Nutella Cookies

Hey there! Here's a super quick, easy & yummy recipe for you...

...with one of my favorite things, Nutella!!

1 cup Nutella

½ cup Sugar

3/4 cup All-purpose Flour

1 whole Egg

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Blend all ingedients together well.

Form into 1″ balls.

Place on a cookie sheet.

Press down firmly with the bottom of a glass.

Bake 7-8 minutes or until set.

Cool.

Enjoy.

original recipe here (I used slightly less flour)

Happy Birthday - Beach Style!

Hello again!

This card was in serious need of posting. I made it a while back but it's the perfect card for such amazing weather Florida has been having (sorry Non-Florida residents)

I'm ready to kick my feet up, have a fruity drink and soak up the rays...but I have to go to work!

Hope you all have a Happy Monday!

recipe:

paper: stampin up su and papertrey ink pti (sorry don't remember the colors)

stamps: papertrey ink - soak up the sun; random michael's dollar store happy birthday

ink: papertrey ink pti; archival ink - sepia

die cut: sizzix/stampin up butterflies

misc: kaiser pearls; stickles

Look Ma! No Ink!

Warning: No ink was used on this card!

(lol)

For real though, I have this set of "die cuts" that I got from Michael's Craft Store a while back which included the big flower in the back, the "yeah yeah wow" and the "thinking of you" card. And of course, you can't forget the Martha Stewart doily: one of my most recent crafting staples. Team this up with some butterfly die cuts and some bling and you're good to go! No ink necessary!

So anyway, sorry if the picture is small, but this was taken on my phone at my office! How could I have forgotten to take pictures of my card?! Ooops :/

Please leave a link to your website! I love inspiration and seeing how others layer their cards/layouts!!

Hope you enjoy!

recipe

paper: papertrey ink pti - terracotta tile & stamping up su - dusty durango

ink: NONE!

die cuts: misc from michaels; sizzix big butterflies; martha stewart doily tags

bling: kaiser and misc from michaels

Wedding Wishes - Lattice

Hi Friends!

WOW! My twitter feed said it has been 54 days since I posted. So, I am asking your forgiveness in telling you that I will be posting a card once per week this entire week! (Hopefully you haven't forgotten all about me and that you still care about my cards!)

So, without further adieu...

I've been really wanting to get into my craft room for a while...I've been avoiding it because it's such a disaster area in there! Seriously, what a mess!

I finally tidied everything up in there the other week and made some (what I think) super cute cards!

This one I did most recently for a friend at my work. One of her husband's family members is getting married and I think I put her in shock when I blurted out "I'll make you a wedding card!!" lol. I was desperate to create something fabulous :D

So, the pressure was on at that point...I never like to disappoint my friends with anything I make, especially when they are giving it to someone else! EEK! I'm really pleased with how this came out though....and don't you just LOVE the lattice die cut? Ya. Me too :)

I'm also a big fan of this color combo. And I forgot how much I love embossing (I impressed myself because as much as I love embossing...I suck at it. But I was determined to make it absolutely perfect.)

I hope you enjoy this post and all the posts this week! Thank you again for coming back to see my after so long :) I truly appreciate each and every one of you!!

recipe

paper: papertrey ink pti - smokey shadow; random yellow shimmer paper from michael's

ink: versamark

die cut: sizzix lattice die cut & big butterflies; sizzlits lots of tags - stampin up su

embossing: silver

misc: kaiser craft bling; tulle from local craft store

Get Your Heart On!

You're Absolutely Fabulous...No Seriously, You Are!

Hello Fabulous!

Quick and easy post for a quick and easy card...

...you can really make it for an occasion.

Or any color combination (you know me and my Hawaiian Shores. LOVE.)

(isn't the inside of the card cute, too!?!)

Create [Something] Fabulous Today!

recipe:

paper: papertrey (pti) in hawaiian shores and rustic cream

ink: papertrey (pti) in hawaiian shores and smokey shadow

stamps: stampin up (su) aviary and absolutely fabulous

die cut: sizzix lots of tags

misc: bling; stampin up (su) 3-dimensionals

I Found It!!

YYYYEEEEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHH!!

Katy Perry's Black Shatter nail polish by OPI

SOLD OUT in both Ulta's in my city and everywhere online was selling it for $20+ (ridiculous and worth every penny).

However, after over an hour of searching online, I finally found it for the normal retail price of $8.50 here. HA. Take that Amazon.

...the only crappy thing is having to wait 5-7 business days to receive it

...why haven't we invented a way to mix online shopping and instant gratification??!

I'm mixing mine with this awesome shade: The One That Got Away

(also in the Katy Perry OPI line)

I know it's weird...but I've seriously been thinking about this nail polish for days.

And soon I will have it! Be sure to check out the link below!

Black Shatter how-to here

Hope you love it as much as I do!!

Pearl Earrings

Now that I have your attention..

Go Here: Diary of a Jeweler

To win these:

Aren't they pretty?! Seriously though...this is a good friend of mine's new blog. He's extremely knowledgeable and is a GIA certified gemologist. Big Time. His goal for this blog is to inform and to give confidence to a younger subset of customers who would otherwise be intimidated walking into a jewelry store.

Blog him, facebook him, tweet him - get the word out...and get a chance to win these awesome pearl earrings :)

Here's the website again: www.amirchokr.com

amazing photography by my other good friend, Naomi Chokr (his wife)...a fabulous duo they are

www.naomichokr.com

**by the way blog friends, sorry I've been absent! Happy New Year lol

I'll be back soon :*

Recipe: Corn and Crab Chowder

OMG 2 posts in one day?

I just had to post this recipe immediately

...because it was so freaking good and everyone needs to try it!

Hubby and I were watching Rachael Ray yesterday (it was the only thing on in the afternoon) and she was making this Corn and Crab Chowder which my husband was drooling over.

So today I decided to make it for him, and DAMN it was delicious. I guess Rachael Ray knows what she's doing ;)

For the original recipe, go here. For my slightly altered recipe, see below!

(I noted my additions/alterations with an *asterisk)

Oh, and this isn't a low-fat meal...it calls for whole milk :)

Enjoy!!

1 tablespoon *extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons butter

2 potatoes, peeled and diced

2 ribs celery, chopped

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

*2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 small red bell pepper, seeded and diced

*2 bay leaves, *dried

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning blend, found near seafood department, or on spice aisle at the grocery store

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups *chicken broth

1 quart whole milk

3 cups corn kernels, scraped fresh from the cob (*you'll need 5-6 cobs. I only had four and had to add some frozen)

8 ounces cooked lump crab meat – fresh is available in plastic tubs at many fish counters (*make sure to feel through it to make sure there aren't any bits of shell)

Heat a deep pot over moderate heat. Add vegetable oil or EVOO, about one turn of the pan, and butter (*what the hell is "about one turn of the pan? I have to clue either...I just let the butter completely melt before moving on to the next step).

As you chop your veggies, add them to the pot: potatoes, celery, onion and red bell pepper (*and garlic). Then add the bay leaf. Season vegetables with salt and pepper and Old Bay seasoning.
Sauté veggies five minutes, then sprinkle in flour. Cook with flour for two minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in broth and combine. Stir in milk and combine. Bring soup up to a bubble. Add corn and crab meat and simmer soup, about five minutes.

Adjust the soup seasonings and remove the bay leaf (*I added a mix of thyme, oregano and a few other spices I had in the kitchen...along with a bit more Old Bay and s&p).

*I served it with some buttered French bread. I also saw Rachael add a puffed pastry to the top of hers which looked really nice, but I couldn't find any in the store)

To finish off the night, my husband made us some Peppermint Hot Chocolate :)

Have a delightful night!!

List of Fours

Hey all!!

I was tagged by Jessi at The Juici Life. I love reading about this crazy girls "misadventures" about fulfilling her bucket list and her "Thirsty Thursdays" for some delish drink ideas!

List of Fours

1. Four shows that you watch:
~ Bravo...Housewives, Top Chef
~ World of Jenks
~ Pawn Stars, American Pickers
~ What Not to Wear, Project Runway, anything Style Network

2. Four things you are passionate about:
~ My hubby
~ My family
~ My wonderful friends
~ Finding time to craft!

3. Four words/phrases you say a lot:
~ The awful "F" word is my favorite...(Jessi, I left this as-is, lol)
~ Woop Woop!!
~ Ummm Yeah
~ Anything from Napolean Dynamite (GOSH!)

4. Four things you've learned from the past:
~ All you need is love

~ Patience is a virtue
~ Don't sweat the small stuff
~ Live life to the fullest!

5. Four places you would like to go:
~ Italy
~ Fiji
~ Sweden
~ Australia

6. Four things you did yesterday:

~ 1 ornament on the Christmas tree
~ Spent way too much time putting in my Bumpit

~ 6 coats of glitter nail polish
~ Partied at my company Christmas Party

7. Four things you are looking forward to:
~ A clean house

~ Finishing the tree and putting up decorations
~ Christmas, New Years and Hubby's birthday!
~ Family and friends visiting!

8. Four things you love about Winter:
~ Peppermint Mocha and candy canes
~ Leaving the Christmas tree lights up all day long
~ Opening the windows and doors
~ CUTE BOOTS!

9. Tag 4 people to play along:
Naomi at Naomi's Space
Liszha at Liszha's Scrappy World
Paulina at Pretty Pink Posh
Ayana at Ayana's Creations

Happy New Baby - Girl!

Hey there! Sorry I've been MIA...just got back from a cruise a few days ago ;) Jealous? Me too! I'd love to be back on that cruise ship!

This design was borrowed from another blogger (sorry I don't know who!!) but I put a little twist on it with the doily (love)

My friend asked for "minimal pink" but I just couldn't do it. I love hot pink. And I'm sure the new baby will, too!

Hope you all have a wonderful night!

the good stuff

paper: papertrey ink (pti) bitty dots; doily from michaels

ink: papertrey ink (pti) raspberry fizz

circle punch, corner chomper, sizzix big butterflies die cut

ribbon: stampin up (su)

kaiser craft pearl

random button

(side note: the paper in the back is dear lizzy for american crafts)

Obsessed: Pomegranates

Hello. My name is Julie. I'm addicted to pomegranates.

Well, I don't think it's something that I need to go to a 7-step program for, but they are delicious. and really great for you.

To be honest with you, this is a recent obsession. Pomegranates are an intimidating fruit...I've never really known the best way to cut into them, so I never bought them. They are lumpy and have a weird nub at the top and I didn't know what could and shouldn't be eaten.

So here's a little "how to" care of one of my new favorite blogs for healthy eating - Gina's Skinny Recipes

How To Open A Pomegranate

Step One



Step Two
Remove the top. This easily comes right off.


Step Three
Once you remove the top you will see sections of the pomegranate divided by white membrane, score along those edges and the pomegranate will open up like a flower and all the arils will easily come out.


Step Four
Enjoy!!

Now that you know how to open a pomegranate correctly...here are some wonderful looking recipes. Hopefully I'll get to try them soon and let you know how they are!!!

Spiced Pears and Pomegranate

allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 3 pears - peeled, cored and cut into wedges
• 1 pomegranate, skin and light-colored membrane removed
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped almonds (optional)
• 4 sprigs fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Place the sliced pears and pomegranate seeds into a bowl. Toss with lemon juice to coat. Combine the brown sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon in a small cup or bowl, then mix into the fruit. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to blend the flavors. Serve in individual dishes, and garnish with a sprinkling of chopped almonds and a sprig of mint.

-------------

Pomegranate Pancakes

via Peanut Butter Fingers

Ingredients:

• 1 c. all purpose flour
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 c. POM Wonderful pomegranate cranberry or pomegranate juice
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp. vegetable oil

Directions:

• Combine flour through baking soda in a bowl
• Whisk together pomegranate juice, egg and oil
• Pour pomegranate mixture into the bowl with the four mixture and beat until combined
• Spray griddle or pan with non-stick cooking spray
• Pour batter onto pan in individual pancakes, flipping after approximately 2 minutes
• Cook until batter is set
• Top with syrup, powdered sugar, fruit or desired toppings

-------------------

Spicy Pumpkin Soup

via Pinch My Salt

long recipe - see above hyperlink :)

-------------------

Mango-Pear Sushi with Pomegranate Blueberry Wasabi

care of Gluten-Free Hippie

This looks really fun...and it might actually be a wasabi I can handle!! (maybe lol)

-------------------

Chocolate Covered Pomegranate Seeds (yes, please!)

via UrbanVegan.net

step by step recipe (see hyperlink)

-------------------

Pomegranate Martini via Gina's Skinny Recipes

Pomegranate Martini
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 1 • Serving Size: 4 oz • Calories: 124 • Points: 2 ww points

• 3 oz Pom Wonderful pomegranate juice
• 1 oz citrus infused vodka
• crushed ice
• lemon or lime twist

Super chill the glass, shake well with crushed ice and add a twist of lemon or lime for a killer drink.

------------------

Pomosa (twist on the traditional Mimosa)

allrecipes.com - no pic, sorry!

• 1/2 cup brut Champagne
• 2 tablespoons bottled pomegranate juice
• 1 teaspoon pomegranate seeds (optional)

And last, but not least, you can always check out the POM Wonderful website for great recipes/ideas :)

Happy eating...and drinking!!

**all pictures are taken from blogs/websites that have all been referenced with the appropriate recipe :p

Vintage Sweet Pea - Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday Brett!!!

the good stuff

paper: stampin up (su) crushed curry; papertrey ink (pti) hawaiian shores; vellum

stamps: papertrey ink year of flowers - sweet pea, mega mixed messages and text background

ink: staz on; papertrey ink chai; archival ink sepia

ribbon: PrarieBirdBoutique from Etsy

misc: michaels button; basic grey bling; twine; white pen; platinum stickles

cuts: martha stewart royal butterfly; papertrey ink eyelet border; corner chomper

side note: to get the light white effect on the sweet peas, I colored on the back side of the vellum with the white pen...less chance for smudging this way too :)

My New Favorite Kitchen Gadget...and Butternut Squash Soup!!

I've been wanting one of these bad boys for a while now. I have a blender, yes, but this is so much more convenient, less "clunky" and ...prettier.

Yes, pretty is important when it comes to things I put in my kitchen. So which color did I choose? All 5! Just kidding, it was a really difficult decision but after almost leaving Sur la table (love) with the navy one, my friend convinced me that the Pomegranate Immersion Blender would be best as it matches all of my other appliances. Thanks Erin :)

Since today was a bit chilly (windows open, bundled up in sweaters, scarves and long socks) in Florida...so it was about 68 degrees, lol, but that's cold for me, I decided to make some Butternut Squash Soup for the hubs and I.

The recipe was passed along to me from Erin (same shopping buddy) who I'm sure got it from Cooking Light, as she does with most of her recipes.

So here it is...I hope you enjoy as much as my husband and I did. And if you don't have one of these hand blenders yet, no worries, you can use your blender :)

Butternut Squash Soup:

1 1/2 tablespoon butter

1/2 medium onion, diced

2 cloves garlic

2 springs fresh thyme (I used dried)

1/2 to 3/4 butternut squash - peeled, seeded and cut into 1 inch cubes

4 cups chicken stock (or chicken broth)

1 pinch ground cumin

salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat, cook the onion,

garlic and thyme in the hot butter until the onion has softened (about

five minutes). Add the squash and chicken stock, bring to a simmer

and cook until the squash is tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Season with

cumin, salt and pepper and remove from heat.

2. Pour the soup into a blender, filling the blender no more than

halfway. Hold the lid of the blender in place with a kitchen towel

and carefully start the blender using a few quick pulses to get the

soup moving before leaving it on to puree. Puree in batches until all

is smooth and pour into a serving bowl. Or, you can use a stick

blender and puree the soup right in the pot. Puree until completely smooth.

Check back in soon for some more tasty soup recipes using my new favorite kitchen gadget :)

Enjoy!

"Skinny" Pumpkin Cream Cheese Recipe

picture care of SkinnyTaste.com

Quick post...I found this delicious recipe via Everything Yellow who found the recipe here.

I also recommend a toasted cinnamon raisin bagel to accompany this spread. Deeee-lish.

Enjoy!!

Recipe: Spaghetti Squash, Homemade Sauce and Mozzarella Stuffed Turkey Meatballs!

Oh how I love fall...

Our local grocery store is carrying lovely gourds and squash(es?) and we're finally getting weather that isn't 80+ degrees and humid here in Florida.

To welcome the new season a couple weeks ago, I decided to cook up some spaghetti and meatballs. But not the traditional kind. Say hello to "spaghetti squash"...

It's a healthier alternative to regular spaghetti and pretty easy to make.

I combined a couple different recipes for cooking the squash and homemade sauce and the Mozzarella Stuffed Turkey Meatballs.

And it was so good...my husband has never that kind of squash before and I made him a believer :)

He thought it was a little over-ambitious but it really didn't take that long to

make, surprisingly.

(He knows how frustrated I can get when I cook) :)

While the squash was cooking (for about an hour and a half, I started making the sauce, which then cooked itself for about an hour and then I started on the meatballs...worked out perfectly!!)

If the meatballs get a little overcooked (as mine did...cooked them a smidge too long), don't worry, just let them steam in the sauce and they will juice back up!

This makes a ton of leftovers (if you're cooking for two) so keep that in mind...

Also, if you try this and love it (or have suggestions on improvement) please let me know!! If you become a believer of spaghetti squash too and you need another recipe, go here! Courtesy of one of my sweet new blog friends Jessi :)

Enjoy!!

Sunday, Sundae, Sunday!

I just have to say, I have never, ever seen Macadamia ice cream in Florida...and it was at our local grocery store, Publix. Besides having a fantastic weekend with my husband, this was the cherry on top!

On our honeymoon (over 2 years ago) in Kauai, Hawaii, we experienced the Hula Pie.

It was a-ma-zing.

When we got back home, I searched and searched for Macadamia ice cream. I never found any. Until NOW! I love Publix!

Unfortunately, it's a limited edition...so who knows how long it will be around, but I do know that I will be enjoying a few extra sundaes for a while ;)

Enjoy!

Best Ever...Bruschetta!

(In my opinion, anyway!)

For anyone that really knows me...I am not confident in the kitchen. It gives me anxiety having to cook: having the proper portions for the number of people I'm cooking for, correctly measuring each ingredient, and the possibility of screwing up and having to throw all of my hard work (and all of that food) in the trash.

I envy my husband, for many reasons. Especially his calm demeanor and his ability to throw any random ingredient with another and create a culinary masterpiece. Quite frankly though, sometimes it really pisses me off ;)

Anyway, through another recipe I tried (gone wrong) and buying too much at the grocery store, I found my new love for fresh mozzarella balls!

I had some leftover tonight...along with some tomatoes and I thought I would attempt my first ever bruschetta. I looked online for a few recipes, and the only one that really caught my eye was this one. Um, the bad thing? NO MEASUREMENTS! eeeeek! So, I grew some mozzarella balls (ha) and decided to wing it. I went to the grocery store and picked up a French Baguette and some fresh basil.

A little side note...the only other time I've used a broiler pan was last week, haha, I didn't even know what it was before that. Yeah.

Ok so here's the good stuff (serving for 8 pieces)

3/4 pint/package of grape tomatoes (diced)

4 sprigs of fresh basil

1 shallot (minced)

small package of fresh mozzarella balls (diced)

salt

pepper

Mix the above ingredients in a bowl, stick in fridge while you preheat the oven to a high broil. (tip: make sure while broiling that you leave the oven door open a smidge - found out through another cooking catastrophe).

French Baguette

Olive Oil (EVOO)

Broiler Pan

Cut the French baguette into thin-medium slices at a diagonal. I cut 8 pieces and there was still a good amount of the loaf left.

Drizzle with EVOO lightly. Broil in oven for about 5 minutes (?) or until just "tanned". I'm sure you can also do this in a toaster over. You want it to be crispy, but not burned.

Take out of the oven and put on your serving tray. Drizzle with some more EVOO and put a little bit of salt over it while still warm.

Dish out your mixture on each of the baguette slices and serve. Voila.

Seriously...this is the best bruschetta I've ever had (not to be cocky) but it's amazing. My husband even high-fived me after he ate it. LOL.

If you try out my recipe, please let me know...I'd love to hear what you think!

Oh -- Almost forgot the most important part!! WINE! I paired mine with a super cheap, but delicious, Chardonnay from my beloved Total Wine. It's called Double Dog Dare (and I think that it was 3.99). Bargain!

Thanks for stopping by and good luck in the kitchen!

Hugs and Love,

J

Circle Circus - Birthday Wishes

Hello 4 day weekend....!!!

Have a fabulous (and safe) Labor Day :)

...and a very happy birthday to Stephanie!

the good stuff:

paper: papertrey ink (pti) new leaf; white cardstock

ink: papertrey ink (pti): hawaiian shores and simply chartreuse; brillance - white

stamps: papertrey ink (pti) butterfly wishes (sentiment) and stampin up (su!) circle circus

misc: pti button; kaiser and basic grey bling / pearls; prima - flower centers

punch: stampin up circle scallop

Happy Sunday!

Happy Sunday!

How will you celebrate?