The Dapper Darling

My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software Giveaway!

2012-01-23T10:52:00.001-05:00

Congrats to "The Doherty Clan"!!! You won!

Thank you to all who entered and don't forget there is a coupon code at the bottom if you would like to purchase it!

I have been given the opportunity to give away one My Memories Suite Scrapbook Software Pack! (a $40.00 value). I was able to use the program this past week and it was so easy and fun. My sons birthday is in a couple of weeks so I thought I would create a page in honor of him. What do you think? I used an already put together page and customized it as I wished. I added more photos and text and embellishments and the best part is no sticky glue fingers. Scrapbooking via PC is definitely for me. There are so many creative ways to use this software. I think I will print and frame it to have out at his birthday party.

So how do I get this? you ask.

Easy! This Friday, January 27th, I will choose a random winner from the comments under this post.

To enter please visit www.MyMemories.com and choose your favorite digital paper pack or layout, then comment on this post telling me which ones you like best. ( Make sure you leave your email address if you have an anonymous comment.)

For extra entries:

Follow the My Memories Blog:
Like them on Facebook:
Follow on Twitter:
Or Follow This Blog!

Make a separate comment on this post for each that you do!

If you simply cannot wait, no sweat! Here is your very own Share the Memories code that provides a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store - $20 value! Feel free to share it with family and friends.
Code: STMMMS47841

Click here for the My Memories Suite link

Good Luck!

Giveaway!

2012-01-17T15:34:00.003-05:00

Check back soon to find out more about a new giveaway and coupon!

Food Matters

2012-01-17T05:57:00.012-05:00

In October of last year while traveling to see my family I became utterly exhausted. Around 7:30 the night before I was suppose to get on a plane I ended up at the emergency room. I know that my exhaustion and raised heart rate was caused by lack of sleep from having two little kids, jet lag and not taking anytime out to rest. However, I could tell that the foods I was eating while on vacation were making me sick and making me feel dramatically worse. When I returned home from my trip I started to seek out more information on nutrition since I knew there was a strong link between how I felt and what I ate. I started to watch documentaries on Netflix and came across three that have drastically changed the way my family and I are eating and living. I highly recommend you check out the following.

Food Matters

Forks Over Knives

Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead

My husband and I decided for us it would be best to do a juice cleanse and then from there make healthier everyday choices. We are all or nothing people. We knew that if we wanted to make a real change we had to do it all at once. The results have been amazing. We both have lost ten or more pounds in the first 10 days and our bodies are seriously changing. We want to cut down on dairy and meat almost completely. Does this mean no cake on my sons 1st birthday coming up in February? Absolutely not. It does mean that I wont eat left over cake for the three days after. It does mean I will serve more fruits and veggies at the party. I hope you take the time out to watch one or more of these movies and start to educate yourself on nutrition and health. Take charge of your well being! Your body will thank you for it. I think sometimes its nice to be reminded that "you are what you eat". I will keep you up on the great new recipes we are trying and how my kids are taking to this new change :)

Pulled Pork

2011-09-20T07:30:00.002-04:00

I am from South East Virginia which is right on the North Carolina boarder. One of my favorite foods from this area is barbecue. Since moving to Italy I am in a severe deficit of barbecue intake. Since I have been crock pot happy lately (Check out Crockpot girls on Facebook) I thought I would try out some pulled pork crockpot style. I used a bottle of my favorite bbq sauce, apple wine vinegar and water two weeks ago with a pork loin. The hubby asked if I would try some Carolina vinegar based bbq this week. I found this great post from Savour Fare in 2009 and thought I would share.

It looks so easy!!

Pom Poms!!!

2011-09-19T10:48:00.004-04:00

Have you seen this decorating craze? I tried to make them but mine never quite turn out like these. Check out Simply Nesting HERE.

Offering 10% off your order today only! Use coupon code MONDAY at checkout. If you are planning on decorating with pom poms this fall use this oppurtunity to save!

Paula's Fried Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich on the Food Network

2011-07-22T23:58:00.003-04:00

Paula's Fried Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich on the Food Network

I made this the other night. It's definitely a dessert! I left out the butter after cooking and cut back on the sugar. It was plenty sweet and so good! My little one loved it too!

Side note: You can't buy peanut butter in Italian stores. They don't eat it. Crazy right?? I made peanut butter cookies for a few last year. They loved those "peanut cookies".

She's my cherry pie!

2011-06-06T15:31:00.006-04:00

Well, as you can see by my last post cherries are in season and as my daughter displays....DELISH! My hubby thought for his birthday instead of cake I should make cherry pie. From scratch. Yes, he requested, from scratch. My heart raced a little but I was up for the challenge. My baker friend Antonetta offered me a great recipe that she had used before so I had my main man pick up 3 kilos of cherries on the way home from work from the lady that sells them out of her car at the gas station parking lot. Now in the States that sounds uber sketchy and you would never do this but here in Italy its the norm.

I started to pit and pit and pit cherries, took about an hour but I think that is because I would pit 10, eat one and so on.

I combined ingredients for the filling and because I am a mother of two wee ones I put it in the fridge over night knowing that tomorrow I could roll out the crust.

I had a bit of trouble with the crust but now I know...flour the board REALLY WELL!

Plus I started to use a trick I saw on the food network to pick it up without tearing it by rolling it onto a rolling pin and unrolling it right into my dish.

I didnt want to make a full cover crust on top and it was easier for me just to go ahead and lattice the tops. Besides, it looks more Martha that way, don't you think?

Well, I baked and they turned out AMAZING! The Mr. told me so :) There I am with my pies. Yes, I know, I look a little rugged but I promise I was up all night with the baby, not the pies! I gave what was left of the pies to my Italian friend today, apparently she has never had cherry pie before, go figure! I'll let you know the verdict from her next week.

Here is a little Warrant to jam out to while you read Antonetta's recipe if you so desire! 1990 was a great year, don't you think? :) Thank you again girl! It was great!

For a double crust pie (including a lattice top) the crust recipe is:

2 2/3 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup shortening (makes crust flaky)
1/2 cup butter (gives crust flavor)
7 to 8 tablespoons ice water
(some people make it with only shortening, some make it with only butter, I like both)

-Place flour and salt in mixing bowl and if using a mixer, put it on stir for 15 seconds. Cut shortening and butter into small cubed pieces and add into flour mixture. Turn mixer back on to stir speed and mix until shortening particles are size of small peas..about 30-45 seconds. If you don't have a mixer, I've seen them use a food processor and mix everything by 'pulsing' the mixture.

-If using a mixer, continue at stir speed and add ice water 1 tablespoon at a time (very important). Keep adding water until all ingredients are moistened and a dough starts to form and hold together.

-Divide dough into two halves. Roll each half into a smooth ball and flatten slightly. Wrap each one with plastic wrap and stick in refrigerator for 15-20 minutes. (I usually make one ball slightly bigger to use for the bottom crust.)

*Easiest way to work with pie dough is make sure everything is cold. I refrigerate the shortening and butter then place them in the freezer right before I'm going to use them- for about 15 minutes.

Pie Filling:
-4 1/2 cups pitted cherries (a few more or less, depending on how much fruit you want in the pie)
-1 cup sugar (if cherries are pretty tart and you like it really sweet, add a 1/4 cup more sugar)
-1/4 cup quick cooking tapioca (for thickening.. I've seen/read a few times where they've substituted 1/3 cup of all-purpose flour in place of tapioca. just in case you can't get your hands on some.)
-1 tablespoon all purpose flour
-dash salt
-a dash of fresh lime juice (optional)
-1/4 tsp almond extract (if you don't have almond extract, you can substitute w/vanilla extract, but almond is the standard for cherry pie. I've even seen where you can even add a 1/4 tsp of both, if you're feeling adventurous :)

Mix all pie filling ingredients evenly and let stand in fridge for about 10-15 minutes.

-Roll out the ball of pie dough for the bottom until it's about 10 1/2 inches in diameter, or about 1/8 inch thick (this also depends on how big your pie dish is. You're smart, so I'm sure you know how big you need to roll it out for the top and bottom. :)

-Put the bottom crust in pie dish, add cherry pie mixture.

-If using a full crust on the top, place the top piece of rolled out dough on top of the cherries then on the edges, take a fork and crimp the bottom and top crusts together. Cut five slits into the top of crust for venting.

-If you wanna get fancy and do a lattice top, roll out top dough and cut into 8 1/2 inch strips, then lay strips over top of cherries to form the lattice. 4 strips going one way and 4 strips going the opposite way.

-Once the top crust is on, make an egg wash in a small bowl using one egg, 4 tbsp of water and a dash of milk. Beat the mixture together and then brush over the top of the crust. Just brush enough over entire thing so it looks thinly coated. You won't use the entire mixture..just a little bit.

-Place pie in oven at 425 degrees and bake for 15 minutes then reduce to 350 and bake for 30-40 minutes.

** once you start to see the crimped edge of the pie crust getting golden brown, if you don't have a pie ring, cover around the edge of the pie with tinfoil for the rest of the baking time so it doesn't burn.

Also, towards the end of the baking time, when you have about 5 minutes or so left, take the pie out for a second, brush a little egg wash on it and sprinkle a bit of plain white sugar all over the top. Makes it pretty!

If you'd rather have an oatmeal crumble top instead of a pie crust top, do this...

Mix together the following with your hands until it forms little crumbles then refrigerate until ready to use. Once ready to use, just spread out over top of cherries and bake like above:

1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup light brown sugar
6 tablespoons flour
1/4 tsp cinnamon
8 tablespoons softened unsalted butter

This really is easy to make if you can prepare for it. Just seems like a lot of steps but trust me, it will be well worth it!

Ciliege

2011-05-29T01:59:00.004-04:00

In Italy it's common to see a truck or van on the side of the road selling whatever produce is currently in season. Right now it's CHERRIES or in Italiano "Ciliege"! I bought this for about Five Euro, or $7.00. I taught Marcella how to use the pitter and well, that was the end of the cherries!

Party Hardy

2011-05-20T01:27:00.003-04:00

4th of July is right around the corner! Are you hosting a party? If you want to go all out, get some inspiration from HWTM! I once threw a party for my daughters 2nd birthday with a great spread like this below. There were lollipops sticking up out of m&m's and all sorts of yummy candy. It was beautiful! Problem is that kids do not just stand here as seen below...they try to devour every grain of sugar in front of them. My adult party guests spent about an hour yelling at the kids to "drop it" "thats enough" and "i'm going to count to 3" (my current way of letting my daughter know that my head is about to explode). I finally just removed it all so we could all play. So, party it up, just minimize the sweets or put out appetizers that parents wont mind their little ones shoveling in their mouths.

Flower Power

2011-05-19T01:33:00.003-04:00

How adorable are these baby bloomers by Baby Aspen? What a great shower gift! Sure to get you oh's and ahh's. Get the Bunch O Bloomers at Amazon for $25.00!

I'm BACKKKK!

2011-05-18T01:25:00.002-04:00

HI! My little one is now 3 months old!!! I am feeling like a healthy person again! My little angels also give me almost an hour in the morning of quiet ( if I put Barbie on that is). Time to blog again! I'm going to get my brain in order and pull together some ideas to share. Hope I haven't lost everyone in the process :)

Here is what keeps me so busy these days :)

Baby Legs

2010-11-09T15:10:00.006-05:00

Have you seen these adorable baby legs? If you need a shower gift or have a little one on the way I highly recommend them! I would not buy them for any child over one years old as my daughter won't seem to keep them on, but boy do they come handy when changing diapers! They run about $10.00-$12.00 each or you can buy a cute matching set of 3 for $30.00. Use this coupon code "FAVE10" and save 10% on their website from their "FAVORITES" category for a limited time!

Please Please Me...

2010-11-08T02:46:00.004-05:00

I have become intensely frustrated lately. I am about 6 months pregnant and therefore slow and tired and just trying to get through the day with a two year old. It is hard for my psyche when I am unable to perform to my previous standards and have to "ask" for help. My hormones have me a bit emotional of course so that means more tears during heart felt commercials and nastier words during quarrels. I am ,however, particularly concerned with my husbands demands. He wants me to make sure his socks are washed and together and in his drawer when he needs them. I cannot wrestle the left sock monster in my condition...doesn't he know that?!? So dear, please please me.....and don't complain! You might lose a limb in the process!

A Double Rainbow All The Way!

2010-09-02T10:09:00.001-04:00

Have you ever been this moved? This video is pretty funny. I think this guy may have thought he just won 4 pots of gold :)

Amazing 3 year old...

2010-08-24T04:50:00.003-04:00

This amazing 3 year old memorizes poetry. Check out this video of him reciting "litany" and "The Eagle". I think he may break some hearts in 20 years or so :)

Mod Cloth

2010-08-11T15:44:00.003-04:00

I love this retro clothing site. I especially love that they have a selection of dresses that have a longer length. I'm a little taller than the average bear so most dresses fall just a little short on me. Check these out... you are sure to love them!

Tea Cupcakes

2010-07-26T01:32:00.003-04:00

Hostess with the Mostess featured these adorable cupcake molds that look like tea cups. What an elegant dessert to serve at a luncheon or baby shower! Click here to see more info about where to pick these babies up!

Nigerian Parents Give Birth To White Baby

2010-07-21T01:50:00.003-04:00

A Nigerian couple living in Britain has stunned genetic experts while giving birth to a very white baby with blue eyes and very blonde curly hair. Click Here to link to full article at Blink.com

How to photograph a home for sale...

2010-07-14T06:02:00.004-04:00

If you are trying to sell your house now, God bless you! You need all the help you can get in this market. Here are some good tips from CasaSugar that you might find helpful!

Rule number one of capturing the best pictures of your home is to get rid of all the clutter and clean up. Make beds perfectly, shine up glass and stainless, close the toilet bowl lid, fluff pillows, etc. A flawless looking pad could be the difference in getting a potential buyer or not.

Homes don't always look their best head on. Try to find your house's best angle by experimenting using different points of view. Avoid taking shots that focus on the garage door. Similarly, crop out less appealing features inside and out.

Your house is for sale, not your car. Remove any vehicles from the picture and try to avoid showing any parked cars on the street as well.

Partially set the dining room table or kitchen bar to make it picture perfect. You don't need to bother with all the utensils and cups, but the goal here is to make potential buyers find the room inviting and livable.

Capturing your pad in natural light is always best, but you should avoid taking the pictures when it's too bright or too dark. An hour after sunset or an hour before sunrise often provide good, soft light. Turn on the interior lights as well. If possible, skip the flash, which can make an image look sterile.

Click here to view photos and get more great info!

Renee Loux

2010-07-13T08:06:00.004-04:00

She has become my new favorite greenie. Check out her blog here! She has great tips and ideas for healthy living/eating. She also has an amazing cook book called The Balanced Plate.

View some of her plastic tips below that you may not have thought about!

1. DON’T MIX HOT FOODS AND PLASTIC.
Putting hot stuff in plastic containers is never a good idea. The chemicals and additives in plastic, which are not especially stable, are released when plastic is heated and can leach into food and drink. Fatty foods and plastic are the worst combination of all because the chemicals in plastic are more soluble in fat, so they leach greater amounts of those chemicals into fatty foods.
2. USE LESS PLASTIC CLING WRAP.
Plastic wrap is a mainstay in kitchen everywhere, though its clingy convenience comes at quite a cost. Most plastic wraps are made with the worst kind of plastics (PVC and its cousins), which are laden with softening chemicals like phthalates and plasticizers that are believed to readily migrate into foods. Please, for your sake, never put plastic wrap in the microwave – try covering food with a glass or ceramic lid or plate, unbleached wax, parchment paper or a paper towel instead.
Reusable glass containers with lids and unbleached parchment paper are great, greener alternatives for storing food.
3. TOSS OUT OLD, SCRATCHED PLASTIC CONTAINERS.
Plastic containers that are scratched and cracked leach more unwanted chemicals into food and drinks than new containers do, Any plastic that is worse for the wear should not be used for foods. As plastic containers wear out, replace them with glass containers with lids for long-lasting, safer food storage. Unfortunately, many plastic containers can’t be recycled, but they can be repurposed for organizing stuff in drawers, closets, and offices or used as gardening tools.
4. GO FOR GLASS CONTAINERS.
For food storage, glass containers are the safest, greenest, most long-lasting way to go. They come in all shapes and sizes, and with tight-fitting lids for all of the convenience and non of the concern. A n eco-bonus is that glass containers can last for decades, and even if they suffer an untimely demise, they can be recycled with the glass bottles.
5. RETHINK PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES
Plastic water bottles are the bane of eco-green living, and they’re pretty impossible to avoid. The reality is that we require fluids to live and we need something to carry it them in. Plastic bottles have been the standard up until recently, but glass and stainless steel water bottles are great, green options that will let you avoid ingesting the chemicals that migrate from plastic and contributing to the 30 million plastic water bottles disposed of every day in the U.S.

To learn more about Safer Plastics and so much more, check out Easy Green Living: the ultimate guide to simple, eco-friendly choices for you and your home by Renée Loux

Happy Friday = Happy Hour

2010-07-09T02:12:00.004-04:00

Look at this yummy drink!

I can't wait to try it. It's called a Ciroc Chic. The fresh blend of pomegranate and pineapple juices with crisp Cîroc vodka is an excellent choice for girls' night. Up the ante by garnishing this chic cocktail with edible flowers, such as pansies or violets.

Here is the recipe thanks to www.thebar.com.

Ingredients
U.S. Metric Conversion chart

* 1 1/2 ounce(s) Cîroc Vodka
* 1 1/2 ounce(s) pomegranate juice
* 1 ounce(s) pineapple juice
* 1 slice(s) pineapple, or edible flowers

Directions

1. Add Cîroc Vodka, pomegranate juice, and pineapple juice.
2. Shake with ice and strain into a prechilled martini glass.
3. Garnish with a pineapple slice or edible flowers.

Find 9 more perfect summer drinks at the Delish website by clicking here.

Better Chicken Conditions....

2010-07-08T02:41:00.003-04:00

I know chickens aren't high on the totem pole, but I still think they deserve better conditions. I'm glad to see California become the first cage-free egg state.

According to planet green, that means..."Governor Schwarzenegger brought some good news to the state's chickens yesterday by signing legislation requiring that all whole eggs sold in California come from hens that are able to stand up, extend their limbs, and spread their wings without touching either one another or the sides of the cage."

Read the full article here.

Mini Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches

2010-07-07T01:56:00.004-04:00

OH YUMMM. Summer is in full effect now and ice cream is just the right treat to cool us down. Martha Stewart has a great recipe for mini ice cream sandwiches. I like the small ones better for the kids and myself. Click here to connect to Marthas site for the recipe and 60 other perfect summer desserts!

Shabby Chic Baby Shower

2010-07-06T02:37:00.005-04:00

Hostess with the Mostess always has amazing ideas for unique party themes. I fell in love with this Shabby Chic Baby Shower tablescape. I think if you raid a good thrift store you could pick most of these things up without breaking the bank. Check out more beautiful photos and ideas by clicking HERE!

Patriotic Crafts

2010-07-02T01:54:00.006-04:00

Here are a couple of cute crafts from babycenter you and the kiddos can do for this holiday weekend!

Ages: 5- 8 years
Time to complete: 60 minutes
Re-create America's first flag, originally made in May 1776 by Betsy Ross

What you need:
Piece of white felt , 4 yards 5/8-inch red and white ribbon , 22 yards of blue grosgrain ribbon , 12-inch dowel , wooden beads , ruler , scissors , fabric glue
Instructions:
Cut seven 16-inch lengths of red ribbon and six 16-inch lengths of white ribbon. Cut out a 5-inch-by-9-inch piece of white felt. Start gluing a red ribbon to the white felt, letting half an inch of ribbon hang over the wide side of the rectangle. Continue alternating white and red ribbon until you have a total of 13 stripes. Fold over the short ends of the ribbons and glue to the back of the felt to create a finished edge. Cut seven strips of blue ribbon 6 inches long. Starting at the upper corner, fold half an inch of ribbon over the edge of the felt and glue to secure. Glue the blue ribbons on top of the red and white ones. At the other end of the blue ribbon, fold under half an inch and glue to create a finished edge. Cut 13 white stars from the remaining felt. Glue the stars onto the blue ribbon in a circle. Fold back the tips of the loose ends of the red and white ribbons twice and glue. Take four 3-inch strips of ribbon and create loops. Glue the loops to the back of the wide side of the felt. Place a dowel through the loops. Glue wooden beads to the ends of the dowel to secure the flag. Tie a ribbon to each end and hang.

Ages: 4- 8 years
Star Mobile
Time to complete: 60 minutes

What you need:
White and blue paper , string , embroidery hoop , red paint , paint brush , scissors glue
Instructions:
Paint an embroidery hoop red. Cut out as many white or blue star shapes as you like. Attach the stars to the string by gluing two matching stars together with the string sandwiched between them. Cut the strings to different lengths.
Wrap each piece of string around the hoop and glue or knot ends. Continue attaching stars until you have the desired number, making sure the mobile is balanced on all sides.
Tie four pieces of string at equal distances around hoop and tie the ends together. Thread a wooden bead on the strings.
Hang near a window.

Ages: 3- 8 years
This festive, patriotic fan will keep you cool on a hot, summer day.

What you need:
Red and white wrapping paper , Popsicle sticks , blue construction paper , scissors and glue.
Instructions:
Cut a sheet of wrapping paper 35" long by 5" high. Accordion-fold the paper, allowing about 1/2" for each fold. Glue ends together so it makes a circle. Flip the fan over. Make a handle by glueing a popsicle stick onto each side of the seam where you glued the circle together. Cut out two stars from the blue construction paper and glue them in the center of the fan on the front and the back.