Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Stuffed Acorn Squash

Let us talked about food today. I know, i know this I post almost all about fashion most of the time but once in a while I do post something about food. I am a foodie, i love to cook and since thanksgiving is so happening this week, I thought I share this recipe with you that I get inspired by the recipe I found from Williams Sonoma(here), it is their roasted acorn squash with quinoa(keen-wah). If you are a fan of acorn squash, quinoa, a vegetarian or just wants to eat anything healthy and good for yah, then I encourage you to try it. This is stress free Thanksgiving for us, well for me mostly because we are going to my in laws and almost everyone already volunteer to bring the main dishes. Lucky me, all I need to bring are some side dishes. I don't discount the power of side dishes because they too play a big role on any meal. It can be a meal by itself !

Food is essential to our health and being and pretty much to fuel us enough energy to combat all the brave souls who shop till they drop as early as all the stores open. And since I do not have the exact ingredients the day I want to make the recipe, I mostly used what is available at home. It is the same execution but a little tweaking on the ingredients. It almost feels like I am on the Chopped show competitor that will cook what is only on the mystery basket. If you are an avid fan of the Food network channel and likes to watch the show "Chopped" then you know what I am blubbering about.


I hope you try it and enjoy these simple side dish on any day or on your up coming holiday gatherings.


Happy eating...
Happy Thanksgiving....

Thank you from the heart.
xoxo
Sam



Ingredients:

2 acorn squash squashes(cut in half, yields 4)
2 1/2 tbsp. olive oil(divided) + 1 tbsp butter(for extra yumminess)
Kosher salt, pepper to taste
1 cup of Quinoa
1 cup of corn
1 cup of red bell pepper
3 stalks of green onions
3 tbsp garlic
Shaved parmesan reggiano cheese(optional)
1 cup of red currants or raisins(optional)
fresh parsley for garnishing(optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut the squash in half, scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Drizzle 1/2 tbsp olive oil over the cut side down and season with salt and fresh ground pepper.

2. Place the half cut side down on the baking sheet(lined with foil for easy lean up) and roast for 15 minutes until slightly brown and fork tender. If not tender enough continue to roast for another 15 minutes. Set aside. 

3. Cook quinoa according to package directions. I washed my quinoa under cold running water placed in a colander. It is all up to you if you don't want to wash. 

4. Chop the veggies. Green onions(green/white parts), red bell pepper. If you want to add some raisins or currants too, chop it finely as well. 

5. In a skillet, heat the olive oil/butter. Add the green onions & garlic and saute until fragrant but not burnt. Add the frozen corn, red bell pepper and the raisins or currants.

6. When your Quinoa is done(make sure it is not watery), add to the sauteed mixture and season to taste. 

7. Stuffed your roasted acorn squash cavity with the sautéed mixture of vegetables and top with freshly shave parmegianno regianno cheese if you want.

8. Enjoy !

I hope you try it and enjoy these simple side dish on any day or on your up coming holiday gatherings.


Monday, November 24, 2014

OTK

 When this OTK(over the knee)boots trend first came out, I really wanted to try it but on the other hand I am quite intimidated. I procrastinate but I always keep it my mind. You know I am petite & that is something that I always take into consideration when dressing for my body type. An OTK boot I think is a trend that is unforgiving. Plus, the high heeled types has this stigma of a hooker/street walker look and a trend by choice. It's you like it or you don't. Luckily this trend has been coming back every Fall/Winter for the last few years and I gave it another try. My first one(see previous post here) was a low heel and have enjoyed it so much. Tall, sleek & great for lots and lots of walking. Since it is so trendy, I thought it was enough. I got the sleek look that I was looking for and do not want to fork too much on such a trendy piece until this one...... A high heeled, pointy, great details and affordable. All of a sudden I have the change of heart. While at the checkout counters browsing on a fashion mag, I saw this wallet friendly alternative. I gave in, order it anyway and now I can even be more happier.
Since the boots is an statement by itself, I keep the rest of the outfit pretty simple. I just let the boots do the talking. A subtle hint of color on a monochrome ensemble via this pastel vest adds another texture and another dimension to my whole look.
I think it is a perfect get up for a date night with my favorite man. 
What are your thoughts? Brutal or not, they are all acceptable by me :).
Happy Monday everyone.
Thank you from the heart.
xoxo
Sam
-Outfit-
{Dress: H&M(oldie), Vest: F21
OTK boots: Sam & Libby via Target, 
Sunnies: Old Navy, Clutch: Joy & Olivia, 
Love bangle: Sam Edelman, Rings: Asos}


Linking too with these lovely ladies for :
I do deClaire

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Out takes

The only complain I get from my husband about blogging is that he takes too many darn pictures. Well, it doesn't if he stops snapping these pictures below. These photos that never made to the blog until now.    My husband likes to take my pictures when I am at least anything but posey posey and sport his so called "fake smile". Say what???? I have a fake blogger smile? I didn't even know I do have. I can chew his head off but I will be nice because Santa wants me too, ha ha ha....
 On another thought, maybe I should ! 
Whether he likes it or not, he's involve in my blogging world because I refuse to use a remote control. Why would I when I know I can rely on him and my son to do it, well force favor or not- I will take it. 
Have a fun weekend everyone. Stay warm and comfy.
Thank you from the heart.
xoxo
Sam
Me and my son are playing around after the shoot, we're doing some silly dance. 
It doesn't surprise to me these on the bunch. 
And there goes the closed eyed pic. I've got many of these. I swear, I don't do it on purpose.
And there it is.... the staring from the unknown. I am actually looking at something and my husband thought it is my pose, lol.
He calls this my more natural and not camera conscious smile. 
Admit it other bloggers out there, you have done these too in your blog. Walking back & forth on the same place. Totally understandable to him. 
Aside from the dog photo bombing me, have no idea my husband was behind. My son didn't say a word. Found out after downloading the pictures. 
My payback and he will kill me for this !


Thursday, November 20, 2014

School girl

Hello everyone. How was your week so far? One more days till the weekend so I know that you can do it & survive this week's rut :). It was cold enough for me to wear this coat that I got on sale last year from Zara. Whenever they have sale, it becomes the death of me. They have trendy and nicely made pieces so whenever Zara marks down their prices, I take advantage. As for today's outfit, I wore this the other day and did not noticed until I check myself out in the mirror before we go. Hey self, channeling that inner school girl within you today? Yes, kind of ! Well sorta but minus the pony tails and the plaid. Ok, maybe no- not really..... I am just too cold and wearing the OTK boots instead of these knee highs is not flattering and dwarfs me(i think). And when you are not blessed with a super model height to boast then anything that will remotely make me look even shorter is a no go. 
Sorry, it's that short people syndrome.....:)
 However, I will still like to wear them OTK boots one day....
Stay warm and safe.
Thank you from the heart.
xoxo
Sam
-Outfit-
{Coat: Zara, Sweater: F21, Skirt: H&M, Shoes: 9West, 
Socks: Target: Sunnies: Tybe Island boutique, 
Necklace: Asos, Earrings: Candies for Kohls, Bag: TJMaxx}


Monday, November 17, 2014

Into the woods

Good Monday morning everyone. Taking some photos for the blog has been a real challenge lately. We are doing some updates around the house which takes lots of my time and there's this winter weather that slows me down with my day to day routine. I prefer to stay in bed if I can all day, warm & toasty under the covers. Well in reality that is not gonna happen because I have things to do, people to see and so on and on.... On a cold day like yesterday, a coffee in hand & a very cooperative little boy as my back up photographer makes everything flows smoothly. 
I love a good poncho. I adore them ! It is so comfortable in many ways you can imagine. Well, that may be overly dramatic but yes, it's really comfortable. And since I find myself obsessing with gray lately, you know it's a no brainer that this one came home with me.  
I even wear it to church(don't judge :)
As we are walking outside the church parking lot, my son asked? 
"Mom, what do you call what you're wearing? 
Me, a "poncho". 
Then he said, "the kind they wear at the village". 
"Me, what village? 
My son says in "Peru".
 Me. " how did you know? 
Son replied, "from the book I was reading
Ha, ha, ha.................
After church my son took these photos but as he gets closer and took his so called "favorite shots", we have these conversation again. 
"Mom, I know why dad fell in love with you & marry you" . 
Me,  why? 
Son, " I wouldn't tell because I am embarrassed to tell you.  
Me, "ok boo spit it out" . 
Because you are H.O.T. (he spelled it out!)
Ha ha ha.......... 
 I told my husband about it and me and him had a good laugh. 
Who knew that I can be a H.O.T villager from Peru. 

I hope you have a fantastic Monday.
Thank you from the heart.
xoxo
Sam
-Outfit-
{Poncho: Steve Madden, leggings: F21, Top: Gap, Boots: Halogen
Sunnies: Tybee Island boutique, Rings: Loren Stewart midi rings}




Linking up too with these lovely ladies for Confident Tuesday.


I do deClaire

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Elvis Paisley

It is not a typo error. You are reading it right ! To those Elvis Presley fans including me, I don't mean to offend or disrespect the King. When I thought about what the title for this post. I thought that it would be fun if I titled it Elvis Paisley. My husband says it is cheesy and yes it is really cheesy. But the things is I can be sure that there is no cheesy with this paisley dress. It is one of the most comfortable and the most effective outfit anyone should wear to a buffet function. Why? Because you can get away with stuffing yourself with food and the belly baby would not even show(trust me!). It is no way near a fall style inspiration as of yet but when the weather gets cooler I can swap my ankle sandals for more colder temp appropriate footwear  & some opaque stockings to combat colder days or a tall boots is also a good alternative. But how crazy it is that we are already in Fall and transitioning to Winter soon and I can still wear sandals !! Although this might be the last time but in sooner I can finally welcome cool, freezing, snow and polar vertex weather with an open arms :). 
Thank you from the heart
xoxo
Sam

-Outfit-
{Dress: AX Paris, Shoes: Michael Antonio, Bag: Target
Sunnies: Old Navy, Necklace/Ring: H&M, Cuff: Lucky Brand}