Mole Mole Mole!

Super Bowl Sunday is not an event I really give a fig about. I basically watch for the fancy schamncy commercials, and of course the delicious grub! Any event where dip is the main attraction gets my stamp of approval. Over the years the dip de jour comes & goes, but my all-time favorite is without a doubt guacamole. We have the ancient Aztecs to thank for guacamole; they were the first to whip it up over 500 years ago.

Serious guac makers tend to think of their personal recipe like their child, far superior to others. I suppose I'm guilty of that mind set myself...so because I'm such a proud mama, here's my recipe :)

2 large ripe avocados*
1/2 cup chopped red onion
2 tsps garlic powder
2 tablespoons Goya cilantro cooking base
One lime, juiced
Salt & pepper to taste


If you're scared of cutting avocados (like I once was) go here.


Directions

1. Place avocado in a bowl. Mash with fork and add lime juice.
2. Stir in remaining ingredients, serve immediately or cover and chill up to 3 hours.


*If avocados are not ripe enough, put them in a brown paper bag with a tomato or banana for a few hours. This should soften them up.


Serves 3-5.

Devil In Disguise

It's Girl Scout cookie time! Yay! Does anyone else think the cookie release timing is quite sinister? Think about it, just as everyone is successfully on the healthy New Years bandwagon...BAM! Those little merit badge-collecting devils emerge to tempt us with their delectable delights. And they’re everywhere! You can’t run an errand, go grocery shopping or pump your gas without seeing their sweet, smiling faces urging you to buy. Those damned hypnotizing boxes...before you know it you’re climbing shamefully into the car with four boxes. At least that’s what I do. Although I basically love all the various kinds of Girl Scout cookies, my favorites are Tagalongs & Samoas...whoops, I mean Peanut Butter Patties and Carmel Delights. Side note - what’s with the name changing? I guess I can understand changing Samoas as to not offend anyone...but why Tagalongs, did they not want to promote mediocre weenies in the Scouts? Anyway, if you’re jonesing for a dessert with a Girl Scout Cookie essence, try this!

Samoa Cupcakes

For the Cupcakes:
1/2 cup softened butter
1 cup sugar 3 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.

In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla.

Gradually add the flour mixture and finally milk. Evenly fill the muffin cups with the batter and bake for about 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool before frosting.

For Frosting:

1/2 cup softened butter
1 cup confectioners sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 teaspoons very hot water
1 cup shredded coconut

Beat together the butter and sugar with an electric beater. Once well combined, add the combined cocoa powder and water and finally coconut. Beat until smooth and creamy.

After frosting cupcakes, drizzle with warm caramel sauce.

Makes 12 cupcakes.

Pretty On The Inside

Very randomly, I'm feeling a little nostalgic for the early/mid 90's Courtney Love. I think it's because I recently saw pictures of her and she looks like a terrible, plasticized, Muppet-like version of her former self. Not like she was a looker back in the day, but she had a certain appeal only a crazy, drug addicted riot grrl could get away with. In her Hole days I just adored her sense of style: the babydoll dresses, the Mary Janes, the kiddie plastic barrettes strategically placed in greasy, scraggly hair...so fun! Pulling off a little homage to Courtney is possible...but too literal of an interpretation can go horribly wrong. You don’t want to look like you look just shot up in the bathroom. And afterward punched someone in the face. Rock N Roll!



Slip Dress Holly Morgan $120, Luv Charlie.com



















Rouched Collar Vest $32, Forever 21












Hue Nude Fishnet Tights $12.50, Bloomingdales














Calvin Klein Mary Janes $70, Endless.com











Lipstick in Gash $22, Urban Decay

Global Warming My Fanny!

Al Gore, you're nothing but a big fat liar! I'm not seeing any signs of this so-called "global warming" you preach about. In fact, it's the most bone-chilling winter in quite some time. Even the state of Florida is experiencing some insanely low temperatures. Poor orange crops! Notice I only feel bad for the oranges not the people...how does it feel to be freezing in winter you spoiled, spoiled Floridians? Muhahaha!

It's so darn chilly I'm half tempted to parade around town in a Snuggie. But since I'd sooner die than own a Snuggie (let alone wear one in public) I'll be forced to purchase some stylish stay-warm pieces, like the ones below. So bundle up...tragically, we have about 3 more brutal months to go...



Nine West Quirce Faux Fur Lined Boot $113, Zappos

















Helen Kaminski Fur Felt Hat $118, Bloomingdales














Ugg Australia Quilted Shearling Earmuffs $75, Nordstrom











Faux Fur Hooded Puffy Coat $30, Old Navy

The Top Ten

As we bid adieu to 2009, I can't help but think of the decade’s most memorable moments in style. There have certainly been a plethora of trends over the last 10 years. Some were fabulous, some were puzzling and some I’d like to completely wipe from my memory. Oh my god, did I really own a trucker hat? Was I on drugs? Anyway...below in no particular order are my top ten: the good the bad and the ugly!

Fendi Bags (Big Break in 2000)
Thank the good Lord for Sex and the City. Not only was it my favorite show of the decade and my biggest overall style inspiration, but it introduced me to Fendi Bags. They’re a little slice of Italian- made heaven! I’d give up my pinkie toes for a lifetime supply of Fendi bags. I’m not kidding...who needs pinkie toes?

Uggs (Big Break in 2003)
I blame Jessica Simpson. Back it 2003 while watching an episode of Newlyweds, I spotted my first pair of Uggs. I was so intrigued I bought a pair online a few days later. Nowadays everyone in the English speaking world owns at least one pair of Uggs. Their comfort can be described in two words: like buttah! Their appearance can be described in one word: fugly.

Skinny Jeans (Big Break in 2006)
A breath of fresh air after too many years of bell bottoms. You put on a pair and POOF!, instant cool. But skinnies on men? Just plain wrong.

Head Bands (Big Break in 2007)
Gossip Girl. Enough Said.

The Thong (Big Break in 2000)
Were once reserved for strippers, call girls or other ladies of the night. Suddenly women of all ages were flocking to Vickie’s & stocking up. Goodbye visible panty lines, hello urinary tract infections. Eww.

Vintage (Big Break in 2007)
Typically reserved for artsy high school/college girls, thank Mad Men making it mainstream.

Flat ironed hair (Big Break in 2002)
What did we do before flat irons? I can’t even remember...I guess we just walked around with frizzy heads. Perish the thought!

Vampire Chic (Big Break in 2009)
This trend usually pops up every ten years or so. We almost had a vampire-less decade, now 5 out of 10 television shows have the word “Vampire” “Blood” or “Dark” in the title.

Statement Tees (Big Break in 2003)
These also pop up every so often...remember Frankie Says Relax? 2003 was a huge year for the statement tee. You weren’t super cool unless you had “Gettin’ Lucky in Kentucky” or “Rock Star” emblazoned across your chest. Sadly, I had this Jesus tee in yellow. Don’t judge.

Leggings (Big Break in 2006)
Started out as a layering piece with perfectly good intentions. Quickly turned bad as a pant alternative. It is my personal goal in 2010 to rid the world of the “No Pants” trend. Wish me luck.

You Guys Want Some Cookies?

'Tis the season for baking! And what’s better than a freshly made chocolate chip cookie? Basically nothing.

Recently I went shopping at the always fantastic Wegmans . Realizing I was out of the standard cookie making essentials, I loaded up on ingrediants including Wegmans brand chocolate chips. I'm usually a loyal Tollhouse chocolate chip-er, but the Wegamans brand was less expensive. So when I made cookies I followed the Wegmans recipe which was subtlety different than the Tollhouse recipe. Just a bit more brown sugar, flour & a little water. I don't know how but the Wegmans cookies are way better!

Tollhouse better watch their butts!

Wegmans Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) Wegmans Butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 tablespoons water

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 package (12oz) Wegmans Real Chocolate Morsels

1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

1. Beat butter and sugars until light colored and creamy. Beat in eggs, one at a time until completely incorporated. Add vanilla and water; blend well.

2. Combine flour, soda and salt; gradually stir into butter mixture. Stir in chocolate morsels and nuts (if desired).

3. Drop rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets, about 2 inches apart. Bake 12-15 minutes (at 375 degrees) or until crisp and golden brown. Cool on wire racks. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

The Ugly Truth

Christmas!!! There's so much I love about this time of year. Watching my favorite holiday movies, especially White Christmas and Home Alone. Baking delicious cookies. Listening to fabulously cheesy Christmas music. And as corny as it sounds, that warm fuzzy feeling you get right after Thanksgiving that lasts until New Years. Love that warm fuzzy Christmas feeling!

With so much to love about the holiday season, there are only a couple things I detest. #1 Everyone & their mother being out...at the mall, at the grocery store, on the road...where do they all come from?? And why won’t they get out of my way! And #2 hideously ugly Christmas sweaters. I'm not sure exactly how they originated...nor do I really care to know. But I mostly blame home shopping shows like the atrociously awful Quacker Factory for selling them to the public. And ultimately, I blame the terrible judgment of all the housewives, grandmas and teachers across this country for purchasing them. Hang your heads ladies...for shame!

Luckily it’s possible to wear a festive top without looking like Christmas decorations threw up all over you. Sequined & sparkly knits are holiday appropriate without being gaudy & tacky. So I better not see anyone wearing a terrible Christmas sweater, or I might just rip it right off you...got it? :)




Faux Gemstone Cardigan $35, Old Navy

















Sequined Scarf Sweater $110, J Crew

















Sequined Shoulder Sweater Dress $54, Arden B


















Sequined Knit Top $60, Zara