Capitalizing on his move into this gorgeous, state-of-the-art office, Dr. K began selling skin care products and hired an esthetician. Actually, I take that back. He didn’t just hire any esthetician, he hired an AMAZING skin care specialist. As someone who loves facials and is very critical of her skin care, I have to say that this was one of the best facials I received in a long time.

Janet Prediletto is the licensed esthetician I am so excitedly speaking about. I feel like I have found a hidden treasure. I have to be honest. I was a little apprehensive about having a ‘spa’ treatment done at a medical office but everything from the robe, to the water falling, to the music, felt spa like.

After a short consultation with Janet, she took note of the condition of my skin. I got into the robe, under a warm sheet and she began her magic. The facial lasted just over an hour and unlike many facials I have had where the esthetician leaves the room multiple times to let masks settle, Janet stuck around and did hand, foot, neck and shoulder massage techniques that left me leaving the office feeling like I had a full body sports massage.

I have a lot of problems with under eye circles, (need I say more than, non-sleeping two year old?), so Janet did an amazing eye and lip peel that made me look like I got a full 8 hours of sleep!

She ended the hour by applying an SPF 30. I ended the hour without a single red mark and amazing looking skin. I will definitely be back. Speaking of SPF, if you check in to their office on Facebook, you get 15% off any suntan lotion. As a marketer, how can I not love that??

*service provided gratis

Skirt: Express

Top: Zara

Shoes: Aldo

Earrings: Hannoush Jewelers

Lip Dub! Disney’s Little Mermaid from Julia Allison on Vimeo.

Documentary : Sexy Girls Have It Easy from Bright Hand Pictures on Vimeo.

OH YEAH.

Anyway, I’ve tried a million different variations of risotto recipes and never come close to what she made. FINALLY, tonight, I think I got close. I will never say that mine is as good because that would just be a total lie. But, I wrote mine down, so you all can feel free to try it out. Let me know if you used any variations that made it come out better!

Risotto can be a pain because you literally can not step away from. In  the second you decide to take a bathroom break, everything goes to shit and your rice is literally burnt to the bottom of the pan. So, prepare to spend a god 30-40 minutes in front of the stove.

What You’ll Need:

• 2 Cups of your favorite type of risotto rice. I personally like Arborio and buy it in bulk.

• 1 Bunch of Asparagus, trimmed
• Frozen Peas
• 4 Tablespoons of EVOO
• 2 Cloves Garlic
• 1 Cup of White Wine (I like sweet)
• 6 Cups of hot Chicken Stock – you can substitute with vegetable stock, but I’m not a fan of the taste
• 2 Tablespoons chopped chives
• 1 Onion
• 2 Tablespoons chopped basil
• 1 Cup Parmesan Cheese
• Salt & Pepper to taste

What to do:

• Heat up 2 tablespoons of EVOO in a large skillet. Trim off ends of Asparagus and cut into 1 inch pieces.
• Cook Asparagus on medium heat in skillet until bright green in color
• Cook frozen peas according to directions and add into skillet with asparagus.
• Set vegetables aside.
• In a heavy bottom pan, heat up remaining EVOO and cook chopped onion until translucent.
• Add in 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped.
• Stir in rice, 1/2 a cup at a time, making sure to mix into olive oil mixture well
• Cook rice until translucent on medium heat
• Add in chicken stock, one ladle at a time allowing rice to soak up.
• Stir continuously.
• Turn up heat until liquid bubbles, adding in white wine.
• Cook about 20 minutes or until liquid is mostly absorbed and rich is creamy in consistency.
• Stir in vegetable mixture.
• Cook about 2 minutes and add in basil and chives
• Stir in Parmesan Cheese
• Add salt and pepper to taste

Adding just a spoonful of sour cream makes even the DRIEST eggs moist. It’s amazing, it adds flavor and literally lets eggs melt in your mouth. If I don’t have sour cream in the fridge I go with the same amount of cream cheese..works just as well. Check out the easy recipe below!

What you’ll need:

• 6 Full Eggs
• 1/4 cup Mozzarella (or your choice) shredded cheese
• 1 Tablespoon Light Sour Cream
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• Salt & Pepper to Tast
• Crushed Red Pepper to Taste
• Siriracha – optional

On Medium heat, warm 1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil in medium sized pan. Break eggs to use 2 whole eggs (with yoke) and 4 egg whites. Mix in 1 Tablespoon Light Sour Cream and 1/4 cup cheese. Whip. The sour cream tends to clump so make sure to whip this well. Add salt & pepper and crushed red pepper. Pour mixture into pan.

Make sure to move the eggs around the pan often so they do not stick. Break up the eggs as you go (SCRAMBLE!!). I tend to turn the heat to low so that they cook slower. Cook until they reach your temperature of choice. *Don’t eat them raw…* (that’s my disclaimer)

Use a paper plate so you don’t have to clean up after you enjoy. Add some Siriracha or your hot sauce of choice…ENJOY!!!

So, after speaking with the Doctor about the night terrors that we think he’s been having, we found out this is a completely normal phase. And, as my mother likes to put it…”This to shall pass.” In the meantime, we have to think of things to do at 5am when he won’t go back to sleep. Something safe for mom and dad who are still in a sleep fog. This morning’s activity? CHOCOLATE CHIP MUFFINS! They look enough like a cupcake for Christopher to be excited about eating them, but they don’t have quite as much sugar (or frosting).

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6am Muffin Time!

Some tips for making the perfect chocolate chip muffins?

1.) Put all of your liquids into the bowl first. Make sure those are stirred, almost to a foam like texture, and then put your dry ingredients in. It cuts your stirring time IN HALF.

2.) Try using yogurt to make the muffins a little more moist – yes, this even works when using a box recipe.

3.) Let your child put the cups into the muffin pan. It can keep them occupied for AT LEAST a half hour.

Enjoy your 6am muffins!!