Pizza Dip

Super bowl snacks are on my mind and what could be better than pizza in dipping form.  Many of the ingredients needed are pantry staples so it's simple to whip up in a flash.  I think this recipe is perfect for a house full of guests-it's easy and so totally addicting.  So whether your cheering for the Patriots, Seahawks or like me look forward to the commercials and half time show-this dip is the real winner!

Pizza Dip

• 1 (15 oz) container of part skim ricotta
• 1tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• ¼ tsp. dried basil
• 2 (8-oz) cans tomato sauce
• 1 (6-oz) can tomato paste
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tsp dried basil
• ½ tsp. sugar
• ½ tsp. garlic powder
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, divided
• ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup pepperoni
• fresh basil
• toasted french bread slices for dipping

1. Preheat oven to 350º F. Spray the bottom of a 1½ casserole dish with cooking spray; set aside.
2. Mix together ricotta, oregano, parsley and basil in a small bowl. Spread herbed cream cheese on the bottom of prepared dish. Layer with ½ cup mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese.
3. In another medium sized bowl, mix together tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, sugar and garlic powder. Pour over cheese layer in dish. Cover with the remaining cheeses. Top with pepperoni and fresh basil.
4. Place in preheated oven and bake for 15 mins or until heated through and bubbly. Serve with slices of toasted french bread and ENJOY!

Winter White

I have to admit I love classic winter neutrals.  I've been trying to mix it up a bit with the wardrobe partly because I'm tired of the all black winter blah.  This look is fresh and cozy and if you think that wearing white after Labor Day is a no-no, think again.  The only thing stopping me from throwing on my white jeans are my three-year-old's messy fingers.  So if you think you can stay somewhat stain free, I say go for it!  Pair the jeans with a warm camel sweater, scarf and suede boots and they become transformed-year round jeans. 

Click below for info:

J Crew Jewelry Sale

Good Morning! Hope you all had a restful weekend before starting up again today.  I wanted to let you know that     J Crew is having a great sale right now! 25% off closet mvps like this painter tee with zips, these dark washed jeans, these suede boots, and not to mention things for men and the kids as well.  Also, take an extra 40% off all final sale items like these gorgeous gold pieces above with the code FINDAFAVE.  I love starting the week off with a great deal especially a shiny/sparkly one.  Happy Shopping!

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Friday 5 Favorite Links

Good morning and happy Friday!  I thought I would share some links that have caught my eye this week.  

Try this recipe for the perfect chai tea latte.

Try these 10 Yoga Poses for a better night's sleep.

Download this free 2015 Calendar.

This waffle recipe looks amazing and the kids will love to wake up for this weekend breakfast.

Valentine's Day gift ideas for both him and her.

Enjoy the weekend!

Little Things

Hey there! Today is one of those days when I need this simple reminder.  Sometimes life seems so busy and fast-but at the end of the day it's really the little things that make me happy.  Fresh flowers from the husby, a warm vanilla latte from the Starbucks drive-thru, being caught up with all the laundry, a sweaty gym workout, an unexpected napper, and a perfect score.  These are things that I will never take for granted.   Hope I can continue to remember the little things each and every day.

Leopard

Are you kitten me right now??  Leopard is everywhere and I can't get enough!  I like to wear leopard as a neutral and pair it with just about everything that goes with black or brown.  My favorite pattern for mixing is simply a black and white stripe.  Last summer I bought this Clare V foldover clutch and I have used it so many times and get so many compliments.  This one is also just as great-just a little bit smaller.  Both are perfect accessories when you want to add a pop of Rawr!

I like to pair my leopard belt with simple black and white stripes.

Heels or sneakers, flats  or boots.  Can't go wrong-love them all!

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What do you like to pair with leopard print?

Let's Get Organized

img via Better Homes and Gardens

Happy Monday!  I love, love, love an organized home!  I also love being inspired by other people's organizing tips and tricks. I'm not saying that I am pulled together because I often throw stuff into a pile that quickly becomes a mountain. -But I aspire to be more organized and photos like these help me get excited about spending my time doing just that.  This weekend I tackled some piles and went through some closets so I'm feeling a bit lighter this morning.  Hoping these pics give you the same motivation!  

 img via  I Heart Organizing

img via  A Thoughtful Place

img via The 7th House On The Left

img via The Social Home

img via Pink Peonies

img via Ciburbanity

img via I Heart Organizing

Lemon Cake Take 2

Close up and in your face lemon cake! I made this cake a couple of weeks ago for Husby's birthday.  He's a huge lemon fan. The kids and I made this cake for him last year but this time we went all lemon! Lemon cake, filled with lemon curd, and topped with this lemon butter cream frosting.  The flavor is light and the frosting is creamy-It's every lemon lovers dream!  

Lemon Cake Recipe

-I doubled the recipe for the 4 layers-

• 2 cups all-purpose flour     
• 2 cups granulated sugar   
• 2 tsp. baking powder    
• 1 tsp. salt 
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature        
• 1 cup buttermilk        
• 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, softened        
• 1⁄2 cup vegetable shortening        
• 2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest        
• 1⁄4 cup fresh lemon juice        
• 1⁄4 cup lemon-lime soda        
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract        

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray two 9-inch round metal baking pans with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.

Add eggs, buttermilk, butter, shortening, lemon zest and lemon juice to flour mixture.

Using a Kitchen Aid mixer on medium-low speed, mix for 1 minute, until blended. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl with a spatula. Mix on high speed for 1 minute.

Add lemon-lime soda and vanilla; mix on low speed for 15 to 30 seconds, until just combined.

Divide batter evenly between the two prepared pans.

Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. Let pan cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Run a knife around edge of pans, then invert cakes onto rack to cool completely.

Place one cake layer, flat side up, on a cake plate or platter. Spread 3⁄4 cup of the frosting (see below) evenly over bottom layer. Top with the second cake layer, flat side down. Spread the remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.

Lemon Curd

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (usually requires 1-2 lemons)

2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest

1/3 cup sugar

4 egg yolks

3 Tablespoons butter 

Combine all ingredients in the top of a double boiler (or in a metal bowl over a pot of simmering water).  Heat, while stirring (almost) constantly with a whisk, until mixture thickens.  It is done when it’s thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.  Remove from heat, cover and refrigerate until cool.

Lemon Frosting click here  for recipe

 It's freezing here today!  Hope you're stayin' warm where you are.  

Winter Favorites

It's soooo cold around here! We are enjoying our second day of no school due to the frigid temperatures.  The kids are thrilled and I am happy to sleep in and spend the days drinking hot chocolate.  My favorite recipe is here.  When I do venture out I make sure to bundle up and wear lotsa layers.  I just ordered this J Crew parka in heather dusk.  I love the fur hood.  My black Sorels are a must have too-they keep my feet warm and dry when I'm outside playing in the snow with the kids.  So thankful for our toasty home on days like this.  Hope you are keeping warm too!   

Click below for all the links to the products above:

Favorite Smoothie

I know it's freezing outside but I love this almond delight smoothie with strawberries and blueberries from the life cafe at our health club. 

I figured it would be easy to do an at home hack. 

I like to drink this right after a morning workout.  It's healthy, refreshing, and I love the subtle almond taste.  I like to start the day off on the right foot with exercise and a frozen drink even with the freezing temps outside.

Almond Delight Smoothie with Strawberries & Blueberries

1 cup sweetened vanilla almond milk

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

1 cup ice

1 cup vanilla Chobani Greek yogurt

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1 cup strawberries

1/4 cup blueberries

Place all ingredients in your high-speed blender and blend until smooth.

 

Enjoy!

Here are some of my favorites for your at home smoothies:

Happy 2015

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Happy New Year!!!!  Hope you all had a fun-filled NYE!  We stayed in with the boys- darling daughter was at a sleepover with friends.  We made a wonderful dinner and cracked open some champagne.  The boys partied pretty hard and were pretty jazzed about staying up late.  Thank goodness everyone slept in!

I love a fresh start and a new beginning.  I went for a crisp and very cold run this morning but it felt great.  Hoping to rev up my runs in the new year and push myself more.  

In the new year I hope to drink more water.  This detox water is my fave!

I hope to read more, get more organized, have more patience, challenge myself, and hug lots!

I hope your new year is bright and filled with lots of love, success, fun and happiness!