Saint Patty's Day - The Social Table

Every Year on St. Patrick's Day, I ask, "Can I still wear green even though I'm not Irish?"  And what I love about the great ole' USofA is- why the heck not!  We're a melting pot!  Now if only I can my boss to give me the Jewish holidays off even though I am Catholic --Yeah, not happening, LOL...So this Asian girl was wearing Green and of course, I brought my green clippy to match.  I'm McEllaBella or O'EllaBella for St. Patty's Day, LOL...and to melt this pot even further, we had a French bistro dinner!  Where may you ask?  Well,  THE SOCIAL TABLE , it's a cooking class/ dinner where you get together at a table in a beautiful gourmet kitchen with a professional Chef teaching you how to make a sumptuous meal.  Basically, you cook, eat, drink and laugh!  Our class was hosted by founder and owner of the Social Table, Rebecca Goldfarb.  Rebecca was absolutely amazing...She's an Art history major turned Culinary Chef from Le Cordon Bleu (SF)!!  Rebecca had the night filled with smiles and great food!!!  Her lively attitude and humorous ways was so delightful which definately broke the ice for all of us since we were in a small and intimate setting.  The class only allows for 6-8 people or 3-4 couples.  So, you basically get to know each other fast!  We had such a nice crowd--and, she got my husband to COOK!!!  We had the best time and will definately be back for more dinners!  And of course, we loved Rebecca too.  I mean what's not to love about a woman who guotes Julia Child on her website, LOL and it doesn't hurt that she's a So Cal native like my husband.  All in all, going to that class was one of the best nights we've had in a long time.   It's BYOB, but for me, as you know I am cutting calories-- it was BYOCZ- bring your own coke zero ( I know, it doesn't make sense when I'll be devouring butter, cream and chocolate)... But, it's the sentiment of dieting that counts right?  ;-)  I still snuck in a glass of Reisling...

Anways, the menu was outrageous.  We made Classic Ratatouille, Chicken with Carmelized Onions & Cognac Cream Sauce, Gruyere Mash Potatoes Gratin and finally, (drum roll, please)  Pots de Creme!!!!  I had no idea what that was.  But let me tell you, this is one dessert everyone has to try and its sooo easy to make.  It's this rich, creamy, chocolatey, bowl of oh so delicious-ness topped with fresh whipped cream!!!  (So for my next dinner party with friends, and you know who you are, this is your menu!!!)  My picture didn't come out great, but it was a sight for sore eyes...For all you chocolate lovers out there, its a must have dessert!  It's Pots de Chocolat Ciel!!  (sorry, I took Spanish in College, not French, so if I get the translation wrong, ooops!!!)  Here are some pics of our great night! Kudos to The Social Table!  Check out Rebecca's website and different menus! 

Thanks, Rebecca!!!  I'm coming back hungrier this time...next class- From the Sea...

Pots De Creme!!

( This picture doesn't do it justice!!!)

The Beautiful Colors of Lilly

As some of you know, I'll be heading out to Atlantis in a month.  I've never been to the Bahamas...ahhh, the beautiful beaches, clear waters, white sands and most importantly that 50 foot water slide...can't wait!  I've already started packing, LOL, and of course, shopping!  So this weekend, my wonderful husband had the BEST surprise for me!  He decided to take the kids and do all the errands to let me shop, ALONE!!!  Can you imagine shopping without the kids!!!  So of course, I wasn't going to pass that up...I was like an eager screaming child who couldn't wait for their turn, "OKAY, OKAY!"  And to top this off...I was going to the infamous lower level of the Westchester Mall...but this lower level is far from lower level...its the "Heaven of all Levels" in the mall...this level has Gucci, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, basically, the creme of the creme!  I mean, its no South Coast Plaza or Fashion Island, but its good enough.

As he pulled up to the entrance, I get out of the car, waved goodbye to my 2 babies and my darling husband and I thought to myself, "Here I am."  I just couldn't believe the difference it makes to shop alone vs. family shopping, the feeling of relaxation and calmness...nonetheless, I walk down these prestine aisles and gaze into these big beautiful stores...I even found myself plastered against the window, griping on to my wallet and saying to myself- BUDGET, must stay within my BUDGET!!!  LOL...I finally peel myself away and find myself in front of one of my favorite stores...Lilly Pulitzer!  Resort Heaven.  I literally can hear the Calypso music as I walk in.  It would have been even more perfect if they had Mai Tais or Strawberry Daquiries for everyone who came in the store.   The best place to go if you just want to feel like you are going to the Carribean or someplace fabulous.  I looked around and it was just perfect...florals, pinks, turquoise, greens, and they even had some bling...so of course, I couldn't help myself and tried on half the store to finally pick out the perfect Mommy and Minnie outfit...and a Maxi dress for just Mommy...I would have picked out family matching outfits, but I know my husband would not have it...he'd kill me if I put him in floral shorts along with his son, LOL...so I dare not...I just stuck with me and my daughter, who has no say in what she wears at this point...I chose Lilly's, Hotty Pink She's a Piston Shift dress for me and my daughter.  How corney am I?  But I just love it...I'm so excited to see how Ella will look!  And of course, I had to make a clippy to match the outfit, but, a clippy just won't work for this dress...so I decided to make a headband instead...this dress needed a gorgeous floral...and here it is...It's a lush Hot Pink Floral with sequins and beaded stitching on our crochet head band- I'm calling it Resort Florals .   I may even have to make one for myself.  I mean, where else can I wear this and not look ridiculous wearing her daughter's clips/headbands!  Either way, Paradise here we come!  Thanks Lilly!

Here are some pictures of the dress and headband.  What do you think?  Would love to hear your thoughts...(just select comment and post away!)

This is the Turquoise Lovie Maxi Dress (Sear Chin) I will be sporting in Paradise...

My First Day!!!

This is all so new to me...I'm not a writer, I'm not eloquent and I am definately not a professional blogger...be prepared for grammer, spelling and typo errors...LOL...I'm just a fulltime working Mom who has discovered the joys of creating cute little hair clippies, shopping for pretty dresses and adorable outfits for my little ones...

Business woman by day, girlie girl Mom by night...well, not quite.  (I stole that from Julie & Julia- great movie!)  Anyways,  I do have an adorable little boy.  Thank God, because he puts a little balance in my life.   I won't lie to you, I'm not the athletic Mom and all-knowing of sports and I hate video games as well...especially the little compact carry on called the DSi, but for my little guy, I always try to learn about the powers of pokemon, bakugan and other boy fads...

Anyways, my point is...I'm a novice blogger...I'm honest, I'm blunt and I speak my mind.  I love things all beautiful, great finds and anything just FABULOUS!!!   I'm all about laughter, smiles, and happiness...

So I hope you'll pop in every now and then and perhaps even stay with me through my daily endeavors of clippies, shopping, kids, pets, and "life" in general!!!