Be Amy Winehouse For Halloween!

Ok, how awesome of a costume would this be? And cheap! Of course you will look a little ran over, but let's be honest on how at least the US media sees her. But, anyways... if you are interested, you just need a tight outfit (preferably with bra straps, if not the bra showing, and dont forget the 3 inch or higher heels), a lot of black eye liner to do the 'cat eyes', red lips, a few rub on Tat's (if you dont have any yourself), and of course the hair. I found a good video on how to recreate Amy Winehouse's hair (and you could possibly do it so it doesn't look as bad) on youtube if you need any help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVoxsRmZrC8

And as far as my views on Amy Winehouse... I love her music, and I think if she is pretty, although I think her style is far from cute. But any woman who can go outside looking like that without shame is... well, extremely brave.

Infidelity

One subject that tends to rule the airwaves seems to be on the topic of infidelity and the causes/prevention of it. I know that this is a really touchy subject, but its appropriate after all the fuss with Oprah, and watching it on the Today Show, as well as every single news show this past week has brought it up. I was in class during the Oprah episode [Aired Sept. 11, 2009] where Gary Neuman spoke about infidelity, but I did have a chance to watch the "angry callers" show. I have been with my fiance for 5 years now, and in all honesty I have no idea how I would respond to either being told that he has cheated, or questioning his honesty with me. I know what everyone says that they would "leave him", and say "I'm deserve better than that", "Once a dog...", but the statistics show that it isn't always the case. And maybe it's hard for me to take in the idea of infidelity because our relationship is still in the 'love birds' stage and we don't have the stresses of parenthood quite yet. I guess I am curious what exactly were the households like BEFORE the cheating started? Was it a truly happy household? Or was either spouse in denial about the happiness? It is hard for me to see that cheating starts when their is a truly happy household at home.
Some people (and science) believes that men (and women for that fact) are biologically seeking multiple mates: men to be assured their 'seed' is spreading, and women to be assured that they have top grade 'seed'. Is there anyone who truly believes that a man cannot resist the urge?
I did a quick search online and found the website Truth About Deception which then lead me to an Ivillage survey that found that one in five people (in relationships) have cheated on their now partner. And close to half admit infidelity sometime in their lifetime.
Now, I know I've had some people read my blog already... I'm just curious what everyone else thinks about the subject of infidelity. With the statistics on how often it happens-does it somehow make the blow less harsh if you find out you were cheated on? What would you do?

Sunglasses, Necklaces, Bags Oh My!

Whoever as watched Sex And The City (The Movie), as known this website. Even if you haven't... it's probably advertised on your myspace page, or you may even see it on the Today Show, or countless others bragging about the simplicity of borrowing such great stuff. And it is great stuff. If you haven't taken a look already, as you might find from my title Bagborroworsteal.com has a lot more than just designer purses to choose from. I am more a jewelry girl than a purse girl (purses get worn out, you can wear out a diamond). It's all designer jewelry, some with logos, some with out (I prefer the ones without). The only reservation I have about the site is concerning money. How often would you rent from the site until you would come to the realization that you could have already bought a peice? That is meant in the best respect for bagborroworsteal because of course, I know I will be renting from the site in the near future, and I want something flashing and bulky to wear to a wedding. And on my wedding day, I WILL be renting (as something borrowed) quite a few things, but I will also have the mindset to make sure I photograph them well, and when we would be able to, have a jeweler recreate the peices with slight variations to make it more personal. The cheapest necklace I found that I like on bagborroworsteal is priced at $20/week which is a great bargain.


Now, if only you could keep it...

Turkey Ciabatta Roll Sandwich

I didn't know what to post for today, so I decided to put a picture of the sandwich I had for lunch. I love ciabatta (and anyone who hasn't tried it, go for it). The outside of the bread is somewhat of a tough texture, with the inside having more of a bounce. On my sandwich I used a ciabatta roll (that can be found with other rolls at the bakery department of your grocery store) since I love the texture and love the idea of having it portioned out (so I dont have to deal with an entire loaf at once). Next, I have shredded/thinly sliced turkey, a slice of provolone, curly endive (I would highly suggest romaine lettuce to endive though-this was the only green we had on hand. Curly endive is somewhat bitter), sliced tomato, and sliced dill pickles. Add whichever dressing you'd prefer on a 'normal' cold sandwich. This one has just a low fat mayo.

My fiance loves this cheerful sandwich and given the right party could go great. Simply cut the ciabatta roll in half (leaving out the sauce unless you are certain that the guest likes it), and stick a couple decorative toothpicks in each half to make sure it stays together. This will work well with punch or italian soda, cheese and veggie platter, and a light dessert like lemon bars or angel food cake with strawberries and whipped cream. You can also change the meats to chicken, ham or roast beef. This is meant to be a very simple, yet elegant, versatile sandwich.

Pleasures Delight

Estee Lauder Pleasures Delight is currently my favorite fragrance! It has a youthful smell that is truly addicting. Last winter I purchased it for a friend and was given a small sample bottle for myself, and Whoa! And everyone who has got a wiff of me with this on has commented. It is not overpowering, but gives just a flirty smell that really does last all day.

I have been an Estee Lauder fan for as long as I remember. My mother got me into it when I was young and with their $50 gift promo (every black friday-til supplies lasts)... my mother would simply give me what she didn't want to play around with. Yes, it is an older brand that is set up for older women (unlike clinique, which does seem to attract a younger audience), but it truly has products that are worth falling for. I love estee lauders glosses, elegant compacts, and of course the Pleasures lines.

If you ever get around Macys, or any other company that has an Estee Lauder counter... sample the smell. And if your guy is with, try Pleasures for Men.

Chipmunk

I just had to add this little video of a chipmunk for two reasons: #1 its just too cute not to, and #2 to make sure I know how well the video shows up in case I decide to add video clips in the future. Oh, and #3 what else would I use this video for? It was taken last June (maybe late May) at a formal garden in my college town. Of course, this part of the garden is less formal (normal dirt, or rock walking paths instead of the normal stone). I am unsure what videos I will load onto the site, maybe of some beautiful outdoor areas or even directions on how to prepare certain recipes. I would love to add a video of my bedroom for any suggestions on how I will be able to make my room look less boring since I live in an apartment and the walls cannot be painted. Hmmmm. The endless possibilities!

Goodbye Summer! I Promise to think about you everyday!

Goodbye Summer! Oh, How I will miss you! The walks in the park taking pictures of our beautiful Minnesotan outdoors will soon turn to running to the car to get away from the blistering cold just to find a car that is just as cold and in need of major snow removal in order to even open a door! Oh, I will miss thee!

...come to think of it, I do miss hot chocolate ;)

Is Al Franken Really This Bad?

I am from the wonderful state of Minnesota-Home of the Vikings, Mall of America, beginning of the Mississippi, Rape jokes and physical assult,...Whaaa?

Ok, in case you didn't hear about our senate race against Republican Sen. Coleman and Democrat, celeb Al Franken. Franken is slamming Colemens dedication to G.W. Bush, and his involvement in big oil, as well as his voting record. Coleman is attacking Frankens celeb status, and comments he has made during his comedy shows. So far I haven't really heard too much about Frankens policies in Coleman's ads (or ads to support Coleman).

Today I watched yet another commerical going against Franken and in all honesty I am getting tired of it all. How many times does Coleman (and groups supporting him) have to send out these ads that are truly a disgrace to American politics? One time is enough. But month after month after month of ads trying to talk about Frankens tax record, or comments made while on stage is outragous. Dont you think swaying my vote will take more than three comments said constantly over and over again? All that is doing is annoying me and making me think "Wow, this guy is really needing the extra help since he isn't even discussing the real issues facing the country today."

I am not trying to talk on here about who is better for office, but it is just becoming too much here in the overly friendly state.

I should mention that I plan to meet Franken at my school in the next weeks to come. If Coleman would come past too, I'd meet him.

To Watch The Rape/Assult Ad Against Al Franken Click Here (will send you to youtube.com)

Pasta At Pizza Hut

It has been awhile since Pizza Hut started selling pasta, and in desperation of not wanting to cook last night, we decided to give the Chicken Alfredo dish a try. The pasta serves 4, with 5 breadsticks on the side. The normal sides that come with pizza hut are not given with the breadsticks- which might of made it a little more 'tasty'. The chicken tastes like seasoned, grilled, cut up chicken breast, which does taste good although the chicken is in small peices, and there is a few 'fatty' peices in the container. The Alfredo itself wasn't worth it. It really had no flavor other than the little chunks of chicken here and there. Overall it is not worth buying. After having it delivered (and with tip), the 20 dollars would have gone much better if I would of just ordered chinese, or just a simple pizza.

And with that part said... In the advertisements Pasta Hut/Pizza Hut has where the customers are commenting on how good the food is... maybe the other pastas tasted better but this one tastes as if it belongs in a school lunch. Minus the tasty little chicken chunks... I'll give them that much.

Sprinkles Strawberry Cupcakes

Here is the recipe from Sprinkles Cupcakes. If you are at all at strawberry lover, at least try the frosting out. It is perfect! Yumm!


Ingredients:
2/3 cup whole fresh or frozen strawberries, thawed
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 cup whole milk, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
2 large egg whites, room temperature
Frosting Ingredients:

1/2 cup whole frozen strawberries, thawed
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, firm and slightly cold
Pinch of coarse salt
3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners; set aside.
Place strawberries in a small food processor; process until pureed. You should have about 1/3 cup of puree, add a few more strawberries if necessary or save any extra puree for frosting; set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a small bowl, mix together milk, vanilla, and strawberry puree; set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter on medium-high speed, until light and fluffy. Gradually add sugar and continue to beat until well combined and fluffy. Reduce the mixer speed to medium and slowly add egg and egg whites until just blended.
With the mixer on low, slowly add half the flour mixture; mix until just blended. Add the milk mixture; mix until just blended. Slowly add remaining flour mixture, scraping down sides of the bowl with a spatula, as necessary, until just blended.
Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Transfer muffin tin to oven and bake until tops are just dry to the touch, 22 to 25 minutes. Transfer muffin tin to a wire rack and let cupcakes cool completely in tin before icing.





Frosting Directions:
Place strawberries in the bowl of a small food processor; process until pureed. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and salt on medium speed until light and fluffy. Reduce mixer speed and slowly add confectioners' sugar; beat until well combined. Add vanilla and 3 tablespoons strawberry puree (save any remaining strawberry puree for another use); mix until just blended. Do not overmix or frosting will incorporate too much air. Frosting consistency should be dense and creamy, like ice cream.

Social Networking Site For Professionals

So, I am in college and preparing to make my leap into the career world. I. Am. Scared. Mainly because I am going into a field that is wildly guided by men, with no real connections and very little experience working. So clearly that is a great mixture for success. Even though I will have very limited experience, I promise to make the most of my situation. I found a website called linkedin that is like facebook for professionals. You even post your resume on your page, and get the chance to have people 'find you'. Granted, my resume is about as interesting as reading this blog, but at least there is a chance? And if I am lucky I will somehow benefit from the fall of Fanny/Freddy/AIG/&more. After all the economy scares people are bound to seek out professionals to help protect their assets, right?

Tea With A French Press

Growing up my mother would always drink tea, but she would use an ugly egg shaped tea filter. Which would lead me to ask why would something so delicate have such an ugly tool? I love tea and often prefer it over coffee, so last Christmas when I was given a french press I found a new, neat way to make tea.

For those of you that may not know... A french press is another way to have a stronger cup of coffee. The photo to the left shows LACAFETIERE's individual sized french press (I have the one in red). The coffee grounds (very roughly chopped, NOT the same sized grounds you would put in a drip coffee pot) are put at the bottom of a glass beaker followed by already hot water. The round button on the top is the "press" part of a french press. After the coffee sits for a few minutes, the 'button' is pressed down (it would be up in the beginning), manually filtering the coffee from the grounds.

I have been using this for coffee, but most recently for tea. I love the whole process. To some it may be a little too much, but its the perfect desk top teapot!

Southern Minnesota Crop

This photo I took Late July in Southern Minnesota. Windows has a background that kind of looks like this, and a part myself always wondered if those pictures were photoshopped to look 'bold', but even though they more than likely were. This photo was taken to get people to "look at the sky." It's Beautiful! When was the last time you layed in the grass and tried to figure out what the cloud shapes look like?

Great Bookshelves

(LEFT) I found some great finds while looking at ikea.com. This bookshelf is priced at $219 (US), and is way more stylish than my 6 foot tall bookshelf that does not even hold all of my books. Granted, this one wont come close either, but at least it tooks great. And would even work well with a flat paneled tv framed centered above it.

(UP, RIGHT) If there is anyway you can afford it, another great alternative would be Crate And Barrels Faulkner Library Cabinet. It is much pricier than ikea at $799, but it truly looks like a traditional peice that will be just as great for decades to come, and the idea of not having to dust around the books constantly? Priceless! I wonder if there is any way to sand down the trim in order to push two side by side to make a "geeky" statement in an office? God knows we have the books!

Politics: Female 'Eye Candy'?

One thing that is bothering me about the upcoming election is over Sarah Palin. Most importantly, who is she? And why exactly was she picked to be McCains running mate? I don't think that she is an idiot-she clearly won the position of gov. of Alaska. I DO think its a little sketchy that she was picked. I am not trying to make light of the fact that she is a politician, and all is fair in love and war (war being politics), but I truly do not believe that she would of been chosen if the democratic party had not 'raised the bar'. Despite the fact that she is clearly an attractive woman, her personal and political life has some issues that you would assume politicians would not want to associate themselves with, she was chosen to be the running mate on a major ticket. Even now we are hearing that her email was leaked, and all the problems associated with that. What if the current issues brought up about her are true? Will the Republican Party change their mind? And what other problems are going to arise between now and election day?
One thing is for sure, Palin is getting a lot more airwaves than Biden.

Easy Baby Shower Cookies

Have a special event you have to attend, but don't have the time to make something really special? Or want to impress others by making something homemade? Try cutout cookies! It's easier than you think. I made these little ducky cookies for my sisters baby shower and I'll tell you how.

Ingredients:

premade package (it comes as a roll) of sugar cookie dough. Do not buy the dough that is already preshaped.
container of white cake frosting (I dont like the 'whipped' labeled frosting for this, but the whiter the better). Use Two containers if you are not entirely sure of what you want to do. It'll let you play around with the frosting.
half a cup to a cup of flour. This is used to help roll out the dough
If you want the frosting colored you will need food coloring. I prefer to use gel-coloring (not the normal liquid kind that you use to color eggs)- you can find this frosting at a Michaels or any craft store.

Supplies:

Cookie cutter (optional),
cookie sheet,
parchment paper (optional),
rolling pin,
any tool you feel comfortable frosting cake,
frosting bag with tips (but if you dont have any, simple ziplock style storage bags work great too),
& don't forget something to put the cookies on when you're done. Party America stores has cheap platters that are affordable (ranging from 1-5 dollars) and pretty cute.

Baking Directions:

1. cut open the package of cookie dough, and on a lightly floured surface, roll out cooking dough with a lightly floured rolling pin. Roll to the desired thickness (depending on the brand of the dough... check the package, when in doubt, I always go 3/8 inch).
2. take your cookie cutter and press in flour (it lightly coats the both sides of the cookie cutter that presses into the dough), press the cutter firmly in dough and lift up. Slowly remove each cookie cutout with a lightly floured spatula. Place on cookie sheet (see my first post on Parchment Paper, if you have it, use it-trust me). Bake and cool as directed on package.
3. Divide frosting in desired amounts to color. The base color (the yellow on my chick/ducky) should have the majority of the frosting. Don't frost to the edges. Use the frosting to help perfect the shape of the cookie (if you look at my cookie, the shape it baked into did not turn out well because of the butter in the dough, but with the frosting it looks perfect). For the finer detailing, put the desired color in your frosting bag, with a round tip, or just put the frosting in a plastic bag with a tiny cut in the corner (to squeeze the frosting out). If you use a plastic bag, cut the hole smaller than you think you need. If its too small, cut a little more.
4. Leave it out for 15 minutes to help dry out the frosting so its more easily moveable. Arrange the cookies on a platter, and enjoy!

Now, I know that looks like a lot, but read it, it really isn't. I may have over explained how to make these cookies, but I would LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK on the cookies, and how I explained how to make them. Also, if you have any questions on how to make anything else? I may be busy, but if I have any time I will surely help! Also, I am considering posting directions online so you would be able to "watch" my directions, and maybe you'll have more help that way.

Baking Lesson: Parchment Paper

The most important thing I could tell anyone about baking is to use Parchment Paper . Never heard of it? Parchment Paper keeps your cookies from sticking to the baking sheet, as well as it helps prevent your baking sheet from discoloring. Line it with most any baking project. Baking a cake? Go ahead. I even use parchment paper to put under my pizza pan so the pizza can be easily cut and served on the sheet without worrying about cleanup after.

I own ONE cookie sheet. Granted, its a good cookie sheet, but there is only one. And if you have ever lived in an apartment you will know that space is limited. With the power of multi-tasking and a cookie sheet (without edges), you can place parchment paper on the cookie sheet, and prep the cookies the way you would put on a cookie sheet, and place in the oven. On extra counter space begin prepping the next sheet of parchment paper (precut/presized paper will help prevent placing too many cookies, or not enough on the paper). When the cookies are done in the oven, simply take it out, slide the parchment paper (with cookies on it), on a cooling rack, and slide the next sheet of parchment paper on the cookie sheet. Be careful since of course the sheet is hot, but it will save you a lot of time. PARCHMENT PAPER CAN BE REUSED. I would not keep it past the task you're doing (I bake cookies on the same peice of parchment paper 7-10 times when I am baking holiday cookies in a day). It will brown slightly, but don't let that hold you back. It will work just as good the first time as it will the 10th.

I have never baked with parchment paper past 425 degrees, so keep in mind you may want to check the label before you were to try to broil steak on it.

Also, try to get it precut so you dont have to worry about the sides trying to roll back up, and you will have the exact size you want for your sheet everytime.

++the parchment paper link is to purchase on Amazon.com