September 19, 2012

Words for Wednesdays

Happy Hump Day!





Peach Ricotta Tart

If you are like me and want to savor these last few moments of summer-time, then you must make this Peach Tart.  Its simple and the most delicious thing I have eaten in a while. Enjoy!



Ingredients:
1 Pre-Made Pie Crust
1 Small Tub of Ricotta Cheese
Cinnamon
Sugar
Flour
3 Peaches 

Directions:
1. Wash and thinly slice peaches (beware of pits).


2. Roll out the Pre-made pie crust into your lightly flour dusted pie dish.


3. In a small bowl add Cinnamon and sugar to the ricotta and spread a thin layer of the cheese mixture on the bottom of the crust, do not forget to leave about an inch border of crust.


4. Layer the peaches over the cheese in a pretty pattern.



5. Fold the crust border over the edges of your tart. 


6. Brush crust with egg white so that will give it a beautiful golden brown color and sprinkle with sugar. 

  
7. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees, until perfectly brown.


8. Slice and enjoy this last perfect taste of summer.



-Megan

bad to the bone

Not sure if it's the fact that Fall is here and Halloween is approaching, but I'm loving anything with skulls on it! I know it may seem a little dark or morbid, but I think they are cool and add a little edge to your outfit.
 
bad to the bone

 

September 17, 2012

Artichoke Leaves with Creamy Chili Sauce and Shrimp

These artichoke appetizers were an all time favorite in college! They came from my roommate's Grandmother, and we made them quite often. At a recent wine and appetizer B-day celebration, I decided to give our guests a little blast from the past. I love artichokes, especially when paired with any kind of delicious dip or sauce (and you can't go wrong with something cream cheese based). 


Ingredients
1 whole artichoke
1/2 block of cream cheese (4 oz.)- use 1/3 less fat or fat free if you want
2 Tbsp chili sauce
About 30 small cooked shrimps


Boil about and inch or two of salted water in a pan large enough to hold the artichoke.

Cut off the stem of the artichoke so that it can stand upright, and trim the sharp tips off the leaves.

Place the artichoke, stem down, in the boiling water, reduce heat to simmer and put a lid on the pan. Let the artichoke boil for about 30 minutes, until the leaves are soft. 


While the artichoke is boiling, heat up the cream cheese until softened (or let it warm to room temperature). Add in the 2 Tablespoons of chili sauce. Taste the mixture, and add more chili sauce if you want.


Once the artichoke is cooked, set it aside for a few minutes to cool, so that you can pull the leaves off. Pull off the leaves and lay them out on a plate or platter. Put a small dollop of the cream cheese and chili sauce mixture at the end of the artichoke, and top with a small shrimp. (If you get jumbo shrimp, you can cut them into bite size pieces for each leaf).


It's as simple as that! A delicious and easy appetizer that will be a huge hit!

-Whitney

September 9, 2012

Pistachio Cake

The words pistachio and cake in the same sentence? I first thought...umm yes please! This recipe sounded interesting, strange and extremely yummy! I took this nice Sunday afternoon to attempt this yummy cake.

This recipe is very simple with few ingredients, anyone can make it!


Ingredients:
1-18.5 oz package of yellow cake mix (I used sugar free)
1-3.4 oz Pistachio instant pudding
4 eggs
1 1/2 cup water
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
7 drops green food coloring

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, grease and flour your cake pan (I used the baking Pam with flour)
2. In a large bowl mix together cake mix and pudding mix. Make a well in the center and pour in eggs, water, oil, almond extract and green food coloring. Blend ingredients, then beat for 2 minutes at medium speed.
3. Pour into prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until cake springs back when lightly pressed or you can stick a knife in the cake and if it comes out clean you know it's ready. Cool in pan for around 15 minutes.  


ENJOY! 
-Jane

September 8, 2012

Chic Moss Letters

Easiest DIY moss letters...These letters are pretty and would be great in any type of setting. I made these moss letters for two great friends who were tying the knot. They were having a DIY wedding at Mildale Farm in Kansas City and these went perfect with their decor.


Supplies:
Gold letters from Hobby Lobby
Super Moss: Perserved Sheet Moss from Hobby Lobby
Scissors
Hot Glue Gun

            

Super easy and super chic!

-Jane


September 7, 2012

Fancy Pants

Leggings, that is. I absolutely love all the crazy patterned leggings I am seeing for Fall. Spice up your lower half with stripes, polka dots, Aztec, or florals in bright colors or neutrals. These patterned leggings can be dressed down with boots or flats and a tank or tee with a cardigan. They could be dressed up with heels or booties and a tunic or chambray button down. Most of the leggings I have found are super reasonably priced, so you don't have to stop at just one pair! 











-Whitney


September 5, 2012

Words for Wednesday

What do you say we make this a weekly occurrence! Hump day quotes that make you think.  Take a second each Wednesday to unwind and think about love & life.









Music Double Take- Lollapalooza

Ben Sklar, a photographer for The New York Times shot some amazing multiple exposure pictures at Lollapalooza this summer. These shots are so neat, and I love how they include both fans and musicians, as well as depicting the atmosphere of the festival. Here are a few of my favorites:







Being a part of Lollapalooza this year, and experiencing the music and the atmosphere makes these pictures all the more appealing. Check out the rest of Sklar's shots here.