10 Homemade Potato Chip Recipes for Super Bowl

January 30, 2015

I'm a big snacker, and potato chips are sort of my vice. With Super Bowl coming up this weekend I'm thinking about making some homemade potato chips. I've never made them before, but I'm sure they'll make a nice accompaniment to a cold beer on Sunday. Here are the recipes I'm thinking about. 






















Friday Favorites

January 30, 2015

It's absolutely crazy that January has come to an end; it feels like we just celebrated the new year, doesn't it? I'm definitely excited about February (Super Bowl, Valentine's Day and Mardi Gras!) but I just wish time would slow down, even just a little. And speaking of Super Bowl, who's looking forward to the big game? I'm not so much into the game as I am into the snacks and commercials, so I can't wait to get in the kitchen and whip up a few dips and desserts. Have a wonderful weekend, be well, and take time to enjoy the people who mean the most to you. God bless!

Blood orange margaritas. I'm a little obsessed with their gorgeous color.


Pink and polka dots.


Chic teas and teacups (because I have a thing for teacups after finding this set).


Gorgeous sandals that make me think of the luxurious island getaway of my fantasies.


Elevated Super Bowl snacks--grilled jerk shrimp and pineapple skewers

5 Tips to Make Shoe Shopping Easier

January 29, 2015

I don't think I know a single woman who doesn't love shopping for shoes, but I know lots of women who have been disappointed with the resulting purchases. Believe it or not, there is a right and a wrong way to shop for footwear. Here are five tips for ensuring success on your next jaunt to the shoe department.

Shop at the right time.
Avoid hitting the shoe department at the start of your day but instead go in the late afternoon have stretched and swollen a little bit (as they naturally do). This will give you a more accurate idea of the size you'll actually need.  Also, don't go near closing time because you'll feel pressure to hurry up and make a purchase, which could result in serious buyer's remorse the next day.

Go for quality over quantity.
You may love the cheap shoes, the cheap shoes may be totally adorable, and the cheap shoes definitely have a price tag to love, but the first time you actually wear those cheap shoes for more than 20 minutes, your feet will be begging you to take them off. Avoid the pain (and possible unsightly blisters) and just buy a good quality shoe, even if it means you only get to take home one pair versus four.

Buy a slightly snug fit.
Your shoes will stretch after some time so it's better to buy the pair that's ever so slightly snug over the pair that's a little too big. You can always speed up the stretching process by stuffing the shoes with newspapers and blasting them with heat from the blowdryer for a couple of minutes, or wearing them with a thick pair of socks around the house.

Sleep on it.
If you're feeling uncertain about a shoe for some reason, especially if it's a major splurge, ask the store to hold your size for you. This will give you a chance to go home and assess the number of outfits you can wear with the shoes, as well as review your bills, bank account, and credit card statement to make sure you can even afford them.

Take a walk around the store.
It goes without saying that you should always try on both shoes in a pair since your feet can actually be two different sizes, but once you've got them on take a little stroll around the shoe department to make sure there's not too much pressure on the balls of your feet. Any shoe that puts all your weight on the front of your feet is a shoe that you won't be able to wear for too long, much less walk or dance. 

10 Ways to Snap Out of a Style Rut

January 26, 2015

 
1. Shoshanna Liz Cocktail Dress  2. Ban.do Girl Talk Bobbi Set  3. Max Studio Stretch Jersey Blouson Tee  4. Baublebar Atlantis Fringe Bib Necklace  5. theBalm Girls® Lipstick in Mia Moore  6. Loeffler Randall Foldover Clutch  7. Zara Blazer  8. DL1961 Poppy in Golightly  9. Topshop Leopard Print Tube Skirt  10. French Connection Kourtney Kitten Heels  

It can happen to the best of us--you wake up one morning, pull on some version of the same trousers/shirt combo, and accessorize with the same safe and expected jewelry and handbag. You're in a style rut, and it ain't pretty! It's impossible to always feel totally inspired by what you see hanging in your closet (even when it's full of clothes) but it is possible to update your look by making small changes. Here are ten easy ways you can break out of a style rut without spending a fortune on a complete wardrobe makeover.

1. Make dressier and "going out" clothes work for day by pairing them with more casual pieces like a denim or moto jacket and light jewelry.

2. Infuse a little fun into your look by ditching the ponytail or bun and adding cute hair accessories.

3. Rethink how you wear neutrals. To keep a neutral palette from becoming stale, look for cool and unexpected design details (hidden pockets, an interesting drape, origami pleats, etc.).

4. Add a statement necklace; it's the fastest way to update your look, even if you're just wearing jeans and a T-shirt.

5. There is no better way to instantly feel more glamorous, confident, and sexy than with a beautiful, bold lip color like red, orange, or bright pink.

6. Punctuate an otherwise ordinary (READ: boring) outfit with a metallic bag. Avoid glitter or sequins though, as you don't want to look like a six-year old.

7. Switch out your basic black blazer for something colorful and bright. 


8. Reconsider the hemlines and silhouettes when it comes to your pants; try cropped trousers and jeans, culottes, high-waisted, shorts, you name it--anything that isn't your norm.

9. Treat a printed skirt like jeans and pair it with everything from T-shirts and Chuck Taylors on the weekend to blazers and heels for work.


10. Even something as simple as changing your high heel for a flat, or your flat for a kitten heel, can make a noticeable difference in your entire look.

Monday

January 26, 2015



image via Instagram 

Friday Favorites

January 23, 2015

This week was relatively uneventful--we went to work and school, we cooked and ate meals, read books, watched movies, etcetera, etcetera. And while there wasn't anything particularly memorable about these last few days, there were a couple of moments that I absolutely loved. The first was finding my two sleeping little girls cuddled up together in bed, even though they started out apart. I don't have a sister, so I love that they will always have each other. The second, having my five-year old tell me I'm the best mommy in the world because I let her wear the Hello Kitty dress that my cousin got her to school. She was so appreciative and excited, she made me get all excited. I'm hoping to share more sweet moments with them this weekend. I wish you a fun and safe weekend as well. God bless!



DIY balloons for Super Bowl Sunday.



Recipes for at-home brunch. (I'm determined to host more brunches this year.)


3D hearts that I'm thinking of making for Valentine's Day.  


A new painting by Jen Ramos


This desktop wallpaper

12 Super Bowl Snacks to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

January 22, 2015

There are three things you can always count on for Super Bowl Sunday (which is less than two weeks away, by the way): crazy hilarious commercials (advertisers have to shell out the big bucks for 30 seconds of glory during the game, and they definitely make it worth our while), an epic half-time show (this year it's Katy Perry!), and, perhaps best of all, the traditional Super Bowl fare of wings, pizza, beer, and a plethora of other diet-derailing bites. For a killer dessert table at this year's Super Bowl party, try a few of these game day-approved treats. 

Turn savory snacks, like pizza and nachos, into dessert!


Homemade or purchased, no dessert table is complete without baked goodies.


And whenever possible, incorporate the football theme.  

Candy-Topped Peanut Butter Pie

January 20, 2015

After merely seeing a peanut butter pie at a bakery in Phoenix last year, I've become obsessed with the dessert and have been trying to find an excuse to make one ever since. This weekend we had dinner with friends at their home, so it was the perfect opportunity to make the pie. I tweaked the recipe to incorporate as much chocolate as possible--I made a chocolate graham cracker crust, added a layer of milk chocolate, then topped the whole thing with candy. Triumph! The pie was gorgeous--creamy (slightly ice cream-like, actually) and chocolatey and salty and chewy thanks to the candy. It received rave reviews, even from my 5-year old who insists she doesn't like peanut butter. 

Candy-Topped Peanut Butter Pie
1 7.5 oz box chocolate graham crackers, crushed into crumbs
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
½ cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1¼ cups creamy peanut butter
¾ cups packed light brown sugar
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
2 tablespoons vanilla
3 regular-sized Snickers bars (or whatever candy you choose)



Preheat oven to 350° and put Snickers bars in the freezer. Mix graham cracker crumbs and melted butter and press evenly into the bottoms and sides of a 9-inch pie pan. Bake for about 8 to 10 minutes, then set aside to cool.

Microwave milk chocolate chips in 20-second intervals until melted and smooth, pour into the cooled pie crust, and freeze to harden. 

In a large mixing bowl, whisk cream on high speed until soft peaks form. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, beat peanut butter, brown sugar, cream cheese, and vanilla on high speed until smooth, then gently fold peanut butter mixture into the whipped cream until it's completely blended. Remove pie pan from freezer and spoon peanut butter mixture into the cooled crust and smooth out the top.

Using a sharp knife, cut candy bar into chunks, then sprinkle the chunks over the top of the pie. Freeze pie for one hour and remove from freezer 15 minutes before serving. If you have to keep it in the freezer for longer than an hour, wrap it in plastic wrap to keep it from getting freezer burn. 



Monday

January 19, 2015



image via Instagram (@shopbando)

Friday Favorites

January 16, 2015

So some pretty fabulous things happened this week. First, and definitely the highlight, my daughter was selected as Student of the Month, and I, obviously, could not be more proud. She's also been devouring books, trying to read everything (even street signs), and requesting I read six or seven books at a time. I'm seriously just smitten with her, and am so happy that she loves reading as much as her momma! And on another, less fabulous but still pretty cool note, I've already gotten used to writing '2015' instead of  '2014,' which has got to be some kind of record considering we're only sixteen days in. How was your week? I hope you have an amazing weekend. God bless!

The cutest mini tacos that are actually Oreos. 


Tips for shopping the Rose Bowl Flea Market


Carrie Bradshaw's fifty best looks. (Here are my favorites, by the way)


A fiesta safari party that looks too adorable. 


This gorgeous cake.

Luxury Laundry Products

January 15, 2015


There is nothing sexy, fun, or even remotely glamorous about doing laundry, but at least there are products to make the chore a little more tolerable.

1. An aesthetically pleasing laundry bag
2. A wash that leaves delicates smelling of luscious Italian blood orange.
3. Sachets (not sheets) for the dryer that come in the prettiest scents with sassy names like Diva, Icon, and High Maintenance. 
4. Who has time to hand wash their underpinnings? Mesh lingerie bags are a must.
5. This bleach alternative is nontoxic, biodegradable, fragrance-free, and has the prettiest packaging. 
6. Laundry detergent that doesn't smell like a manufactured meadow.

Cool Ways to Display Photos

January 13, 2015

I love putting my family photos on display, and there's no better way to do it than with a beautifully curated gallery wall. I've always used black and white photos with black frames to house them, but I'd love to switch it up a bit, perhaps add a little color. Here are several ideas that inspire me. 

Frame photos with pretty tape. This is possibly the easiest DIY ever.


Shelves of frames all stacked and crowded together looks random, yet so pretty. 


I love the idea of painting the clipboards before clipping the photos to them. 


Wire and hooks, hung against a contrasting wall, really allow the photos to stand out.


Making tiles with the photos turns them into little works of art. 


A frame this big delivers maximum impact. 

images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Monday

January 12, 2015



image via Instagram (@iamlisaprice)

Friday Favorites

January 9, 2015

It's been a rather emotional first week of the year. Besides my little girl going back to school after having her home with me for two weeks, her fish died, and there is nothing worse than telling a heartbroken five-year old that, no, her fish isn't coming back (and then telling her again several more times). And of course the brutal attacks that took place in Paris; it's hard to wrap my mind around such senseless violence (not that violence ever actually makes sense). My heart breaks for the families of the victims, for their friends, colleagues. Most of all, I'm sad for the intent behind this gruesome act--to replace freedom with fear. I pray you have a peaceful weekend. God bless!


The cutest little cake stands ever.


A sketch from Banksy in response to the devastating shootings in Paris.


Ballerinas dancing on rooftops; a reminder of what a beautiful place Paris will always be, no matter what.


DIY gem magnets for Valentine's Day.


Fascinating places to visit one day.
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