Category Archives: Holidays

stocking stuffer ideas …

December 5, 2013

This post is brought to you by Linqia highlighting Hello breath sprays, an amazing breath spray that leaves you good to go.  The perfect dose of freshness when you are out and about! No alcohol, no ouch, and no worries.

When I put stockings together I love the idea of filling it with items that you love and will use on a regular basis.  It is nice to have a few treats, or some little gifts, but items that you use often are nice to give or receive in your stocking because you will have a purpose for them later on!

I love to throw in miniature versions of products I already like, or products that aren’t too big and will be able to fit in the stockings!

Here are a few ideas of items I like to fill stockings with:

1) Lip balm- essential for those dry winter months

2) Hello Breath Spray– it comes in some amazing flavors like supermint, pink grapefruit, mojito mint, and sweet cinnamint!

I am not a huge fan of gum, I don’t really like to chew it very long and a lot of them have a lot of un-natural ingredients like aspartame, and dyes that I try to avoid.  I love the Hello breath sprays because they are “naturally friendly,” not tested on animals and are made in the USA.  I love the sleek packaging and that you’ll be mistletoe ready, and “greet friendly” at a moment’s notice this holiday season.

You can find Hello oral care products at Smiths, Walmart, Target, CVS stores, and more.

3) Relaxing bath salts- a gift of relaxation is always a good idea.

4) Tea tree foot repair balm- to pamper your feet.

5) Dry shampoo-  helps freshen your hair without daily washing.

6) Nail polish- for holiday ready hands.

7) Scented soaps- for aromatic shower experience.

So, what are your favorite stocking stuffer staples?

 This is a sponsored post, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

DIY // airheads candy marbled fall leaves

November 13, 2013

I can hardly believe that we are well on our way into fall, and Thanksgiving will be here before we know it.

I am excited to share with you some fun “fall leaves” I created using airheads candy.  It was asked earlier this year to come up with a fun fall craft with airheads candy, and I thought making some colorful marbled fall leaves would be perfect!

They really are simple to make, and are perfect to have for a festive snack, or as a cake or cupcake topper! Just follow these few easy steps.

You will need:
-10-15 Airheads candy in assorted fall colors
-Leaf cookie cutters
-Parchment paper
-Rolling pin
-Pairing knife

Step 1
Un-wrap your air heads and place them on a sheet of parchment paper close together in a pattern of colors.
Carefully place the airheads on the parchment paper in the microwave, and heat up the air heads for 5-8 seconds*.  (*Do not heat for more that 8 seconds at a time, if the airheads get too hot and start to bubble that will make them very hard when they cool down again making it impossible to cut them out with a cookie cutter.)
Place in the microwave at 5-8 seconds intervals at a time until soft.

Step 2
Remove the parchment lined airheads from the microwave and place another sheet of parchment paper on the top.  Take your rolling pin and roll out the warm airheads until flat and the edges connect with each other making it one large marbled airhead piece. You may need to heat them again in small increments to keep them warm enough to roll out.

Step 3
Using your fall leaf cookie cutters, cut out several leaves out of the marbled airheads.

Step 4
Using a pairing knife.  Carefully score lines into the airheads leaf to make detailing on the leaves.

Step 5
Place the airheads leaves onto cupcakes or a cake as a topper, or enjoy them as a festive treat!
Happy Fall!
*Disclosure: In partnering with airheads candy, I was compensated for me time for this post.  All opinions are my own.

pumpkin risotto …

October 10, 2013

Can you believe fall is already here?

We’ve already had some cold days around here, and it leaves me craving some warm comfort food.

It seems like everything I’ve been eating these days has something with pumpkin in it!  I’m obsessed!

Pumpkin Risotto
Serves 4
2 tablespoons un-salted butter
3 shallots, minced (about 1 cup)
1 tsp fresh sage, chopped small
1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped small
1 1/4 cups arborio rice
1/4 cup white wine
6 cups chicken broth
1 cup pumpkin puree (Learn how to make your own homemade pumpkin puree here)
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan
Fresh ground pepper to taste
Bring broth to a simmer in a medium saucepan.  Keep broth at a bare simmer, covered.
Cook shallots, fresh sage, and thyme in 2 tablespoons butter  in a 4-quart heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5-10 minutes.
Add rice and cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Add wine and simmer, stirring constantly, until absorbed.
Stir in 1/2 cup broth mixture and briskly simmer, stirring frequently, until absorbed. Continue adding broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring frequently and letting each addition be absorbed before adding the next, until rice is creamy and tender but still al dente (it should be the consistency of a thick soup), about 18 minutes.
Stir in pumpkin puree, and parmesan. Turn off heat, and add pepper to taste.
*stir in 2-3 drops of white truffle oil if you have some and want to bring the dish over the top! I’m not kidding!
Enjoy!