strawberry margaritas

strawberry_margaritas_1Yes, that is another margarita I whipped up. There is a perfectly legit reason why this time however...I have myself a new Vitamix.

You guys, the hype is real. I have never in my wildest dreams dreamt a blender so fabulous. It’s amazing I have ate anything solid since receiving it as now all I want to do is obliviate things in my Vitamix.

[A big “way to go” out to my man for scoring me one. Apparently if I ask for something on the blog I get it. Hmmm….]

strawberry_margaritas_2 strawberry_margaritas_3Now about this margarita. It’s basically as fabulous as the blender. Think summer, in a glass with a splash of tequila. It’s fresh, it’s bright, it’s everything you would want a margarita to be this time of year.

strawberry_margaritas_4 strawberry_margaritas_5I am going to repeat myself yet once again on how amazingly easy fresh margaritas are to make at home. [In other words, don’t buy that pre-made stuff.] If you see a recipe like this and think “I like mine frozen though” simply take the ice that would normally fill the glass, and zap it with your other margarita ingredients. Now that I have a Vitamix I can do that too!

Cheers to summer margaritas and kick butt blenders!

Brandy J

 

 

strawberry margaritas
 
Prep time
Total time
 
Author:
Serves: 2 large glasses
Ingredients
  • 1qt fresh strawberries, stems removed
  • ¼cup simple syrup or 2tbsp honey (sweetness to taste)
  • ½cup silver tequila
  • ¼cup triple sec
  • ½cup fresh lime juice
  • Lime wedges
  • Sea salt for rimming glasses (optional)
Instructions
  1. Place the strawberries, simple syrup, tequila, triple sec and lime juice in blender and blend on high until well combined and not chunk of berries remain.
  2. Use a lime wedge to rim 2 glasses and then dip in sea salt. Fill glasses with ice and then pour in the margarita. Cheers!

strawberry_margaritas_pin
Posted in cheers!, Cinco de Mayo, recipes | Tagged | 3 Comments

baby foot “deep exfoliation for feet” review

For months I had been seeing bloggers on snapchat slipping on these plastic booties and going on and on about this amazing product for rough feet. Having really dry feet myself, I was dying to try but would always forget about 5 seconds after I saw it. (Can a person direct link a product on snapchat? Is that a thing I don’t know about because I would totally dig that.) It must have been divine intervention the day my man came walking through the door with a present from one of his med spa clients. He told me that the lady said “your wife will love”…and she could not have been more right.

baby foot reviewHere is the thing about me…I am hard on my feet and they don’t like it. They retaliate by toughening themselves with calluses and cracks. Blah! I also genetically have a tendency to have dry hands and feet so that’s a double whammy for me. Drinking lots of water and using good lotions help tremendously. But nothing, and I mean nothing, has came close to what this product does.

So how does one use Baby Foot? The application is fairly simple. You place your clean, dry feet in the plastic booties that are pre-filled with magic dry skin attack gel and sit your butt down for an hour before removing them. Once removed you wash feet with mild soap and water, pat dry and then wait. For days. That’s right, I said days. It will take a few before you see the peeling and when you do you will be amazed.

Prepare to be grossed out by my peeling reptile feet…

baby foot reviewOh my gosh…grossest thing on this blog EVER!!!! Insert the monkey emoji with his hands over his eyes right now. I promise to never get this gross again. (At least I hope so.)

Here is the thing about the peeling (other than the holy crap factor). You absolutely are not suppose to peel it off with your fingers. It’s tempting. VERY VERY tempting. But don’t do it. The box says not to, I am not sure why, but if it says not to then I believe it. If you have zero willpower (not gonna name names, but I know who you are) I suggest you wear socks all the time and forget about your feet. It’s the only way.

As far as how long you will peel that really depends on how much dry skin there is. My feet were scaly for almost 2 weeks…but if you do not have much dry skin that may only last a week. What I was left with after 2 weeks blew my mind. Soft feet with no calluses and zero cracks on my heels. I really wish I would have taken a before picture…and kind of glad I didn’t because I have disgusted all of you enough already.

baby foot reviewPlease, I beg of you, if you try Baby Foot follow the directions. Also, if you have sensitive skin you may want to dip a q-tip in the gel and do a test spot first. I also know you are not to use if prego or nursing. You can find the full deets as well as other reviews here: Baby Foot.

To be clear I was given this product but not by Baby Foot themselves. [It was from my hot salesman husband.] I did however love this so much that I recommended it to friends already as well as sent one to my SIL who loves pedicures. So far all reports back are the same as mine. Baby Foot rules!

If you have tried Baby Foot please let us know how it worked for you!

Cheers to soft sandal-ready feet!

Brandy J

 

 

 

*This review is based on my personal experience with this product and not intended to represent every individual. As with all products, read the warnings and full directions before using. Brandy J Rammel nor www.prettyplainjanes.com are responsible for varying, damaging and/or negative results from this or any products featured on www.prettyplainjanes.com.

Posted in beauty, beauty product review | Tagged | 1 Comment

derby on the island 2016

The past weekend we put on our best, grab some hats and did what we do just about every first Saturday in May… Derby Day on Kelleys Island. This year the crowd was a little less than normal, due to Mother’s Day I am sure, but nonetheless there was beautiful weather and fun to be had.

derby_day_2016_2

Jettie has been all about this event since she could talk. The gloves, the hat, the dressy dress..it’s right up her alley. Bingham loves it all too, but he also likes to rub food all over his clothes and scream like a maniac when he doesn’t get to do something exactly the way he wants to do it. (Like being able to smear applesauce allover his dapper vest. Yes, I shutter at the thought.) Nonetheless, we had our hands full with Derby Bing this year. We did manage one family shot on the big girl camera though, and it’s all I needed.

derby_day_2016_3
What an amazing weekend with my most favorite people. They spoiled me rotten yesterday, which was not at all necessary because really, what more could I need than those 3 faces?

Next up..2 birthdays and a dance recital. Gosh I love May.

xoxo,

Brandy J

 

 

 

Posted in kentucky derby, personal, the rammels | Tagged | Leave a comment

strawberry mint juleps

strawberry mint julepWith the Derby and Mother’s Day falling on the same weekend I declare nothing but brunch food, mint juleps and mimosas for two days. As far as juleps go I’ve got you covered with this one. Light, fruity and sweet – not a “grow hair on your chest” sort of julep. Instead it’s for the lightweights like me, you know, the ones who prefer to spend Mother’s Day feeling delightful.

strawberry mint julep strawberry mint julepWhile I am no bourbon aficionado I do know you want to use good bourbon for a julep. My guess is whenever bourbon is to be consumed you always want to use the good stuff. The other is pig s#%t as my husband proclaims. “Might as well drink rubbing alcohol.”

strawberry mint julep strawberry mint julepHere’s to a wonderful weekend full of fun! Enjoy!

Cheers!

Brandy J

 

strawberry mint juleps
 
Prep time
Total time
 
Author:
Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • 1cup strawberries, stem removed, hulled and diced
  • ¼cup loosely packed mint leaves
  • ¼cup simple syrup
  • 3ozcup bourbon
  • club soda
Instructions
  1. Place strawberries, mint leaves and simple syrup in a small pitcher or large jar. Muddle with a mortar or back of a wooden spoon for a few minutes. You want to really break up the berries and mint. Add bourbon and stir.
  2. Fill 2 small glasses with crushed ice. Fill to about ¼" of the top of glass with bourbon mixture. Top off with a splash of club soda. Enjoy!

Strawberry Mint Juleps
Posted in cheers!, kentucky derby, recipes | Tagged | 2 Comments

mint julep truffles

mint julep trufflesThe derby is this weekend which means it’s time for hats, horses and mint juleps. For those of you who may not know, a mint julep is made up of mint, sugar and mostly bourbon. It is traditionally served in a gorgeous silver cup and packs a good ole Kentucky punch. I like them, especially when made with more sugar than normal, but admittedly they can be a tad strong for my taste.

These truffles though, they are the perfect balance of warm bourbon and sweet, yet fresh mint. You can eat more than one and not worry about tripping over your derby heels and losing your special hat.

mint julep trufflesIf there is one thing a mint julep is missing it would be chocolate. In fact any recipe sans chocolate could probably use some chocolate. Don’t you think?

mint julep truffles mint julep trufflesThese are best day of and obviously not kid friendly (although you could easily make a nonalcoholic batch). Sticky and I choked them down…the things we do for this blog.

mint julep truffles mint julep trufflesIf you are looking for something special to serve this weekend you will definitely win over everyone with these delightful little treats. You could even switch things up by dipping them in white chocolate…yum!

Enjoy!

Brandy J

 

 

mint julep truffles
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
mint julep truffles
Serves: 15 truffles
Ingredients
  • 4oz good dark chocolate coarsely chopped (use a bar not chips)
  • 3 to 4oz good milk chocolate coarsely chopped (use a bar not chips)
  • ½cup heavy cream
  • 2tbsp unsalted butter
  • ½tsp peppermint extract
  • 2tbsp bourbon
  • ⅓cup sugar
  • ¼cup lightly packed mint leaves
Instructions
  1. Put chocolates in a medium bowl and fill a large bowl with an ice bath. Put cream and butter in a small sauce pan and place on burner on high heat until boiling. Pour cream over the chocolate and place a large plate over bowl to cover completely. Allow to set for 3 minutes. Take plate off and stir chocolate with a spatula until completely melted and glossy.
  2. Add extract and bourbon to chocolate and stir until it comes together smooth. (Will separate a bit at first, keep stirring.) Place bowl in ice bath and stir with spatula until it begins to thicken. Pour chocolate mixture into a 2qt dish or 9" pie plate. Cover with plastic wrap and stick in fridge for at least 3 hours.
  3. Place sugar and mint leaves in food processor and pulse until leaves are minced finely. Place in airtight container in fridge until ready to use.
  4. Once chocolate has set for at least 3 hours, take about a tbsp of it (I used a mini ice cream scoop) and roll into a ball with hands and place on a plate. Repeat with remaining chocolate. Gloves help but are not necessary. Work fast because the chocolate melts quickly. Place plate of balls back in fridge for 15 minutes.
  5. When ready to serve, roll each ball in mint sugar and tap off excess. These are best ate day of. If you want to make ahead, stop right before the sugar coating. Balls can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days, covered. You can do that last step of the rolling the day you serve.

slightly adapted recipe from food network

mint julep truffles
Posted in cheers!, kentucky derby, recipes, something sweet | Tagged | Leave a comment