Pumpkin Perfection

After waking up early this morning ready for a day of errands, a bike ride, and shopping - I quickly realized it would be much less eventful once I saw the snow falling outside of my window.

Instead of sleeping all day (although it was very tempting), I decided to head out to get coffee, buy Milly a present, stop for last minute Halloween costume accessories and pick up some baking ingredients!  There were plenty of guys and gals on the streets walking home in their costumes from last night, but nobody looked as adorable as Milly in her new rain jacket (she disagrees).

Since it's Halloween weekend, I figured I'd bake something festive for the occasion! These little pumpkin pie bites are fun and simple to make (and very easy to pack up to share with friends tonight).

Ingredients:

1 cup pumpkin pie filling
8 oz cream cheese
1 teaspoon pumpkin spice (mix of nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2 pie crusts
mini-cupcake pans

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and cut three inch circles out of the pie crust (I pressed the bottom of the pumpkin pie filling into the pie crust to make perfect circles).  Push the circles of pie crust down into the pans and start mixing all of the ingredients.  Stir the cream cheese, pie filling, spices, vanilla, and eggs until smooth and spoon into each of the pie crusts.  Bake for 15 minutes and enjoy!

Happy Halloween!!

Saturday Delights

Last night, I opted for staying in, getting to sleep early, and preparing for a fun-filled Saturday. A few things that I'm looking forward to enjoying today:

1. New Rebecca Minkoff Heavy Metal Tote. For the past 5 years, I have been using my big brown Longchamp bag every day to hold books, folders, etc. The zipper has been broken for two months and there are holes in both corners. I finally gave up when I saw this bag on sale at My Habit. The sale is over, but the bag can still be found here.

2. Apple Cider Donuts. Enough said...will post recipe soon.

3. Heirloom Squash - buying lots of these to decorate the apartment today.

4. Pumpkin Carving Kit....this year will be year that I don't mess up another pumpkin.

5. Gifted Christopher Fischer Scarf. It's 50% cashmere and 50% silk with a crinkled texture (making it even more comfortable). So thankful for this! On sale here.

Hockey Dinners

The Pittsburgh Penguins play 82 regular season games a year and I watch about 80 a year (the only way you won't find me in front of the TV is if I have a prior engagement or unexpected interruption in my schedule).  Growing up with Pens tickets, I snacked on burgers, fries, and sodas each home game at the old Mellon (Civic) Arena.  During away games, my dad and I would usually order some unhealthy take out, have some chips and salsa, and veg out during the games.

Today, I'm living in New York City and unfortunately can't be there with my mom, dad, sister, or whoever at each home game.  I also can't be relaxing on my couch for some of my mom's cooked meals (I wish).

Tonight, I made a healthy alternative for the typical game day food.

Menu:

Light spinach and artichoke dip
Black bean burgers
Pasta tossed with extra virgin olive oil, basil, and garlic


Spinach and Artichoke Dip

10 oz frozen spinach, thawed
1 Tablespoon olive oil
3/4 cup light mayonnaise
4oz fat free cream cheese
1 teaspoon capers
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon mustard
1 can artichokes
3/4 cup shredded mozarella cheese
1/4 grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Dice the artichokes and spinach and mix well with the rest of the ingredients.  Pour into a small casserole dish and bake for about 30 minutes at 350°.  Serve with crackers!



Black Bean Burgers

1 - 16 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 egg
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon basil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 green pepper, chopped and minced
1/2 onion, chopped and mince
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Mash black beans with a fork until pasty.  Add in the egg, cumin, basil, and garlic and stir well.  Next, add in the rest of the ingredients and add small amounts of bread crumbs until the ingredients become think and able to mold into round burgers.

Form into four patties and bake on a lightly greased baking sheet for 20 minutes (10 minutes on each side).

Pasta? Should be easy enough...

Tasty and healthy, game day meal!

Evening Recap: Shop It To Me, Hunter Dixon, Birchbox Party

On Wednesday night, friend Jenn Falik hosted a wonderful party at her home.  The "who's who" of  twitter fashionistas, beauty publicists, designers, and New York gals gathered to shop Hunter Dixon clothes, sign up for Shop It To Me, snack on Hot Blondies Bakery treats, and leave with an amazing set of beauty products from Birchbox.

It was a great night and so much fun.  A few highlights included finally putting a face to the name of the infamous OscarPRGirl, meet the lovely ladies behind Birchbox and Shop It To Me, mingle with some of my favorite beauty and fashion columnists, and shop the gorgeous designs of Hunter Dixon.

Jenn Falik is a beauty and style expert based in New York, making frequent appearances on The Today Show, E! News, and NY1. Visit her site at here. 

All photos courtesy of Ana Schecter at Ana Photo.

Madison Square Eats

After learning that all of the mini desserts on Wednesday were from the tent of Hot Blondies Bakery at the Madison Square Eats festival, I knew a visit was in order.  I traveled down to see what else they had to offer - it was a great time and definitely recommended to anyone in New York. 

The vendors will be there through October 21st and are set up right on 23rd and Fifth.

Warning: Do not count calories while at Madison Square Eats. Treats include: Crepes, Wine, Donuts, Ice Cream, Sandwiches, Craft Beer, and Waffles.

Time for Tights

The temperature has been dropping, but like every other year I try to hold off as long as possible before breaking out the jackets, cordoruys, and tights.  Today marks the first day of too-cold-for-bare-legs for me and I couldn't help get just a little excited about the future days of comfy sweaters, wool skirts, and boots.


A little dress-up to get over the Wednesday blues.

Zara Belted Skirt

James Perse Fitted Tee

Zara Patent Flats

Hermes Chaîne d'Ancre Bracelet

Nicole Miller Black Tights

Lady Like

Everything in New York is so expensive: rent, food, entertainment - you name it.  So far, there are only two things I have found in this city that are less expensive than other places - pizza slices and mani/pedis.  Amongst the nice restaurants and glamorous spas, dollar slices and cheap nail salons do exist. 

It's not a five-star experience, but the $25 manicure/pedicure deals that can be found here sure make it easy to not feel bad about the bi-monthly (sometimes weekly) visits. 

Color of the week: Essie "Lady Like"

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Welcoming October with Apple Crisp

Apples are one of those fruits that really adaptable to a variety of (sweet) recipes.  Apple crisp is one of those recipes that my mom has perfected ever since I can remember. She sent me her recipe for this warm fall treat - it left my apartment filled with a decadent cinnamon scent and made for a great first step of the seasonal food transition.

Gather:
5 Gala apples
3/4 Cup sugar
3/4 Cup brown sugar
3/4 Cup flour
1/2 cup melted butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon

To make the apple crisp, slice the apple and cut into bit sized pieces.  Place them in a casserole dish and set aside.  Next, mix all of the other ingredients into a mixing bowl and pour over the apples.  Push the ingredients down into the apples without stirring.

Enjoy!