Improvise.

A good cook always has secrets. My secret is to improvise! Don't think that I am crazy, but one day a couple of years ago I was watching Everyday Italian on the Food Network by myself and Giada made this awesome looking pasta. I didn't have time to get a pen and paper so I just watched her and thought I would be able to remember all of the ingredients. Needless to say, I went to the grocery store a couple of days later to make the pasta. I got back home, and realized, I had bought pancetta instead of prosciutto, Parmesan instead of mozzarella, and completely spaced off the basil!

Well, since I still had some asparagus left over from the other night, I thought what can I make with it so it doesn't seem like we just ate it earlier this week? Ah-ha, I remembered Giada's recipe from a long time ago that I never got around to making! I was so excited because I had all of the ingredients, except the spaghetti. Shoot. Luckily, I had Rotelle noodles, and to be honest, I think they looked a lot prettier than the spaghetti would have.


If you'd like to try making this lovely pasta, you can find the recipe here. It's wonderful, it took about two years in the making ;)

Slumdog Millionaire.

I love watching movies. I could do it all day long. Joseph doesn't get it, but the funny thing is that I usually always end up buying the ones I see because something about each one inspires me. I was originally going to blog about twilight, but during my blogging "break", Joseph and I watched Slumdog Millionaire. If you haven't seen it, cancel whatever you are doing this very second and go see it right now. It is beautiful. I can see why it won Best Picture by the Academy. All I have to say is, Roger Ebert from the Chicago Sun-Times, was completely correct in stating that "This is a breathless, exciting story, heartbreaking and exhilarating at the same time..."



As for that other movie... oh yea, twilight, I liked it a lot. It's probably on my list to buy but not before getting Slumdog Millionaire. I can hardly stand waiting for it to come out on DVD. Watch it and then call me and tell me how much you loved it!

Tocca.

I recently have become obcessed with the scent Florence by Tocca Candles. I originally got one for Carolyn for Christmas and she loved it. I didn't really get a chance to get the full of effect of it because we moved shortly after but she got me one for my birthday! Joseph got sick of my Journey of the Bee Candle (which is also one of my favorites) so he started burning the Tocca. It is a-mazing. The scent it beautiful and literally breath taking. If you live in Des Moines, eden in the place to go, in San Diego I am pretty sure Saks has them. I wish you could scratch and sniff through the computer!

Designer Alert.

Last night, Allison and I did another Fashion Show Event for Collide at the Ruby Room, "where Art meets Fashion". We had three designers, none of which I was a particular fan of, but that's my personal opinion. To give you an idea, one of the labels was Trashy Klassy. It was pretty much a line of semi-slutty ripped up shirts, but the designer was super sweet. The one designer that still sticks out in my mind as one of my favorites is PetraO, from my first Ruby Room/Collide Event. She's very Fashion Forward, and I think that is what I like about her. Of course you'd probably get some strange looks wearing her clothing to the grocery store, but it's very artistic and when dressing the models, you can see how much attention she pays to detail. I love it!

Dinner Party Idea.

Joseph took this picture with my phone and I set it as my background because I liked it so much. It's actually a setup they had at Anthropologie. I'd love to have this in my dining room some day or I even think it would be great for a dinner party! I miss having them.

Asparagus. Prosciutto. Rice.

If you haven't had prosciutto before, try it with something! A while ago I bought some and had it go bad because I forgot to use it. Shoot! But, Erica was over the other night and she was telling me how much Chris (Her Fiance) loves it, so I thought I should give it another go.



I had some asparagus on hand so I thought I could use both. The Food Network is usually my "go-to" place when I have ingredients that I want to use together but I'm not sure exactly what to do with. I found a great recipe by Giada DeLaurentis here.



It turned out great! Joseph didn't think that he would get full or like it very much but he did! It seemed somewhat healthy :) I made some delicious brown rice, too. I used to not be crazy about brown rice, but now I love it. To add some flavor, I saute freshly minced garlic and a little yellow diced onion with oil with the rice before adding chicken stock. Yummmm!

KiWi.

Have you ever heard of KiWi? Well, the first time I had been to one of their boutiques in St.Barth's was a few years ago and I LOVED it. They have the cutest shorts and bathing suits, in my opinion. Carolyn (Joseph's Mom) usually buys me one every time she goes in January, but since we went this month, I picked out a new one! Tell me what you think...

Spicy Pickle.

Yesterday, I had a day off from all my various jobs so Joseph and I decided to go out for a while and enjoy the beautiful day. We drove over to North Park and started walking around but then remembered that one of our favorite little boutiques, Station, was having a sale! We got back in the car and drove down to Little Italy to take advantage, however, found nothing. Oh well. We needed to grab lunch so we went to the Spicy Pickle. We'd seen it quite a few times but had never been in. They had panini's, pizzas, and subs. We shared a panini. Overall, it wasn't that great but our friend Erica told us to give it another try but next time having a pizza, I'll let you know what I think after my second attempt, for now, enjoy the logo, I thought it was really cute!

Fashion Lust.

So I have been lusting over a particular Louis Vuitton tote for more than a few months now, but since "times is hard", I've had to suppress the urge. But, you know that high feeling that you get when you're on vacation? Well, if you don't, let me be the first to tell you that it i dangerous :) Needless to say, I bought the bag as well as a couple other things from various boutiques. I've neglected looking at my credit card statement thus far, but I have three jobs, it will be fine! (At least that is what I am telling myself)

I think I forgot to mention that I am still working at J.Crew as well! I am keeping quite busy, and hopefully it will pay off in some way or another.

Extraordinary Desserts.

Did you really think that one job was enough to satisfy me? :)

The first time that I came to San Diego, my friend Erica took Joseph and I to this amazing dessert place called Extraordinary Desserts. I was blown away and inspired by the beauty of everything there. We all ordered a dessert and a glass of champagne. My taste buds were the happiest they had ever been, not to mention the euphoric state that I was in because of all of the serotonin rushing to my brain from the decadent chocolate! Anyways, I went back to Des Moines, inspired and wanting more.

A couple of weeks before we left for St.Barth's, Joseph found a posting for a position at Extraordinary Desserts. The criteria was very specific: (3) years experience in the restaurant industry and (2) years experience in a coffee house, luckily I had both! I scored an interview and they loved me and all of the experience that I brought to the table. They offered me a position with the goal of grooming me for Upper Management or working directly with Karen Krasne, the owner/founder. So, it sounds like an exciting opportunity and I feel really fortunate so we'll see what happens! I'm in training right now and really like it so far but there is just so much to learn. Stay tuned!

Fashionista.

As some of you may know, I have been doing some freelance work for APA Consulting. Alison Andrews is the owner and the person who started San Diego Fashion Week 2008. I've worked on a few fashion shows with her now, from Hillcrest in San Diego to Orange County to Del Mar. We have a lot of fun and she has even asked me to become an Independent Contractor, so that I can start taking on my own clients!

The other exciting opportunity is that I am planning the Grand Opening of her new business venture, "Dress for the Nines". It is a chic new boutique that sells maternity clothing. I stopped by on Monday to meet with her and it is really coming along quite well. We are planning on having a Soft Opening Night (for VIP's) and a Grand Opening Day for everyone to come the 2nd weekend in April! I am so excited to be a part of it. Don't worry, I will keep you updated.

B.T.W.

You can check out some cool photography that Joseph took from our Fashion Show at the Ruby Room in Hillcrest here and enjoy the video!

Inspired.

Joseph and I recently went to the Botanical Center in Balboa Park for the second time. The flowers are beautiful and one of my personal favorites are the lady slippers. I took a picture with my iPhone. This is my first attempt at posting a picture to my blog. Enjoy!

The Meaning of "Prorsum" & My Blog

When you hear "prorsum", do you know what it means? I didn't but once I found out, I loved it. It means "forward" in latin, always looking to the future and looking back only on the good things :) I decided to create this blog based on the many things that inspire me and keep me "moving forward". Whether it's posting a great recipe that I used, a fashion event that I worked on, or just a fun side note that I want to share, rest assured you will find it here first! Bon appetit ;)