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 

Flash Back Friday!

Happy Friday everyone! I hope each of you have some great plans for this much needed weekend. Here is a post that I hope can bring some laughs to each of you, or even make you walk down a little bit of memory lane. 

Its FLASH BACK FRIDAY! There are so many trends out there that are throwbacks from the 80's... here is one that is currently happening

Leather Jackets in the 80's...

And they are back more than ever in 2011...

Happy Flash Back Friday!

-C-

Images found at google.com/images

Mmm... Treats Please!

Cheesecake Brownies

Ingredients:

• 1 c. quick-cooking rolled oats
• 1/2 c.  all-purpose flour
• 1/2 c.  packed brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp.  baking soda
• 1/4 tsp.  salt
• 6 Tbs.  butter, melted
• 1  3 oz. package  cream cheese, softened
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 c.  granulated sugar
• 10 miniature chocolate-coated caramel-topped nougat bars with peanuts, chopped
• 1/4 c.  butter, melted
• 1 oz.  unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
• 1/2 tsp.  vanilla
• 1 egg
• 2/3 c.  all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp.  baking powder
• 1/4 tsp.  salt
• 1/4 c.  milk
• 1 c.  purchased chocolate fudge frosting

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease the bottom of a 2-quart rectangular baking dish; set aside. In a medium bowl, combine oats, the 1/2 cup flour, the brown sugar, baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir in the 6 tablespoons melted butter. Pat into prepared baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, for cheesecake layer: In a small bowl, stir together cream cheese, egg yolk, and 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar; spoon in small dollops over the partially baked layer. Sprinkle with chopped nougat bars.

3. In a large bowl, combine the remaining 3/4 cup granulated sugar, the 1/4 cup melted butter, melted chocolate, and vanilla. Beat in egg. In a small bowl, stir together the 2/3 cup flour, the baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Alternately add flour mixture and milk to chocolate mixture, beating with a wooden spoon after each addition just until combined. Carefully spoon over cheesecake layer. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched.

4. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Spread with chocolate fudge frosting. Cut into bars.

-C-

Recipe found at BHG.com

Nutritious Meal To Try

Here is a great new recipe that I am sure going to be trying... best part is its nutritious! I've listed the dietary guide below the recipe for those following your calories, carbohydrates and sodium intake. 

"Chicken Kiev Served over Orzo
& your choice of Vegetables"

Ingredients:

1/4 C. low calorie margarine (try the unsalted)

2 Tbs. fresh parsley, minced

1/4 tsp. dried rosemary

1/8 tsp. garlic powder

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, halved

2 Tbs. plus 2 tsp. skim milk

3 1/2 Tbs. fine breadcrumbs

3/4 lemon, cut into wedges

2 servings of cooked Orzo

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F

1. Combine margarine, parsley, rosemary, garlic and pepper to taste in a small mixing bowl. Shape margarine mixture into 4 2 inch long sticks; freeze until firm.

2. Place each chicken breast half between 2 sheets of waxed paper and flatten to 1/4 inch thickness with a meat mallet or rolling pin. Place 1 margarine stick in the center of each chicken breast; fold ends over margarine and roll up, beginning with long side. Secure each end with wooden toothpicks. Dip chicken rolls into the milk and coat thoroughly with breadcrumbs. 

3. Bake for 25 minutes until browned. 

4. Arrange chicken on a serving platter, spoon juices from pan over the top, garnish with lemon wedges and serve over orzo pasta and your choice of vegetables. 

Per serving: calories 184, fat 7.1g, protein 22.5g, carbohydrates 7.0g, fiber 0.8g, sugar 1.3g, sodium 255mg       

-C-

Recipe found at mealsforyou.com , image found at flicker.com

Hats honestly are such a great style staple. Anyone, yes I mean ANYONE can pull off a hat. Have it be the classic baseball cap, fedora, beanie or the ever so chic floppy hat. I really have 3 different floppy hats in my closet right now... I never know when I will ever need all 3 of them, but every girl needs a little variety in choice. I love the look of the felt floppy hat for this time of year. Its a bit winter style, but can easily be made warm and be adapted to you lucky ones in the sunshine. 

Here is the beautiful Vanessa Hudgens in the style:

 Or look how cute Hillary Duff and Kourtney Kardashian look in the Trend:

So here is my take on the trend, keeping the outfit simple, jewelry minimal and the makeup a bit natural...

Take a little bit of summer style and incorporate it into your winter wardrobe. 

-C-

Images: V.H. thevanessahudgens.com, H.D. salonspotter.com, K.K. shockboutique.com

DIY Hair Treatment

Each of us girls always think about our skin in the winter time, but what about your hair? Growing up with a mother and sisters in the beauty industry, they have never let me skimp on hair products. Spending a little extra goes a long way when you color your hair. But not always is it the products you buy at the salon that has the best results. Here is a wonderful DIY hair treatment that will have your hair feeling great for weeks

Hair Treatment

1-2 Tablespoons Baking Soda

*Mix with your shampoo and then rinse*

1 C. Vinegar

*Apply to wet hair and soak for 1-2 mins *

(Don't worry about the smell, it will go away once you are done)

Rinse and Condition like normal

Thanks to my sister/hair stylist Paige for the great hair mask recipe! I hope you all enjoy

-C-

Image from www.google.com/images

Ever Heard of Acai Berries?? READ THIS

When you walk into GNC, or even any other health food store you see all these products that are telling you how great Acai berries are and how high they are in antioxidants. So I thought I would do my own research about this "High trend". Check out this great article that I have found.... this should tell you the truth about it and maybe put a few dollars back into your wallet

Acai Berry Article


-C-

Image from www.google.com/images

Winter got you cold...

 Are you so tired of winter? Having to bundle up layer upon layer to go outside... and day dream about warm beaches? Are you like me and half way through each season, you can't wait to wear the next seasons clothes? I do it to myself each season so I have decided to make the best of these next few months and wear my winter clothes out!!! 

I have always been a fan of fur. It looks so retro, yet put together in my eyes. Rachel Zoe is one of my fav's that wears fur so well 

Or how about Olivia Palermo

I decided that I would take my own twist to it and wear my fur vest the way I could here in the snow...

Add a little bit of jewelry... not too much

So get out of your rut and pick something from you closet you haven't worn all season long!

Enjoy the winter snow, warm drinks and cuddling up inside while you can... 

-C-

Photos of Rachel and Olivia from www.google.com/images 

Sweet Tooth Saturday

Valentines day is just around the corner and every store around town is here to remind you of it. So if your single or coupled up... here is a great way to spread some love this February 14th

Red Velvet Cupcakes, dipped in Milk Chocolate 

& Topped with Cream Cheese Frosting

Cupcakes

(Recipe found here Martha Stewart)

2 1/2 C. cake flour (not self rising), sifted

2 T. unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder

1 t. salt

1 1/2 C. sugar

1 1/2 C. vegetable oil

2 large eggs, room temperature

1/2 t. red gel-paste food coloring. (or 1.5 oz. of liquid food coloring)

1 t. pure vanilla extract

1 cup liquid buttermilk

1 1/2 t. baking soda

2 t. distilled white vinegar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350*F. You may use a standard or small cupcake tin.

2. Whisk together cake flour, cocoa & salt. 

3. With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, whisk together sugar and oil until well combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl if needed. Mix in food coloring and vanilla. *If using gel food coloring, I added almost 1t to get a richer red color*

4. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with 2 additions of buttermilk, and whisking well after each. Stir together the baking soda and vinegar in a small bowl (it will foam); add mixture to the batter, and mix on medium speed 10 seconds. 

5. Divide batter evenly among cupcake pan. Filling each three-quarters full.

* I did not use paper liners, as later on you will be dipping the bottoms in chocolate. Just make sure you coat each tin very well. *

6. Bake for 15-18mins (large cupcakes) 8-10 mins (small cupcakes). Rotate tins halfway through, until a cake tester inserted in centers comes out clean. Transfer onto wire racks to cool completely before removing from tin. 

Dipping Chocolate
1. Follow melting directions on the melting chocolate that you purchase, as each brand is different. 
2. Have cupcakes completely cooled, before melting chocolate. Dip each cupcake bottom in chocolate and set on wax paper to harden. 

Cream Cheese Frosting
1 C. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
12 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
3 1/2 C. confectioners' sugar, sifted
3/4 t. pure vanilla extract

These have been a huge hit! They are perfect for giving to neighbors, loved ones or just to keep for yourself. I hope that you all enjoy them as much as I have. 

Happy Sweet Tooth Saturday!
-C-