Pop of color on a snowy day

I love this photo by Anastasia Volkova.

A combination of beautiful colors on a snowy back drop.

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Myrtle Beach

My husband and I...along with family and friends are heading down to Myrtle Beach in 30 days!!! I'm super excited and cannot wait for the sand, sun, and waves hitting the shore...what are you looking forward to this summer?

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Orange Chocolate Cheesecake

I made this cake a few weeks back. I actually made two...

one for us and one for the in-laws. It was so good!

Before you begin - place the cream cheese out

to soften to room temperature. At least 30 min.

Ingredients:
Crust
- 1 1/2 c.  graham crackers
- 1/2 stick of butter
Topping
- 4 c. of mixed berries, such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.
- 1 Tb. confectioner's sugar
Filling
- 1 lb. softened cream cheese
- 1 Tb. powdered gelatin
- 3/4 lb. orange chocolate, broken into pieces
- 1 pint heavy cream

1. Lightly grease and line an 8-inch, round, loose-based cake pan with nonstick wax paper.

2. Place the graham crackers in a plastic bag and crush using a rolling pin, or use a food processor. Melt the butter in a medium-sized saucepan, and add the crushed graham crackers and min. Press the mixture into the bottom of the lined pan, then chillin the refrigerator for 20 min.

3. After the cream cheese has reached room temperature, place it in a bowl and beat until smooth. Set aside.

4. In a saucepan, bring a small about of water to a simmer to melt the gelatin & chocolate.

5. Pour 4 Tb. of water in a small bowl and sprinkle over the gelatin. Leave to stand for 5 min until spongy. Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and let dissolve, stirring occasionally. Set aside.

6. Melt the orange chocolate in a heat proof bowl set over the saucepan of simmering water, then leave to cool slightly.

7. Whip the cream until soft peaking form. Beat the gelatin and chocolate into cream cheese. Fold in the cream. Spoon into the pan and level the surface. Chill in the refrigerator for 4 hours to set.

8. Remove the cheesecake from the pan and place on a serving plate. Top with fruits, durst with confectioner's sugar and serve.

ENJOY!

Sunshine on a cloudy day...

Sadly the weather has turned again here in Buffalo. From sun, to wind, to rain...but I have some sunshine on my dining table today. A beautiful bouquet of Ranunculus.

I wanted so badly to have Ranunculus among my wedding flowers, but they are out of season in August. Ranunculus is an early spring flower and usually blooms between March and June. 

They come in so many different colors and are actually part of the buttercup family. I LOVE them and will try to keep them alive as long as possible. :)

Happy Spring!!!

Pretty Side French Braid

Hello everyone! Today I am bringing you to ...loveMaegan. She created this video tutorial for a pretty side french braid. It's so gorgeous! It is defiantly in my near future...and I'll show you all pictures after.

Here's the video below...

 

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Cranberry Walnut Muffins

 Cranberry Walnut Muffins - These are SO good...I would eat them ASAP, especially if they are warm!

Ingredients:

·         Nonstick cooking spray

·         1cup  all-purpose flour

·         1/2cup  white whole-wheat flour

·         1/4cup  quick-cooking rolled oats

·         2tsp.  baking powder

·         1/2tsp.  ground cinnamon or apple pie spice

·         1/4tsp.  salt

·         1egg, lightly beaten

·         3/4cup  fat-free milk

·         1/2cup  sugar

·         3Tbsp.  canola oil

·         1/3cup  craisins, coarsely chopped

·         1/4cup  walnuts, toasted and chopped

How to make them:


1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray twelve  muffin cups with nonstick spray or line with paper baking cups and set aside.

2. In a large bowl combine all-purpose and whole-wheat flour, oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. In a medium bowl combine egg, milk, sugar, and oil. Add egg mixture all at once to flour mixture and stir just until combined. Fold in the cranberries and toasted walnuts. Spoon into prepared muffin cups. Place a few extra walnuts and craisins on top.

3. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until tops are lightly browned and a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool muffins in pans for 5 minutes. Remove muffins from pans and serve warm.

Soft Waves

A friend of mine taught me how to do these soft curls many years ago...and I still love them! By the way...it was so hard to take pictures of my own hair during this process. :)

 What you'll need:

1. Heat protecting spray

2. Clips to keep hair pinned up

3. 1.5" barrel curling iron

4. Hair spray

How to do it:

Step 1: Spray hair with heat protecting spray

Step 2: Divide hair into 4 sections leave the bottom section down

we will work from the bottom up.

Step 3: Take about 1" pieces of hair - the larger the piece of hair, the looser the curl

Step 4: Wrap the piece of hair around the barrel and hold in place - do not clamp the hair, if you would like you can just clamp the end to keep it in place

...and so you don't burn your finger :)

Step 5: Continue curling the rest of the section.

Step 6: After each section, spray a LIGHT misting of hairspray and let it dry a few minutes before continuing to the next section.

Step 7: Continue to the next section and continue steps 3-6. 

Step 8: If you would like you can break up the curls with your fingers, or just leave them as they are. I pinned my bangs up, but it will look just as nice with bangs down...spray with a misting of hairspray...and there  you have it! :)

Valentine's Dinner

I know it's a little late, but I just came across these pictures. For Valentine's day my husband and I decided to stay in for dinner. I made dessert which included red velvet cupcakes and chocolate covered strawberries. My husband came home from work with a bouquet of flowers and then made dinner for the two of us. Dinner included grilled brussel sprouts and stuffed chicken breasts with homemade marinara over pasta...So good! Thanks honey! I love you!

DIY Coasters

Here's a DIY from Design*Sponge...nice and colorful for Spring!

Materials

• Wood log (or you can purchase pre-made cut pieces)
• Paint
• Clear fast-drying waterproof sealant
• Paintbrushes
• Carbon paper or tracing paper to make your own carbon paper
• Pencil and ballpoint pen
• Computer and printer
• Tape
• Miter saw and sandpaper (if not purchasing pre-made stump pieces)

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Instructions

1. Print out images to the size of your wood.

2. If you did not purchase your log pieces, cut 1/2″ to 3/4″ thick rings out of your wood log.  Sand surfaces until smooth.

3. Cut out paper design circles and a carbon paper circle the same size. If you can’t find carbon paper, you can make your own with tracing paper and pencil lead. Instructions here.

4. Tape both layers on top of the wood, with the carbon paper facing the wood and the design facing up, and use a ballpoint pen to trace design.

5. After the design is lightly lined, paint all shapes in with a thin layer of white paint.

6. Then paint on top with your choice of colors!

7. Seal with a quick-drying clear sealant.

8. And TA-DA!! New coasters!

EmersonMade

Hello everyone...I would like to introduce you all to EmersonMade...a husband and wife team that create beautiful clothing! I love the style and follow their line continually, and every so often they have a $500 giveaway that I always try to sign up for. :) Check out their shop...here are a few of my favorite pieces!

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Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is my dad's birthday...but even though I am so far away from him...I will always remember how great of a dad I have. For everything he has done for me, for all the times he has been there for me, and all the love he has shown me...I thank him for all of it! I love you daddy! Have a very happy birthday and God Bless You!

View of the trees

Check out this home in Portland, OR...this home took about 7 years to build, but was worth the wait. The retro interior defiantly works with the unique exterior...wouldn't mine living here! :)

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J.Crew

I'm in LOVE with this J.Crew skirt...but my size and the yellow color is no longer available. :( Time for a search!

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Maiden Braids

Today's hair style {Maiden Braids} was inspired by Elsie of A Beautiful Mess.

You can find the How To on her site as well...

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STEP 1: Part your hair down the middle.

STEP 2: Braid two braids on each side of your hair. From the crown to right behind the ear. Temporarily secure them with a single bobby pin.

STEP 3: Wrap the braids at the crown of your head an secure with single bobby pin.

STEP 4: After you get the braids arranged so they looks sort of like a headband, continue securing the braids with bobby pins, trying to hide them so they are not visible.

STEP 5: Pull the remaining hair back into a messy bun, ponytail, or even just down. Secure with bobby pins, lightly mist with hairspray.

And there you have it...gorgeous Greek inspired maiden braids. If you have a chance to do this or any hairstyle, send me a picture...I would love to see and share all the looks.

Note: This hairstyle works better on longer and/or thicker hair. If you have short hair, the braids will not cross over the crown of your head...Sorry :(