be filled up

10 NYE Appetizer Ideas

Lesley — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 11:05:22 +0000

Happy New Year’s Eve! Everyone have their evenings planned out? Going to a party? Having a party? Relaxing at home with family? Whatever you might be doing, some sort of tasty food should be involved! If you are still pondering what you might whip up, here are 10 ideas for what I think would make a great NYE appetizer.

10 NYE Appetizer Ideas for 2012!

1. Apple & Bacon Brie Panini’s

2. Crispy Southwestern Wontons

3. Buffalo Chicken Cups

4. Spinach & Artichoke Dip

5. Roasted Brushetta

6. Mini Lentil Meatballs

7. Buffalo Bites

8. Vegetarian Quinoa Bites

9. Kale and Tomato Tart

10. Baked Brie

If you happen to make any of these, definitely drop me a line. I would love to hear how your guests enjoyed them.

Be safe all!

Filed under: December '12 Tagged: apps

Like it, love it, want more of it – December

Lesley — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 01:11:43 +0000

Can you believe that it is almost 2013?! Time flies when you are blogging and when you are having fun doing it, too! I definitely have a bunch of favorites this month that I am excited to share with you. If you missed out on last month’s favorites, check them out here.

Have you found anything new and exciting this month that you would call your favorite?

Let’s get onto the good things from December…

Favorite Grocery Purchase: Justin’s Dark Peanut Butter Cups

These peanut butter cups are so tasty and remind you of the famous Reese’s Peanut Butter ones, but have a much smaller ingredient listing. Justin’s line includes organic nut butters and candy. Definitely check it out at your local grocery store. I would say it is a bit pricey, so try to catch them when they go on sale!

Favorite Alcoholic Drink: Pomegranate Mint Spritzers

This light and refreshing drink is just awesome. It reminds you of the summertime with it’s mint flavors, but the pomegranate juice keeps you present in the dead of winter… Easily could leave out the alcohol and let your pregnant/nonalcoholic friends enjoy this simple cocktail.

Favorite Toilettree Products: Philosophy Skin Care

My mom gifted me with these Philosophy goodies for Christmas! She is a big Philosophy fan and she actually got us hooked on using Philosophy to wash our pup, Athena – who has super sensitive skin! The “Candy Cane body wash” is out of this world and leaves you with the most amazing peppermint aroma lingering on your body when you get out of the shower! The “hope in a jar” is a great face moisturizer that doesn’t leave your face oily at all. It gives you a light and clean feeling. All of these products are awesome and I would highly recommend Philosophy to anyone!

Favorite Pinterest DIY idea: Make your own Potpourri

I saw a similar concoction on Pinterest and made up my own homemade potpourri with things I already had in the fridge/around the house. I filled the saucepan up 2/3 of the way with water and then placed in the water: orange peels, 3 cinnamon sticks, and vanilla extract. I brought the mixture to a boil and then reduced to simmer and let it linger through the house for hours. It smells AMAZING! If you are looking to make your house smell lovely for NYE guests, make this ASAP!

Favorite Inspirational Quote: Motivation Quote from Pinterest:

Need I say more?!…

Favorite Jewelry Piece: Sophie Blake Bracelet

My mom also gave me this for Christmas and I opened it and immediately fell in love with it…There’s something about woven jewelry that just gets me. I think it’s a little “hippie” ish and maybe thats why I like it. You can still pull it off though wearing a number of different outfits!

Favorite Workout Move: One Leg Squat

This workout move says its great for post-pregnancy ladies, but I think it’s beneficial for anyone working out! It makes your thighs and butt burn. Try it out!

Favorite Dinner while Dining Out: Black Dog Cafe – Salmon Special

My girlfriend, Jodi, her fiancé, Matt, and Joe and I went out to dinner a few weeks ago. We went to this small restaurant that is about 30 minutes from us and is honestly in the middle of nowhere. The food though, is super delicious. I got the salmon special with crab meat and a basil cream sauce. It was so good, I didn’t want to stop.

Favorite Find Online: Gap Zig Zag Shirt Dress

Shirt dresses are super cute and can be worn a number of different ways. I would definitely put a thin, brown belt around this one and maybe wear camel colored heels or even boots. Really cute find online and priced even better, $59.95!

Welp, that marks another month of favorites for me!

Filed under: December '12 Tagged: favorites

Chocolate PB Pretz Cookies

Lesley — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 13:01:00 +0000

If you love chocolate, peanut butter and pretzels, you will love these cookies. My girlfriend, Tiffani, made them after pinning it to her “Sweets” Pinterest board. Ahhh, the greatness of Pinterest. After she made them at my house a few months back, they kinda slipped my mind. I don’t know how because they are that good and not only that but I probably had 4 of them (woops!)…but luckily I had a flashback and thought they would be great to make for New Year’s Eve. I made them yesterday and figure I will just freeze them and then take them out a few hours before the guests arrive. I did sneak one before stashing them away!

What’s your favorite combination for cookies?

I love anything peanut butter and chocolate. The salty pretzels are just an added bonus..who doesn’t love sweet and salty?

Chocolate PB Pretz Cookies

Adapted from: Sugar Cooking blog

*Reduced sugar in recipe (see original recipe from blog if you want sweeter cookies)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup Sucanat (could you regular sugar)
1 egg beaten
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup peanut butter chips
1/2 cup broken pretzels
sea salt

Directions:

In small bowl, mix together flour, salt and baking soda, set aside.
In large mixing bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar and Sucanat until combined.
Egg beaten egg and vanilla.
Add flour into butter mixture a little at a time (batter will get thick).
Fold in with spatula chocolate chips, peanut butter chips and broken pretzel pieces.
Using teaspoon make 24 small cookie balls and place on greased cookie sheet (may press down to make flat or keep as circular balls).
Sprinkle a bit of sea salt on the top of each cookie.
Bake 350F for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
ENJOY!

Filed under: December '12 Tagged: sweets