something new!

In hopes of updating more and having something to look back on, I've revamped my page and decided to start merging my life stuff with my food blog. I will continue updating mostly food entries, but now you can visit if you want to see pictures, read life stories, participate in giveaways, get some step-by-step recipes, diy and more!

Feel free to click the "all things food" button to the left if you would like to go straight to the food section of this blog. Thanks lovelies!

Palermo's Pizza

A little over a month ago, Jon and I were in Los Angeles for a Florence and The Machine show. The next morning we had planned to wake up and go to a taping of The Price is Right, but decided to ditch out on those lines and get Palermo's and stand in lines at Disneyland instead. Boy am I glad that we did!

Palermo's has an authentic environment with a lot of character, from celebrity signed photos in the front waiting area, to walls painted to look like Italy and place mats that are maps of Italia on the tables. Geography lessons, beautiful paintings and some real Italian accents, I was impressed.

We got the Pizza Rosa: feta, mozzarella, parmigiano cheese with tomatoes. This is some of the best pizza I've ever had. Pizza is a staple in this household, so we only eat the best and most delicious! :)



Location: 1858 N. Vermont Avenue Los Angeles, California 90027
Los Feliz

nutella banana waffles

This morning we had nutella banana waffles, vanilla caramel coffee and watched A Christmas Story!



I also found these awesome little single serving nutella's at World Market, I love that store!



Happy Saturday!

Capellini pasta

My favorite pasta is, hands down, Capellini (aka angel hair). I love capellini in spaghetti, alfredo, hot sauce, or just plain butter... there really isn't a better noodle.

When there isn't much left around the house, I like to make this artichoke heart, tomato, garlic toss pasta dish!


click photos to make bigger!

You will need:

1/4 pkg. capellini noodles
1 tbsp. olive oil (or butter)
1/2 can artichoke hearts
1/2 can diced tomatoes
1 tbsp. minced garlic
Tabasco to taste (I like spicy!)
Parmesan cheese to garnish

*sidenote: this dish can be made vegan, by leaving out the parmesan cheese

Serves: 1 (I like to double the recipe and take the leftovers to work for lunch)



1. Boil noodles



2. While noodles are boiling, in a large skillet, heat olive oil and minced garlic.



3. Once skillet is hot, add artichoke hearts and sauté



4. When the artichoke hearts start browning, add diced tomatoes



5. Strain noodles of all water, then add capellini to skillet and toss.
Add Tabasco if you are feeling spicy.



Voila!

homemade hot cocoa

The holidays are a perfect time to get creative by making cute cards and
homemade things for family and friends. If you know me, you know I'm
a huge fan of snail mail pen pals and care packages, so when I have a
reason to send goodies and cards, I'm all about it.

This year I decided to make some homemade hot cocoa and tried out these
holiday photo cards on Walgreens.com!


click photos to make bigger!

For homemade chocolaty hot cocoa, you will need:

10 cups dry milk powder
4 3/4 cups sifted confectioners sugar
1 3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
1 3/4 cups powdered non-dairy creamer
6"x4" treat bags or cute little jars
ribbon, yarn or something to tie treat bags

Makes 50 cups



1. In a large mixing bowl (I'm talking 6+ quarts, I actually had to use a big pot)
combine milk powder, confectioners sugar, cocoa powder, and creamer



2. Stir, stir, stir until thoroughly combined, no cocoa or milk powder lumps!

3. Scoop 5 tbsp. of cocoa mix into each bag or jar





4. Tie a little bow to make it nice and pretty




5. Attach a little note or card letting your friends know to add 1 cup boiling water
to cocoa mix. Stir to dissolve. Top with whipped cream or marshmallows!

Sweetbricks

Yesterday I received a package from my friend, Jena, the owner/founder of the gourmet toffee company Sweetbricks, based here in San Diego! I looked forward to trying the Oreos cookies n cream toffee, such a good idea and the Oreo to toffee ratio was perfect. Jena also included a package of the pretzels with dark chocolate toffee. Salt on chocolate? Yes, please!

Sweetbricks also offers other specialty toffee and even peppermint white chocolate toffee for the holidays! At $10 per bag, Sweetbricks makes for the perfect stocking stuffer or a treat for your sweet tooth.


Cutest logo!


Oreos cookie n cream


Pretzel with dark chocolate