So CUTE....

...it makes me want to take up knitting - again (pic below).

This lovely ensemble was crafted by my talented co-worker, Leslie - who has "mad skills" with the knitting needles.

She is also the organizer of "Sit 'n Knit" Seattle - a meetup group for yarnaholics.  If you're interested in learning more about the group - check out the link here.

More pics below of her lovely creations (I wish I had one of the green/black fingerless gloves she made me a couple months ago).

Smoky Ribollita

One bite of this soup, and you'll feel like you don't need to eat another vegetable for the entire week.

"Why," do you ask? 

Because it is chock full of crunchy healthy goodness: celery, carrots, tomatoes, and kale (oh my!).

Another plus - the recipe for this delicious Smoky Ribollita (here) makes enough soup to feed a football team...or two hungry people for dinner + lunch + dinner + lunch.... (you get my point).

p.s.  serve w/crusty toasted bread

Oxfords

I've been wanting to hop on the oxford bandwagon for a while now - but have been hesitant b/c most oxfords make my huge boat like feet look like...well...huge boats.

The pretty and delicate oxfords I have found have gotten the axe from the hubby - who says they look like old lady shoes (no offense to my "old lady" readers ;).

Well - I was perusing the Anthropologie sale section yesterday (hint: new sale items come out every Tuesday) and found what I'm hoping are going to be the perfect oxford for me.

Sweetheart Oxfords

At half the price ($218 to $109) - how could I resist?  They'll be perfect for strolling around town on the weekends. 

I also couldn't resist quickly styling them on Polyvore.  Weekend look w/a few of the reject oxfords I liked below.

Oxfords by calinas3Bs featuring Anthropologie

Mama's Mexican Kitchen & Grilled Chicken Tacos

This past Sunday w/indulged in a non-traditional brunch of Mexican food from Mama's Kitchen (website here).  While the "California" style Mexican food wasn't as healthy or authentic as the fare at our current favorite Mexican haunt La Carta De Oaxaca (here) - it sure hit the spot! (And Mama's Kitchen is only a five minute walk from our place.  Convenience sure can make food taste better!).

If you're in the mood for a bit of south of the border flavor, but don't feel like trudging out to a restaurant - check out this recipe for "Grilled Chicken Tacos" (here). 

The chicken is nicely marinated and smoky - and you can pile on as many toppings as you like (hooray!).

Note: my pic doesn't do the tacos justice...and I have no idea how Ed convinced me I should put radishes on my tacos 

Genius

The marketing folks at Banana Republic really have my number (sigh).

Up until about a month and a half ago, I never really gave BR much thought. 

Every now and then I'd pop in for a pair of work pants or a skirt, and then I'd be content for the next few months until I needed a new work skirt.

Well - then those maniacal BR marketing folks started getting a little loose with their "percent-off" sales.  25% off here, 25% off there, and every now and then a whopping 40% OFF one item (yipee!).

I've become obsessed with all of these "savings" - and they just seem to compound.  I bought a cardigan for 25% off the other day, and the crafty sales lady slipped 4-40% coupons in my bag (to be used on specific days of course).

When I went into BR on Saturday to use my last 40% off coupon, the sales lady casually told me (as she rang up my skirt), "If you were on the fence between 2 items - why don't you go ahead and grab the 2nd and I'll give you 40% off that one as well."  Ahhhhhhhh!

I now have more work clothes/basics than I know what to do with!

Crafty marketing geniuses! 

BR Mania by calinas3Bs featuring Banana Republic

Dinner or Brunch?

I made this open-faced sandwich w/ricotta, arugula, and fried egg for dinner (recipe here) - but I can easily imagine myself eating it late one Sunday morning for brunch - w/a cold glass of Prosecco or a mimosa on the side of course!

The most challenging thing about this recipe is getting the egg to look "just so."  I must admit I had a couple reject eggs before I made the one pictured above.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Doughnuts Go Gourmet

When I was a little-little girl, you either bought doughnuts from Winchell's, Dunkin, a local mom-and-pop store (in one of the villages in Guam), or if you were really desperate - the gas station.

Now-a-days, doughnuts have gone gourmet and I, for one, am not complaining (who would?).

My favorite local establishment is Top Pot (website here).  Their doughnuts are always fresh, perfectly made, and they have a ton of different varieties.  Yummm!

A dz from Top Pot

P.S.  I just stumbled across the evil nutritional information for Top Pot doughnuts.  If you want to know, click here .... but trust me, sometime ignorance is bliss.