romp around, casual version

There seems to be a lot of mixed feelings out there about rompers. Some people need them to not exist, while others practically live in these one-piece wonders.

I am 100% on board with their existence, I do however feel it takes time to find the right one for your shape, lifestyle and measurement between shoulders and crotch. (That is the magic # when it comes to these things, ladies.)

Here are a handful of what I would call “casual, dress up or down, no butt cheek hanging out, easy for on the go girl and moms” rompers. If you ask me every girl should own at least one…you just need to put in the time to find that perfect one. When you do, you will have added a casual piece to your wardrobe that only requires footwear. (But yes, you still have to get naked when going the bathroom, there’s no way around that):

romp_around_060616_blog1Angie print strapless romper via Nordstrom/2ASOS casual romper with contrast binding/3H&M sleeveless jumpsuit/4Forever 21 ornate floral came romper/5Old Navy sleeveless chambray romper/6LOFT beach striped drawstring romper

xo,

Brandy J

Posted in style, trends | Tagged | 1 Comment

powdered banana donut muffins

powdered banana donut muffinsWe have yet to turn on our air. Sure you could call us cheap but truth be told we are in a battle against ourselves. One where we are both want to turn on the air yet no one wants to be the first to pull the trigger. Who can stay miserable longer? And why do our kids have to suffer through this?

Reality is it’s not that bad. Growing up we did not have central air and this weather would have been considered comfortable. What doesn’t love the extra humidity however are our bananas. In a effort to not make banana pancakes for the 1000th time I conjured these bad boys up instead. And they are super yum, especially with a giant glass of iced coffee.

powdered banana donut muffins powdered banana donut muffinsAlmost every single one of my parties sees a bag of mini powdered donuts dumped onto a tray for guests to grab and gobble. I feel like people may be sick of seeing those but it is hands down the one thing that will always be gone, regardless of crowd size or adult to kid ratio. People love them.

For treats we often buy those bags of heavenly goodness…my hope was that these would have a similar super soft texture and they do, with bonus points for the banana flavor.

powdered banana donut muffins powdered banana donut muffinsIf you are drowning in over ripe bananas like me you must try these! (They would also be perfect for #nantionaldonutday June 3rd!)

Enjoy!

Brandy J

 

powdered banana donut muffins
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Serves: 4dozen
Ingredients
  • ½cup unsalted butter, room temp - plus more for greasing pan
  • 1cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½cup milk
  • 2 very ripe large bananas, mashed
  • 1tbsp vanilla
  • 1½cups all purpose flour
  • ½tsp cinnamon
  • 1½tsp baking powder
  • ¼tsp kosher salt
  • ¾cup powdered sugar
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven 375ºF. Grease a mini muffin pan.
  2. Cream the butter and the sugar in a stand mixer on high until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to slow and add the eggs, one at a time. Add the milk, bananas and vanilla and blend on slow until combined.
  3. Mix the flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Slowly add to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined. Very important not to over mix here.
  4. Fill each compartment on the prepared pan about ⅔ full. (I used a very small ice cream scoop.) Bake on the middle rack for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are golden and center is just set. You will want to keep your eyes on these because they over bake fast. Allow to cool for 5 minutes in the pan. Remove from pan and set on a wire rack.
  5. While donut muffins are baking, pour the powdered sugar into a paper bag. Place slightly warm muffins in bag, fold over the edge and gently shake, covering all the muffins with sugar. Remove from bag and set on wire rack. Best eaten day of but can be kept in airtight container for up to 3 days.

powdered banana donut muffins

Posted in recipes, something sweet | Tagged | Leave a comment

diy watermelon toner

diy watermelon tonerIce 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.

diy watermelon tonerWhat 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.

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

xo,

Brandy J

 

 

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

memorial day weekend 2016

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

Memorial Day Weekend 2016There 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,

Brandy J

 

 

 

Posted in holidays, memorial day, personal | Tagged | Leave a comment

rhubarb goat cheese crostini

rhubarb goat cheese crostiniCrostini 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.

rhubarb goat cheese crostini rhubarb goat cheese crostiniHere 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.

rhubarb goat cheese crostiniThis 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!

Brandy J

 

 

rhubarb goat cheese crostini
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
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
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

rhubarb goat cheese crostini
Posted in brunch, party food, recipes, savory bites, vegetarian | Tagged | 2 Comments