Cilantro Lime and Peanut Grilled Shrimp



Boom!  How amazing does this look?  Cilantro and limo is one of my favorite flavor combinations and the crunch of peanut is perfection.  The trick to this succulent shrimp is that it's grilled with the skin on! Yes, it makes the shrimp super juicy and delicious.  I suggest serving this with a side of garlic noodles.  It packs a lot of great flavor and is one you'll be sure to make time and time again.

{ingredients}

2 limes
2 teaspoons fish sauce
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 pound (about 15) jumbo shrimp, shells on
2 teaspoons safflower oil
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup salted peanuts, coarsely chopped
2 scallions, finely chopped

{method}

Zest limes into a bowl. Squeeze in juice from 1 lime, and whisk in fish sauce and sugar.

Preheat grill to high. Brush shrimp with oil on both sides, and lightly season with salt and pepper. Grill until pink and firm to the touch, 2 to 3 minutes per side.

Peel shrimp and toss with fish-sauce mixture, cilantro, peanuts, and scallions. Juice remaining lime over shrimp.

Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart.

xo natasha

Happy 8 Months Ethan!



My Dear Baby Boy,

Today is your 8 month birthday!

You have reached an all time new level of fun this last month!  You mimic us with your raspberries, you wave hello and goodbye, you are practically army crawling to get to the cat, you gobble up sweet potato flavored puffs, you rub your eyes when you're tired and you smile and laugh all the time.


You also had your first real cold this past month.  It was so hard to watch you struggle to breathe and have a runny nose, but your spirits always stayed high.


Along with your first cold, you also cut your first tooth!  It's on the bottom left side and I think you're enjoying having the extra tool for eating. 


You're also starting to learn how to balance when you stand up...and you are also starting to enjoy your walker more and more.



In the food department...you are trying all sorts of new flavor combinations: banana + pumpkin, greek yogurt + spinach + raspberries, and more!  You do not care for pureed meat yet {I really don't blame you!} but you are starting to accept more textures in your food.  You also love to gobble up puffs, though half of them fall in your lap.


{your reaction to pureed meat}

You still LOVE the cat...she lets you grab her fur and tail--she's very patient with you.  You will army crawl or roll across the room to be close to her.


You also had your first exclusive daddy time this month and did really well.  You just love him!  You can tell when he gets home at night and you just light up when you see him.


This past month also allowed me more one-on-one time with you and I loved every minute of it.  You are just growing before my very eyes...I can't believe how big you're getting!


We love you so much and can't believe you'll be a approaching one year before we know it!  Time needs to slow down...I'm loving you at this age so so much!

Love, Mom


Oscar Red Carpet


I haven't had a chance to watch the actual show yet {thank you DVR} but I had to check out the red carpet dresses...here are some of my favorite looks!


If you read my post last Friday, you know that this Eli Saab number was one of my favorite dresses...so I was happy to see that Sandra rocked it!


I thought the train on Amy's Oscar de la Renta gown was stunning!  


I love the beading detail on this Naeem Khan dress...it looks like beautiful chain mail. 


The color of this Armani dress complimented Jessica perfectly and fit her like a glove.


Another Armani dress, I love the asymmetrical neckline and thought the fit was spot on. 


Charlize is a vision in this sleek peplum Dior dress.  True perfection.


And for the looks I wasn't digging...sorry, was just not a fan of this Prada dress on Anne.  I thought the statement necklace looked off with the high neckline and the dress was reminiscent of a Jessica McClintock frock I might have worn back in high school.  


And really...what was Brandi thinking wearing this?  Completely ridiculous and over-the-top {but not in a good way}.  Put those things away!!

What were your favorite looks from last night?

xo natasha

Friday Fancies: Oscars Fashion



Dress | Earrings | Perfume | Lipstick | Heels | Clutch

I always get excited for the Academy Awards...it's the last awards show of the season and everyone dresses to the nines!  If I were to go...I would go with a simple and classic look: black.  I love this Marchesa dress...the lace and the peekaboo effect make it sexy and chic.

And I always have fun checking out style.com for the latest fashion...these heels and clutch are from the Spring 2013 line...gorgeous!  Last, a little Chanel goes a long way...a bright red lip would complete this look.  Total showstopper!

Here are some other runway looks that I'm drooling over:







Will you be watching the Oscars this weekend?

xo natasha

Linked to: Friday Fancies

Healthy Orange Chicken



I saw a tasty recipe for Paleo orange chicken on Danielle's blog the other day and decided to give it a whirl.  I'm not jumping on the Paleo bandwagon, but I do think there are some great benefits to keeping the diet in mind.  This recipe is super fresh and surprisingly tasty.  I would make some adjustments the next time around, like limiting the soy sauce {it was very salty!} and maybe adding in some garlic and/or honey instead!

Recipe adapted from Health-Bent

{ingredients}

2 chicken breasts, chopped into bite sized pieces
3 T olive oil
juice of 2 oranges
zest from 1 orange*
1 t fresh ginger
3 T low-sodium soy sauce
1 t sriracha
3 green onions, chopped

{method}

In a medium size sauce pot, add the orange juice, zest, ginger, soy sauce and sriracha. Set over medium heat and let simmer to reduce and thicken while the chicken cooks. In a saute pan, heat 3 T of olive oil, over medium high heat. Add the chopped chicken and cook until a nice brown crust has developed on the chicken pieces, about 6 minutes. Add the chicken to the sauce pot and stir to coat with the orange sauce. Serve topped with sliced green onions. *Taste your oranges. If they don’t taste orange-y, then neither will this dish. Use tangerines if you gotta or add a teaspoon of sweetener until you’re satisfied with the flavor.

xo natasha

PS...I'm guest posting over at Michelle's blog today on my perspective on motherhood...be sure to check it out!


Baby Ethan: Week 34



Weight: Ethan's weighing in at 16 pounds 4 ounces (7% percentile) and is 28 inches long (68%).  He's not as heavy as I would like...so we'll be working on that!  I really want to avoid another lecture at our 9 month appointment.  

Health: Well, Ethan has struggled through his first official virus.  We went to the pediatrician on Valentine's Day and he was diagnosed with a mild case of RSV.  I thought it might have been a teething thing {runny nose and such} but it soon developed into a cough and wheezing.  We've been running the humidifier in his room, running hot showers for him to breathe in the steam and I've become a pro at the nasal aspirator and Nosefrida {very much to his dismay}.  Luckily, I think we're past the worst of it.  


Sleep: There have been a couple rough nights, but all in all, he's doing just fine.  Since I'm home with him right now, I feel like I've been able to get his naps re-established and he's usually down no later than 8pm.  He will probably wake up 1-2 times to nurse, but the first time is when we're still up, so it's no biggie!

Social: We've been pretty low key due to his cold.


Diet: Well...we thought it was super cool when Ethan decided he could suck his purees directly from the pouch.  It was easy, fast and efficient.  BUT one night, he had horrible gas/stomach pains and we definitely attribute it to him probably eating too fast and too much all at once.  So I've banned that habit and will only feed him from a bowl.  


He definitely has come around to fruit purees...I even pureed up some banana and blueberries and he seems to love it.  Oh and he's getting really good about eating puffs now.  At first, he would just kind of gum on them, but now he's swallowing {although, I think the texture still freaks him out!}.  And I sliced up some ripe blueberries and he had some fun mashing those around and eating some too.



Clothes: Still in size 2 diapers...and 6-12 month or 9 month jammies along with 6 month tops and bottoms.


Baby Gear Love: We've got some major teething action going one and recently introduced the Zo-li gum massagers and he loves them...though sometimes he sticks the wrong end in and starts gagging...oops!  


We also started using his Itzy Rizy shopping cart cover, which he loves!  He was totally hamming it up at the store and flirting with all the ladies.  ;)

Crying: He's had his share of bouts this week...not breathing can do that to you.  And he's become more attached lately...doesn't like to be put down or left alone for too long.  Not gonna lie...I kind of love it right now. 



Likes: Ethan LOVES the cat.  And the cat actually seems to like him too.  She will sit right next time him when he's doing tummy time and totally lets him grab her tail and fur.  I wouldn't call her the friendliest of cats, but she totally tolerates him.  He always wants to be be near her...I think she'll drive him to crawl any day now!


Oh and he's also starting to figure out the walker...it's crazy to see him move around on his own!

Postpartum: Even with a sick babe, I'm enjoying my time home with him right now.  I can't get enough snuggles and smiles.



Milestones: So many fun ones this week!  Ethan officially cut his first tooth.  It full on popped through and is on the bottom front tooth {to his left to be exact}.  I think more are on the horizon as well!  Also, baby blows raspberries on command...almost in response to us.  It's pretty awesome to watch.  Last, he is starting to wave!  It is still in the spontaneous stage, but he's becoming more and more regular with it.  Love it!!



xo natasha

Green Thumb

See these ValueMags magazine subscriptions with free shipping.



Girl: Top | Pants | Headband
Onesie
Boy: Top | Pants | Loafers

Since Valentine's Day is over, it's only natural that we should rush right into the next holiday, right?!  It's crazy that the stores have already stocked up on Easter decor and goodies...but I'm not about to let St. Patty's Day pass on by.  Oh no...when you have a baby, every holiday counts!

Besides, I really love the color green...it's my favorite!  And crisp and fresh greens seem like the perfect palette to introduce this new season.  So above, is a preview of all things that I'm loving for the baby.  Of course, you know I've got the boys dialed in, but I shrieked a little seeing all the cute girl things out there.  Those skinny jeans and peplum top?  I die.

By the way, I'm linking up to Trendy Tot Tuesday today.  It's a cute new series that some of my favorite mommy bloggers put together.  Hop on over for some stylish ideas for your little ones.

xo natasha

PS...I'm over at Meet the Sullivans talking about my diaper bag essentials...check it out here!

Shoe Love: Cutest Moccs on the Block




Finding cute baby shoes that actually stay on their feet is like trying to find the holy grail.  We've got tons of shoes for Ethan, but do you see him ever wearing them?  Not likely.  They usually fall off...or he kicks them off...which is why he rocks his footed jammies these days!

But I am super intrigued by Freshly Picked moccasins!  First of all, they're adorable.  I wish they made them in my size!  And second, I love that they're handmade and real leather.  Last, I love that they are made with babies in mind...and meant to actually stay on their feet!  Of course, with handmade and genuine leather, comes a price tag.  So, ideally, I buy a pair that Ethan will actually get some use out of.    And of course, what color?!

Do you have a pair of Freshly Picked moccs for your little darling?  I'd love to hear what you think!

xo natasha

Look for Less: Valentine's Day



Luxe Look: Dress | Heels | Earrings
Look for Less: Dress | Heels | Earrings | Clutch

For those of you who are celebrating Valentine's Day this weekend, I thought I would put together a look for your night out.  I've been eying this DVF dress for some time, but there is no way I could afford the hefty price tag.  So I was pleased to find this alternative at Nordstrom!  And of course, I had to pair the dress with these new heels from the Prabal Gurung for Target collection.  They are such a versatile heel...great for any occasion!

  So, did you celebrate last night or are you going out this weekend?

xo natasha

Linked to: Friday Fancies

My Sweetheart


H a p p y   V a l e n t i n e ' s   D a y!


From my sweetheart to yours!

xo

Baby Ethan: Week 33


{Being sick with mama's camera in my face is not fun!}

Weight: 16-17 pounds?  I have no idea!


Health: Welp, I think we've had our first official cold this past week. Baby has been coughing and seems to have some phlegm in his throat/chest.  It's pretty pitiful actually!  There's nothing worse than hearing your child struggle to breathe.  On the other hand, he's starting to sprout some bottom teeth, so maybe it's strictly related to teething?  We've got his humidifier going, which seems to help, but any other suggestions would be great appreciated!


Sleep: Surprisingly sleeping well!  Only wakes up once a night and sometimes will "sleep in" until 9am--after a quick 6 am feeding.  Cannot complain.  At.all.


Social: Ethan got to spend time with Cruzie and Eden this past week.  He's not quite old enough to be fun for other babies...but he's almost there!


Diet: Due to some changes, he's back to breastfeeding pretty exclusively.  We will give him a bottle of formula before bedtime, but that's about it.  He's also loving his butternut squash and sweet potato.  Not a fan of pureed zucchini though.

Clothes: 9 month or 6-12 month jammies and 6 months tops and bottoms.


Baby Gear Love: Still loving his new bathtub and starting to get more agile in his walker.  Also exploring some new teethers.

Crying: The stuffy nose has not helped...he's been pretty miserable these last couple of days.

{check out these moves}

Likes: Music!  If I start dancing to music, he instantly lights up!

Postpartum: Some personal changes...but I'll talk about them later.  Just happy to be spending more time with my little man!


Milestones: Little teeth are sprouting through!  It feels like little razors when I stick my finger in there.  Oh and baby man blows raspberries like no one's business!  He's getting more mobile too.  He can go from sitting to his tummy pretty easily.  Could crawling be in our near future??


xo natasha