Gelato

When one picture can capture your happiness.

Recently, I had the chance to go to Amorino. A wonderful gelato shop downtown. Its a quaint little shop with beautiful open windows and rustic tables and chairs. It didn't bother me that the line was out the door. It actually added to the atomosphere. Hoards of people gathered together in excitement over gelato.

The best part is, they use their gelato as the filling to make macarons. Macarons are my favorite pastry that I never get to eat. There aren't any places on the southside that sell these bomb treats so when I got the opportunity to try these, I ran for it.

It was perfect walking along Chicago's River Walk eating galato and macarons.

What are some good dessert places in your neighborhood?

Taking Out the Trash

(Photo credit: Mrs. Meyers)

I have been so busy with work, school, and my crazy family; I have let clutter build up in my house. We have a small house so this is a major no-no. So, what's a girl to do? Make a trip to IKEA,  of course. The kitchen was the worst and  since we are on a tight budget. The shopping list was short but it made a big impact on the kitchen and the functionality of how we live. So, check out what we did in the kitchen. If you have a small kitchen like me, here are some things I did to create more space:

1. Check expiration dates. Make sure all the food you have is within the date printed on the products
2. Look at all you cooking products, dishes, and appliances to see what you use on a regular basis. Store these items where they are easy to get to and the other items you use less store higher up. Or over the refrigerator, like I did.
3. Get rid of boxes where ever you can. I bought glass mason jars to store flour, sugar, corn meal, etc.. they are also good to store pasta and rice. Plus, they are really cheap.
4. To make sure your hard work stays organized label your bins and jars so you know what everything is. And, if you want to go above and beyond put the expiration date so you know when to chuck the items. This will help with keeping clutter at bay.

There is tons of inspiration on Pinterest, like the photos above. I also, checked out TameraMowry.com, she has an amazing kitchen. Every one has different needs so use the ideas that fit for you and your kitchen. 

New Age Ice Cream Sandwiches

photo courtesy of Domino.com

Who loves ice cream? I do. Especially, ice cream sandwiches!

While perusing one of my favorite websites, I fell upon these fun ice cream sandwich recipes. I loved the idea to remix the traditional ice cream sandwich because my son Dominic loves to cook. Its something fun we can do together and he can be creative with the toppings.

We used chocolate chip ice cream for the filling and chocolate chip-pecan waffle for the outside. If you have little ones running around and want something fun to do on a hot Sunday afternoon, this is a great activity. I found the idea on Domino.

Home Attire

Do you have leisure clothes that you wear around the house or just to run quick errands. When I was growing up the women in my life always had an at-home uniform. My aunts would wear house dresses and my mom would wear jogging suits. For me, all of my home attire made me look like a homeless person. This isn't the best since a) I have a husband, that I would like him to stay interested in me and b) I have two sons. I am the first woman they see. And, for that reason, I want to be the best woman I can be mind, body, and soul. I want my spirit to shine through and not be dampened by my less than desirable attire.

With that being said, I'm not going to be wearing evening gowns and tiaras but I would like to be effortlessly cute, if that's a thing. So, what does that look like? For me, its maxi dresses and jumpsuits. These are items that I can throw on, but if I need to run errands, I can pair them with cute shoes or a jacket and run out the house.

Now that I have the attire down what to do with my unruly hair and this face. Well, I have been looking at head wraps that are a cute accessory to an outfit. I can wear my hair fully up or let it hang a little. I found the cutest ones at TopKnots and if you have a little girl you can get matching. And, as for my face, I usually wear a tinted moisturizer with a good spf. And viola! A cute at-home look that doesn't take more than five minutes. Manicures and pedicures have been downsized to cut downs and shaping in the car. But hey, my digits are always glistening.