What will your legacy be? A moment of reflection....

I hope everyone had a good day yesterday celebrating their mothers (and being celebrated, if applicable.)  Our weekend was bittersweet.  On Saturday, we had the memorial service for my late Grandma, my mom's mom. (If this sound like deja vu, yes, my dad's mom passed just about a month earlier.)

My grandma, while petite in stature (she was barely 5 ft.), was big in life and love.  During the memorial service, attendees were given the opportunity to share their memories or feelings, and quickly hands went up and nearly every single person commented on how she made them feel special and loved, even upon her first encounter with them.

I always knew my grandma was a loving person, but having her in my life from the beginning, I knew nothing different of her and probably took it for granted.  It was just how she was, the whole package of grandma, and not something that stood out specifically to me growing up.  But to have it named specifically by all these people from various time and places in her life really awed me and made me so proud to be related to such a great person.

I made a comment that it was amazing that 87+ years of life were able to be condensed onto 2 sides of one sheet of paper, for the service bulletin insert.  And it made me think: what are the key things people will remember about my story when my time comes?  My grandma's story started in Iowa, where she was born, and then to California, where she met my grandpa shortly after WWII, then back to Michigan then back to San Diego where they settled for good.  She had various jobs and 3 kids, and was able to travel a lot of the world with my grandpa in their retired years.  Everyone in the service (and her life) had shared different aspects and moments of her life with her, but what everyone shared was their acknowledgement and appreciation of the loving person she was.

Grandma and Grandpa's wedding photo. Don't they look like movie stars?
 

Not to be a downer, but we never know how much time we have been given.  My grandma was lucky and had a very full life, and we are all the thankful beneficiaries of that.  But even the youngest and healthiest of us can be surprised with our last day sooner than expected.  It wasn't just at the end that Grandma lived lovingly, she was always that way, and no matter when she had left us, I'm pretty confident the sentiments shared would have always been the same.  Some people leave a legacy reflected in material wealth, or professional achievements.  Grandma's legacy is love, and while she set the bar high, I aspire to live as my grandma showed us all how.

My Little Dude meeting his great-grandparents for the first time, a year and a half ago.
 

Friday Favorites - Links

Sharing some amazing/fun things I found on the web this week.  Happy Friday! 

Top Row, L-R

• Inspired to grow some of my own food on our balcony. Not everything needs a lot of room. (apartmenttherapy.com)
• Reese Witherspoon's new lifestyle and fashion site, named after her grandparents and southern heritage. So cute. (draperjames.com)
• Amazing what technology can create: blind pregnant woman see's her unborn baby via 3-D printed ultrasound. (yahoo.com)

Middle Row, L-R

• Loving all the greenery and natural elements in this interior tour.  Inspired for my own home decor to use more plants. (abeautifulmess.com)
• A trip down memory lane: a look back at our technology from 10 years (only 10 years) ago. Remember what you had? (huffpost.com)
• You don't have to be a parent to appreciate that kids say the darndest things. (huffpost.com)

Bottom Row, L-R

• In honor of Mother's Day, 20 reasons why being a mom rocks. (stylemepretty.com)
• I want to fill my whole closet with May's new spring arrivals. (anthropologie.com)
• In my efforts to live greener lifestyle, a list of simple ways to decorate green. (elementsofstyleblog.com)

What great things did you stumble across out there this past week?

Mixing it Up, Salmon Style

If you have not already discovered the most fabulous recipe website, let me introduce you.  Welcome to SkinnyTaste.com.  It is my go-to for tasty yet healthy (and easy) recipes that my family has always been pleased with.  Most of my Pepperplate recipes I've snagged from here (which is actually how I found out about it. SkinnyTaste is partnered with Pepperplate for easy recipe uploading. Perfect!)

We like to try to eat salmon at least once a week in our house.  I think it's pretty common knowledge nowadays how good for you fish like salmon is for you. We usually buy the packages of frozen filets from Costco, let them defrost in the fridge overnight, and they are a quick dinner under the broiler for 5-6 minutes (we have this Slap Ya Mamma seasoning that is very tasty.)  That with some grilled asparagus is a tasty healthy meal.

But sometimes we need to mix it up.  Thats how I came to find and try this Salmon and Quinoa Patty recipe, that I was very pleased with, and both my husband and 17 month old son devoured.  I made a couple modifications to the original recipe to expedite things, and it was very tasty and easy.

Photo borrowed from SkinnyTaste, because she takes such good pictures. Doesn't it look good?

Salmon and Quinioa Burger Patty Salad

Servings: 5 • Size: 1 burger with salad • Calories: 277 • Fat: 13 g • Carb: 17 g • Fiber: 2 g • Protein: 23 g • Sugar: 5 g • Sodium: 338 mg (without salt)  • Cholest: 105 mg

Ingredients:

• 16 oz wild salmon fillet, skin removed (Costco fillets come skinless)
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1/3 cup diced shallots
• 1 cup kale, chopped
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 3/4 cup cooked quinoa (about 1/4 cup uncooked. Ratio is 1:2 quinoa to water.  Add quinoa to water, bring to boil. Cover, reduce to simmer for 12-15 min, until all liquid absorbed.)
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp Old Bay (didn't have, just used some Lawry's Seasoned Salt and Flavor God Everything Seasoning.)
• 1 large egg, beaten

For the salad:

• 2 1/2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 1/2 tbsp champagne vinegar
• 2 tbsp minced shallots 
• 1 1/ 4 tsp dijon mustard
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 10 loose cups baby arugula
• 1 large pink grapefruit, peeled and diced (I bought a couple ready to eat grapefruit cups from the produce section of the grocery store - such a brilliant idea of mine, if I do say so myself.)

Directions:

In a small bowl, whisk the olive oil, vinegar, shallots, dijon, salt and pepper. Set aside in the fridge.

Cut about a 4 oz piece off or the salmon and place in a food processor or chopper to finely chop. This will help hold the burgers together.  With a knife finely chop the remaining salmon, transfer to a large work bowl. (I actually just coarsely chopped it all in the food processor by pulsing it. Much faster. Its not bad if all the salmon is finely chopped.)

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, add the oil and saute shallots and kale. Season with salt and pepper and cook over medium heat until wilted and tender, about 4 to 5 minutes.

Transfer to the bowl with salmon along with quinoa, Dijon, Old Bay and egg. Mix to combine, then form into 5 patties, about 1/2 cup each. 

Lightly heat a nonstick grill pan or skillet over medium heat, when hot spray with oil and add the salmon patties. Cook the 4 to 5 minutes, then gently turn and cook an additional 4 to 5 minutes, or until cooked through.

Toss the dressing with the arugula and grapefruit; divide on four plates. Top each salad with a salmon burger.

Enjoy!!!

This is mine - started eating before I remembered to take a picture, but it almost looks like the one above, right? ;)

Style Tips - How to Look Expensive

So I was flipping through my most recent copy of Lucky magazine, and I noticed a short piece promoting the web-exclusive brand Datura (datura.com).  The short article proclaimed that the site is "our new go-to for classic, wear-forever staples," and the founder, Stefania Borras was quoted saying "I saw a void for timeless, quality clothes at affordable prices.

Now, anything that claims to be affordable will get a second look from me.  And after a glance at the collection pieces shown with the article, and poking around the site, it confirmed to me what I've already thought for a while: the word "affordable" to the fashion world means something totally different than it does to me (and I have to imagine to many Americans.)

My income these days is significantly more than it was 10 years ago, but I don't think my budget has changed much (seems like the more $ I make, the more expensive everything else in life is.)  "Affordable" to me is not $150 for a linen shirt.  In fact, unless for special occasion or quality leather, anything over $100 is generally too much.  I don't have an extra $300 laying around for a silk shirt dress, and I confess envy if you are reading this and do (and not because I want the $300 silk shirt dress, but because I have student loans to pay off, and extra cash would help!) ;)

The good news is though that its not the price of what you wear that makes you look fashionable and stylish.  Subconsciously we think stylish = expensive, and that's probably because the 'stylish' people we look up to for inspiration are rich: actresses, models, socialites, reality stars.  We start to think that to look as fabulous as we think they do, we need their budgets.  But that's so not true.

A while back, I read the book How to Look Expensive: A Beauty Editor's Secrets to Getting Gorgeous without Breaking the Bank, hoping for some secret tips.  And while I'll go in to some details in later posts, here are some key things to get you started and keep in mind when shopping and dressing:

1.  Steer clear of super trendy items in general. Of course have fun with your style, but anything that is too extreme quickly dates itself and is often not very versatile. And versatility is the key to a making the most of your wardrobe.

2.  Black, white, neutrals - you can't go wrong.  They may seem boring at first and on their own, but they provide the perfect foundation for layering and accessorizing, which is really what makes the outfit (see below.)

3.  Proper FIT is a MUST.  Even the most expensive garment will look bad if it fits you poorly.  Everything fits models perfectly not because they are a size 2, but because the items are tailored for their bodies (that's why there are fittings before runway shows.) Take that $30 H&M dress in to a tailor and have them nip it or shorten it or whatever will make the garment just right for your body.  Extensive tailoring can get expensive, but if you save on the dress and pay a bit extra for customized fit, it will be a great investment.

4.  Once everything fits you well, think about LAYERS. Scarves, vests, jackets, etc.  These are versatile pieces and will help transform so many outfits. Jeans and a T are staples, but just eh.  You can change up the entire look with a beautiful scarf around your neck (even ok in the spring and summer in a light fabric.)  If you are going to invest in anything, a quality, classic handbag is a good way to go, but you can also rotate in some fun patterns and colors in cheaper versions and look just as stylish.

5.  ACCESSORIZE.  You can easily spend bank here, but totally not necessary.  Do spend on quality metal if its something you think you'll want to wear and keep for years, but embrace trends here with cheap (but well made) statement pieces or layering pieces.  And BELTS are a great way to change things up, cinching in a blousy dress or top, adding interest to the outfit (another layer) and helping define your shape.  If you're going to invest in anything, a quality classic handbag is a good way to go, but you can also rotate in some fun patters and colors in cheaper versions.

This is a start.  If you pay attention when you see well-dressed, stylish women, you'll notice that them employ all of these elements.  And you have no way to know how much everything actually cost them.

I know, in a perfect world we'd all have walk-in closets and unlimited wardrobe budgets (and there would be no more cancer, or hunger and the world would all just get along.)  But alas, we are clearly not in a perfect world, so we must make the best of what we've got (see my Thankful Thursday posts for reminders.)

What are your key styling tips?

Almost Last Minute Mother's Day Gift Ideas

If you are better than me (and you should be, I don't recommend my MO) and don't wait until the last minute, then you have your mom's Mother's Day gift already.  If you're like me, you have 6 days of shopping, and less if you're ordering something that requires shipping.  Amazon Prime is always my savior in these situations.

This will be my second year as a mom myself, and every day I see new ways in which I appreciate my own mom more and more.  My husband did a good job with the mother's day gifts last year: he had a custom night shirt made for me with a silly picture of our then 4 month old son printed on the front.  And his daycare made a card with his tiny hand prints, and snuck a picture of my two boys. Of course I will keep them all forever.

As a now recipient of Mother's Day gifts, I've complied a small list of the kinds of things that I would enjoy receiving (I always try to give stuff that I'd be equally happy receiving), to help with gift ideas.

1.  You really can never go wrong with chocolate covered strawberries, as far as I'm concerned.  And while this company offers their berries year round, it's strawberry season, so they're bound to be especially good right now.
2. For the mom that loves to cook, Flavor God seasonings are chemical and filler free, and low on sodium up very high on flavor.  One of my favorites is Chipotle, but this combo starter pack is a good deal with good flavors.
3. We all need places to store our jewelry, and this one is pretty to look at and multi-functional.  With a dish for chains and bangles, and little holes around the perimeter for earrings, it is an efficient use of counterspace.  Plus, it's in one of my favorite colors.
4. I love this idea (not just because it means more jewelry ;) ).  Add to mom's wedding set with a band laid with children's birthstones (if you have more than 2 kids, you'd need pretty long fingers for this one, so maybe best for a mom with a small brood.)
5. For the DIY-er, and the mom that loves DIY gifts (and uses mugs), you can put any custom message on a mug.  Its not very hard, but this gal offers her trial and error to save you from such.
6. Another adorable DIY, and succulents are such a good idea because they are cute, easy to care for, and living (versus a cut bouquet that will die in a week.)
7. I'm a big fan of pretty robes, especially the light ones that you wear for cover and comfort, not specifically warmth (I live in SoCal. It doesn't get very cold.) And I'm all for up-cycled products, and this beauty is made from reclaimed saris.
8. We all love a cute, versatile bag.  And this one, from Toms (you know the one-for-one shoe company?) gives back: with every purchase of one of these bags, TOMs will help provide a safe birth for a mother and baby in need.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there.