pretty plain janes

diy watermelon toner

May 31, 2016

Ice cold watermelon is definitely one of my favorite summer treats. Sweet, refreshing and COLD…because sometimes only something incredibly cold will do. Am I right?!

What I did not know is how fabulous that chilled melon could be for my face. And how easy it is to make a toner out of it.

What you will need:

1/2 cup cubed watermelon, seeds are fine
1tbsp witch hazel toner
1tbsp distilled water

Place all ingredients in a blender on high until the watermelon is completely blended. Drain the mixture through a sieve into a container that can be fitted with an airtight lid. Place in back of fridge for at least an hour before using. When ready, dip a cotton ball into your pretty pink toner and rub gently all over clean, dry face (avoiding the eye area)*. Rinse face with cold water and apply moisturizer. Toner can be stored in fridge for up to 4 days.

*Be sure to try on a small test area before using on face.

What are your favorite DIY ways to cool down your skin? I am definitely on the hunt for more this summer!

xo,

Posted in beauty, diy, skin | Tagged Post by Brandy J | Leave a comment

memorial day weekend 2016

May 30, 2016

Most weekends are good…some just treat you better than others. This one was especially kind.

There was nothing really special planned. No big road trip or exotic new place. We ate ice cream, frequented parks, visited the zoo and made s’mores. Typical summer weekend at home. I am not sure why it felt so especially well, special…but it did and for that I am grateful.

We talked to Jettie quite a bit about Memorial Day. What it means and the sacrifices that were made so we can have the simple memories represented in those squares above. It’s not easy for a 5 year old to completely wrap her head around, yet without any prompting, she dedicated a song to the “fallen men of the Army” in one of her improv evening performances. That made us very proud.

Thank you to our fallen heroes. It feels incredibly unfair that anyone has to lose their life in order to protect the freedom of others. There are no words to truly describe the appreciation we feel for your selflessness. The memory of your bravery will live on forever in our hearts. Thank you.

xo,

Posted in holidays, memorial day, personal | Tagged Post by Brandy J | Leave a comment

rhubarb goat cheese crostini

May 26, 2016

Crostini is absolutely one of my most favorite ways to serve a savory bite. The premise is very similar to a taco (where is she going here???)…there’s got to be a lot of texture and your palette needs to be hit with a carnival of pow, zing, WOW flavors.

That’s a lot for one little toasted piece of bread to deliver. And that is exactly what this crostini does.

Here is how this dish goes down. You take a bite and first thing you notice is the toasted bread. It’s a little crunchy with a soft center…things are going good. Then you start to pick up the tang from the goat cheese and rhubarb….for a millisecond you may think this is going to be too tart but then, out of nowhere, you get a burst of sweetness from the honey. Before it’s all said and done you are surprised again by the nutty, salty crunch of the pistachios. You are satisfied, your mouth is doing a dance and you are ready for another crostini.

This is a perfect make ahead dish as it is wonderful served warm or room temperature. I figure about 2 to 3 crostinis per guest…and of course I hide some for myself. You may have some skeptical friends when they see rhubarb in something other than a dessert. All it takes is one taste to make them a believer. (Which is why you need to save some for yourself.)

Enjoy!

rhubarb goat cheese crostini

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

5 mins

Total time

15 mins

Author: brandy j of www.prettyplainjanes.com

Recipe type: appetizer

Serves: 8 small servings

Ingredients

1 medium size baguette, cut into ½" slices on the diagonal
2cups diced rhubarb, ½" pieces
2tbsp extra virgin olive oil (plus more for brushing bread)
salt and pepper
4oz goat cheese
½cup shelled salted pistachios, coarsely chopped
honey

Instructions

Toast the baguette slicess in the oven until golden. (I brush olive oil on each one of my slices and throw under broil for a few minutes on each side. Be careful not to burn.) Remove from oven and set aside.
Preheat oven 450ºF. Place rhubarb on a baking sheet and toss with olive oil and salt and pepper. (I dont measure the salt and pepper - just give it a healthy pinch of each.) Roast in oven, on middle rack for 4 to 5 minutes. Take out of oven and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes before using.
Smear goat cheese on each crostini slice. Top with a tablespoon or so of the roasted rhubarb. Top with some pistachios and repeat with each crostini. Drizzle a healthy dose of honey over all of the crostini and serve.

Posted in brunch, party food, recipes, savory bites, vegetarian | Tagged Post by Brandy J | 2 Comments

rhubarb crisp

May 25, 2016

That’s right, my sweet Granny brought me more rhubarb…and this time it was so much that you are going to see not one but TWO recipes flaunting this perfectly tart ingredient.

First up is an easy easy peasy rhubarb crisp. It’s a little sweet and a lot tart with a crunchy exterior. Maybe this is my self portrait in food form. Nonetheless, this crisp is good and will make your belly happy.

I am not sure what I love about this dish more, the rhubarb or the nutty topping. The rhubarb is bright and fresh with that POW flavor while the oatmeal topping is sweet and nutty and provides the perfect crunchiness. On their own they are good, but together they are summer bliss.

Of course the only thing that could make this recipe better is the only thing that could make most desserts better…ice cream. And it is exceptional with this rhubarb crisp.

Oh summer, you are going to be filled with so many crisps and scoops of vanilla ice cream. I’ll gladly workout extra to enjoy every single bite.

Enjoy!

rhubarb crisp

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

45 mins

Total time

55 mins

Author: brandy j of www.prettyplainjanes.com

Serves: 6 to 8

Ingredients

unsalted butter for greasing 9" baking dish
6cups diced fresh rhubarb (1/2" pieces)
zest of one lemon
juice of ½ lemon
½cup flour
½tsp cinnamon
pinch of kosher salt
6tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
½cup rolled oats
½cup walnuts (or whatever nut you enjoy...or none!)

Instructions

Preheat oven 375ºF. Grease a 9" square baking dish or round pie dish with butter. Set aside.
Toss rhubarb in a bowl with sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice. Pour into prepared dish.
Place brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, kosher salt and butter in a food processor and pulse until small pea size clumps form. Add the oats and nuts (if using) and pulse a few times more. Spread evenly on top of rhubarb.
Place in oven, on middle rack, for 40 to 50 minutes or until the top is golden. Allow to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. Serve by itself or with ice cream. Enjoy!

Posted in recipes, something sweet | Tagged Post by Brandy J | Leave a comment

jettie jean, mary poppins style

May 23, 2016

In this past week our Jettie Jean turned 5, graduated from preschool and had a dance recital. Phew… that’s a lot for a little girl (but really her mom). Looking back I could not be more proud of how she handled it all, especially knowing how easily overwhelmed she can get (like her mom). The week ended a little rocky but we made it to the end with a girl still smiling and that’s all that really matters.

I am so happy we took the time to do this Poppins shoot. Jettie seems to be developing the same party bug that I have…these images are going to mean a lot to both of us in the years ahead.

We initially were going to do a white button up, black skirt and red ribbon “bow tie” for Jettie’s Mary Poppins look. Very easy and classic. It was a last minute decision to grab this dress as I was leaving the morning of her party. I thought it’s her party…let her choose between skirt or dress. [Plus I got the dress on clearance last year and hadn’t seen it on her yet.]