Thinking of you....

Cooking with Dog- How to make and cook Gyoza

One of my favorite things to do ever is to cook Asian food. I stared off cooking basic things when I was younger like combination fried rice or pan fried noodles, but now with the help of Youtube, I've expanded my cooking abilities. I now find myself making assorted sushi rolls, tempura vegetables and shrimp, and even Bibimbap. CookingwithDog is one of my favorite cooking channels on Youtube. This channel features a cute Puddle Dog "Frances" who guides his viewers on mastering classic Asian recipes. One such recipe is Gyoza, and I decided to make a quick version of this after a long day of organizing and cleaning out my closet.

I'm a Vegetarian so I opted out of the recipe mentioned in CookingWithDog and used pre-made frozen Gyoza from a local Asian market.

Another must when cooking Gyoza is Gyoza dipping sauce, you can find this at your local Asian market or in the international section of your local grocery store. If you cannot find this sauce simple make your own by mixing 2 parts soy sauce with 1 part rice wine vinegar.

Steaming Gyoza

I used Vegetable oil instead of sesame oil because I didn't have any on hand, but it makes a huge difference taste wise.

Yummy snack all complete, presented on a leaf of lettuce. Hope you all enjoyed this and have fun creating this dish for yourself.

Thanksgiving Holiday Treats... and My Kat Girl

Thanksgiving this year was purrrfect! I spent the eve making cupcakes and "the day" eating an array of casseroles, watching movies and hanging out with family. Here are some photos to recap that day and a couple more of my little love I call Kat Girl.

My Love Javi and I (Diane aka BudgetBeautyGirl)

Thanksgiving cupcakes I made. Vanilla Bean with Buttercream frosting and handmade Marshmallow Fondant Leaves, edible glitter to add some sparkle.

My Kat Girl

Santa Baby... 2010 Christmas Wish list

This is my Christmas 2010 wish list. They are in no particular order. I would love to get any of these gifts.

1. FoxyLocks: Deluxe 20'' clip in Remy Human Hair Extensions Darkest Brown 2 - 72 Euros

2. Paulette Macarons: Giftbox of 24 Macarons - $36

3. Sigma: Complete Kit without Brush Roll - $79

4. Mad Men Seasons 1,2,3 - $19.99 - 39.99

5. I Love Macarons By: Hisako Ogita - $9.93

6. Macarons By: Cecile Cannone - $9.09

7. Cake Pops By: Bakerella - $9.98

8. HomeKeeping Handbook By: Martha Stewart - $29.70

9. Gift Cards from my favorite stores: Forever 21, MAC Cosmetics, iTunes

10. SJP NYC Holiday Gift Set - $56

11. Coastal Scents: 10 Piece Professional Blush Palette - $15.95

12. Coastal Scents: Combo set 5 - $69.95

13. Coastal Scents: Contour & Blush Palette - $18.95

14. Sigma: Premium Professional Kit with Brush Roll - $149

15. Sigma: Synthetic Face Kit - $42

16. Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera - $649.98

Happy Holidays!

Lips in Vogue

I went shopping not too long ago at Target and picked up some goodies for myself. I mainly went because I was craving some new lipsticks, but ended up picking up a couple more items I felt the need to have. I can't help myself when I see Vogue, especially when Angelina Jolie is on the cover.

I love Sally Hansen Insta-Dri nail polish. Without it I would continue to go insane. My nails always smudge when I wear regular nail polish, never fails. Full review to come!

Matryoshka

I've always been fascinated with matryoshka dolls, but I've never come across one I would love to purchase... until now. The Lush Matryoshka doll was love at first sight and smell. The packaging is festive for the holidays and a perfect little package to add under the tree or as a stocking stuffer. Think of how exited someone would get when they open their stocking and it smells of apple pie. The price point is even better! At $19.95 you get a total of 4 items, two So White Snow soaps, one Cinder bath bomb, and one So White bath Bomb. You really get so much bang for your buck as compared to how expensive it can be to get one product. As much as I love Lush, I really have to go there searching for cute and affordable deals such as the Naked box I bought a while back. Can't wait until I use this doll... I'm saving it for the month of

December so I can get into the holiday spirt every time I take a bath.

BudgetBeautyGirl Tip: Look for packs such as this one at Lush and other similar shops. Not only will you get more bang for your buck, but it also allows you to sample a variety of products. Sampling such variety guides you in future purchases. You now have a better idea of what you would like to purchase in full size and what you should clearly avoid.

A Roaring Good Time

Wish I could have posted this a little earlier but my camera connection has been giving me trouble. Halloween was so much fun this year. I made some extra cash by baking holiday cupcake treats and had a roaring good time dancing the night away with my vary own Harry Potter (aka Javi Baby). We were planning on going as a 20s couple but the pinstripe suite costumes for men ended up looking like pajama sets. Next best this was his all time favorite series Harry Potter... and thus we were Flapper Girl and Harry Potter.

Hope you all had a spooktacular time as we did. Happy Belated Halloween!

1920s Flapper Girl and Harry Potter

Vanilla Cupcakes Ready to Bake

Chocolate and Vanilla Cupcakes waiting to be frosted

Le Decor

Spooky Sprinkles and Sugar Jack-O-Lanterns

Finishing touches on the Bows... Glittery Spiders!

Yummy Gifts

Half Chocolate Half Vanilla Dozens

Ready for Delivery!

I gave out Halloween themed Candy Canes for the Kiddos that came Trick-or- Treating!

BudgetBeautyGirl Tip: In stead of giving out individual gifts this year, try making baked goods or savory dishes for your friends and family. The true way to a persons heart is through their stomach! Happy Holidays!

Still loving Forever 21 at 24

Last weekend my Boyfriend and I went to San Antonio to visit family and do some shopping. Anytime I'm in San Antonio Forever 21 is a must. Here are some things I purchased and things I'm still craving! I promised myself I wouldn't shop again until my entire closet is organized from top to bottom... ugh... must have faux fur boots NOW!

Budget Beauty Girl Tip: Get the look for less! Save images of your favorite runway looks or fashion blogger muses and recreate the look from stores that are more budget friendly.

BBG Book List: Reading and Needing

Every night I follow the same routine to wind down. First I read new posts on my google reader, next I watch an episode of shows I purchase on itunes (currently it's The City) and then lastly I try and read for up to an hour. I finished Skinny Bitch last month and now I'm on Shoo Jimmy Choo! Both of these books have changed my life for the better. I've made a lifestyle change and went vegetarian, and now finally I'm getting my savings on track. I really recommend these books for a great read.

The books that follow these are books I really want to get my hands on. "Lauren Conrad Style" for simple fashion ideas, "Lunch in Paris" for late night reading and midnight snacking and both "I know how to cook" and "Macaroons" to experiment in the kitchen with.

Have any other reading suggestions?

BudgetBeautyGirl Tip: Save money on books and buy used from sites like Amazon, that way you'll have extra cash to put into your rainy day savings, a pedicure or cocktails with the girls.

Brazilian Holiday Part 3

I was going to wait and post this last entry of my Brazilian Holiday tomorrow, but I'm on a roll. Also you all have waited far too long. Brazilian Holiday Part 3...

Javi and I on our second to last day in Brazil. I love this Idea of a Tree Bench with colorful pillows. I need this in my future backyard or patio area.

Dinner was at Zaza Bistro Tropical. This place ended up being my favorite. I wish we could have gone a second time but we couldn't.

Le Menu's. I love it!

Appetizer Sampler... we practically inhaled this dish. I can't quite remember what it was but I do remember that my favorite was the ceviche in a shot glass (far left) with veggie chips.

Javi's Dish. Lamb something or other with lobster ravioli. Cooked slowly in a process that takes 5 days. Sorry I should have wrote every plate name down but I was so hungry and into my dish that completely forgot.

I'm a happy camper... my food looks delish and it's plated beautifully!

My plate! Organic Chicken Curry with Basmati cashew, garlic and apricot rice. The plating was set up in a way that you would spoon some rice in the empty bowl and then spoon some chicken curry....together they were a match made in heaven. If I could eat this everyday I would.

Dessert Sampler. We had a hard time picking one dessert and appetizer, so these samplers were perfect. Left to right pictured is Banana capriccio with vanilla bean ice cream, fried nutella crapes, More vanilla bean Ice cream on a bed of chopped toasted nuts, mini brownie and blondie with chocolate and cream drizzle, and last is a medley of chopped fruits with lime and honey, topped with nuts.

Too full to even get up and start walking back to the hotel. So So Good!

Graffiti Art painting outside Zaza

Following morning, last day in Brazil. Continental breakfast!

Finally at Christ the Redeemer. It was huge, not at all what it seemed like in Romeo and Juliet.

Best way to take a photo and get a head to toe view. Javi doing his thing.

Here is the photo Javi got.

View from the top of Christ the Redeemer.

Love.

Chica Bon Chica Bon Chica Bon...Bon, Ice Cream!

Although we hardly had any fast food, when we did, it was at this super cool sushi bar called Koni! Amazing little joint. Wish it was a franchise out of Brazil. Pictured is a Steel "Koni", wasabi soy sauce, and Sunomuno Salad. All of this for around $8 including a drink and another roll.

California Roll with Mango... I have always eaten it with Avocado but since it's not native to Brazil they substitute it with Mango. I now make rolls at home using mango, it was super super good.

Hot Philadelphia Steel Roll with Fried Seaweed.

After Christ the Redeemer, lunch and a nap Javi took to a movie at a old theater called Estacao. It is a renovated home of a famous 1920s actress in Brazil, now her home is a movie theater/gallery. It was enchanting. Here we are about to enter the theater.

The movie we saw on our anniversary.

Graffiti artwork inside the Estacao Gallery. La Vida Loca

Walking back to the hotel... another beautiful Graffiti art piece.

Before leaving to the Airport we take a taxi to Copacabana Palace for an early poolside dinner. Cheese Burger and Fries. Yum

Home sweet home.... why did I have to leave so soon? Back to Texas.

Breakfast on the flight back. Not so bad. I like fruit... I like Croissants. Butter, Jelly and OJ too!

Hope you all enjoyed my post about my Brazilian Holiday. I had tons of fun taking photos and Building memories. I certainly can't wait to go back, but until then I have all these photos to keep me content.

See Brazilian Holiday Part 1 (Here) and Part 2 (Here).