I’m a year older and wiser than the last time we spoke! Yep, I turned 34 on Saturday and so far, so good. It was the best birthday I’ve had in years and I celebrated it with about 20 of my closest gal pals here on the Central Coast. I swear I really do know 20 interesting, smart and unique women, and they all came out to celebrate ME! How lucky am I? Very, I’d say. We headed out to Baileyana Winery in Edna Valley where I’m a member and get the discounted bottle price. There, my friends and I chatted, drank a selection of white wines, snaked on foods that Andy had prepared and I think some of them even played bocce ball later on in the day!

All in all, it was a fantastic day! That evening, a few friends and I headed over to see Andy at Alex’s BBQ where they have a DJ spinning all night. My feet were aching the next day, meaning the night was a success! My girlfriends even remembered that I love the store Harper Jo near my house and so most of my gifts were from there. AHHHMAZING!!!!

My good friend Lori and I go shopping at Harper Jo quite often and the last time we were there, we noticed different DIY displays for jewelry and thought it would make for a good craft night. Kristen, the shop’s owner, told us she got the ideas off Pinterest and they are indeed brilliant and easy. So imagine my surprise and excitement when I opened Lori’s gift later that night and saw that she had made these two pieces for me! She’s crafty! You can easily make these for yourself or to give as gifts and they really stand out in any room. All you’ll need is a rake, a cheese grater and some spray paint!

To make this earring holder simply spray paint a cheese grater the color of your choice, tie a cute string bow on top, and hang away!

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To make this necklace holder, screw off the top of a metal rake and spray paint it the color of your choice. Tap a nail into your wall and hang! So neat!

Okay, so onto things yummy now. I have been dog-sitting a ton lately and getting home a little later, leaving less time for elaborate dinners and such. My go-to dinner when I don’t have time, or have vegetables about to go bad, or don’t feel like putting much of an effort in, is STIR FRY, aka my life saver! This is the healthiest “fast” food you can have if you ask me and you can toss just about anything you want into your wok and you’re guaranteed a delicious, low calorie and filling meal, or your money back, haha!

If you’re new to stir frying your own meal, you don’t need too much, not even a wok- a large frying pan will work fine. I like to use a tablespoon of coconut oil in my wok and I don’t add it until the wok starts to smoke, so I know it’s hot and ready to go. Then I add all my veggies, greens or sprouts last, and after about five minutes of cooking, I’ll add a light sauce (recipe below) and we’re ready to eat. Really, it’s that quick and easy. So SLO down, don’t rush home, you can still bang out a delicious meal in minutes! Here are two different combinations that I had for dinner last week and just last night, both equally delicious and husband approved!

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Veggie Stir Fry Numero Uno- serves two or more 

Ingredients: (1 cup each of)

-bok choy

-asparagus

-yellow squash

-red onion

-cauliflower

-broccoli

-mushrooms

-kale

-snap peas

Add as many ingredients as you can/want and enjoy!

Veggie Stir Fry- Numero Due 

Ingredients: (1 cup of each)

-broccoli

-carrots

-leeks

-spinach

-bean sprouts

-butternut squash

-radishes

-cilantro

-basil

-parsley

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This is the stir fry sauce that Andy typically makes for us. Add 1/4 C soy sauce, 1 tsp teriyaki sauce, 1/4 tsp sesame seed oil, 2 T rice vinegar and apple cider vinegar, a dash of sesame seeds and 1/4 tsp fish sauce. Enjoy!

Check out my new apron!

As if I didn’t have enough wine tasting fun on Saturday, I dragged my hub out for more on Sunday!