Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Mexican Hot Chocolate




Every month my faculty has a little get together. Faculty members pair up to throw the parties with different themes. The theme for the October party was Mexican--tacos and guacamole until your little hearts content. We're talking delicious chicken and pork, guacamole. MMM!

I didn't really feel like baking for this party {seriously I'm always baking} and I wanted something fitting for the season and the party theme. 

Dun dun duunnnn! 

Mexican Hot Chocolate!

Nice, warm, and toasty for autumn with a spicy little Mexican kick.


Mexican Hot Chocolate
I quadrupled the recipe since there were many people.
It had been a while since I made it so I just kinda played around with measurements until it seemed right. 

Ingredients

-4c milk 2%
-3/4c semisweet chocolate chips
-1 tsp cornstarch
-1 tsp cinnamon
-1 tsp chili
-1/4 tsp ancho chili {I would have used cayenne, but there were littles at the party}
-1/8 tsp nutmeg

1. Warm milk in pot and add chocolate chips. Stir continuously until chocolate is fully melted.

2. Stir in remaining ingredients
3. Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate. Serve in fancy-pants mugs or mason jars.

Enjoy!

Monday, October 28, 2013

The Day I Found a Gray Hair and Got Stung By a Bee










Jeans - JCrew
Flannel - Target
Shoes - Toms
         Scarf - American Eagle
                 Polish - Essie-Bouncer, It's Me!

Last week Saturday Chris, Bri, and I took a little jaunt into the Wauwatosa Village. We took the ziggy-zaggy way through the pretty neighborhoods with all of the houses that you dream to live in with your family.{We're talking Life as We Know It style houses}

Chris is one of my oldest friends and his beaut of a fiance has become one of my closest friends as well. 
{Remember her super awesome bridesmaid boxes??}

We fooled around, took photos, and grabbed some grub and the good ol' Qdoba and chatted about their wedding next August.
Wanna see some adorable engagement photos?? Our friend Laurelyn took them. {she is super talented} Check them out here.

We're trying to take advantage of the gorgeous fall weather before the snow falls. I LOVE snow and it's beautiful and all, but I don't like to be wet. The autumn chill is perfect for me! I'm loving that I can just throw on some pants and a sweater and be good to go. Most days that is...

In other news--I found a gray hair this day AND I got stung by a bee. 
What is the Lord telling me??

What have you been doing to enjoy the fall weather?

Friday, October 25, 2013

Pumpkin Spice Puppy Chow



Everyone eats their chow in the leaves...right??
October is the time for pumpkin spice. There is something about pumpkin spice flavored anything that makes me feel so darn COZY!
Hence Pumpkin Spice Puppy Chow for when I had the girls over to carve and decorate pumpkins {glamkins}.


Ingredients
-16 oz box of chex (about 10-11 cups)
-12oz bag of white chocolate chips
-1/2c cookie butter (The key ingredient--I used Trader Joe's)
-2 tbsp butter
-3 tsp pumpkin pie spice 
If you don't have pumpkin spice you can use 1 3/4 tsp cinnamon, 3/4 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp allspice, 1/4 tsp nutmeg)
-1 1/2c confectioner's sugar
-M&Ms or other festive garnishes
-paper bag

1. Melt chocolate, cookie butter, and butter in a saucepan.
2. Add the pumpkin spice.
3. Toss the chex into the large paper bag and pour in half of the    melty-mixture.
4. Shake, shake, shake.
5. Pour in the rest of the mixture.
6. Shake it all up until the chex are fully coated then let the      mixture cool for a bit.
7. Add the confectioner's sugar and shake until you have lovely      powdered snackies.
8. Lay the covered goodies out on wax paper to fully cool and        dust them with a bit more powder. {This last step is my secret to         keep them pretty and white and not gooey.}
9. Add M&Ms


Then begin to eat by the handful. 

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Black and Gold






I have never been good at carving pumpkins. You know, it was fun and all cutting those big orange babes open and pulling out the slimy insides. 
Barbaric and fulfilling.
But when it came to creating the ghouliest gourd or he most artistic design I sort of, well, failed. I always ended up with the typical triangle eyes and weird toothy smile.

That's why this year I decided to do something different. A couple of weeks ago I had a few girl friends over to feast, watch World War Z (those zombies are so fast!), and carve (or decorate) our pumpkins.

I like to it a glamkin.

All I used were two colors of spray paint. First I coated the pumpkins in one color and then used short whispy sprays to create the ombre effect.

Easy peasy and no weird shrively pumpkin aftermath.

Did you decorate or carve pumpkins this year?
Post your links--I would love to see them!

Monday, October 21, 2013

Hilton Garden Inn Breakfast
















The last morning of Renée's Birthday Weekend of Adventure EXTRAVAGANZA we slept in late, showered, and meandered down to the hotel's restaurant.
(Last morning means last post--Yes, it has ended! Sad, but also kind of relieving - I've been dragging on and on about this weekend--surrry!)

The hotel's breakfast is amazing.

We started with coffee--of course. My day can't start with out it. Same with sissy.

We loaded up on fruits and a bran muffin while waiting for our eggs. The breakfast is buffet style, but made-to-order.

R got an omelet with veggies and bacon and a side of some of the most delicious paprika potatoes with onion and pepper. 
I got poached eggs on toast with a side of french toast, bacon, and potatoes as well. 

We ate until we couldn't anymore then we sipped coffee, did some computer work, and chatted about our amazing weekend. 

Afterward we headed over to Hotel Foster for their MKE Film Fest after party for our bloodies and pizzas.

It was the perfect end to our weekend. 

Friday, October 18, 2013

What I Wore When...






         Tank | Gap {similar}
        Shorts | American Eagle
                 Flats | Steve Madden {similar}
       Sunglasses | Asos {similar}   



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Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Gouda's




















Gouda's Italian Deli

Gah! I just get hungry just thinking about it.

With good reason too.

While walking around in the Third Ward Renée and I stumbled upon Gouda's. I had seen the striped awning for a while, but the little deli was finally open.
{It just opened mid-September}

Upon entering I got that family-owned-cozy-feeling that I would get at the delis and bakeries my Popp would take us to as kids. 

They have tons of Italian fare on the wall and delicious meats and cheeses to chose from case.

R and I took a gander at their amazing menu. We ordered the Campagniola Panini and two San Pellegrinos. With an "Of course, sweetheart" the two pleasant fellas turned to create one of the most delicious sandwiches--all-the-while speaking Italian. 

The Panini was unbelievable. Prosciutto, provolone, arugula. Simple and classic ingredients makes a delicious sandwich.

Gouda's perfect for a quick sandwich if you're in the Third Ward. And with such a nice atmosphere and cute cafe seating in and out--I mean, come-on!

Gouda's Italian Deli
218 North Water Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
414-221-6565