Taco Tuesdays: Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Lime Sauce

Ingredients

Flour Tortillas

For Shrimp:
1 pound of shrimp (deveined)
1 cup of tequila
1/4 cup of lime juice

For Cilantro Lime Sauce:
1 cup Sour Cream
1/2 cup Mayo
2 gloves of garlic - mashed
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons lime juice
salt

For Mango Salsa:
4 tomatos (big ones) - diced
1 onion - chopped
2 mangos - diced
1/2 cup chopped jalapeños
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon garlic powder
salt

Toppings:
Chopping romaine lettuce
Sautéed plantains

Directions:
1. Soak Shrimp in tequila and lime juice mixture for 30 mins
2. Grill shrimp until cooked
3. Steam flour tortillas in microwave (place wet paper towel over tortillas and heat for 20 seconds)
4. Place cooked shrimp on tortillas
5. Top with mango salsa, cilantro lime sauce, romaine lettuce and plaintains
6. Eat and enjoy!!

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Moving in Style: Phase 1

One of my favorite parts of the interior design process is the "collecting inspiration" phase. During this phase I like to just explore and find some things that I want to incorporate into a room/rooms.

My usual go-to theme where I usually start looking for inspiration is the beach/seaside theme. However, having recently moved to a big city, I want to incorporate some urban features to make my space a little bit more relevant to my location. I think I'll try to combine these 2 styles (beach/urban) to create the right space for me.

When I think of urban style I imagine clean lines, sleek colors like grey, silver, white and maybe even some sleek patterns. I also imagine some modern pieces, like sharp-looking furniture or metallic accents.

Here are some examples of bedrooms I consider to have an urban flare:

(Photos courtesy of www.gradenyc.com and www.marieburgosdesign.com)





On the complete opposite side of the spectrum, I also want to incorporate some sort of beachy accents. A beach theme can mean different things to different people. To some it can be tropical with bright colors and florals. Or it could be nautical with seashells and sand. For the sake of making the combo of my two ideas easier, I am going to focus on the blues, whites and tans and maybe a nautical pattern/accent.

Instead of going overboard with the beach theme I just want to incorporate some accents. Here are some examples of things I may want to put throughout a space to give off a slight beachy vibe:

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Stuffed Peppers: Dinner for Days

Last Sunday I decided I needed to make that would give me enough leftovers to last me all week. Then I found a recipe for stuffed peppers and realized I could make as many stuffed peppers as I wanted and could eat one every night of the week! You might be thinking "wouldn't the peppers go bad?", but actually once you roast the peppers, they actually keep very well. And all of the contents inside are protected by the pepper itself. So this is a meal that you can keep in the fridge for about a week! Please see the recipe below. To make more or less peppers, just adjust the amount of the contents inside accordingly.

My Recipe calls for 6 peppers, bottoms trimmed, cap end cut off and diced.

Stuffing Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups long grain brown rice
3 links of sweet Italian sausage (8 oz links)
1 white onion
Diced pepper tops (take the tops from the peppers that you cut off and dice)
1/2 tsp. ground fennel
1/2 tsp. oregano
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup grated mozzarella cheese
salt and black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Cook Time: 30 mins

Instructions:
1. Cut off the tops of your peppers and take out the seeds.
2. Trim the bottom of your peppers so they sit flat on your surface.
3. Place peppers on your baking sheet.
4. Remove pepper stem, then dice up your pepper tops.
5. Dice up your onions.
6. Start cooking your brown rice.
7. Heat oil on stove top skillet, then saute your diced peppers and onions until soft but not brown (takes about 5 minutes).
8. Remove sautéed peppers and onions and replace with ground Italian sausage. Cook until brown.
9. Once sausage is cooked, mix with the peppers and onions in the skillet.
10. Add your dried spices and cook for another 3 minutes.
11. Mix in brown rice and Parmesan cheese and cook for 1-2 mins.
12. When done, place the stuffing inside your peppers.
14. Spread grated mozzarella on top of your stuffing in the peppers.
13. When oven is heated, place your baking sheet with peppers into the oven and cook for 30 mins.
14. Remove from oven, let cool for 10 mins, eat and ENJOY!!

Share with your friends and family or have a pepper everyday of the week!

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The August Bucket-List

Well there's only one full month left of summer and you need to go out with a bang! It's time to make a list of everything you need to accomplish before fall arrives.

1. Drink tons of iced coffee!
2. Get dinner al fresco
3. Eat blueberries
4. Lay out for hours..get that tan!
5. Go for a job outside
6. Visit an amusement park
7. Go to a rooftop bar/party
8. Sport your most fabulous sundress, sun hat and shades
9. Lay outside and watch the stars
10. Go camping
11. Dive into the ocean/lake/river/pool
12. Ride a jet ski
13. Eat fresh seafood
14. Take part in at least one water sport (kayaking/paddleboarding/wind-surfing)
15. Go for a hike
16. Walk around barefoot

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Strawberry Feta Salad

This delectable but healthy snack is made up of:

1 cup strawberries 

1/4 cup feta cheese

1 handful of candied pecans

1 tablespoon of balsamic vinaigrette 

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Classic, casual and professional

Classic, casual and professional by watermelons000 featuring tahitian pearl earrings

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A Coffee For Every Occasion

As working women, we know that coming into the professional world comes with a territory. That territory is Starbucks..or Dunkin Donuts, Saxby's, Seattle's Best...whatever your favorite coffee shop is, you find yourself making coffee runs much more frequently than you used to. Eventually, your average coffee starts to get old and you need to make a change from your usual "original brew". You gotta switch it up! Keep life interesting! One important thing to understand is that for each situation in your life..there is a coffee drink that will help get you through it.

Have no fear, your unofficial guide to coffee for every occasion is here!



Occasion:  You're running late for work and you need a pick-me-up...FAST!
Solution: Original Brew – This is the quickest way you're going to get the caffeine you need in a hurry.

Occasion: You went out last night but have a deadline to meet by the end of the day.
Solution: Red-Eye – This drink is a combination of coffee and espresso. Usually, a shot of espresso (or 2 or 3) is dropped into a cup of drip coffee.  What does this mean for you and your deadline? It means there is enough caffeine in this one drink that will get you through your entire day...on point.

Occasion: Meeting up with a friend at Starbucks.
Solution: Vanilla Latte – a vanilla latte is a combination of espresso, steamed milk, and vanilla syrup. The pure delectable taste of this beverage will keep you delighted throughout your visit with your friend. Choose the non-fat option if you're watching calories!

Occasion: Morning of going to the beach/pool.
Solution: Frappucino/Frappe – If you're going to the beach or the pool, chances are it's hot out! A frappe offers everything you love about coffee, milk and sugar, and combines it into a splendid iced concoction. It's very refreshing!

Occasion: You want to pretend you are at an Italian Caffe.
Solution: Cappuccino – The Italians sure know how to do coffee. And nothing illustrates this better than a traditional cappuccino. The combination of espresso and steamed milk creates a dream of foamy goodness. Enjoy your cappuccino while sitting at a caffe people watching/reading a book. When in Rome, do as the Romans do and savor every sip!

Occasion: You're on a date at a coffee shop.
Solution: Cinnamon Latte – Did you know that cinnamon can be an aphrodisiac? If you want to spice things up on your date, that little kick of cinnamon could help you get there!

Occasion: You just broke up with your boyfriend and you NEED chocolate!
Solution: Caffe Mocha – We all know when there are boy troubles, chocolate usually makes you feel a little bit better..even if just for a little bit. Caffe Mocha combines espresso with milk and chocolate. It will just make you feel better..PERIOD.

You can find everything on this page at your local  Starbucks..My coffee shop of choice!

If you're in a sticky situation and need a coffee beverage suggestion..please reply and I will help you out!

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Summer Beach Read

If you’re looking for a steamy read for summertime, but don’t feel like jumping on the Fifty Shades of Grey bandwagon, here’s another sexy but not so x-rated novel. It’s called On The Island by Tracey Garvis Graves.

This novel is about 30 year-old Anna Emerson, a teacher who is offered a job to tutor young T.J. Callahan during his family’s summer vacation in the Maldives. T.J. and Anna take their own flight with the intention of meeting the rest of his family at their vacation rental. However, something goes wrong and T.J. and Anna find themselves on a desserted island somewhere in the Indian Ocean.

The story follows them on their journey as they try to survive as castaways. As they work together to overcome unusual obstacles, they begin to get closer and their challenges begin to evolve as their relationship changes.

This book is action-packed, mysterious and emotional. I could not put it down until I finished it. It received a 4.17/5 rating on goodreads.com. Great for a summer beach read!

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Half Marathon Training MUST HAVES

If you’re anything like me, you spend the majority of your day sitting at a desk behind a computer screen. This of course isn’t terrible when you have the freedom to roam around on the web and pin recipes and fashion. However eventually you may start to notice yourself falling out of shape or getting a little sluggish.

This is how I’ve been feeling lately. While I love my job at a marketing agency, it’s hard not to pack on a few pounds after sitting day in and day out. I used to play sports and have all kinds of time to go running and take kick-boxing classes. No longer having a reason to stay in shape, it’s really hard to give myself a reason to pound the pavement. If you have the same problem I do, I’ve devised a solution! I recently signed up for a half-marathon. That’s 13.1 miles. I’ve already begun a 12 week training plan and it’s encouraged me to stay on track and (hopefully) drop those few extra pounds.

The first thing you really must do to keep yourself motivated is ACTUALLY SIGN UP AND PAY FOR THE RACE. These races usually cost anywhere between $30 and $100 to enter. Dropping the cash is usually reason enough to keep up with your plan. You don’t want to waste your $100, right?

The second thing you need is a training plan. I found a free plan that allows you to choose between a 12 week, 16 week, or 20 week plan.

http://www.halfmarathons.net/training_tips_schedule_beginner_runners.html

Next, you need a playlist that will keep you going! Here a some songs that keep me pumped up for those long runs:

1. Titanium – David Guetta & Sia
2. We Run the Night – Havana Brown ft. Pitbull
3. White Nights – Oh Land
4. Young Blood – The Naked and Famous
5. Tonight is the Night – Outasight
6. Some Nights – Fun.
7. Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen
8. Give Your Heart A Break – Demi Lovato
9. Dust Bowl Dance – Mumford & Songs
10. I Forgive  You – Kelly Clarkson
11. Forever – Chris Brown
12. Stronger – Kelly Clarkson
13. Beggin’ – Madcon
14. We Are Young – Fun.
15. Like A Prayer – Madonna
16. Everybody Talks – Neon Trees

More to come!

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Let's Get Started

Hello everyone. In my first post I want layout some of my objectives for this blog. I want to use this page as forum for young, professional women, trying to make it in the world on their own. Whether it's sharing fashion advice, work tips or party ideas, I want to start a community where young, professional women can come and get inspired to do great things. 


So a little bit about myself...I have recently come into professional world as a digital marketer at a marketing agency in the great city of Chicago. Still trying to come into my own, I am constantly looking to be inspired, as well as hopefully be in inspiration to other young women aspiring to do great things. 


I hope to share some valuable insight in many different categories, like fashion, recipes, or even tools I find that help me organize my life! 


So let's get started!

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