Brussels Sprouts OH MY!

MY OH MY! This happens when you deiced to go with your taste buds and I'm going to share with you friends my impromptu Sauteed Brussels Sprouts  :) 

It's easy as 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8... well you get the picture, so lets look at some shall we???

Toasted Sesame Oil (or oil of your liking)

Salt

Pepper

Red Pepper

Button Mushrooms

THE STAR: Brussels Sprouts

Cut Sprouts in half, careful it can be a little tough... WATCH YOUR FINGERS! 

Brown/Char the Sprouts

 it took me 5-10 mins for this step since my heat was on HIGH.

Flip them around

Once browned/charred, add in the veggies

NOTE: my heat was still on high so keep those veggies moving!

2-3 Table spoon oil 

I used sesame seed

Make sure to stir while the veggies sizzle to limit burning.

Add your salt and pepper to your liking. 

Change heat to the lowest setting and cover for 10-15 mins.

 I found this helped soften the sprouts a bit more.

Bon Appétit! 

If you want some excitement and your a meat lover, you can make it with bacon, chicken or steak :)

Thanks for reading!

If you have helpful tips or tried this, leave a comment! :)

Purely Simple

So I've been using Simple products for 1 1/2 years now and I love it! I used to use Clean and Clear daily moisturizer, but since entering my mid 20's it was time to start taking care of my ADULT face. No longer should I be using something since 7th grade, it's time to graduate. :)

From what I've noticed, my skin feels smoother and brighter since using Simple. Also I made the switch since I have combination skin and with Clean and Clear I've always had to blot, I still do but now once a day if need be, so I decided to try something new and this is why I choose Simple.

What sold me was that price. $9(4.2oz) (Target) 

In Finland the line is also affordable and I found it at K-City Market- it has the moisturizer, face wash, wipes, make-up remover pads seen below....

NOTE: I've been using the Replenishing Moisturizer which has 1 vital vitamin (Pro-Vitamin B5) and 3 skin loving nutrients (Chamomile, Glycerin, Geranium). 

I enjoyed the lotion, I also tried the wipes, Cleansing and Exfoliating.

They both take make-up off well and leave my skin feeling hydrated. Though they do have eye-remover pads, I really don't fiddle-faddel with those, if I really need to, q-tip and Vaseline works for me :)

Well that was a Simple little post  :)

Thanks for reading! 

Pimple Be Gone

So I consider myself a normal person who gets that annoying pimple here and there. I am a clean and clear kind of girl, but using the brand since adolescences does have its draw backs, my skin is TOO use to the spot treatment!!! So here is the product I find that helps break up the habit, Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Elimination Sport Gel.

This stuff helps when I need it. Pop it on at night and in the morning the pimple is smaller in size.


I have used this now in my pimple night treatment for about 2 years and I'm happy to see it in the US stores.

I bought it first in Finland in 2011 and when I came home for the holidays, I couldn't find it when I was looking, but now when I went to Wal-mart this year, there it was and saw it in CVS and Target! :)

It's not a cream at all, but a gel and since I try not to use it often. It gives off a little tingle on the skin, but that's when I know it's working :) I live for that feeling.

I say give it a try, you might find you like it just as much as me :)

Thanks for reading!

Chia Seed Pudding

Alright friends, here is a very simple fool proof fancy healthy snack, CHIA SEED PUDDING. I came across this from YouTube and other recipe sites, and they all are so fancy with their measurements, I on the other hand don't care much for measurements, and my pudding comes out fine BUT for you guys, I guess I'll do some work :) 

Here's what you need:

1. 2-3 tblsp.* Chia Seeds

2. 1/2 c.* Milk or Almond Milk or Soy Milk**

3. 1/2-1 tsp.* Agave or Honey

4. Your Favorite Fruit (I'm using banana)

What I Do

                                   

FIRST, scoop chia seeds into a bowl. ( I used 3 tblsp)

 SECOND, pour in milk of your choice.

THIRD, squeeze in agave or honey

 FOURTH, mix everything up and put into the frig for 10 mins. - 15 mins. 

The seeds will soak up the milk. It should resemble oatmeal/porridge in consistency, so if you like it a little less clumpy/thick, add a bit more milk to thin it out. This pudding is slimy, so be warned people that hate slimy textures :) 

Play around with the measurements to find which consistency you like the best, AND don't forget the most fun part, your fruit topping :)

Happy eating friends :)

Thanks for reading! 

*tblsp.-tablespoon, c.- cup, tsp.-teaspoon
**HINT: Vanilla flavored milk will add a little extra flavor to your pudding

Burger Lunch

So on a whim my friend and I decided to go to a burger place, Good Stuff Burgers, and let me tell ya, WHY HAVEN'T I KNOWN OF THIS PLACE!!! It's a small little burger joint and the staff is really nice. 

I ordered the avocado and cheese turkey burger with potato fries and my friend ordered the bacon cheese burger with fries. Both were around $12, drinks added. They serve sandwiches and wraps also. So enjoy my food pictures :) 

IF you find yourself near a Good Stuff Burger in Southern California, stop on in, you won't regret it :)

Thanks for reading! 

Lip Balm: Burts Bees

In search of a new chap stick, I wanted to try something else besides the Baby Lips by Maybelline. I like that product, but wanted to switch it up a bit. So while in CVS I saw that Burt's Bees had a tinted lip balm.

My first impression was that the color was not too bright or THAT noticeable, I think because of my skin color, I put it on my hand and couldn't really see. That's the problem I have with majority of lip colors, they don't show up true to color on my skin but then it did something to my lips, added something, can I say brighten? jazzed up? 

ALL I KNOW IS that I can re-apply and not worry too much of it looking too much. I also noticed that the feeling on my lips was less greasy and the scent was not strong, unlike the baby lips. Don't get me wrong, I do like the baby lips, in Cherry, and I think it felt greasier since I used it during summer, but this product seemed entirely different. And for $6.99 I should be satisfied. :)

As for packaging, it came in a cardboard tube. At first I thought that was the actual container, but once I opened it in the car, there was the ACTUAL tube inside, AND being a sucker for branding and packaging, I thought the cardboard felt appropriate and suited the whole "natural" je ne sais quoi :)

I think that I favor the Burt's a little more now because I've used baby lips for a whole year and it's nice to have something new in my bag. 

So this was my first impression of the Burt's Bees tinted lip balm in Rose and I would recommend this to friends who are Burt's fans :)

Thanks for reading!

My Fashion Therapy

With all that is happening in my life right now, the only thing helping me cling to who I am is Fashion. I read somewhere to help you get out of feeling low is to dress the total opposite. Wanting to make yourself feel good about yourself, even though you're not at your best. COMMON SENSE RIGHT?? Why avoid getting ready in the morning and throwing on whatever if you're just going to look at yourself in the mirror and hate yourself a little more.

From the article I read about a year ago, and I wish I could find it, I took away the fact that even though I may feel down, sad, stressed and overwhelmed, I shouldn't have it affect my clothing and how I represent myself. I already know my fashion choices are already simple, but at least I know I'm trying every morning to look and feel my best. I think that's what fashion is all about, helping you cheer yourself up, and right now that's what I really need.

I'm not a gloomy person and I don't feel like myself when I'm down and hurt and the people in my life know just from the sound of my voice, look on my face and even daily interactions that something is not right. As much as I want to post messages, at the end of the day I wouldn't feel any better, the days will still go on and leave me dwelling and stressing and these times are not to be wasted!!

Like the saying goes, "When you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good, it's all good."- I added the last bit, but you got the gist of it. :)


So here is a little look see on some of my outfits that I feel like "Misha" in and that are helping me face one day at a time.

     

top: guess, jeans: lucky brand

top: PINK, jeans: urban outfitters

Top: PINK, jeans: lucky brand

dress: boutique in palms spring 

top: primark, shorts: lucky brand

jacket: pim kie, jumper: HM

Thanks for reading!

Sunday Brunch

This afternoon I went with my sister to meet up with a high school friend of ours which we've known since 6th grade.

We ended up going to Doughboys Cafe & Bakery. Their menu options are around the breakfast foods and lunch foods, so perfect for brunch. I ordered the portobello mushroom & potato frittata. 

Lunch foods are in lines of salads, pizza, soups and sandwiches, so they have everything. :) 

However once we ordered our food, it seemed a little too long for it to come out, I would say about 30 mins since we ordered.

But once the food came out it was delicious and I think I would come here again, just because there were some other yummies I wanted to try. :)

TIP: We parked on Colgate Ave since it allowed parking on Sundays, there is too much street traffic for street parking, and didn't want to deal with meters. 

Thanks for reading!  

Twin Saturday

Here's a new little POTG( post on the go). So I started my day at Pink's Hotdogs for a yummy lunch! I was here once and just HAD to take my sister there. I had a Rosie O'donnell hotdog and Tay had a Chicago Polish dog. Funny how there's a long line just for hotdogs, but hey, it's LA. 

We spent the rest of our Saturday adventure being scared! Last time we went to Knott's Scary Farm was too long to count, but we did mostly mazes and shows, which one show was funny and the others were jumpy.

 AND of course had to end the night riding Ghost Rider. That coaster never gets easier. Also it wouldn't be a success if you don't leave cold, tired and sore :) 

Thanks for reading! 

Foodies from Pinterest

So I hate Pinterest! It has too much good stuff and I realize I don't have any real domesticated cooking and baking skills apart from, lasagna, enchiladas,makkarakeitto banana nut bread, peanut butter cookies, if you know Finnish, my best friend Suski featured my recipe on her food blog HERE.

I mean I've advanced from the blue box of Mac & Cheese and Betty Crocker but Pinterest showed me I can do MORE! I mean the only advance thing I've ever baked was a chocolate cake from scratch, don't believe me read the recipe HERE and here is a picture.  Didn't turn out like Barefoot Contessa, but she's just not from this planet and it didn't go as easy as she made it... CHOCOLATE EVERYWHERE!

So here is just a little taste of what I'm up against. I would post more, but I got too hungry. The pictures take you to the recipes. Good Lucky! and happy pinning :)

 Buttermilk-Chocolate Chip Crumb Cake

Cookie Cups

Garlic Cheese Rolls

Parmesan Meatloaf

Snickerdoodle Pumpkin Walnut Bread

 Taco Tater Tot Bake

Thanks for reading!

Hair! Hair! Hair!

For me, my curly hair is difficult to maintain so I straighten it often. Since living near the ocean, the humidity is torture! Frizz! Frizz! Frizz! It even frizzes once it's straight too. Hairspray does nothing. So I decided it's about time to actually get something for it and after reading reviews, I found it!

John Frieda Frizz-Ease. ($9.99 from CVS) After trying this for some weeks now, I now always put it in my hair after ever shower. It works great, but I think once this is all used up I would go for the other formula, extra strength, since I did notice I could use a little more de-frizz, but I'm happy with this kind too. :) 

Thanks for reading!