust recipes will tell you to bake the crust alone for 10-15 minutes, add your toppings, and then put it back in the oven for another 10-15 minutes. If you like your crust to be crispy, bake the crust alone for 30 minutes @ 350, and then add your toppings and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

Red Curry shrimp with cauliflower fried "rice":

On a low carb day, I made this delicious red curry shrimp and cauliflower fried "rice". To make the shrimp, cook raw shrimp with coconut oil in a pan. Remove, then heat 2 tablespoons of coconut cream and 1 teaspoon of red curry paste together. Add chopped red bell peppers, basil, and garlic until the mixture bubbles. Add in shrimp and you're done! The cauliflower rice is so easy to make, and takes much less time to prepare than real rice. Chop cauliflower into gold ball (or smaller) size pieces and put into a blender or food processor and chop until it becomes a rice consistency. This only takes about 5 seconds in the food processor--you don't want it to be too fine. Add some coconut oil in a pan and cook the cauliflower for 3-5 minutes. Add chili paste, gluten free soy sauce, 2 scrambled eggs, and peas.

Spring 2013 Hair Color

A color update for Spring is much needed (at least for me). I am beyond bored with my hair color--it's time for a change! While perusing Pinterest for color inspiration, I searched for celebrity's with coloring (skin and hair) similar to mine and I came up with some fun ideas for Spring hair color. You can view my "Hair" board here. My hair is a light-medium brown right now and has no dimension. The last time I had it colored was before my wedding (just a dark gloss) after I tested my poor hair with a myriad of colors (platinum, orange (not on purpose), dark brown, and auburn). I think I've held off on doing any color for so long because I've finally gotten my hair to its *almost* natural color, which had been a feat of mine for some reason. I'm personally not feeling the severe ombre trend, but face framing and blended highlights instead. I will be bringing some of these photos to the salon for my color appointment next week:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

{all photos from Pinterest}

How do you ladies feel about ombre vs. blended highlights?

I will be sure to do an update with my new hair next week!

Great Gatsby Style

1. All Saints 2. All Saints 3. Knitted gold beaded dress-not available 4. J. Crew Double Tassel Necklace 5. Accessorize Beaded Clutch 6. Stella McCartney Trousers 7. Liberty Ring 8. Gucci Heels

The roaring 20's are back again--in the fashion world, that is. With The Great Gatsby coming out on May 10, I've been inspired by all of the beautiful deco inspired pieces out right now. I'm loving these decadent, ultra feminine pieces and plan to incorporate vintage inspired pieces into my wardrobe this Spring. Are you loving The Great Gatsby style for Spring?

See It Through

Clear heels aren't just for strippers anymore. Once reserved for sky high platform heels, lucite and plastic have become mainstream for Spring 2013, and the heels have lowered for a more modest look. I am loving the trend, and just purchased the top left pair from Forever 21 for $27.80--a lookalike of the Manolo Blahnik pair for $600 less. From top left to right: Forever 21, Diane Von Furstenberg, Lanvin, Jeffrey Campbell, Manolo Blahnik, and Lanvin.

What do you think of clear heels? Will you be rocking them this Spring?

Wine Tasting Outfit & Some Of My Favorite Napa Wineries

At Mumm Napa. Top: Kain. Similar here//Skirt: Forever 21//Shoes: Target. Similar here//Sunglasses: House Of Harlow//

I don't consider my choice to wear white wine tasting to be a smart decision, but I am glad I left with no spills. I can't say the same for my friend who also wore white. Anyway, wear white at your own risk and bring Wine Away! It is a MAJOR lifesaver. 

Mumm Napa patio area 

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Enjoy the beautiful patio overlooking the vineyard at Mumm while sipping on a bubbling flight (or two)!

Cakebread Cellars

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Cakebread has a great wine tasting layout. When you visit, you'll take a tour of the winery and learn about the wine making process as you sip their wines at different stations along the tour. Cakebread is a great place to start out your day wine tasting. Their Cabernet is pretty amazing, probably my favorite I've tried so far in the Napa Valley.

Castello Di Amorosa

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If you want a grandiose wine tasting experience, you must go to Castello Di Amorosa. And if you have two hours to spare, the tour of the castle is so interesting and uber beautiful. Each piece of brick came from Europe, and the castle boasts a chapel (where mass is held every Sunday), a drawbridge, defensive towers, a knight's chamber, and a torture chamber (with an authentic 300 year old iron maiden among other devices). If you don't have time for a tour, you can still roam some of the grounds on your own and enjoy a tasting. 

My absolute favorite sweet wine. Late Harvest Gewurtztraminer. 

What are your favorite wine tasting destinations?