HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Today the blog turns 1! Thanks to all of you who follow the blog, leave comments, suggestions, send me emails and spread the word - and the tips - to friends. I'm having a blast sharing my experiences here and I do hope they change your day a little bit, simply by bringing you a smile, a good idea, or delicious food ...

I can't wait for one more year (at least!)

In love: Trumpette Baby Socks

What not to love about this Trumpette socks mimicking ballerinas, maryjanes, oxfords, sneakers...

If it was already difficult to choose the pics, I can imagine how hard is to buy them...

Peruvian Dinner

Last Friday we had dinner with our newest and amazing friends at their home. The menu was Peruvian - made ​​by a legitimate one: fish and shrimp ceviche, baked potatoes, causa (mashed potatoes stuffed with tuna, mayonnaise and avocado) and, for those not much into Peruvian food: pesto chicken pasta with mozzarella di bufala. And, of course, bottles of wine and lots of chatting!

I was responsible for dessert and I made a healthier chocolate cake (no flour nor refined sugar) with an yogurt and orange cream (I forgot to take pictures of the yogurt cream, but I will post the recipes).

It was so nice and we were all chatting excitedly that we received the visit of a Beverly Hills Police Officer asking us to slow down and be quiet because was already late into the night ... I mean, this dinner was success!!

Cheers!

I promised here that I'd give you the recipe of the drink hubby and I had few weeks ago, but I have to confess I forgot its name and could not find the exact recipe. But the drink is so good and since I know which ingredients are used, I'll list them here then you can make it according to taste (sweeter, stronger, lighter)
Let's call it Hubby's Drink because he was the one who chose it - wisely! - and now he keeps asking me to prepare it at home.

Ingredients
1oz vodka
a splash of St. Germain Elderflower liqueur (heads up: it's very sweet)
1/4 squeezed lemon
lemon-lime soda (Sprite, Mountain Dew ...)
lemon for garnish
Pour all ingredients into a glass with ice and garnished with lemon and fill it with soda. It's light, refreshing and very tasty! (I, particularly, like strong drinks, so I'd be generous with the vodka!)

An amazing weekend to all!!

The Griddle Cafe, Hollywood

Hubby and I finally got to go to The Griddle Cafe in Hollywood.

I had heard so much about this place, but all the (several) times we had passed in front there were long lines and we had no patience to wait.
One day, we decided to "take the challenge" and we have no regrets! (and the line took us 20 minutes - not too bad for a 10:30am Saturday).
The place is small and alive. Waiters are running around and the food is very good!
We ordered coffee, poached eggs with fresh fruit and their "flagship" dish: pancakes filled with bananas (but you can find many other great suggestions for your pancakes!)

I had no idea, but the pancakes (3 or 4 units) are larger than the plate! Delicious, but impossible to eat them all. The good thing was that we took almost half home, ate for breakfast the next day and was still good!
So, if you want to order pancakes, I recommend you to either go hungry, share with one or more friends, or don't forget to ask for a container so you can eat it later!

This week's DELIGHT: Ginger Cookies

Monday is "international diet day", but not here! I'll start the week with a recipe for ginger cookies with (or not) lemon glaze that is great to eat with a nice cup of coffee or tea. I tried two different recipes, but this ended up being the most delicious, buttery, and melting in your mouth.

These cookies are also really nice to give as a simple gift to teachers, neighbors, friends etc. The recipe yields a lot and you can use different cookie cutters (but be aware of making each batch with same size cutters so they all take the same time to bake).

Check here for this and many other recipes!

Cheers!

Let's celebrate the end of this week and the beginning of a new month with a delicious cocktail: Raspberry Bombshell (I think women are gonna love this drink!)

3/4 oz raspberry flavored vodka
3/4 oz Chambord (raspberry liqueur)
2 oz lemonade
1 oz cranberry juice
Lemon twist (to garnish)

Shake all the ingredients with ice and pour into a tall glass. Garnish with a lemon twist and a black raspberry (the regular one works too!)

Have a happy weekend!