Cheers!

Summer decided to be back again around here, and as is also hot in Brazil, this week's Cheers! is a refreshing drink that I love and it is a guaranteed presence in my brunch, whether at home or not: Mimosa!

4oz chilled sparkling wine or champagne
1oz chilled orange juice (with pulp or not, homemade or not)
Optional: 1/2oz triple sec (orange liqueur)

Place the orange juice (and liquor) in a flute and fill it with sparkling wine/champagne.
This drink is light, refreshing and easy to please everyone. Excellent choice to serve brunch, weddings and celebrations.

Enjoy your weekend! Cheers!

October - Breast Cancer Awareness Month

A brief pause in happy posts to talk more serious: here in the U.S., October is also remembered as breast cancer awareness month.
During this month the campaign is even stronger and many events take place to raise donations for the National Foundation for Cancer Research and many other Foundations.
In Brazil, we have a campaign called No Alvo da Moda (Fashion's Target), made ​​by a big clothing company called Hering. Here, is the Pink Ribbon, and coolest thing is that several companies participate in creating products - in pink - with the income donated to the program (Avon, KitchenAid, Estee Lauder, Opi, Conair, Philosophy, Lacoste, Wilson, Sephora, Everlast, Donna Karan, Aveda  are some examples) .
The Foundation has an online store with a huge catalog of things for home, clothes, accessories etc.. Department stores like Macy's and Bloomingdales, besides products, they do special activities, for example: I received an email from Bloomingdales saying that if I "Like" the store on Facebook, they would donate $1 for the campaign. Great, right?
These are great iniciatives that should be copied and spread throughout the world, because everything is worth to win this fight!
Below you will find some TV commercials from American Cancer Society, entitled "Birthdays". They air them every year, and you can ask my hubby: I get emotional every time I see them! (I'm sure you'll be too!)
On the website you can find other artists and can help the Society by sending a song to someone else...

My wishes for a world with less cancer and more birthdays!

Travel Tip: San Francisco, CA

I've been to San Francisco a few times and I always have something different to see.
Because the city is big and it has different styles, you need to know where you want to stay. And you will also need to take a taxi, a bus, a cable car, or rent a car to move between the neighborhoods.
I will list some attractions and suggestions of what to do while you're in town:

The first time I visit a new city/country, I like doing the typical things.Then, in the case of SF, you can take the Hop-on Hop-off, which is the best way to know, superficially, the important points of the city.
Go to the Golden Gate. The bus goes there, but if you can, do this by bike. You can cross the bridge and go to Sausalito. I've never been there, but everybody says it's a charming city and it's worth. The bike path is a little bit strenuous, but you can do it!

Another classic is the Fisherman's Wharf, a pier with several shops and restaurants. Over there, you can catch a boat and make a trip to the Golden Gate and the most famous prison, located in the middle of the sea, Alcatraz (photo below).

The main street of Fisherman's Wharf (pictured below) is also very nice and it has a lot of things to do, among them Boudin Bakery, a mix of bakery, mini market and restaurant, that offers delicious soups, salads, breads and snacks.

Visit the Ghirardelli chocolate factory.
Take the cable car. It is very charming and you won't need to be climbing the slopes of the city.

The cable car passes in front of Lombard Street (pictured below), the street is famous for its ultra-sinuous curves (during the spring is beautiful with its gardens and flowers).

Castro district, also known as the Gay Mecca, is also a good option.
Union Square is also worth. It is in downtown, more modern, with many hotels, restaurants and very famous shops.
Civic Center is also quite interesting. Over there you will find the City Hall (pictured below), museums, galleries and restaurants.

If you have time and it is baseball season, watch a game of the local team - Giants - and have a hotdog and beer!

The city also has its version of Little Italy and Chinatown.

And check the weather, because I went there about 4 times and was very cold every time!

For a longer trip, extend to the region of Napa Valley, Sonoma, etc., which are the most famous wineries in California (I'll do a post about it in the future...)This website has some nice tips for SF. I'm sure you will have lots of fun in this town! Have a nice trip!

Flower of the week: Red Tulip

To bring more color and joy into my house during the colder seasons, I promised myself to buy flowers (almost) every week. I am keeping my promise (three weeks in a row!) and I will share here the pictures of my colorful vase, so you can get inspired and copy this idea in your homes!

Sweet Moments: Sweet Quinoa

From now on I will include the category Sweet Moments here on the blog. Posts with quick recipes invented by me or found in books, or some snack bought at the store just to satisfy those craving moments during the day.
And as my weakness is sweet, I will begin with a Sweet Quinoa recipe.

I'm a fan of quinoa for quite some time and I prepare a lot of savory versions, but I found this sweet recipe today and made it for ​breakfast.
For those who like oatmeal (I love it!), it is almost the same but with two advantages: it has less carbohydrate and it is easier to digest. The texture is different, of course, but I can say that this healthier version is already on my list of options for breakfast, especially with the winter right in the corner.
I didn't make the original recipe (here), because I didn't have all the ingredients at home, but my version, simpler, was two thumbs up! Cook 1/2 cup of quinoa (with water and no seasoning). When it is cooked, place it in a small saucepan with 1 cup of milk, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, sugar (I used stevia) and a chopped banana. Bring it to a boil, reduce heat and when it is the way you like (more or less consistent), remove from heat and place it in a bowl with a drizzle of maple syrup (or honey). I cooked the banana together with the milk, because I like it almost disappearing in my mouth, but if you prefer it firmer, add it for last.

Keep your mind open and try it! (If you make this recipe, tell me the results here in comments!)

In love! Candlesticks

Even if only for decoration or to use it daily, these candlesticks below are a beautiful touch to your home!

The More the Merrier (designer Louise Campbell)

Distortion (designer Paul Loebach manufactured by Areaware)

Drip (Reiko Kaneko - more about this here)

Waterbuffalo Horn (Apartment 48)

Rabbit in Wonderland (designer Stephen Johnson manufactured by Artecnica)

You're going to want to dine by candlelights everynight!

Italian Restaurant Il Pastaio

Il Pastaio is a very charm Italian restaurant here in Beverly Hills. Part of a group of cool restaurants in the neighborhood, Il Pastaio is famous and very popular (reserve when the group is large or  peak day/hour).
The dishes are delicious, the atmosphere is quite nice (especially if you sit at tables on the sidewalk), and you might bump into some celebrities!
The price is a little higher than normal but still affordable (the menu with prices is available on the restaurant's website).
If you are in more than two people or hungry, ask for the Antipasto Casereccio, a cold dish with hams, eggplant, bruschetta, etc, that serves two people.
I've tried various pasta dishes on the menu and it is difficult to ask for something not so good. For dessert, the Tiramisu, the Pana Cota and Apple Tartare are great!