Friday, October 30, 2015

Favorite Halloween Candy!

Happy Friday you guys!!!
I'm back today for another Friday Link Up!
And again, I'm linking up with THREE different groups.
Make sure to check them all out at the bottom of this post!

I have a HUGE sweet tooth and love all kinds of candy,
so you better believe I love when Halloween rolls around.
Stores are stocking giant bags of candy months in advance,
which really tests my will power not to buy one of every kind!

And since today is the day before Halloween,
I'm throwing all will power aside to share my 
FAVORITE HALLOWEEN CANDY!!!
(In no particular order)






Now for more Friday Link Up Fun, check out the blogs below!

Andrea and Erika's blogs from Friday Favorites.

April's blog from 5 on Friday.

Karli and Amy's blogs from oh hey friday!




Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Things I'm Lovin' Tuesday: Rosebud Salve Tube!

A few months ago I started another monthly blog series called
THINGS I'M LOVIN' TUESDAY!!!
If you missed the first few, you can find them herehere and here
and make sure to check back every last Tuesday of the month!

Now onto what I'm lovin' this month...

I was introduced to Rosebud Salve years ago.
I think I was in middle school the first time I used it,
and I really liked it right away - but didn't LOVE it. 


I've never been a big fan of lip gloss or chapstick in a tub.
Something about applying it with my finger just grosses me out.
And I quickly decided to stick with another old favorite instead.

That is until recently...

While shopping at Sephora, I had to do a double take.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it,
but I found Rosebud Salve in a tube!!!


I've used the Rosebud Salve in a tube pretty much every day since.
I really love how soft it makes my lips feel,
but I think my favorite part is the subtle smell of roses!

If you haven't tried it yet, I highly recommend you do so!
It doesn't leave the sticky feeling on your lips
and for 6 bucks I think it's a steal!!!

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Tortellini Aglio e Olio

I've had Aglio e Olio with pasta many times,
but I never thought to use it on tortellini until recently.

And let me tell you - it is absolutely amazing!
The sauce gets in all the little pasta crevices and is just WOW!!!
(But really - how can pasta, olive oil, garlic and parm ever taste bad?!?)

I had never made the sauce myself before this time,
but as usual, Google pointed me to something yummy!

This will be my go-to Aglio e Olio recipe
and I just had to share it on the blog.

The Goods:
Tortellini
Olive Oil
Garlic
Red Pepper Flakes
Salt
Italian Parsley
Parmesan Cheese

Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
Add garlic and cook until lightly browned.
Next add the red pepper flakes and cook a minute more.

Cook your pasta according to directions and then drain.

Pour sauce over pasta and toss until mixed well.
Add fresh parsley and parmesan cheese.

Then serve yourself a bowl and dig in!!!

You can easily substitute any pasta of your liking in this recipe.

Tortellini Aglio e Olio 
Adapted from Emeril Lagasse

1 Pound Pasta
1/2 Cup Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons Minced Garlic
1 Tablespoon Red Pepper Flakes
Fresh Grated Parmesan Cheese
Fresh Italian Parsley

  1. Cook your pasta, drain and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
  3. Add garlic and cook until lightly browned.
  4. Add the red pepper flakes and cook a minute more.
  5. Pour sauce over drained pasta and mix well.
  6. Add fresh parsley and parmesan cheese.
  7. Serve, garnish with more parsley and cheese and ENJOY!!!

Friday, October 23, 2015

How To: French Press Cold Brew Coffee

I love coffee and over the years I've found ways I like it best.
I've known about cold brew coffee for awhile now,
but hadn't tried it until just a few months ago.
And OH MY GOSH - it quickly became my favorite way to drink coffee.

Since I'm a fan of iced coffee (sometimes even in the cold!)
this way of making the coffee was a no brainer for me.
I loved that I didn't need to add much milk because it was less acidic,
but I didn't love the price I was paying (too often) at a well known coffee chain.

So...what'd I do about that lil conundrum?
I went to Google and learned to make my own!
I found this recipe on The Kitchn and tried it not too long after.
And I've made it countless times since because it's that good!

Let me show you how you can make your own.

The Goods:
French Press
Coffee Beans
Cold Water

Start by grinding your coffee beans.
I always do a double batch, so this is 2/3 Cup.

If I'm making hot or cold brew coffee in the French Press,
I always use the coarse setting on my coffee grinder.

Put your ground coffee at the bottom of your french press.

Next add your cold water.
Since I do a double batch, this is 3 Cups of water.

Stir so the water and grinds combine...

And then finally add the lid. 
with the press in the upright position.

Let coffee brew in the refrigerator overnight, 
and press the next day when you're ready for your morning coffee.

And that is how simple it really is to make! 
The original recipe calls for 1/3 Cup Coffee Beans
and 1 1/2 Cups water, but I double the batch and haven't had a problem.
It's still quite strong, but I just don't have to make it as often.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Bubble Bath Review: Calgon Skin Silkening Bubble Bath

This is a non-sponsored review and I purchased my own Bubble Bath.

Another third Wednesday of the month,
so of course that means another Bubble Bath Review!
I have no idea how long I'll keep doing these posts,
but with the weather getting cooler I'll for sure be taking more baths!

If you missed them, make sure to check out past bubble bath reviews:

I honestly have NO idea where I got this bubble bath,
but I do remember being excited it was ginger scented.
I'm a big fan of ginger in food and drinks,
so I had high hopes for this bubble bath.


If you've learned anything from past bubble bath post,
you'll know I always have some kind of drink and something to read!


Just like the last few month's,
and most bubble bath's for that matter,
this one is really a no-brainer.

Simply pour the bubble bath into running water...

And then sit back with a good book to soak and relax!!!

This was another fairly inexpensive bubble bath
and it didn't disappoint one bit.
Great bubbles and the ginger scent was AMAZING!
I'll be buying this one again for sure!

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Show & Tell: Halloween Costumes

I'm still unsure what I'm doing for Halloween this year,
but I couldn't miss linking up with Andrea again,
for another fun Show & Tell about Halloween Costumes!
(Past Show & Tell posts can be found here and here!)

Since I don't have set Halloween plans yet,
I don't really have a costume planned for this year,
so today I'll be sharing costumes from the past few years!

Nerdy Black Cat in Los Angeles in 2012

French Waldo In Kansas City in 2012

Devil, Toga and Black Cat ALL in 2013

And Pebbles Flintstone in 2014

So what are YOU going to be for Halloween this year???


Thursday, October 15, 2015

Halloween and Fall Decor 2015

When I blogged about my DIY Bat Decorations,
I mentioned that I didn't do much Halloween decorating this year.
While my place doesn't look like it has in years past,
I still have some festiveness that I thought was worth sharing!

I pulled out all my Halloween and Fall decorations,
but only picked a select few to put out this year.
And yes, that's two giant tubs full of decorations!!!

Right when you walk in, you'll know it's almost Halloween!

Don't be scared of this GIANT spider - he's harmless!

I have to fake it with the Fall Leaves garland and mini scarecrow!

And last but not least, the DIY Bats!!!

Hope you all have something fun planned for Halloween this year!

Monday, October 12, 2015

DIY: Halloween Bat Decorations

Last Fall, another blogger shared bat cut outs she used to decorate for Halloween.
I loved the idea and made a mental note to use them while decorating this year.
I've scaled my Halloween decorations back this year, but I had to include these's bats!

They are SO easy to make and can be completed in very little time.
I got the cut out pattern from Country Living here,
and like Andrea, I scaled the original down just a little bit too.

Now let me show you how easy they really are!

The Goods:
Black Cardstock
Scissors

Cut out your template and then trace it on black cardstock that you've folded in half.
Make sure the template is on the folded side, otherwise you'll have two halves of a bat.

Once traced, cut out all the bats carefully.
This didn't take me very long, but I only did about a dozen.
If you're doing a lot - put on a tv show and get to work cutting the bats out.

Now grab some painters tape and your cut out bats.

And apply a loop of tape to the back of each bat...

And then stick them to your wall in a fun flying pattern!

That's it folks!
Super easy, super inexpensive, and super fun!

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Cocoa Date Balls

I was introduced to Cocoa Date Balls a few months ago.
A coworker was eating some that she'd made and shared one with me.
They're vegan, no bake treats and have just four ingredients.

I was quite interested and couldn't wait to give it a try.
After the first bite, I asked her to send me the recipe.
Mostly because they were AMAZING and I knew I had to blog about them!

My coworker sent me the recipe and told me how easy they were to make, 
but also explained that she'd gotten it from her neighbor,
who happens to be Kristina Kuzmic who's been on Food Network!

The Goods:
Dates
Walnuts
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
Cinnamon

Add the walnuts...

And add the dates too...

Then the unsweetened cocoa powder...

And finally the dash of cinnamon.

Pulse until mixture is fine and well incorporated.


Using a small scoop portion out the mixture...

And form into compact balls.



And then if you get a lil crazy...

Decide to make a second batch and add shredded coconut too!!!

These are not only SO easy to make,
but they are SO incredibly tasty too!!!

Cocoa Date Balls
Originally from Kristina Kuzmic

1 Cup Raw Walnuts
1 Cup Pitted Dates
1/4 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
Dash Cinnamon
1/2 Cup Shredded Coconut (Optional)
  1. Add the walnuts, dates, unsweetened cocoa powder and cinnamon to a food processor. (Shredded coconut optional)
  2. Pulse until mixture is fine and well incorporated.
  3. Using a small scoop, portion out mixture and form into compact balls.
  4. Store in airtight container in the fridge.