Dia de los Muertos

I have never been a huge fan of Halloween.  I think it is a glorified night out on the town where gals feel it appropriate to dress in their negligee. (ok sorry for the rant but, seriously!)  I much prefer to participate in the customs of Dia de los Muertos--celebrating life and honoring loved ones who have passed. I absolutely fell in love with this Mexican themed wedding I found on Ruffled blog. (via oh so beautiful paper)

What amazing colors! And how about those Mexican tent dresses worn by the bridesmaids? So fun!

Currently Craving: Sequin Blazer

From top: Central Park West: Miami Sequin Jacket from Piperlime.com $152.00

Zara Sequin Jacket

Tibi from Shopbop.com $598.00

Sequin Shimmer Blazer from ArdenB $88.00

Ladies Night

Sunday night I co-hosted Ladies Night with my girlfriend, AC. We hosted a Booty Parlor Party in the skyline lounge of the apartments where we work.  Booty Parlor is a sexy at home boutique where you and your girlfriends can browse through and shop for the hottest designer toys and sexy bedroom accessories!
One of my favorite people, Cameron, was our Sexy Lifestyle Advisor (or Bootician) and just let me tell you how much she rocks! I love this girl!
Now you might be thinkin' "Oh a trashy sex toy party, eh?" Booty Parlor is the total opposite of this but they are 100% focused on boosting your sexy self-confidence and inspiring you to have sexy experiences!


We had a smaller group attend than expected but after our Mojo Makeovers we were feeling the "SexyRevolution"!













That's me and Cam above and Aimee with Kristi below. This gals are awesome and I am sure gonna miss them! (Don't worry...I am already trying to talk them into a Ladies Weekend on the East Coast!)

We enjoyed wine, caprese skewers, goat cheese crostinis, veggies and hummus, cookies and I just couldn't resist BlowPops! hehe

My Top 3 Favorite Items from Booty Parlor:
1. Flirty Little Secret Firming Cream with Pheromones
2. Bath Kitten--White chocolate and honey aroma bubble bath milk with an ultra-soft terry cloth mitt that massages!
3. Dust Up Kissable Body Shimmer in Crusin' for a Bronzin'--Cinnamon sugar flavored and taste just like Cinnamon Toast Chruch--Yummo!


I love being able to support sexy, savvy, smart women and business' that have do the same!


Check out Cameron's website thesexysuperstars.com

Its All Happening

You know that high you got as a kid on Christmas eve? Well, I have had that feeling since Saturday! I can hardly sleep from all the excitement. We are ceremoniously on the road back home this Friday morning. Not only are we making the move back to South Carolina but I got the job! I am officially (well, really officially on November 16th) the Marketing Manager of Hominy Grill in Charleston, South Carolina.


"Robert Stehling, chef-owner of the homey Hominy Grill and winner of the 2008 James Beard award for Best Chef in the Southeast, has a more refined take that uses bacon and a combination of sharp white Vermont Cheddar and parmesan cheese. Fans wait patiently on the sidewalk of Rutledge Avenue for the dish..." from Gourmet Magazine May 2009 (RIP dear Gourmet...you will be missed!)


We celebrated the offer and the move on Saturday night at Andina Restaurant...a taste of Peru in the Pearl! So Delicious! We started the evening off with a Sacsayhuam´an {pronounced "sexy-woman"} for me and a Gin martini for Adam.  I have been craving this Habanero infused vodka and passionfruit cocktail and could not leave Portland without having just one more!  Mango Verde Y Langostinos Cebiches (Green mango, passionfruit and prawns) paired perfectly! For entrees, Adam chose, Adobo de Cerdo (pork tenderloin, butternut squash and gorgonzola ravioli) and for myself, Quinoto de Hongos de la Montaña (quinoa with golden beet and local mushroom risotto, laced in truffle oil and grilled asparagus)--AMAZING! Dessert you ask? I just could not resist the spicy sweet flavor of a second cocktail!  

Sunday was full of Football and then Ladies Night! I will say that all in all my final weekend in Portland was very successful! 

A Case of the Mondays

Today was one of those Mondays! Just a blah sort of day. Not sure if it was the weather or what. Lucky me was greeted with a delicious treat to help "cure" my case of the Mondays.

Peanut Butter Creams: Crispy little peanut butter oatmeal cookies are filled with peanut butter cream and drizzled with bittersweet chocolate.

Cappuccino Creams: Can you say “coffee addict?” These little espresso shortbread sandwiches filled with cinnamon buttercream have won the hearts of many customers. Perhaps they are the perfect breakfast cookie?

Two Tarts Bakery in Portland, Oregon makes the most amazing little cookies ever.

"At Two Tarts, we create an array of artisan “pint-sized” cookies for your enjoyment. Ingredients are sourced locally and organically whenever possible. Green business practices are important to us as well, as evidenced by our packaging."

I first fell in love Two Tarts when I worked at the Hotel deLuxe (If you are ever in Portland--You must stay here!) and the gals from Two Tarts were kind enough to regularly bring our sales department special deliveries of our favorite afternoon treats! If you aren't lucky enough to enjoy these special deliveries, or don't find yourself in attendance of a Two Tarts catered event--I recommend scouting out Pecan Tessies, ANZAC Cookies, Ginger Chocolate Chip and their Seasonal Selections at the Portland Farmers Market or NW 23rd Retail Location!

Edit: I am in a fight with my blogger format--why is it changing fonts, sizes, colors and format after posting? ugh...is it worth it to explore other options?

"Um... Are you a Democrat now or what?"

Last weekend I went on a whirlwind excursion to Georgia (with a quick 12 hour trip to South Carolina). I had two reasons for the quick trip...I left Oregon Friday morning and returned before lunch on Tuesday.

Reason # 1:

Hampton Bradley Duke--my super cute nephew made an early, but heathy, appearance into the world (good timing little buddy!)

Reason #2: A JOB INTERVIEW! (In Charleston, SC) Fingers-crossed and prayers being said for this one!!

I soaked up as much family time as possible while in GA. Crazy that I had not seen my family in almost an entire year. And being the wonderful daughter, sister and friend that I am...I decided to cook a scrumptious dinner for the fam and my bestie, who's hubby had to work that evening. I made Tequila Lime Chicken and Black Bean Cakes and for dessert Pound Cake. My mom busted out her brand new Kitchen-Aid (jealous!) and we whipped up a deliciously moist and tasty cake. (Recipes below...no pics...to busy lovin' on the babe!)

After a lazy afternoon and a not so great Georgia football game, my dad and I ran to Publix to grab some ingredients for dinner. I gathered the produce I needed and placed them in the basket...

To my dad's dismay I had not placed each item in its own plastic baggie. I told him it would fine...

"But they (the produce department?) want you to!" (put each individual piece of produce in it's own bag)

Back at home I begin tidying the kitchen, you know, so I can make an even bigger mess! I clear the beer bottles (the brother and bro-in-law were there!) and ask if I should just put on the counter near the sink so we (AKA one of the boys) could take out to the Recycling bin...

You could have heard a pin drop...EVERYONE...my mom, sister, brother, dad, brother-in-law, bestie, baby and the dog...just stared at me. Finally, the silence was broken with the response

"Um... are you a Democrat now or what? Just put it in the garbage."

Ok then...looks like I have finally shown my true West Coast (um...hippie?) colors!

Tequila Lime Chicken (from here)

1/2 cup gold tequila

1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (5 to 6 limes)

1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (2 oranges)

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon minced fresh jalapeno pepper (1 pepper seeded)

1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic (3 cloves)

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

3 whole (6 split) boneless chicken breasts

Combine the tequila, lime juice, orange juice, chili powder, jalapeno pepper, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add the chicken breasts. Refrigerate overnight. (Last minute dinner decision so I only marinated for 6 hrs--still flavorful!)

Heat a grill with coals and brush the rack with oil to prevent the chicken from sticking. Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade, sprinkle well with salt and pepper, and grill them skin-side down for about 5 minutes, until nicely browned. Turn the chicken and cook for another 10 minutes, until just cooked through. Remove from the grill to a plate. (Thanks to my Sous chef, TB, for doing the grilling!)

Black Bean Cakes (from here)

2 15-ounce cans black beans, drained well

6 green onions, finely chopped

1/2 cup finely chopped seeded red bell pepper

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

2 large garlic cloves, minced

1 1/2 tablespoons minced seeded jalapeño chili

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 large egg

2 tablespoons plus 1 cup yellow cornmeal

6 tablespoons (about) olive oil

Sour cream

• Salsa

Place drained beans in large bowl. Using hand masher, mash beans coarsely. Mix in green onions, bell pepper, cilantro, garlic, jalapeño and cumin. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix in egg and 2 tablespoons cornmeal.

Place remaining 1 cup cornmeal in small dish. Drop heaping 1 tablespoon of bean mixture into cornmeal; turn to coat. Flatten into 1/2-inch-thick cake. Repeat with remaining bean mixture and cornmeal, forming 18 cakes.

Heat 3 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, fry bean cakes until firm and crisp, adding more oil as needed, about 6 minutes per side. Drain bean cakes on paper towels. Transfer to platter. Serve warm with sour cream and salsa.

Side Note: Less than 2 weeks left in Portland! I am having serious mixed emotions about this. So happy to be back with my family and friends but so sad about leaving this great city! I have a lot to do these next few days. We finished packing pretty much everything last night and I am now sitting here surrounded by boxes. I have high expectations of this chapter in my life...not sure if that is a good thing or not!

I Don't Know About You...

But I know what I will be doing this Friday evening!

*Make sure to check out Terrible Yellow Eyes if you have not already!