Happy Halloween........Bark

Happy Halloween everyone! Halloween has always been fun for me no matter what I have been doing. I have dressed up many years, obviously for trick or treating in younger years and parties in adult years, dressed up to pass out candy, and just sat back and watched everyone else dress up and get excited. No matter what your stance, you probably do some sort of celebrating or decorating. Why not make this easy and delicious bark that is super festive and you can use many things you already have. It is perfect for snacking on around your house or taking to a Halloween party! You can use various kinds of chocolate (dark, white, semi-sweet, just one, two, etc.). You can also use candy or sprinkles you have already. I used Halloween Oreos because I feel like we always have Oreos around the house and candy corn, but you can use any candy you have (hello leftover candy from trick or treating). Use your imagination and enjoy!

Halloween Bark

Ingredients

12 ounce bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

12 ounce bag white chocolate chips

about 10 Oreos, broken in pieces 

about 1/4 cup candy corn

Halloween sprinkles 

Prepare a sheet pan with foil. Place about 3/4 of the broken Oreos scatter about on the foil. 

Heat the semi-sweet chocolate chips over medium-low heat in a saucepan, stirring constantly, until completely melted. Pour that on the prepared pan with the Oreos. Smoothing all around until it is as thin as desired (the thicker it is, the harder it will be to break apart). Place in the refrigerator until hardened (about 20-30 minutes). 

Heat the white chocolate chip in a separate saucepan, the same as you did the semi-sweet. Once melted, pour that over the already hardened semi-sweet chocolate. If it is really hot, it can start melting the semi-sweet chocolate and they can combine (just a heads up, it is ok, but you can let it cool slightly if you don't want them to mix very much). Once you have it on and spread out, place the ready of the Oreos scattered around, the candy corn, and the sprinkles. You can press slightly on the bigger pieces to help them set in the chocolate. Place back in the refrigerator until set (again, about 20-30 minutes).

Once set, remove from refrigerator and break apart. Since mine was on one pice of foil, I hit it on the counter a couple times. You can also use a knife to break it apart or your hands (though it may get a little messy as the chocolate melts).   

This was a craft/halloween fun I was having. I bought my husband his favorite bourbon and dressed it like a ghost. For that I uses part of a pool noodle (I had it on hand) and cut up and old white T-shirt. Then I drew on the eyes and mouth with a sharpie and added the signs. 

I saw someone post a picture of Halloween glasses they bought and I thought "Hey I can make that". I printed off Jack-O-Lantern faces, cut them out and taped them on. If we thought it was fun because we could pick out our eyes, noses, and mouths, imagine how cool kids would think it was. If it is a tradition we continue, I might look into making them so they are reusable, but for right now they are one time use. They can be used on any type of glass so have fun with it! I hope these gave you some ideas for a fun Halloween! 

Pumpkin Spice Crunch Cake

If you haven't noticed from previous posts.......I just love fall! The weather is perfect and the colors of the leaves outside are absolutely gorgeous! Now I don't go over the top crazy with making or getting pumpkin everything, but I do like a taste here and there. I made this recipe, found here, because I hadn't seen my husband eat anything pumpkin and actually he wasn't even sure if he liked pumpkin so I thought this would be a good start. The verdict......he liked it enough to eat it. It wasn't a love, but I'll still take it! I thought it was really great and the spice cake helped dull the pumpkin flavor slightly. Plus, can you really go wrong with cream cheese frosting and toffee? So if you have picky pumpkin eaters, or are looking for a different pumpkin recipe, try this one out! Enjoy!

Pumpkin Spice Crunch Cake
(for 2 9x13 pans)

Ingredients

29 ounce can pumpkin, unsweetened 
1 box spice cake mix (plus ingredients indicated on box)
8 ounce bag of toffee bits
1 container cream cheese frosting

*If you want to make one cake simply use half of what is stated. Everything is easy to half, except when it came to my cake mix, it indicated to use 3 eggs. I halved it and used only 1 egg and it turned out just fine.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 1 or 2 (depending on how many cakes you want to make) pans with spray. 

*See note above if making one cake. Mix the cake batter according to box directions. Add the toffee bits, reserving about 1/4 cup for the topping. Add the pumpkin and combine. 

Pour the mixture into your pan(s) about 1/2 to 3/4 full. Bake for about 45 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. 

Let them cool. Frost with the cream cheese frosting and sprinkle with reserved toffee bits.

October Birchbox Review: Camille Beckman Tuscan Honey Hand Therapy

In my August Birchbox I received the Harvey Prince Body Cream and stated in my post that I am really not a good person to review lotions because I hardly use them. Well, while I still don't think I can do a review that would do the product justice, I have started using lotions more. This lotion by Camille Beckman is wonderful! I have been using it constantly seeing as the weather has been getting a little more dry and I have needed the moisture! It is slightly think, but absorbs into the skin quickly, leaving it nice and soft, not greasy. I also love the smell. It isn't too overpowering, but has a nice subtle fragrance. It comes in three other scents besides the Tuscan Honey that I received, so if you like the hand cream, but not the scent, there are other options. And just look at that packaging! It is the cutest thing I have seen! While the actual product isn't packages the same (it comes in a squeeze bottle), it is still perfect for throwing in you purse. As I am learning that I need a little bit of everything in my purse for trips to the city, this will come in handy! Speaking of going to the city, stay tuned next week for my trip to the Birchbox store in SoHo! I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their week! 

A Few More Smoothie Recipes

You may recall last Thursday I posted some of the smoothie recipes I cycle through on a daily basis. Well, here are a few more to give you more of a variety! I usually have my smoothie packs pre-made in a freezer bag with everything but the protein powder and liquid. It makes it super convienient when you are in a hurry. Plus, it is helpful for those fruits (like bananas) that are very ripe to the point you need to eat it or throw it away. Just pop half or the whole banana into one of your smoothie packs and it will save it! If you don't like your fruits and veggies frozen, you can assemble your smoothie the night before in your blender and place it in the refrigerator the night before. The best part is there are endless possibilities. You can use numerous fruits, veggies, and liquids in your smoothies! Enjoy!

This smoothie is a no brainer. Strawberry and banana combinations have been around for quite some time, but I still thought I would share. Sometimes we don't see the easiest things in front of us to make. It tastes like strawberry with a hint of banana. Adjust the flavors to your liking! 

Strawberry Banana

1 cup strawberries

1 banana

2 handfuls kale

scoop of protein powder

8-12 ounces unsweetened almond milk

Blend all ingredients in your blender!

I had extra apples on hand and had never tried them in a smoothie before. I figured with the strawberries I wouldn't really taste it, but it tasted just like I was drinking my Granny Smith apple and I couldn't taste the strawberry at all. I didn't mind though, I love apples!

Apple Strawberry

1 apple, fresh

1/2 cup strawberries

2 handfuls kale

8-12 ounces unsweetened almond milk

scoop of protein powder

Blend all ingredients in your blender!

This smoothie (in the corner there) is my go to smoothie. It was the first one I ever tried to start my green smoothie kick. I buy bags of frozen blueberries and strawberries and assemble my packs in one sitting so they are really easy to grab and go. Some of the others you need the ingredients fresh, but not this one!

Strawberry, Blueberry, and Banana

1/2 cup strawberries

1/2 cup blueberries

1/2 banana

scoop protein powder

2 handfuls kale

8-12 ounces unsweetened almond milk

Blend all ingredients in your blender!

Red Eye Cafe, Montclair, NJ

Last weekend I went to a new restaurant with one of my girlfriends. It's nice finding friends in the area because they let you in on all these little gems and advice about the area. I have discovered a few new restaurants that I may not have found otherwise by myself. So far, they have all been delicious and unique in their own way. The restaurant we went to for brunch was the Red Eye Cafe in Montclair, NJ. It is a tiny (it looked like it sat maybe 20 people), BYOB coffee shop with an eclectic menu (think beet tartar and shrimp & grits).  

I opted for the Chipotle Cheese sandwich (below) which was "Queso de freir with avocado, tomato, refried beans, and chipotle mayo on ciabatta bread. Served with shaved Brussels sprout, apple, red onion, and spiced walnut salad". Of course in usual brunch fashion, it was complimented with mimosas. I was throughly pleased with my selection, but can't wait to go back and try other items on their menu. They don't take reservations so if you plan on going for weekend brunch be prepared to wait (we waited about 25 minutes for 2), though it is worth it. Red Eye Cafe is also a short walk from the train station which makes it super convenient since there is no parking lot and street parking can be hard to find.

If you are in the area, I suggest you try this restaurant out if you have a moment. If you don't have time to sit down for a meal, you can get coffee and a pastry to go. Since I am a sucker for anything French, I got their Sludge coffee to go which they make through a cold brewing method and it is so good and potent! Enjoy your week! 

A Few Smoothie Recipes

I'm letting you in on a little behind the scenes action, and an attempt to get pics off my phone, of my day to day breakfast and lunch smoothies. These are what get me to one "bad" dinner to the next without weighing 800 pounds. There may be some that you have tried before, or combinations that you haven't thought of. Feel free to give them a try and let me know what you think (the last one is my absolute favorite)! Enjoy!

This smoothie mostly tastes like blueberries with a small hint of avocado. I'm the only one who eats avocados in our house, so I will use half, put the other half in a freezer bag with a little lemon juice, mash it together, and pop it in the freezer. I use it frozen in my smoothie, but you can let it sit out for a few minutes and use it however you want!

Blueberry Avocado Smoothie

2 handfuls kale

1/2 cup blueberries

1/2 of a avocado

scoop of protein powder

8-10 ounces unsweetened almond milk 

Blend all ingredients together.

I was really surprised by this smoothie. Since I used a big juicy peach and a watery cucumber, I thought it would have a sting peach flavor. Instead, it tasted like drinking a cucumber with no hint of peach. I love cucumbers so it was fine, just not what I was expecting! 

Cucumber Peach Smoothie

2 handfuls kale

1 fresh peach

1 cucumber 

scoop of protein powder

8-10 ounces almond milk

Blend all ingredients together.

This is by far my fave smoothie! I mean it has chocolate in it so what's not to love right? Not only does it taste amazing, but it keeps you full all day! I drank one at 9am and realized when Kev came home that I never ate (drank really) anything else all day and I wasn't hungry! This one is a must try in my book! 

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Smoothie

2 cups crushed ice 

1/2 cup water

1/3 cup chocolate chips

scoop of protein powder

1/3-1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk

1/4 cup 1% milk

1 Tablespoon peanut butter

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla 

If you need to crush your ice, do that first in your blender. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend together. 

October Birchbox Review: ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick

I had been looking for a nude lipstick for quite some time. I always saw ones that other people recommended or pinned on Pinterest, but I was always too hesitant to try one. Normally I go for a ip balm with a hint of color (Sugar is my fave, I have many colors), a lip stain in a pink color (Stainiac from Birchbox is my fave), or something bold like hot pink (my fave in this category is Make Up Forever lip liner 16C bright fuchsia pink  with lip gloss S26 pearly electric rose on top). Nude just wasn't my thing. I didn't know where I would wear it to buy an expensive one, yet if I went to a drugstore, I never liked any of the shades. It was quite the conundrum, so I just gave up and stuck with what I already knew and loved. As a matter of fact, the first time I put on the ModelCo lipstick (in Kitty) I hated it. It wasn't my first choice, but the other lip glosses were taken, so I was like great I'm stuck with this. A few days later, I was looking through Pinterest (surprisingly as much as I mention Pinterest I'm not on it that much anymore lol) and saw pictures of smokey eyes and nude lips. A trend I was familiar with, but hadn't tried. The pics gave me inspiration so I decided to play around. I mean what could it hurt right? My whole face was done, except for my lips. I grabbed the lipstick with a "let's get this over with" attitude, but looked closer as I was applying it and was pleasantly surprised with what I was seeing.......I loved it!!!!! I don't know what happened from the first time I tried it to this time, maybe the smokey eye, maybe taking more care in applying it, but I loved it! The color looked great, the lipstick felt great, and it had a lovely scent to it that I can't place (sort of like strawberry bubblegum). When my sample runs out (it's pretty substantial so it might be awhile) I will definitely have to get this! Below are the smokey eye with the lipstick in Kitty looks! Enjoy the rest of your week!