Spicy Summer Gazpacho Time!

Tomato season is upon us and my tomato plant has taken off!

Recently I've picked a few for salads and eggs but since there are more and they just keep comin' I thought I would make a spicy gazpacho!  Simple to make and so refreshing!

Ingredients:

4-5 medium tomatoes (quartered)
1 cucumber (peeled and roughly chopped)
1 red bell pepper (cored and chopped)
1 small poblano pepper (cored, no seeds and roughly chopped)
1 small red onion (quarted)
lime juice (1/2 a lime or so)
cilantro (a few sprigs)
1 sliced avocado
pinch of salt & pepper
2 tablespoons of olive oil

Throw tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, little bit of the cilantro and onion into the blender and blend away.  Transfer to a bowl and stir in lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.  Chill in the fridge for 20 minutes.

Pour into bowls (should serve about 4).  Garnish with some sliced avocado and cilantro.  I also might try throwing in some cooked shrimp for a heartier version.  Or for lunch, pair it with an open faced tuna sandwich.

The 3 Minute Sundress!

Here's a fun DIY tip for all the ladies on how to make a summer sundress in three minutes with three materials.  It's so easy a cavewoman could do it.  If she had the following materials.


Scissors
Pencil
Pillow Case

Instructions:

1. Pick out a pillow case (either one you're not using at home or a cute vintage print from a thrift store).  I just got this pink gingham one and another one with a red, white and navy floral pattern and white striped hem.

 

2. On the folded end (not the hemmed end), draw semi-circles for the neck and arms with a pencil and then cut along the line.

3. Put on your new dress! 

You can throw it on over your bathing suit.

Or pair it with a belt to "dress it up."

  

Wait'll summer gets a load of us!

Thrift Find of the Week: 70's Outdoor Table Runner

Just in time for summer get togethers, I found this far out table runner that fits my eight foot picnic table perfectly.

I love the tassels too!

Time to have a groovy party!

Party.. Pizza Party!

Made delicious personal pizzas last night and boring old dinner turned into a pizza party!



These are fun to make but they also make great use of the extra veggies and items in your fridge that were starting to lack purpose. There's nothing I hate more than wasting food!

One was a sausage with grilled onions and plantains (which were left over from a recent meal at a Cuban restaurant) and the second had chicken, asparagus, tomatoes and basil.

Added a caesar salad on the side and the pizza party was complete.

Sufferin' Succulents! Best Gardening Trick Ever

Succulents are made of magic and I'll tell you why.  Recently I transferred this jade to this larger pot and while doing so a few of the smaller branches broke off.

Rather than tossing them in the compost bin I instead put the little guys in some small pots I wasn't using and now I have four new healthy succulents for the price of none!

I also did this with some other succulent scraps and created this mixture of plants that has taken off!

And this started as a scrap from a neighbor.  I remember when it was just a wee little nub.  Ah they grow up so fast.

The best part is how easy it is.  Just snip a small piece off of a healthy existing favorite.

Make sure you have a clean edge on the stem, press the stem into the soil and give it a little water.

Now you have a cute little succulent baby that will grow up to be a big mamma!  

Sunday Funday at the Flea Market

Had so much fun at the Santa Monica Airport Flea Market this Sunday and scored big time!

Saw some amazing stuff like these Navajo blankets.  I wanted all of them.

This chair from Africa was completely covered in beautiful beadwork.  I can't imagine wanting to sit in though for fear of ruining it!

I also REALLY wanted this carving of a horse on rustic wood.  I'm already kicking myself that I didn't get it- doh!!

There was something I loved about this framed sign too.  Brain told me to stay focused though.  Stupid brain.

I DID however finally find an awesome metal wall art piece I've been wanting and got a great deal.

It also has lights built in.  Looks great in my living room- I love the shadows it creates!

Got this cute little end table for outside.  It was getting cold and windy and the guy just wanted to pack up and go watch "the game" (not sure what game he was talking about) with his friends so he gave it to me for next to nothing.

And THE BEST purchase of the day- a gorgeous antique kilim rug that was a total steal!  I love the colors.

Here it is in my home.  As you can see Mr. Pugglesworth likes it too!

I followed my hunt with a Thai massage in Venice and lunch from Lemonade.  It was truly a perfect day.

Nice People

Just walking Mr. Pugglesworth, feeling sort of down in the dumps, when I come upon a garage sale down my street and strike up a conversation with the nice lady hosting the sale.  She sees me eyeing a little, purple Turkish glass and I tell her I don't have cash with me but I'll come back.  She urges me to take it at no charge and tells me to enjoy.  I walked all the way home with a big smile on my face and a better outlook on life.  I think I'll put a little candle in it.