Saturday's

It is not even 10 AM and so far it has been a perfect Saturday.

Here is what I generally like to do on Saturday mornings to wind down from the week and start relaxing for the weekend.

Wake up, have coffee in my favorite coffee cup - come on, you know you have one too. Everything tastes good it in it: coffee, tea, water, when desperate for a clean vessel after a crazy day...even wine works in this mug. Mine sort of looks like a men's shaving mug, footed with a K on it. Oh my, was this mug meant for Kevin, Kyle or Keith to contain a frothy head of shave cream to remove stubble and not for holding Katie's coffee to give a boost in the morning?

So, sip a cup of coffee while sitting on couch curled up like a cinnamon roll (yum, I wish I had a cinnamon roll), kiss Tim goodbye before he goes to play tennis.

Ahhh, alone time, get back into bed with a couple magazines and BayLee. After having my heart broken upon getting word of March being the last printing of both Domino and Country Home magazines I had to find a new love. Like dating, I checked out a couple other home decor magazines at the book store over the past couple weeks. I carefully scrutinized, I asked the questions: is this right for me, do we have a future together, do I want to invest my time to learn more and start a relationship? I know that I wear my heart on my sleeve and wanted to be careful when making a decision about who would replace the last two decor magazines that I loved so much. Then I saw it, could this be the one? We had a rocky love affair in the past when the magazine also had a television show that went along with it but our romance was one of ups and downs and got off balance with the downs becoming more frequent than the ups. Should I go back, did it get better? It has been a couple years, maybe a brief flirtation will turn into something more solid. I took a leap, I bought the February and March issue and read them this morning and I had to say that me and House Beautiful are back together for now. Elle Decor was the runner up so we will see what transpires over the next couple months, maybe I will be ready to take on two lovers again by then. I got burned last time when they both went down, so I will be more cautious this time.

Get up, need more coffee, tuck BayLee into bed and leave him alone for his nap time. Seriously, he likes to get in the bed like a human with covers over him (see above photo), head on the pillow, the whole deal. I just went in to check on him and he is all curled up with his head under the blankets. I wish I was a cat sometimes.

After this post, I will watch a movie (Sybil, I taped the updated version from Lifetime) and then maybe take myself for a walk or bake something... we'll see. I really have no plans, which I love. That may change when Tim gets home though.

Hope you have a great Saturday!

Spring Fever

There are way too many cute sandals out there for this spring/summer and these give me a bit of the fever, Spring Fever!

Check out these by Poetic License at Endless Shoes and Handbags.

Quick Dinner

I had left over ricotta from the pizza I made Saturday night and wanted to get to it before it went bad so I just made Broken Noodles with Tomato Sauce and Ricotta from Everyday Food for dinner and it was fabulous!

It literally takes 15 minutes to prepare.

When we were eating it, we thought that it was sort of like Italian Chilaquiles since the broken pasta is cooked in the sauce, try it, you will like it! It calls for 4 cups of sauce, I just used a jar which is 24 oz and I cut the water by about 1/2 cup. I used a small cookie dough scoop to put the ricotta on top which worked great.

With this dish we had Lillet Blanc with soda to drink and oranges for dessert- so good.

March Madness

When some people think about the phrase "March Madness" they think college basketball. Well, when I think of March Madness, I think Magazines...BIG, PLUMP, HUNDREDS OF PAGES, FASHION, DROOL STIMULATING, Magazines! The March issues are the best, they are full of the newest spring and summer looks. Think bright colors, bold prints and lots of fun sandals.

Outwardly, I am not fashionable at all. I am usually clad in my signature black cardigan (I own three - all different styles), hey...maybe that is my fashion trademark, like Coco Chanel and her pearls, Carrie Donovan and those larger than life glasses or Carrie Bradshaw and her shoes. However, on the inside I am a Rachel Zoe type stylist wannabe. I am a self proclaimed "poly whore" because I am so addicted to polyvore.com. I love putting things together, dreaming of one day being able to have that as part of my job.

This season's magazines are little more svelte than they have been in the past, but loaded with fabulous to-die-for fashion. Like an anorexic with high cholesterol, thin on the outside but filled with stuff on the inside. Don't let them fool you! The cool thing this year is, there are a lot of things that we working girls can afford, which I love...now if I could only fit into those great clothes.

So, dig in! Get yourself a diet coke, a snickers bar and a stack of magazines and be ready to be swept away (this is my favorite dinner on a night alone by the way, I know, it's horrible).

PS - yes, those are tape flags in my magazines, I had to mark the things I love just for fun! I am a total dork, but fly my freak flag freely at all times.

How Rude!

Just have to vent...
Is San Francisco becoming the new New York City?
Have New York City and San Francisco changed places in the rude attitude department?
I swear people are getting more and more rude as the years go by for me as a city dweller. I would rather park far away from my home and walk in the rain (like last night) rather than fight with the guy down the street (with the Michigan plates) for a parking spot (he is not nice and uses language that would make a truck driver blush).
This morning on my 5 block walk to my car, I decide that each person I come to, I am going to look at them and say, "Good Morning" and see what the response rate is. Well, 3 our of 4 just looked down and didn't say anything, the one that did respond was an old man who tipped his hat and nodded (phew, a brief breeze of old time charm, which I am total sucker for).

Manic Monday

If I had the closet of my dreams, this is what I would be wearing today...

Coraline

Amazing movie and believe it or not, my first 3-D movie ever! Love the glasses they hand out!
Go and see it while it is in the theater because watching it at home will not be as fun or 3-D.

Pizza! Pizza!

I super love pizza and tonight we had one of the best ones I have ever made. I have to give Miss Wendy props for the topping suggestion (I had spring garlic and needed an idea of how to use it), I cannot take full credit it for it myself. It was a cheese fest and I know I will feel it tomorrow, but it was worth it!

Here goes:

• Heat oven to 500 degrees (screaming hot, I know, but trust me)
• Roll out your crust to fit your pan or pizza stone - if using a pan, lightly coat with olive oil
• Spread pesto over crust - lightly, not too much
• Spoon tablespoons of ricotta over top (leaving blank spots) - flatten the blobs a little with the back of a spoon or your fingers
• Fill in the blanks with mozzarella (I used thin slices)
• Sprinkle sliced spring garlic over the top
• Add crushed black pepper (if you like)
• Bake for about 10 minutes, until crust is golden and cheese is browned lightly (see photo).
• Once pizza comes out, spread a couple handfuls of arugula over top so it wilts.
• Enjoy!

Seriously, Tim and I ate the ENTIRE pizza! We usually have leftovers, but not this time.

We are taking a break now before our Haagen Daz coffee ice cream for dessert.

Tweezerman

Dear Tweezerman,

First and foremost, thank you for helping me keep my brows in order. You are always there for me when I need to get a grip.

It is comforting to know that when my pink tweezers decided to make a suicide attempt off the back of the toilet damaging their sharp edge, I was able to send them to you and you gave them a new lease on life for just $5! A fraction of what they cost me in the first place. I am sure they were glad for the little vacation in Texas as I keep them working every day when they are at home.

I love that when my pink tweezers came back to me they were nestled in plastic tube made just for them with their tips protected and wrapped in a cushie bubble envelope. I have no idea how you keep things in order at your facility, with all of us sending your our downed soldiers.

Thanks again for being there and for providing such a wonderful service. Free sharpening and $5 repairs is just unheard of these days.

My hats off to you for great customer service and prompt attention to my repair.

Yours Truly,

Maltese Kat

PS - If there really is a Tweezer Man, could you give him my email address? He sounds fabulous!

Manic Monday

If I had the closet of my dreams, this is what I would be wearing today...

Things I Know...

Maybe if I put this stuff out there, I will do it!

• I need to write a couple letters
• I need to buy some film, I am craving using my old cameras lately
• I need to be more organized - although my brain does NOT work that way
• I need to get my taxes done
• I need a time out more often than I thought
• I need to commit to one night a week of being creative
• I need to get rid of more clothing that I don't wear - I would like everything to fit in my dresser only
• I need to organize my desk at home
• I need new mascara
• I need to exercise every day
• I need to decide, to paint or not to paint, Tim doesn't like the idea of orange - that sort of puts a wrench in things.

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine Kit

I just saw this on Design*Sponge and LOVE IT!

For those of you who have just heard of Design*Sponge but haven't taken the time to check it out, make sure you have hours on end to spend there because you will get sucked in (pun intended).

Things that Bug

I am a pretty patient, tolerant person, but there are a few things that annoy me and they have all happened over the course of the last few days or so, so I have to air them out. By coming to terms with these things I am secretly hoping I will get over them some day although some of them are going to be harder than others.

Things that bug the crap out of me!

• Crinkling of plastic bags and packages
• Dragging feet
• Switching lanes without a signal (lane drifters)
• People that assume things and then act based on their own assumption (mostly at a 99% failure rate)
• Know-it-alls and take-overs
• People having their own conversations during meetings
• Wastefulness
• Disrespect for personal space
• Shoes on the wood floor in the flat above us at all hours
• Competitiveness
• People who do not clean up after themselves
• Ice chewers
• Unattended cell phones ringing in the office (80's one hit wonder ringtone)

PS - cool photo huh? My babe took it!

Do you See's what I See's?

I got to the Maltese Social Club early last night so I decided to drive down El Camino a little bit to see what I could see and a couple miles down from the club and like a beacon in the night was the See's Candies Headquarters and Store! With Valentine's Day right around the corner I decided to go in and get something for my Valentine. I love See's Candies shops, they are all black and white (timeless), I am sure they stick with that pallet as not to take away from the stars of the store...the chocolates themselves. The uniforms that the sales staff wear are incredible! I would work there just to wear the cute uniform. Hummm, part time?

Anyway, I picked out an assortment for my sweetie - he loves coconut, cherry and coffee so I had to make him his own box. I love the menu's at the store as well, that way while you are waiting in line you can decide what you want. You know how I have to plan things out, how embarrassing it would be to get to the counter and draw a blank!

I am not a huge chocolate fan, but I have to say there is something very special about getting a box of chocolates. You open the box and there they are, all dressed up and fancy each one wearing a pleated brown shrug. They are all individual little works of art and should be savored and accompanied with a nice cup of coffee, wine, or tea and perhaps a special friend (if you like to share). These aren't just much-em-down, PMS chocolates. These are chocolates that you take your time with. They weren't made in a flash so enjoy them for the time it took to make them.

PS - Angela, I already checked and the factory is not open to tour so we won't be able to hit it next time you are here. I know you love the factories as much as I do

Fabulous Find

Photo: At West End

I super love this horse and know exactly where I would put it, if ever I was graced with his presence. I have already named him too!

Weekend Update

What a great weekend "away" Tim and I just had. Not too far away, just stayed at a friends house in San Jose, but we had a blast. It was BayLee's first time at home alone for one night and he did really well (I am sure he slept the entire time).
My friend Robin's parents always have a fabulous party sometime between Christmas and Valentines Day and that was this past Saturday night. There were so many people there and TONS of great food and drink. You know you are in trouble when you are doing shots in your friend's parents laundry room! I felt like a youngster again, it was hilarious!
We were totally wiped out yesterday and just hung out at Robin and Kenny's house. We ate a great, post-night-of-drinking breakfast that Robin made and lounged around watching TV and a movie while I did my laundry. Yes, I still travel with my laundry since we don't have a washer/dryer at home.
I love the generosity of friends, thanks Robin and Kenny for the bed and breakfast and use of your laundry room!
Thanks for letting me pick your lemon tree even though I was so tired when we left, that I forgot the lemons at your house on your counter. Boooooo. Once we got home I realized I had left them!

Manic Monday

If I had the closet of my dreams, this is what I would be wearing today...

I think this is a Monday tradition, since I have a serious polyvore addiction.

I'm Still Katie from the Block

Check out this photo my friend from High School just sent me!

HILARIOUS!

I love it - reminds me of when I was carefree (smoking without a thought about its effects) and more of a risk taker. I loved my friends in High School more than anything.
Still, I had my killer eyebrows, that is the one thing that is the same, ha ha!

Summertime Fun

I am so excited that No Doubt is touring this summer for the first time in 5 years!

I know, I am a total dork, but I had so much fun at their last concert, I want to go again!

Manic Monday

If I had the closet of my dreams, this is what I would be wearing today...

Blood Orange Bitters

Robin introduced me to this product last summer and I am addicted!

I love to drink this with soda (like Robin made it). Unfortunately, it was out of stock at BevMo for so long and from what I can see online, it has been out of stock at a number or places. I finally got a bottle a couple weeks ago and I am about to finish it. I knew I should have purchased two of them.

If you like bitters, try it, even if you don't, you might like it. This is not your Mother's bitters.