Happy NYE!

2012, lets reflect shall we? I'm not usually one to want to look back on the "past" but rather than just wish it away just yet, I thought I would utilize this post to reflect back on the amazing things that happened in 2012, only to preempt myself to what wonderful things could become of 2013!

Reflections~
1.) I got to vacation!
2.) I got to spend time with my family this year who traveled from far and wide.
3.) I realize what friendship means to me. Finally!
4.) I gave birth to the most beautiful baby boy in the world!!!! -sure I'm bias! ;-)
5.) I maintained my health, happiness, and most importantly I gained more love in my heart and my home for my Darling Husband, Sweet Baby Boy, and gifted Border Collie.

This short but sweet list only makes me so grateful to have all that I do and makes me so thankful for all that is to come in our bright future of 2013!
Toasting to all my valuable readers and supporters out there, thank you for being apart of my blog. So much love to you all. May 2013 bring all that warms your heart and soul, and all the glamours your world!
Cheers! <3 Amy

Holiday Nails

I wanted to add some fun flair to my nails for this holiday season but, I wasn't so tickled with Grinch Green and Peppermint Candy Red. So I went for a more glamorous effect! I chose OPI - Samoan Sand as my base and Essie - Set in Stone to add some sparkle to my tips!

Here are some tips to getting the most perfect nails:
Trim them short and smooth.
Make sure your nails are clean of any lotions before painting.
Paint 2 Coats of nude polish to get good coverage.
Allow ample dry time between coats.
Lastly, make sure when your nails are finished to keep those hands supple with a good hand lotion!

Upload photos to my Facebook page of your holiday nails! I want to see them!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! <3

The Day Look

Keeping your daily make up look simple and clean is always a good idea. Especially when you are busy with work, being a stay at home Mommy like myself, or just being busy during the holidays!

Here is my simple day look for a fresh face with some of my favorite products and brands!

What you need:
-Tinted moisturizer
-Under Eye Concealer
-Loose Powder
-Bronzer (optional) adds a little glow
-Peach Blush
-Cream Colored Eyeshadow
-Brown eyeliner
-Mascara
-Clear Mascara to tame brows
-Lip Balm

The list may seem long but it's really the basics for a fresh face. It also will set the canvas to switch to an evening look!

Lash Love

My love for luscious long lashes will never fade as I'm always searching for the best and favorite mascara. When I went shopping recently for my favorite Benefit go to's they were out! "Minor panic!" So I tried a new kind! I welcomed Tarte Cosmetics Gifted Amazonian Clay Mascara into my love for lashes. Much to my surprise, I'm in love with this!!!!!! I heart Tarte for their natural eco products, no animal testing, and adorable packaging. This mascara is a perfectly balanced formula with a more matte finish. The wand is ideal for creating length and a double coat adds thickness. I like to curl lashes first to separate the hairs, then apply mascara.
I'm in lash heaven!! Yes the photo I took is of my own lashes after 2 coats of Gifted! I'd say this would be a great gift this holiday season! ;-)

<3 from my lashes to yours!

Autumn Munch

Sweet and Salty are my favorite when it comes to a dessert, or....sometimes a snack! Oops!
I ran across this yummy treat idea and had to make it for my husband and family! So simple, festive, and did I mention incredibly addictive?!?! Its unbelievably delicious!

Here is what ya do!

Grab a large bag of White Chocolate Morsels (24oz)
1 Bag of candy corn (about 2 cups)
2 cups of pretzel sticks (break the up a bit)

Line a baking sheet with wax paper

Melt White Chocolate over a double boiler or by directions on back in the Microwave.
Pour into large bowl and combine with candy corn and pretzels. Reserve some to top for decoration.
Once combined gently, pour over wax paper and even into a thick layer.
Decorate with reserved candy corn and pretzels.
Place baking sheet in fridge or freezer for about 1 hour until chocolate is firm.
Remove and break into desired sized pieces

I placed mine in treat bags and tied with colored string for gifts! So simple and absolutely delicious! 

My Caramel Apple Spice

Fall is one of my favorite times of year if I haven't told you already! I love going to Starbucks for the famous Caramel Apple Spice as they call it and I seem to slurp it down in minutes flat! One day while pinning on Pinterest (OBSESSED!) I found a photo similar to mine above for the recipe for the Caramel Apple Spice! However, much to my disappointment the link had been removed so I was left to experiment myself...

My darling husband took the wheel on this one and combined Apple Juice, with a pinch of cinnamon and cloves in a pot and heated over the stove. Once it was heated through, we poured it into mugs and drizzled caramel syrup into the mug. Delicious!!! My afterthought was we should have topped it off with a bit of whipped cream and THEN drizzled caramel syrup on top...Next time!!
Until then, enjoy making your very own Caramel Apple Spice!

T-Shirt Bag

So, my husband was cleaning out the closet and had a few old T's he didn't want anymore so I quickly snagged them up and attempted the T-shirt Bag! I think it turned out pretty cool! Its super easy, no sewing required and fun to toss anything into and go! Wish I would have done this sooner to use as a pool or beach bag but for now, baby essentials will get stowed in it! Here is what I did:

1.) Trim off with scissors the sleeves, neckline, and bottom of the T at the seams. I like to make the neckline into a V-cut, it looks better once the bag is done.

2.) Next, cut 5'' strips up the bottom of the T all the way across the bottom about a rulers width apart. Be sure to snip the side seam to get open strips.

3.) Now, hold the T with one hand on the table and pull down on each strip to stretch them out so they coil up.

4.) Lastly, tie double square knots all along the bottom of the T with the strips you made. I start on one side and go half way, then switch to the opposite side to finish it out.

5.) And, waa-laa!!! You have your T-Shirt Bag!! I'm sure there are endless possibilities with this patten and any shirt. Have fun!

When Life Gives You Ripe Bananas...

Make Banana Crumb Muffins! With these last few hot summer days, I seem to have trouble keeping bananas from going ripe too quickly. So, I turned to my trusty muffin recipe from Allrecipes.com and made Banana Crumb Muffins! These are divine!!!! I swear you will want to eat the batter alone!

A few changes/additions I made:
-I use whole wheat flour instead
-Add a dash of cinnamon and a dash of nutmeg to the batter

The crumble topping is completely irresistible!! Enjoy!!

The Precise Pony

Wow its been awhile since I've done a post but I'm happy to announce that my husband and I have welcomed our new baby boy into the world on June 23rd! So, I've been a busy new mommy but always thinking about the newest and  greatest as well!

Falling forward into thinking about fall trends, I've stumbled upon the greatest, simplest hair style,...The Precise Pony! Its looking to be the hottest trend on the Runways for big name designers for this Fall 2012.

I've chose a few of my favorite images from Google to show you what inspires me for this coming season. I will try to post a picture of my own soon to show you how much I love this style as its suitable for any adventure, meeting, outing, playground, date, etc!!

Some celebs in here too that I think got it right! ;-)

Dress to the Maxi!

One of my favorite go to pieces already and for this summer season is, "The Maxi Dress"! I love a Maxi's comfort, versatility, ability to flatter any body type, and the wide variety of colors and prints they come in.

To add or change up a Maxi:

• Add a belt to cinch in the waist to create more shape.
• Add a blazer for a more sophisticated look and a snappy necklace.
• Add a cardigan for the cooler evenings out or when you don't feel like exposing those shoulders.
• Dress it up with some espadrilles or heels.
• Dress it down and pair it with flip flops and a floppy hat and head to the beach!

The possibilities are endless with the combinations you can do with a Maxi Dress! Here are some of my favorite styles below however, I must add the I have had incredible luck finding lots of great Maxi's at my local TJMaxx! Check those discount stores! I've seen adorable designer styles for prices you just can't pass up!


Jessica Simpson Maxi at Zappos.com. SALE!
 

Old Navy Maxi in Almond Butter. SALE! Bargain Buy!!

Target Maxi in Blue/Multi.

Shop to the Max!! :)

Shape up with fruit!

As I'm nearing the end of my pregnancy, lets just say food had become pretty important to me!!!
So, why not make it even more fun and appealing even when its the healthiest!
We have a BBQ today and I was in charge of bringing the watermelon so I used cookie cutters to cut it into bite-able fun shapes! See how I did it below! Can't wait to see what else I can do with other fruits and veggies!

Slice the watermelon into large disks and grab the cookie cutters!

Punch out your shapes, making sure you get all the way through the watermelon slice.

Wa-laa!! Edible shapes!!

Chill for a little while in the fridge and serve! Yummy!!!

Greek Layer Dip

Cream Cheese, Hummus, Veggies, Spices? Yes please!!! My Mother in Law found this awesome recipe for a 7-Layer Greek Dip and I loved it so much I requested she make it at my Birthday this year. It is simple, delicious and can be modified completely to you liking. While I like Greek flare I don't always love every ingredient such as Feta. My husband doesn't love cucumbers so I only put them on half of the dish. The recipe I mimicked was from the fantastic site Our Best Bites! Find the recipe HERE.

Here is how I assembled my Greek Layer Dip! Not sure how many layers I ended up with but it was AAAAHHH-MAZING!!!!!!

1-8oz Pkg. of Cream Cheese (softened)
1 tsp. dill weed
2-cloves of minced garlic (add more or less depending on your liking)
2 tsp. lemon juice
1.5c hummus (I used regular but sprinkled a little Mrs. Dash seasoning on top of the hummus layer)
1c seeded, diced tomatoes (I used cherry tomatoes, they are a little sweeter)
.5c Kalamata olives
2 stalks shopped green onions

I love to eat this with pita chips, crunchy flat bread, and celery. I'll be honest, it was my lunch today!!! It's so addicting! Enjoy!! Let me know how you alter yours!

Sending food love your way! <3 <3 <3 <3

Caprese Salad

Spring is here and summer is just around the corner!! With all these fresh ingredients in the produce section I've been inspired to make salads of all sorts of variations!
Behold- The Caprese Salad! A simple salad from the region of Campania, Italy usually served as an appetizer. However, this day, it was my lunch! Delicious, healthy, filling, and satisfying. Try it and serve it as an appetizer, side dish, or a simple lunch salad. Here is how I made mine:

Amy's Caprese Salad


1 Ripe (firm) Tomato
Fresh Mozzarella
Fresh Arugula
Fresh Basil leaves
Olive Oil
Good Balsamic Vinegar

Slice tomato and mozzarella into even slices. Wash and pat dry arugula and basil leaves.
Next begin stacking the salad starting with a tomato slice, then mozzarella slice, top with arugula and a few pieces of chopped basil.
Drizzle with a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Repeat stacking until all layers are built. Top with arugula and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic. Salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy a little taste of Italy!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

For some of us, its that rainy time of year where spring tells us moisture is needed to bloom beautiful trees and flowers. Where I live beautiful tulips of all colors of the rainbow bloom and cherry blossom trees brighten up the town!

Here are some of my go-to favorites for being functional yet fashionable during this rainy time of year!

Rain Boots:

1.) Steve Madden Tsunamii Rain Boots. $89.95. These boots are my all time favorite boot ever!! I bought these last year and I think I have worn them for every season. The colorful zipper up the back of the boot are so stylish and functional. Makes getting them on and off easy. They are durable and always keep my feet dry. I added a fleece liner in them during the colder winter months. Great buy!

2.) Sperry Top-Sider Pelican Boot. $55.99 On SALE! These are adorably-chic boots and with the name Sperry attached they are sure to keep your feet dry. They also are a good all weather boot with a moisture wicking fleece liner built in. I adore all the different colors of this boot.

3.) Women's Polka Dot Rain Boots - Target. $29.99. This boot has a mid-calf height and comes in a slew of different patterns and colors so if matching is your thing, you are sure to find one to fit your style to a T! I would recommend getting the fleece liner for this boot as I found it to be not as flexible as the others so add some comfort to the already cute style.

Umbrellas: 

1.) Futai Smart Brelli Red and White Dot - Target. $26.99. This is the perfect example of function and style. This umbrella is just so adorably cute I can't stand it!!! :-) Loving a Polka Dot this season for sure!

2.) Vera Bradly Unbrella - Zappos. $36.00. Timeless and chic is what this umbrella says to me. A pop of color with a cute sophisticated print. Available in a variety of colors and prints!

Have fun splishing and splashing this season while lookin' good doing it!! ;-)

Fashion Star

Official Fashion Star Logo

The recently launched NBC show Fashion Star has not only gained my fashion appeal approval but seems to be gaining popularity quickly. Fashion Star has been a fascinating way to display apparel, a talented designer, and lack drama of other reality type shows - BONUS!! The show is based on launching the careers of talented designers from all over the US.

Each week host model Elle Macpherson, celebrity designers Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie, and one of my favorite legendary menswear designers John Varvatos, critique each designers collection. The collections are then presented in a final fashion show reveling the product to buyers from H&M, Saks Fifth Ave, and Macy's. Each designer that is presented with an offer by one of the buyers, immediately debuts their collection and is available for purchase to the public the very next day after the show!! Talk about instant gratification for aspiring shoppers! You can go directly to the store locations or shop right online to purchase the winners of the night.

Here are some of my favorite collections and designers from the show. If you are ever interested in buying the designs you see, shop QUICKLY! All the designs seem to sell out by the time I get to the site! It would be fun to have a one of a kind piece!

Kara Laricks - She seems to show a diverse era of Women's wear with a masculine twist. During week one she designed these collar pieces some with ties attached and I loved it!! Her recent shift dress and tuxedo pants have also been major hits in my book! Check out her designs at Saks HERE!

Nzimiro Oputa -  Nzimiro's menswear shorts he designed last night were awesome! I would totally have bought them for my husband but like I said before, they sell out quickly! Check out this designs at H&M HERE!

Ross Bennett - Although Ross has struggled a bit through the competition, I adored the cuffed pleated satin shorts he designed last night! I really want these shorts in the Floral print. See his designs at Macy's HERE!

Orly Shani - This week she designed an fun and sophisticated scoop neck jersey dress. Her dress was presented in 3 fabulous colors with a color block belt. The orange is for sale at Saks HERE! This is a must have piece I think in every closet. Very versatile and fun!

Check out the show and let me know what you think! NBC - Tuesdays 10pm/9c.

Maple Glazed Doughnuts

 
When my sister and I were younger, my Dad would make us delicious simple doughnuts on the weekends which we LOVED. So, this past weekend, I introduced them to my husband for our Sunday morning breakfast.
These doughnuts are so simple but so tasty you will want to make them again and again!! They are romantic enough for two or fun for the kids and the whole family!

Ingredients:

• 1 can of biscuits. (I prefer the non-flaky ones as they will hold together better.)
• Canola Oil or other baking oil. Quantity: Enough to fill your pan with 1'' of oil.
• 4 Tablespoons of Powdered Sugar
• 2-3 Tablespoons of Maple Syrup
• 1 teaspoon of milk 

To Make Doughnuts:

•  Add oil to a large sauce pan or deep skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Not too hot to create smoking or popping, just to get the oil hot. 
• Simply open the package of biscuits and separate out on a flat surface. Take a small circular object, I used the large end of a piping tip. Anything to create that hole in the middle of your doughnuts. 
•  Pierce a hole through each biscuit saving the round hole part as well. 

 

• Test the oil temp by dropping in a doughnut hole. If it starts to sizzle and bake, the oil is ready. If not, may need to turn up the heat a little.
• Next, drop a few doughnuts in at a time into the oil but allow space for them to move around. Fry on each side, flipping half way through for 2-3 minutes each side until a golden color is achieved.

•  Remove from oil and place doughnuts on paper towels to cool slightly.

•  Continue until all doughnuts and doughnut holes are cooked.
• For the glaze: In a bowl combine, Powdered Sugar, Maple Syrup, and milk until creamy smooth glaze is achieved. If needed, add more maple syrup and milk for thinner texture OR more powdered sugar for a thicker texture.

 

• Lastly, glaze each doughnut and set on a wire rack to cool and for glaze to set up. Serve immediately. 

Alas! Enjoy a deliciously sweet simple doughnut! Mmmmmm