Children Space

I don't know if I just now became aware of all the cool things that are available for kids today but the more I look the more I feel like they are all so lucky to have all of this stuff available.  From the gadgets to strollers to toys to room decor to organic kosher gluten free food blah blah blah!  I really think that this time is for mommies and kids.  Anyway, I am constantly in the look out for inspirations whether its for toddler cooking or for room decor and Elle Decor featured cool rooms for children.  I can't help but to laugh a little looking at this rooms and think how much work it actually takes for it to be this organize in real life.  :)

 I love a room in the attic cause it feels tucked away, hidden and mysterious.  A place to go wild with your imagination.  Loving the blue room and wood floors. 

 Ultimate girlie room! Check out that orange bed!  

 I used to dream of having a bunk bed and this all white with touches of color makes me want to have it for myself!

 I love the safari themed room and I like that it's not "kiddy" colors.  

This is my favorite and will attempt to emulate this room for Lukas when he's a little bigger.  I think this room inspires travel and adventure and exactly what I would want Lukas to have.

All photos are from: Elledecor.com

"Your child was born with about 100 billion brain cells.  That's amazing enough, but what's happening now that he's a toddler is almost more so.  Each of those brain cells is sending out and receiving electrical signals, creating connections among brain cells that, through repetition, turn into networks. The networks (often called wiring or circuitry) allow him to think and learn.  By his third birthday your toddler's brain will have formed about 1,000 trillion connections." - Quote on how to raise an imaginative child

Fishy Fishy Fishy

This week has been slow in the home front and nothing much exciting stuff going on therefore nothing to blog about.  This weekend we visited Monterey Bay Aquarium again, Lukas reaction to the fishes are much much cuter this time around.  He was more interactive and much more aware.  The only challenge now is that he refuses to sit in his stroller and wants to touch everything so it's much more work for us that by the end of the day I was so exhausted I fell asleep on our drive back home until Lukas reminded me that I don't get that luxury anymore.  He was pretty beat by the time we got back home and went to sleep earlier than his normal bed time, I wonder if he dreams about the stuff he got to see during the day?

Food made fast

Don't you just love Trader Joe's?  Very budget friendly for good quality products.  We often do our food shopping there and their packaged products are amazing especially if I'm needing of baby food I can quickly put together for Lukas that is also good enough for us grown ups.  Although I'm a big believer of baby meals made from scratch it's not always possible for us, so I am happy that I can buy something at Trader Joe's that is good enough to open and serve even it's from a package.

 Polenta with shredded chicken and basil pesto (all store bought except for the chicken)

 Polenta with marinara sauce and provolone cheese (I didn't have mozzarella so I cut up sliced provolone cheese)

Whole wheat gnocchi with home made spinach pesto (spinach pesto is so easy to make and packed with nutrients - I squeezed in some lemon juice to make the flavor even more vibrant)

All this cooking is nothing if Lukas didn't eat it that is why I am so happy that he has an adventurous palate. 

The Anthropologie lover

Anthropologie is one of those awesome company that gives me a very inspiring place to go to whenever I feel dull and bored.   Lately, I've been drawn to the naked and romantic  decor impression of minimalism.  Maybe because I have to keep my house organized and clean to make it a baby friendly environment for Lukas.  The clean lines of these items just makes me covet it even more. 

I recently ran into the website the Anthropologist "an online space that supports the work of inspiring individuals, brought to you by the people of Anthropologie".  The videos featured are so breathtaking and will keep you at awe.  Things like this makes me love the company even more.

Fresh and Easy

I noticed a sudden change of personality with Lukas when he turned 1.  One of the changes is that he's been picky with food and refuses to eat the normal meals I serve him so I've been changing it up with what I make for him.  At first I just instantly made him the comfort foods that I am used to like grilled cheese sandwiches and mac and cheese.  Then I realized, hey I can introduce him new food with healthy choices.  So I've been experimenting with new things.  I gave him polenta (which I'm going to have a separate post of) and last night I made him baked salmon over quinoa with edamame and tomatoes.  I am happy that he liked it cause I know that this is a healthy balanced meal that is full of fiber and proteins.

Baked Salmon over quinoa with edamame and tomatoes
For the Salmon:
About 1/4 - 1/2 of a pound of salmon cut lengthwise
1 lemon zest and juice
salt and pepper to taste
1 garlic grated
2-4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp of mustard

For Quinoa
1 cup of uncooked quinoa
2 cups of low sodium organic chicken stock
1/2 of cooked peeled edamame chopped (I chopped round edge food to make it a little less of a choking hazard)
2 medium size tomatoes chopped or you can use 1/4 of a cup of cherry tomatoes cut in halves


Combine lemon zest, juice, garlic, mustard, salt and pepper and slowly whisk in the olive oil.  Once all incorporated, place salmon in a small dish and pour the marinate over the salmon cover it and let it sit for an hour or so.

While salmon is marinating cook quinoa.  Pour quinoa and chicken stock into a saucepan.  Bring it up to boil cover the saucepan then let it simmer for 15 minutes.  Once cooked, fluff it up with a fork and add the edamame and tomatoes.  Cover again till served.

Bake the salmon for 20 to 25 minutes at 375 degree oven.

Busy Busy Weekend!

I finally built up the courage to get back to ballet and try out this new school in our area.  I had a good time but I didn't like the class as much as the last school I attended 2 years ago.  It's nice to dance again though and I am really thinking about continuing it.  I think it'll be nice to get back in shape too!

Made some yummy cinnamon rolls late friday night 

Took some mommy time off and attended San Francisco Outside Lands Festival.  I had a great time with my friend Marg and finally got to see Muse and Black Keys play.  (photo taken by Marg) 

I am so excited about my herb box that I planted this Sunday.  I'm planning to make pretty labels for them.  I can't wait to not have to pay money for herbs!

I dough

I was inspired to bake lately and last friday night I made one of Mark's favorite sweet treat cinnamon roll.  I have to say that I was really proud of myself in making this and the best pay off is to see Mark truly enjoy this treat.  I think I'll be making more of this in the future..

Mommy the cook

I always go in waves in putting more effort in making some yummy food for my boys.  This week I am so lazy to go to the market and buy food that I ended up going through my fridge and pantry to see what I can make w/o going to the store.  I ended up making some marinated steak that I sliced up and made into a sandwich with my home made bread.

Mark didn't have cereal for breakfast the next day so whipped up some blueberry strudel that's so easy to make as long as you use puff pastry.  It turned up so yummy I ate most of it :).

Now knowing how easy and quick the strudel recipe is, I am excited to make this for Lukas when he goes to school (which I am happy that it won't be years from now).  The strudel is too sweet for Lukas so I didn't give him some but I think if you are giving children junk food it's much better to make it at home. Don't ya think?

Lukas has been super picky with food and I discovered this week that he loves eggs by taking a bite from my breakfast which made me so happy cause he didn't have any appetite most of last week.  But I try to incorporate veggies in each meal that I make him so I made him some zucchini cheese fritata and added a little bit of nutmeg.  He loved it so much that I gave myself a little pat in the back.

Just a day trip away

For a little change of scenery over the weekend we decided to take a day trip to Carmel for some family time.  We walked along the cute little shops, went to a patisserie for coffee and snacks and admired all the beautiful flowers and quaint houses that made us feel like we were in Hogworts.  There were tons of tourist as usual and the sun wasn't out but we had a delightful time.  

Yellow Mellow

We've been having gorgeous weather lately but all week I've just been so lazy to even dress up that when I threw on this outfit it kind of made me feel good.  Hats are my go to accessories come summer time cause not only it keeps me from burning my forehead it's also a good way to hide a bad or un-styled hair day (now that Lukas is running around, styling my hair everyday isn't possible anymore).   I love love this little scarf I got on sale from Anthropologie for a pop of color and I just adored this little gold necklace with a bottle pendant that I got from the same place. 

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND EVERYONE!

Stuff Envy

Ever since I found out that I was pregnant with Lukas I've checked out baby gadgets, furnitures, and strollers like they are the new fashion trend (I joke around that strollers are the new IT bag).  Here's some stuff that I've been dreaming about but most of this stuff is super expensive that all I can do is drool over it. 

 I love how modern this crib is and how the baby has a 360 degree view.  Hey if you have a whopping 3500 bucks to shell out then go for it! 

 Super super stroller envy on this one.  I have an orbit baby and I love love it but it's not the most practical thing to lug around when traveling w/c makes me envious of the Stokke stroller owners. 

 Lukas got a mama roo from my baby shower but by some reason he didn't like it when he was an infant.  I still like it though but I ended up selling his and putting the money towards his college fund. 

 I am crazy crazy in love with this crib because I am obsessed with anything carnival.  

Lukas' stroller is one of the things that I didn't mind investing good money on.  I love my orbit baby especially because Lukas is so comfortable in it.  He sleeps so well in this stroller and that to me is priceless.  I love the candy color stroller seat covers Orbit came out with and I can't wait to get my paws in one of them.  

All photos are from shopstyle.com 

Feeling a little whimsical lately..

Style.com 

 Feeling very brave by picking a nail color that isn't red or neutral or pink..On another note: Is it time to change my nail place when my nail lady takes a nap in front of me while waiting for the nail polish to dry?  I was so confused when this happened

 Channeling my inner dork but couldn't bring myself to wear it outside..

Got this 70's vintage Dior sunglasses at a London flea market some years ago.  I love that it makes me look like Wall-E.. 

Happy August Everyone!!

One sandy saturday...

Our awesome friends who lives just about a mile from the beach invited us over to spend some time by the beach then over to their house for some juicy grilled burgers.

We had an awesome day and Lukas was so happy to see the beach and keep wanting to go in the water and chase all the birds.  My brother was with us and he spent most of the time walking along the shore with Lukas while Mark and I chatted with our friends.  It was a perfect saturday...