I'm So Fancy

Have you ever read the term "poached" and thought that whatever that means it must be too hard for the average chef to tackle?? I had a man impress me with that term once when he made me dinner for the first time. Let me help you here. It means to boil it. That's it. That is all. I prefer all American deserts most of the time, and the really crazy fancy stuff is something I am not comfortable with. I like a good cookie. A Pie. Cakes in every possible flavor. Hello... brownies anyone? Learning to recreate these more upscale recipes has been super fun. Until I have to eat them all. It's like me and the dog, and he's not getting any.

Here are your ingredients. Makes enough for six. 

Remove the skin and pits of the peaches. Cut into quarters. Take 2 cups Riesling wine, 1/3 cup sugar, and 2 tsp vanilla extract in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add peaches and cherries, then reduce the heat to a simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the peaches and cherries are as tender as you like them. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fruit to bowls. Let the liquid reduce to 3/4 a cup. Pour this mixture over the cherries and let chill for 24 hours before serving.

I made homemade whipped cream using 2 cups heaving whipping cream and a little sugar. Using a hand mixer on high until it was thick enough to stand on its own and little peaks formed.

Somebody hand me a spoon.

Soft and Sweet

If putting food all over your face makes you feel like your involved in some sort of awkward middle school prank, then this idea is not for you. If you are someone like me who doesn't feel like you can take the time or money out of your budget to go to a fancy salon and get a facial then this IS for you. There is nothing more soothing than a cool moisturizing face mask. I have talked about those a couple times on this blog, but they cost and you have to wait if you order them online. This is a simple and cost effective way to get the same result and it is all natural. So much better for your skin.

Take 1 cup plain yogurt and 1 cup honey (mine looks like this because I was keeping it in the refrigerator) and mix well.

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Slather all over your face and leave on for 20 minutes.

 I don't wear foundation anywhere except my nose and chin and a little around my eyes to even out the redness in those areas. I did use the beauty filter on my phone to mute out the INSANE amount of freckles my Irish mother gave me. Other than that, and a little makeup and lipstick, this is me on a regular day and this process, along with the lemon/sugar scrub, made my face feel as soft as cashmere without the cost. 

What I've Been Crushing On

{99 cents of POW}

{I could have crawled inside one of these}

{Night games any time anywhere}

{Soft pretzels WITH MUSTARD}

{Beautiful places right where you live}

Sitting Pretty

Rompers were very popular this past summer, My immediate reaction to them was that rompers are for little girls. It has to be impossible to go to the restroom wearing one. There is no way they can ever some off sophisticated. Well I ate my words (or thoughts as it were). I would be remiss if I did not admit to having picked up a couple on sale here and there. This one is pretty special in that it is strapless, which is difficult to pull off being small busted, but I'd like to think I did it some justice. Pair that with the beautiful scenery at the Whetstone Rose Garden, and you have got yourself a whole lot of pretty all in one place. Not only was this great all dressed up, but I loaned it to someone special and it looks just as great with just flip flops and a great tan. 

Earrings are from Charming Charlies but were a dead ringer for JCrew ones I had missed out on a couple seasons ago. The romper is from Windsor. The espadrilles are JCrew I have had forever. Clutch is Herschel Supply. Sunnies are Lauren Conrad for Kohls.

This One is On Me

After my father passed away we were allowed to take some things as keepsakes. I took a handkerchief and the beanie he wore when he would shovel snow, and a ring he had tucked away that I don't even remember him wearing. My step mom took me downstairs and asked if I wanted some of the liquor he had accumulated over the years from people as gifts and so on and of course I figured at some point I could us it for guests or parties etc. I picked up a bar cart and began gathering all the essentials, and then it sat there FOR LIKE EVER. I had to purchase books and teach myself how to make a drink. The hard part I think is on those days you're by yourself and you don't want to open an entire bottle of wine, nor do you feel like filling up on beer. You just want something to calm your nerves, or maybe loosen you up after a very hard day. Who doesn't like margaritas? I mean they are the go to cocktail for somebody like me who loves Mexican food. I didn't want to invest in a bottle of mix. I wanted to learn how to make one for myself and be able to dazzle someone else with my bar tending skills. If my father were here I am quite certain he would delight in my new found hobby as he was the Dad who NEVER let me even cut the damn grass let alone make him a drink. 

Here are your ingredients. I used a jigger to measure out the amounts for this recipe.

Mix in a shaker over ice 2 jiggers tequila, 1 jigger gin, 1 jigger fresh lime juice, 1 tsp agave nectar and a lime wheel just for funzies. Pour over ice.

For a sweeter version use sweetened lime juice instead of fresh.

   

Is it Friday yet???

What I've Been Crushing On

{Pretty cloud movement}

{Flowers from my girls}

{Fried bologna - my father's favorite}

{Cold beer on a hot day}

{My growing collection of graphic tees}

We All Scream

So Columbus is famous for Jeni's, I am crazy over Rita's frozen custard, and everybody loves Dairy Queen. I steer away from Dairy Queen because well EVERYBODY goes there. Jeni's is still great but it's now a national chain so....yea. Rita's is a national chain also BUT IT'S CUSTARD AND GELATO.  I wanted to tap into another ice cream place like Honey Hut from back home. The small business owner speaks to me. I want to support their quest for success in any small way I can. Westerville has the best little ice cream shop that is as close to what I had back home as could be possible. Their flavors are rich, creamy and delicious. Everything is homemade just like the sign says. But only for a limited time, because they are a seasonal business, so if you want to sample some of the BEST sweet summer treats anywhere around, make a trip to Knights Ice Cream, and get a scoop of summer before we fall in to winter. 

Color Me Happy

Where heels can make you feel more confident, color can change your mood. In my home decor I love neutrals with just a little touch of color here and there. It calms me. It feels soothing. After a hard day at work I love how coming home makes me feel. Putting on this tunic makes me feel happy. All the beautiful colors and patterns lift my spirits. Wearing it is like wearing a piece of art. In fact, when I got home I usually will change into sweats or something more casual, but I kept this on. I look forward to pairing it with jeans and booties come this fall because why not feel this way all year long.

Tunic is Anthropologie but they may no longer have this one. Shoes are Vera Wang. Clutch is JCrew. Sunnies are Target. Earrings are JCrew. The smile is all me.