stuck

June 1, 2015

With every trip a person makes to Kelleys Island there is always a slim chance that you may not make if off the island. (Or shall I say leave when you had initially planned.) Secretly we have always hoped for the ferry to close, forcing us to stay one more night. Of course in those dreams that free day would include gorgeous weather and dockside cocktails. You know, like a legit extra vacation stay.

Yesterday we got our free day…unfortunately it was due to crap weather. Nonetheless there are far worse places to be stuck. And welcoming a Monday lakeside is never a bad thing.

Speaking of being stuck, in the midst of planning Bing’s first birthday celebration I am in that place of everything looking good in my head, just not quite yet on paper. Things are getting soooo close though – especially with the invites finally ordered. NYC is the concept. Black and grey with splashes of yellow and red is the color scheme. I have big ideas of modern/simplistic decor items with surprise pops of whimsy here and there. While I am still piecing the vision together, I absolutely cannot wait to see how this all unfolds. It’ll be a lot of work but I love it. Love, love, love it. (And my helpers do too. Even though they don’t verbalize it so much.)

Most things I can handle last minute but not having attire figured out is absolutely not one of them. This style board is in it’s very early stages. I really want the kids to be the ones with the accent colors, hence the yellow and red on them. And I like the idea of so much solid because it is NYC and style is kept minimalistic there. But then I spied that window pane jumpsuit and it screamed summer in the city to me. My concern is being the only one in so much pattern though (pending if the romper is a yes for me of course). So obviously I need to add some stripes or other pattern, but for now this is our family party style board:

new_york_city_possibility_20151Wyatt window printed chiffon jumpsuit/2Chinese Laundry mindy wedge/3Old Navy slub-knit baby polo/4Next Direct 5 pocket red skinny trouser/5Converse infant chuck taylor’s/6Old Navy men’s slim fit dark chambray shirt/7H&M light grey twill slim fit pants/8Old Navy black men’s classic sneakers/9Gap ribbed lace-trim toddler tank/10H&M cotton crepe yellow skirt/11Old Navy glitter strap wedge sandals

Do not be surprised if in a month you see a family in nothing remotely similar to the above look. Who knows, I may just order us all “I Heart NY” t-shirts and call it a day.

No…I don’t believe that will happen either.

xo,

brandyjsig

Posted in family style, kids style, style, style board | Tagged | 1 Comment

cherry margarita

May 29, 2015

fresh cherry margaritaAs you can see my love for cherries has no boundaries. A mere 2 days after posting these scones I’m throwing a few Bings into a margarita. I am simply providing you guys with some options. If knock your socks off scones aren’t your thing than maybe you’d like to sip on a fabulous cocktail. Either way I’ve got your Bing cherries covered!

(And maybe, just maybe, I really love to consume photograph beautiful drinks…)

fresh cherry margarita

I know I’ve said this before but I think it’s worth repeating – the sweetness of a cocktail is completely preference based. If you prefer sweet you may want to amp up the sugar in the syrup by 1/4cup or so. My taste leans on the tart side, typically halving the amount of sugar compared to fruit used. You can’t go wrong either way. Where you can go wrong is by using pre-made syrup. A person can never be too sure what is in that stuff so I avoid at all costs (plus it is so darn easy to make your own).

fresh cherry margaritaA litte tart, a little sweet, a lot of yum, yum, yum. A great use for some of those on sale cherries you surely picked up at the store recently.

Cheers!

brandyjsig

 

 

cherry margarita
 
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Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • Cherry Syrup
  • 2cups fresh cherries, pitted and halved
  • 2cups water
  • 1cup sugar
  • Drink
  • 5oz cherry syrup
  • 4oz fresh lime juice
  • 3oz silver tequila
  • 2oz orange liquor (triple sec)
  • salt for rimming (optional)
  • fresh cherries and lime wedges for garnish (optional)
Instructions
  1. To make the syrup combine cherries, water and sugar in a small pot and stir until sugar is dissolved. Mash cherries with a potato masher and bring to a boil. Take off heat, strain and cool before using.
  2. Prepare two glasses by rimming with lime and salt (optional) and filling with ice.
  3. Combine syrup, lime juice, tequila and orange liquor in a small pitcher and stir. Divide evenly between prepared glasses. Garnish with cherries and limes. Enjoy!

 

Posted in cheers!, recipes | Tagged | 1 Comment

onion, gruyere and arugula burgers

May 28, 2015

the_best_burger_1Jettie thinks hamburger is the funniest word in the english language. She probably says it 30 times a day, at least.

“Jettie what shall we name that squirrel?”

“Hamburger! Hee,hee, hee!”

“How do you like my hair?”

“I think it’s hammmmm…burgery!”

“What shall we have for dinner?”

“Lots and lots of hamburgers!!!”

Girlfriend wouldn’t touch a hamburger with a 10 foot pole. And neither would I. (Well, not literally but I certainly wouldn’t take a bite of one.) Sticky on the other hand…he loves to say and eat hamburgers.

the_best_burger_2Being so close to Father’s Day I wanted to post something manly and meaty for all the men. In fact last year’s bourbon barbecue ribs were a such a huge hit that Sticky insisted I could never top those. I am no fool husband. Your challenge is merely a way to get your wife to whip up more meat dishes. Of course I am more than willing to play along – there’s something so satisfying about seeing your husband smile while he is devouring your food.

the_best_burger_3 the_best_burger_4Having not eaten a burger in almost 2 decades the only thing I can tell you is that the companions to this beef patty are excellent. Sticky claims it is one of the best burgers he has ever had. (Yeah!) The cheese, arugula and onions blend perfectly with the juicy meat – he begged me to take one bite for confirmation. I’m okay with taking his word for it. He was spot on about the ribs after all. Plus he scarfed down 4 of these within 3 days time. I’d say that’s a fairly good indication that they are darn good burgers.

Enjoy!

brandyjsig

 

 

 

onion, gruyere and arugula burgers
 
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Author:
Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • 2lbs 80/20 ground beef
  • 1tsp kosher salt
  • ½tsp black pepper
  • few dashes of your favorite tabasco sauce
  • 2tbsp butter
  • 1 whole red onion sliced about 1" thick
  • 2tbsp brown sugar
  • ¼cup mayonaise
  • 1tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1tsp dijon mustard
  • 2 slices gruyere cheese
  • fresh arugula
  • 2 good quality hamburger buns, split lengthwise
  • butter for spreading on buns
Instructions
  1. Mix meat, salt, pepper and tabasco with hands and set aside.
  2. Preheat grill on medium. Put 2tbsp of butter in a medium pan and place on stove at low heat. Add onions and brown sugar. Toss to combine and let set on low heat for 20 minutes or until onions are caramelized and light brown.
  3. Meanwhile combine mayo, dijon and lemon juice in small bowl. Set aside.
  4. Grab buns and butter inside of each slice. Place on preheated grill and toast until there are char marks. Let buns cool.
  5. While buns are cooling form 2 patties out of the beef. Place both patties on grill and cook for 3 minutes, rotating about 45 degrees and continue to cook for a minute. Flip burgers, cook for 2 minutes, rotate 45 degrees again and top with a cheese slice and onions. Close grill lid and allow to cook for another minute. Take off of grill and let sit for a minute or so.
  6. While burgers set smear mayo mixture on inside bottom buns and top with a handful of arugula. Place burgers on top and serve with the other toasted bun. Get ready for some happy burger lovers!

 

Posted in meaty, recipes, what's cooking | Tagged | Leave a comment

dark chocolate cherry scones

May 27, 2015

Dark Chocolate Cherry SconesAfter insisting we purchase a giant bag of cherries it dawned on me that I love all things Bing. Bing Crosby, Chandler Bing, Bing Cherries – I mean, what’s not to like? And oh yeah…our kid is named Bing, so there’s that too.

To be fair, naming our son Bingham had nothing to do with a crooner, Friends character or yummy fruit. (Or maybe I was secretly plotting this all along whilst Sticky thought it was just a fantastic name. Tee, hee, hee…)

Dark Chocolate Cherry Scones Dark Chocolate Cherry Scones

Good news is his name is fantastic, and so are these scones. Sweet, juicy fresh cherries nestled inside of a light scone with bits of dark chocolate throughout. Every single bite is decadent. And perfect. And food euphoric.

Dark Chocolate Cherry SconesDid I mention there is a glaze that you drizzle over these…while still warm? Just when you think it can’t get any better, it does. You should be drooling by now. If not check your pulse.

Dark Chocolate Cherry Scones Dark Chocolate Cherry SconesChances are these will not last in your home. But if everyone comes down with polio or something, you can throw unglazed scones in the freezer for future consumption. Or whip up a double batch and make someone’s cherry chocolate dream come true at any moment.

Dark Chocolate Cherry SconesNow, on my way to the store for more cherries. I simply cannot get enough Bing in my life.

Enjoy!

brandyjsig

 

 

 

dark chocolate cherry scones
 
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Author:
Serves: 8
Ingredients
  • Scones
  • 1½cups plus 2tbsp all purpose flour
  • 1tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1¼tsp baking powder
  • ¼tsp baking soda
  • ¼tsp salt
  • 6tbsp ice cold butter, cut into cubes
  • ½cup buttermilk
  • 1tsp vanilla extract
  • ¾cup fresh cherries, pitted and chopped
  • 3oz high-quality dark chocolate, chopped
  • half&half, heavy cream or melted butter for brushing
  • Glaze
  • ½cup chopped fresh cherries
  • 1tsp water
  • ¾cup powdered sugar
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven 425F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
  2. Place flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a food processor and pulse a couple of times. Add cubed butter and pulse until coarse crumbs form.
  3. Dump contents of food processor in a large bowl, add buttermilk and vanilla. Stir just until combined. Gently fold in cherries and chocolate. Do not over mix!
  4. Take contents of bowl and place on a lightly floured surface. Form a 7" disc and cut into 8 wedges. Place on your prepared sheet pan. Brush tops with half&half, heavy cream or melted butter.
  5. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes - until tops begin to brown ever so slightly.
  6. While scones are baking prepare glaze. Place cherries and water in food processor and blend until almost smooth. (There will be tiny cherry bits.)
  7. Place cherry puree in bowl and add powdered sugar. Whisk until well combined. Glaze should be runny but if it seems too runny add a little more sugar.
  8. Drizzle warm scones with glaze and top with additional chocolate (optional).

 

Posted in breakfast, brunch, recipes, something sweet | Tagged | 1 Comment

diy home acne treatment

May 26, 2015

Mirrors – our fun, yet brutally honest BFFs. A couple of days ago Bingham and I were blowing kisses to each other in front of a full length mirror – fun, right? Yes, loads of good times…that is until we turned to leave and my eye caught a glimpse of tiny pimples setting up camp on my chin. ERGH!

I’m not sure what sparked the pesters. Could be a hormones, could be from working out, could be diet. Or maybe…and this is just a possibility…it could have been caused by the Smashbox free sample of BB Cream I smeared allover my face the day before. (Curse my cheap ways!)

Upon further inspection I was horrified to find the camps had spread. Tiny little clusters of acne here, there and every damn where. Sure I get the occasional pimple but this sort of breakout is not typical for me. Which means I am fairly lost in the sea of acne products available for such situations.

Thankfully there are a few ways to combat acne on the spot with items that are almost always on hand in my home. The 3rd (egg white trick) is my go-to but all three I have tried and can attest work fabulously for occasional acne flares:

DIY ACNE TREATMENT

 

1The trick to this one is you must use organic apple cider vinegar (not the cheapest kind that we use to clean pots/floors and make volcanos out of). Next you mix 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water (more if you have super sensitive skin – ALWAYS test a small area before rubbing all over your face) and then apply to a dry, clean face with a cotton ball. This is basically a homemade toner that you use every time after you wash your face./2Over a year ago I posted a cinnamon honey mask that is still put to good use today. The only reason this is not my constant go-to is because raw honey does not last in our home. You’d think there is a Pooh bear living here with how much honey is consumed. Oh bother… (click on link for more details)/3This is the easiest, and unless you’re strictly vegan or allergic to eggs, the most accessible of the three methods. Simply separate the whites from the yolks (2 or 3 eggs – depending on how much) and whisk the whites until slightly frothy. You will not use the yolks for this mask, but save those suckers for curd, custard or something else fabulously divine. Allow the frothy whites to set 5 minutes at room temperature and then apply to face using an old makeup brush. Grab a couple of cucumber slices if you got them, throw them on your closed eyes and chill for 15 minutes, give or take. You will feel your skin tighten during this time. Rinse with water and pat dry. Add a little moisturizer to finish.

Remember to never try a homemade skin treatment without testing a small area of skin first. If you have highly sensitive skin or are allergy prone this is especially important. (Hmmm…maybe I should have tested the BB cream.) Always keep treatment away from openings such as eyes.

Just like people, acne is not one of the same. There are different types spurred by different occurrences. Not all treatments will work for all acne. These home tricks work for my occasional flares, but every person is unique, we have to do a little experimenting to find what suits us best.

Now, off to throw out a certain BB Cream…

xo,

brandyjsig

Posted in beauty, diy, skin | Tagged | Leave a comment