Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas

Overlooking the Bellagio fountains stands the new casino on the block, the Cosmopolitan, located strategically in the middle of the strip. The space is high in energy and is home to boutiques like AllSaints,Vitals, Monogram and a few others.
The Wicked Spoon Buffet is one of the best buffets in town. The entrées are miniature sized portions of chef creations. There are lesser options for the non-meat eaters, as usual. But the chefs are right there in the buffet stands and are more than willing to whip something together with no meat on request.

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Happy Holidays

Hope you had a wonderful holiday and I am back from Las Vegas. I got to spend some time with my brother's family and two of my darling nieces (cousin sister's daughters). It was lot of fun casino hopping, shopping, walking up and down the strip and all the entertaining shows. 
The Christmas decorations were spectacular in the casino Bellagio. A skirt paired with a silk top and a broad belt instantly transforms a skirt to a dress. I love to travel light and the flats is such  a good option for the long walks along the strip.

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Hot Chocolate Recipe

I know its ridiculous, the temperature outside is 75 and all I wanted to drink this evening was a cup mug of hot chocolate, like its snowing outside.
Recipe for my Spiced Hot Chocolate
Add a cup of milk to a sauce pan.
To it add 10 - 15 semi sweet chocolate chips. I use Ghirardelli chips.

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Books Galore

When I am busy I somehow find the time to accomplish a lot.  Ironically, for the days with unstructured time, I seem to have a bigger list of time pass activities. Like aimlessly sit in front of t.v and sift channels or read a chicklit. I am taking a few days off at the end of the year and can't wait to do 'nothing'.
The kids (and grandma a.k.a, my mother-in-law) are asleep, hubby at Mavericks game and I am loving this silence at home. Will probably cuddle up with one of the goodies I ordered from Barnes and Nobles. 

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Carols and More

Its on the radio; you hear it in the grocers, its just about everywhere. But how some carols the old fashioned way? Not exactly though. We went to Riya's school to hear the kids sing Carols and this is what I wore. Her group will be performing for a local television to be aired 5AM on Christmas day. I have been sending myself reminders to record the show.
Riya and I went to the Nutcracker last weekend. Rohan made it clear, there was no way he was going to sit in one spot for a couple of hours. Dad and son happily stayed home assembling supposedly hidden toys meant to be opened Christmas day. 

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Eastern Influence

When I think of 'Japanese Art'; silk, gorgeous reds, amazing brush strokes and beautiful ceramics come to my mind right away. I hear clothes with Eastern influence are seen on the ramps for the 2011 Spring Collections. I would love a silk tunic or a Kimono style top with Japanese cherry blossoms that I can use all year round.
Department stores designers, are you listening to me?

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Fridays

It may not be typical, but its not unusual either for working moms to shuffle from work to a son's/daughter's class room party, lunch with the team at work and wind down at the coffee shop with a friend; all in the same day. Most moms I know would add a few more to the list but I am sure you get the point. Fridays in December are just that way and I am not complaining.

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Sneak Peek

This weekend was all about cozy dinner, a little bit of shopping and lighting up the tree. Usually our tree is up Thanksgiving weekend and so was it, this year.
I told the kids, I will set up the tree once the house is tidy. Those words worked like magic and the house was clean in no time. Rohan is working on his wish list and may be I should too.

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Thanksgiving Dinner - Finale

Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, we all have plenty of reasons to be thankful for and its time to recall a few. We go around the table and each one says what he or she is thankful for. Its been one fabulous year and I enjoyed TG dinner with my family. I hope you had a great time with your friends and family as well.

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Thanksgiving Dinner - Green Beans

You take a perfectly healthy vegetable; load it with fat and turn it into an unhealthy dish. Alton Brown said something close to this on one of his shows on green bean casserole and I totally agree with his comment. Here is my recipe inspired from a time when I was addicted to Chinese buffets.
Green Bean Recipe
Wash the beans and trim the ends.

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Thanksgiving Dinner - Cranberry Sauce

Ina Garten's recipes are out there on the Google's doodle link. That's how I came across the recipe for the cranberry sauce. I am not having any guests over but that can change any minute. This Thanksgiving is family only and its been relaxing so far. So relaxing that I am posting recipes as I cook.
Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Cook 12 oz fresh cranberries in 1 cup water with 3/4th cup sugar, chopped green apple and 1/4 cup raisins. Rohan chopped the raisins, not that the recipe needed it, but that's the only way I could keep him occupied.

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Florals

The weather in Dallas is gorgeous and the temperatures are in mid to high 70s. It almost like we are in the Southern hemisphere instead. Last night one of our friends turned 40. What's a big number birthday without a humor card that can't give the birthday boy a hard time, even if it lasted only a few seconds. Seriously guys, now those big 30s hardly seem big anymore. We went to Samui Thai in Legacy Village for dinner.

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of Louis Vuitton and Diwali

I am hosting Thanksgiving dinner and for some reason my head is struck in Diwali mood. School's out next week and I foresee a lot of cooking, board games and movie watching. The next few days, I will be busy googling menu ideas for Thanksgiving dinner and other easy bake recipes with less or no sugar.
On another note, did any of you get to check out the window display of Louis Vuitton on Diwali day? If not, just scroll down for some pictures here.

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Collectables

One of my neighbors in India collects bells. They possibly have bells from all over the world. When I got married I wanted to start my own collection of souvenirs from our travels. Very soon realized I could get the same, sitting in front of my computer. I know we can buy anything ( I mean there was one guy selling his spit and people were bidding on it ...sorry for the diversion there. Had to share that piece of info) on eBay or Amazon, but the magic of finding a beauty unexpectedly and bringing it home has not worn off for me.

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Sweet Spot

My photographer is back in town and I am off of my single-mom duties. Double Yay !!! I was on a mission this weekend to find a belt. Let me put it this way, the search was not easy and I tried all shapes, sizes and material before I found this. Right after my husband took that picture he asked me, "Is that where you are supposed to wear a belt?"
...and I wanted to tell him, "Have you really stopped looking at other women around you?"

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Tawny, Pecan and Berry Reds

"Wearing too little can diminish your credibility as much as wearing too much" is an excerpt taken from Lois P. Frankel's book "Nice Girls Don't Get The Corner Office 101", where she talks about 'Make Up' and it sure fits right in with my work place.
For an everyday look I like to keep my skin/face as natural as possible with an even skin tone and un-chapped lips made possible by applying and re-applying lip gloss. If I can't get to the cup of Joe, then its mascara to the rescue to wake my eyes up.

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Outsourced

Do you watch this show? Its hilarious. You can see it online via nbc.com. There was a movie with the same name a while ago. Similar story, similar cast but the movie but highly stereotyped and I hated it. This one is fun and a must-watch.
Next on my list to check out is 30 Rock. I am a big fan of Tina Fey.

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Office Romance

Hubby dear and I work for the same firm. We pretend we don't know each other at work but every now and then we would sneak out for lunch dates at near by restaurants. We do this quite often as there are many many days we find no time for tete-a-tete at home. It was a gorgeous day in the low 70s. Just perfect for a lovely lunch date. Now that's how Texas weather pays us back for putting up with its scorching summers.

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Good Morning

After all the festivities, we woke up to a breakfast of beta carotene, vitamin A and E and other minerals aka carrot juice. Here is my recipe
Wash and peel a big bunch of carrots (20-25 carrots)
3 apples, peeled.
Run the carrots and apples through your juicer and voila, the drink is ready.

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Count Down To The Festival Of Lights - Part 2

Is there something called too many candles? If there is one, that's not for me. More candles go up, as the days get shorter and gloomier ...and some more for Diwali. Nothing says holidays and festivities more than a home smelling of freshly harvested apples, cinnamon or warm hearth.
I wanted to get the lights outside the house today. But its been raining all day that I turned indoors. A few flowers, glassware, marbles and candles in varied shapes later, my dining table is now ready to accept friends and family for a warm Diwali dinner.

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Women in Pumps

Are there days, when certain incidents or thoughts reverberates in your head long after you packed up from work? If yes, it is time to take a few minutes to focus on something you like and unleash those creative neurons. Be it dressing up or arranging flowers or even setting up a dinner table. The key however is not be judgmental or critical and to simply enjoy those moments.
I wore this outfit to work yesterday. I know that mini bag almost looks invisible on my frame, but I love it as I can pull out what I need in less than 5 seconds. On another note, one of my favorite style blogger made it to the Forbes list of top 20 fashion blogs for professional women. Check her site out. I am sure you will like it.

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Count Down To The Festival Of Lights - Part 1

Have you heard about Destination Imagination? It is an amazing way to instill creativity in young minds. I volunteered again this year to manage a team for Riya's grade. We made sure it was an all girls team. Go Girl Power!
While the girls thought through various mythological characters for their Destination Imagination project, I made coconut burfis for Diwali and the girls gladly volunteered to be my official tasters. Tomorrow I plan to take a few to my team at work.

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Notch Up

Being in one's skin and appreciating it, is easier said than done. One of my biggest pet peeve is when women (I mean gorgeous looking women) focus on a teeny-tiny bit of imperfection in themselves and completely forget all the other aspects they are either blessed with or work for.
This is the first of the outfits, I put together for this blog. I took a bunch of 10 year old girls and my son for trick or treat in this outfit. One of the girls said I was dressed up as super model. She made my day, what else can I say.

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Orange and Spooky

We carved 3 pumpkins this year. Rohan wanted to make these look as scary as he could. But that did not happen. To me these look cute and silly than scary. 
We put the pumpkins out this evening and when it was bed time, the kids were too exited to fall asleep tonight. The joy of anticipation !!!

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Have a Nice Weekend

 Its been one long exhausting week at work and did I tell you the following week will be the same way. Its all for a reason. The project we have been working for the past four years is going live. Long working hours during the week also entitles a drink on Friday evening and we headed to Cool River after work. 
What are your plans for the weekend? We plan to watch the Rangers game on Saturday and on Sunday, most likely we will be scrambling over Halloween treats.

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Last Post on Cafe Terrace

I cannot be in status quo for too long. Every now and then, I like to pause and gauge if I am heading in the right direction. A change is usually in the forecast when I do that exercise. My husband calls it rocking the boat and is terrified when he hears me say "Hey, I have an idea".
Check out my latest idea!!! Its a new blog and if you are wondering why, and what is the difference. Hang on tight and we will figure it out as we go.

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Last Post on Cafe Terrace

I cannot be in status quo for too long. Every now and then, I like to pause and gauge if I am heading in the right direction. A change is usually in the forecast when I do that exercise. My husband calls it rocking the boat and is terrified when he hears me say "Hey, I have an idea".
Check out my latest idea!!! Its a new blog and if you are wondering why, and what is the difference. Hang on tight and we will figure it out as we go.

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Is 40 Around the Corner?

This post was the first post of my 2nd blog and it can't get any better than my mum and dad's 39th wedding anniversary. My mum is full of life and comes up with fun things to do. Of course her idea of fun has changed with time and age. My dad is not a spoil sport and plays along just fine.
Happy 39th Wedding Anniversary !!!

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All Things Public

When Google went public a few years ago, they made it clear to their investors that they will be spending a lot of their money on high risk/low return projects like 'Offshore Wind Farms in the Atlantic'. No matter what/where, setting expectations is always a good thing.
On similar terms, I am trying to wrap up some things at work prior to the year end and not sure how active I will be on the blogosphere. Until I come back, enjoy these beautiful flowers.

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All Things Public

When Google went public a few years ago, they made it clear to their investors that they will be spending a lot of their money on high risk/low return projects like 'Offshore Wind Farms in the Atlantic'. No matter what/where, setting expectations is always a good thing.
On similar terms, I am trying to wrap up some things at work prior to the year end and not sure how active I will be on the blogosphere. Until I come back, enjoy these beautiful flowers.

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Dinner and a Movie

In this era of micro-planned weekends, one of our friends stopped by (totally unplanned) a few weeks or may be even a month ago. We went to iFratelli, an Italian restaurant close to our house for dinner.
Their wine selection is pretty extensive and Sundays are good days to try out their more expensive selection as these are half off. Like most Italian restaurants, their breads are freshly baked and served hot right off the oven. Usually we share a Margarita Pizza (cheese pizza topped with Basil and tomatoes) but then I ordered a simple soup.

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Weekend Diary

We have a beautiful view from our backyard and the first few rays of the morning sun are always spectacular; more so in Autumn. M and I started the day together enjoying the sunrise as we prepped prepped ourselves for the festivities ahead.
Friday, I took the afternoon off to kick start my cooking. I am one of those who overuse excel spread sheets and list all the things I need to do (like buy milk to chop celery) in the same order I plan to execute. Friday's menu was pulav, sundal, chaat, salad and Barefoot Contessa's Chocolate Chunk Blondies. We spent that evening in the company of a couple of select friends.

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