Claro's Italian Market

Ok...so I grew up in an Italian family in a suburb of New Haven, Connecticut. New Haven pizza was just named the best pizza globally...btw! So needless to say the area was loaded with the best Italian food and restaurants anywhere. Turn the clock ahead to today...I'm living in Southern California where the mahi fish tacos run rampant and the scenery is stunning but the Italian food...eh...not so good. I happened to find one Italian market in all of South Orange County...Claro's Italian Market in Tustin, CA. I have to say I thank God for this place. It's kind of like Liuzzi's. Great sausage (a staple..lol), really extensive olive oil selection, killer cheese and the pasta...fabulous! The pastries aren't as good as they are at home but they'll just have to do.
Can we say ABBONDANZA?!

Ebay 101

Let me start by saying I have no idea how to sell stuff on Ebay. Everyone I know says..."it's soooooooo easy". I do know that buying on Ebay is too easy. It's almost scary how easy, especially without the tangibility of the item no less.
I say keep the mall open for us people who don't know what they're doing on Ebay..lol

look at the birdie...or is it the piggies?

Let me start by saying that I have never been into computer games. ever.
A few weeks ago at breakfast a friend told me about this game called Angry Birds. She said; "try it...it's so addictive". Well let me tell you...those words have never rung so true! OMG! This game has little pigs that actually laugh at you because you haven't hit them! So, you become determined to kill the little bast***ds.  To kill them there are 5 different birds which perform different duties that you put into a sling shot and aim for the pigs. As I'm typing this, I'm thinking to myself...sounds so stupid...pigs and birds, but let me tell you it's so much fun!
This game can turn anyone into one Angry Bird!

Monday, monday

Ok, so Super Bowl Sunday is over and now onto losing the pounds from the 2 lousy chicken wings I consumed. How come in order to lose those extra pounds you have to work triple time? Just as those pounds come off from yesterday's fiesta...in comes Valentine's day!
Brings me back to a saying my father used to have, "a minute on your lips...forever on your hips"...lol. Gotta love Dads :)
(but you gotta love Valentine's day too)

Super bowl, Schmooper bowl

Ok...so we all know that this Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday. We also know that it's one of America's best national events.
Personally, I believe it's all about the commercials and the snacks :)
Bring on the buffalo wings and cuppy cakes!

(or, we can just proclaim it national mani/pedi day, with some shopping thrown in for good measure!)

Super Bowl Sunday here we come!

Go fish for pasta?

Ok...So I thought I got suckered into another one of those TV infomercial products that seems like it would be great but when you get it home it doesn't work.
On the contrary with my newest purchase! The pasta boat is unbelievable! Being Italian, pasta is the main stay of life support...lol. Usually there's the giant pan on the stove with boiling water, then there's the other pan containing the sauce (or gravy depending on where you're from) plus the strainer in the sink. That's where the pasta boat comes in...you microwave the pasta for 25 minutes (which comes out perfectly every time), strain the water and add your sauce all in one container!! Can we say convenience?! Personally  I don't think I'll make pasta the conventional way ever again. Thanks for the life boat, Pasta Boat!

the heart of the matter

Valentine's day is coming!
It happens to be my favorite "holiday" of the year because it encompasses everything and everyone. The one thing I don't like about Valentine's day, is the "special menus"  a long with the special prices, created by restaurants for people trying to spend some quality time and a nice meal with the one's they love.
My suggestion...share a picnic created with love either inside or out. Put the cell phones away and focus on exactly what matters.

just sayin.