pretty plain janes

15 minute white bean soup

December 19, 2013

Staring at the screen this morning with buggy eyes and lingering headache I am glad to be in the final stretch of the holiday craziness. The last two and a half weeks have not been fun to say the least. So much work to do, so little time and (worst of all) not feeling well have tested my sanity. Luckily I have a supportive husband who, for the most part, ignores my crazy. He also happily makes last minute lunch/dinner runs because cooking has been at the bottom of the list lately. Yesterday however I needed to be in the kitchen. I needed to chop. I needed to stir. It is therapeutic and even if for only 15 minutes it made me feel better.

15 minute white bean soup

Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive oil
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
½ teaspoon dried oregano
1 can (14½ ounces) vegetable broth
1 can (19 ounces) white beans, rinsed and drained
1½ teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan, for serving

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium. Add scallions, garlic, and oregano; cook, stirring frequently, until scallions begin to soften, about 3 minutes.
Stir in broth and beans; cook until heated through, about 4 minutes. Using a potato masher, lightly mash some of the beans to thicken the soup. Stir in lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Before serving, sprinkle with Parmesan.

recipe from Martha Stewart A mug of homemade soup and some crusty bread, the perfect way to take a break from all the seasonal pressure. Now time for a deep breath, cup of coffee and the will to tackle another day full of tasks. I can do this (and at least I have some leftover soup for lunch).

Posted in recipes, what's cooking | Tagged Post by Brandy J | 1 Comment

dark chocolate cranberry cookies

December 18, 2013

Cookies again?? I know, I know. Christmas screams cookies, I really can’t help it!! That, and not sharing this recipe with you guys would be mean- because they are so stinkin’ good.

During a late night bake session the other night I caught up with a good friend of mine, Kate, who lives in Arizona. The conversation started something like, “So, I tried to be domesticated tonight and failed miserably”. Between my close circle of friends, I am pretty sure I am always the one that hears about these moments. She went on to tell me about a “foolproof” recipe that was suppose to be easy, not turning out so easy after all. We have all been there. Pinterest has you pumped to try something new, disaster strikes and you end up empty handed (in her case, “burnt” handed. Literally. Ouch.) Or like the time I tried for days to make homemade pretzels because the magazine claimed that “inch by inch, pretzels are a cinch!”. Yeah right, lady.

The point is, this recipe wont leave you empty handed. (Unless you do something crazy like swap out the baking powder for baking soda. No, they are not interchangable, don’t do that!) And that’s fabulous, because this time of year who has time for a flop?

dark chocolate cranberry cookies

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

15 mins

Total time

30 mins

Serves: about 2 dozen cookies

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), at room temp
1¼ cup granulated sugar
2 eggs, at room temp
1 pkg Chocolate Fudge pudding mix (3.9 oz)
2¼ cups all purpose flour
½ cup Hersheys Special Dark cocoa powder
¾ tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1½ cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
2 cups dried cranberries

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F, and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In your mixer, combine sugar and butter and beat until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Add eggs, one at a time, scrapping down the bowl after each one, followed by your box of pudding mix.
In a seperate bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder).
With your mixer on low, add dry ingedients to the wet ingredients, and mix until just combined. Toss in cranberries and chips and mix a bit more.
Using a large scoop, drop onto cookie sheets, about an inch apart. Press down lightly if you would like to, the cookies do not spread much while baking.
Bake for 15 minutes, or until the cookies no longer look glossy.

I hope you enjoy these lovlies as much as I do!

Posted in cookies, recipes, something sweet | Tagged Post by Shan | 9 Comments

beauty for anti-stress

December 17, 2013

It’s the most wonderful time of year – well, for the most part. We do our best to enjoy the holidays, make everything just so for our families and cross off that list with thoughtful “make you feel special” gifts. But there is a sort of rush feeling that goes along with that, especially during the year Thanksgiving came a week late (I would like to be in on the meeting the next time someone decides that is a good idea). While I look forward to December it does cause some unavoidable tension and stress. Besides the fact that work is at an all time rush this month I am also a wife and mother who want the holidays to be as perfect as possible for my family. Obviously there are things I can change on a day to day basis – learning how to not say “yes” all the time would probably be at the top of the list. Thankfully there are also products out there that can help me unwind. I’m fairly certain I am not the only girl who wouldn’t mind Santa throwing one of these in her stocking:

1Lancome Hydra Zen Neocalm Multi-Relief Anti-Stress Moisturising Cream 2Kava Kava Root Extract by 1Hour Break 3Kiehl’s Since 1851 ‘Skin Rescuer’ Stress-Minimizing Daily Hydrator 4Earth Therapeutics Microwavable Anti-Stress Sinus Pillow 5Freeman Feeling Beautiful Dead Sea Minerals Facial Anti-Stress Mask 6Pevonia Essential Oils Bath & Shower Gel- Anti-Stress

Until I get a chance to try any of these products I will do my best to drink lots of water and get as much rest as possible. At the end of the day it is the people we love that make this season so grand. Being 100% in the moment with them means more than any gift ever will. Learning to take deep breaths and not worry so much about all the things that do not matter (or we have no control over) is a lesson to last throughout the entire year.

Here’s to our health and well being!

Posted in beauty, health & fitness, product love, skin | Tagged Post by Brandy J | Leave a comment

sparkle for the holidays

December 16, 2013

image by the talented and beautiful Shay Cochrane

After 7 years of having our pictures taken for the holidays I cannot believe this is the first I have added sparkle. There may never be another session without them. And I’m totally not kidding. Already thinking about next year. Why do I love them so? Because they just make you feel good, and fancy and a little glamorous. Sequins, worn appropriately, are now acceptable year round (thank goodness) but there is nothing like being sparkly this festive season. Dress them up, dress them down – they are as versatile as your favorite pair of jeans yet way more flashy (because it’s fun to be flashy sometimes). If you have yet to own a piece or two of glitz and glam I suggest you do so immediately. I have collected some sparkle that is available now all for $50 or under – some being under $25.

1Forever 21 disco sequin top 2H&M slim-fit pants 3J Crew Factory striped draped sequin tee 4Mango leopard sequin dress 5Old Navy sequined tank 6Forever 21 sequined statement shift dress 7New York & Company sequined pencil skirt 8H&M sequined cardigan 9H&M chiffon dress 10Forever 21 tribal sequin dress 11Old Navy sequined tank

My personal belief is that every woman should own at least a sparkly top for throwing on with a pair of jeans and blazer. The next essential would be a dress or skirt. A dress is so easy with just a pair of tights and pumps while the skirt can be worn with any essential top (crisp white button down, denim button down, messy tee, tucked in lightweight sweater, etc…). When it comes to accessorizing your glam keep your jewelry simple so that the piece can speak for itself (plain hoops are my go-to).

More images of our holiday session to come. And don’t worry I didn’t make my man wear a sequin ensemble.

Have fun shopping for your sparkle!

Posted in outfits, style, web love | Tagged Post by Brandy J | Leave a comment

moscow mule gift kit

December 13, 2013

You know those people who always give such fabulous gifts? Packaged perfectly and filled with things you didn’t know you wanted yet love. My mom is that person. Year after year she manages to put together the most thoughtful gift sets that are impossible not to feel special receiving. A particular favorite would be her cocktail kits. A fun container filled with everything you need to make one heck of a drink. This year I decided to have a go at it. Say hello to the “Moscow Mule kit”.

Items you will need:

ginger beer
vodka
lime
Moscow Mule mug (found here, here or here)
container large enough to hold all items (TJ Maxx and Home Goods are good stores to check out for boxes)
newspaper

Fill the bottom of container with newspaper and place items on top in a visually pleasing fashion. The recipe for a Moscow Mule could not be simpler (squeeze lime, pour vodka over ice and top with ginger beer). And because this is the gift giving season here is a free printable of the recipe just for you!

Guys are often hard to buy for – this would please any man who loves beer or spirits. Would also make the perfect host gift. If the Moscow Mule is not your thing chose another concoction (vodka, olives and a martini comes to mind). Most importantly these drink sets are easy and gorgeous and something many would absolutely adore. There is still plenty of time to put a kit or two together for the cocktail lovers on your list!