Birthdays

Happy to be celebrating my birthday today with a husband I
 cherish, and family that I love!  So blessed and thankful!

=)

Current Loves

I've been a little lazy with my blog posting lately - I've just been enjoying this amazing weather, and have hardly spent any time inside!  

But it's time for a "Current Loves" post -- the top 5 things that I'm loving at the moment!

1. H&M dresses

I sometimes forget about H&M, but I stopped by recently and saw some really cute items!  Especially love their dresses right now, perfect for warmer weather!

2. DIY projects

I had been looking for some artwork to hang above some bedside tables recently, and I just could not find what I was looking for.  So I headed to the fabric store, and Homegoods (for the frames), and created these custom fabric pieces - so happy with the finished product!

Also, I just got materials for this and this, will be working on these this weekend!

3. Clean Eating

We have our big anniversary trip to Mexico coming up, so I have been on a major healthy eating kick!  Some of my favorite drinks and snacks have been Detox Water (with cucumber, lemon, and mint)....

Cookie Dough Greek yogurt....

(recipe here)

Oatmeal Smoothies (packed with nutrients!)....

(recipe here)

....and these Salmon Cakes!

(recipe here)

4. Outlet Shopping

I went to these AMAZING outlets recently, and oh my.  First of all, they had stores like Gucci, Prada, Tory Burch, Lululemon, Balenciaga, Chloe, Valentino, and more!  (Of course, I spent most of my time in the J.Crew, but still.)  I found some awesome deals that I couldn't pass up!

Just look at the J.Crew jewelry display - heaven!

new flats from Tory Burch!

and I finally got a big girl leather wallet - 

goodbye Target circa 2005 wallet!

I also fell in love with the Kate Spade perfume at the outlet, but figured I had already done enough damage.....but look what I found at T.J. Maxx just this week??

yes ma'am :)  I just love a good bargain!

5.  Tracy Anderson Workouts

This girl is good.  I mean, she trains our girl Gwennie, Nicole Richie, and Madonna, and she's not too shabby herself.  I gave her arm workout a try, and I'm hooooooooked.  Obsessed.

It was the best workout - quick, hard, and fun.  Then I found a few more videos and I love them all.  I highly suggest her workouts!

{the arm workout}

Hope you're all having a wonderful week!!  

Salmon Cakes

We absolutely have LOVED making these lately - they are simple and delicious!

I actually even used a bag of frozen salmon fillets to make these the first time and it worked perfectly!  John likes his on a bun (burger style), and I prefer over a bed of mixed greens.  You must try them - I know you'll love them as much as we do!

Salmon Cakes with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

(via)

Makes 6-7 small patties (2 patties per serving)

1 lb. salmon, skin removed
1 cup water
1/2 lemon, juice and zest
1 1/3rd cup breadcrumbs
1 1/2 TBSP all purpose flour
1/2 red bell pepper, diced small
1 small shallot, chopped fine
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh parsley, chopped
2 tsp. whole fennel seeds, chopped
1/2 tsp. kosher salt (or 1/4 tsp. sea salt)
1/8th tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)
1 large egg, slightly beaten
2 TBSP dijon mustard
Olive oil, for the pan

For the vinaigrette: 
*you can also just use your favorite vinaigrette salad dressing*
1/4 cup brown rice vinegar
1/8th cup tarragon vinegar
1 TBSP raspberry vinegar 
2-3 TBSP honey, to taste
1-2 TBSP dijon mustard, to taste
1/2-3/4 cup good quality extra virgin olive oil

For serving:
Mixed greens
Fresh sliced avocado
Any other veggies you like


Method
1.   Poach the salmon: In a shallow skillet or saute pan, bring the water and juice of a lemon to a boil. Once boiling, add your salmon and cover (if your pan doesn't have a lid, use a sheet of parchment or aluminum foil). Reduce heat to low and cook, covered, for 6-8 minutes or until the salmon is opaque and flaky all the way through. The time will vary depending on how thick your fish is, so check the doneness by flaking the salmon with a fork. Remove the salmon from the cooking liquid and set aside to cool a little while you prep the rest of your ingredients.
2.   In a large bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, flour, bell pepper, shallot, parsley, chopped fennel seeds, lemon zest, salt, and cayenne.
3.   Add the salmon to the bowl and break it apart with a fork. Add the dijon mustard and egg, and stir everything to combine.
4.   Form the mixture into patties. Take a handful and squeeze into a ball, then shape it into a disc - the patty should just barely hold together. If the mixture is too flaky to hold together, add another 1/2 TBSP flour. I like to make small patties, about 1/2 cup each, and make two per serving.
5.   Heat a skillet over medium-high with 1-2 TBSP olive oil. Seer the patties for 3-4 minutes, or until golden brown. Flip, and cook for another 2-3 minutes on the other side. Serve over mixed greens with slices of avocado and a drizzle of vinaigrette.
6.   For the vinaigrette: whisk together all the vinegars, honey, and mustard. While whisking, drizzle in the olive oil. Stir or shake before serving.

*To freeze: Wrap uncooked patties in wax paper and then store in ziploc baggies - then thaw and follow cooking directions when ready to eat.*

Enjoy!!!

Wish List

It's officially 2 weeks until my birthday, and I am a big fat birthday lover.   I genuinely think they are so much fun and I LOVE celebrating them - whether it's my own, or anyone else's.  I love everything - the gift wrapping, card-writing, present-hunting, cake-eating, candle-lighting, balloon-blowing, and wish-making - aren't you getting kind of excited??  ;)

I am so lucky to have my in-laws in town this year for my birthday - it will be so great to have family here!  My sweet parents have already mailed my gifts - and they are waiting patiently in the corner all wrapped and ready to go.  (I won't lie - it's been a little hard to have them there, just waiting to be unwrapped!)

And just for fun - here is a dream birthday wish list.....

ray-bans//tory burch sandals//clinique lipstick set
michael kors watch//baublebar necklace//monogram tervis
chanel perfume//stella and dot tote

But all I REALLY want is to spend the day with the ones I love - and Skype the ones I can't be with!
That and a big ole piece of Strawberry cake - my fave!!  :)
(Ok, and those TB sandals - who am I kidding?)

Do you love birthdays as much as I do?
What would be on your birthday wish list?