Superbowl Super Snacks

I had to share my Mom's homemade cheese ball which she made today and will be taking to a party. Her creative wheels were spinning and she made the cheese ball into football form. Although I won't be enjoying this particular cheese ball (due to it being 2 hours away!), I will be enjoying a homemade pizza, chips & dip, and veggies & dip. When it's Superbowl Sunday, snacks are mandatory! What will you be enjoying?

Will you be my...

V-A-L-E-N-T-I-N-E?

Who wouldn't love this gorgeous arrangement of flowers?
Don't they put the dozen-roses-with-babies-breath to shame?
Men of the world - take note!

Treats are nice for Valentine's Day, too.
This crate full of goodies would make anyone
feel warm & fuzzy...and hungry!


A coworker introduced me to the website "Olive & Cocoa".
These gifts are from the website.
They have really nice floral arrangements, gifts, etc.
which, I'm warning you, are not cheap.
At the very least, their gifts will inspire you.
I heart Valentine's Day.

Cake By Numbers

Looking for the perfect theme for your next birthday party?
Go with numbers! 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 0r 100...
I like the idea of the age being the focus of the party.
The theme can easily be incorporated into the
decorations, cake, invitations, etc.

This number cake was created by using a stencil
from www.marthastewart.com and cutting
the numbers out of sheet cake(s).
M&M's were used to decorate the outside.
This cake looks great because the pattern of colored M&M's
is perfect and covers almost every inch of both cakes.
It looks bright and fun; I'd definitely take a piece!

www.marthastewart.com

Warm Me Up

Snow, snow, everywhere! If it's going to be freezing, bring on the snow. The chilling temperatures are a little more bearable when the ground is covered in powdery white snow. Don't you agree?

I came across a recipe for Banana Nutella Bread
and I'm dying to try it.
Warm bread with bananas and Nutella cannot be wrong!

www.ramshackleglam.com

Upgrade Your Presentation

I came across this idea on one of my favorite blogs (Eddie Ross) and I must share it...
One, because it's simple.
Two, because it's pretty.
Three, because you can make it for a holiday party this week!

Instead of serving dip in a bowl, hollow out a cabbage to make an organic
and nice looking serving dish.
I also like that this serving vase/dish is elevated.
Cheers to interesting presentations!

www.eddieross.com

Baking Up Goodness

I am getting ready to bake these Coconut Macaroons
(and dip some of them in chocolate)!
Are you baking anything for the holidays?

roomenvy.wordpress.com

Christmas is next week and preparations for the big holiday are underway. I found a truly inspiring blog post titled, "The Foodies' Guide to the Holidays" on designer Tory Burch's blog. Mario Batali, Eric Ripert and other notable "foodies" share their holiday traditions and favorites. It's a look inside on what the real food fanatics are dining on during the holiday season!

I am Thankful For...

Let's start with something chic...haricots verts with hazelnuts. If you are wondering what the difference is between a 'green bean' and haricots verts, let me enlighten you! Haricots verts is French for 'green beans'. These tasty things are usually smaller and skinnier than the average american green bean.
This recipe can be found here.

www.marthastewart.com


This "simple stuffing" recipe can be found here on Martha Stewart's website.
Don't you love stuffing? It's a necessity at Thanksgiving!
www.marthastewart.com


My family doesn't serve Mac and Cheese at
Thanksgiving and I'm beginning to wonder why!
Who wouldn't help themselves to a spoonful (or two) of this tempting goodness?

Leave it to Ina Garten to bring Mac and Cheese to Thanksgiving.
That woman gets it right, doesn't she?
The recipe for Mac and Cheese (Ina Garten style) can be found here.

www.foodnetwork.com



Here is a recipe for a decadent Pumpkin Banana Mousse Tart.
Ina Garten gets it right once more with this twist that
puts pumpkin pie to shame!

www.foodnetwork.com

Thanksgiving is this week and you know what that means...
Food. Lots of Food.
In honor of this glorious (and gluttonous) holiday,
I'll be posting about food, one of my favorite things!

Are you looking for a fall-inspired dessert that is not pumpkin pie?
Here you go. S'more Pie. Genius, right?!
The recipe can be found here.

thenoshery.com

Baked Apples = Delicious!

I came across this recipe for "Baked Apples" over the weekend.
I gave it a shot and, to much delight, the apples were AMAZING!
This recipe is very easy and you can make only as many as you want.
Since there are only two of us, I don't like to make pies and cakes
because we are always tempted to eat all of the dessert!
We made two baked apples and it was perfect.

Try Peruvian

www.mangoperu.com

A few weekends ago, I challenged my husband to find a restaurant in the city we've never been to for a romantic (and tasty) date night. He accepted the challenge and really impressed me. We ended up at Mango, a Peruvian restaurant that was sooo good. I love trying new things but that night I was really hungry and didn't want to play around! So, I was a little hesitant about trying new cuisine fearful that I would be unsatisfied and still hungry...



Fortunately, the food was killer. I enjoyed lomo saltado (beef stir-fry) and Scott had aji de gallina (chicken with aji amarillo sauce). We ate every bite and we're definitely going back in the future. Lesson learned: don't be afraid to try something new (even when you are starving)!

Haunted House

Let me preface this post with one comment:
I would not make this myself (unless I had some helping hands)
because I would turn into a wicked witch trying to get it done...
BUT I think the idea is wonderful.

The idea of making a gingerbread house during the holiday season is nothing new and perhaps that is why I find the idea of making a haunted house for Halloween to be so cool!
I found this photo on www.marthastewart.com (of course) and I think the cake would be great as a centerpiece at a Halloween party.
Ambitious bakers, this one's for you!