Tuesday, October 25, 2011

my hot and steamy affair

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So the weather has managed to flip-flop back and forth since that lovely day at the park, but it's ok, because in that time I managed to squeeze in some soup making.
I've got a bit of a steamy love affair with soup.
I went through a serious soup-making phase last year around this time.
Potato soup and broccoli soup and beef and vegetable soup, oh my!
It's incredibly comforting.
You can build a great pot of soup with just about anything and it requires little effort. Throw everything into a pot and let it simmer for a little while.
Some soups I let simmer for 2 hours, some for only 30 minutes.
And either way it's a labor of love.
Last week I made some broccoli cheese soup because I happened to have lots of cheese and broccoli handy.
It was warm, comforting, delicious, and it hit the spot.
All of the criteria for one fantastic soup.

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Broccoli Cheese Soup
I happened to have sharp cheddar and colby jack cheeses handy so I used both, but feel free to just use cheddar if you'd like. But don't cut out the parmesan. It adds great salty flavor. Also, I use a blender to puree the soup, but keep in mind that hot liquids expand in a blender so if you fill it more than half-way full, you will have one hot mess on your hands. If you'd like, you can use a handheld (immersion) blender. It's a fantastic tool, but I don't like it for this very much because the fibrous broccoli tends to get stuck in the blade.

2 T olive oil
½ c onion, chopped
1 carrot, diced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 large head broccoli, or 2 cups (or so) broccoli florets
Salt, pepper
1 t smoked paprika
2 c chicken stock (or vegetable stock for vegetarian friendly)
1 c sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 c Colby jack cheese, shredded
¼ c parmesan cheese, shredded

1. Heat up a big soup pot to medium heat and add in olive oil. Once hot, add in onions, carrots, and garlic and saute for a couple of minutes until soft and translucent.
2. Add in broccoli, pinches of salt and pepper, and smoked paprika.
3. Add in stock and simmer for about 10-15 minutes or so, until broccoli is fork tender. You want the broccoli to retain that bright green flavor so keep the simmering to a minimum.
4. In about 3 batches, add the soup to a blender and puree just slightly. I like to keep a little texture. Move pureed soup to a separate bowl until all batches are done.
5. Once all the soup is pureed, pour it back into the soup pot and bring the heat down to low.
6. Sprinkle in the cheeses, a handful at a time, while stirring the soup in a figure -8 motion. It's important to melt the cheese into the soup on low because if you boil it to try to melt the cheese faster, it will separate and cause a grainy soup.
7. Once all the cheese is in, double check for seasonings. Serve with crusty bread for dunkin' and enjoy. Preferably with a blanket and a movie.

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Friday, October 21, 2011

flashback friday: jazzercise

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The last time I actually celebrated Halloween was 2008.
I won a $25 gift card to Spirit from the Round Up and used it to buy a simple DIY costume staple: a wig.
Remember how I said wigs are the basis for a great DIY costume?
Right.
So I threw on my trusty fishnet stockings, some basic black pinstripe shorts, a black laced shirt, some black sequined flats, called myself The Jazzercise Hooker and called it a night.
The best costume out there? No, no.
The most fun I'd had in a while on Halloween? Oh yes.

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Wig: Spirit. Shirt: Derek Heart / Dots. Shorts: Charlotte Russe. Flats: Sirens. ($10! And I still have them!)

Thursday, October 20, 2011

ch-ch-changes

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The past 4 days were nothing but rain, cloudy skies, and crap.
And I love a rainy day as much as the next person - when I don't have to actually do anything.
Work, driving, errands, carrying my scared-of-leashes puppy: all inconveniences.
But when I woke up this morning, the sun had finally come out to play and it was a perfect, beautiful 66 degrees.
In south Florida?? In mid-October??
I love it!

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This called for a trip to the dog park and my favorite lightweight button-down.
Even though it has a plaid-like pattern, this shirt is really a basic staple for me.

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Shirt: Forever 21. Jeans: Old Navy. Sunglasses: Forever 21. Belt: I have no idea. Flip Flops: Old Navy.

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being a ham.

Paired with a pair of skinny jeans (I've had a whiplash-enducing love/hate relationship with) and some basic flip-flops (because it still is Florida after all), it was one lovely afternoon.
And Sandy made some friends! Not that you can tell from the picture below, but still..

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Sunday, October 16, 2011

(belated) flashback friday: marilyn

The whole week, including the weekend, has been busy and hectic so Flashback Friday has arrived a little late this week.
And in honor of Halloween quickly sneaking up on us, here's a goodie:

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This costume actually came together like most do: I needed a costume for a party at the last minute so I went to Party City and bought a costume. The end.
Terrible, I know.
This was about 8 or 9 years ago. And while I still have the dress, the wig has gone missing.
I really wish I still had that wig.
These days I mostly enjoy really fun, really silly DIY costumes and a good wig is always a great start.
I did consider doing a Marylin Monroe costume this year, but I'm not too sure yet. I haven't done anything in about 3 years since I always have to work.
But this year will be different!
I hope.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

currently loving: seasonal

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A confession: I love seasonal novelty items. I practically wiped out my bank account last year stocking up on buttloads of Christmas nonsense.
Well, it wasn't nonsense to me!
And what's better than seasonal novelty items? Seasonal novelty items on sale! or also, really cheap seasonal novelty items!
I made a quick run to Target last week and, as always, made a stop by the dollar spot first. When my eye caught sight of these adorable candy dishes, I knew I had to have them.
And at $2.50 apiece, how the hell can you say no??
I am practically shrieking with glee as I type this!
Breathe.
Sure, "investment holiday pieces" are nice. But I just love really fun, really kitschy seasonal things you can find on clearance, in dollar stores, in sale sections, and even discount stores.
Do we get a lot of trick or treaters? Not really.
Will we be throwing a party? Nope.
Does it matter? Absolutely not!
I will sit on my couch eating Halloween candy out of those candy dishes and be one happy girl.

peanut butter cookie time

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Who doesn't love a cookie? And really, who doesn't love a peanut butter cookie?
Well, I can name one. And he might as well be disowned.
Joking aside, a good peanut butter cookie is a wonderful thing. Warm from the oven with a nice glass of cold milk. How can you go wrong?
I have actually tested out many peanut butter cookie recipes in my day, some crispy and crunchy, others puffy and chewy. While my chocolate chip cookie is practically an institution in my brain, I'm open to any kind of peanut butter cookie recipe - always ready to find a recipe to compete with the last.
So it was pretty interesting to see a peanut butter cookie post in Orangette.
While I have yet to make those really delicious-sounding cookies, I did make my current stand-by peanut butter cookie recipe. They're puffy, chewy, crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth, little morsels of yummy-ness.
And what more could you ask for from a cookie?
I am actually going to post the recipe for those, pictured above, and post the recipe for the stand-by recipe I used to use before. Both are great and both use the same amount of peanut butter, sugars, and butter, but the similarities end there. The first peanut butter cookie recipe I really loved, the peanut butter cup cookies, call for half the amount of flour and eggs. This really leaves room for a crispier cookie, but still very delicious.
The addition of baking powder in the chocolate chip peanut butter cookies make for a puffier version.
Whichever you prefer, there is a recipe for you.

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies
My current stand-by recipe. Puffy, chewy, delicious. The recipe says to bake 10 minutes, but they tend to take a little longer for me, even with my oven running hotter than normal. Keep an eye on them and check starting at 10 minutes.
Adapted from Epicurious.com


½ c butter
¾ c peanut butter
½ c sugar
½ c brown sugar
2 eggs
1 t vanilla
2 c flour
½ t b powder
½ t b soda
½ t salt
2 c chocolate chips
½ c peanut butter chips, optional

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Cream together sugars and butters on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing until fully incorporated.
4. Mix together dry ingredients and add to mixer on low speed. Mix just until incorporated. Fold in chocolate (and peanut butter) chips.
5. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool on baking sheet 5 minutes.


Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
If you like crisp cookies, this recipe is for you. The cookies are a perfect balance of peanut butter, chocolate, and crispness. A couple of notes: my oven runs pretty hot so these cookies take about 15 minutes. I would suggest keeping an eye on them starting at 12 minutes. Also, the original recipe calls for half butter, half shortening. If you’d like to try that, by all means.
Adapted from Sun-Sentinel and Big Fat Cookies by Elinor Klivans.


1 c flour
½ t b soda
1/8 t salt
¾ c peanut butter
½ c brown sugar
1/3 c sugar
½ c butter, softened
1 egg
1 t vanilla
1 10oz bag mini peanut butter cups, chopped (or a couple packages of king size reese’s cups, chopped)

1. Preheat oven to 325F.
2. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Set aside.
3. Cream butters and sugars together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add in egg and vanilla. Beat 1 minute more.
5. Add in dry ingredients and mix on low speed until just incorporated. Fold in peanut butter cups.
6. Drop by tablespoon-fuls about 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper (or foil, or a silpat). Bake 18-20 minutes. Cool on baking sheet about 5 minutes.

And, as always, enjoy.

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Friday, October 7, 2011

flashback friday: diy jewelry

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Continuing in the theme of teenage fashion, let's a trip back to when bright, tacky jewelry was the norm. And leading the pack for me was a serious favorite: toothbrush bracelets. In cleaning up and looking through old things, I found that I still had mine. Well, one of them anyway.

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I've made many toothbrush bracelets in my day.
The trick is to get a kiddie toothbrush since they're thin and plastic and they're much easier to manipulate.
I do love to manipulate a toothbrush.
Moving on! The best instructions are here. I like to use oven mitts to help me shape the toothbrush once it comes out of the water. It seems to work best.
Talk about a fashion statement. And possibly a lovely addition to a Man Repeller arm party??

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currently loving: easy breezy

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It seems a lot of the shirts you'll find hanging on the racks these days are oversized and loose. Unfortunately the oversized and loose trend does not work well with my - ahem - shapely figure. But when I saw this top, I was compelled to try it on.

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Shirt: TJMaxx. Shorts: American Rag/Macy's. Necklace: Forever 21 (also seen here).

I was attracted to the print first. It's vibrant and bright. The fabric was fantastic, too. So I thought, why not?
I have worn this top about 3 days in a row now. My closet's feeling a little unloved, I'm sure.
When I put it on, I was instantly comfortable. It's fit in the right places, it's loose in the right places. It doesn't make me look like a big sack of potatoes; it's got movement.
Most frequently I've paired it with these white shorts that are quite possibly the best shorts I've ever purchased. They feel fantastic, fit perfectly, and go with just about anything.

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And if I start to feel like a sack of potatoes, a thin belt can add a waist. But for now, I'll stick to this comfortable shirt in this still-uncomfortable heat.

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Belt: Forever 21

But the weather is a-changin! Until then, this will be a staple til I have to swap it for shirts with sleeves. Ha. Sleeves.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

wafflemania 2011!

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The other day the husband said "I'm in the mood for some waffles!".
As with almost anything he says, I just let it go in one ear and out the other.

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I'm joking.
But I just concurred that yes, waffles are a delight.
Turns out he was ready to go. For waffles, that is.
So we searched for the waffle maker that had been shoved to the back of some cabinet, dusted it off, and heat it up.
He wanted to make waffles with almost a sugary crunch running throughout, almost like the idea behind a Liege waffle, but when the syrup failed to freeze, we opted for idea number 2: bacon.
Bacon in the waffle. Good morning, indeed!

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We happened to have a box of waffle mix in the pantry so we used that and added a good handful of crispy, cooked bacon.
Served with sliced bananas, warm syrup, and a cup of coffee, this breakfast was such a delight.
(And while we did cheat and use a mix, you can use your favorite waffle recipe or check out this fantastic post on waffles in the equally fantastic Orangette blog.)

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the husband prefers sliced strawberries instead..