The Ole! Report featuring Dalia Ceja

This sultry island offers a lifestyle full of Caribbean charm…

Ah, Key West – just possibly the best place for doing nothing but relaxing, indulging in decadent seafood, taking advantage of the amazing water activities and enjoying the region’s beauty. I spent one glorious and laid-back afternoon {a few months ago} exploring this gorgeous place and have been daydreaming of my next visit. Just a stone’s throw from Cuba {90 miles}, this sultry island has inspired loyalty from many happy, content tourists and islanders, including me.

Fly into one of the many South Florida gateways, rent that convertible you’ve always dreamt about and steer your way down through the many mile markers to the place that gave laziness and key lime pie a good name. Ole!

p.s. Staying positive and upbeat during the most unfortunate {health} situation for a family member is so incredibly difficult. It’s important to tell the people you love how much you love them while they can hear you. Tell them, everyday.

Have a wonderful weekend amigos… x

All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt…

I like to think of Valentine’s Day as not just a day for couples, but a day to make the special people in your life feel loved. Whether it’s with cards, gifts or candy, we can’t get enough of letting the world know how much we love being in love and the feeling of love around us, right? I’ve never been a fanatic about this day but why not doll up a bit and add to the pink and red madness {talking from a girl who has a slight color obsession…}

Recipe for Style: A cozy night in or a big night out…

1. Keep it playful – add a pop of color either to your outfit, stilettos or with bright red lips. Yowzaaa!

2. Step out of your comfort zone - a sweetheart neckline, a sheer top or a backless dress will make you feel and look {oh, so darling and sexy}.

3. Keep the mystery alive – Don’t just use this one day to show your loved ones how much you care about them. Adding some mystery and sparkle at random times will ensure spontaneous romantic gestures.

{French Connection Dress/BCBG  Stilettos/ Citizen Eco-Drive Watch/Mac Lipstick, Russian Red}

Wishing you all a day full of love! x

If you can’t stand the heat, get out of my kitchen!

Let’s talk about Spicy Mexican {jalapeño} Cornbread. I’ve always been a huge fan of this baked delight and couldn’t resist recreating this super classic treat with a twist! Doesn’t it sound delicious, ultra-comforting and just plain sexy zesty? Well, it pretty much melts in your mouth with every bite. I love my cornbread to be subtly moist, sweet and with just a hint of spice and found that this recipe does the trick.

I’m pretty convinced that everything is better when it’s made in a cast iron pan, so if possible get yourself one of these babies and I promise you it will do wonders for your cornbread!

For a detailed look into this recipe watch the step-by-step cooking video here and get to know the Salud! Napa blog – more killer recipes & videos!

{Impeccably cool pics taken by my bro, Ariel Ceja – Órale!}

p.s. Dazzle your love this Valentine’s Day with this fun and fiery recipe that will ignite the fire and have him/her fall head over heels in love {with you & your cooking even more!}.

Serves 6
Cook Time: 45 minutes   Level: Easy

Ingredients

• 2 ears of corn or 2 cups of frozen and thawed (charred) corn
• 1/2 stick cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3 jalapenos, finely diced with some seeds
• 1 1/4 cup cornmeal (preferably stone-ground, not coarse)
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cup well-shaken buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup honey

Directions

*Special equipment: a 9 1/2- to 10-inch well-seasoned cast-iron skillet

Heat grill to medium high. Lightly brush corn with oil and grill turning every 3 minutes until charred and golden brown. Cut kernels off cobs then sauté kernels with chopped jalapenos for 3 minutes with a little bit of olive oil. Set aside. If using frozen corn, make sure corn is properly thawed before sautéing with jalapenos.

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 450°F. Add butter and oil to skillet and heat in oven until melted (typically 5 minutes), then carefully pour into a medium bowl.

Whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Whisk buttermilk, corn/jalapeno mixture and eggs into melted butter and honey, then stir into cornmeal mixture until well mixed. Pour into hot skillet and bake until a wooden pick or skewer inserted in center comes out clean, 18 to 22 minutes. Cool in skillet for 5 minutes then serve & enjoy!

I hope you have a fabulous & fun filled weekend with your loved ones! x

After a long week there is nothing better than cocktails & juicy conversation…

I know it’s Monday morning but what the heck, cocktails are on my mind for three specific reasons.  First, yesterday’s Super Bowl fiesta was undoubtedly more pleasant to watch after drinking a stellar margarita with my girls by my side. Second, I’m working out and training hardcore during the week so I’ve given myself one day off to have a delicious & refreshing cocktail to savor and enjoy with some good company. And finally, if you’re entertaining over the next couple of weeks why not give one of these a try? Not only are they easy to make but they look so festive and offer the perfect excuse to round up the gang and have a casual shindig.

Cocktails with a Twist!

1. Blackberry Thyme Margaritas - {Beautiful to the eye & refreshing to the palate}

2. Earl Grey Martini - {Calling all tea lovers!}

3. Raspberry Lemonade - (Add a splash of vodka, topped with bubbles}

4. Pink Grapefruit Margaritas - {Your girlfriends will swoon over this margarita!}

Whether it’s stirred, shaken, neat, on the rocks, straight up, with a kick or dirty, make sure you enjoy your cocktails with rad people and interesting conversation! Oh yes, and {please drink responsibly} amigos. Gracias! x

 p.s. Check out this video & recipe of one my favorite cocktails called the  “Dalia Ole!” that Bistro Sabor makes and offers on their menu! Ole!

Our reaction to color is almost instantaneous and has a profound impact on the choices we make everyday…

I suppose it goes along with my spring fever and possible {slight} color obsession but I am really giddy over all shades of green. It is undoubtedly one of my favorite colors and it adds a refreshing pop of color to many aspects of my life – fashion, food and places I’ve traveled.

While the thought of wearing something so bright may be a bit daunting to some, this color should be embraced! I find that green is soothing to the eye and adds a wonderful contrast to dull and dark colors in a revitalizing way. Whether you wear the color green, eat green foods or live a green lifestyle, this color symbolizes life and should be happily welcomed. I guarantee you’ll be smiling more often! Ole!

{Avocados, oh my! I could eat these daily}

{Snapshot of a house in Argentina via Pinterest}

{Gorgeous shawl my aunt brought me from Mexico}

{Research for my trip to Thailand}

{Bracelets from World Market}

{A snapshot when I was in Paso Robles last year}

{Magical place. Machu Piccu – 2009}

{Sliced Kiwis}

{Stunning light fixture made out of wine bottles}

p.s. Do you tend to go through phases of your life where you are into different colors?

Enjoy the beautiful day! x