Little Things

The past few weeks have had their ups and downs. But while all good things come to an end, they always open up new doors and new possibilities. Nevertheless, I have a little desire in my heart to explore what the world has to offer. In the meantime, I am planning to take things step by step and work my way to the top. But, first, I must catch up on my beloved blog. These are a few of my currently favorite things...

{Awestruck with the beauty of a cold yet sunny day}

{Spencer Hastings (from Pretty Little Liars) inspired outfit of the day. Nine West ankle boots, A'GACI jeggings, GAP knit sweater, Forever21 white button-down, Louis Vuitton handbag}

{New discovery: a delicious Italian restaurant called Pazi Pizza in the city. It truly is a hidden gem}

Little Things: New Year's Resolution Edition

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. – Mark Twain

"New year, new me," people say. How many of those people actually fulfill this idea? Not me, at least. I usually have the same goals every year, but growing up has introduced me to new doors I want to explore. In a way, the future frightens me terribly, but it also makes me so eagerly excited. For example, learning a new language, learning to drive, going to a college summer program, deciding what career I want to pursue, etc. In addition, this year, some of my goals include the following: 

Exploring and improving new tastes and recipes.
My love for baking has now expanded into a love for cooking. Salty or sweet, if it is created in the kitchen, count me in. This year I plan to improve and explore new tastes and recipes. I plan to continue "wow"-ing my loved ones with tastiness. Someday, I hope to become the best mom in the world who spoils her husband and children with her exquisite skills in the kitchen.

{Follow me on Pinterest and see all of the amazing recipes I've pinned. I hope to someday try them all out, which is realistically impossible}

Be healthy and fit. Eat healthy, exercise frequently, get the sleep I need, and stress less.
How many of us have said "I'll start on Monday"? Honestly, we all know we are only lying to ourselves. Being healthy, I've learned, is a lifestyle. Generally, I try to make the best choices I can to take care of myself.  I actually enjoy eating fruits and vegetables, and avoid deep fried foods as much as possible. I honestly can't resist staying up later than 10 PM on school nights and wake up bright and early every morning (9 AM is sleeping in for me). I've never touched a cigar or had a whole drink. This year, I hope to exercise more in addition to making good choices in life.

{I absolutely love Zumba, Pilates, and Aerobics in addition to my ballet experience. My mom just bought me a whole mini weights kit and fitness clothing.}

These are a few things that have made me smile this week...

 {I have spent eleven years of my life pursuing ballet. Hard work, dedication, and passion have guide me side by side through all this time, as is what my old pair of pointe shoes have written all over them (right). There is a large portion of my heart that holds on to this love for ballet. I can't wait to break in my brand new pair of pointe shoes when we get back from vacation.}

{The newest addition to the family...a beautiful minion. I'm thinking about naming him Phil Dunphy, due to my current obsession with Modern Family} 

{Obsessed with yogurt-covered pretzels. They are the perfect combination between sweet and salty savoriness} 

New Year's Eve

I am grateful to God for granting me another year of life. Although 2013 had its ups and downs, I will certainly keep my head up high and anxiously wait for what this new year has to offer. 

New Year's Eve in my family is usually very tranquil (ok, maybe a little boring). This year, my mom and I began the cooking at 8 AM sharp. We made pork leg (not my favorite, but it turned out pretty tasty), turkey medallions (stuffed with tomatos, spinach, parmesan, and olives), corn souffle, sweet potato casserole, and salad. For dessert, my aunt brought a delightful pecan pie. The "ooh's" and "aah's" and "yum's" coming from my family on the dinner table made the whole work day worth it. That is the true pleasure of cooking: seeing others enjoy what you have prepared. The rest of the evening, we sipped on wine until the clock struck 12 and the new year received us with its arms wide open. My outfit for the night consisted of a beautiful coral peplum dress with nude heels and gold accessories. They say the way you end a year will dictate how the new year will go. If this is true, then the laugh attack I had around my family at 11:59 PM on December 31, 2013, is a good sign (my dogs crashed our party and thinking the Christmas tree was an actual tree, ALMOST urinated all over it..It was priceless). 

Happy New Year, everyone! May this new year be full of blessings, laughter, love, happiness, and hope! 

{Forever21 chain bracelet, LOFT earrings, jewelry store cross bracelet} 

{The Collection peplum dress, Forever21 heels, Francesca's necklace}

Auntie Lili's Quinoa Salad

Last weekend, at my cousin's baby's baptism, my aunt did a spectacular job with the buffet at the celebration. She had so many different flavors that blended in together perfectly. I loved every bite I took, but one thing that stood out to me the most was this Quinoa Salad. Recently, I had heard that "Quinoa is the grain of the future" or "Quinoa is the healthiest grain on earth". I had never tried it, though, and always had the curiosity to do so. This is the recipe to my aunt's salad that introduced me to this adorable "grain of the future". I succeeded to obtain the same flavor as the first time I tried it (humbly, I think mine was even better). Once I was done, thousands of ideas popped into my mind to make a variation of this salad. I could add mandarin oranges, green apples, or pears instead of grapes. I would also change the pumpkin seeds for sliced almonds. Diced cucumber and even garbanzo beans would go perfectly with this salad. 

Auntie Lili's Quinoa Salad
Ingredients:

• 1 cup white Quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons Agave nectar
• salt
• pepper
• cumin
• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
• 3/4 cup grated carrots
• 3/4 cup peeled edamame beans 
• 3/4 cup grapes cut in half
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds

Directions: 

• Boil Quinoa in two cups of water for approximately 15 minutes. Let cool completely and place it in the refrigerator.
• In a bowl, mix together the lemon juice, olive oil, dijon mustard, agave nectar, salt, pepper, cumin, and cilantro to create the dressing. 
• Mix in the Quinoa with the dressing. 
• Add the carrots, edamame, grapes, onion, and pumpkin seeds. 
• Serve cold and enjoy!