Stylish Mama's review of the California Grill at Disney

Well Hello All You Mouseketeers~

I hope you are having a great week.  I know I am!  And I guess being at the happiest place on Earth helps...that being Disney!  And the warm 80+ degree weather certainly helps.  I am such a happy and motivated person when its warm and sunny out.

What brings me to Disney this week is my husband Brian has a training conference he is not only attending but also presenting at.  So we had the opportunity to stay on Disney property at the Contemporary Hotel!  What a beautiful facility.  My favorite part of staying here at the Contemporary is that the monorail is right downstairs on the 4th floor.  Makes life here at Disney so easy!

Monday nite we were given the opportunity to go out as a couple (no kids!) for a date nite.
Thanks to family who also came on the trip they were gracious enough to babysit.

The foodie I am, I did a lot of research as to where we should dine for our special nite out.
I wanted to eat somewhere I know might have more of a sophisticated menu.  In my research I found several places on Disney property that caught my eye.  However, I am a fan of convenience so I chose the Contemporary's high end restaurant - and that was the California Grill.  

California Grill Inside

The inside is beautiful.  The Decor fits the hotel - being Contempoary inside-with sleek lines and modern furnishings.  

One of my favorite features is the open kitchen. We sat in front of the buzzing kitchen - and what a fun experience to watch our food being prepared and cooked right front of us!  

Open Kitchen

As we were seated by the hostess she pointed out that our table was decorated as it was our first visit and Tinkerbell heard we were dining and flew over with Mickey confetti.  Such a cute touch!

Place Setting at California Grill

As much as we loved the ambiance of the restaurant we also enjoyed the food just as much if not more.  We ordered an appetizer, our individual meals, and dessert!  Not sure about you all, but I am a sharer...so I always share my appetizer and dessert.  I wish I could eat my own...but I just never could.

Here is a photo of the delicious food!

First, Second, and Third Course

Top Left: homemade lavender and pepper foccacia bread with lavender butter with sea salt sprinkled on top

Top Right: Three Meat meatballs - (lamb, veal, pork) served with Picholene Olives, Herbed Orzo, Chimichurri, Lavender Mint

Bottom Left: Georges Bank Scallops homemade Gnocchi, Smoked Pork, Grilled Onions, Baby Brussels, Parmesan Foam

Bottom Right: Warm Homemade Fritters that are banana-stuffed, Cinnamon-dusted Fritters with Toasted Caramel Marshmallows complemented with a Trio of Dipping Sauces (Ah-Maze-Ing!)

After Dinner we were told the sun was setting and we could walk out on the balcony to capture all of its beauty.  Not often you catch a sunset living in New England - so we took the opportunity.  The photo below hardly shows the beauty of what we saw in person.

Gorgeous Sunset

Here is a photo of  my OOTD for my date nite.

Maxi dress from The Gap, necklace from Old Navy, bracelet from J-Crew

OOTD for date nite

And lastly, I must talk about the Wishes Fire Work Display.  What a way to end the date!  Anyone who dines with California Grill are invited back if they want to view the fireworks display at the Magic Kingdom from the balcony of the restaurant.  The view is spectacular and they even pipe in coordinating music.  I actually felt like a kid again!  It was simply perfect.

Hope you enjoyed a glimpse into my wonderful family vacation thus far.

I am off to Epcot and Magic Kingdom!!!  Cant wait to share it all with you next week.  Or better yet, hope you are following us on Instagram!

Love, Stylish Mama (aka: Mama Stachowteer) 

Organized Chica's Asparagus and Bean Salad

About two weeks ago in my "Food to go" post I had promised to share with you the salad I made for friends.  This is an easy, healthy salad that is full of flavor.  It really reminds me of a summer salad because it's so light and fresh but you can make this year round.  Let's just remember how bad I am about measurements, so please forgive me.  This salad really depends on your preference.  If you like a certain ingredient, use more of it, if you don't, use less. Keeping it simple.

You will need the following ingredients:

* the scallions were camera shy...oops!

1. Open your cans of beans, rinse them through a strainer and then toss them into a mixing bowl.  Note: I usually use the Goya brand but Bush's was on sale.

2. Wash and cut your cherry tomatoes in half. Toss in the bowl with the beans.

3. Peel and cut the avocado in bite pieces.  Toss into the bowl. 

4. Cook asparagus until its al dente, toss in a ice bath (seen below) to stop the cooking.  Then remove them from the water and cut them into approximately 2". Toss into the bowl.

5.  Wash and remove the ends of the scallion. Dice it and then toss into bowl.  (Sorry, I was too excited to eat the salad that I forgot to take a picture of the scallions.) 

6.  Pour Organized Chica's Dressing over the salad.  I love this dressing so I pour on alot, you may want less, it's up to you.   Mix all the ingredients with the dressing and voila! 

Yummy Asparagus and Bean Salad.  

Hope you give it a try.  Let us know what you think.

Organized Chica - xox

Let's talk about lips...Pucker up!

While organizing a few things over the weekend, I came to realize my obsession with lip moisturizers.  I mean I always knew I have a thing for lips but when I started to count how many lip products I have and how many places I have them in, I couldn't help but laugh.  The truth be said, there's nothing like feeling your lips to be soft, smooth and moisturized.  Especially living in New England, you need to lather up on extra lip moisturizers because you will end up with chapped red lips, BIG NO NO!  There is no excuse, if you are a man or a woman, keep your lips looking healthy please. (AND NO, licking your lips constantly does not count as a lip moisturizer)

Let me share with you what lip moisturizers I currently use.  

1. EOS
2. Chapstick Hydration Lock
3. Burt's Bee Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil
4. Sprouts Cocoa Lip Balm
5. Maybelline Baby Lips

I keep these favorites in many places so they are handy when I need them.

1. Makeup Vanity - first thing I do when I sit down to start my makeup
2. Purse - to apply anywhere I am
3. Work - apply throughout the day
4. Night Stand - apply right before going night night 

And if that is not enough for you, I also use the Satin Lips Set from Mary Kay to exfoliate about every couple of weeks.  Love this stuff! I have been using this as long as I can remember.  Also, Lush carries very yummy lip scrubs that I have used in the past.

 

Or you can make your own lip treatment by combining ingredients you have in your pantry.  Mix a little of brown sugar, honey and olive oil.  Apply to your lips to exfoliate, rinse off and apply your favorite lip moisturizer.  Instant soft lips!

Happy LIPS everyone!! 

Organized Chica - xox

* I was not sponsored by any of the products mentioned in this post.  All images were taken from their company website linked aboved.

Happy Monday!

Hola!! Why does the weekend always fly by?  Two days is never enough especially when there is so much to do.  Well I hope you enjoyed yours and are well rested to start off this week with a positive mind.  I know of someone who enjoyed their weekend and her fun STILL continues, Stylish Mama!! That's right! Stylish Mama is on a well deserved family trip to Disney! How cool is that?! If you want to know what this Stylish family is up to this week, make sure to follow their Instagram account @the_3_stachowteers.

On another note, we had promised to share with you a few mini videos we recorded while we were at the Electric Run at Gillette Stadium this month.  The quality isn't the best, sorry, but we thought we would share them with you anyways.  That means WE HAVE A YOUTUBE ACCOUNT! YIAY! 

Videos in the future? Maybe

Tutorials? Maybe

Cooking Recipes? Maybe

Vlogging? Maybe

Possibilities are endless.  We're just brainstorming, let us know what you think.  

Hope these videos got you pumped for next years run!

Feliz Lunes!

Organized Chica - xox

5 Fab Friday

5 Things we are loving/wanting/dreaming of on this Friday

Stylish Mama: 

1. 

Manis and Pedis with my daughter - priceless moments

2. 

I'm in love with Califia Almond Iced Mocha Coffee.  Made wth Almond Milk, only 90 calories per serving and its guiltfree!! You can buy it at WholeFoods.  Yum!

Organized Chica

3.

Snuggie
(image from http://www.mysnuggiestore.com)

Laugh all you want.  I've heard the jokes and trust me, I made fun of this product when it first came out but I have learned to respect it.  When I tell you that I'm always cold, this is not an understatement.  At work you can see me wear mittens and wrapped in my blanket (yes, I have a blanket for work, no judging please) So why not buy a Snuggie?! 

4.

How do I warm things up when it gets chilly? PUMP IT UP!! These are the two songs that I'm loving right now.  Here are the links for you to enjoy.  BRING UP THE VOLUME AND DANCE!  

Vivir Mi Vida (Live My Life) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXnjy5YlDwk

Wake me up - http://www.vevo.com/watch/avicii/wake-me-up-lyric-video/CH3131340062

Stylish Mama meets Organized Chica

5.

Noon, Providence, RI 

A must go see little shop to visit for those unique gifts. All products are made in the USA. We have our eye on some little gifts already.  

Love, Stylish Mama meets Organized Chica - xox

Providence Arcade opens its doors again!

Working in the heart of Providence, RI has many perks.  We enjoy an endless list of restaurants and little shops.  Providence is enriched with a lot of history and culture.  Many abandoned buildings are being remodeled for retail and or residential space. To see the transformation is truly captivating.  There was one building in particular that is an historic landmark, not only in Providence, but in the country.  We were happy to hear that the first enclosed shopping mall in the United States opened its doors once again to the public!

The Providence Arcade had been opened in the past but due to economical strains, it had struggled to remain open throughout the years.  I for one (Organized Chica) remember visiting the Arcade and walking into its shops and remembering how cool that Providence had this historic landmark.

When we visited the newly opened Arcade this week we were very excited to see the transformation.  It is filled with local shops, although all have not opened their doors yet, the ones that have are really neat.

See for yourself!

Providence Arcade Front - Pillars 

Providence Arcade: a photo featuring the beautiful architecture
of the ceiling and loft balcony 

A couple of the shops we saw

• Nude: Features women's clothing and handbags of six New England designers
  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nude/548982918492541?directed_target_id=0
• That Guy: An interior design shop
  https://www.facebook.com/pages/That-Guy/121452811375478?directed_target_id=0
• New Harvest: Coffee and spirits shop
  https://www.facebook.com/newharvestprovidence?directed_target_id=0

One shop that we fell in love with and hope to shop at soon is:

• Luniac Glamour: A shop that features clothing and accessories from local designers and it also had a blow out bar in the back!
  https://www.facebook.com/LuniacGlamour?directed_target_id=0

We will continue visiting the Providence Arcade as the shops open and keep you updated.    We have our eye on one particular eatery, Rouge Island.  

Hope you check it out when you are in the Providence area.  Follow their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/the-arcade-providence/326920083994722 or visit their website at http://www.arcadeprovidence.com/.

Love, Stylish Mama meets Organized Chica - xox

*We are not being sponsored by the stores mentioned in this post.

Baby it's cold outside...

I am such a home body during the cooler months of the year.
And by cooler I mean anything lower than 50 degrees.

I always joke that I am not made for New England weather...even though I love New England for all its beauty.

So one way that makes me feel a little better about the cooler and bitterly cold months approaching - is getting the chance to transfer my house into a cozy home.  Making it an inviting and welcoming warm environment.  Where I can chose to hibernate the winter months away. (you think I am joking?)

In doing so...here are some cozy home items I have my eyes on from my favorite home decor store, Pottery Barn:

Chunky Knitted Blanket - I can picture myself being wrapped up in this with a good book or magazine.

Luxurious Faux Fur Blankets - so cozy and warm! Yes Please!

Birch Candles - bring a little of the outdoors indoors

Cable Knitted Pattern Candles - gotta love how they match the cable knit throw!

A big oversized cup for cappuccino, hot cocoa, tea, or even soup!

Cant forget our furry friends need warmth and comfort too...love these Sherpa dog beds!
my doggy loves his dog bed from LL Bean - but this looks really cozy and pretty in the home too.

Those are a few things on my cozy list. What's on yours?

Hand me those items and a good movie, and I am one happy girl on any given weekend night...even if its cold out side!

Love, Stylish Mama

*I am not sponsored by Pottery Barn, all photos above are trademarked by Pottery Barn.

Organization: Skin Care Products

Face wash, toner, night cream, eye cream, acne treatment, wrinkle treatment....and the list can keep going and going.  I don't know about you, but I have a horrible memory and forget when and what skin care products I'm suppose to use.  Also, I really don't have much room in my bathroom, its teeny tiny so my counter space is zero! And my medicine cabinet can only hold so much.  (I'll show that in the future)

Last year I came across the Mary Kay Travel Roll-Up Bag and thought, "Why not use this item to organize MY skin care regimen?"  Ta-Da!!! (I'm sorry, I get really geeky and giddy when I have an AHA moment!)

I didn't re-invent the wheel here, this item is meant to organize your beauty products and be easy for travel. Let me share with you how I personally use this.

Each compartment has been labeled and filled with the products I need at that time.  I can just take the corresponding compartment off the traveling roll-up bag and take it to the bathroom. All my skin products that I need at that time are all there in one place.  

• Morning and Night compartments are self explanatory. 
• Treatments compartment contains all my face treatments like masks that I use throughout the month.
• Samples contain exactly that, samples that I receive in the mail or stores that I want to test out for reviews. Or I will use my samples when I leave on a trip so I don't have to pack all those bulky items.

It really does save me time and helps with this bad memory of mine.

Now if you don't want to invest in buying one of these roll-up bags, feel free to buy clear bags from the travel section from the store like Target.  I've even seen these bags at the dollar store.  Label the bags and put them all in a pretty basket.

TA-DA! Right?!! 

Happy Organizing 

Organized Chica - xox

Stylish Mama is about to travel to...

Disney World!!!!

I have not been to the world of Disney since I was the young age of 13.
I don't think I am nearly as excited as my husband who has been to parks in Disney but never stepped foot in the Magic Kingdom.  Or as excited as my three year old daughter who keeps asking when we will go see Cinderella's castle!

Prepping our trip to Disneyworld has taught me one thing...the need to be ORGANIZED. (Organized Chica would be so proud)

There is so much to plan for, there is so much to see, and there is so much you don't want to forget!

One thing I am loving so far in my planning is the My Disney Experience Mobile-App.  This app is way cool and has helped me (typical first time mom) keep my cool!

If you are ever planning on taking a trip with the family - this is a must have!
We have ordered our magic bands and are hoping with this app - we can keep all of our "wishes" and "dreams" organized with one touch of a button.

Gotta love Disney!  (so smart those people who work for them)

I have also learned how grateful I am for tips from friends and family who have had the pleasure of often visiting and or those who have recently visited Disney.

Some tips I have learned so far are:

1. Make reservations as soon as you book your trip!  Some places were booked even though I had called 6 months prior to us going.

2. Disney allows you to carry in food and drink - big money saver

3. Bring a filtered water bottle...as you can ask any restaurant or eating establishment for water.

4. The Pin exchange for kids - we have had two friends tell us about this and our 3 year old is hooked up with her own lanyard and many pins to trade - so we are psyched! (thanks guys!)

And...I also have kept a mental note of what rides their kids might have not loved at age 3 or what rides if a long wait time exists are not worth waiting for.

So in saying that,  I am hoping I can get some helpful hints from any of you readers who may know the ins and outs of Disney.  If there is anything I could learn or must know, please feel free to leave a comment below as I so appreciate all I have learned thus far!

I spent most of today finalizing packing and all I know is besides all my daughters essentials, I made sure to pack my vacation favorites:

sandals (check)
new super cute cat-eye sunglasses (check)
fun floral print Kate Spade purse (check)
sun screen (check)
and maxi dresses (check)

All the others are there too - but for some reason those packed items scream VACATION to me!

Hope to share more with you about my journey to see the magical world of Disney!


Love, Stylish Mama

5 Fab Friday

5 Stylish things we are loving/wanting/dreaming of 

Seeing that we have been on the topic of food/cooking all week - we are carrying out that theme into our list this week!

Stylish Mama: 

1.



Fleur de Lys Vintage-Inspired Apron

How cute is this number?  I am in love with the look of this apron!  Every housewife should feel adorable in the kitchen and this would surely make me feel extra adorable!

2.

Pumpkin Crème Brulee

Crème Brulee - shall I say more...how about pumpkin crème brulee?!? I am not a baker so I am hoping I can find this on a menu at a restaurant this fall...a must try!

Organized Chica:

3. 

Kitchen Island

Always dream of having a kitchen island.  Every time I'm in my kitchen, I always say how much I would love one.  Its multi-functional, practical and they can look absolutely beautiful.  Look at this one! It's gorgeous.  A girl can dream. 

 

4.

Bandeja Paisa

My favorite dish ever! Rice, kidney beans, chorizo, chicharron, ground beef or grilled steak, plantain, avocado and fried egg. (I personally skip on the egg) This is the typical Colombian dish and I've been trained to eat the whole thing since I was a little kid.  Still do!  I want to eat this today! Que delicioso!

Stylish Mama and Organized Chica would love: 

5. 

Walk-in pantry

To have a well stocked, organized, spacious pantry, that also looks this beautiful, what a dream!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone! 

Love, Stylish Mama meets Organized Chica- xoxo

Organized Chica's Salad Dressing

Hello there! As promised to many of you, I will share with you my dressing recipe.  Let me first start off by saying that I cannot, for the life of me, give a recipe that I created with exact measurements.  I don't know why, but my whole family is like this, my mom, my sister, me...you get the idea.  

I really honestly tried measuring all the ingredients to my dressing but that went out the window as soon as I test tasted the dressing.  I always tweak it at the end.  So all those exact measurements I proudly wrote down while preparing this, are no longer valid.

Enough said! I will do my best to give an idea on how I make my dressing. 

1.  You will need the following ingredients:

* the onion for some reason decided not to make an appearance
during the photoshoot...sorry

2. Place all the ingredients in a food processor following these instructions: 

- Rip a big handful of parsley without the stems from the bunch and wash thoroughly

- Rip another big handful of cilantro without the stems from the bunch and wash thoroughly

- pour in about 3/4 cup of Olive Oil (this will basically be the amount of dressing you will be making)

- cut about 1/4 of an onion 

- squeeze 2 to 3 limes into the processor 

- peel 2 garlic cloves (fresh please! no pre-cut or smashed garlic)

- add salt and pepper to taste

3. Let your food processor rip! (I use the Magic Bullet or NutriBullet) It should take a few seconds really until everything gets processed.  Now taste and tweak it to your liking.  This is why I have a hard time with the measurements.  I sometimes will do more lime juice or more salt.  It depends on how strong the flavors are from the fresh ingredients.  

4. Should look like this (similar to a pesto consistency)

Trust me, it really may not look that appetizing but it's really yummy. You can pour this over your salad, use as marinade or process this mixture with a chunk of Parmesan cheese and pour over your pasta.  

Hope you enjoy it! Let me know how it goes.  

Organized Chica - xox

Cooking for my family brings me so much joy

Food - food represents much more than just sustenance.
It represents so much - but cooking food with love- that speaks much more.

When I can - I enjoy cooking and hosting meals in my home for family and close friends.
It brings me much joy to cook a warm meal for those I love.

This past weekend I was able to do just that.

We had my parents over for a Sunday dinner...and I wanted to make it a little special for my parents as they do so much for us on a daily basis.

I made sure to have a good bottle of red wine on the table.
My daddy loves his red wine.
And Sangria was made for my mom and I - a recipe that was given to me from my aunt in Guatemala.

The menu consisted of a family favorite. Seafood marinara (with shrimp, scallops, lobster, swordfish, clams).  But I also wanted to push myself and try two new recipes.

I like to challenge myself in the kitchen.
If you don't try new things - you never can grow as a cook!

First thing I made new was an appetizer - Roasted Artichokes with Lemon

The prep work for this dish is so simple.

You wash and clean the artichoke - discarding any leaves that look browned or tough - I took off about two layers of leaves on the ones shown above.
Cut the stems down so that artichokes can stand upright in a roasting pan.
Then you take a mixture of olive oil, garlic paste, and white wine, and liberally spread all over the artichokes and inside each layer you can get your little fingers into.  Then I took half of a lemon and squeezed it over the artichokes...and the other half I sliced up and put inside the roasting dish with the artichoke.

I placed them in the oven at 425 for 40-45 min until they are roasted on the outside - but tender on the inside.

The intense taste of lemon and garlic made these so fantastically delicious.

The second new dish I tried was Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash

Quinoa has become a little bit of a staple in my home in the past year.
Its full of nutritious benefits (including being high in fiber) and I find it to be so flavorful - almost nutty in flavor.

To make this the recipe is a little more detailed:

ingredients needed:

3 acorn squash, halved lengthwise, strings and seeds removed 1 teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 cup quinoa 2 tablespoons olive oil ½ onion, finely chopped

½ cup chopped red bell pepper 1 clove garlic, minced 1 to 2 canned chipotle peppers, drained and finely chopped 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro or parsley 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth

Directions:

Step 1.

Heat the oven to 400ºF. Sprinkle the cut sides of the squash with ¼ teaspoon of the salt and ⅛ teaspoon of the pepper. Place the squash (cut sides down) on a large rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan. Put the pan in the oven and pour ¼ inch of hot tap water into the pan. Roast the squash until it is almost tender, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove it to a work surface and carefully discard the hot water from the pan.

Step 2.

Meanwhile, rinse the quinoa in a mesh strainer under running water until the water runs clear, 1 minute.

Step 3.

 Add the oil to the pan and when it is hot, add the onion and bell pepper and cook until tender, 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the rinsed quinoa, chipotle peppers, paprika, cilantro, toasted pine nuts, and remaining ¾ teaspoon of salt and ⅛ teaspoon of pepper. Cook for 1 minute; then stir in the broth and bring it to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and simmer the quinoa until it is tender and the liquid is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 4.

Set the squash (cut sides up) on the baking sheet and fill the hollows with the quinoa mixture. Place the stuffed squash in the oven and roast at 400ºF until it is tender and the tops are lightly browned, about 15 minutes.

Tip: You can cook the squash and quinoa ahead of time and refrigerate them for up to two days. Then just stuff the squash and roast it as directed, adding five minutes to the final cooking time. 

It is such a great fall dish. I imagine this alone could be a great vegetarian meal if you used veggie broth.  

My family loved this one - its a keeper!

And so speaking of cooking for your family - I like this quote so I had to share it:

Happy Cooking!

Love, Stylish Mama