Baked Honey Garlic Wings

I love foods like steak and risotto and gourmet salads, but if a last meal was ever to be requested for me, it would be wings. There's nothing as satisfying as a sticky, crispy wing. Perfectly baked (yes baked) and seasoned, with an amazing sauce. Are you drooling yet? Because I was when I made and ate these.

What you'll need: 

- 12 chicken wings, split and tips discarded

- 3 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root

- 3 tablespoons honey

- 2 tablespoons soy sauce

- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar

- 1.5  cups water

- Juice of half a lemon

What to do: 

- Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F.

- Arrange the chicken wings on a baking sheet; bake until crisp, 35 to 45 minutes. 

- Mix together, and bring to a boil,  the brown sugar, garlic, ginger, water, honey, and soy sauce in a saucepan. 

- Pour over the chicken wings to coat.

- Return the wings to oven and bake until the sauce is bubbling and the chicken is no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, 15 to 20 minutes.

Serve hot and enjoy! 

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Product Tip: Pond's Evening Soothe Wet Cleansing Towelettes

I am sitting in bed, in the middle of the night (ok, like 11 pm) and I just HAD to write up this quick post to share.

I found the most amazing face wipes. Pond's Evening Soothe Wet Cleansing Towelettes are the most amazing make up remover wipes I have ever used. MAC wipes, which are some of the best I've ever used, hold no candle to this product. 

I originally got these as a sample, but after using it up, I've continued to repurchase them. They smell absolutely fantastic, have a cooling effect on the skin and are gentle enough to remove eye makeup, yet strong enough to get that stubborn, waterproof mascara. These are also perfect for those days you're not wearing make up but want to refresh anyway. 

Absolutely in love with these! 

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My Take On: The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

It's rare that a book makes you hate an author for writing it. Even more rare when that same book convinces you to go buy more of his work in some masochistic attempt to fill your head and heart with more tragedy.

Because that's what this book is, from the very first page, you know it's going to be tragic. But, many books are sad, some far more than what John Green has ever written, so what makes this particular book stand out? To me, it's the way it progresses. 

Though you see struggle and know a sad ending is coming, from the beginning, the book itself starts out boring and uneventful. Which lulls you into a false sense of preparedness, makes you believe you're ready to face the inevitable. But when it does come and when it's so not what you expected, it hits you like a wall. And it comes in waves. So many stories have a sad climax, but this is different, this is worse because it's not one climax, it's wave after wave of feeling. You break down for one part and find yourself laughing, entirely inappropriately, at another, and then BAM, another wall. 

This is a genuine story about cancer and life and how none of us are really prepared for what's ahead, because we can't predict it. That's life and John Green nailed it. 

"That's the thing about pain, it demands to be felt." 

Purchase "The Fault in Our Stars" here. 

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Product Tip: Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion

Good face lotion is hard to come by, especially one that works for many variations of skin types. I found the Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion this past summer, while searching for a light moisturizer that would help with whatever issues my skin has. This lotion is also perfect for winter months, reducing redness and flakiness.

Pros: 

- Comes in both SPF and non SPF versions. 

- Doesn't add oil or a sheen to the face.

- Incredibly moisturizing. 

- Fantastic for scar reduction. 

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My Take On: Inferno by Dan Brown

From The DaVinci Code to Angels and Demons,  Dan Brown has captured his audience with a very distinct, though sometimes repetitive, style of writing.

His leading man, Robert Langdon, is a witty, handsome scholar who gets himself into the most unbelievable adventures.

But we know this, we've read the previous books, we know that Langdon will be mid-speech or class as he is whisked away to solve a crime or problem that, in reality, is far out of his league. We also know that he will meet an intriguing woman who will find herself inexplicably falling for him. It's like James Bond, minus the sex.

Also, we know that Dan Brown is a GENIUS researcher. Though he writes fiction, he injects factoids and real places and true history into his writing, it's what draws us in and makes us WANT to believe.

I picked up Inferno as a light refreshment between heavy reads. It turned out to be a moral and emotional heavyweight.

It isn't often you find a book that forces you to question your own morals and values, a story that doesn't clearly show who/what the good or the bad is. Inferno makes you reset your moral compass and question whether the evil you think is so obvious, so evident, isn't. A good twist in a book is always appreciated, but when you put the book down and walk away from it, and it stays with you, and you continue to think about it? That's a rare treat and Inferno proved to be just that.

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Quick and Easy: Breakfast Sandwich on Cheese Focaccia Bread

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but if you're anything like me, you don't always have the time for an intricate breakfast, if one at all! So, on occasion, you want to get a little more creative than a piece of toast with tea. 

What you'll need: 

- 1 Cheese Focaccia Bun (would work well on any kind of bread!) 

- 1 Tomato (I used Kumato) 

- 1/2 Avocado, sliced

- 2 strips Bacon, cooked

- 1 Egg

- 1 Tbs of Cheese (I used Cheddar with Caramelized Onions)

What to do: 

- Cook your bacon. I threw mine in the toaster oven while cooking the rest.

- Slice your avocado, tomato and shred the cheese

- Whisk the egg and fry.

- While egg is cooking, toast the focaccia. 

- Once all ingredients are sliced and cooked, just assemble your sandwich.

- Cut in half and enjoy! 

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Spritz Cookies with Mini Peanut Butter Cups

Spritz Cookies are buttery and tender, made with either a press or a pastry bag. A cookie press was gifted to me about a year ago, so I decided to finally put it to use.

This exact cookie press can be found here. 

What you'll need: 

- 2 1/4 cup all purpose flour

- 1/2 tsp salt

- 3/4 cup sugar

- 1 cup unsalted butter

- 2 egg yolks

- 1 tsp vanilla extract.

- Unwrapped Rolos or Mini Peanut Butter cups 

What to do: 

- Preheat oven to 350 F. 

- Sift together flour and salt.

- Cream butter and sugar until creamy . Add egg yolks and vanilla

- Stir in the flour, beat well.

- Chill for about 10 minutes in the fridge. (This is VERY important, cold dough makes better cookies) 

-  Push dough through cookie press onto an ungreased cookie sheet. 

- Bake for about 8-10 minutes, depending on your oven. 

- Watch these cookies carefully, they bake very quickly. 

- After removing from oven, immediately place the mini peanut butter cups into the center. (Gently, cookies are fragile) 

- Allow to cool completely before storing and enjoy! 

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Avocado, Goat Cheese and Kumato Tomato Dip/Spread

A lot of recipe inspirations come from browsing grocery store aisles, concentrating on a currently favorited ingredient or, in my case, wanting Guacamole and realizing that I don't have most of the ingredients to make it. Which is how this dip/spread was born. 

What you'll need: 

- 6oz of Goat Cheese 

- 2 Kumato Tomatoes (regular tomatoes will do as well) 

- 1 Avocado (ripened) 

- Garlic Powder 

- Onion Powder 

What to do: 

- Chop tomatoes (small enough for bite size, remove seeds if so desired)

- Cut up avocado 

- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix together with a fork

- Adjust seasonings to your liking (adding jalapeño to this would be a fantastic idea) 

- Serve with Pita or Tortilla Chips and enjoy! 

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Product Tip: TRESemmé Nourishing Rituals Liquid Gold Shine Therapy

I have been dying, curling, stripping and straightening my hair since Middle School. All of the heat and color has done a number on its health, so I'm always in search of a new product that will make it look and feel like something out of a Disney movie (aren't we all?). 

I bought the TRESemmé Nourishing Rituals Liquid Gold Shine Therapy, on a whim. It was on sale, it had the words "Gold" and "Therapy" in it, so of course I was intrigued. I have to say, I'm very happy that I went for it. 

The directions suggest using this after you've washed and conditioned your hair, but I've found that using it over your conditioner and combing through with a Detangling Comb works best. Also, avoid using too much of this product (or conditioner) in the roots of your hair, keep it mostly concentrated at the tips. 

This product is pretty awesome, it adds an intense shine to hair, makes it softer, more manageable and easy to comb through.   In fact, I love this product so much, that when I heard news of it being discontinued (no idea why), I bought out my local store. A girl needs backups! 

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About Me

I started this blog for a number of reasons. The first is that I wanted a place for my recipes and ideas, as well as some reviews!

Secondly, I need a challenge. Cooking is a major love of mine and I've spent the last few months getting very involved with it. But, cooking can be a bit repetitive, so I saw this blog as a way to challenge myself with new recipes and techniques. 

This blog will not always be about food and cooking, it will include my growing obsession with all things beauty, reading, skin care, etc. I hope that I can share some of what I've learned and, in the process, gain more knowledge. 

Thank you for reading! 

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Rose Apple Tart

 Apple Pie : Flaky crust, warm apple filling and a gooey caramel sauce. I love apple pie, it's easy, it's delicious and it's always the stand-by dessert for holiday parties. 

However, on occasion, you just want to get creative and this Rose Apple Tart allows you to do just that. 

This particular post is about the technique used, the recipe is included, but can definitely be played around with. 

What You'll Need: 

- 5 apples, thinly sliced  (I used Gala, but you can use what's available) 

- Single Pie Crust (make your own, or use a pre-made favorite)

- 1/3 cup of brown sugar

- 1/3 cup of white sugar 

- Juice of half a lemon 

- 3 T of Butter (Use KerryGold, you'll thank me later)

- Cinnamon (to taste)

What To Do: 

- Turn on your oven to 375 F 

- Roll out your crust and press it into your tart pan

- Quarter and slice apple, use a mandolin if one is available

- Combine apples with lemon juice and cinnamon 

- Melt butter with brown and white sugar and separate into two equal parts. 

- Microwave sliced apples in 15 second increments until soft enough to bend (on average, 1-2 min) 

-  Spread half of the melted butter and sugar mixture on your prepped dough

- Now comes the fun part: forming the roses, start with rolling a slice of apple into a tight circle, to form the bud of the rose

- Continue adding slices in half circles, making sure they overlap to form the rose effect 

- The apples being quartered and sliced thinly is what will make this technique easier, a flat bottom on the apple slices will allow them to stand up

- Keep filling it gaps in the apples until the entire tart is filled

-Pour the rest of the butter and sugar mixture over (warm up if needed) and sprinkle the top of the apples with sugar.

- Bake for approximately 25-30 min, until crust is browned and apples are caramelized. 

This is not the fastest recipe, but it's guaranteed to wow! 

It's perfect for the Holiday table! 

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Seriously Disappointing: Buxom Sculpted Lash Mascara

I love mascara. Adore it. Honestly, one could say I suffer from a small addiction. It was the first piece of makeup I ever owned and continues to be a major part of my makeup (and spending) habit. 

Mascara, to me, brings light and life to an eye look. It awakens the face, covers eyeliner errors and adds the perfect finishing touch. 

I am always on the look out for new Mascara, from the very expensive YSL Faux Cils to the ultra cheap (but amazing)  L'Oreal Voluminous. So when I come across something new (to me) and interesting, I go for it. In this case, I probably shouldn't have. 

BUXOM Sculpted Lash Mascara is probably one of the worst I've tried and at $19.00 a pop, that's just shameful. 

Mascara comes in a range of colors, wet or dry formulas (both of which have their pros and cons) and some intriguing wand shapes. This particular mascara dropped the ball on almost all of the above. 

Color : Not much to say, it's a black mascara and the color is evident.

Formula: This is so far on the "dry" side, it's basically "dried out." You know the Mascara you find hiding in the back of your drawer that's about 6 months old and as dry as the desert? Yeah, this is it.

Wand Shape: The wand is interesting, different and looks like it would give some serious definition to your eyelashes. Well, it doesn't. The wand is awkward, doesn't catch the small inner corner lashes and doesn't do well with the larger lashes either. 

Try this instead: 

XXL Curl Power Washable Mascara

It's about $7.00, has some serious curl, priming and staying power and will grab every lash in every corner of your eye! 

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I've Got a Thing For : Tea

Growing up in Ukraine and being raised by Russian parents, tea was a part of life. Every morning, every meal, tea was always present.  With honey, or milk, or a teaspoon of sugar, or plain (not that tea is ever truly plain). 

I am no tea expert, this particular entry comes simply from my love of it, based on that I thought I'd share a few of my favorite teas. 

Teavana's Peach Tranquility Herbal Tea - Very light, very tranquil but sweet enough to avoid any need for sweeteners. The peach flavor really stands out, with some hints of pineapple and watermelon. Makes for a great iced tea, as well.

Tazo Early Grey Full Flavor - The most basic, but flavorful, tea. Early Grey is the go to for a lot of people, me included. This particular black tea has notes of bergamot and lavender, making it intriguing but still accessible for all palates. It's great with a spoonful of honey or a packet of raw sugar.

Akbar Ceylon Gold Tea - Akbar Tea Company sells 100% Ceylon tea. Ceylon tea is a product of Sri Lanka and, my goodness, do they know their tea.  The company has an incredibly wide range of teas, from green, to herbal, to black, to even iced. Their Gold Line is my absolute favorite, it's very intense, very flavorful and presents a lot of color when steeped. It's especially impressive considering it's mostly bagged tea, not loose. 

Tea is very personal, whether you're a consistently indulging or looking into starting a small tea addiction, trying new flavors and companies is the way to discovering what you will or won't like. 

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Worth Every Penny: Foundation for Oily Skin

My mother always told me "Your skin reflects your personality." If that's true, I must be one hell of a rebel, because my skin has no interest in behaving. It's oily, combination and prone to acne (all levels of fun).

Because of my unruly skin; full coverage, long lasting and mattifying foundation is a must. So, after countless bottles and hundreds of dollars and hours spent, I found two that do my skin wonders. 

High End Version: 

Make Up Forever: Mat Velvet +

Makeup Forever is a brand well know for their full coverage foundations and concealers, and the hype is not without its merits. Mat Velvet + is amazing for oily skin, it will keep your T-Zone matte without sliding off your face before you even get to lunch.

Admittedly, this is not a perfect formula. It can crease with too much setting powder and tends to look a bit dry, so a highlighter to add some dewiness is recommended.

Drug Store Dupe: 

Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1

A high end foundation is all fine and good, but at $40+ a tube, it can get costly. So I decided to look for a foundation that I could wear on the days I don't feel like too many people will be staring at my skin (read: sitting behind my enormous computer screen at work usually does the trick). This Covergirl foundation is fairly new on the market, but it has, very quickly, become my go-to. I've gone through so many bottles of this foundation, Covergirl should consider sending me a plaque of some sort.

This is a perfect drug store dupe, it has great coverage, keeps the oils at bay and actually lasts throughout the day. Major kudos to Covergirl. And the best part? It costs less than $10. 

A few notes: 

- Oily skin is genetic, no amount of setting spray, powder, drying cream, etc, will ever fix it permanently. But a good foundation and skin care regiment will improve it ten-fold. 

- If you're like me and prone to oily skin, I suggest carrying two things religiously: Blotting papers and touch up powder. 

- Don't avoid trying new things. Things that don't work for others, may work perfectly for you. 

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Mushroom, Arugula and Cheese Tart

What you'll need: 

1 cup Ricotta Cheese

1/2 cup shredded Trader Joe's English Cheddar w/ Caramelized Onion (buy this and use it in everything)

1/4 cup shredded Parmesan Cheese 

2 teaspoon Fresh Basil 

1/3 cup of Arugula 

1 tablespoon Butter

1 tablespoon Olive Oil

3 cloves minced Garlic (or Shallots) 

4 cups Mushroooms (sliced) 

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1/4 cup White Wine

8oz Pizza Crust (Puff Pastry would work very well in this) 

What to do: 

- Set oven to 400 F. If using Pizza Crust, roll it out into a rectangular shape and press into your oiled tart pan. Use a fork to prick holes in the dough, it will keep your crust from rising too much. 

- Bake at 400 F for 10 min (or until your crust is just slightly golden). Remove and set aside. 

- Onto the cheese mixture. Combine Ricotta, Cheddar, Parmesan, and Basil. Salt and pepper to taste. 

- Chop garlic and slice mushrooms. 

- Heat up oil and garlic, add mushrooms. 
-Add butter to the browning mushrooms, it will make them velvety and delicious.

- Remember that mushrooms go from dry to wet to dry. Once they are thoroughly browned, add wine and allow to cook through 

- Now assemble your tart 

- Spread the cheese mixture onto your crust

- Sprinkle Arugula 

- The mushroom mixture goes on top

 - Finish off with parmesan cheese and bake for another 15 min (Or until the cheese has melted) 

- Serve HOT and enjoy! 

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