Yearly Archives: 2013

glasses usa …

July 11, 2013


This post is brought to you by GlassesUSA.com.  Where you can find affordable glasses online with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.  Feel free to take 10% off any glasses purchase with the code BLOG10. 
I’ve been working with GlassesUSA.com the last little bit to help me pick out some new eyeglasses.  It couldn’t come at a more perfect time, because I was in need of some new prescription glasses!
I like how their website is set up to allow you to upload a picture of you so you can “try on” all of their glasses with their new virtual mirror feature.

I had a hard time narrowing down all the options.  I was surprised about the amount of choices they had, and for such a reasonable price!  I finally narrowed it down to these four.  I thought the clear were so fun!
I decided to go with the muse tortoise shell glasses.  
I had a hard time choosing just one, and I love to have prescription sunglasses because when it’s sunny out and I am driving in the day.
I decided on the Muse Arthur Tortoise glasses, and had them tint them for sunglasses.
It’s been fun running around town in my new specs!
*This is a sponsored post by GlassesUSA.com a great place to buy glasses,  all thoughts and opinions are my own.

happy packaging …

July 8, 2013

This happy packaging idea is brought to you by Vistaprints.  Find great deals on Vistaprint products, including coupon discounts, and shipping deals over on the Vistaprints deals page!

 I love a good package, they make me happy!  One of my very favorite things in the world is packaging items, especially paper!  Bags, envelopes, tags, twine, labels, you name it.  Have I ever told you that I’ve always dreamed of opening a fun paper goods packaging shop? That’s probably for another day.

A while back, I put together a little package of all my favorite packaging goodies for a friend, and when I was putting it together it made me so happy that I had to snap a few pictures!

Of course I had to throw in a chocolate bar for good measure!  Because, who doesn’t love chocolate!

To put together this package, I used:
Glassine bags
Wooden cigar box
Paper tags
Bakers twine
Brown paper bags
Mini clothes pin
Coin envelopes

Recipe: panna cotta

July 4, 2013

Happy 4th of July!  We hope you are all enjoying celebrating with those you love!  I wanted to share a fun red, white, and blue dessert with you on a special day!
Panna cotta in Italian means “cooked cream.”  This is such a simple dessert that includes cream, sugar, and vanilla simmered gently and thickened with gelatin, giving it a smooth and creamy texture. Panna cotta can be paired with berries, drizzled with a sweet sauce, or even drizzled with a little balsamic vinegar and olive oil with a little sprinkle of sea salt.
{Panna Cotta with Berries}
Serves 8
Panna Cotta
1 quart heavy cream
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) unflavored powdered gelatin
3 tablespoons water
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the cream, sugar, vanilla paste and bring it to a simmer.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the water and let stand until it “blooms,” or becomes evenly moistened, about 4-5 minutes.
Remove the cream mixture from the heat, add the gelatin and stir until completely dissolved.
Pour the panna cotta mixture into eight, 4-ounce ramekins and let cool to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until the panna cotta is set but still jiggles, about 3 hours.
To serve: run a knife around the edge of the ramekin and invert it onto a plate to remove the panna cotta from the ramekin.  Arrange some berries around the plate and serve immediately.
Enjoy!