Tres Leches

This past Thanksgiving I tested out a new dessert recipe that I found online by Sandra Lee who has the Semi-Homemade show on the Food Network.  That is definitely my kind of cooking when I'm pressed for time.  When the holidays rolls around I usually end up making my tried and true recipes which is most often made with chocolate...because I just like chocolate!  This time, I wanted to make something different but easy.  The tres leches recipe is definitely a dessert that doesn't take a lot of time, but it does require some refrigeration preferably a few hours or overnight.  If you want to try something new and different and want to wow your guests, definitely try this recipe!

Fresh off the oven! Pretty much like a simple yellow cake.

Tres leches = 3 milks

TIP: Poke lots and lots and lots of holes!!

TIP: Pour the three milks mixture slowly and evenly.

Refrigerate overnight to make sure the cake soaks up all of the milk.

Toasted coconut can be omitted, but it added great texture and flavor.

Holiday Rush

For the past few days after Thanksgiving I've been doing some decorating in our home making it as cozy and Christmas-y as possible.  Seems like every year I acquire more and more decorations whether it's from my Mom or from after Christmas sales at the stores (which I love).  I always forget what I've purchased and it's always a nice surprise whenever I open my storage box of decorations.  Every year, I always try to give handmade gifts to family and friends, hopefully I will finish them in time for gift giving!  I'm hoping to get some baking done as well, but maybe I'll wait until my sister comes home from school since she's the baker in the family.  I don't know about you but I love the holidays.  It's become very different since I was younger, but my family still tries to continue our traditions and sometimes start new ones.  What are you looking forward to this holiday season?

christmas time is here by delachic on Polyvore

Week In Pictures 30.0

1  Started off the week with a visit to Starbucks, and I think I've been there almost everyday ever since!

2  I've been feeling blah with my wardrobe lately, and thought maybe adding some color and accessories would help spark some fashion inspiration?

3  My Firmoo glasses came in!! You'll have to come back later this week for my review.

4  I thought I would be using some of my old tried and true dessert recipes (usually chocolate) for Thanksgiving, but I ended up testing out a new tres leeches recipe that I found online.

5  My pumpkin from the farm still going strong.  Didn't quite decorate it how I wanted to.  Oh well.

6  My husband and I ventured off on Black Friday with hopes of getting some of our Christmas presents done, but we thought the deals weren't that great.  We did get a few things, but our list of presents is still pretty long as heck.

7  We stopped by Target and I saw this cute owl ornament.  However, I thought it looked kind of angry, but then I'm pretty biased folks haha!

8  Even though I got my glasses in the mail, I just had to try Warby Parker.  I might get to share some of my picks sometime this week.

9  Some gold owl ornaments...not quite done yet...but getting ready to be listed in my Etsy shop!

Where I'm From

Last week I had a chance to spend time in the downtown area for a few days.  It has been a while since I just roamed around or just walked around the downtown area.  I used to love just people watching as I walked or took the bus when I was in high school or just window shopped from one store to the next and maybe planned my next meal at the newest eatery.  It was just a quick reminder why I love where I am from.  

   

   

Happy Friday folks! Remember to support local businesses tomorrow for "Small Business Saturday"!

Give Thanks

Just a little note to wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving!

                                                        Source: shepaperieblog.com via Hana on Pinterest

                                              Source: Uploaded by user via Joyce on Pinterest

Prepping for Thanksgiving

It's the day before Thanksgiving, and some of you might be preparing for the big day(s) ahead.  Fortunately for me, my Mom will be hosting the family for the holiday and I've been delegated to be responsible for several things; centerpiece, dip, pasta dish, and a chocolate dessert.  Ok, I delegated myself for the dessert and dip just because.  I will be braving the grocery store today with hopes of getting everything on my list without losing my patience.  What are your plans for Thanksgiving?  Making something good? Do share!

What I'm making for Thanksgiving by delachic on Polyvore

Cajun Chicken Pasta on the Lighter Side / Recipe Details Bacon Cheeseburger Dip / Unforgettable Wedding Fall Wedding Centerpieces Pumpkin / CakeItaly | Tag Archive | Southern Fried Chocolate Pies

Week In Pictures 29.0

1.  I definitely had "something" last week, and most of last week I was trying to make it go away.  Tea at night definitely helped, I think.

2. Some crocheted items getting ready for my Etsy shop.

3.  My husband treated us for Korean barbecue towards the end of the week.  I definitely needed it.  

4.  Somehow Happy always knows when my husband and I are going away...or maybe it's my guilt for leaving her?

5.  Driving around rush hour isn't always fun, but it kind of reminds me of holiday lights.

6.  This weekend I had my fill of taro slushy with boba.

7.  Just another passing scene while driving.

8.  Dollar section or should I say Hello Kitty section at Target.

9.  Happy looks sad in this picture but she was definitely thrilled that we were back home.

How was your week?

Sunshine Award

You like me...you really like me! (had to do it)
I am truly honored that I've received the Sunshine Award!  I hope that my blog and I have been some kind of ray of sunshine to you folks (awww!) as much as your support and comments have been to me.  Thank you to Alex of Delayed Missives for considering that my blog is worthy of such a great nomination.   Please make sure to check out her blog full of fashion and fun things she gets to do in NYC.  She even has a section called "Letters to Friends" where she dedicates a post to a fellow blogger...yep and I'm one of them!  

Award Rules:

1. Include the award logo in a post and/or on your blog sidebar.

2. Link to the blogger who nominated you.

3. Answer 10 questions about yourself.

4. Nominate 10 other fabulous bloggers and ask them 10 questions.

5. Link to your nominees in your post and let them know about the reward.

Questions that Alex asked all of the Sunshine Award recipients:

1.  Gryffindor or Slytherin?

Team Harry Potter all the way AKA Gryffindor!

                                                                                

                                                                                Source: dribbble.com via Jodi on Pinterest

2. Cupcakes or cookies?

I have a sweet tooth so I would love either one - but a great piped frosting and a
perfect moist cake just melts my heart.

3.  Gold or silver?

I've always been a silver fan, just recently warming up to gold.

4.  Dresses or pants?

Dresses definitely make me feel more "put together" and feminine...
not that I look like a hot mess otherwise!!

5. Lace or studs?
I'm in love with lace, I think it's just timeless.

6. J.Crew or Zara?
There aren't any Zara stores nearby but I've been found
drooling over their wares in their online store.

7.  Wedges or heels?
I like both, but these knees aren't like how they used to be.
Wedges give me more support compared to heels.

8. Google or Bing?
I Google everything.

9. Eggs Benedict or Belgian waffles?

Here's a story for you all.  When I was in high school I worked at a breakfast place for a several weekends.  It was hard work but good money for a high schooler.  I bused tables, boiled potatoes, cut potatoes, cleaned veggies, and made Belgian waffles.  I can't even tell you how many Belgian waffles I made in one day.  I burned my hands a few times and would often come home with my hands aching and sore.  To this day I cannot have a Belgian waffle.  A regular waffle - maybe.  No Belgian waffles for me.  Sooooo...I prefer Eggs Benedict.

                                                                      Source: acozykitchen.com via Madelene on Pinterest

10. Downton Abbey or The Walking Dead?

I've never watched either show.  However Downton Abbey is more up my alley (yea, I rhymed what?what?).  I've been meaning to rent it or watch it online - I will one day though.


I am giving the Sunshine Award to the following:
Megan of Closet Fashionista
Courtney of Sartorial Sidelines
Annie of The Other Side of Gray
Gina of Hiya Luv
Andrea of Bubblewrappd
Smita of Hogger & Co
Drea of ...So She Writes
Elisse of Furelisse
Tracy of Sunny Days & Starry Nights
Tara of Tara Dara Made It

My questions are:
1.  When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
2. What is your favorite city?
3. Oprah or Martha Stewart?
4. If you were going to be stranded in an island what is something
that you would want to take with you?
5. Favorite place to shop?
6. If you were awarded a million dollars what would be the first thing you'd purchase?
7.  Cats or dogs?
8. What is something that you cherish the most?
9. Favorite holiday?
10. Planes, trains, automobiles, or boats?

Wishing everyone a happy Friday!  

October Correspondence Club

I've been partnered up with Drea of So She Writes By Miss Dre for the month of October until December.  The Correspondence Club is hosted by Nnenna of Star Crossed Smile who partners up bloggers who signed up to participate.  Since it was a Fall themed month, I couldn't help but add a little handmade owl along with an owl notecard along with some fall themed note pad and sticky notes and tabs.  

I received a really cute owl notebook and journals along with a pretty flower punched stationery.  I especially can't wait to use the owl notebook...maybe for crochet patterns that I've been meaning to write? hmm.   It's such a great way to meet other bloggers out there, and if you'd like to participate please make sure to contact Nnenna or check out her site for more information about the Correspondence Club.  This month's theme is about giving thanks.  I can't wait to send off my package to Drea!

Week In Pictures 28.0

1.  Halloween came and went, but this year I couldn't resist buying some candy that was on sale.  

This one just won me over.

2.  I was pretty proud of showing off my voting sticker.  I stayed in line for about 30 minutes 

before work and am pretty proud that I used my privilege to vote.

3.  Happy voted too...for more treats!

4.  It's was definitely time for making some hats.  When I made one I always use my handy dandy styrofoam head.

5.  There were murmurs of a nor'easter but the weatherman assured us that we would only get rain and a light dusting of snow.  Boy was he wrong.

6.  The next day turned out to be a snow day and I treated myself to a latte and finally got my "red cup".

7.  Experimenting a new hat pattern.

8.  Saw this cup at the craft store - I think I'm in love.

9.  Yep folks I spent most of my Sunday in bed and non-functioning again.  

Let's hope this (whatever it is) doesn't last too long.  I'm tired about being sick!

How was your week?

Snow Day Thrifting

So mother nature gave us another whopper this week.  This time it was a nor'easter.  The weatherman wasn't quite specific of how much "dusting" of snow we were going to get and when the rain would actually begin (which we saw none of).  It was a nerve wrecking drive home from work which took me about an hour, and normally takes me ten minutes.  Morning after the snow, there was some shoveling involved.  I then treated myself to a latte and some thrifting.  A great snow day.

Stopped by for a latte and got it in the red cup. 

Seems like everyone is ready for the holidays, even the thrift shops!

I found a cute mug that Lydia of Chic on the Cheap would appreciate.

Ralph Lauren wool blazer; too bad it was a wee small on me.

Purchased: Leather clutch/wallet.  Of course I need one...I meant another one.

Purchased: Black leather belt with wide buckle.

Purchased: Gap straight leg pants w/tags and the extra button.

Purchased: Betsey Johnson pashmina still w/ plastic tag

Purchased: Facconnable black pencil skirt

I must say that I was pretty happy with my purchase seeing that I spent about $25.00 for all five items.  It definitely could have been more but I had to put some back.  I don't even know what my favorite piece is because I'm pretty excited about all of them.  Even though it didn't cost me much to buy these, a stop at the dry cleaners is a must for the skirt and the pashmina!

This weekend is supposed to be "nice" and I hope that the weatherman is right this time because I actually have some plans this weekend.

Happy Friday!

Prime Time

We finally tried Prime 16 a local specialty burger place.  Not happy that it took us this long to try it out, because it's that good.  Might have to venture off in that area of town again to try something different.   

99 bottles of beer on the wall...maybe more?

Cajun patty melt with sweet potato and regular fries.

Week In Pictures 27.0

1  Last week's storm gave me a little case of cabin fever.  After a few days, I figured that some roads would be clear at least to the craft store!

2  I put my new yarn to work.  I'm liking the very colorful pattern or non-pattern.

3  A request for a football helmet inspired earflap hat.

4  Another request for a hat, this time some mouse ears.  I'm pretty pleased with it.

5  Although some surrounding towns postponed Halloween because of the down trees and power outages, it didn't stop us from celebrating.  Here's Happy with her pumpkin outfit (that I bought on clearance last year).

6  Hubby and I were invited to a Halloween party, and we were able to find matching (kind of) costumes.  Everyone got a kick out of his "muscles".

7  Since we're not used to being out so late, we finally woke up and had lunch at a new Vietnamese restaurant.  I had to have some iced Vietnamese coffee.  This was the first time I was able to use this fancy coffee maker...almost like a french press?  Can anyone help me out here..what's it called?

8  I can never say no to egg rolls #asiangirlproblems.

9  I ordered my usual vermicelli noodle dish.

How was your week?

Will You Be My Pumpkin?

Fall is definitely my favorite time of year.  With the season in full swing, the tree colors in full view, the smell of cider and pie, what's not to love?  These pictures were taken a few weekends ago at Lyman Orchards when we went pumpkin picking.  It was definitely a tough decision, but I think we picked the best one!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!