Olympic Mascot Cuteness

I was reading one of my favorite blogs, How About Orange, where Jessica was talking about the uber cuteness of the mascots for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. I must admit I have been slacking on my Olympic viewing this year. I am usually really into it but this year I just can't get hooked. Maybe I feel like a slacker because all of these athletes are in top physical shape or maybe I am just jealous of Shaun White's beautiful, shiny locks.

I do agree that these mascots are adorable! Their names are Sumi, Quatchi and Miga. You can learn more about them here. The Vancouver Olympic committee has given these guys their own site complete with activities and coloring pages for your little ones....or for yourself...we won't tell.

Now if I could only find a Bob Costas coloring page.....

Image courtesy of Vancouver 2010

Searching for My Lost Shaker of Salt

Happy National Margarita Day! Yeah, I'm already drunk but it is a holiday so there is an excuse. I kid.

Now I did some research on the subject and no one seems to know why February 22 is National Margarita Day. Who cares why? Let's bust out the tequila! I did learn that the margarita is the official drink of Mexico. Here are some great margarita recipes for you try and you celebrate this treasured holiday.

Pomegranate Margarita
Chocolate Margarita
Margarita Pie (Yes. An actual pie.)
Margarita Cheesecake

You could also celebrate the day by just watching the video below, you know, since you probably have to go back to work tomorrow.

New Bedding from Dwell Studio

Hey gang. Sorry I have been MIA for the last few days. I have been feeling a bit under the weather but I think I'm on the mend so let's do some blogging!

Not much to report this week except that I am loving the new bedding line that is coming out from DWELL Studio in April. I am hoping to repaint our bedroom this summer and this duvet is giving me a lot of inspiration. You can read more about the new line here.

I plan on spending the weekend catching up on some crafts and blogging so I will have more for you on Monday.

Have a great weekend!

Image courtesy of Design*Sponge

New Feature: Just a Dash with Jenn

Recently I introduced you guys to my cousin Jennifer, foodie and supermodel. Well, after the post of Jennifer's pasta and veggies recipe there were some emails requesting more. So Jenn has agreed to a new monthly feature here at MaxxSilly. Each month she will share a recipe that she describes as, "Cheap, easy and usually pretty healthy..." Sounds good to me!

This is an inexpensive and easy pasta dish that I will be definitely be making for Valentine's Day. It's my husband's favorite! Right now, everyone can stand to save a little cash and frozen shrimp is a great value buy. Besides, who wants to spend Valentine's Day in a restaurant with strangers staring at you or slaving over a stove for hours. This dish looks fancy but takes just minutes to make... so you'll have more time for snuggling by a nice warm fire.

Easy and Elegant Shrimp Scampi over Angel Hair
Recipe Serves 4

1 small sweet onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 package prewashed baby arugula
1 bag frozen uncooked shrimp, defrosted (I buy it already peeled & deveined.)
2 cups white wine (I used Pinot Grigio.)
1 cup chicken stock
1 lb angel hair pasta
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste
Grated Locatelli Romano cheese to taste
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

Place a pot of water on the stove for the Angel Hair pasta. When the water boils, add a handful of salt to the water. Salting the water is the only chance you have to season your pasta. Then drop in the pasta.

While the pasta cooks, heat a medium size deep skillet over medium high heat. Add 2 tsp. of Extra virgin olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the garlic and onions and sauté until just fragrant.

Then add the shrimp in a single layer and cook until the shrimp is pink and opaque. If necessary add another tsp of oil so the shrimp will not stick to the pan. Add the white wine to the pan and deglaze the pan with the wine. (The white wine will loosen the browned bits of flavor stuck to the bottom of the pan. Working quickly, scrape up all of the browned bits with a wooden spoon to add that flavor into your sauce.) Then add the arugula and chicken stock to the pan. Cover for a couple of minutes to just wilt the arugula.

By this time your pasta should be cooked to al-dente. Drain your pasta and add it to the pan with the shrimp sauce. Toss the pasta to coat with the sauce.

Garnish with parsley and grated locatelli cheese.

Don't forget, if you try one of Jenn's recipes be sure to let us know!

Printable Valentine's Day Cards

Did you forget to get your special someone a card? Well if you did you can find two very cute (and FREE) printable cards here at PaperSeed. They won't use up much ink and are suitable even if you have multiple valentines. Don't worry. We won't tell.

Image courtesy of PaperSeed

February 2010 Lonny

Love week continues with he exciting announcement that the February issue of LONNY is out today! We L-O-V-E Lonny here at MaxxSilly and quite frankly think it is better than receiving a giant box of chocolates and roses. Less fattening.

We are already loving this wallpaper in one of the images from the new issue. Guess how we're spending the day....

Here it is! Enjoy!

Image courtesy of Lonny

Wear Your Heart in Your Hair

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. So this week I will be posting some craft / project / recipes I am digging for love day.

First comes these adorable headbands. Katie over at Katie Did made these from felt but I would imagine you can use the small foam ones that they sell at Michael's as well. Very cute.

Image courtesy of Katie Did

Have A Heart

Well, this was hands down my favorite episode of Project Runway so far this season. Not just because of the great message about heart disease in women, but because my beautiful cousin Jennifer (above) was one of the models! She looked fantastic and apparently Heidi and Nina like her bosom!
Jennifer and her designer Jesse did an amazing job. All of the women looked beautiful and their stories were truly moving. Don't forget that today is Go Red for Women Day. It's a day when we should all wear red to draw attention to Women's health and heart disease! Here's a bonus incentive: if you head to your local Macy's today and you are wearing red you will get an extra 10-20% off your purchase!

For more info about Wear Red Day click here.

Great job Jen! We are so proud of you and glad that you can share your story to help other women. Love you!

Images courtesy of Lifetime.

Upcycle: VHS Tape

I don't know about you but I have a hard time parting with my old VHS tapes even thought we don't have a VCR. What if I want to watch those old New Kids on the Block videos (don't judge)?

Well I may have found a use for them via this cute upcycle from Danny Seo.

Now, what do we do with old laser discs?

Repurposed: Container Toy Storage

I’m not sure why but as my 2.5 year old gets older, her toys get smaller. I know there is less chance for choking but for some reason the little toy sets she got for Christmas seem to come with a million pieces that just get misplaced all in the toy box. It gets ugly in our house when we can’t find Brobee’s head to match his body.

After thinking about how to keep them organized and prevent the Mr. and me from getting stabbed in the foot with little Lego’s, the solution came at our local recycling center. I live in a town where you can drop off things like old magazines, fabric, books, containers, etc. that are then available to the public for the taking. I found six empty plastic containers that once held grapefruit. They still smelled like their contents but an overnight of soapy water did the trick. I peeled off the labels and filled them up. BTW – they were FREE! Remember - we love the green living here at MaxxSilly - use what you got or what someone else doesn't want anymore.

When the little one wants to play with the Little People she brings the container and asks me to open it. Before we take out another toy we put them all away. When they are not being used they sit on the floor next to her toy box or on top when the lid is shut.

An inexpensive, earth friendly, nice looking way to store your child’s toys. Not to mention the safety it provides bare feet.