In love: Art & Cook

I never get tired of looking for really cool stuff for my home and kitchen. And it was in one of these searches that I found Art & Cook kitchen supplies. Modern, colorful and with nice design, there is no way of not falling in love with them!

Road Trip: Pismo Beach, CA

This weekend, hubby and I took a road trip and drove 220 miles, heading North, toward Pismo Beach.

The drive is beautiful. We took PCH which is the same highway that takes you to Santa Monica, Malibu, Santa Barbara and San Francisco.

We were enjoying the scenery and having a good time. And when was time for lunch, we stopped in Santa Barbara and picked a restaurant, randomly, called Cafe Stella.

It's a bistro with delicious and simple food. We ordered two salads and a cheesecake!

And then we arrived at the hotel late afternoon ...

The next day we visited one of most historic cities in California called San Luis Obispo. It's an old town with numerous shops, restaurants and visitors. And, again, randomly, we chose a restaurant that, to our pleasant surprise, served delicious salads! I ordered quinoa salad (second photo) and it was very similar to those I make at home, but there was one thing that stood out: watermelon! But the combination worked and I loved it! (they also used that balsamic drizzle I already told you about here)

After this delicious lunch, we drove back home and enjoyed - one more time - all the beauties California has to offer! It's going to be a great summer!

This Week's DELIGHT: Salmon Tartare

I love raw or smoked salmon, but I confess that the fish was not part of our meals as much as it should be. But now that I learned to make Salmon Tartare, I'm sure it will be more present in our house!

Salmon Tartare is a super simple, light and refreshing dish, made with raw fish (you can use tuna too). Easy to make, it's a great option for an appetizer. But in my case, it was a hot Sunday, so I made it as my main dish, with spinach, feta cheese and dried cranberries salad.

Check here to get this super healthy and very tasty recipe!

Beauty Tips

Recently I discovered two amazing products that I wanted to share here with you:

RD Protein Cream

My hair is dyed and after so many coloring, the ends got dried and now I suffer with some frizz. So I was almost buying Moroccan Oil, when I read in some magazine a girl's testimony about the RD Protein Cream and her hair was gorgeous. I decided to give it a try, bought the cream and it's fantastic! It leaves the hair super silky, shiny and no frizz. A winner!


Now, for red lips lovers who, like me, don't remember retouching the lipstick, and get angry when look in the mirror an hour after applying it and realize that half of it has faded, here is the solution of our problems: Sephora Cream Lip Stain

It's the best long lasting lipstick ever! I confess I have not tried that many, but now I don't need it! It was a friend's tip who always has her makeup flawless! During a dinner, I could not resist and asked which lipstick was wearing. To my delight (and my wallet's), it's Sephora! I bought it, tried, and the same day I went out with my red lips, I got three compliments and people asking me where I had bought it. My color is number 01, but I'll go back at the store and buy all the others!

Mashti Malone Ice Cream

To celebrate the first day of summer and longest day of the year, nothing better than a post about ice cream! We don't find many "traditional" ice cream shop, but I heard of Mashti Malone through a great couple of friends that always gives me good tips and this was one of them.

Do not expect anything fancy or expensive. The shop is located in one of those typical small center malls in Hollywood. They have eccentric flavors and they're known for the rosewater ice cream.

So I knew that this was one of the flavors I'd try, and the other, I was in doubt between saffron, ginger, cardamom and pistachio. Since I had already chose a different one (rose water), I decided for pistachio.

The pistachio is delicious! With pieces of it. The rose water is a little strange at first - it's very floral - but after a few spoons, you begin to get used to and enjoy it!

I will definitely come back during the summer to try out other flavors!

Weekend...

As you will see in the pics below, the end of the week and the weekend were spent in the kitchen. But this is not a problem at all! They were delicious moments spent with really cool people, and I love it!

Starting on Thursday, with the first sheet (of several!) of the best peanut cookie ever!

A fluffy and tropical cake, made for two dear friends - Liz and Ligia, and of course, cute Lucca - who came in for a coffee on Friday! (and the cake on Sunday)

Tomato and mozzarella di bufala pizza made by hubby!

Our new Sunday obsession when we don't go out for breakfast: poached egg (with soft yolk!)

Vintage cars exhibition on Rodeo Dr.

And, last but not least, chocolate chips and raisins brioche. God, what a good life!

This week's DELIGHT: Coconut Macaroons

This week's recipe is Coconut Macaroon. It has nothing to do with macaroon despite having the same name (Who knew...)

In Brazil we have a similar dessert called Cocada. It's also made with coconut and condensed milk, but in a different shape.

It's a great sweet treat after lunch or dinner, very easy to make and perfect for coconut lovers! (check out this recipe here)