Good Vibes

Sometimes I wake up and just feel my magic. You know, the magic that you know is inside each and every one of us. The magic that makes us who we are. The magic that is not our job, or our spouse, or our house but that is our heart and soul; our blood, sweat and tears. The thing that makes our spirit what it is.
Other days (which are unusual), I wake up comparing myself to others, like Justina Blakeney because she's doing what I love and what my undergraduate degree is in. I hear myself saying, "Why wasn't that me?" or "Where did I go wrong." Or I grow jealous of people like Grace, who's young and just starting out and is galaxies ahead of where I was (and still am) at her age. And then there is this place. Awesome right? I know! I feel overwhelmed with pride in Erica (One of the partners at Escape to Shape and a beautiful woman, with whom I went to high school) yet sadness in myself that I am not where I know I want to be.
They say comparison is the Devil. But sometimes it's nearly impossible not to look at other folks like the ones mentioned above and not feel like I should be more, do more, see more, speak more, love more. Like I'm not doing enough already. What am I searching for?

So today, I resign to being nothing more than who I am; I resign to "be a proliferator of good vibes." I have the magic. Perhaps even more than others. I have lots of friends, I am in the best shape of my life both physically and spiritually and I have an enduring family that loves me. I also have a husband who is wonderful, not only handsome but a true gentleman. His spirit is warm and masculine. His mind is sharp and his arms loving and secure. I am a creative. I am a chef. I am a style maven. I have arms and legs and a heart that work. And, the most important, I am blessed everyday. #thankful #grateful #loved

Peaches and Cream Bread Pudding

Peaches and Cream Bread Pudding is a recipe that is not only tasty it is also a snap to make. It's great as dessert but if you sort of mess around with the  ingredients you can create a sweet treat for a lazy Sunday morning too. When you bite into this steaming treat, it should be gooey and custardy and delicious. It's sure to be a crowd-pleaser as it is at my house! Can you think of any variations? Leave your suggestions in the comments!

Peaches and Cream Bread Pudding

Ingredients 

• 2 Cans peaches in heavy syrup drained, half cup of syrup reserved
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 4 Tbs. butter
• 2 cups half and half
• 5 eggs
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
•  Loaf of Hawaiian Bread, crusts removed

Instructions 

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Cut bread into 1 inch squares.
3. Drain the peaches and spread on the bottom of an 8x8 pan or 9x9 pan.
4. Melt the butter with the brown sugar 
5. Pour over peaches
6. Sprinkle bread over peaches/brown sugar.
7. In a blender mix the sugar, half and half, eggs, vanilla extract and cinnamon.
8. Pour mixture over bread.
9. Bake at 350 for about 40-45 minutes.
10. Variations: instead of peaches cut up apples and instead of sugar use maple syrup for a breakfast treat.

Beautiful Gowns

I love to scour the internet for designers I've never heard of. Before today, I had never heard of Ziad Nakad. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside knowing there are folks out there designing things for other folks who walk red carpets and go to formal galas and so on. I fantasize about what it would be like to be one of these fancy folks. Alas, this sort of lifestyle is simply a fantasy. Nevertheless, a girl can dream! Check these out...see makes you want  to go to fancy fete's too, huh?! Do you have a soiree that you need to be uber dressed for in the near future? Go see these!

photos credited