Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is just a few days away.  With the weather being so unpredictable it's caused us to lose track of time...one day you're wearing shorts the next a parka...who knows.  But the fact is this Monday is May 5th and Cinco de Mayo is on.  Now I realize that Monday is not the best day to celebrate but if we were to make lemons into lemonade we could say that Sunday is the perfect prep day.  That's right, as long as you choose dishes that can be made ahead of time there are really no excuses to put off getting together with a few friends, surprising your significant other or just at the very least a reason to eat Mexican.  Here's a few ideas to get the creative juices flowing.

Strawberry Margaritas

Slow Cooked Ancho Pork Taco appetizers

The Perfect Mexican Playlist

Chorizo and Potato Enchiladas

Sombrero Cookies

Pastrami and Cheese Anyone

What is this you might ask?  Well, this is a delicious home baked bread filled with pastrami and cheese...I know!  With warm weather comes outdoor activities from baseball games, beach outings, picnics and more.  Why  not have a delicious sandwich in your repertoire that everyone will be excited about.  Plus it's a great way to host a little get together on a Sunday afternoon with a beer flight to mix it up a little. 

Link Love

Donna Hay
Brownie Cookies with Salted Caramel Creme

Redbook
This is a perfectly styled bar cart.

Kitchen Simplicity
Carrot Cake Pancakes with Cream Cheese Syrup

Lauren Conrad
Warm weather means time to experiment with stylish nails.

Vegetables

Well I'm back from my getaway to Niagara and unfortunately there is not all that much to report.  The weather was cold, the mist was so great you could hardly see the falls and it snowed on us driving home.  However, I'm just being Debbie Downer because I really wanted it to be something special for my mom and truthfully it fell a little flat.  BUT  it is still something everyone should see once.

 That being said since we've had visitors for the last couple of weeks, someone namely me, has fallen off the diet bandwagon.  Not completely but when you are dining at restaurants its hard not to sneak a few bites of the forbidden fruit.  And oh yeah did I mention the alcohol intake.   So this week it's back on in full force but I need some new recipes.  I am bored, bored, bored with the norm.

 Malibu Kitchen
Asparagus, Mushroom and Garlic Tart (I'll have to do an omelet version)

An Edible Mosaic
Roasted Gobi Manchurian (Cauliflower in Spicy Sauce)

Jacqueline Copeland
Portobellos stuffed with brushetta and topped with basil and feta

Running to the Kitchen (photo courtesy of Running to the Kitchen)
Sweet Corn Egg Drop Soup

Niagara Falls Quick Getaway

My moms in town and I'm taking her on a quick jaunt up to see Niagara Falls.  It'll just be a couple of days and then I'll give you the low down when I return.  Talk to you soon.

Link Love

Sulia
Nothing says, "hello spring" like lemonade cake

Le Log Deco
This hidden storage space is genius.

Hapa Nom Nom
Asparagus with poached egg in roasted garlic miso butter

 Laa Loosh
Blueberry Mint Lemonade

Spring Styling

I know Spring means you're suppose to clean...but Spring styling sounds like so much more fun.  I saw this great post over at Amber Interiors that I can't get out of my head.  It is so simple...yet so helpful.  It seems like something I should have already known but somehow seeing it laid out like this helps me picture it better.  Check it out and see what you think.

Add a little Spring...

It's that time of year when you start thinking about adding some warm weather touches to your routine.  I love outdoor dining, visits to Coney Island and eating lobster by the ocean in run down lobster shacks.  All of these things say, "Summer is here!" to me.  But although I get equally excited about Spring, I don't have as many rituals so to speak.  This post over at Anthro blog got me thinking, maybe a few flower pots to spruce up the decor could help get me in the right frame of mind.  Maybe Spring should be more about the preparation of the coming season?

Why not serve your greens in a to cute flower pot?

Or ice beverages?

Why not incorporate some new lighting (it is so much easier than you think)

Lastly, who wouldn't want to attend an outdoor brunch with adorable name tags?

Salted Caramel Cracker Candy

Are looking to do a little baking for your Easter guests?  Or in this case no baking necessary.  Check out this recipe from Good Housekeeping using saltines and caramel.  It looks like it takes about 15 minutes to whip up and then you have adorable take aways for all your guests

Link Love

BHG
What chic looking Easter eggs

Little Green Notebook
I'm thinking I need my very own orange tree

A Farmgirl's Dabbles
Every occasion should have sriracha deviled eggs

Natural Curiosities
Sometimes things don't go very smoothly...that time is now for me.  So, I'm going to print this out as inspiration.