My life is like a recurring birthday, it's full of cake:

      I mentioned earlier this week (in this slightly corny post) that it was my boyfriend's birthday this past Sunday. I took advantage of the opportunity to bake and whipped up my signature red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. The cake was a huge success at Shahin's birthday party and I even put aside an extra layer of red velvet for us to enjoy at home as well. I love being able to contribute to someone's special day with a cake because that also means that I am giving them a birthday wish when they blow out the candles! 

    ....And if you haven't gone into a sugar coma from the amount of cake I display on this blog then feel free to visit these additional posts:

Unbirthday Cake
Butter Cake 
The Happiest Pink Birthday Cake
Chocolate Chai Cake
Orange Zest Cake

(As for me.... I'm gonna run to my fridge

 for another slice of left over cake!)

Yours,
Nico

My Ultimate 90s Playlist: R&B/Rap/Hip Hop Edition!

      As warm weather rolls into Santa Cruz I get nostalgic for summers past. BBQs, hot days and loud music are some of the first memories that pop into my mind the minute I step out my front door and feel the sticky hot sunshine hit my face. Although these days my hobbies include gardening, cooking, and crafting, in the 90s I loved music. Even as a little girl you couldn't pull me away from the after school showing of TRL until I had seen which video made the number one slot for the day. I thought I'd make a quick playlist for myself of my favorite 90s rap, R&B, and Hip Hop jams to bring back memories of days past while I enjoy the sunshine that each day has been offering lately. 

1: "Can I Kick It" by A Tribe Called Quest

2: "Me Myself & I" by De La Soul

3: "Hey Mr. DJ" by Zhane

4: "It Was A Good Day" by Ice Cube

5: "Juicy" by The Notorious B.I.G.

6: "What a Man" by En Vogue featuring Salt N Pepa

7: "Shoop" by Salt N Pepa

8: "You Used To Love Me" by Faith Evans

9: "Nothin But A G Thang" by Snoop Dogg featuring Dr. Dre

10: "That Thing" Lauryn Hill

11: "The World Is Yours" NaS

12: "Can't You See?" Total featuring The Notorious B.I.G.

13: "Waterfalls" By TLC

(Click the song titles for links to the music video!)

      As soon as I compiled this playlist to share, I realized that I may have to put together a second edition. Selecting just a handful of favorite 90s songs was a little too much to fit into one post! I'd love to hear some of your top 90s jams in the comments, let me know which ones I left out this time around!

Yours,
Nico

Reflections:

     This time of year gets to be really chaotic for me and I'm sure many many others. May seems to mark the season of birthdays, weddings, graduations, mother's day, and all other types of lovely celebrations! However, when the 20th rolls around I always find time to slow down and reflect. Yesterday I was fortunate enough to celebrate Shahin's (my boyfriend's) birthday with him for the third year in a row and tomorrow we will be celebrating two years together. Today I feel so lucky to have met such a kind hearted person who also makes me laugh (You can check out some of Shahin's funny cartoons here and here)! Thank you Shahin, for all the warmth and love you bring into my life each day!

Yours,
Nico

Something...blue!

Something...blue! by nsaich featuring beaded jewelry

      I've been eagerly texting my friend Sabrina small details about her wedding day and I couldn't be more excited to celebrate one of the biggest days of her life tomorrow! I'll be voyaging to Carmel in the early morning to help Sabrina style her hair and make up (preview here) so she can feel and look like the most elegant bride! It still seems like just yesterday that we were dying each other's hair and doing make overs after school and now I feel so blessed to be able to contribute to one of the biggest days in Sabrina's life! Congrats to her and her husband-to-be Mike, I hope happiness follows you wherever you go!
      For some reason, I almost always end up wearing a blue dress to a wedding. I guess that's the good superstitious friend in me always wanting to make sure any bride includes "something blue" on her wedding day. Tomorrow will be no different and while I am wearing a second hand dress I found at Crossroads Trading Co, I wish I could be wearing the outfit featured above. I love the cerulean blue swingy fabric of the dress accented with jewelry that symbolizes infinite love, please make sure to click the link below the photo for outfit details!

Yours,
Nico

Roasted Beet & Chevre Salad:

       Recently, I shared a recipe for simple and easy roasted beets and I love to prepare the left overs in a vibrant and colorful salad bursting with fresh flavors. I layer in a spring mix of greens with slivers of red onion, bits of carrot, roasted pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, and creamy goat cheese for a combination of ingredients that will make your taste buds swoon! Every leafy green and crunchy carrot gets topped off with a decadent creamy citrus balsamic dressing that really makes the entire dish come together. This roasted beet and chevre salad is great as a side with supper but some nights I add bits of bacon (seen here) or slices of grilled chicken for a filling and hearty meal. 

Magic Ingredients:
(for the salad)
- 4 handfuls Mixed greens
- 1/4 cup sliced red onion
- 1 Carrot, chopped
- 1/4 cup peeled and roasted pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoons goat cheese
- 1/4 cup roasted beets 
(for the dressing)
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- Juice of one lime
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon agave syrup

Directions:
1: Layer salad ingredients in a medium serving dish.
2: In a small bowl, mix together the ingredients for the dressing with a whisk.
3: Drizzle the salad with dressing, serve, and devour!

Yours,
Nico