pistachio rice crispy treats

March 13, 2013

Up until about a week ago I was convinced that all rice crispy treats were created equally.  Cereal, a little butter and marshmallows.  Then, a couple of our close friends surprised us with an engagement gift and nestled in each corner of the box were pretty little wrapped up stacks of the best darn rice crispy treats I’ve ever had in my life.  This is no exaggeration– they were so good.  They lasted all of two days in our house and then Josh started in on the “why don’t you ever make rice crispy treats?!” questions.  Well, truth be told, I never realized the endless possibilities and fun you could have with these quick and simple treats! So, I did a little searching..

While the recipe from our gifted crispies came from Smitten Kitchen, I stumbled upon this adorable blog centered solely on rice crispy treats! Fun! I decided to take a swing at her pistachio treats, and they did not disappoint!

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Pistachio Rice Crispy Treats by Mallow and Co

4 Tbsp butter
6 cups mini marshmallows
1 3.4 oz package of pistachio pudding
1 tsp vanilla extract 6 cups rice krispies
2 squares of Almond bark (vanilla flavored) (I used a baking bar of white chocolate that I had on hand!)
green food coloring (optional)

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Measure six cups of rice krispies in a large mixing bowl and set aside. Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat. Once melted add in the marshmallows. Stir until they are mostly all melted (this will take a few minutes–low and slow is key for perfect texture) then stir in the vanilla and dry pudding mix(**reserve 1 Tbsp of the dry pudding mix for your white chocolate drizzle).

Once fully melted, take them off heat and pour over the rice krispies. Stir lightly to combine, then dump into a greased 9×9 pan. Allow to cool 5 minutes, then press into pan with greased hands. Meanwhile melt your almond bark or white chocolate in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between each one until fully melted. Stir in your reserved 1 Tbsp of pudding mix and a drop or two of green food coloring. Drizzle over cooled rice krispy treats and enjoy!

**Be sure to hop over to her blog and check out her tips and tricks page before making!

Simple, quick, and perfect little St. Pattys day treats!

pistachio_rice_crispy_treat_4shansig

Posted in holidays, something sweet, St Patrick's Day | 3 Comments

althea’s picks

March 12, 2013

A little warmer temps and some much-needed sunshine had my family excited to get out of the house and head to the park this past weekend.  I was getting coats and shoes around while Althea (3 yrs old) went running upstairs. I finished getting Vada around and Seth was packing up our boxer, Myles. Everyone was ready to head out, except Althea. I hollered for her so we could go. She came running with her little makeup kit and told me she wasn’t ready yet. “Mommy, I NOT ready, I need to put my makeup and lipstick on.” I reassured her she looked beautiful and that she didn’t need her makeup on to go to the park, but she insisted. She told me that she just needed her lipstick on and we could go. She finished applying her pretty red lipstick, her favorite, and we headed out the door for a great afternoon at the park.

It seems like every day Althea gets more and more interested in hair, makeup, and fashion. It truly makes my heart melt. I love that she wants to pick her own clothes out and wear a little makeup and style her hair just like mommy’s. I love that she is her own little stylish person.

Althea’s spring fashion picks:

kidsoutfitHand picked by Althea herself. 1. Mixed- stripe bow top| GAP   2. Neon denim jacket| GAP   3. colored dot skimmer jeans| GAP   4. Textured round sunglasses| GAP   5. Slip-on cap toe sneakers| GAP

Our favorite tear free shampoo & Leave in Conditioner:

kidhair

 1.  Baby Don’t Cry Taming Spray, detangles damp or dry hair. 2. Baby Don’t Cry Shampoo, Tear free shampoo and body wash in one.

Althea cannot get enough pretend makeup:

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A fun pretend makeup set by Little Cosmetics| Etsy

Pink-Heart

jordannesig

&  althea

Posted in beauty, Kids, outfits, pretties, product love | Leave a comment

my new green

March 11, 2013

green_1Green – it’s the color of the year (according to Pantone) and the star of St Patty’s day.  As I was digging through my closet in search of the perfect ensemble I was disappointed in my lack of green.  Not impressed with an over-sized sweater nor the rhinestone embellished tank uncovered (which no longer resides in my closet – yikes) I opted for some retail therapy.  Now if you are anything like me and you take holidays seriously you will understand that I was not looking to purchase pistachio, mint or hunter green.  My radar was set on real deal “kiss me I’m Irish” green green, anything else simply wouldn’t do.  Much to my delight my first stop became my last because in less than 3 minutes I spied a pretty little button up in the perfect shade of emerald.  Call me crazy but I’m fairly certain the hanger formerly holding my bejeweled tank smiled when I replaced it with this lovely number.green_4 green_2 green_3|WEARING| H&M green shirt/Forever 21 maxi skirt/cropped jean jacket similar/silver bracelet similar/tan bag similar/woven sandals similar

brandyjsig

Posted in outfits | 2 Comments

etsy spring gifts

March 8, 2013

All of this snow makes it hard to believe spring is right around the corner- but after all it is March!  As February ends the dreary winter-  the pastels of March are like a breath of fresh air.  Baby showers, wedding showers and Easter are upon us and what better place to find something special than Etsy.  Here are a few of our favorite spring finds!

etsyspringgifts

1. Easter gift for a sweet little miss: Childrens  Apron by Suite Works. 2.Easter gift for the littlest mister in your life: Toddler Bow Tie by Woven.  3. Wedding shower gift, Hello Love Stationery by Em Dash Paper Co.  4. Baby shower gift: Organic Baby Blankets by Little Hip Squeaks. 5. Baby shower gift: Baby Teething Necklace by MagazinIL.

Posted in give a gift | Leave a comment

cloud nine

March 7, 2013

581904_10151510211473529_273086374_nThe view you are looking at is my favorite on all of the island of Oahu, Hawaii.  After a short hike, a few heart-pounding uphill moments, and a climb atop a deserted bunker- you find yourself here- catching your breath not because of the hike, but because of the beauty.  Looking out- Lani Kai beach (in my opinion, the best on the island and a must see if you visit Oahu) and the clear turquoise Pacific.  Heaven. While living on the island I visited this spot often; when a friend came to visit, when I wanted a quick hike, when I missed home.  If you have ever been somewhere that you felt as though it wrapped you up, reminded you how very blessed you are and gave you a sense of calm- you understand.  This is my spot.  

Tuesday we arrived home from our eleven day stay on the island.   Before our trip began I made a “bucket list” of things to do, places I was anxious to take Adelynn and Josh.  The list grew longer and longer, but this hike was always at the top of my list.  In our three and a half years together I have probably told Josh about it a dozen times, and he sweetly pretends to be just as entranced every time.  When we arrived at the bottom of the hike I was overwhelmed with memories. The last time I had been here was my last night in Hawaii.. right before I moved.  Josh and I had just met, and during that sunset hike the clouds in the sky perfectly resembled a heart.  All at once I felt like it was paradise telling me that even though this adventure was ending, something greater was about to begin.

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When we got to the top of the mountain everything was just as I remembered it.  Heaven.  The only difference was that this time, the man that I love was on one knee beside me, ring in hand, asking me to spend forever with him.

We are so excited to be engaged!engaged

Aloha,

shansig

Posted in the maxeys | 5 Comments