Food Blog in Italy

I Miss authentic Italian food.  Been craving since we came back... Here are a few pictures to share:

My first ever meal in Italy,  I was so excited... A cheesy rigatoni

Serendipity

One of the best drinks ever. The famous frozen Hot Chocolate Drink from the Serendipity store in Las Vegas that I tried last time I was there.

Can't get enough of this and now I found it here. Yay!! Can' wait to try it at home...

Dreaming of Pucci

Once upon a time, there was a girl who dreamed of  black, pink and green dress prints specifically Prints of Pucci as evidenced in this pic below. :) while walking along Via Borgognona.

Until then, it's just a dream.. getting into a Pucci Print dress that is

Snapshots of Italy

It's been days since we returned from our trip.  Everything was a daze, running to catch the train or bus, the scorching heat in Italy, scrumptous food not to mention my favorite nioccola gelato (Yum!! the best anywhere you get them around Italy), the romantic gondola ride along the Grand Canal, nightime walk along St Mark's Square with soothing music to entertain tourists at the cast of dawn, the Gothic styled Cathedral of Santa Maria de Fiore (Florence's famous Doumo) and the beauty of the Mediterrean Sea along the beaches of Capri (what a beautiful  sight).  These pretty much sums up the week and a half we spent in Italy (from Rome to Venice to Florence and Pisa and back to Rome and ending it with a Day Trip to the beautiful Island of Capri).


The highlight of the trip for me was visiting St Peter's Cathedral, a long dream of mine since I was a little girl.  I was in awe of the huge basilica and there is a certain peace I felt once I was inside.  It was interesting to learn all the facts about the Vatican and history of Rome during our walking day tour.

Here are some pictures:

The Grand Altar inside St Peter's Basilica, under this is the tomb of St Peter.  Another interesting fact is only the Pope can officiate mass at this very altar

National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II.  Also known as the Altare della Patria Another fact we learned from our tour guide is Italians call this the wedding cake or typewrite as it resembles these from afar.  This is where Mussolini gathered his army during the war.

One of the Piazzas we passed by In Trastevere

Walking along the streets of Rome, along the Spagna area

Florence boasting of it's famous Gothic designed Duomo

What's left of the Roman Colosseum

View above The Famous Rialto Bridge.  Read somewhere that a lot of guys propose to their ladies on this famous bridge.  This is the very same view that the Venetian Las Vegas was trying to capture

Sighing on front of the Bridge of Sighs, also known as Ponte Dei Sospiri. A local legend says that lovers will be granted eternal love and bliss if they kiss on a gondola at sunset under the Bridge Of Sighs.[

Lastly, the view on top of Capri proper

Wicked Spoon Desserts (Las vegas)

The weekend before last, my girlfriends and I met in Vegas for our long planned reunion.  I had a blast with the girls.  I felt like in High School all over again (only for the weekend though :) But one of the best things we tried out is the Buffet at Wicked Spoon at the Cosmopolitan Hotel.  Love the food presentation and of course the delectable and tempting desserts.  See for your self:)

Yummy Gelato... Can't say no to that

This may be cheesecake?

Fudge, Cookies and the Home made Marshmallows are so delish :)

The Laduree Dream

Ever since, I've tasted the Laduree Macarons in Paris last year, I've been dreaming of going back just for the macarons and having a meal at the Champs Elysees Restaurant.  This Video did just that for me.  A day trip to Milan perhaps?  Mmmmm.... can't wait.

Still waiting for the day they'll conquer the West Coast!

Easter Party

Easter is one of my favorite Holidays.  Of course as a Catholic, it is one of the most important and festive celebrations in the Catholic Church besides Christ's birth.
I love the cute pastel and whimsical colors from decorations to great easter food and sweet treat ideas I see online. So with one week to prepare.  Here are some pictures of our Family Easter Party yesterday.  And of course no easter party would be complete without the annual Easter Egg Hunt around the backyard..

Parties around our house, won't be complete without a Dessert Table

Instant Caramel Flan that is store bought that i presented as dessert shots, topped with Jelly Beans

Semi Homemade Pineapple Cupcakes (Recipe I found online) with Pinacolada Frosting bought at Home Goods and topped with Bunny Peeps

Recycled water bottles turned to vases for Daisies I got from Michaels that I hanged on the Patio Deck and a  tired hubby after 2 days of labor around the yard

Last minute flower centerpieces I made on recycled bottle jars

Gotta love this $1 easter sign from the 99cent store

Freesia centerpiece on our backyard dining table

Our ever dependable mantle that plays a huge part in decorating with all of our family's celebrations, traditions and favorite holidays (Easter, of course, is one of them)





Hope you had a Blessed and Fun Easter!!

Pinterest

I'm hooked! Lots of creative Ideas you can pin on Pinterest so I gave in and joined the hype.  I'm planning 2 parties this year for the kiddos and found a lot if great images on Pinterest that will get the ball rolling for my party planning.  I'm so excited.  You can follow me here and tell me what you think..

Fashion Police Studio Design

I LOve the new Studio Set Design of Fashion Police on E! channel. No wonder it was designed by my design crush Jonathan Adler. Dreaming of a glam style like this with pops of pink, green and turquoise in my living room...

photo courtesy of Examiner

Hot Air Balloon Adventure

I thought of a different way of celebrating V day this year.. I've always wanted to go up on a Hot Air Balloon and so that's what we did last weekend.  We had so much fun viewing wineries, farms, different estates around the Temecula area and the best part is, getting up on the clouds (so cool!).  You can literally touch the clouds and see the beautiful horizon at Sunrise that Day.  It was the perfect weather  and a perfect way to celebrate this day with your loved one..

Watching the ground crew inflate the Hot Air Balloon

Other Hot Air Balloon starting on their journey

Up in the clouds

Mrs & Mr

Reminds me of the movie "Up"

After the Balloon Ride

Love all around..

I've never had this much flowers around me since my wedding day.  So it was a nice surprise when my husband filled the house with flowers during the 14 days of Valentine's starting February first. 

On the day itself, a dozen orange roses

What more can a girl ask for right?

Sweet Hong Kong

My sister was in Hong Kong in January and I just had to share this pictures she took during the weekend of Chinese New Year.. I love anything sweet so when I saw these pictures, I just knew I had to share:

Giant Desserts

I wanted to see this in person, Humongous French Macaron Tower (My Favorite)

A Valentine Milk Chocolate

A bite size French Macaron (for a giant that is :)

Thanks to my sister (as seen in pictures) for sharing these nice huge sweet treats.