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Tomato Basil Soup — October 7, 2017

Tomato Basil Soup

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Recently I’ve been in the mood for soup. Before I tested this recipe, I’ve never made tomato soup from scratch. Though the canned version is easier, making it at home means you get to control what you’re putting inside of it.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup Basil
  • 4 cloves Garlic
  • 1 Small Onion, chopped
  • 2 crushed Tomatoes
  • 2 cups Chicken stock
  • 2 teaspoon Thyme
  • 1 cup Heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon Butter
  • 1 teaspoon Sugar

Directions

  1. Either in a large blender or food processor, blend the tomatoes, chicken broth, garlic, and onion until it’s a liquid consistency. (I like my tomato soup to be more liquidy than chunky, so I like blending this before I start.)
  2. In a large pot, bring the tomato base to a boil for 10 minutes.
  3. Turn down the heat to low, and stir in the sugar and butter. Mix until they melt and combine in.
  4. A quarter cup at a time, pour in the heavy cream while continuing to stir.
  5. From here, add in the basil and thyme.
  6. Let this simmer for 5 minutes, and serve.
September Favorites + Playlist — October 1, 2017

September Favorites + Playlist

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The Disaster Artist by Greg Sestero

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According to my friends, listening to audiobooks is not considered reading. I have no clue what they are talking about because I’m getting the same content, but just in another format. (My mini rant is over now.) Though actually I finished it last month, I didn’t complete The Disaster Artist until after I posted last month’s favorites post. If you haven’t heard of the book, it’s about the real life friendship that the film The Room is based on. It’s entertaining, endearing, and most of all god damn funny. The Disaster Artist is currently available on Audible.

 

Burt’s Bees Lipstick

http://www.ulta.com/lipstick?productId=xlsImpprod13251275

Time after time I keep going back to Burt’s Bees beauty products.The main reason I like this is that unlike other drugstore lipsticks, it isn’t overly waxy. Also a lot of drugstore brands have shifted toward the liquid and matte lipstick trend, but I still enjoy the creamy and glossy look of regular lipstick. You really can’t go wrong with a nude lip color either!  This color leans towards the pinker side of nude, but I think it’s still a good match for me.

 

Movie Pass    

https://www.moviepass.com/

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I’ve made it one of my goals for the year to see more movies in theaters. Being on a college gal’s budget, I have to draw the line somewhere. With the Movie Pass card, I can see a new movie every day of the month for $10. It’s magical! All you have to do is check in at the door of the theater. Then funds are transferred into the card in order to pay for it.

 

Nature Valley Granola Crunchy Oats N Honey

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There is nothing like a big bag of granola to hit the spot after a long workout at the gym. Just kidding, it’s basically full of sugar. Though that doesn’t stop me from eating it as a snack.

 

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 Vinyl

https://www.amazon.com/Guardians-Galaxy-2-OST/dp/B071WDJTWG/ref=tmm_vnl_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

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When it comes to music, it’s rare for me to like a whole album. That’s why I love greatest hits albums and movie soundtracks. You get a little of everything. Just like the Guardian’s film, this features both the film score and the soundtrack.

September Playlist

https://open.spotify.com/embed/user/graciecraftshop/playlist/7f1suKvH5l0Wb9rrYmGArY

Pumpkin Spice Twisted Log — September 30, 2017

Pumpkin Spice Twisted Log

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The dog days of summer have ended, and the weather has officially declared it to be fall. I couldn’t be happier to trade in my shorts and t-shirts for jeans and flannel. As simple as this recipe is, it will leave your guests impressed with your baking skills.

Ingredients

Log

  • 1 can Pumpkin
  • 1/4 cup Sugar
  • 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 (17.3-oz.) Package Frozen Puff Pastry (2 sheets), thawed but cold
  • 1 Egg

Icing

  • 2 oz Cream Cheese
  • 1/2 cup Powder Sugar
  • 1/2 tablespoon Pure Vanilla Extract

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Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the pumpkin, sugar, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice.
  3. Unwrap and roll out a sheet of puff pastry onto a floured surface. Spread out half of the pumpkin mixture onto the pastry. Make sure to leave an inch border around the edges.
  4. Roll up the pastry into a log starting from the longest end. Down the center, carefully cut the log halfway. Twist the two halves together, and pinch the ends close. Repeat steps 3 & 4 with the second sheet of puff pastry and the remaining pumpkin mixture.
  5. In another small bowl, whisk together the egg. Brush this on top of the two twists, and finish it off by sprinkling some sugar on top.
  6. Bake this for 20 to 25 minutes or until the outside is golden brown.
  7. While this is baking, combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
  8. After the logs have cooled for five minutes, drizzle the icing on top.

 

Fall Bucket List — September 27, 2017

Fall Bucket List

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Once again summer has passed and fall is here. The fall weather is slowly coming in, but it doesn’t matter because I’m in the autumn mood already. I’ve drafted up a list of everything I want to do between now and the first day of winter.

  • Friday night football
  • Go to a pumpkin patch
  • Learn how to make homemade apple cider
  • Start a new show
  • Have a bonfire
  • Go stargazing
  • Decorate or carve a pumpkin
  • Read at least two books
  • Add some festive flair to my room
  • Have a horror movie marathon
  • Buy some new scents for my room freshener
  • Host a fall brunch with my closest friends
  • Make some bomb caramel apples
Baked Apples — September 23, 2017

Baked Apples

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If you ever want to impress someone with your cooking skills but don’t want to put in the effort, you should make this. It’s warm, and it’s the perfect comfort food for fall.

Ingredients

Filling

  • 4 Medium Apples
  • 1/3 cup Pecans Half
  • 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter

Crumble

  • 1/4 cup Flour
  • 1/4 cup Oats
  • 1/8 cup Brown Sugar
  • 1/8 cup Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Cinnamon
  • 4 tablespoons Butter, chilled
  • Preheat oven to 400°F.

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Directions

  1. Begin by washing and cleaning the four apples. Chop one of the apples into small pieces. This will be the main part of the filling of the other three apples.
  2. In a small skillet, melt four tablespoons of butter on a medium-high heat. Once that is finished, add in the apple pieces, pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir this for six minutes with a nonstick spatula so that it caramelizes.
  3. Carve out bowls out of the remaining apples; it doesn’t have to be perfect. During my test run of this recipe, we got good results using a sturdy spoon.
  4. In a medium size bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and butter. If your butter is still hard, it would probably work best if you used your hands for this. With this, make three equal sized balls and smash them into 1/2 inch thick disks.
  5. Fill the carved out apple bowls with the caramelized filling, and top them off with a crumble disk.
  6. Place the apples onto a baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes.

 

Orange Chicken — September 16, 2017

Orange Chicken

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I could eat PF Chang’s orange peel chicken every day. Instead of spending $20 on a meal, I recreated it at home. Unlike other orange chicken, it’s not deep fried so I don’t feel as bad when eating it.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lb Chicken Thighs, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
  • 1/4 Cornstarch
  • ¼ cup +1 tablespoon Low Sodium Soy Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Water
  • 1 cup Orange Marmalade
  • 1/2 cup Original BBQ Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Red Pepper Flakes
  • 1 Orange, zested
  • 1 tablespoon Garlic
  • 1 tablespoon Ginger
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil

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Directions

1.) Marinate the chicken in 1/4 cup of soy sauce, cornstarch, and water. Let this sit for an hour in the fridge.

2.) In a large bowl combine orange marmalade, a tablespoon of soy sauce, BBQ sauce, red pepper flakes, the zest of an orange, garlic, and ginger.

3.) Heat a skillet on a medium-high setting. With tongs, carefully put the chicken into the oil to fry it. (You must make sure you remove any excess marinade for the chicken.) Let this cook for five minutes, and flip the chicken over. Then allow this to cook for an additional three minutes.

4.) Pour the sauce over the chicken in the skillet. Lower the temperature to medium and allow this to simmer and thicken for four minutes.

Fall 2017 Makeup Routine — September 13, 2017

Fall 2017 Makeup Routine

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My makeup routine is constantly evolving. I’m always up for trying new products and adding them into my daily regimen. I’ve compiled a list of my current favorite beauty items and why/how I use them.

Olay Original Active Hydrating Beauty Fluid

http://www.ulta.com/original-active-hydrating-beauty-fluid?productId=18492&sku=5021366&_requestid=2520266

From the beginning of my makeup days, my mom always told me to make sure to moisturize before putting on makeup. Honestly, I will use almost any face lotion for this, but normally it’s either made by Olay or a generic version of it.

 

Clinique All About Eyes

http://www.ulta.com/all-about-eyes?productId=xlsImpprod10791765

On top of my moisturizer, I put on a thin layer of eye cream. I’ve been using this Clinique cream on and off for a couple of years, and I’ve just started using it regularly again. I have mega dry skin, so it’s important for me to moisturize before I put on foundation so it isn’t flaky. Plus, I’ve noticed in the past month of using this that my under eyes have become brighter.

 

Clean and Clear Persa-Gel

http://www.ulta.com/persa-gel?productId=5258&sku=5022309&_requestid=2542424

Besides from having dry skin, I have acne prone skin. I like using this for any zits that might of pop up overnight.

 

ELF Mineral Infused Face Primer- Green

https://www.elfcosmetics.com/p/mineral-face-primer?dept=best-selling-makeup&color_id=10543

I don’t know how well this primer works, but I’ve been using it a while now, and my foundation seems to not come off during the day.

 

Maybelline FaceStudio Master Camo Color Correcting Pen- Green

http://www.ulta.com/facestudio-master-camo-color-correcting-pen?productId=xlsImpprod16211179

Recently I’ve discovered color correction. This Maybelline pen is just green colored concealer, but it masks red tones on my skin.

 

Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation

http://www.ulta.com/fit-me-dewy-smooth-foundation?productId=xlsImpprod2980151&_requestid=2577798

I’ve always trusted Maybelline when it comes to my foundation. When I look for foundation I want a full coverage and a dewy look, and I get both of them in this foundation. I find this formula works pretty fantastic for me because it’s relatively easy to blend. I apply it with an Elf Foundation Brush (https://www.elfcosmetics.com/p/foundation-brush?dept=tools-single-brushes) and then buff that out with another Elf Powder Brush. (https://www.elfcosmetics.com/p/studio-powder-brush?dept=tools-single-brushes)

 

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer- Light

http://www.ulta.com/fit-me-concealer?productId=xlsImpprod2980149&cmpid=PS_Non!google!MassCos_Maybelline&CAWELAID=330000200000457726&CAPCID=109169553630&cadevice=c&agid=616944090&catci=aud-297714761031:kwd-36647976835&gclid=CjwKEAjwi97NBRD1zZSdkr2-4isSJAD11VlgSjUxi_5us0bIKwhlA_m-62qFyjMF5W8eZP_nFgoMHRoCSf7w_wcB

I originally bought this only because it had the same name of the foundation. I only need this for red spots and under the eyes. Again with this, I buff it out with the ELF powder brush.

 

Tone Correcting Powder

https://www.elfcosmetics.com/p/tone-correcting-powder?dept=face-facepowder

To set all of this so far, I use my Tone Correcting Powder from ELF. I do find it evens out my foundation and makes sure it doesn’t go anywhere during the day. If you haven’t figured out by now, I love ELF brushes, and I put this on with an ELF Complexion Brush. (https://www.elfcosmetics.com/p/complexion-brush?dept=makeup-brushes)

 

ELF Baked Highlighter- Gem

https://www.elfcosmetics.com/p/baked-highlighter

Though ELF says this is a highlighter, this is just a mega pigmented baked blush. I use ELF’s Powder Brush for this step. (https://www.elfcosmetics.com/p/essential-powder-brush?dept=tools-single-brushes)

 

FaceStudio Master Strobing Stick Illuminating Highlighter

http://www.ulta.com/facestudio-master-strobing-stick-illuminating-highlighter?productId=xlsImpprod14371013&_requestid=2607786

Next up, I have the Master Strobing Stick. It’s super creamy, and I apply this to my cheekbones with the same ELF Powder Brush.

 

Maybelline FaceStudio Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter

http://www.ulta.com/facestudio-master-chrome-metallic-highlighter?productId=xlsImpprod16211169

I love my skin to be glowing, so on top of the Strobing Stick, I dust on this highlighter. Typically, I place this on my upper cheekbone up around my eyebrow. Again, I use another ELF brush, but I like having a little more control using an Angled Brush. (https://www.elfcosmetics.com/p/angled-blush-brush?dept=tools-single-brushes)

 

Physicians Formula Magic Mosaic Multi-Colored Custom Light Bronzer- Warm Beige

http://www.ulta.com/magic-mosaic-multi-colored-custom-light-bronzer-in-warm-beige?productId=xlsImpprod1790025

I try to add some color back into my face while also “trying” to add some dimension with this Physicians Formula Bronzer. For this, I use the Bronzing Brush from ELF. (https://www.elfcosmetics.com/p/bronzing-brush?dept=tools-single-brushes)

 

Ulta Eye Crayon- Cheers

From here, I move onto the eyes. I guess Ulta doesn’t make this eye crayon in their in store brand anymore. Anyways, this color is called Cheers and was part of a holiday gift package. This texture is similar to cream eyeshadow, so my dupe for this is Smokey Quartz (http://www.ulta.com/cream-eyeshadow?productId=xlsImpprod5721070) from the Ulta collection. I wear this on its own or as a base for other colors.

 

Urban Decay Naked Smoky

http://www.ulta.com/naked-smoky?productId=xlsImpprod12711105

Urban Decay’s Naked Palettes are a yearly splurge makeup item for me. Though my Naked 2 Palette is my favorite of the series, I get way more use out of the Naked Smoky. First of all, Black Market is almost an identical match to my eyebrows. I’ve tried several different brow powders in the last year, but I keep going back to this. The dozen shadow also makes almost any neutral smoky eye look.

 

Maybelline Eye Studio Brow Define and Fill Duo- Deep Brown

http://www.ulta.com/eye-studio-brow-define-fill-duo?productId=xlsImpprod12651003

I only use the pencil half of this duo. The filling powder is ok, but it isn’t a direct match for me. The waxy defining pencil is dark enough to match the black powder from the Naked palette. It’s perfect for marking out my arches.

 

Ulta Automatic Eyeliner- Java

http://www.ulta.com/automatic-eyeliner?productId=1612

From there I line the top and lower thirds of my eyes. Personally, I prefer brown eyeliner over black because it’s more natural looking. This Ulta eyeliner is also slightly sparkly.

 

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara- Blackest Black

http://www.ulta.com/perversion-mascara?productId=xlsImpprod10921002

I’m not even 100% sure why I bought this mascara since I wouldn’t usually spend more than $6 on mascara. I like this mascara because I keep a good curl, but I will probably not repurchase this.

 

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm- Woppin’ Watermelon

http://www.ulta.com/chubby-stick-moisturizing-lip-colour-balm?productId=xlsImpprod10792013&sku=2225334&_requestid=4556164

I almost never get out the door with lipstick on, but I’ve repurchased this colored lip balm several times since I first bought it in seventh grade. It’s not quite glossy, but it isn’t matte. Pro tip: Don’t leave it in the car on a hot summer day.

Baked French Toast — September 2, 2017

Baked French Toast

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There is nothing more I miss when I’m at college than weekend breakfasts with my family and my dog Skip. This recipe is quite simple compared to regular french toast because you just have to pour it into a pan. Plus, you don’t have to waste your morning watching and flipping individual slices of toast.

Ingredients

Toast

  • 1 French Loaf
  • 8 eggs
  • 1 ½ cup Milk
  • ½ cup Half & Half
  • ¾ cup Brown Sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 1 teaspoons Cinnamon, ground

Topping

  • ½ cup Flour
  • ⅔ Brown Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Cinnamon, ground
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

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Directions

  1. Cube the bread into 1-inch pieces and place into a greased 9×13 pan.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients that you need for the toast, which are the eggs, milk, half & half, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon.
  3. Pour this over the bread so it can soak overnight. Cover it and put it in the fridge for at least six hours.
  4. The next day, mix all the dry ingredients for the topping together. Then cut the butter into the topping with your hands until it crumbles.
  5. Sprinkle this over the top of the bread and bake for 50 minutes.
August Favorites — August 30, 2017

August Favorites

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Now that August has passed, I’m officially in fall mode. Bring on the pumpkin spice lattes and long sleeves. Some of these items were featured in my dorm room tour, but now I’m going to be more detailed on why I bought them.

 

Classic Utility Shirt Jacket

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1076766&pcid=72087&vid=1&pid=820987012

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Honestly, Old Navy has the most amazing sales out there. This year for back to school shopping, I picked out everything while I was in the store itself. Later, I ordered it online when they had 40% off with free shipping. I picked this up because I thought this shirt was different than everything else I own. It’s a bit too warm for it right now, so I’ll be wearing this more in a month when it cools down. It looks fantastic with the warm tones of my hair and can be layered or worn on its own.

Darley End Table – Threshold

https://www.target.com/p/darley-end-table—vintage-oak—threshold%E2%84%A2/-/A-50479919

If you read the last post on my dorm room, you probably saw my new side table. I’m kind of picky when it comes to furniture, and this might be the best purchase I’ve ever made. In this day and age of technology, I’m always on my phone. This means my phone is always dead. If you flip up the top panel of the table, it reveals a plug-in. It’s nice to have when I’m working late at night, and when I need to charge my laptop it’s already there.

 

MAYBELLINE FaceStudio Master Camo Color Correcting Pen

http://www.ulta.com/facestudio-master-camo-color-correcting-pen?productId=xlsImpprod16211179

By nature, I have very red pigmented skin. My ELF green primer mutes the redness a little, but this is basically just green concealer. Either you can dab it on or put it on all over. On top of that, you need to layer on foundation to conceal the green. It works because, like many are aware of, green cancels out red on the color wheel.

 

Rolling Laundry Hamper

https://www.target.com/p/rolling-laundry-hamper—white-with-pool-handles—home-logic/-/A-51742382%5D

hamper.jpg

Though I love living in a dorm, the one thing I hate is doing laundry. Especially because your laundry room is on another floor. I have two of these hampers, one for wet towels and another for clothes. On laundry day, I just have to throw everything in the basket and go down the elevator.

 

Monthly Playlist

 

Leftover Burritos — August 25, 2017

Leftover Burritos

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I could easily eat Mexican food for every meal for the rest of my life. Because I didn’t want to get groceries this weekend, I decided to raid the pantry for anything to make a meal. I had all of this on hand, but you might not. This is relatively mild, so you can add jalapenos to the filling or add your favorite hot sauce to the sauce I made.
Ingredients

Filling

  • 2 cups Brown Rice
  • 1 ½ lbs Pulled Pork Tenderloin
  • 1 cup Pepper Jack Cheese, grated
  • 1 can Rotel
  • 1 can Green Chiles
  • 2 teaspoons Onion, Dried
  • 2 teaspoons Paprika, Ground
  • 2 teaspoons oregano, Dried
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper
  • 8 flour tortillas

Sause

  • 3 tablespoon butter
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic, minced
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup Pepper Jack Cheese, grated
  • 1/2 cup sour cream

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Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400° F. Spray down a 9×13 pan with cooking spray.
  2. Bring a large pot to a boil, and cook the brown rice to the directions on the packaging. Once this is done, drain it and put it into a big bowl.
  3. Now stir in the shredded pork, cheese, Rotel, green chiles, onion, oregano, and pepper. Measure out about ¼ cup of this and add it to a tortilla. Roll it up and place seam side down into the dish. You should be able to put eight burritos into the pan.
  4. Bake them in the oven for 20 minutes while you prepare the sauce.
  5. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Then stir in the flour to create a roux. Continuously whisk this for two minutes.
  6. From there, add the garlic and chicken broth. Allow this to simmer for five minutes while continuing to whisk it.
  7. Add remaining ingredients of cumin, salt, pepper, ⅓ cup cheese, and cream cheese to pot. By this time the sauce should be thick.
  8. Pour this over the burritos once they are done baking, and add remaining ⅔ cup cheese on top.
  9. Put the dish back in the oven for 15 minutes.