Do you Mango?

/

Thought I'd share one of my favorite shops with you today: Mango.   Mango is a clothing company founded in Spain (their stores are on practically every block in Barcelona). They are comparable to Zara (another Spanish company, and another of my favorites) but seem slightly lesser known in the States.  They don't have as many brick and mortar stores here, but their website is great, and they have free shipping on orders over $50, which is very easy to accomplish.  And they are currently having a mid-season sale with up to 50% off.  You can also find great pieces and deals on their  online outlet.

Mango is a great place for stylish yet classic basics, as well as some trendier pieces, at very reasonable prices, and very decent quality.  And if you're following any of my tips from last week's post, this is a good place to spend on some good styles and a bargain price, then have perfectly tailored to you for a designer look.

They've also recently expanded with a plus size line (up to size 20), to better serve more women. 

Here are some of my current favorites, all under $100! Go check them out!



Life Hack: Bet You Never Used Windex for This

/

I love that my mom still has wisdoms to share with me that I haven't already heard or already know.  No matter how long I am an adult, my mom will have been an adult for 27 years longer than me, and with that comes 27 years of more experiences.  This is beneficial to me. :)

When I was pregnant, I didn't put on a lot of extra weight. It was one of my (silly) pre-pregnancy notions that I was going to be able to wear my wedding rings my whole pregnancy.  But at around 7 months, we went to Hawaii on our post-Bar celebration/babymoon trip, and the warm weather and humidity made my fingers and feet swell up.  Had to soak my hand in ice water to get my rings off, and couldn't put them back on until we got home.  And even then I couldn't wear them regularly until after my son was finally born.

It doesn't take pregnancy to cause joint swelling.  Humidity and temperature change (and aging) can cause our joints to swell.  And we've all been in the position of momentary panic when trying on rings in a store where we can't get them immediately off, and you're twisting and grimacing and praying you can get it off.

This is where my mom's wisdom comes in.  I had never heard this before, and no one I have shared it with yet has either, but it absolutely works.

Next time you have a ring on your finger you can't get off, spray it with a little Windex.  That's the trick.  The liquid consistency easily and immediately lines your finger and the ring, and it will slip right off.  Non-toxic, and with a quick rinse of both hand and ring when done, you're good to go.

One other key to getting a tight ring off your finger is not to straighten your finger.  A straight finger causes the knuckle skin to bunch up at the join and makes it even harder to remove.
 

 
 

Just relax your finger so there is some bend in the joint, and the ring will slide over the joint more easily (Windex or not.)
 

 
 

So that's my little random life hack for you - store that away in your mental files for future use.

What random yet useful tips have your mother shared with you?
 

What will your legacy be? A moment of reflection....

/

I hope everyone had a good day yesterday celebrating their mothers (and being celebrated, if applicable.)  Our weekend was bittersweet.  On Saturday, we had the memorial service for my late Grandma, my mom's mom. (If this sound like deja vu, yes, my dad's mom passed just about a month earlier.)

My grandma, while petite in stature (she was barely 5 ft.), was big in life and love.  During the memorial service, attendees were given the opportunity to share their memories or feelings, and quickly hands went up and nearly every single person commented on how she made them feel special and loved, even upon her first encounter with them.

I always knew my grandma was a loving person, but having her in my life from the beginning, I knew nothing different of her and probably took it for granted.  It was just how she was, the whole package of grandma, and not something that stood out specifically to me growing up.  But to have it named specifically by all these people from various time and places in her life really awed me and made me so proud to be related to such a great person.

I made a comment that it was amazing that 87+ years of life were able to be condensed onto 2 sides of one sheet of paper, for the service bulletin insert.  And it made me think: what are the key things people will remember about my story when my time comes?  My grandma's story started in Iowa, where she was born, and then to California, where she met my grandpa shortly after WWII, then back to Michigan then back to San Diego where they settled for good.  She had various jobs and 3 kids, and was able to travel a lot of the world with my grandpa in their retired years.  Everyone in the service (and her life) had shared different aspects and moments of her life with her, but what everyone shared was their acknowledgement and appreciation of the loving person she was.

 
Grandma and Grandpa's wedding photo. Don't they look like movie stars? 

Grandma and Grandpa's wedding photo. Don't they look like movie stars?
 

 

Not to be a downer, but we never know how much time we have been given.  My grandma was lucky and had a very full life, and we are all the thankful beneficiaries of that.  But even the youngest and healthiest of us can be surprised with our last day sooner than expected.  It wasn't just at the end that Grandma lived lovingly, she was always that way, and no matter when she had left us, I'm pretty confident the sentiments shared would have always been the same.  Some people leave a legacy reflected in material wealth, or professional achievements.  Grandma's legacy is love, and while she set the bar high, I aspire to live as my grandma showed us all how.

 
My Little Dude meeting his great-grandparents for the first time, a year and a half ago. 

My Little Dude meeting his great-grandparents for the first time, a year and a half ago.
 

 

Friday Favorites - Links

/

Sharing some amazing/fun things I found on the web this week.  Happy Friday! 

Top Row, L-R

Middle Row, L-R

  • Loving all the greenery and natural elements in this interior tour.  Inspired for my own home decor to use more plants. (abeautifulmess.com)
  • A trip down memory lane: a look back at our technology from 10 years (only 10 years) ago. Remember what you had? (huffpost.com)
  • You don't have to be a parent to appreciate that kids say the darndest things. (huffpost.com)

Bottom Row, L-R

What great things did you stumble across out there this past week?

 

Mixing it Up, Salmon Style

/

If you have not already discovered the most fabulous recipe website, let me introduce you.  Welcome to SkinnyTaste.com.  It is my go-to for tasty yet healthy (and easy) recipes that my family has always been pleased with.  Most of my Pepperplate recipes I've snagged from here (which is actually how I found out about it. SkinnyTaste is partnered with Pepperplate for easy recipe uploading. Perfect!)

We like to try to eat salmon at least once a week in our house.  I think it's pretty common knowledge nowadays how good for you fish like salmon is for you. We usually buy the packages of frozen filets from Costco, let them defrost in the fridge overnight, and they are a quick dinner under the broiler for 5-6 minutes (we have this Slap Ya Mamma seasoning that is very tasty.)  That with some grilled asparagus is a tasty healthy meal.

But sometimes we need to mix it up.  Thats how I came to find and try this Salmon and Quinoa Patty recipe, that I was very pleased with, and both my husband and 17 month old son devoured.  I made a couple modifications to the original recipe to expedite things, and it was very tasty and easy.

 
Photo borrowed from SkinnyTaste, because she takes such good pictures. Doesn't it look good?

Photo borrowed from SkinnyTaste, because she takes such good pictures. Doesn't it look good?

 

Salmon and Quinioa Burger Patty Salad

Servings: 5 • Size: 1 burger with salad • Calories: 277 • Fat: 13 g • Carb: 17 g • Fiber: 2 g • Protein: 23 g • Sugar: 5 g • Sodium: 338 mg (without salt)  • Cholest: 105 mg


Ingredients:

  • 16 oz wild salmon fillet, skin removed (Costco fillets come skinless)
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1/3 cup diced shallots
  • 1 cup kale, chopped
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 3/4 cup cooked quinoa (about 1/4 cup uncooked. Ratio is 1:2 quinoa to water.  Add quinoa to water, bring to boil. Cover, reduce to simmer for 12-15 min, until all liquid absorbed.)
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tsp Old Bay (didn't have, just used some Lawry's Seasoned Salt and Flavor God Everything Seasoning.)
  • 1 large egg, beaten

For the salad:

  • 2 1/2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 1/2 tbsp champagne vinegar
  • 2 tbsp minced shallots 
  • 1 1/ 4 tsp dijon mustard
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 10 loose cups baby arugula
  • 1 large pink grapefruit, peeled and diced (I bought a couple ready to eat grapefruit cups from the produce section of the grocery store - such a brilliant idea of mine, if I do say so myself.)

Directions:

In a small bowl, whisk the olive oil, vinegar, shallots, dijon, salt and pepper. Set aside in the fridge.

Cut about a 4 oz piece off or the salmon and place in a food processor or chopper to finely chop. This will help hold the burgers together.  With a knife finely chop the remaining salmon, transfer to a large work bowl. (I actually just coarsely chopped it all in the food processor by pulsing it. Much faster. Its not bad if all the salmon is finely chopped.)

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, add the oil and saute shallots and kale. Season with salt and pepper and cook over medium heat until wilted and tender, about 4 to 5 minutes.

Transfer to the bowl with salmon along with quinoa, Dijon, Old Bay and egg. Mix to combine, then form into 5 patties, about 1/2 cup each. 

Lightly heat a nonstick grill pan or skillet over medium heat, when hot spray with oil and add the salmon patties. Cook the 4 to 5 minutes, then gently turn and cook an additional 4 to 5 minutes, or until cooked through.

Toss the dressing with the arugula and grapefruit; divide on four plates. Top each salad with a salmon burger.

Enjoy!!!

 
This is mine - started eating before I remembered to take a picture, but it almost looks like the one above, right? ;)

This is mine - started eating before I remembered to take a picture, but it almost looks like the one above, right? ;)