My niece created the CD art (above). I think we might have a budding graphic designer on our hands! 

At my bridal shower in Philadelphia, my sister-in-laws contacted the guests before the party and found out their wedding first dance songs then compiled a CD to give out as favors. While Jason and I have already selected our first song (hint: it’s not in the list below!), it was so fun to see the variety of songs and even more fun to see who picked them! We’ve been listening to the CD while doing wedding-related things like selecting songs for our band to play (which we are doing right now!).

Here’s the song list from this compilation:
“No Other Love” —Perry Como
“Harbor Lights” —The Platters
“Dance Only With Me” —Blossom Dearie
“The Twelfth of Never” —Johnny Mathis
“Sunrise, Sunset” —Perry Como
“First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” —Roberta Flack
“It Had to Be You” —Frank Sinatra
“Our Love is Here to Stay” —Ella Fitzgerald
“L-O-V-E” —Natalie Cole
“Fly Me to the Moon” —Frank Sinatra
“You’re All I need to Get By” —Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
“That’s How Strong My Love Is” —Otis Redding
“I’ll Make Love to You” —Boys II Men
“You’re the Best Thing” —Style Council
“Loving Cup” —The Rolling Stones

Last fall when my mom (known around here as MamamiaRita!) met me in NYC to go wedding gown shopping, we took these photos (above). They’re from the photobooth in the lobby of the Ace Hotel. In case you couldn’t tell — we had a ball! Honestly, it’s hard not to when MamamiaRita is around! I just so happen to be back in NYC right now to have my gown fitted (we had a successful trip in the fall!). So I’m thrilled to be celebrating Mother’s Day with my mom this year which is a rarity when you live on opposite coasts. Cin cin, Mamma! Ti amo!

There are two things you should know about me:
1. I cook too much food.
2. I hate to throw food away.

Hence the name “Frittata Cuffone”. A frittata is an omelette made with leftover food.  And a “cuffone” is somebody that is not very special. Once a week I will go to the fridge and take out every leftover that I planned to eat later but never did. Veggies, cheese, ham or fish, potatoes, whatever. You can even throw in the frozen veggies you kept on hand in case a snow storm hits (not applicable to those of you reading in LA).

Here’s how to make a Frittata Cuffone:

Sauté garlic and onions in oil.

Add leftovers.

Add a 16 ounce carton of Egg Beaters*, 3-4 fresh eggs and beat together with a little milk.
*I use Egg Beaters in an effort to watch cholesterol—something my ancestors never did and most lived into their 90′s, go figure!

Add your favorite seasonings fresh or dry then cook until liquid sets.

My Zia Antonietta (Lupa) made a perfect frittata pie every time. It was cut & served in wedges. She used an iron skillet that was so heavy she could hardly pick it up. It was seasoned from so much use that the frittata “came good” every time. I always start out with her in mind but rarely is my frittata perfect. It usually breaks up & becomes a mere omelette. So what, it still tastes good!

Always remember that presentation is important. Transfer the frittata into your serving dish then shake on paprika, chili powder, parsley, etc. Make a point to decorate the plate, this touch makes it look very professional.

Last but not least, add fresh cracked pepper over it all.

Mangia!
MamamiaRita

This isn’t just any ol’ scavenger hunt — it’s a Bachelorette Party Scavenger Hunt! It all started with my dear friend Jenn’s bachelorette weekend Miami. In the midst of planning, the other bridesmaid and I were brainstorming ideas and thought it might be fun to have a game that we played throughout the weekend. We weren’t interested in the stereotypical bachelorette games. We wanted to think outside the box. When I mentioned that I participated in a scavenger hunt in Los Angeles and thought it could be fun with a “bachelorette” twist, we immediately started brainstorming! Once our list was complete, I designed a 2-sided card (pictured above) including our ideas and some empty lines that could be filled in as we were inspired over the course of the weekend. We handed these out as we toasted Jenn and, well, the rest is history! At the end of the weekend, the score was tallied and one lucky winner went home with a prize — a tank top with a line from a song by these guys!

This weekend I’m off to my own bachelorette party in New Orleans — JazzFest, Po-boys and beignets, here we come! Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Sometimes being a bride means you have to make sacrifices — waking up at the crack of dawn to workout, driving all over town for vendor meetings, having a “to do” list that is pages long. It can be a tough job. And then… there are the tastings! My fiancé and I have enjoyed our tastings so much that we’re considering keeping our “newly engaged” moniker after we’re married just so we can continue trying out all of these wonderful caterers, bartenders and bakers! But, alas, our wallet, our wastelines and our moral compass will forbid us from doing so. I will, however, savor every last bit of the tastings we do have scheduled! This past weekend we enjoyed — er, I mean we ”endured for the well being of all our guests” a cake tasting. Witness the aftermath (pictured above). All I have to say to my trainer is: “I’ll do a few more minutes of planking to make up for this indulgence… and for the box of macarons that I took home!”