tone up

January 12, 2016

Seems like a million years ago my mom had me at the dermatologist with a face covered in a lot of embarrassment and a little acne. Middle school was not kind to me in many many ways. I was tall, gangly, awkward and now there were pimples. How lovely.

The good news was that I had the version of acne most of us succumb to at some point in time in our adolescence. Annoying, yes…but not the life ending event we all felt it would be at the time. (Wasn’t everything out of the norm life ending back in those days?)

What I did learn back then from my fabulous dermatologist were 2 things…Retin A cream was my new BFF and skin toner was awesome.

Fast forward all the way to today and my Retin A use is now a thing of the past. (For now, I’m sure I have adult acne in my future.) Unfortunately I have been delinquent with my toner usage. New year, new leaf though and I have fallen back in love skin toner. It deep cleanses, it minimizes pores, it evens skin tone…why I don’t use it morning, noon and night is beyond my reasoning.

Here are 3 toners I have used in my life with my favorite at the moment being #2. Thayer’s smells AMAZING and it contains zero alcohol which is perfect for sensitive skin or those of us who are concerned about our natural oils being stripped. (The smell alone though guys…WOW!) #1 was my the toner of my youth and it is fabulous for oilier, problem skin. #3 has been my on and off toner the last decade or so. It’s incredibly gentle, hydrating and cheap as dirt. Always a bonus in my book.

Skin Toners1Clinique clarifying lotion/2Thayers witch hazel/3Simple soothing facial toner

So tell me…what’s your favorite toner?

xo,

brandyjsig

 

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who’s culottes are these

January 11, 2016

Perhaps you hoped the culotte would reenter the fashion scene in 2015 and let that, be that. It was good for a giggle, maybe looked okay on a few people, but thank goodness that’s over. Or is it?

2016 is screaming with all sorts of fun, Carrie Bradshaw 90s inspired fashion. [Let’s take a moment to be real and admit none of us dressed like Carrie Bradshaw did in the late 90s. I was wearing Monica Gellar cardi sets all the way people.] From bomber jackets to mini dresses,  the 2016 fashion scene is exploding with sexy fun 90s style.

And oh yeah…there’s culottes. Lots and lots and lots of culottes.

Now before you turn your nose up in disgust, do consider, just for one second, that there may be a culotte for you. Maybe it’s a more tailored version. Maybe it comes in romper form. Maybe it’s longer, maybe it’s shorter (okay, even I just threw up in my mouth a ltitle)….whatever it may be it’s worth a shot trying because that is what fashion is all about. Discovering things about yourself that you never knew you would like or even love.

Here are some culottes you might like, at least a little, or maybe a lot:

2016 culottes1ASOS leather look structured culotte/2Forever 21 chambray culotte jumpsuit/3ASOS clean tailored culottes

My favorite is by far #3, not that I am ready to purchase but I am definitely not counting myself out of the culotte game.

Cheers!

brandyjsig

Posted in style, trends | Tagged | 1 Comment

these five

January 8, 2016

These Things1My brother in law Kurt gave me the most fantastic DVD for Christmas this year. Waking Sleeping Beauty is interesting, thought provoking and above all inspiring. It is everything you would expect about a documentary that showcases the artists who made up Disney during it’s animated movie revival years. I remember the rise…from The Little Mermaid to The Lion King and thinking wow, no one does it like Disney. This DVD portrays that it’s not all roses in the creative department, yet when the dust settles those unforgettable characters prevail above all else. Must see for any Disney buff./2Another gift that is blowing my mind is the Hario pour over coffee system my mom gave me. I was not sure what to think at first. I’m a french press gal and have been for years. This thing takes filters and patience…2 things I own little of. Well, mom knows best in this scenario because the coffee that comes out of this wacky system is flipping awesome. Clean, crisp, smooth – the best coffee I have ever made bar none. Try it. Love it. And use your old system when you are in a rush./3I love me some festive ceramic plates and while I have Christmas and Halloween covered I do not have Valentine’s. Crate & Barrel always has cute options…if I catch these bad boys on sale they are mine!/4It’s winter, there’s snow on the ground and everything. Soup everyday, all day with this easy potato version being a weekly guest./5Jettie and her dad cracking peanuts and sharing stories is one of my all time favorite Rammel household traditions. It’s a mess this time of year but I truly don’t care. My only wish is that she remembers doing this with him when she gets older.

Cheers!

brandyjsig

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grapefruit & avocado spinach salad

January 7, 2016

grapefruit and avocado spinach saladYesterday I posted grapefruit cake…totally yum but not even remotely guilt free. Today I’m making up for my naughtiness by throwing this power fruit on a salad. It’s not cake (obviously) but it is crazy delicious with added “feel good about eating it” bonus points.

I really do love salad but in the chillier months they have to be extra amazing in order to tempt my taste buds. This one fits the bill in so many ways. It’s beautiful, full of texture and bursting with flavor. Who wouldn’t want to devour that?

grapefruit and avocado spinach salad grapefruit and avocado spinach saladFeel free to play with the ingredients by swapping out citrus, nuts or cheese. Keep that avocado though. There’s something so special about the creaminess of an avocado mixing with the tartness of citrus…it’s salad happiness.

Enjoy!

brandyjsig

 

5.0 from 1 reviews
grapefruit & avocado spinach salad
 
Print
Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • For the dressing:
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 2tbsp honey
  • 1tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1tbsp grapefruit juice (from fresh grapefruit)
  • 3tbsp balsalmic vinegar
  • ¼cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • For the salad:
  • 10 to 12oz fresh baby spinach leaves
  • 1 grapefruit peeled and segments cut out
  • 1 avocado, peeled, pit removed and diced
  • ¼cup toasted walnuts
  • ¼cup crumbled feta
Instructions
  1. Place all dressing ingredients in a bowl and whisk vigorously together. Set aside.
  2. Place spinach in a large bowl and top with remaining ingredients. Top with desired amount of dressing and toss.

grapefruit and avocado spinach salad
Posted in healthy eats, recipes, vegetarian | Tagged | 3 Comments

grapefruit & champagne bundt cake

January 6, 2016

grapefruit and champagne bundt cake“It’s a bunddddtttt…..”

Every single time I am near a bundt cake I think of My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Aiden’s mom (that’s his name right?!…SATC FOREVER!) brought one to his future bride’s parents home. The only sad thing about all of this is that the bundt seemed to be frowned upon. Maybe they needed some booze in theirs.

There is absolutely nothing sad about this bundt. It’s light and fluffy and bright, with a hint of champagne. We are still celebrating the New Years after all, correct?

grapefruit and champagne bundt cake grapefruit and champagne bundt cakeAnyone else’s husband call this baseball cake? Anyone else not figure out what the heck he was talking about until a good 30 seconds after he said it? Duh Brand…

grapefruit and champagne bundt cake grapefruit and champagne bundt cakeThis was my virgin tryout of the bundt and rest assured I will be making more. I’d love to do a raspberry champagne version…or raspberry grand mariner…or lime tequila. The booze cake options are virtually endless.

Cheers to baseball cake!

Enjoy!

brandyjsig

 

grapefruit & champagne bundt cake
 
Print
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Serves: 8
Ingredients
  • for the cake:
  • 2cups all-purpose flour
  • 1¾tsp baking powder
  • 1tsp kosher salt
  • 1&2/3cups granulated sugar
  • 1tbsp grapefruit zest
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup milk, room temperature (I used almond milk)
  • ½cup sour cream
  • ¼cup vegetable oil
  • 1tsp vanilla extract
  • for the syrup:
  • ½cup champagne
  • ½cup grapefruit juice
  • ¼cup sugar
  • for the glaze:
  • ¾cup powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tbsp grapefruit juice
  • 1tbsp of grapefruit zest for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven 350ºF. Grease and flour a bundt pan. Set aside.
  2. Sift flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.
  3. In a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, place sugar and grapefruit zest and rub together with fingers. Add eggs and whisk on medium speed until it is creamy, about 3 minutes. Keep the mixer running and slowly add the milk, sour cream, vegetable oil and then vanilla. Turn the mixer down to lowly and slowly add the dry ingredients. Mix until just incorporated.
  4. Pour batter into prepared bundt pan. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until toothpick in the center comes out clean.
  5. While cake is baking make the syrup by placing champagne, grapefruit juice and sugar in a small sauce pan on medium high heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Once the mixture is bowling bring it down to simmer and allow to simmer for about 10 minutes. Take off heat and let set to cool.
  6. When cake is finished baking set on wire rack still in the pan and allow to cool completely. Once cooled remove from pan by turning upside down. Take a fork or kabob stick and carefully poke holes allover the top of the cake. "Paint" syrup on very liberally with a brush.
  7. Make the glaze by combining 1cup powdered sugar and 1tbsp grapefruit juice in a bowl. Stir until mixture is thick yet still pourable. If too think add a little more juice. If too runny add a little more sugar.
  8. Pour glaze over cake and garnish with zest if desired.

 recipe slightly adapted from The Baker Chick

grapefruit and champagne bundt cake
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