Fancy Grilled Cheese

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Grilled cheese sandwiches were my favorite growing up (along with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches). I still enjoy eating one, but like to think my tastes have refined a little. Now with gourmet grilled cheese all the rage (like at The Melt) it inspired me to experiment with a classic.

As with last time, I used ingredients that were already in the fridge to create a unique and flavorful sandwich.

The spread: Trader Joe’s sourdough bread, pepper jack cheese, pesto, and an onion

The assembly: I like making pieces of cheese so that it spread all over the bread, getting all gooey and oozes cheese.

The finished product.

Do you like grilled cheese? What is your favorite variation on the sandwich staple?

Favorite New Shows

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As a follow up to this post, I thought I would share two of my favorite new shows from this TV season.

Once Upon a Time, Sundays on ABC at 8 PM

The premise: the small town of Storybrooke is occupied from characters of fairy tales, only they do not know their real identity due to a

curse casted by the Evil Queen. Snow White’s daughter, Emma Swan, is the only person who can put and end to the curse or so her biological son says. She does not believe him. The best thing about this show is how the fairy tale world and the real world are so thoughtfully woven together. It is so great to see Snow White in her castle in the fairy tale world and to see the reality Snow White as an elementary school teacher. The little details are what make this show so fun to watch.

Revenge, Wednesdays on ABC at 10 PM

This show is my guilty pleasure. It is soapy, but honestly so addicting. Amanda Clarke moves back to the Hamptons to seek revenge on all those that wrongfully accused her (late) father of being a terrorist. It is so entertaining to see her taking down her filthy rich neighbors, one by one, in such elaborate schemes. The best part is that no one knows she is Amanda Clarke or that she is the one reeking havoc. I fully cannot wait until both of those things are revealed, which according to sources should be this season. Although I have to wonder how the show will go on after the big reveal. I am looking forward to finding out!

What are your favorite shows from this year? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!

Thai Red Curry

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I am a huge fan of Thai food. Like huge. If I was having a “last meal” of sorts, Thai food would definitely be on that list (so would CPK’s tostada pizza.)

It’s only until recently (the last 10 years) that I really started my love affair with Thai food and only until very recently (the past year) that I started cooking it.

I was intimidated at first, but it is actually pretty easy. All you really need are two things: coconut milk and red curry paste, which you can pick up at any grocery store or Asian supermarket. You can add vegetables and/or tofu to the mix.

Here is a good detailed recipe.

Do you like Thai food? What is your favorite dish and have you made it at home?

Beauty Products

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I have been lucky enough to be blessed with some good skin. Other than the occasional pimples every once in a while, I have no problems or complaints. I still used MAC’s StudioFix as a way to give my skin a uniform look. But it wasn’t until last month when I discovered tinted moisturizer.

What is tinted moisturizer? It is a lightweight formula that adapts to the color of your skin, giving you a finished and glowy look. They also have SPF, to help with anti-aging.

I am currently using Origins’ Vita Zing tinted moisturizer. I have recently become a big fan of Origins products as they are all natural.

I use Vita Zing Moisturizer  for days when I am out and about, running errands, or get togethers with family and friends. I apply MAC Studio Fix for work, birthdays, parties, and nights out. Revlon ColorStay is for special occasions such as weddings, engagements, etc.

Do you use tinted moisturizer? What is your favorite brand?

(P.S. Some of my other favorite Origins products are Cheeks and Balances face wash and Modern Friction. If you don’t want to buy their products right away, go to your nearest store and ask for a sample. They are very generous!)

Movie Review: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

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My thoughts on books turned to movies are quite clear – but once in a while, a movie comes out that lives up to the book’s hype.

I saw The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo over the holidays. I had no real expectations of the movie; my sister-in-law and I wanted to see it because we both read the books. But once I began looking for showtimes and came across the ratings (4 stars average) I began to get excited. Maybe this movie won’t be awful!

We were not disappointed. A few scenes were quite graphic and disturbing (I could barely read those paragraphs in the book, so you can imagine my state in the theater). The movie itself was a bit long (2 hours and 40 minutes), as they tried their hardest to fit all the details of the book. Of course this meant a few things were changed in the movie, but that is to be expected.

The real star of the movie was the girl with the dragon tattoo- Rooney Mara. She played the role of Lisabeth Salander so incredibly well. From the make-up to the acting, she was the shining star. I think she is well on her way to becoming one of the best actresses in Hollywood.

Did you see the movie? What did you think?

The holidays in pictures

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The holidays are now officially over and starting today, it’s back to reality. I spent part of the break in the Bay Area and part of it in LA.

Here are some pictures of the past few days:

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Edible holiday decorations in the Fairmont Hotel

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My new Kate Spade iPhone case that I wanted

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Watching my ice cream being made in front of my eyes at Smitten

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The tree in Union Square, San Francisco.

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A pesto crepe, with salad and seasoned potatoes on the side from The Crepe House

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A Diddy Riese cookie sandwich in Westwood, LA

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Pretty decor at a Mexican restaurant in LA

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Currently on my nails: Essie’s Bangle Jangle

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My winter attire in LA: tights, a dress, and sandals. Can’t beat 80 degrees in December/January!

How did you spend your holidays?

Here’s hoping that 2012 is an amazing year for us all!

Holiday Goodies

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So I originally intended to make this post much earlier in the week, but things got in the way.  It was only this morning I realized that my sweet obsessed brother and sister-in-law are coming into town tonight. So I frantically began baking.

I knew I wanted to make something from scratch and peppermint flavored. A few weeks ago, I was browsing on Pinterest and I came across the recipe for chocolate peppermint bark cookies.  I knew I had to make them. Here is the recipe.

They were surprisingly easy! A few adjustments I made: I only used 1 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter and 3/4 cup of sugar. I also put much less chocolate chips and candy canes than indicated, no white chocolate chips whatsoever and the end result was just the perfect amount of sweetness.

The final product. I used a knife to create swirly designs and cut them in unique shapes.

What are you baking for the holidays?

I wish you and your family a very happy holiday! Have a lovely weekend.

Sparkly Nails

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I wanted to try something festive and different with my nails this holiday season. I went into Ulta (armed with some coupons) and came across Sally Hansen’s Salon Effects. They ran out of the holiday inspired strips, but I picked up these sparkly gold ones instead.

My attempt at creating a new manicure trend..or just being my klutzy self?

They are nail polish strips that you peel and then place on your nails. It comes with a wooden pick (to push back your cuticles) and a nail file to smoothen the strips out. The strips come in different sizes so that they fit each nail.

I felt like it was pretty tedious to put on. But once it was smoothed over, they stayed on pretty well. It is supposed to last for a few weeks and I am hoping it does.

I found it odd that it comes with only 16 strips. So you can only use them on your hands or your feet, not both.

What is on your nails right now? What is your favorite manicure style?

The Christmas Spirit

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I know I’ve been neglecting the blog this week, but I’ve been consumed with work and getting things ready for the holidays. I read this news story earlier in the week, which made me so happy. “Secret Santas” all across the country are going to the layaway counters at stores and paying off other peoples’ bills. This has also motivated others to give back in the same manner. It truly shows that kindness has a ripple effect. 🙂

On a lighter note, here is a funny video courtesy of Jimmy Kimmel Live. Kimmel asked parents to videotape them giving their children a really awful gift. Some of the reactions are hilarious!

Holiday Cheer

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Christmas lights strung inside the house. (The congratulations sign was hung up after my brother proposed to his girlfriend, who is now his wife. I don’t think it’ll ever be taken down.)

I can’t believe 2011 is almost over and that Christmas is nearly here!

I know I’m not in the minority when I say I love this time of year. Christmas lights on every corner, stores decorated, holiday baking, and peppermint mochas. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

What are some of your favorite things related to this time of the year?