Made in about 10mins

When I was first experimenting with baking, one of the first things I probably made was rice krispy treats. Everyone knows what they are and what it takes to make them. Here is a little twist to the classic...

Peanut Butter Rice Krispy Treats

1/4 C. Butter

1 C. Sugar

1 C. Corn Syrup

1/4 C. Peanut Butter

6 C. Rice Cereal

(I used only 4 1/2 C. as I like my really soft)

Chocolate Topping

11.5 oz. Bag of Hershey's Chocolate Chips

Directions

1. Heat the sugar, corn syrup & butter until it comes to a boil

2. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter

3. Stir in rice cereal. 

4. Press the mixture into a chilled 13x9 pan.

5. Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler and spread onto mixture. 

I think that I would now prefer to have this kind of Rice Krispy over the classic version. 

Happy Friday, hope you enjoy your new Treat!

-C-

A few of my Favorite Things

When the weather is warm out, I like to keep my beauty routine simple and light. During the day time, I like to keep my look natural and for date night put on a bit of eye shadow. There is nothing better than being able to get spruced-up in just a few minutes and with just a few key products. Here are some of my most treasured products that I would not be able to go without (rain or shine). Test them out for yourself

(These are in no particular order)

#1

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

* This stuff is wonderful. Its light, keeps your skin hydrated and is not irritating*

#2

MAC Face & Body Foundation

* I have used this product for about 5 years now and have never found anything like it. It covers well and it is made with water not oil, so it’s much better for your skin. *

#3

Covergirl Lip Stain

* I LOVE this little gem of a lip stain. It’s so easy to use because of the marker shaped tip on it. Best part, it truly does “Outlast” hours of wear. I have this in Teasing Blush #415. I will put on a few coats for a darker color, or just a swipe if I am doing a natural look.*

#4

Moroccan Oil

* This has become a new favorite of mine, as I have only been using it for less than a year. But the results are outstanding. It conditions, repairs and makes hair shine. It’s a must in my book during the sunny months. *

#5

Eyelashes

*For effortlessly great looking eyes, nothing tops having false lashes. They make your eyes pop and you don’t need any kind of eye shadow. Just remember, don’t go too big as nothing is worse than seeing someone with horribly long fake lashes. That’s not pretty.*

Anyone have products that they swear by? Tell me! I love to try new products out

-C-

Florals, Stripes and all things Alike

Is it just me, or are some of the Spring Fashion "Must haves" so cute and versatile? I'm in a love affair with floral prints and stripes. Both of them can be found in every store out there. Floral prints are so sweet and feminine that I can't get my hands on enough of them. And stripes.... I have always been a fan of them. I have many shirts, cardigans and dresses that are fully striped. Some of them are my "Go To" clothes when I'm in a fashion pinch.

 How lovely are some of these ensembles

My version for now...

And for Stripes

Here is one of my "Go To" skirts

Go out and find yourself some stripes & florals. I'm sure they will give you a lovely spring pick me up. :) 

Happy Friday Everyone!

-C-

all image found on google

Cowboy Caviar

I had this a few years back and fell in love with it and its simplicity. The recipe is so easy, and the taste is so light & refreshing. The ingredients are what could be packed when heading out to the outdoors for the weekend.  Maybe that is where it got its great name? Who knows...

Try it out, its wonderful! 

Cowboy Caviar 

1 Can Diced Tomatoes

1 Can Olives (sliced)

1 Can Corn

1 Can Pinto Beans

1 Can Black Beans

1 Can Kidney Beans

1 Can Garbanzo Beans

1 Bottle of Zesty Italian Dressing ( I use the small bottle)

1 Avocado cubed *Optional*

2 Tablespoons Garlic Powder

Directions

1. Drain all beans in a strainer and run through water. Make sure beans are drained fully. 

2. Add all ingredients together and pour bottle of Zesty Italian dressing into mix. 

(I normally do not use the whole small bottle. This just depends on how you like your salsa)

-C-

Treat your self to a facial

Weeks ago while out with my sisters we were talking about how wonderful you feel right after you get microdermabrasion. If you have not had it, please make yourself an appointment. I promise you, you will not regret it! And your skin will thank you for weeks after. But lets be realistic, no one has the money nor the time to get microdermabrasion or a facial all the time. So my esthetician sister starting talking about the electronic hand held facial scrubbers.

We all decided to buy one and thought why not try it out. 

Clearasonic System

At first I had mixed reviews about it. How could an electronic facial scrubber do any better than I did with a wash cloth? I first washed my face the same that I do each night and then used the hand held device. I was SO SURPRISED! The brush had makeup residue on it! All those years of not getting off all my makeup would obviously take a toll on my skin... Well not anymore! My skin felt extra clean and soft. My money was well spent. 

Check them out! There are many at all price points.  

 $32.99 at 

Sally's Beauty Supply

$29.50 at Amazon

Olay Professional Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System

-C-

New (3 Days a week) workout

Spring has sprung and the selves are stocked with beautiful new spring and summer fashion. I was browsing through swimsuits and decided to try some on.... and stopped after the first one. Nothing is worse than being white, not toned and not ready to step out in a swimsuit. So after my dressing room experience, I have been on the search for a new workout routine. I am one that wants something fun, new and something that I don't need a bunch of equipment for. 

I came across this great KETTLEBELL workout. 

You will need:

Two 12-to-24 pound kettlebells or dumbells 

(they should feel very heavy)

One 12-to-24 inch plyo box or step

One 6-to-10 pound medicine ball

Workout Schedule:

Three times a week, do 1 set of each move in order without resting. Repeat once or twice

Kettlebell Workout Steps

I hope none of you have the dressing room experience that I had this week and start up your summer workouts! 

-C-

Workout found at shape.com

Flash Back Friday

I love posting about trends that have made a strong come back and hope that some of you are able to jump on the trend in one way or another. I have been noticing myself browsing through accessories lately and adding fun headbands or feathers in my hair. When deciding on pictures of this "Headband" trend I laugh to myself and think of my sister Hollie and how we use to call her "Headband Hollie". Growing up any time that she got out of getting her hair done by our mom, she would get her bangs soaking wet with water and slick on a headband. She would wear it super close to her forehead and was ready to go. Those who know Hollie, love her to death like I do. So "Headband Hollie" this post is for you! 

How about Headbands in the 50's with the Beehive

  Or the 60's

1970's (this look is BACK!)

Trend Now... 2011

Emilio Pucci Spring 2011 Collection. I love the Color Inspiration!

Now, What do you think of this look? Nicole Richie in House of Harlow.

Good or Bad look?

Happy "Flash Back Friday"

Have a great weekend everyone

-C-

Images all found at googleimgaes

Shop for a Cause

In the hopes of making even the smallest impact on the devastating events that have happened in Japan, I have made a donation to the RED CROSS and you can too! But take a look at what Forever21 is doing... 100% of the money they make today will go toward relief in Japan. So please get online and treat yourself to something knowing that the money you spent will go to good use. 

Thank you!  Have a great weekend everyone...

-C-

Hot Chocolate Chip Cookies

My sister was talking about how a friend of hers dropped off some cookies at her house the other day and how they were so great... but also how they were made with Hot chocolate? It was different, yet intriguing to me so I had to test out a recipe and see what she was talking about.

Mmmmm, why hello new favorite treat! These cookies turned out to be SO good and yet, SO easy! It was easy baking ingredients and best of all, I had them all in my pantry. So here is the recipe that I used and will be using again sometime soon! Thanks Brooke for the idea :)

Hot Chocolate- Chip Cookies

2 sticks room temperature butter
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 1/4 cups flour
4 packages Hot Chocolate Mix (not sugar free)
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup each white, milk, and semi-sweet chocolate chips 

(I used just 1 1/2 cup of white and milk instead)

 Directions:

1. Preheat Oven to 350* 

2. Cream together both sugars and the butter until light and fluffy

3. In another bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients

4. Mix in the eggs and vanilla to sugar/butter mixture

5. Slowly add in the dry ingredients. Do in stages, scraping bowl each time.

6. Add in chocolate chips

7. Drop onto parchment lined cookie sheet. (don't skip out on parchment paper, as it does not allow the cookies to burn)

8. Bake for 7-8mins. Let cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan.

ENJOY!

-C-

recipe & image found at bakedbree.com

Love'n Me Some Braids

Spring is finally here and I couldn't be filled with more joy! I can now take out my spring dresses that I have seemed to be collecting over this past 2 months and enjoy some time spent outside. I seem to find myself staring at pictures of women in braids for weeks now, wondering in my head how it is that I would be able to pull them off, with looking age appropriate. I love the look of the effortless braid, with a simple spring dress. Here are some of the pictures that I have been admiring and hope they can give you some inspiration to try out a braid this week.

(I wanna try this one out like Sienna... So pretty)

 

Happy Trendy Tuesday Everyone!

-C-

Images from google.com

Eat...MORE?

Ok I will be honest, I love to read but I REALLY love to read magazines. Its weird, I am 24 and I like to look at appealing pictures. I love art, food, fashion, home (although I don't own a home, I can imagine what it will look like when I build it) and cooking magazines. Currently I subscribe to Glamour and read it cover to cover and for the most part cry every time at the stories that they have of lives of real women. I'm a cry baby I know. But the first thing that I look at is their part on "You can have this, or ALL this" It shows you such easy portion control that you would be able to remember when ordering at a restaurant. So I think its in the March issue they had the food idea of a Turkey Club. 

You Can Have This: (left)
Turkey Club - 3 slices of white bread, turkey, bacon, mayo, lettuce & tomato
(640 Calories and 33 Grams of fat)


Or ALL This: (right)
Turkey BLT- 2 slices whole wheat bread, 3 slices roast turkey, 2 strips of bacon, 1 1/2 tsp mayo, lettuce & tomato. PLUS an apple and an oatmeal raisin cookie.
(640 Calories, 20 Grams of fat)

How CRAZY is that? I love the idea of showing people just an image of what it would look like if you opt out of having it on white bread and also skipping out on the 3 slice. You not only get dessert, but an apple too! 

I promise to those that are looking to loose weight during these springs months, portion control is where you will loose the most weight and keep it off. It is all about the LIFESTYLE you live and not the DIET you are on. 

-C-

Image and food information found at glamour.com

I'm BAAACK!

Hello everyone, I am sorry that I have lost contact in the blogging world... My life has been a bit busy lately. But I have made a promise to start blogging to those that are even reading this crazy thing any ways. Let me catch you up on what has been going on in my absence. 

Well to start, this amazing thing happened to me...

(And I said "yes" of course)

And I went on a little weekend getaway with the girls to the warm sun here...

Oh and can I tell you for the most part, all my time has been in search for one of these...

(Reception Site- Outdoors)

And one of these...

Oh and let me not forget one of the biggest things, the hubby to be is moving here in a matter of weeks...

And who knew that it would be has hard as it has been trying to find those two things. In most all aspects of my life I am very decisive and know what I want. Especially when I have an image in my head, I can always see what I could do to make it my own. But let me tell you friends, it has been one ride figuring all this wedding stuff out. I can't make a single decision and I have NO IDEA why? Then in the mean time all I want to do is spend time with my fiancée before he leaves me :( 

 So please for those of you out here in Utah that have any kind of recommendations on locations or dress boutiques, please help!

But all stress aside, words can't explain how excited I am to become Mrs. Conner! 

-C-

Images found at googleimages

Is it just me, or is this weather messing up your mood? One day its sunny and warming up & the next its snowing outside? Let me tell you, it is not fun for those who are not experiencing it. I have been able to make it some days with not needing a long coat, but its still a bit too cold for t-shirt and jeans. So I find myself going to my collection of scarfs and wearing them time and time again. It's such an easy way to make a very simple outfit pull all together. Try it out and leave your big winter coats in the closet! 

-C-

Breakfast of Champions

I never have time in the morning to make a great nutritional meal nor sit down and enjoy breakfast. I am one that wants to be able to grab something quick and walk out the door. So here is other great breakfast shakes to try out. Just like any nutritionist would tell you, never skip out on breakfast. Its the most important meal of the day!

Banana Shake

1-1/2 quarts lowfat milk
4 bananas, without peel, medium, frozen
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. almond extract
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

(Calories: 321, Protein: 13.9g, Fiber: 4.4g, Carbohydrates: 58g)  

Banana Blueberry Shake

3 cups frozen sliced bananas
2 cups fresh blueberries
4 cups soy milk, or regular milk

 

(Calories: 277, Protein: 9.4g, Fiber: 9.2g, Carbohydrates: 54g)  

-C-

Recipe's found at mealsforyou.com, images google

Treatment for your Clothes

I hate it more than anything when you buy a great pair of jeans and the color of them starts to fade quickly! Egh, biggest let down ever as you buy your jeans based off of COLOR and fit.This has happened to me many times in the past. That is until one day while shopping at this cute little boutique I was told one the of best secrets. 

TO WASH YOUR JEANS WITH A CUP OF THIS LITTLE LOVER

 That's right just add 1 cup of white distilled vinegar to the wash the 1ST TIME you wash the jeans and they will keep their color much much longer. Vinegar smells I know, but trust me your clothes smell nothing like them when its washed with your choice of laundry soap. (obviously the best for jeans is Wool-light dark)

Also, if you have delicate whites that you know you should not wash with the typical bleach, also try adding vinegar, as its a natural way to whiten things...who knew?

-C-

Happy Valentine's Day!

 I hope all of you have had a wonderful Valentine's Day! As I know that mine has been the greatest yet to come :) I like to dress up a bit more feminine than usual for Valentine's Day. I put together colors that I normally wouldn't wear together and stain my lips with lovely shades of red. Here is a style idea for you to try out sometime this February, it doesn't need to be the day of love to try out some new fun trends...

Mix some Pink and Red together

And 

try out all those fun lip colors... Promise they look great

(and a little FYI, your teeth will look three shades whiter)

-C-

 Image from productappeal.com