Spaghetti and Meatballs.......

So today is the first official day of 2012.  Although this is not a brand new goal of mine... (I am kinda piggy backing on my last year goal) I wanted to start the dinner of the new year healthy.  I have always loved cooking, but recently found myself yearning for the ability to reinvent myself and how my family eats.  I wanted to be able to cook much of the same meals that my family and I have grown to love, but healthier.... which means little or no sugar and low in calories/fat.  So I would like to share with you this yummy and easy recipe for homemade spaghetti and meatballs:

For Meatballs:

1/2 pound lean ground beef
1/2 pound of lean ground turkey
1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons dried minced onion
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 large egg
2 tablespoons low fat milk
1 teaspoon minced jarred garlic
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper


Directions:

In a large bowl, with a spoon or with your hands gently mix together all of the ingredients until combined.

With wet hands form into 1 1/4 inch balls.  Set aside


For Sauce/spaghetti

12 ounces spaghetti
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
3 garlic cloves minced
1/2 cup dry red wine or beef broth
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
1 1/2 teaspoons oregano leaves
pinch of red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups of water
garlic salt


Directions:

In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium high heat.  Add the onion and saute for 3 to 4 minutes or until soft.  Add the garlic and saute for 1 additional minute.  Deglaze the pan by pouring in the wine ( or broth) and scraping the browned bits from the bottom.  Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, herbs, red pepper, black pepper and water.  Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.

Cook the pasta according to the package directions while the sauce simmers, drain and set aside.

Gently stir the uncooked meatballs into the sauce and cover.  Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until meatballs feel firm and are cooked through. Sprinkle lightly with garlic salt to taste.  Let simmer additional three minutes.

Place pasta in large bowl or platter.  Pour sauce onto pasta and top with meatballs.

420 Calories:   in one cup of pasta,  1/2 cup of sauce and 3 meatballs

Falls Best Trends......

So I know it is still hot.... but, soon we will be falling upon the chilly months of sweaters (my favorite!) pants, boots and scarves.  I happen to love fall time the best.  I thought I would give you a little update to what to look for to stay on trend with this next season. 

1. SUITS - I am loving this trend!  So Katherine Hepburn ( if you don't know who that is than shame on you!)  Think pant suits in muted and classic colors.  Textures play a big part of this trend, my favorite?  Tweed!  Remember to pull off a head to toe tweed pantsuit you need to keep accessories clean and uncluttered.  Think classic and chic.

2.  Naturalist Prints -  outdoor inspired prints, such as the horse printed shirt dress above, and tribal prints are big for fall.  So hang on to those tribal prints tops, skirts and dresses from summer.  To make the style fresh and current play up the print with a mix of textures.  Think Cable Knit tights and/or a leather belt.


3. LIBRARIAN 
CHIC- Layered with a shirt, a silky dress is a smart daytime look, but can go straight to night with a slick clutch.

4. Mens Wear - This is a trend that falls near and dear to my heart.  Menswear makes a huge comeback.  Make it bold with a full black suit and tie or if you want to take the minimalist approach, add a mens tuxedo jacket over your skinnies for a night out on the town. 

5. URBAN 
GOTH - head to toe black is making a comeback in a big way.  Remember the 90's movie The Craft???  Lol, boy does that bring back memories.  This falls goth is more polished and clean.  Head to toe black in classic cuts such as a maxi skirt (huge for fall) black cardi, ankle boots and a cuff.  Keep the look polished by adding sleek hair and clean makeup to avoid looking too "halloween chic."


6. HANGIN’ 
TOUGH - mixing soft and hard is what this trend is about.  Pair your classic checked button down with girlie details such as a slip dress with delicate accents and an over the knee stocking.. 


7. SWEATER -  There is nothing I love more than a comfy sweater.  Fall is all about over sized cozy cable knit sweaters.  Think cozy, like the sweater you would want to snuggle up in by the fireplace.  To keep it from looking frumpy.. remember to pair it with lush form fitting pieces such as a suede riding pant, slip dress or tailored short.

8. Animal Prints -  another trend that has made a comeback in full force is the animal print, but in an unexpected way.  Accessories such as a great animal printed handbag, pump, hat or scarf.  Punch up that monotone pant suit with a punch of print like the photo above.  The hat, scarf and gloves keep the suit fresh and young with some major eye candy appeal.

For the Love of clothes.... What I Wore : Black and White All Over

 Hello my lovilies!!!  Happy Friday to you all!  Had an awesome workout followed by a light lunch and now the birdies and I are off to Trader Joes to get the mama some of her favorite eats!  Snapped a couple of quick pic's before I head out.  I have been favoring black and white a lot lately!  I am also channeling a pompadour a lot lately... I have a hair appointment tomorrow and am debating whether to leave in long on top.  Here is what I am wearing:

Black button down collared shirt by For You, white shorts from Aeropostale, black croc. belt from New York and Company, horseshoe necklace and Movado watch gifted by the daddy bird, white pearl Honora bracelet my first Christmas gift from my mother in law 8 years ago, Black satchel bag by Dooney & Burke, black and white sandles by Dexter (one of my new favs) and sunglasses from Aeropostale. 

Hope you have a happy Friday!

Smooches!!!!

A Sneak Peak.......

The girlies new bunk bed

got this cute little computer desk

New poster for there room

Vintage surf posters......

bought this fabric to make toss pillows for there bed

Just a sneak peak at some of the new goodies I picked up for the girlie birds room.  I am in the middle of redoing there bedroom.  They desperately wanted bunk beds and after much consideration we gave in to the request.  I have lots more I am working on and will post pictures of the finished product. 

Hope your Thursday is going well!

Awesome Etsy Finds.... My Birthday List.....

Vintage 1950's Mint Julep Embroidered Shirt Dress

1950's Pillbox Hat with Veil

Vintage 1920's Art Deco Ring

Vintage 1950's six strand beaded choker

Vintage Stuart Weitzman Crocodile Bow Pumps

Vintage 1960's Wicker Purse

Vintage 1960's White Lace Accordion mini dress

There are so many great things on etsy right now.  I have so many favorites!  But I am so crushing on these particular vintage finds.  I want them all... so feel free to buy any item and send it my way! I am hoping that the Mister has been listening to the Mama birds hints and buys her the 1960's White Lace Accordion Dress, I am crushing on it most of all... can you say perfection????

Eggplant Parmesan

Made this for dinner.... so super simple and yummy!  Made a some garlic bread to go along with it.  The little birdies ate it up!  I think this might be the baby birds new favorite!

Ingredients

•   2 eggplant, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 4 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
• 6 cups spaghetti sauce, divided
• 1 (16 ounce) package mozzarella cheese, shredded and divided
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• minced garlic

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Dip eggplant slices in egg, then in bread crumbs. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 5 minutes on each side.
3. In a 9x13 inch baking dish spread spaghetti sauce to cover the bottom. Place a layer of eggplant slices in the sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Add a sprinkling of minced garlic. Repeat with remaining ingredients, ending with the cheeses. Sprinkle basil on top.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until golden brown.

For the Love of clothes.... What I Wore

 So I have to apologize for the long..... and I mean long gap in posts.  Life just got a bit busy over this summer with all the kids at home.  I have so much to catch up on and fill you in on including our family vacation and Mayson's first Birthday.   But for now I thought I would do a quick clothing post..... hopefully I will be able to get back into the swing of things here on the blog when the girlie birds are back in school.  I am making homemade eggplant Parmesan today... and needed a few things from the store.  Here is what I wore:

black tank from Old Navy, white shorts from Aeropostale, leopard print belt by Ninewest, black sandles by Dexter, black suede bag by Dooney & Burke, watch by Movado and sunglasses from Aeropostale.

Hope everyone is having a fantastic Monday.....

Smooches!

Happy Father's Day Daddy Bird.....

If I traveled around the world searching for the perfect husband and father..... I still wouldn't be able to find a better man.  I don't know how I got so lucky, but I did.  The mama bird and her little birdlings are so lucky!

Happy Father's Day to the best Daddy Bird in the world!!!!

For the Love of clothes.... What I Wore

Hello my lovelies.... I know I have been the most horrible blogger...... but it is not without reason.  I have been so sick (and I am still not completely 100%) but I am feeling much better.  I have had the nastiest cold, that almost felt like a flu!  It went from the Haylei bird to the mama bird and baby bird, and even Sumo bird got a little touch of it.  We are all feeling much better now so yay for that. 
The weather was so nice today, sunny with a breeze and in the mid 70's.  I went to the farmers market and came home with 6 bags overheaping with fresh fruits and veggies.....Yum!  This evening our little bird family went to eat at Soup Plantation at the request of Mrs. Haylei bird.  We love that place!  We are planning a stay at home and relax day for Saturday since last weekend was so busy for us.  The daddy bird and I will be teaming up to put together the little birds new swing set.  Then we are gonna have our weekly family movie night on Saturday evening.  I had Sumo snap a few pictures of what I was wearing today:

White cotton button down blouse by american apparel, olive colored khaki shorts by old navy (courtesy of Mrs. Krysta) brown belt forever 21, brown gladiator pump by anna marie via alloy.com, southwestern sachel by Dooney and Burke, invicta crocodile leather watch gifted to the mama by her father in law 4 years ago and sunglasses purchased from a gas station years ago.

Hope you all had a lovely Friday!
Smooches!

Just taking a day.......

I will keep this short and sweet.  Mama bird is full blown sick, so is the baby bird and Sumo bird.  I can't even think straight.  I am gonna take the rest of this day to attempt to feel better and take care of my little birdlings.  Fingers crossed I will feel better by tomorrow.  The picture above is from our BBQ this weekend.  I will do a whole post full of lots of pictures as soon as I am feeling better.  Until then.......

For the Love of clothes.... What I Wore

Well today I woke up feeling quite under the weather.  The Haylei bird had been sick on and off all week and I think this mama bird might have finally caught a bit of what she had.  As the day progressed on I found myself feeling a bit better..... (thank you tylenol!)  Anyhoo... the Haylei bird gets out of school early today and I am taking my three little birdies to get some frozen yogurt after I pick her up.  This weekend is gonna be quite busy for me!  Saturday I have to get new tires on my car, Sunday my father in law is coming up from Bakersfield to celebrate his birthday with us and Monday the daddy bird and I are hosting a BBQ for Memorial Day.  I had the Sumo bird snap a few shots of what I wore today.... I have found myself having to get creative with what I choose to wear lately since a lot of the mama birds clothes are now a bit big(not that I am complaining).  Here is what I am wearing:

Navy blue Cargo's from american eagle, pink halter top by Papaya ( scored from Mrs. Krysta!) and mossimo flip flops. 

Happy Friday!!!
Smooches!!!!!

Surprise Giveaway!!!!!!

Hello my lovilies... I was going through the blog today making a few adjustments and what not when I relized it has been quite sometime since I have had a giveaway!!!!  Well that will just not do!  So....   I am giving one lucky reader this gorgeous vintage 70's boho prairie dress.  Isn't it too adorable?  How cute would it look with brown riding boots, a chunky leather belt and a floppy hat?  Or you could pair it with a braided leather belt and a cute hippie sandle or platform wedge!  Well all you have to do to enter is:

subscribe to my blog (don't worry it's free :) !!!!!)
Then leave me a comment below about what you like most on Sarah Smiles Blog.  A winner will be picked at random on Tuesday!
Good luck to all!!!!

 

Dane's Jurassic Park Party!!!!!!

So the mama birds good friend Mrs. Krysta put together the most awesome Jurassic Park Themed Birthday Party.... the best part????  It was a complete DIY party.... from the invites, to the dino fossil dig, to the spectacular cupcakes and cake!  Read on for more pictures and party details:

  

The doorway leading into the party.....  Mrs. Krysta and her hubby covered the entryway with cardboard and painted it to look like the main gates leading into Dane's Jurassic Park themed affair.  Krysta then printed and cut out the Jurassic Park lettering and attached it to the center of the "gate."  Two flaming Calderons hung on either side of the gate opening (purchased on ebay) and loose mock wires poked out from around the gate and light switch to create that true to the movie feel.  Even the light switch featured yellow caution tape.

Each child was also able to "shop" at Danes souvenir shop as they entered the party.  Souvenirs included outback style canvas hats, canvas tote bags and  tee shirts all adorned with the Jurassic Park logo which were designed, printed and ironed on to each item.

The Children were lead to the backyard for lunch which included sitting on blankets under a covered canopy just like real paleontologist.  Each child had a brown bag lunch that featured dinosaur chicken nuggets, dinosaur shaped sandwichs, dino fruit snacks, pirates booty and juice.  Bags were also adorned with Jurassic Park logo stickers that Mrs. Krysta and her hubby made and printed out themselves. 

 

Adults were treated to a "Sandwich Bar" which included different types of meats, cheeses, veggies and condiments to build up your own sandwich.  Watermelon, chips, dips and veggies rounded out the lunch time buffet.

The Queen of DIY Mrs. Krysta

After lunch came the dinosaur stations..... children rotated to one of three activities which included a home made dinosaur fossil dig, a dinosaur trivia game or a build your own 3D dinosaur puzzle.  For the dino dig each child received a brick of concrete that had shells and dinosaur skeletons embedded within the brick.  The kiddos were given tools as well as safety goggles in order to "excavate" there fossils.  Each child also was able to take home the fossils they dug out.

 After the dino stations came the traditional party game of pin the tail..... or in this case, pin the dino fossil head to his fossil body.  The kiddos each took turns while blindfolded of course and the winners were rewarded with prizes.

Next came the cake and cupcakes.  Again these were all made by the talented Mrs. Krysta.  Dane had his own special mini cake that included brown icing with dinosaurs and palm trees.  Tiny rocks also topped the cake as well as the cupcakes.  The best part?  The rocks are not rocks but tiny chocolates that look like rocks! 

Baby bird enjoying some yummy Lunch!

Mrs. Krysta and the Mama Bird

Daddy bird and Baby bird in on the fun!!!

The birdie family had the most awesome time ever!  Mrs. Krysta pulled together a truly awesome party!!!!!
Kudos Mrs. Krysta!