Back in Fashion!

So lately everyone keeps telling me that I need to get back in fashion. Which, I agree is my calling but I'm so afraid to go back into the industry and be UNhappy again. I'm tired of working my butt off for someone else and it taking 5 positive things to erase 1 negative! I miss fashion so much it's what I've always known I would do! But being here in Austin there aren't a lot of outlets for me. Besides, Austin's fashion sense doesn't exactly make me swoon. My style doesn't belong here. That's why I've decided to start my own business. Who better to work for than yourself?! I feel as though I'll never be truly happy unless I work for myself. I love vintage clothes but high-end vintage. Not pearl snap shirts and worn down shoes. Vintage Chanel, Lanvin, etc. Now I know it'll take some time to develop this type of repertoire but I'm patient and assured that it'll come. I love to shop, I love to style, and I love finding unique fashiony pieces that I know are one in a million. So wish me luck and I'll keep updating my journey into the abyss haha!

Rain Rain Come Back...Anytime you want!!!!

Last night a tropical storm came through the area which meant lots of rain, lots of warning tickers on the t.v., and the inevitable dumb ass drivers!

For me rain only means one thing...POPCORN AND CHAMPAGNE MOVIE NIGHT!!!! I wait in anticipation for these nights because what's better than sitting in the dark with homemade popcorn, champagne, and a cheeky British romantic comedy?!? (INSERT BLANK HERE) Yeah, I didn't think anything could beat that! My next thought was what kind of popcorn do I want? I'm one of those people that has to doctor up anything I eat...it's just a thing. I had some really bland "gourmet" popcorn that I completely overpaid for so what could I do with it? Hmmm...as I scuffled through that refrigerator I found a little chunk of Piave Vecchio and Parmigano-Reggiano cheese and then EPIPHANY! That's right people greatness once again! If you're like me and just love easy, yummy, beautiful and semi-gourmet food please see the recipe below!

Rosemary-Parmesan Popcorn

1/2 cup UN-cooked popcorn kernels
1 Tbs. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil*
1 Tbs. Butter
1/2 Finely chopped Parmesan Cheese*
A couple pinches of freshly chopped Rosemary
Salt* (the Parmesan is already salty to just a pinch will do)

In a large pot put the the Olive oil and the butter over medium-high. As soon as the butter melts pour the kernels into the pot and throw in a pinch of salt. In a circular motion shake the pot to slather the kernels with all that olivey butter goodness. Put a lid on the pot but make sure it's cracked just a little bit to let the steam escape. Shake the pot about every 30 seconds to make sure the Kernels don't burn! When the popping slows pour the popcorn in a large bowl and sprinkle the warmed popcorn with the Parmesan cheese and the rosemary.

* Alternative to Champagne...I LOVE this popcorn with a really nice red wine because the rosemary in the popcorn really brings out the depth and flavor of the wine. Prosecco (Italian sparkling wine) is also a really great choice not only is it about half the price of Champagne but it's super light, refreshing, and crisp!

DIRECTIONS:

Pop in movie of your choice and find a cozy blanket to nestle into the couch with. Bubbly in one hand and ginormous bowl of popcorn in the other. Turn off lights and enjoy the rain!!!

Coconut Shrimp Ceviche morphed into Yummy Shrimp Tacos!!!

After a long day at Barton Springs I was feeling like a delish, healthy, and light dinner but something that looked pretty enough that I could invite my friends over to enjoy so after much thought BAM!!!! Shrimp Ceviche BUT with a twist! Coconut shrimp ceviche (Yum!) Something about being outdoors and a hippie for the day turns you into a whole foods kind of person or it could just be Austin, TX (we're a bunch of hippies here but fit hippies.) So I did some research and realized that poaching liquid is like the BEST invention ever! I'm going to poach EVERYTHING! Anyhow, this is what I came up with a flavorful and aesthetically pleasing recipe that you can eat in your bikini and still look good...really?!

Yes, Really!!! Drum roll Pleeease...




Barton Springs Pool in Austin, TX. It's the place to go on a hot summer day! Everyone goes from hippies, to those who are definitely tripping on acid, the fit and fabulous(steroids), artists (all drugs in general), and really BAD musicians (No drugs?!) Everyone comes to enjoy the beautiful park and my favorite people watching...but only if you have really dark shades then the people watching is much better ha!

*WARNING!!! You may see an older gentlemen who is pitching a slightly small tent in his 2 sizes too small speedo. It's Austin and we're proud! (sort of)

And back to the recipes...

"LOCO" COCO SHRIMP CEVICHE

Poaching Liquid

1 1/2 De-veined shrimp
1 Lemon (halved)
4 Bay Leaves
1 Tsp. Peppercorns
1 Head of Garlic (halved)
1 Tsp. Red Chili Flakes

Marinade
1 Can of coconut milk
1 small red onion roughly chopped
2/3 Cup Pineapple chunks
1/2 Fresh lime juice
1/2 Bunch of chopped cilantro
3 Serrano peppers (2 if they're large peppers)
*1/2 Tsp. Red Chili flake if you like it extra spicy!
A pinch of Salt and Pepper

In a large pot fill 2/3 of it with water. Next, add the garlic, lemon, peppercorns, chili flakes, and bay leaves and let it come to a boil. Once the water is boiling add the shrimp and turn off the heat. Let the shrimp poach for about 3-5 minutes but don't leave them in there for too long or else the shrimp will become rubbery and tough. Remove the shrimp from the pot and place on a sheet pan and put in the refrigerator to cool (You can put them in the freezer also depending on how fast you need the shrimp.)

For the marinade combine the coconut milk, lime juice, red onion, Serrano peppers, pineapples cilantro, *red chili flakes, and s/p. Once the shrimp has cooled cut them in half from top to bottom so it looks like you have two identical pieces. Fold into the marinade and put in the refrigerator for 30 min to overnight.

I like to serve the ceviche with some pita bread that I cut into small triangles and drizzle with olive oil and bake until crunchy about 8 min.

*For a cocktail affair serve the ceviche in a colorful martini glass and garnish with a drizzle of
olive oil, cilantro, and a pretty edible flower.








*If you're just HUNGRY and want a meal serve over a bed of mixed field greens or spinach.

...Ceviche re-incarnated as the best shrimp tacos EVER!!!

This is such an easy morphed meal because the shrimp has all that delicious flavor from the marinade that you don't need to add much to make it another great meal!


HOUDINI SHRIMP TACOS

Left- over ceviche
Corn Tortillas
1/2 Sliced avocado
*Homemade salsa (In a blender combine 3 tomatoes, 1/2 red onion, 1 garlic clove, 1 handful cilantro, 1/8 cup jalapeños, and s/p. Blend and Voilà...homemade salsa!

Turn the range to medium heat. Spray a pan with a little non-stick spray and cook the ceviche marinade and all until warmed. Be sure NOT TO OVERCOOK!!!! Shrimp will become rubbery and tough!

Warm 2 tortillas in the microwave for about 20 seconds. Double up on the tortillas because this will prevent the tacos from falling apart. Garnish with a couple slices of avocado and homemade salsa and Ay, Que Rico!!

If you feel like this after you've eaten my recipes...you've done something wrong!

I Love Your Curves!!!!

And apparently so does the Fashion Industry! Since all of the drama with models being too thin and the industry's push on health I've seen a significant change especially in magazines. Ads are flourishing with real life people instead of (the WAY over used term) "waifish" models. Now I have to admit that when "normal" people were being used in place of our brainwashed opinion of "ideal" models I was a little un-accepting at first. I couldn't help but judge and critique every "imperfection" I saw! If I were to see the same person walking down the street...nothing I'd think that they were just another passerby but to spotlight a "normal" everyday Joe Schmoe in a magazine or on t.v. I just didn't get it. But as I kept flipping through the pages I saw something in these new models that I hadn't seen before in the "perfect" models. I saw life. I saw soulfulness. I saw real 120% beauty. The things that make us insecure are the things that make us beautiful and unique. So what if you have a Houdini dimple that ONLY shows up when you take pictures (annoying...but beautiful and one of a kind) or that bikini shopping has become something you do in the privacy of your own home on a computer and results in buying two different sizes of EVERYTHING!!! I like the "NEW" beauty! Makes me feel like I'm in control of my fashion and not being directed by someone I don't even know or knows me! With that said I'm going to enjoy my Panamanian curves by cooking some authentic curve loving food!!!! Recipes to follow...after I eat of course! Ciao!!