Bright Weekend

My weekend started off perfectly. Half a day of work on Friday followed by the Drake concert later that night and friends visiting. Perfecto! We spent most of the weekend in D.C. We've been sight seeing, eating and galavanting through town. I love it when we have visitors because we get to do some of our favorite things but we also get to experience new things. This weekend we went on the DCDuck tour which was a new, fun way of seeing the city. Another new experience was visiting the Library of Congress. I cannot believe I've never been before. The Thomas Jefferson exhibit is so inspiring! The little traveled Jefferson read to experience the things his well travelled counterparts had experienced first hand. It was amazing. Since we spent most of our days outdoors it was important that I dress comfortably but also wear clothes to keep me cool. It was 90 degrees outside! Friday night I chose to wear a cut out dress from ASOS for the concert and drinks with friends afterwards. The rest of the weekend I wore cotton and silk. Did you know silk is porous? So wearing silk in the summer emits the sweat and heat from your body keeping you cool. Also, because it absorbs moisture it keeps you warm in winter. It's a good insulator.  I've learned to incorporate it into my wardrobe. Even though silk may seem expensive it's a good investment in my opinion because it's such a high quality material that has great properties. The best thing about it is you can wear it year round and for any occasion. So the next time you put down that fabulous silk top please reconsider! My neon theme was accidental!

Asos cut out dress.  YSL sandals

DVF silk top.  J. Crew shorts.. Miu Miu sandals. Fendi purse

Naven silk dress.  Betsey Johnson belt

BCBG silk top. J. Crew shorts.  DVF sandals

O.K.

Have I mentioned V is Greek?  Our kids will be Greexican.  There is so much culture for them to learn and absorb. I can't wait! I've had the pleasure of vacationing in Greece and I love it! Athens, Mykonos, Nafplion, Crete, Ketakolon and Santorini. All amazing.  And of course I've been to Mexico and I love it.  One of my favorite things about Greeks is how proud they are of their culture just like Mexicans. Have you seen the movie "My Big fat Greek Wedding"? You know how the dad is always telling everyone every word is derived from the Greek language? Well, when we were in Athens V's uncle tells me: "you know the word "OK" originates from the Greek phrase Ola Kala". Which translates into everything will be all right. Which makes perfect sense even though no one can say for sure where OK originates from. I for one will accept V's uncle's explanation because all the other OK assumptions sound lame!  Back in the late 1800's when the railroads were being built across the U.S.many of the Greek railroad workers were asked if everything was fine.  They would respond back with "ola kala" and of course became an acronym "ok".  If text messaging existed back then I'm sure they would have claimed they invented acronyms. In homage to our Greek heritage I decided to make V's favorite Greek dessert, Kataifi.  I was so nervous but in the end it turned out delicious.  I purchased all the ingredients at the local grocery store except the Kataifi filo dough, which I purchased from the Greek grocery store.  Whole Foods carries it sometimes as well.  If you'd like to test your baking skills here's a link for a simple recipe on how to create this delicious dessert!

http://www.ultimate-guide-to-greek-food.com/kataifi.html

Final product

Filling

Kataifi filo dough

Making the syrup

Soaking in syrup

Almatini

Did I ever tell you my secret passion for mixology? Well, now you know. Sometimes I pretend I'm a bartender and make drinks for V. I wanted to hire a bartender for his birthday party but he vetoed the proposal so it was up to me to conjure all the drinks.  I came up with the best drink.  Ever.  Maybe not ever but it's still pretty good.  I am not sure if I invented the drink per say as I am sure there's one out there that's very similar but for the purpose of this blog post I'll say I invented it.  I have called it an Almatini because well, I am slightly narcissistic.  The recipe is quite simple.  It involves mixing (chilled) peach vodka, with simply lemonade's mango lemonade and a dash of pineapple juice.  Just a dash of pineapple or else the pineapple takes over.  The taste resembles that of a lychee martini and it is sweet so if you don't like sweet don't try it.  I garnished mine with blue berries because I like blueberries but mango or any other fruit will work too.  Enjoy a luxury cocktail at home without paying a fortune at the bar or have at your next gathering.  Maybe I did invent it because I can't imagine a bar carrying mango lemonade.  Frozen is really yummy too just blend it with ice the same way you would make a smoothie.

Watching the lbs.

As many of you know I've been on a quest for physical fitness that I believe will help me keep a sound body and mind.  :).  It is so hard to find tasty, healthy recipes that are fast and easy to make.  I usually get home around 8 PM and the last thing I want to do is cook an elaborate dinner.  My hubby and I have gotten used to cooking together now.  It's fun.  I know, when did I become the domestic type? Anyway, I'd like to share a recipe that is tasty, healthy and easy to make: garlic, marinated tilapia.  We buy our fish fresh so everyday V stops by the grocery store to buy fish or chicken.  I'm avoiding beef, remember?  The recipe is very straight forward.  While you preheat the oven to 400 degrees you can make the marinade.  The actual recipe involves 1 tablespoon of butter but we substituted it with light butter.
Marinade
1 tablespoon of  light butter
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 teaspoon of parsley flakes
1 teaspoon of garlic salt
1/2 a squeezed lemon

Melt butter in micro wave for 9 seconds, then mix all the ingredients above together.
Spray baking dish with PAM.
Rinse tilapia fillet under cold water.
Pour marinade over fillets and sprinkle a bit of cayenne pepper and salt.  Bake for 13 minutes. Then broil for 3 minutes (optional if you like it a bit crispy).  If not bake for 15 minutes.
DONE! :)

Our sides included a garden salad and steamed veggies.  V always makes our dressings.  Here's a simple recipe for his vinaigrette: Mix olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano flakes, salt and pepper.  That's it! Pretty simple right?

Nart

That's short for nail art not ninja fart.  Nail art has been trending a lot lately in the world of instagram and fashion blogs so I decided to give it a go.  One of my friends sells Avon so two weeks ago I bought some nail polish and gem apliques.  Today I decided to try it out.  I used two coats of Avon's nailwear pro in Fuschia Fun and I applied the gems.  It's super easy.  Just apply the gems with tweezers while the nail polish is still somewhat wet.  Not too wet and not completely dry: sticky.  Then I applied two coats of clear nail polish.  What do you think? Should I consider a career change?!

Bad girl

Ugh. I have this love hate relationship with my weight. Part of me loves food and wants to eat all day the other part wants to be Kate Moss skinny. It's so hard to find a happy medium. I weigh 121 (previously 132) thanks to Shakeology and a regularly scheduled work out.  I feel so much better about myself but it's so hard.  I have to concentrate on a well balanced diet 6 days out of the week and on the 7th: splurge! Except this weekend I gave myself 2 days. Ooops. I was craving soft serve ice cream so I had to get some. I was also craving nachos so I HAD to make some and we went to the Greek festival so I HAD to eat a gyro. Next week I'll be better. I just want to be and feel healthy that's what it's all about. When I eat crappy food I feel sluggish,irritable and sad. When I feel crappy I cry, I don't wear make up and I wear sweats all day. No one wants to see that so here's to next week and a better lifestyle! Cheers. I also had the best flan! I must remember: one day a week, only one day!!!!