tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52914756731953875372024-10-04T19:05:19.844-07:00Paper Pusher isn't a strong enough term to describe my weakness. I'm a Pile Pusher. In my efforts to stay organized, I sort the piles into more piles, throw away a couple of things and then restack the piles into a more "orderly" pile. By going public with my very personal problem, I intend to hold myself accountable in addressing this problem of mine and maybe in the process my propensity to collect useless information will serve a purpose of becoming useful information to others.Nichole Cortesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08667309553562319799noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291475673195387537.post-43887943287923636272009-10-27T09:40:00.000-07:002009-10-27T10:14:08.081-07:00

I've been hanging onto this Family Fun Mini Caramel Apples clipping since September 2008. With two apples in the fridge, peanut butter chips in the pantry, some stray lollipop sticks in a cupboard (although I got to thinking that cotton swabs minus the cotton would work for this too), and a play date scheduled, it was the perfect time to try it. As in other reviews I've read, I found it difficult

Nichole Cortesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08667309553562319799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291475673195387537.post-53864535721828557092009-10-20T11:27:00.000-07:002009-10-20T11:52:03.852-07:00

I'm not sure why it's taken me months of blogging to get around to sharing some of my favorite cocktail recipes. Since holiday entertaining is right around the corner, I'll start sharing my "Quick Cocktail" recipes.My friends Dara & Tim turned me on to this one. The mixer is a delicious Pomegranate Limeade from Trader Joe's (found in the juice section). Simply add about 5 oz of juice, 1 1/2 oz of

Nichole Cortesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08667309553562319799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291475673195387537.post-36364490896038649372009-10-14T20:27:00.000-07:002009-10-14T21:05:19.471-07:00

I pulled this Ragu recipe (ad) out of People magazine and modified it using ingredients from Trader Joe's.I used a clear pie dish which was great for showing my kids the "upside down" effect. Here's how to make my version of this easy and delicious meal:1) Pour pizza sauce in pie pan (I used approx. 5 oz.)2) Top with thawed/drained spinach (I used 1/2 a bag)3) Add a layer of shredded mozzarella

Nichole Cortesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08667309553562319799noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291475673195387537.post-9578799545372215262009-10-13T20:50:00.000-07:002009-10-15T14:18:34.151-07:00

Today I had the pleasure of meeting my friend Emily's beautiful baby boy, Hudson. While visiting with her and her mother Cathilee, an amazing centerpiece on their kitchen counter caught my eye. It was a sparkling arrangement of pumpkins and gourds. Emily's sister Katie had created them with her nieces Piper and Polly. Coincidentally, I had picked up a bag of miniature pumpkins at Trader Joe's

Nichole Cortesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08667309553562319799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291475673195387537.post-39615343991383756492009-10-07T12:43:00.000-07:002009-10-07T13:35:58.919-07:00

I LOVE searching the unclaimed property databases for everyone I know. Finding unclaimed money for my grandmother, mother, friends, etc. is as satisfying to me as if it was my own. Not only do you have the adrenaline rush of clicking on their names to reveal the money owed to them (this feature not available in all states), but you also have the pleasure of sharing the good news with them!During

Nichole Cortesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08667309553562319799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291475673195387537.post-83024775173005962352009-10-06T09:24:00.000-07:002009-10-06T10:02:23.514-07:00

My friend, Cathilee, sent me this "fun food" idea from Parenting magazine for my blog. [aside: Can I just say that I love that there are still people in the world who not only clip things out of magazines, but actually put them in an envelope, add a stamp, and mail them? Even though you're high tech on Facebook now, don't ever change your caring, snail-mail ways Cathilee!]It is a 2 page Sesame

Nichole Cortesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08667309553562319799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291475673195387537.post-19523358833156589162009-10-05T11:18:00.000-07:002009-10-05T17:43:14.934-07:00

This morning, my bathroom clock stopped, and I didn't realize it. What should have been a rushed process to do school drop off and music class was instead a leisurely one spent getting ready while my kids played nicely together on the bathroom floor. I think I did a triple take when I put my wrist watch on and saw the real time. It was then a mad dash to leave the house. Since I haven't found a

Nichole Cortesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08667309553562319799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291475673195387537.post-40156605507300350172009-10-02T09:33:00.000-07:002009-10-02T17:03:59.877-07:00

I heard about this product from my friend Katie's macrobiotic blog. It sounded too good to be true: organic, a free rebate...could it actually work well too? Why, yes, it does! (Especially now that I've decided to swap eyeliner for eyelash curling.) On the first day of trying the mascara, it passed an unexpected tear test by not running down my face. On the second day, I was able to remove it

Nichole Cortesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08667309553562319799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291475673195387537.post-58429619848335569742009-10-01T09:26:00.000-07:002009-10-01T22:47:46.253-07:00

October is here, so of course that means December might as well be here. The holiday season seems to go faster than any other time of the year. Rather than fight that fact, I've learned to embrace it and enjoy each and every minute of it. I start holiday gift planning earlier than I used to in order to enjoy the season and not spend December focused on who's got the best deals in town. For us,

Nichole Cortesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08667309553562319799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291475673195387537.post-67244384100192079022009-09-28T21:53:00.001-07:002009-10-01T13:38:18.148-07:00

I have a thing against hair dryers. Unless it's at the hands of a professional and I'm sitting comfortably in a chair reading a magazine oblivious to all the hot air being blown at my head, then I really would prefer to leave it unplugged and in a drawer. Only problem is I have a thing against frizzy hair too. And without the mind-numbing, time-sapping task of drying my hair, I have frizzy

Nichole Cortesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08667309553562319799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291475673195387537.post-58383076192851828492009-09-27T16:48:00.000-07:002009-10-01T13:37:36.263-07:00

Recently, my husband presented me with a challenge that, had it been presented as such, I might have declined. The task: replace three beat up, custom-sized mini-blinds at his office. And now for the element of challenge...for as little money as possible. My first stab was to try to sell him on the paper $4 ones you buy at Home Depot when you first move into a home (me: "Remember honey how no one

Nichole Cortesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08667309553562319799noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291475673195387537.post-51331175834152839102009-09-26T21:14:00.001-07:002009-10-01T22:22:24.111-07:00

Growing up as a child in California, I have fond memories of camping and most all of them involve making s'mores. Sadly, due to the risk of wildfires in our area, my own children have never roasted a marshmallow for their very own s'more experience. Last night we said goodbye to summer with a camp out, and although there wasn't a campfire, it just isn't camping to me without s'mores. I've found a

Nichole Cortesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08667309553562319799noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291475673195387537.post-63057454594346769092009-09-16T20:18:00.000-07:002009-10-01T22:12:46.119-07:00

There are only two sweet words capable of breaking my month-long blogging hiatus: Ice Cream. I heard about this tip a few times this summer and then read it in Parents. I clipped the "Make Ice Cream" blurb (dated Sept 09) and sat down at my computer today in anticipation of hosting a play date for my daughter and her classmate. Much to my disappointment, I entered the URL and received an "Oops!"

Nichole Cortesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08667309553562319799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291475673195387537.post-26087182982322211302009-08-24T23:00:00.000-07:002009-10-01T13:47:36.900-07:00

An under-valued household item has become highly valued in our home lately. Here are a few of the ways we've learned to appreciate a good old spray bottle:# 1) Vinegar & Water: I've attached a list from a magazine article entitled "Cheap Cleaner" about all the practical uses for vinegar (Stain remover, furniture polish, bug spray, dishwasher rinse). I keep this at the kitchen sink and use it for

Nichole Cortesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08667309553562319799noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291475673195387537.post-23087178673926391922009-08-09T23:01:00.000-07:002009-10-01T13:50:23.929-07:00

To call this dish my 2nd favorite brunch recipe doesn't really do it justice. It's one of those perfect recipes that I've yet to mess up. It's so decadent, however, that I only make it a couple of times a year. Fortunately, today was one of those times! I made it without the pecan pieces and didn't need additional syrup or butter. Here's the Baked French Toast recipe on Paula Deen's site.

Nichole Cortesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08667309553562319799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291475673195387537.post-76802710087251145372009-08-05T08:35:00.001-07:002009-10-01T13:46:56.404-07:00

I don't subscribe to beauty magazines, so you won't be getting tips from me straight from Cosmopolitan. If not for the fact that both my mom and sister are hair stylists, I'd have my natural "mousey brown" hair (you only get that kind of honesty from your big sister) and know nothing of this next great insider tip...My mom, Nita, is now sporting Minx wraps on her toes. She loves them and receives

Nichole Cortesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08667309553562319799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291475673195387537.post-66464975087002815192009-08-01T21:11:00.000-07:002009-10-01T22:10:44.050-07:00

Here's a tip from my e-pile (from Oprah on DVR) that's too good not to share. I love flip flops as much as anyone, but what I don't love is seeing my (and everyone else's) cracked white heels. I always assumed this was an unavoidable outcome to wearing flip flops year round, until, that is, I caught beauty expert Paula Begoun on Oprah.If your flip-flop-wearing cracked heels bother you as much as

Nichole Cortesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08667309553562319799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291475673195387537.post-43494603633932344302009-07-31T20:24:00.000-07:002009-10-01T22:11:01.203-07:00

I consider myself a brunch connoisseur. Fresh squeezed orange juice, a hot latte and an ooey gooey meal is my idea of a perfect Saturday morning. In fact, my favorite restaurants are those that close at 3pm focusing solely on brunch items. I received a text today requesting advice on making this dish, which reminded me of how much I love it! I've never made it for guests without also printing out

Nichole Cortesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08667309553562319799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291475673195387537.post-86743453657999153972009-07-30T14:16:00.000-07:002009-10-01T22:12:28.484-07:00

I've found that my 5 year old daughter enjoys food even more when she's had a hand in preparing it. So, rather than replicate the flower as impeccably pictured in Parents, I prepared the ingredients (she picked her own basil stem from her garden) and she created her own version of a garden salad flower "Look! Mine has nectar!" she declared as she added a yellow tomato on top of the cheese center.

Nichole Cortesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08667309553562319799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291475673195387537.post-10510466197713417982009-07-29T12:39:00.000-07:002009-10-02T11:29:28.563-07:00

Download the free Barnes & Noble Bookstore app to your iphone. Head out to B&N (I chose to go during story time so the kids could enjoy a freebie too). Click on the B&N app and you'll see a link titled "Free Coffee Offer," click on it and show the code to the cafe cashier for your free hot or iced coffee. I was told by the cashier that the B&N eReader is cool too. It's a free book reader and

Nichole Cortesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08667309553562319799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291475673195387537.post-21801251591158569362009-07-29T08:43:00.000-07:002009-10-01T22:22:48.711-07:00

I've always wanted to make granita and always tear it out when I see a recipe...and, not surprisingly, have yet to do it. Until this morning when the stars finally aligned: fresh strawberries sitting on the counter, this recipe on the top of my pile at the kitchen desk, and a blog to keep me accountable. I decided to use whatever yogurt was in the fridge and turned out that I had 1/2 c. of

Nichole Cortesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08667309553562319799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291475673195387537.post-2455774570675843212009-07-28T12:21:00.000-07:002009-10-01T22:13:58.704-07:00

Have I mentioned that I love the iphone?I'm loading up my membership reward numbers into this genius of an app. It stores all your numbers so you don't have to tote the cards with you. Then when you're checking out pull it up and the barcodes appear on your iphone screen. So far, I've gotten as far as adding Babies R Us membership to it. I'm just glad to have an electronic filing system for

Nichole Cortesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08667309553562319799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291475673195387537.post-60033587413611820482009-07-24T08:39:00.001-07:002009-10-01T22:15:11.511-07:00

Food Face Plate by FRED! As Seen in Parents MagazineWe're hosting a family reunion (dubbed Lovefest) in a couple of weeks with my husbands' family. I really want these plates for the kids! The Summer of '08 me, would definitely have ordered them—even at $10 a plate. But it is afterall the Summer of '09, and this family reunion is on a budget. Instead I'm going to try out a tip from a mom in

Nichole Cortesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08667309553562319799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291475673195387537.post-47630428394221995672009-07-23T08:42:00.001-07:002009-10-01T13:46:31.810-07:00

This has nothing to do with magazine clippings other than the fact that I received a marketing pamphlet from Sephora the other day titled "BLEMISH BLASTERS. kick acne to the curb—for good." Considering that I've been breaking out recently (ugh!!!!!!) it caught my attention and rather than make my usual stop at the recycling bin with most of our mail, I set that one in its very own pile on my

Nichole Cortesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08667309553562319799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291475673195387537.post-63525023407585084702009-07-22T16:50:00.001-07:002009-10-01T22:15:35.610-07:00

IDEO Toy Lab: BalloonimalsThanks Parents mag for this great app tip! We're loving the Balloonimals app! Blow into the mic and shake to create a balloon animal. My girls love it! Only problem...I've got no chance of getting my phone back.

Nichole Cortesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08667309553562319799noreply@blogger.com1