Photography: Alice Hu Photography
Models: Nadia, Madison, Katelynn, Allison and Peyton
Fall treats-Bake Sale Goodies
Friday, October 12, 2012
I live for a Bake Sale and always get so excited when it's that time at my daughter's preschool! Now a Bake Sale is a great exuse for me to bake and sample the yummiest of holiday treats! I don't often bake so it's a fun time!!! It's not that I'm not a good baker it's just that I don't trust myself around treats! Needless to say I need a couple extra workouts to help offset the major sweets I put away!
What I decided to whip up...
Mini Apple Pies
You will need:
1/2 C sugar
2 t cinnamon
1 pkg refridgerated pie crust
3 T melted butter
2 medium tart apples, each cut into 8 wedges ( I used green apples)
In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon, set aside 1 T. On a lightly floured surface, unroll the pastry. Brush the 2 T melted butter, sprinkle with remaining sugar mixture.
Cut each sheet into 8 inch stripes, about 8 inches long. Wrap one strip around each apple wedge, placing the sugared side of pastry against apple.
Place on parchment paper lined baking sheet. Brush tops with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar mixture. Bake at 425 for 13-15 minutes or until pastry is golden brown. Serve warm. Makes 16
If you decide to make these little nuggets for yourself you can freeze them and reheat and eat with icecream for a decadent treat! Delish!
Pumpkin Poppers
You will need:
1 3/4 C all purpose flour
2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1/2 t cinnamon
1/2 t nutmeg
1/2 t allspice
1/8 t ground cloves
1/3 C vegetable oil
1/2 C brown sugar
1 egg
1 t vanilla extract
3/4 C pumpkin (fresh or canned, but not pumpkin pie filling)
1/2 C low fat milk
For frosting:
1 stick of unsalted butter
2/3 c granulated sugar
2 T cinnamon
To make:
Preheat oven to 350 and spray your muffin pan with nonstick spray. Combine all the dry ingredients in own bowl and whisk until combined. In another bowl, mix together the remaining ingredients (oil, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, pumpkin and milk). Pour the dry ingredients into the wet and mix until just combined ( don't over mix)
Fill muffin tins until almost full. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
While poppers are baking, melt butter. In a small bowl combine your sugar and cinnamon. Let the poppers cool. roll them around in the butter and then roll them into the sugar and cinnamon mixture!
These were the big hit with everyone! I'm not even a big pumpkin fan and I was in love with them!
I'm proud to say that these beauties were the first to sell out and I am busy making recipe cards for all the teachers! I'm a happy mama!
What's in my makeup bag?
Now I know it looks like a lot of stuff but these products are great simple items that I use when I need to be a bit more together when working with clients!
I get asked all the time what I use so here you beauties are:
I get asked all the time what I use so here you beauties are:
In order of use:
Laura Mercier Hydrating Foundation Primer
Laura Mercier Moisture Creme Foundation
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural bronzer
Nars Doucher blush
Laura Mercier Secret Concealer
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
Nars Cordura Eyeshadow Duo
Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Liner
Maybeline Mascara
Laura Mercier Cafe au Lait for brows
Featured on Ruffled blog-Alexandra and Anthony-Mammoth Lakes
Thursday, October 11, 2012
As I drove, we started seeing the peeking snow coming from the mountain tops and my heart started getting happy! We ( myself, my associates Trina and Julie) arrived at our hotel and the snow started to flurry! Magical!!!!
I think it's safe to say that this was one of my favorite weddings of this year! Alexandra and her family are on another level of kind and generous! Alexandra was an unbelievable vision on her day! She took in every moment and you can tell that she is like that in her every day life as well. She puts 100% into everything and the whole weekend was magical! So filled with love, support and excitement! I was sooo honored to have been a part of it!
Featured on :
Location: Mammoth Lakes, Convict Lake Resort
Photography: Braedon Flynn
Coordination: Intertwined Events
Video: Cana Family
Paper goods: Bride, Alexandra Works
Bride hair and makeup: Kacee Geoffroy
Assisting: Julie and Trina for Kacee Geoffroy Hair and Makeup
How to: Prepare for a Boudior shoot
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Boudior shoots seem scary but they are so fun and can be so liberating and empowering! I've done multiple shoots myself for fun and for my hubby. He loves love loves them and I get to play dress up for the day! I've compiled some tips and tricks to make yourself feel and look your best on your shoot day!
1. Book photographer or studio that you like the style of. Meet them or speak with them and get comfortable. These people will see you in your panties so get acquainted!
2. Start gathering inspiration for the look of your shoot. Some great places to find inspiration are Victoria's secret and W Magazine. Think outside the box....sometimes the simplest of concepts turn out the best. If you aren't sure, ask your photographer...most likely they will have loads of amazing concepts.
3. Start focusing your eating on lots of veggies and lean meats and drink lots of water. Cleaning up your diet will help you feel lean and boost your body image!
4. A week before your shoot, get a bikini or brazilian wax..you can absolutely opt to shaving but I found it much more comfortable knowing that I was super groomed!
5. Self tan or spray tan a couple days before your shoot! It will help sculpt your look and make you look super itty bitty!
6. Get a mani/pedi a couple days before. I know it seems silly but I always feel super put together when I've had my toes and fingers done!
7. Shop for your ensemble. This should be fun! Take an unbiased girlfriend with you and go with your gut. What you like the best and feel most comfortable in is what you should get. Your body will never be exactly how you want it so go with what you like now. Confidence is the key to any look!
8. Hire or ask your photographer for hair and makeup artist referrals. Having this extra pampering will make all the difference. You will truly get the whole look together and feel like a supermodel! Artist know the tricks to making you look amazing for the camera! Worth every dime!!!
9. Day of...have a little glass of champagne or wine to unwind. Trust your photographer to instruct and coach you! They will not make you look bad!!!
10. Release your inner supermodel! The more you play and flirt with the camera the better your shoot will go! It may feel silly but I can assure you it will look fabulous!
Chicken and Artichoke Spezzatino
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Our family's fave chilly weather dinner! I've been waiting weeks to be able to make this little gem of a meal! It always delivers and even better it's whipped up in one pot!
Chicken and Artichoke Spezzatino
You will need:adapted from Giada at Home
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 (4-ounce) piece pancetta, diced into 1/4-inch pieces
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, halved
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
2 (14-ounce) cans low-sodium chicken stock
1/2 packed cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 bay leaf
2 cups of cooked chicken breast ( we use precooked whole chicken to make it easy)
1 15 oz can of artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
To Make:
In a heavy 5 or 6 quart saucepan( I use a Dutch Oven) , heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring frequently, until brown and crispy, about 6 to 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the pancetta and drain on paper towels. Set aside. Add the carrots, celery, onion, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper and cook until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken stock, basil, tomato paste, thyme, and bay leaf. Add the chicken and press down to submerge. Bring the liquid to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, turning the chicken over and stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Add the artichokes and the cannellini beans and simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the liquid has reduced slightly, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Remove the chicken and let cool for 5 minutes. Discard the bones and cut the meat into bite-size pieces. Return the meat to the saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes until warmed through. Remove the bay leaf and discard. Season the spezzatino with salt and pepper, to taste.
Ladle the spezzatino into bowls and garnish with the cooked pancetta.
Skin Series: Self tanning
I don't believe for one second that Jennifer Aniston is that glowing and bronzed all year round without a little self tanner or spray tan help! Winter is upon us and it's time to get our tan on. Below are my faves for the most gorgeous winter tan.
St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse
www.Sephora.com
Also available in Face formula
Jergen's Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer
Available at Target or major retailers
Also available in Face formula
Tan Towel
www.Sephora.com
Also available in Face formula
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