crop and graphic

August 26, 2013

stripes_floral_6When crop tops hit the news as a fashion trend for Spring/Summer 2013 I immediately put them in the “I’m too old for that” category.  Skinny jeans and a midriff bearing top – yeah, I’ll pass.  But like most things I think I will never wear they began to grow on me.  Knowing only a sliver of skin shows with a high-waisted skirt or pant makes them way less scary.  The variety of fits is impressive as well – from skin tight to loose and flowy.  If you would have told me I would mix stripe with floral which included a crop top I probably would have laughed.  But that’s what is so fabulous about fashion.  It never fails to make us feel good in the unexpected.

stripes_floral_5 stripes_floral_3 stripes_floral_4 stripes_floral_1 stripes_floral_2|WEARING| striped crop top similar/floral skirt similar/chevron bracelet similar/black hobo similar/peep toe wedges similar

brandyjsig

 

 

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coconut margarita

August 23, 2013

coconut_margaritas_2You know that scene in the movie Practical Magic where Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman dance around the kitchen drinking margaritas with their aunts?  “She put de lime in de coconut, she drank dem bot up”.  It’s impossible to make this drink and not have that song going through your head (especially now that I have mentioned it).  If only I had hair to my hips, looked great in braided pigtails and had magical powers.  Scratch that – if only I looked like as good dancing in my jammies as Nicole and Sandra do.  Drink enough of these and magically I’m sure I will (at least in my coconut margarita mind).

coconut_margaritas_3Yes I put the very fancy Grand Marnier with the ever not so fancy Sauza tequila.  And I am not going to lie and tell you that Sauza is just as good as Patron (I do have taste buds after all).  But when you’re feeling thrifty like I was Sauza will do.

coconut_margaritas_5 coconut_margaritas_4

Coconut Margarita
 
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Ingredients
  • 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup freshly squeezed lime juice, plus 2 tablespoons for glasses (about 5 limes)
  • ½ cup sweetened condensed milk plus ½ teaspoon of coconut extract (or ½ cup Coco Lopez or cream of coconut)
  • ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons tequila
  • ¼ cup Cointreau or other orange liqueur
  • 2 cups of ice
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss coconut with the salt. Spread on sheet; toast in oven, stirring frequently, until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool, then crush with your hands until crumbly.
  2. Pour 2 tablespoons lime juice into a shallow dish. Place coconut mixture in another dish. Dip rims of two cocktail glasses in lime juice, then in coconut mixture, coating well.
  3. Combine remaining ingredients with 2 cups ice in a blender; puree until smooth. Divide evenly between prepared glasses, and serve immediately.

recipe adapted from Martha Stewart

coconut_margaritas_1

Oh how I wish I was on a boat, beach or deck overlooking the water somewhere enjoying this incredible cocktail.  Jammie dancing in my kitchen will have to do for now.

Cheers!

brandyjsig

Posted in cheers!, Cinco de Mayo, recipes | Tagged | 11 Comments

a weekend away

August 22, 2013

If you live in the midwest (or maybe even if you don’t), chances are you have heard or seen one of Tim Allen’s Pure Michigan commercials.  His smooth voice tells you a story of how magnificent each little town is, and three minutes later you are left with one more name on your list of places you would like to visit.  (Or is that just me?  Oh Tim,  you get me every time.)

Josh and I won’t be taking a “honeymoon” per say, due to the itty bitty vacation we took to Hawaii earlier this year- but we would love to take a “mini honeymoon” and get away for the weekend sometime this fall.  I’ve got Michigan in mind, but am not sure where exactly.  (According to Tim, we really can’t go wrong.)

mini_honeymoon

1. Traverse City, MI How beautiful is this place?  Chateau Chantal is a gorgeous winery on Old Mission Peninsula in Northern Michigan.

2. Grand Rapids, MI  Located a bit more south, this would be a shorter drive and the city boasts that it is filled with breweries, exhibits and festivals.

3. Cincinnati, OH  Another option is to head back to Cincinnati, where we got married.  There are a few things down there we would love to do, like visit the Newport Aquarium!

4. Manistee, MI  Manistee supposedly has some of the best waterways, and the foilage in the fall is suppose to be incredible.

Clearly, we need your help friends!  Do you know of a great weekend-destination located close to northwest Ohio?

shansig

Posted in personal | Tagged | 8 Comments

caramelitas

August 21, 2013

If you are cleansing, dieting, not eating sugar, or anything equivalent- look away now.  This is one of those things that make a joke of the phrase, “I’m just going to have a bite.”  No such thing where these little wonders are concerned.   (Just thought you should be warned.)

caramelitas_2There is something about “cookie bars” that has never appealed to me.  If it’s going to be a cookie, I want a real cookie- not one that looks like a brownie.  Besides fruit bars like the blueberry crumb bars I posted a few weeks back, these are the very first “bars” I have ever made, believe it or not.  (Caramel? I’m in, no questions asked.)  Maybe these are an exception, or maybe, just maybe, bars aren’t so bad after all.

caramelitas_1

caramelitas
 
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Ingredients
  • 32 caramel squares, unwrapped
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¾ cup salted butter, melted
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Combine caramels and cream in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently. Once completely smooth, set aside.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, flour, oats, and baking soda.
  3. Pat half of the oat mixture into the bottom of a 8x8 pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove pan, sprinkle chips evenly oven the crust, top with caramel sauce, and then crumble the remaining oat mixture over the top. Return to oven for additional 16-20 minutes, until outside edge is lightly brown. The center will still be a bit "wet" in appearance, but will set when cooled.
  4. Let the pan cool completely before cutting, and store them at room temperature- not in your refrigerator.

Recipe by LuLu The Baker.

caramelitas_4caramelitas_3If these bars are not already fabulous, they are truly a cinch to make!  Just be ok with the fact that you will eat at least one, intentionally or not.

shansig

 

Posted in recipes, something sweet | Tagged | 1 Comment

diy dry shampoo

August 20, 2013

diy_dry_shampoo_dark_hair_2For many years I was a “wash my hair every other day” girl.  How on earth anyone could go longer was beyond me.  Then I became a mother and being able to wash my hair less became a necessity.  Simple things like letting my natural curl air dry and using less conditioner has helped oiliness considerably.  I can go 3 days now without feeling the need to wash.  Of course some oil still forms, especially by the third day, and products like dry shampoos are lifesavers.  For those times I am out of dry shampoo or I do not want to be engulfed in a sea of chemicals I reach for this natural alternative.  The corn starch absorbs the oil almost instantly and the little bit of cocoa powder camouflages it in my dark hair (don’t worry you won’t smell like brownies, wait, is that a bad thing?).

diy_dry_shampoo_dark_hair_4What you will need:

  • 1/4 cup corn starch
  • 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder (omit this step if you have blonde or really light hair)
  • small container with lid
  • makeup brush

diy_dry_shampoo_dark_hair_3Simply pour ingredients into your container and close lid.  If you are using cocoa powder shake the container until ingredients are well mixed (do not mix with hands as it can melt the cocoa powder).  When ready to use dab brush into your dry shampoo and tap any excess off.  Apply to roots of hair (part hair in several different locations around scalp for best results) and shake out extra making sure none of the dry shampoo is visible.

diy_dry_shampoo_dark_hair_1Yesterday I had a photo session and my day only allowed me to get my workout in right before we had to leave for the shoot.  I would like to think that it is from my crazy mad workout skills but in general if I am hot I am going to be really sweaty.  This does not bode well with trying to forgo washing my hair of course, especially when I am in a hurry.  I used a little of this before putting my hair in a messy bun and it worked wonders.  My roots felt dry and lifted and it only took me a couple of minutes to style my do.  A new favorite product in my bathroom, a cheap nontoxic one to boot.

Do you have any tricks for fabulous hair without washing for days?  We would love to hear them!

brandyjsig

 

 

Posted in beauty, diy, hair | Tagged | 6 Comments