Romp It Up!

The other day I was online window shopping at my second favorite store, Urban Outfitters, when I came across this throwback gem:

 

  

No, your eyes do not deceive you. You are 100% looking at denim overalls. I am undecided about how I feel about the reemergence of denim overalls. My manager wore a pair the other day and I thought it was novel and rocking...on her. It seemed very fitting for her personality. For the masses, myself included? Debatable. That being said, if I were truly truly interested I would 100% promote exploring options that included the following: a unique back detail, as those above do, and a tapered leg, versus the straight leg above. Asos has a pair I favor that do both things I mentioned, pictured below, but they literally have two sizes. Little details like that are going to be key to make this comeback work instead of looking like you are going to rake out pig stalls, or worse, displaying 6th grade nostalgia. Salud!

Urban Outfitters: http://urbout.co/zwqFID

ASOS: http://bit.ly/Avnyj2

Proud New Owner/ Friday Favorites

I know I wrote earlier in the week about my love of shopping, so I wanted to continue the theme of...loving to shop. These are my current Friday Favorites based on clothing I have recently indulged in.

1. Tri-Blend Fleece Hoodie

Did I mention it is men's? It is kind of my thing currently. I stole the idea from one of my co-workers. But this hoodie is the TRUTH. Especially in this Tiger's Blood color. Ok, the color is actually called Red Rose, but Tiger's Blood is 50 times cooler, no? Besides being super vibrant this wonderful sweater is fleece lined so you stay warm and snuggly all the time. I can't stop wearing it with my nude wedges and dark blue super skinny jeans.
http://gap.us/z0nKxE

2. Hollister Super Skinny

I actually own two pairs, but these dark ones are the BEES KNEES! I honestly wear them the majority of the days of the week and weekend. I asked the worker what the difference between these and the skinny's were, she said the super skinny's were...super skinny. What she failed to mention was that the composition is different. The supper skinnies are MUCH closer to a jegging than a denim jean which, in turn, means the jean molds to your body and really moves with you which, in turn, makes them super comfortable to wear. I am a huge fan of Hollister jeans in general, but these super skinnies are a real life love connection.
http://bit.ly/yIPWWf

3. Stag Necklace

I bought this from Forever21, it only has one eye and I think that adds character. Honestly, it's like wearing a hunting trophy on your neck. Every chance I get, I try to bust this thing out. I will probably forever lover Forever21 because of their novelty jewelry. This being a MAJOR case in point. My cupcake earrings being another!

Bien Viernes!

I Want, I Want, I Want! (Gap Edition)

It is that time again where I like to bust out the clothing items that I can't wait to try on. Honestly, Spring is not looking like a big season for me, at least Gap-wise. And since I don't like shopping clothes anywhere else, it probably won't be a big clothing season for me for a little while. Maybe long enough to squeeze in a tattoo? Cross those fingers! Anyway, now that I have digressed, here are a few things that I have picked out that are to my liking for Spring 2012.

1. V-neck Pocket Tee (Gap)
  
Yellow Shooting Star. The color I should get. White. The color I will most likely get. Nasty green Kale. The color I will consider because I find it so repulsive. I like this shirt a lot, all the more so because of that non-functional pocket. Also, these shirts are 100% cotton!! Double upside!!! But the Gap is also purportedly coming out with an even slouchier shirt that REALLY appeals to my dirty Ke$ha sense of style.  (The Gap has really interesting color names for their clothing, as evidenced above. We, as workers, always get a kick out of it.)
http://gap.us/y96zV7

2. Easy Pocket T
 
Let us talk about how SLOUCHY these tees are! They are so baggy and flowy and casual and have "F*** it, I'm a model-on-her-day-off-beautiful" written ALL over them. These shirts are the epitome of why I am going on a 3 year white t-shirt fetish. Now, let us discuss these names. Blue Opal, I can't tell this one apart from Milk, but I assume it is a variation of very pale blue. I'll let you know when I see it in person. Milk. The classic white, which, let's be real, EVERY closet needs.
Now, rain parade. These shirts...100% Rayon. :( I don't know if you've ever had a chat with Rayon, but if you haven't, next time ask it "Hey Rayon, what is your favorite thing to do?" I kid you not, Rayon will reply "Shrink." Cross my heart! I have 3 rayon shirts from last summer, they are now ALL "shrunken rayon". I cannot, for the life of me, remember to not throw a rayon shirt in the dryer. Because it's a T-SHRIT! 3/4 of the point of buying t-shirts is because they are such a low maintenance item. Rayon is NOT low maintenance! *sigh*
http://gap.us/Ad9Al3

3.Topstitched Oversized Pocket Tee

Last...fall? Gap had a Chambray shirt that I LOVED! Loved, loved, loved. Yet, I was on the fence about it because the XS was a little too snug, but the S was a little to loose. I should have sucked it up and got the S. It is an item that I just CANNOT get off my mind. This is why I have HIGH hopes that this new, similar Chambray shirt will make me a wee bit happier...and help me move past the old one. :)
http://gap.us/Au8zDf

4. The Perfect Oxford

I think this shirt is TO DIE FOR in white. It is going to be a staple ALL Spring and ALL Summer, for MULTIPLE seasons. On top of that, it is SUPER versatile! You can dress it up for work or dress it down on weekends. It goes well with pants, it goes great with skirts. I can't get enough of it.
http://gap.us/ABiwRb

These next few items I hesitate to say I want, but I am very interested in how they fit/look in person.
5. Broken-in Straight Khaki
 
Blue Sky. Blue Galaxy. Verveine. These three colors...unique, unique pant colors. I'm not a khaki person, but these give me baseline hope because they're straight fit. Very intriguing all around.
http://gap.us/wP5MGm

6. Slub-knit Drop Shoulder Sweater

This sweater. In my head, I really want it in brown mystique mauve because it screams casual and versatility and Saturday-easy-comfort. But in reality I KNOW I can't wear neutrals unless I want to look like the living dead and based on similar sweaters of the past, I would be willing to bet this is going to be huge and oversized. And probably boxy to-boot.
http://gap.us/zbJeXK

Needless to say, I cannot wait to try all of this on. And purchase half of it! :) Salud!

I Want/I Need: I Love Shopping [Spending Money]

I think normal people get the shopping bug where they think, "I need a new shirt, let's go shopping" or "I lost some weight, let's go shopping". I however, get the spending bug where I start picking up random items, that I don't particularly need, in multiple stores and think, "Let's get this." Period. No reasoning, no rationale. Luckily, I have a very strong voice in my head (because I talk to myself a lot) that loves to rear it's head and say, "S, what are you doing? Do you really need three nail polishes right now?" And it is these moments that I realize, I am not shopping to shop; I am shopping to spend money. Which is terrible! To get all itchy and sweaty over the fact that you haven't been spending your money on stuff. I'm supposed to be SAVING money! Not throwing it away willy nilly because I'm an addict! That being said, I have begun a practice of making Want/Need lists that have, really and truly, curtailed my spending time and time again.

On the "want" side I list all the items that I have picked up, drooled over and generally thought "I need this in my life NOW" and on the "need" side I list the items that I have, in truth, budgeted for because I know they're going to take a nice bit out of my checking account. I generally make these lists in my notepad on my phone so that I can easily add to the wants while also remaining aware of my needs. It's a clever little trick that works for me and, in turn, makes me feel less withdrawal-y when I don't spend my money.

Hope that helped! Salud!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes [Review]

While we're on the topic of sweets, why not!? Let me tell you, este momento, these cupcakes are to. die. for. If you're a peanut butter lover. Last fall (when I made the cupcakes and never blogged about it :O) I took these with me everywhere as a "thank-you hostess" gift. They were WELL received EVERY time. I honestly think this one girl thought I was an up-and-coming Food Network star, she was so impressed. But, enough about the flattery, more about these cupcakes. The original recipe can be found here: http://www.neverhomemaker.com/2010/01/vegan-ized-sk-chocolate-peanut-butter.html. This is how I made them (essentially to a T.)


What you'll need for the chocolate cupcakes . . .

• 3 tablespoons applesauce
• 1-1/8 cups soy milk (eyeballed the 1/8)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1/2 cup wheat pastry flour* 
• 1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup unbleached cane sugar (I used Sugar in the Raw brown sugar)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoons baking soda

Method . . .

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Insert cupcake liners into a medium cupcake pan.
2. Whisk together the applesauce, soy milk, vanilla, and vinegar in a large bowl.
3. In another bowl, mix together the dry ingredients.
4. Cup by cup add the dry ingredients to the liquid ones. Beat well.
5. Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full. Bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the top of the cupcake is rather firm and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
6. Cool and then frost (recipe below).

Frosting . . . (makes about 2.5 cups)

• 5 ounces vegan cream cheese, at room temperature (I used SunnySide Tofutti)
• 2 ounces butter Earth Balance (or other butter substitute), at room temperature
• 2.5 cups vegan confectioners’ sugar, sifted
• 1/3 cup smooth peanut butter (I used Skippy Jiff Natural)

Method . . .

1. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat the vegan cream cheese and Earth Balance until light and fluffy. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar -- 1 cup at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl often. (Doing it 1 cup at a time is VERY important.)
2. Continue to beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Add the peanut butter and beat until thoroughly blended.

*I also made these using 3/4 cup of whole wheat flour (so the scaling down would be exact), but I felt the whole wheat taste became overpowering. I much preferred using a 1:1 ratio in terms of the flours.

Overall, I scaled the recipe in half because there are only two people living in my house and heaven knows we don't ginormous batch of cupcakes sitting around. As I said before, these cupcakes are top of the line. Definitely five stars. Especially if you want something to carry with you as you visit someone else. I didn't make the chocolate drizzle topping as Ashley did when she made them, but I also did not miss it. When I really get my life together, I will 100% make these the semi-vegan way Ashley did. I have no doubt they are delicious however you make them. Salud!

Cookies!!!

MIA OVER! Hopefully. Today, because things weren't going my way, I decided to make cookies. Mistake (so it seems, haven't tried a cookie yet). Nevertheless, I'm here to let you know about the endeavor. The original recipe I nabbed from allrecipes.com and can be found here: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/outrageous-chocolate-chip-cookies/detail.aspx. This is how I made the recipe.


1/2 cup butter
1/21/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup [natural, low sodium] peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg 1 tbs. ground flax seed, 3 tbs. water
1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup all purpose flour, 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips


Cooking Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the peanut butter, vanilla and egg until well blended. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the batter just until moistened. Mix in the oats and chocolate chips until evenly distributed. Drop by tablespoonfuls on to lightly greased cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 10 to 12 22 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges start to brown. Cool on cookie sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Now, my favorite thing to do when "cleaning up" recipes, as I noted above with strike-outs, is to forget how much heavier whole wheat flour is than white. When I was preparing the cookies to go on the cookie sheet, I could tell they were WAY too dry and as I sit here eating them they definitely are not as moist as they should be. I cut the batch in half, cooking some and freezing the rest. When I thaw the rest, one day, I will most likely add apple sauce to give some moisture back. Indeed, even though I cut the amount of white sugar, I feel the amount of both sugars could have been cut and replaced with applesauce. Think about it, there is definitely sugar in the peanut butter AND semi-sweet chocolate chips. To add ANOTHER 2/3 cup of sugar seems like a whopper. Of course, these are things I only think of in retrospect. On a random note, once I finish using this bag of chocolate chips, I am intending on switching to carob chips. I, generally, cannot tell the difference.

Overall, I give the recipe 3 stars out of 5. Mainly for my mistakes. [Though we all know this girl is still going to eat ALL the cookies]. I do think this is an excellent recipe to start with if you are interested in attempting to clean up recipes or modify according to your dietary preferences. Salud!

Reading Like Water

When I first started this blog, I really thought there would be times where I talked about novels. Mainly because they take up such a HUGE part of my life. I became an English major as an undergrad for no other reason than to continue reading profusely and freely. It is not even something I do, it is just a part of who I am. I am a reader. Period. Point blank. End of story. That being said, there are generally only two broad genres of novels I read: Classics, especially 19th & 20th century, and Contemporary Romances. When classics get too heavy, I read romances, when romances become unsatisfactorily superficial, I read classics. It is a pretty solid balance, I feel. That being so, last month I read Lady Audley's Secret by Mary Braddon and this month I moved into the territory of J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood Series. This is why I am here.

Over the past year I have decided that I am very much into paranormal romances as a genre. It started as a seasonal thing. I liked to read paranormal romances around Halloween, Christmas themed romances during the holiday season and so on and so forth. Then I discovered Kresley Cole and became a die hard fan. I really think that woman is the Ace of Spades because she writes well as an author, not just as a romance author. Her stories come full bodied as opposed to being just about sex or just about paranormal activity. Her characters are an excellent balance of strong. yet willing to need others. There is always a story line and she intermixes her story-lines between novels LIKE A CHAMP! I just adore her as an author. And since I am personally SO into Kresley Cole, I figured it was about time to check out the hype about J.R. Ward.

Now, anyone who is ANYone in the romance fiction realm knows about J.R. Ward. She is, essentially, the O.G. paranormal romance writer. Even if you're not into paranormal romances, you have heard of J.R. Ward. She's big. So I started reading her Black Dagger Brotherhood series last week and I was...unimpressed. I find her writing to be a bit cliche and simplistic. Though, much to my amusement, she does through in a word each novel that is more challenging than the average. Yet, somehow, I am still inclined to read the whole series. On the one hand, I really want to see if her writing develops and evolves over the course of the series. On the other hand, I want need to know what happens to each member of the Brotherhood. I don't do well with non-resolutions. (Which makes me question why I insist on watching Independent films.)

The comical aspect is that I have been going through these novels like they are water and I am DEHYDRATED. It's crazy. I pick one up and that is the ONLY thing I want to do until I am finished with it. I don't want to fill out grad school apps, I don't want to text my friends, I don't even want to watch my favorite TV shows. All I want to do is read, change position, read, change room, read. Clearly I needed this kind of lighter reading in my life. I can't remember flying through a book like this since I was reading the Sweet Valley Senior Year series in high school. It is quite strange being well aware that you do not find a novel to be of satisfactory make-up and yet are still possessed with the need devotedly read them all.

Salud!