LOVE THIS DESSERT

Treat your sweetie to something special this Valentine's Day: this eye-catching cake that melds raspberries and chocolate. Ganache is used for the airy mousse base and as the topping, while a pink-hued raspberry mousse peeks out between the layers.
Chocolate-Raspberry Mousse Cake

CRUST
1 1/2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs*
6 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 cup raspberry preserves
FILLING
8 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
2 tablespoons raspberry flavoring syrup, divided**
2 1/2 cups whipping topping, divided
1 tablespoon sugar
TOPPING
6 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
3/4 cup whipping cream

1. Heat oven to 375°F. In medium bowl, stir together cookie crumbs and melted butter. Press into bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Bake 10 minutes or until set.
Remove from oven; gently spread preserves over crust. Cool completely on wire rack.

2. Meanwhile, place 8 oz. chocolate and 1 tablespoon of the raspberry syrup in large bowl. Heat 1 1/2 cups of the cream in medium saucepan over medium heat or in microwave on high until cream comes to a boil. Immediately pour cream over chocolate; stir until smooth. Let stand until cool but still liquid (about 65°F.). (To speed up process, place bowl with chocolate in bowl of ice water; stir constantly.) Beat at medium speed 2 to 4 minutes or until slightly soft peaks form; spread over crust. Refrigerate.

3. In large bowl, beat remaining 1 cup cream, remaining 1 tablespoon raspberry syrup and sugar at medium speed until firm but not stiff peaks form. Spread over chocolate filling. Refrigerate.

4. Place 6 oz. chocolate in large bowl. Heat 3/4 cup cream in small saucepan over medium heat or in microwave on high until cream comes to a boil. Immediately pour cream over chocolate; stir until smooth. Cool until slightly thickened but still pourable (about 75°F.). Spoon over raspberry filling. Cover and refrigerate until set, at least 8 hours or overnight. (Cake can be made up to 2 days ahead.)
5. To easily cut cake, leave cake in springform pan; use hot dry knife to cut through top layer. Refrigerate. When ready to serve, remove springform pan ring; slice completely. Store in refrigerator.

TIPS *Look for 100-percent chocolate cookie crumbs, such as the Oreo brand, which are located in the supermarket baking section near graham cracker crumbs or in the ice cream topping section. If you can’t find them, substitute crushed chocolate wafer cookies.
**Raspberry flavoring syrup often is used to flavor coffee, so look for it in the gourmet coffee section of the supermarket.

Strawberry Alissa-Rita

This is a strawberry margarita with a little sparkle. If you like strawberries your goning to love this drink.

Ingredients

1 (12 ounce) can frozen limeade concentrate

12 ounces champagne

8 ounces Tequila

4 ounces DeKuyper® Strawberry Liqueur

12 ounces water

Directions

1. Pour limeade into pitcher with ice. Fill limeade can with champagne and pour into pitcher. Then fill limeade can with 2/3  Tequila and 1/3 DeKuyper Strawberry Liqueur and pour in. Lastly, add a can of water, stir and serve over ice. Makes 9 delicious drinks, perfect for any ladies night in.
2. Looking for a lighter option? Swap soda water for the champagne and 2 cups of sliced strawberries for the Strawberry Liqueur.

Chicken Gravy -Request-

After creating your favorite chicken dish, it's all gravy - chicken gravy! Pour over chicken and go to town! Yummmy! If you don't have chicken stock on hand, you could also use bouillon cubes, chicken flavor of coarse; just follow package directions and proceed as directed below.

Ingredients

2 cups chicken stock

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 teaspoon poultry seasoning

Directions

Bring chicken stock to a boil. Dissolve cornstarch in a small amount of cold water and add to chicken stock. Season to taste with poultry seasoning and cook until thickened. Serve over mashed potatoes or chicken.

If you have any questions or comments  leave a comment and I will get back to you.

Orange Cream Delight (Screwdriver

Remember those creamy orange ice pops you had as a child? Now you can drink them too! You can adjust the vodka to your liking. It goes down smooth, so watch your consumption. You don't want to get to wasted and end up that girl dancing on the table with her top off at the end of the party...lol

Ingredients

6 fluid ounces orange juice

2 1/2 fluid ounces vanilla flavored vodka

ice cubes - I think mine crunched up-

Directions

1. Measure the orange juice and vodka into a shaker and add a scoop of ice. Cover and shake until the outside is frosty. Strain into a glass and serve. If you don't have a shaker just mix them in the glass you intend to drink from but add the ice first.
2. And if you like you can cut an orange and place a slice on the side of the glass as seen in the picture.

WILLOW SANDAL -from Alloy.com

I got these great sandals from Alloy.com, they have them in clearance for $14.99. It's a good price compared to the price before it went on clearance which was $29.90. You can get them in black or chestnut. They are Metal and bead detail with a back zipper.

 I usually wear a 8 1/2 or 9, I got these in an 8 1/2 but they are a little big for me. So if you get them go a little smaller than your original size.

3/4" faux wood stacked mini wedge

Faux leather upper

Here is a shot from Alloy.com of the Chestnut version of the sandle. Leave a comment and let me know what you think about these sandles and if you are going to get a pair yourself. I always love to hear from my readers and I always comment back if anyone leaves a message. :)

Basic Mashed Potatoes

If you love good, old fashioned mashed potatoes this is the perfect recipe. Simple and delicious

Ingredients

2 pounds baking potatoes, peeled and quartered

2 tablespoons butter

1 cup milk

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes; drain.
2. In a small saucepan heat butter and milk over low heat until butter is melted. Using a potato masher or electric beater, slowly blend milk mixture into potatoes until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

If anyone needs a good GRAVY recipe to go with these great mashed potatoes just leave a comment and let me know. I would be happy to upload any kind of gravy you want. I am full of recipes.;)

Valentines Day Chocolate Covered Strawberries

This is the simplest version of chocolate covered strawberries I know. Paraffin was originally used instead of shortening. Turn the strawberries upside down and insert by the toothpicks into a piece of Styrofoam for easy cooling, or simply place them on a sheet of wax paper. White chocolate may be drizzled over the milk chocolate for a fancier look. They are perfect for weddings when decorated with frosting bow ties, bells, butterflies, roses, etc

Ingredients

16 ounces milk chocolate chips

2 tablespoons shortening

1 pound fresh strawberries with leaves

Directions

1. Insert toothpicks into the tops of the strawberries.
2. In a double boiler, melt the chocolate and shortening, stirring occasionally until smooth. Holding them by the toothpicks, dip the strawberries into the chocolate mixture.
3. Turn the strawberries upside down and insert the toothpick into Styrofoam for the chocolate to cool.

What I bought, Shopping.

So as you know if you keep up with my blogs I went shopping the other day and bought a few things. First as I have shown in another entry my new bag. It was about $26.00 at Ross, I love it there. Ross has higher quality items such as clothes, bags, and shoes plus much more for a cheaper price than other stores. I could spend all day in one shopping threw all their great stuff.

I also purchased these two tops the first was $8.99 at Ross. It fits great and I love the way it fits around my chest. The fabric is fabulous, so soft on my skin and comfortable. The second shirt was $6.99 at Ross. It is also soft and comfortable.

This shirt also came from Ross for about $6.99. This one is a little too big for me but I will wear it with a little pair of leggings and just hang around the house in it. It was totally comfy and will be great around that time of the month.

I also went to CVS and got my supply of hair dye and some basic make-ups. I love using Garnier Nutrisse, it always leaves my hair feeling much better than any other dyes. I picked up some pink lip gloss, and a few cover up make-ups. I tend to buy allot of my make-ups and beauty supplies from CVS because they are right down the road from my house and I love simple and quick when it comes to getting to a place.

My Kitty-Smidge-

This is my little Smidge, better known as MooMoo or MooBear. I always have multiple names for all the animals I end up with. Depending on my mood and theirs, I use the different names to let her know how I feel about what she is doing. In the picture she is my little MooBear, so sweet and cute. You just want to squeeze her and run her little belly. When she is being a naughty girl, getting into something or using my bed as a scratching post we call her Smidge in a Stern voice. Now when she is being silly or I accidentally knock her of my computer chair with my elbow, I use MooMoo. She is such a mommys girl and often sits in my lap while I am on the computer. She needs allot of attention and care. If you are wondering why she is so fat it's not my fault. My mother in law feeds her treats all day long and I can't get her to stop. lol Moo will be okay though so she is on the all cat food diet. What do you think about little Smidge? Leave a comment and become a follower for more from me.

My newest handbag- Tyler Rodan-

I picked up this Tyler Rodan bag in Ross today for about $26.00, original price was $75.00. There are two smaller zipper openings in the front and one larger one on the back, including two cell phone pockets on the sides.

Here you can kind of see the matching Umbrella that can with the bag.

 I love freebies.  What do you think about the bag? Would you tote it around? Leave a comment and tell me what you think about it and don't forget to become a follower so you wont miss a thing from me and my blog!

Outfit of the Week- Week One

So I am going to start doing an outfit of the week. I plan to upload a new outfit at least once a week but if I don't get around to it every single week don't be mad. I might even end up doing more that just one a week, oh well.

Anyway this is a usual outfit for me, I am so casual. I always, always wear flats. I tried wearing heels a couple years back but they never caught on with me. I feel like a giant even though I am only 5'5 and my hubby likes that I am short and prefers me on the ground. Flats are much more comfortable and if you have to run away from something or whatever you are good to go. I bought these shoes at Ross for around $15.00.

I am always in a pair of jeans, be it pants or shorts, so of coarse my first "Outfit of the Week" is Jeans. I am a big fan of the ripped look, I am pretty sure most of my jeans have ripped parts on them. I bought these jeans from Alloy.com but I don't recommend buying jeans online. You really need to try them on. I had to return these twice trying to find the right size and the shipping is killer. I complained and got most of the shipping given back in a gift card. Remember this if nothing else, complaining can get you free stuff. lol

 A good undershirt is key. I never want to show too much while I am out and about so I always wear a great undershirt. A good one can snuggle you in all the right places and give you some great cleavage so I usually don't go without one. I bought this undershirt at Khols for around $2.99. Khols clearance is amazing, I shop their allot.

Finally the top. Light blue is so pretty and the shirt is great to wear. It is so breathable and the fabric is so soft. These are all key details when getting a great shirt. I bought this one at Wetseal.com for $7.50 and I do believe that they still have a few left.

And now we are down to jewelry. I love jewelry, it really adds texture to your outfit and it is so important for your outfit. No matter what your taste is always add some jewelry to complete the outfit. I got most of this stuff from the mall, Claires and whatnot. The butterfly ring was $5.99, the other were a set for $9.99, while the bracelets where $3.99, the earrings came in a set of 3 or 4 different earrings and was $8.99, and the necklace was $6.99 I think.

There is the "Outfit of the Week" out of my closet. Complete with everything you need to look great and be comfortable. Don't forget to wear bras and undies, I didn't think it necessary to upload those, what do you think? Well leave a comment and let me know what you think about my Outfit of the Week. You can also become a follower so you don't miss anything I blog about, you don't want to miss next weeks Outfit of the Week, Do you?

Xhilaration Moto Jacket

I was shopping at Target today and found this rather awesome coat  the Xhilaration Moto Jacket. It's about $35.00 in stores and on their website. I am hoping to find it on sale or maybe in two weeks when I get paid again just pay the $35.00. But I worry that they will all be gone, sold out, this happens to me often. I had already spent $60.00 at Ross and $20.00 at CVS so I just couldn't get the jacket as well. I still have to order Pro Active and $25.00 worth at Wetseal. Wow, I am a shopping fool. But anyway I tried the jacket on at Target and I really like it on, it fit well and feels great. The material doesn't feel all cheap and crappy made. So I definitely want to get one before they are all  gone. What about you? What do you think about the jacket? Do you like it or hate it?

Revlon 1" Straightener - Floral Pattern

Revlon’s 1 inch Tourmaline Ceramic Straightener is perfect for everyday use. Tourmaline technology is unsurpassed for leaving hair silky, shiny and soft. Ceramic technology provides high, even heat that penetrates hair from the inside-out, helping hair retain natural moisture for “frizz-free” styles. The versatile size of the 1 inch plates straightens, flips, curls and creates waves. For styling versatility the 1 inch tourmaline ceramic straightener offers multiple heat settings, 30 second fast heat-up, "watch out this sucker can get really hot", instant heat recover, and a swivel free cord that helps prevents tangles.

Features

• Includes a heat-resistant pouch
• Used For: Straightening
• For Use On: Hair
• Hair Type: All Hair Types
• Features: Corded, Swivel Cord, Adjustable, High Heat, 30-Sec. Heat Up, Ceramic Plates, Automatic Shut-Off
• Pieces: 2
• Care and Cleaning: Hand Wash
• Power Source: Electric

A Little Romance-Sharing valentines at school

From traditional cards to handmade missives to baked treats, there are plenty of sweet ways for kids to express their appreciation for teachers and classmates.

Sweet Treats

Cookie and cupcake lovers of all ages will treasure something home-baked and decorated by hand, even if it starts with a mix.

Almost homemade. Cut refrigerator sugar cookie dough into heart shapes and decorate with icing and candy sprinkles; bake as directed. Place each cookie in a plastic bag and tie with red ribbon. Cut out paper hearts for gift tags.

Love me tender. These Black Bottom Cupcakes come with a gooey cream cheese center, so there's no need for icing. To add a secret message, place a large conversation heart candy in the cream cheese just before baking.

Sweet heart. It might not come in a box from Tiffany's, but this butter cookie necklace is better than bling! Make it a key chain instead of a necklace by shortening the red licorice strand.

Card-Carrying Romantics

Let the kids take the lead when it comes to choosing or making Valentine's Day cards.

One and all. Encourage kids to include all classmates on their Valentine's Day list so no one feels left out. Be sure to remember teachers and school staff, too.

Think inside the box. Allow kids to buy boxed cards if that's their preference, but help them personalize the sentiment by decorating envelopes with stickers, stamps and drawings.

Get creative. You don't have to spend money on commercial valentines--create something unique instead. Use a cookie cutter to trace heart shapes on red or pink cardstock or construction paper. Cut out pictures from magazines for charming collages. Recycle old valentines: mount fronts of cards on heavy red or pink paper or flattened cupcake liners, and decorate with ribbon bows.

Imitation is the highest form of flattery. Check out poetry books from the library to help older kids think about messages to put on their valentines.

Poets who know it. Have younger kids pen poetry using a "Roses are Red, Violets are blue" theme. Or show them how to write a love note that expresses why they appreciate someone: "How do I like you? Let me count the ways…"

Valentines Cranberry Raspberry Flirtini

"Packed with fun and flavor, there is nothing coy about this fruity and effervescent refresher. It will definitely be a favorite to all your guests, friends, family, guy friends, everyone.:)

Ingredients

2 ounces Ocean Spray® Cranberry Juice Cocktail

1 ounce vodka/OR MORE

1/2 ounce raspberry liqueur

1 ounce champagne or sparkling wine

Fresh raspberries, garnish

Directions

Combine the cranberry juice cocktail, vodka, and liqueur in an ice-filled martini shaker. Shake gently and strain into a large martini glass. Top with champagne and garnish with fresh cranberries and raspberries.

Boots

I picked up these great black boots at Ross in Raleigh at briar creek. I think I payed like $15.00 for them. They are crazy comfortable because they are flat. I wear them with everything...shorts, dresses, jeans. I love them. What do you think about them? Would you wear them?

The Weather

Oh wow, the weather was so amazing today in North Carolina. My hubby and I took a little walk around the neighborhood and I got to wear my shorts. I was so happy. I hate the cold weather now. Just a couple years ago I couldn't wait until summer was over and the snow was falling. Now I am totally opposite, I want the sun, I want my pool, I want shorts, and warm weather. I am loving today for the beautiful weather. The sun was shinning, the cold air was far away and we were left with a nice cool breeze. It was lovely. It isn't quite warm enough for me to take a dip in my pool but it was nice. I am counting down the days until summer. See you there.

Layered Hair Cut

   So I tried the quick and easy layered hair cut video out and cut my hair. It doesn't take any length off the back or bottom of your hair, it just basically cuts off the top layer of hair what ever length you cut. I did about an inch. So far so good but I want to live with it about a week before I make a final decision about it. So catch me in about a week and I will update about how I love or hate my hair cut.

HOW TO: Layered haircut in 5 minutes

I plan on trying this super simple way of cutting hair. I am going to try this out after my shower tomorrow and I will post how it went later that night. So cross your fingers and wish me good luck.

Wetseal 30% off

I love shopping at Wetseal and they are always having deals and giving 30, 20, 40% off, it's wonderful. I love getting quality clothes for so cheap.

http://www.wetseal.com/catalog/category.jsp?categoryId=809