Gametime Salsa!

Miche, this one's in your honor! Okay, honestly, it is crazy how EASY this recipe is and it's crazy how many people ask for it. It really is so good! Again, I take NO credit for it. One of my bffs in college was from State College, where Penn State is located. So we would go over to her parent's house and have home cooked meals every once in a while. Her mom always had the best recipes. Here is her super easy salsa! I hope you can make it and try it!

Ingredients:
1 jar of store bought salsa
(I have several times just pulled out whatever I have in the fridge)
1 chopped red onion
1 can of black beans (rinsed and drained)
1 sm bag of frozen corn
fresh cilantro
'lil bit of lime juice
& sometimes I chop up fresh garlic & throw it in

Mix everything 2gether! One thing to note - leave the corn frozen. This actually helps keep the salsa chilled and ready to serve, even if it's a new jar that has been in the pantry. You probably won't use the whole bag, considering how much salsa you are making, try it and see if it needs more! I use a lot of Cilantro, but again, we love it. SO EASY! And yummy. Special thanks to Katie's mama for hosting us through college and feeding us!

I'm always about simple. I love, love LOVE Sandra Lee's Semi-Homemade show and recipes. Who has time to slave in the kitchen?! Not me! In case you need some other quick dip ideas, here ya go!

~ Sour Cream & Onion dip - I know this one is pretty much known about everywhere, but it's still funny how popular it is and how GOOD it is. Buy dry Onion Soup Mix (I use Lipton) and mix the package w/a 16oz container of sour cream. EASY! The guys love it.

~ Pick up a bottle of raspberry chipotle sauce and pour it over a block of cream cheese and serve with club crackers. Can't get easier than that!

Phew, my next post should probably be about exercising. Ha! HAVE FUN THIS WEEKEND!!

Does anyone actually watch the game or just the COMMERCIALS? I think the commercials are their way to get us ladies involved! We'll have to reconvene on Monday and share our faves. :o)

XOXO,

Dips and drinks for Superbowl!

First off, I have to mention that I went back to my old design - a few friends of mine said they liked it better. :o)

Super Bowl Sunday is this weekend! All this talk of hosting for the big event, but now we're going out of town to Baltimore! Ha. So one of our neighbors is hosting instead. I feel badly, but hey, things happen. I will still make these yummy things and bring them over, because any excuse to make and eat food I jump all over. I loveee dips. I think a "dip party" is one of the best ideas ever. Mmmm, yummy. Here's one to start off with!

I absolutely LOVE guacamole. I have tried several recipes and honestly, this one doesn't seem like anything super fancy, but I have found this recipe to be the best and people love it! I don't take ANY credit for it; it was given to me by a friend. If you can't read the ingredients above, they are:

7 avocados (soft), 1 small red onion (chopped), 1 small tomato (chopped), 1 fresh lime, fresh cilantro - I use a lot, but we love cilantro! Start small and then add more. 1 tsp ground cumin, garlic powder (to taste - or fresh garlic), salt (to taste)

Remove the avocado pits and mash (I use a potato masher) the avocado in a bowl. Add all of the ingredients above leaving the salt, garlic powder and paprika at the end - it depends on how much you like each flavor, but I like to have a LOT! I usually start with half of the lime (microwave it for a few seconds and it's easier to squeeze) and then add more after I taste it. I almost always end up using the whole lime. Play around with it! I hope this is a good base. If you live near Philly feel free to invite me over to sample it. Mmmm.

Okay, I've been on a hunt for fun drinks to have that are Superbowl themed and here's what I'm going with. I found these at the about website, great site. For the Pittsburgh Steelers' theme (my hubby has been a Steelers fan his whole life, so you can see how big of a deal this year is!) it's called a Black & Gold. It features Blavod vodka, which is appropriately black in color, and goldschlager, which tastes like cinnamon and has gold flakes floating around in it. So pretty!

Black & Gold
2 oz Blavod vodka
1 oz Goldschlager

Pour the Blavod into a glass/cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake it really well. Strain it into a cocktail glass and top it with the Goldschlager. Voila!

Next up is the Cardinal's theme drink - it's called the Cardinal Cocktail. Mmmm, this one looks delish and you make it with red wine. Sign me up! You add some creme de cassis to the wine which is a sweet liqueur made from French blackcurrants.

Cardinal Cocktail
1 oz creme de cassis
red wine

Pour the creme de cassis in a wine glass filled with ice and then fill the rest of the glass with wine. So easy! And pretty.

Next, more dips!

XOXO,

Interrupting our normally scheduled program for the Honesty Scrap!

Yay! Thank you to lovely Ashley for tagging me.

Here's how it goes:

#1: Choose a minimum of 7 (or perhaps 5, see below) spectacular blogs that you can't live without and pass this goodie on to them
#2: Post the "chosen ones" on your blog in link form AND
#3: List 10 honest things about yourself

So, without further 'ado...

1. Starting off with a bang here – I went to clown school when I was seven. It was a two-week summer course where we learned how to put on our own clown makeup, make balloon animals, do magic tricks, etc. I spent a small amount of my childhood aspiring to be a clown named Bubblegum. This is entirely true and my husband gets a huge kick out of it. Ha! Okay, moving on…

2. I could get lost in a cardboard box. I have NO sense of direction and really the only reason I make it home every night is because I hit the “Go Home” button on my GPS. LOVE that thing!

3. I’m obsessed with macaroni & cheese and can count on two hands the number of times I’ve had a whole box in one sitting, all by myself. That’s just bad.

4. I moved my stuff into our first apt the week before our wedding and hid half of my shoes under the bed and in a bag in the guest bedroom closet. I didn’t want Robbie to really know how many I had because I thought he would think I was nuts. He has since then found out and still loves me.

5. I was sent to the principal’s office and received detention in the 6th grade for this trick we used to do: you take a pencil and rub the lead around the outside of a quarter and then give it to someone and tell them to rub the quarter up and down their nose really fast and they’ll start smelling chocolate. They end up with a huge pencil stripe down their nose. Funny stuff. Detention for THAT? Come on!

6. When I was six I stole sunglass lenses from a grocery store. There was a bucket of plastic sunglasses and a lot of the lenses had fallen out. I have no idea what I thought I was going to do with the lenses, but I thought they were cool and took them. My mom found them when we got home and I lied about where they came from – she knew better. We drove all the way back to the store and I had to admit my crime to the GM and apologize.

7. I have a plant that I always forget to water. I freak out a little bit that it means I won’t be a very good mother. But it’s a plant! I mean, really.

8. I spent a good year of my life as a child convinced that I had TMJ/lockjaw. It was right after I got my tetanus shot which my dad explained to me was so if I stepped on a rusty nail I wouldn’t get this thing called lockjaw, etc. Well I stepped on a rake in the yard and knew that was the end of it. I would constantly run to my mom terrified saying that I couldn’t open my mouth - she of course would then point out that if I was speaking to her then obviously my mouth was working fine. She’s a smart woman, my mother.

9. I think Chicago is one of the most amazing cities in the world. It’s beautiful, clean, full of young adults and yes, it’s bitter in the winter, but ‘Chicago in the Spring’ more than makes up for it. I lived there after college and would have stayed forever if my honey-husband hadn’t whisked me off my feet earlier and convinced me to come back.

10. I am hooked on the show, The Secret Life of the American Teenager.

Okay, so apparently this honest scrap has been floating around a bit because everyone I wanted to tag has already done it recently! I've been on this blog for a week now (1 week anniversary is today, woo hoo!) so this was quite hard to pick. I'm cheating and only picking 5. :o) Hope you'll forgive me!

Michelle ~ The Ardent Adventurer

Jennifer ~ The Pink Chick

Jill ~ Darby Love

Anna ~ Sassy and Classy Southern Mrs.

Tabitha ~ Just Tabitha

XOXO,

I consider this a semi-post.

I have so much I want to share, ah! This weekend is Super Bowl Sunday and I want to share all of my dip recipes and game-time cocktail concoctions that I'm planning to use. My hubby is asking politely that I take time out from my little Macbook and come join him, soooo, I will start the posting festivities tomorrow. What do you think of the new layout? I really didn't love my previous one and was going through a 'bit of a Blogger identity crisis. Hope you like this one! Who knows, it may change again in a week. OH, before I go, I have to say a HUGE thank you to those who have commented on my posts this past week and a HUGE thank you to those who started following. I signed on today and had 3 new followers! It's a huge boost to my blogging self-esteem and feels a-mazing. Thanks, friends. :o)

Okay, have a happy night and if you're anywhere near me, good luck with the snow! Oh, and I know the rules: no pictures=boring post....so here's a wedding pic of my honey and I that I had on the old blog. :o)

XOXO,

Shoes & Greek Yogurt. Both are yummy.

I loveee shoes. There are a slew of designer shoes out there that I adore and will take a little detour at the mall to stop and admire. These are not the shoes that occupy my closet - oh how I wish they were. But they are oh-so-pretty and tickle-me-pink every time I look at them. I look at it like this: these little designer beauties are the queens of stiletto-land, and it is my duty to search every kingdom for the perfect, most suitable match at more than half the cost. A challenge indeed! But one that is quite necessary to save our bank account. Anyways, sometimes I find some really great look-alikes and sometimes they are mediocre. Regardless, I will start sharing them with you!

Christian Louboutin Platform Mary Jane Slingbacks - $895.00

Promiscuous line featured on Zappos, design is called "Sweetie" - On Sale for $61.95

Next up is my new breakfast FAVE. Here is the background story: I have been searching for a healthy, quick breakfast idea that is suitable for my need to eat on the run a lot. I am NOT a morning person. AT ALL. So something that can be made ahead of time and easily grabbed on the way out, is key. I love yogurt but hate all of the sugar that is added. On our way to church Sunday we stopped at Starbucks so I could get a peppermint tea (I am on a huge kick right now) and while we were there I asked for a yogurt parfait. The woman said they only had a "Greek" one left, which was fine with me, so we paid and were on our way. Oh my goodness. DELISH! This I have known - Greek yogurt has double the protein and 1/2 the sugar and sodium of regular yogurt, but it still never occured to me to incorporate this in a healthy alternative for a breakfast meal. It's thicker than normal yogurt and the consistency is quite pleasant. Sooo, I went to the store and bought the ingredients and made it. And it was again, DELISH! I'm not on my personal computer so this won't be on a fancy recipe card. :o)

Stir together oats, coconut, wheat germ and sesame seeds (really, put in it what ever you want..pumpkin seeds, dried fruit, etc.), stir in a little maple syrup if you want and then bake it at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes. The night before, have your Greek yogurt on hand (which can be bought at any health food store plus most of the regular g-stores, ask your grocer what they have), and then the next morning pour in some honey, the yogurt and your granola and GO! I ate mine in the car today. :o)

French toast w/1000+ calories so you KNOW it has to be GOOD.

Saturday mornings in our house are spent in the kitchen cooking up something DELICIOUS and FAR from the normal health conscious recipes. I do have a slew of recipes I have acquired that I'm dying to share that don't fatten you up, but tomorrow is Saturday and therefore those recipes will have to wait. My hubby-hunny eats what I give him and never complains - probably partially because he knows what's coming on Saturday, ha. Anyways! We're going to my nieces gymnastics recital early tomorrow and therefore will be skimping out a little bit, but this is what I had planned on making. I found this recipe a while back at Epicurious (a website dedicated to those who like to eat, I visit it frequently) and can't get through reading the recipe without salivating. It was taken from Bon Appetit magazine - December issue of '06. I will constantly be sharing recipes, and in return I hope you share with me! I can never get enough! Next Saturday we are having a bunch of people over and I already have the perfect thing to make that I can't wait to post next Friday. It will be part of next week's blog theme dedicated to Super Bowl parties. Woo Hoo! Can't wait. One more thing before I get going, Valentine's Day is on a Saturday this year! The hunt is on for the PERFECT V-Day, Saturday Breakfast recipe!

K, here we go...

In case you can't read the ingredients above:
2 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
2 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water
2 large ripe bananas, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch-think rounds
1 1-pound unsliced loaf egg bread, ends trimmed, bread cut into 6 slices (each about 1 1/2 inches thick)
2 cups milk (They say not to use low fat! It's up to you!)
6 large eggs
2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 extract vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced almonds, toasted
1/4 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1/4 cup quick-cooking oats
2 tablespoons all purpose flour

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons water and stir until sugar dissolves. Continue stirring until mixture is foamy, about 2 minutes. Add bananas; cook until tender, stirring occasionaly, about 5 minutes. Transfer to small bowl; cool. (Can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Cover and chill.)

Preheat oven to 350'F. Using small sharp knife, cut 2-inch-long slit in 1 side of each bread slice, cutting 3/4 of way through bread and creating pocket that leaves 3 sides of bread intact. Divide banana mixture equally among pockets in bread. Whisk milk, eggs, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, vanilla and 1/2 cup sugar in large bowl to blend. Pour into large glass baking dish. Place bread in egg mixture; let soak 10 minutes, turning occasionally.

Place almonds in shallow bowl. Carefully remove bread from egg mixture and coat both sides with almonds. Place bread on heavy large baking sheet. Mix brown sugar, oats, flour and remaining 2 teaspoons cinnamon in medium bowl. Add remaining 1/4 cup butter and rub in, using fingertips, until moist clumps form. Sprinkle topping over bread.

Bake French toast until topping is golden brown and filling is hot, about 25 minutes. Transfer toast to plates. Serve hot with maple syrup.

** Recipe card above was made using Whimsical Romance at digitalcandy.

Have an amazing Saturday Breakfast, whatever it may be! Bon Appetit!

XOXO,

Newlywed with a bathroom basket.

I am a little long winded in this post. Just want you to know.

First of all, I would like to point out that this is my THIRD post today. I need to pause here for emphasis - BIG DEAL! Also a little obsessive. But, those who followed my previous personal blog (all three of you) know that three blog posts in one day is unheard of. That’s how motivated I am!! I’m fired up! I can also say this won't be happening again. Ha.

Now, before I get into my bathroom basket bit (which isn’t supposed to be talked about until tomorrow, but I just watched Grey’s Anatomy and am feeling inspired - by the way, the image above has nothing to do with this post except for this very comment about watching one of the greatest shows on earth, it's just that everyone knows no one reads a blog without pictures), I would like to throw something out there that has been prevalent on my mind lately. Just when, exactly, is “newly-wed” status over? My hubs knows about this little blog endeavor of mine and was asking me about it tonight at dinner. I said it was oh-so-fab and proceeded to say that part of me feels a little funny writing about the things that, yes I am passionate about, but at the same time am so NEW at. We then went into a discussion about whether or not we are still considered newlyweds. In case you are wondering what we came up with: WE ARE DEFINITELY NEWLYWEDS. But we have been married over a year! September 29, 2007 to be exact. And I know some people consider us past the newlywed stage. Here is my point: if Nick and Jessica went into a SECOND season of NEWLYWEDS, then I think up until year 2 it is quite okay to call yourself a “newlywed” - although, we all know how that ended! Not really a life or death topic, but I find it comforting to know that we are still, in fact, newlyweds. BUT, with that being said, I know the most important thing is how we feel. And, while trying desperately to not sound inappropriate, I still feel like a newlywed! I honestly believe that 25 years from now, I will look at my groom and still feel the same feelings I do now, in our “newlywed” state.

Okay, moving on...

Ladies (and gents - don’t mean to discriminate!), did you have a “bathroom basket” at your wedding? Even if you didn’t, I’m sure you considered it or know what I’m talking about. A basket full of the “necessities” one tends to need in the bathroom (there is even a whole company dedicated to bathroom baskets for weddings!). One of my fave hosting tips shared with me that I want to share with you, is to bring it to your home! If this is nothing new to you, then forgive me, but this is just one of those things I deem brilliant! The pic above is the one I have in our guest-bathroom. Even if people don’t admit to it being a life saver, I see just how many things are “missing” after each guests leaves. I like to think that the things I provide always are, indeed, “necessities” that save the day. Over the past year I have done a LOT of traveling. I have been extremely blessed to have traveled to some amazing hotels and exotic locations with my previous job. I would, without fail, at every single hotel, COURTEOUSLY bring home the shampoos/conditioners/lotions/mouthwashes that were provided for me at my sink every morning. I have a whole bag full under my guest-bathroom sink to re-stock with. It does sound a little funny now that I am admitting this, BUT, moving along - I always lay these things out in my basket and add new toothbrushes, men and women’s razors, q-tips, different hair products, emery boards, etc. It’s such a success! Now, I talk a LOT about my mother. When you have a mom like mine, she is talked about a lot because she is SO AMAZING. But this idea came from another amazing woman, my husband’s mom. My mother-in-law brought up three sons, God bless her. And when she had the opportunity to have an amazing (ahem) woman in the house, she would leave out a basket in the guest-bathroom full of the afore mentioned things. I’m not sure if it’s something she just always dreamt of doing, considering there wasn’t much expectation for cleanliness when she always hosted and raised boys, but in any event, it stuck with me and I have made it a point to do the same ever since I’ve had my own home. Okay, I've worn out the topic by now. The gyst: it's a nice thing to have and it doesn't cost much - just buy an extra of what you already buy for yourself in the bathroom! And if I am the only person who thinks this is something so exciting and worth writing about, then my goodness, invite me over so I can pamper myself in your bathroom! :o)

XOXO,

Mmmm. I'm obsessed.

I absolutely love hosting. I love having the opportunity to welcome people into our home. I always strive to make our home warm, inviting and fun. Hopefully the company we have over thinks I'm succesful! There are a few things I have picked up from my amazing mom, mother-in-law and friends that I always make sure to have on hand or do before my guests arrive. And because my husband and I tend to host on a whim, I try to make sure these things are always covered, just in case. I want to share these things with you! For today, it's all about the aroma.

If you aren't familiar with him yet, I would like to introduce you to Henri Bendel. One of my dearest friends, Christine, gave me one of his candles that she bought from his NYC boutique over a year ago. It smelled so good without even lighting it, that I was scared to burn it. And it sat on my nightstand for a good month. And when I finally gave in...OH. MY. GOODNESS. our home has never been the same. And truthfully, there is not ONE candle of Henri Bendel's that doesn't smell amazing. A few of my all time favorites are Amber, Fig, Vanilla Woods, Pomegranate and FIREWOOD! Yes, there is a scent called firewood and it is heavenly. It smells like the most amazing men's cologne you have ever smelled before. When my husband has his friends over to watch football or do anything manly, this one is always out and burning. Ladies, I am telling you, these candles are amazing. And here's the best part...they are now selling Bendel's candles at Bath and Body Works! And they go on sale, A LOT. And it's during these types of sales that I get myself into the most trouble. But really, you can never have too many candles. I always have a candle in each bathroom and bedroom, one in the family room, one in the kitchen and one in the foyer for when you walk into the door. I will even light ALL of them at the same time. Because these candles don't hurt your nostrils or give you a headache, my husband doesn't mind them at all. They have more scents than the ones shown above. Take a look at his website to see the collection - and don't be scared by the price there ($30.00), because at B&BW they are $26.00 and remember: they go on sale a lot! Tomorrow, it's all about the "bathroom basket" - a necessity in my opinion when hosting. :o)

XOXO,

My own little wonderland.

Welcome to my little wonderland, my little world of pink! I am so excited to get this thing going. I have so many passions in life and most of them fall under the creative category. I adore anything whimsical and fun. By my own definition, these are the things that tickle my senses and fuel my hungry imagination. I enjoy and can never get enough of all things creative, domestic and fashionable. One of the best things I ever did was meet the man of my dreams, get married, and become his wife. I LOVE IT! And I love what comes with it. I love finding every opportunity imaginable to throw a get-together. I love taking time out to make a yummy treat for a friend or the neighbors. I love hunting for that perfect accent piece to “complete” my decorative ensemble. I put “complete” in quotations because in reality, I hope it is never complete! I love searching! And, of course, I love love LOVE anything that has to do with shoes. You will find them on every charm bracelet I own, in the books on my coffee table, in my closet, under my bed and always in my head. Shoes are like a hobby to me. My husband plays golf and waterpolo – I buy shoes. Like every hobby, this one too requires love, time and attention.

Before I dive in, I feel I need to almost add a disclaimer. I am a terrible writer! I am excellent at writing poems and tales of nonsense, but it when comes down to the meaty grammatical stuff, I am a complete owner of the run-on sentence AND too often make up my own words and sayings. My family and husband actually have a name for this: Anna-isms. I blame my brain, because it runs too quickly for my mouth and fingers to keep up with. Please just keep this in mind. The virtual world can be scary. Especially if the virtual world is a pool of English teachers.

Okay, my pink reading friends, here we go! The remainder of this week will be a little hodgepodge of things I find fun and that tickle me pink. Ha! I wonder how many times I’ll use that expression. And next week, ooooh how I’m excited for next week – it’s time to get ready for SUPER BOWL PARTIES!!! Which means we get to dig out the best dip recipes, the best appetizers for a hungry crowd and the best personal touches for the football-crazy party-goers. It’s ‘gonna be fun!