Baked Stuffed Shrimp

This year for Valentine's Day, The Mr. and I decided that we would forego the overpriced, overcrowded, and underwhelming restaurant scene and opt for a night in to celebrate. As you can probably assume by now, my dear husband had his heart set on one of the juicy new Omaha Steaks that I had sent to his office (surprise!) and I wanted something from the sea!

I checked out my local Gelson's assuming that they would have the bigger seafood selection and the term "bigger" was an understatement. I was able to find the biggest shrimp I have ever seen in my life! Take a look at this thing! 

Healthy Tips for You and Your SweetHEART

Whether you’re one of those people who goes all ga-ga for Valentine’s Day or you’re the type that thinks it’s nothing but commercialism at it’s best, there’s something that makes us think about our sweetheart a little more this time of year! Sure you can try and find the biggest box of chocolates or fill an entire room with flowers, but here are a few ideas what will benefit you far beyond February!

Make Magnolia Bakery's Treats at Home This Valentine's Day

For those of you who may not have a Magnolia Bakery in your neighborhood or just simply don't have the funds to have a batch of these babies delivered to your beloved (if you do, click here) you can actually make these heavenly confections at home thanks to their signature buttercream recipe, which I just happen to have the recipe for! ;-)

This is one of my favorite frosting recipes because it's not too gritty or heavy. The vanilla buttercream they use at Magnolia Bakery is technically not a buttercream but actually an old-fashioned confectioners' sugar and butter frosting. Be sure to beat the icing for the amount of time called for in the recipe to achieve the desired creamy texture.

Ingredients: 

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

6 to 8 cups confectioners' sugar

1/2 cup milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Place the butter in a large mixing bowl. Add 4 cups of the sugar and then the milk and vanilla. On the medium speed of an electric mixer, beat until smooth and creamy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Gradually add the remaining sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition (about 2 minutes), until the icing is thick enough to be of good spreading consistency. You may not need to add all of the sugar. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring and mix thoroughly. (Use and store the icing at room temperature because icing will set if chilled.) Icing can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

This recipe is enough for 2 dozen cupcakes or 1 (9-inch) layer cake.

Fall in Love with Ojai

Valentine's Day is right around the corner. That means we are scurrying around to find the biggest box of chocolates, make reservations at the swankiest of the swanky restaurants and pinning every "DIY Valentine's Day" ideas we can find, right? 

Want to really "WOW" your sweetheart? Look into spending the weekend in Ojai. I had the opportunity to check out this picturesque town during the holidays and I was blown away. 

Just a little over an hour North of the smog and flashing lights lies the most charming town filled with wineries, olive oil makers, and inns that look like they were cut out of the latest issue of Town & Country Magazine. 

We stayed at the Emerald Iguana Inn which is just a few blocks north of the town center. We were greeted by our innkeeper, "B" who showed us to our quaint cottage called "Peacock". Each cottage and villa at the Emerald Iguana is named after different elements found in nature. 

Valentine's Day Round-Up

It’s that time of year again… the drug stores are filled with heart-shaped boxes of chocolates and florists are filling their shops with long-stemmed anything! That’s right, it’s Valentine’s Day. Flowers and candy are all well and good but if you’re like me, the real way to your heart (and your bedroom) is through your tummy!

With just a week to get those reservations and bakery orders in, here’s a round-up of my favorite hot-spots that will tug at your heartstrings and your taste buds.