Hello 2014 - Happy New Year!

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"Honestly, I want to see you be brave..."

"Brave" - lyrics by Sara Bareilles

Hello 2014!! I'm so excited to start the new year and return to my little corner of the world. 2013...Well...it literally whisked right by me and I didn't have enough time to catch it. I wish I could say it was a character development year for me...but alas it was not. I fell apart at the seams and scrambled to collect the pieces. I'm slowly putting the stuffing back into place and eager to put my best foot forward for this new adventure. That's what this year is going to be. Character Development, Adventure, Excitement, Bravery, and Happiness. Yeah, I like how that sounds! =)

New Year's Eve wound up being a quiet little night with my boyfriend Craig and me leaving a party to watch the ball drop at home in our lil studio condo alone with our kitties. It was perfect. There was no place I'd rather be. We clanged my wine glass full of champagne & his red solo cup of champagne and cheered to this new year! It didn't dawn on me that I didn't have any champagne flutes but it was so us and that's all that matters. Oh and yes there were burritos! Yummy Yummy Burritos!! =)

I have the usual new year's resolutions but this, yes this will be the year they will be accomplishments not just hopes and pipes dreams. Maybe because it's an even numbered year that I'm more motivated? Not sure, but I just feel it deep in my bones that this will be a year of true change and true moving forward. I feel ready to take it all on. 

In addition to my life, I've been doing some planning on how to make this lil blog something I'm very proud of and happy to be a part of everyday. Like I said, this will be a year of character development for me and I can't wait to share that with all of you. I will be bringing back some of my favorites from the past...for example my "Living Together" series. It will be a year in February that Craig and I have lived together. I can't believe it! =) 

For now, I'm going to go work on my Day 1 entry for my Five Year memory book I purchased at Anthropologie last week. I purchased the Mr. Boddington Studio Every Day - A Five Year Memory Book. Five years...Wow. I hope I don't lose it. I have this gut feeling the next 5 years are going to be very important and I don't want to miss a moment of it! =) 

Happy New Year, Stay Warm & Much love!

- Chloe

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Happy Mother's Day!

The Child's Bath by Mary Cassatt 

There is one person in the world that I could write an endless list of thanks to and that dear person is my  mother. She has always been my biggest fan, the shoulder to cry on, the ear to talk off for hours, the one who truly understands, and has made me who I am today. Without her help I never would have finished college or had the motivation to, I never would have went to dance classes, I would have never   learned not to give up, I would never have become such an independent and strong minded woman, and I wouldn't have had the experiences and learned the lessons that I'm trutfully grateful for. Thank you Mom for putting me first in so many ways that I don't know how I could ever give you enough thanks and love to prove how wonderful you are. I love that even at 27 you let me curl up with on the couch and you give me that hug that let's me know everything will be alright. Thank for showing me how important having my grandparents are in my life and thank you for teaching me the value of family and love. Thank you for sneaking out on Black Friday with me to get the best deals at midnight or waiting online at 4am for a computer for me in the snow a few years ago. I love that she would joke all the time when I would leave the house, call me if you need bail money, even though she knew I was just going for ice cream. I love that she threw me the most amazing graduation party from when I graduated college. I love that I can call her at any time of the night, no questions asked, and she would come get me if I needed a ride. I love that when I was sick a few years ago she never let me go to anything by myself. Not one appointment. Thank you for helping me buy my condo, my first real home by myself...I can't thank you enough. I love Mom so much. So So much. =)

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's out there today! 

*HUGS* 

Happy Valentine's Day!!

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Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!! I hope you all have a little extra love in your life today! 

Craig and I are going to forgo the craziness of restaurants and theaters today and will be celebrating it tomorrow. I never thought that day 2 and a half years ago when I was waving at an old friend that I would be mistakenly seen by the man who made me believe in love again. I love him so much and every time he says it to me I light up my Christmas tree. I'm lucky and grateful to have such a wonderful man in my life. =)

I love you Craig!

Craig and me at my cousin's wedding last April.

Today somehow I have to squeeze in watching one of my favorite guilty pleasure movies...Valentine's Day. It is the ultimate of cheese and I'll admit it I cry at the wrap-ups in the end every time. I just love when Jennifer Garner is whacking the hell out of heart pinata, when the once love of "Taylors" is ridicolously played up, the old school romance of Shirley Mclaine and the matre de from Pretty Woman, and there is the cutest little boy who just loves the wrong lady. The movie makes me go awwww, makes me cry, and makes smile above all. =)

Valentine's Day (2010)

 I'll be back later today with a little surprise for all of you just because I love you too! 

Thank you all for being so kind by reading and leaving such inspiring comments these past few weeks. It has made this new blogging adventure so nice and I can't thank you enough! =)

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

Merry Christmas To All & To All a Good-Night! =)

My Peppermint Meringues

Hey Everyone, I had to stop in on my 8 mini Christmas journey to wish you all a very Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays...

My Boyfriend Craig and me - I think this is the best picture ever taken of us =)

The past few days have been filled with peppermint meringues (OMG, my new favorite Xmas treat, thank you my dear sweet KitchenAid for making the peaks!), flying wrapping paper from lil kids going crazy, the discovery a cake martini, meeting new friends, the realization that I really truly want to be a part of Craig's family one day, hugs & kisses, snowglobe snow(my term for flurries) on Saturday morning which brought on just the right touch of Christmas spirit, Bailey's Irish Cream hmmm, freak snow storm sheninigans and cookies galore! The best part about it all is that I'm not even close to being done this Christmas! I still got a few mini Christmases to go! Woohoo!

I'm front and center @ my Meet-up Group Cookie/White Elephant Exchange Party

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!! 

Thank you for Reading Ergo...

Much Love & Happiness this Holiday Season!

-Love Chloe

Eight Little Christmases All in A Row!

Saturday DAY-TIME: 12/22/12 - Craig's Family Christmas 

Saturday NIGHT-TIME: 12/22/12 - My group of gal pals Cookie & White Elephant Exchange Party

Sunday DAY-TIME: 12/23/12 - Crag's Mom Friend's Christmas/Hannukah Party

Monday NIGHT-TIME: 12/24/12 - Church w/ Craig & his Mom and then we open presents togher

Tuesday Morning: 12/25/12 - Craig + Me's lil Christmas Morning Together to open our presents

Tuesday Brunch: 12/25/12 - My Mom is having brunch and more present giving and opening

Tuesday Afternoon: 12/25/12 - Christmas@ My Grandparents 

Tuesday Evening: 12/25/12 - Christmas@ My Aunts

Let's just say I invested in a case of Red Bull already! Somewhere amongst the Christmas mayhem Craig and I need to sit and watch "It's a Wonderful Life". I'm embarrassed to say I never have seen it. I know, I know...That's like almost sacrilegious. But we will make a little relationship time to watch it.

Tonight is cookie night...I'm so excited. I tried to make Peppermint Brownies but alas they did not come out good. I thought I could just put peppermint marshmallows into the brownie batter....NOPE! It does not work. The marshmallows I guess floated to the top and became a gooey mess that doesn't even taste like peppermint anymore. Yeah, with making cookies don't take the cheap fast way out...follow the recipes! =)

I am pretty happy that this year I won't have to sacrifice not going here or there because something bigger has been planned. It should all fall into place if I wear a watch for next few days and bring along an egg timer to remind me of when to switch! =)

Did your Holiday Schedule work out balanced this year? 

What day do you celebrate Christmas? 

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So What Gifts Have I Actually Bought So Far??

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There is just one word for this week. Craziness. I work in marketing & advertising and I place some newspaper ads for big retail stores into newspapers. It's not that interesting or glamorous, but this time of year it's one midweek, or 2-day sale, or last minute orders constantly. I buckled under pressure, so badly I lost my keys in my mall earlier this week. I got them back, but it's been hectic. Tonight after my cupcake class(I'll post my cake tomorrow), I sat down and really took a look at the gifts I got already and realized how many more gifts I need to buy...There is just not enough time for all of this! Ahh!!

Here are some of the few things I've purchased for gifts this year so far...

#1 - Girls: The HBO TV SHOW on DVD  (For my Best friend Helen) - At Target this week for $17.99 Online & In stores... Sale Ends this Saturday.  Check out the sale HERE.  Mentioned on A Cup Of Jo's Gift guide...

#2 - Propel Toys Stealth Flyer Indoor - (For my Boyfriend) Picked at Radio Shack on Black Friday...$14.99. He thinks the cats will go crazy w/ it...I hope so! See HERE.

#3 - American Eagle Scalloped Crossbody Bag - Picked this up over the weekend for $8.99 each in store. There was an Additional 40% Off Clearance Sale & I snatched up 2...A dark one for my best friend Hannah & a Light Blush colored one for my bohemian-esque lil cousin. Check it out HERE.

*cough* I bought a mauve one for myself too.. *cough

#4 - Wilton Tilt N Mix 3 Piece Bowl Set - ( MOM) I own a set of these bowls and they are wonderful. You can make  let's say a cookie recipe, then when it's all mixed, you can Tilt the bowl towards you to comfortably spoon out a cookie. I bought these at Joann's Fabric Store for $16.99. They were $32.99 and I had a 50% off coupon. Check it out on the Wilton Website HERE

#1 - Boardwalk Empire Season 1 - My Dad never saw it. I saw it at Costco & snatched it up!  Click to see it on Amazon: HERE

#2 - Pandora Beaded Babushka - I have a friend who collects Nesting dolls & luckily has a Pandora bracelet! =) Click to see HERE: 

#3 - Cards Against Humanity - I saw this over at Shannon's blog, "Sitting in a Tree" and had to get it! It's a raunchy hilarious more adult version of Apples to Applies. I got this for Craig.  To visit the website Click HERE:

#4 - The AMPLIFIEAR - I had to get this for Craig's Mom. She is attached her iPad nowadays and when I saw this at A Cup of Jo I knew I had to get it! Here is the website: The AMPLIFIEAR.

I can't wait to give people their gifts! Craig is going to Florida this weekend to visit his grandfather so I'm pretty pumped to take a lifestyle break for a few days. I will miss him like crazy, but we will definitely be Face Timing so it's all good!  I want to wake up early, finish shopping for a DIY I want to make for the rest of the gifts, wrap gifts (especially his gifts), really clean my apartment & finally finish decorating! Cheers to hopefully getting a lot accomplished for the rest of the week! 

Have you purchased any really cool & different gifts this year? 

I'd love to hear...

A Lil Christmas Surprise...

In all my years as a New Yorker I had never been to see the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. For the past 2 years I've tried to get Craig to take me to see it. Well for the past couple weeks he told me not to plan anything for Friday, December 8th because he had a surprise for me. Lo & behold the surprise was he was finally taking me to see the tree AND he got us tickets to see the Radio City 85th Anniversary Christmas Spectacular!!! I was so shocked, Craig really surprised me this time. Some days I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to have his as a boyfriend. I love him so much! =) 

I hadn't been to the Radio city Christmas show in oh about 20 years, so it was truly magical for me. I love watching the Rockettes. My face still hurts from smiling the whole time like a little kid! We were so close to the stage too in the orchestra pit so it was truly awesome!! =) If your in New York City during Christmas time I really recommend seeing the tree & seeing the show!! You won't be disappointed. 

Here are some of my photos from last night!! =)

Perfect way to jumpstart my Christmas spirit!! I hope you have a great rest of your weekend!! =)

The Battle of Spritz Cookie Press Cookies...

Ah, Spritz cookies, I loved you so much as a little girl. My Mom made them all the time with the lil cookie press and they were always so scrumptious!! (I love that word!) Well now that I certain Kitchen Aide mixer has made it's way into my lil home I knew I HAD to try to make them myself for the first time...My Mom came over with all the ingredients and we were all set to make them tonight! I dug out my cookie press I think I got about 3 Christmases ago...and my new Wilton cookie sheets. I was so excited to push on! 

Remember, this post is called "Battle of the Spritz Cookies".  Well for starters do you have any idea how many Different recipes there are for Spritz cookies? I saw several and literally closed my eyes and picked one. I was going to use the recipe on the Cookie Pro box but I didn't have milk so I choose the recipe from Joy of Baking - Spritz Cookies. The recipe worked great & my beautiful mixer that I'm in utter awe of, combined the cookie batter perfectly. I'm impressed Kitchen Aide, very impressed!

Next order of business, the black handle on the Cookie Pro Ultra II is not functional. It's very misleading that it's only a grip. You almost think that there is a screw missing but then it dawned on me that I will have to push the top of the press instead to dispense the cookies. Out of the multiple times I tried to make the cookies I can't tell how you how many times I had to try again. Maybe I was having an off day but as you can see in the above picture the flowers are not the alike at all. I like the trees though...they came out great! My Mom and I took turns struggling & finally we got the hang of it kind of and came out with our 2 dozen cookies ready for the oven!

What was odd too was that only when we did the trees did the cookie press make a clicking sound to notify us that the cookie was fully pressed. The clicking helped me out, but I didn't know how to get it back?? Oh well...some of the cookies were made with little extra love. =)

One more thing that I can't stress enough: DO NOT GREASE THE COOKIE SHEET!!! I use Pam for everything even if it says don't grease things. However for these cookies, you can't grease the cookie sheet because the cookie press will be all over the place. I learned that the hard way, but wiped the Pam away and it worked great. You need a sturdy dry surface so the press doesn't slide & the cookie stays on the sheet!

They were totally delicious. I was so frustrated with the cookie press by the time I was done with them, but when I took that first bite I was hooked & in love. It was worth it all. I got to make the cookies with my Mom too so it made me really happy. That is Christmas to me...stolen moments that become treasured memories. =)

I'm supposed to make these Spritz cookies for a cookie exchange party in 3 weeks & Craig's Family Christmas party! I never back away from a challenge so I can't wait to make them again. Practice makes perfect! =)

Here are some more photos from the Battle of the Spritz cookies!

I love the last photo of my Mom and I!

Have You Ever Made Spritz Cookies? Any Helpful Tips? 

I'd love to hear...

Um, Hey Christmas Red...Your Pink?!?!? A Cupcake Post...

Me with my lil Wreath Cupcake...pardon the nails...=)

Well, my Cupcake class that I teach ever Wednesday at my local high school was quite interesting this evening. I had all my ideas all ready and my "Christmas Red" Wilton coloring gel all ready to be mixed into the buttercream and um made a little discovery. It comes out a pink....Has anyone ever had this problem before with using coloring gel or paste and not being able to get a vibrant red?!?!

After using half the mini bottle of Christmas Red coloring I gave up...the picture does not do it justice. It is in fact pink...

Let's just say the we were not supposed to make wreaths & santas. =)

My Santa and wreath..

Ergo, we made it work.  But my class had a fun time making the lil wreaths and there was tons of Awes for the Santa. 

Here is a lil Picture Tutorial on the Wreath...

Tips used: Wilton #106 for the white swirls & Wilton #18 for the green wreath & Wilton #5 for the bow & buttercream icing.

Here is a lil Picture Tutorial on the Santa...

I thought the santa came out cute but I think I should have added another color to the beard to make it stand out more. I wish I had black icing for a mouth, but I think it still works. I used the same tips from the wreath. 

I have two more cupcake classes to go...hmmm...I have no idea what I'm going to do next week!! =P

P.S. Thank you ladies for your comments on yesterday's post! I needed the honesty! Big Hug!

Holiday Shuffling...

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Side Note: Aren't these little wreath cupcakes cute? I have to make them this week in my upcoming cupcake class...

Halloween...Blink...Thanksgiving...Blink...Christmas...Wait What? Alright I have to pause for a second because Thanksgiving came & went way too fast and I did not take enough pictures or have enough turkey.  I did have a few new memories of sitting around the dinning room table at my Mom's, I think this is her first year having Thanksgiving, and baking the pies last minute with her. Craig tickled me under the table, my dad talked about "The Godfather" movies like he lived them, a family friend joined us in the festivities and my grandmother was smiles the whole time. I didn't get see too much of my family, but some years are like that, you know...The pumpkin pie tried to make a run for it by overspilling into the oven...ALWAYS PUT TINFOIL UNDER PIES IN THE OVEN!! Even apple pies like to try to escape. I couldn't find the leave cutters for the pie crust but I will find them for next year. It was a very nice quiet Thanksgiving and I am so thankful for my lil family & love.  =)

This year I also decided to stay home and NOT go crazy for Black Friday madness. I've seen almost riots at Walmart, waited in traffic for hours to go to an Discount high fashion outlet mall, and just been disappointed by stores having only 10 of a door busters when at least a 100+ people were going to show up. Yeah, I've had enough of the crazy hoopla. I marched myself to my little desk & pulled up my internet browser and there I shopped. A lot of stores had their Black Friday deals on sale for Thursday online with Free Shipping and I took full advantage! Thank you Kohls & JcPenny.  

Every year I devour the Black Friday ads to try to find something that is a really good bargain and this year I finally got something I truly wanted for years. 

I bought a KitchenAid mixer!!! I have always wanted one and didn't want to wait any longer. I weighed the pros and cons, and I saved about $100 on it and because I bought it from Kohl's recieved $45 Kohl's cash with my purchase so I can buy more gifts for pretty much free. I am so excited!!!!! I cannot wait to get this bad boy and it's white so whatever color my kitchen is, it won't clash! Woohoo!!! This is going to open a whole new door of baking possibilities and I can't wait to show all of you! =)

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and have a great weekend!!! =)

Be careful if your brave enough to step foot in a Mall too!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!! 

I am so thankful this year for the people I love & my lil life. 

I hope you all have a wonderful day full of smiles, happiness, and great future memories. =)

Good luck for Black Friday too! =)

Sorry Lasagna...Not This Year...

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When I first started this blog about 2 weeks ago I forgot about Thanksgiving completely when it comes to my future diet plans. Luckily I don’t go crazy for Turkey, I don’t crave left-overs upon left-overs, and I am content with eating one Thanksgiving dinner. All the trimmings are super yummy but I don’t lay out my stretchy pants next to me anticipating a complete marathon of eating. Even though it’s Thanksgiving I’m truly content with having a serving size of each thing AND with a little talk with my mother I think this will be a great Thanksgiving with smart decisions. Well maybe two servings of stuffing... =)

My mother’s side of the family is a 100% Italian (I'm the 3rd & 4th generation here on that side) so that means a Lasagna or Stuffed shells is the usual appetizer for the Thanksgiving meal. Let's just say it's a lot of food, so much that we have to take at least an hour break in between each course. FINALLY this year, my mother is going simple and just making the bird with some baked macaroni. Whew! I can’t imagine how many extra carbs & just extra food I will be cutting out this year. Her baked macaroni is great because you can take a nice serving of it & be satisfied. Yeah for not having to count shells &/or devour all that ricotta cheese.

Also, somehow I never developed a liking for turkey or chicken gravy so I’m pretty excited to just eat the turkey with some stuffing, cranberry sauce, & yams. It does sound like a lot but hey it is Thanksgiving after all, regardless of any diet there will be exceptions to the rule…

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Side-Note: I just love the leaves on the pie crust...I actually bought the dough cutters from Williams Sonoma a few years ago...I will definitely be doing this on Thursday to add some extra flare to the Pie! Hmmm...I'm on a big Williams Sonoma kick lately...Maybe it will be next on my Weekly Wishlist!

I remember the first Thanksgiving I brought Craig, my boyfriend, up to my Mom's parents house for Thanksgiving.  He looked petrified because he didn't want to offend anyone by not trying a little bit of everything AND and there was no extra turkey gravy & a big ole casserole dish of Lasagna first. Maybe intimated is the better word. This year I will make sure he has his turkey gravy but the lasagna better luck next year...

 Do you have any "NON-TRADITIONAL" Foods at your Thanksgiving? 

I'd love to hear...

Too Early or Too Late?!?! You Choose...

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Checklist:

Holidays - Check!

Stress - Check!

Dress for the Holidays - Check!

Enough Points for a Free Turkey at Shop Rite - Check!

Actually knowing What, When, & Where I'm Spending the Holidays - Priceless

It is that time of year and honestly it blindsided me this year. Hurricane Sandy kinda swallowed Halloween and the first half of November blinked by worrying about how much gas I had in my car & what day I could go get more. I'm usually a little bit more prepared. Not this year. After tons of questions of what, when & where Craig and I were going & doing for Thanksgiving we have come to an agreement. We are going to my mother's place, which is actually across the street from me. Did I mention that yet? lol. Then we'll go to my grandfathers in the next town over.

This experience has taught me one BIG thing. There is a big difference between Craig's family and my family when it comes to the holidays. HUGE Difference really...

My Family:

 My family usually figures it out the week before or sometimes the night before. I don't have a big immediate family, never did, and we are very much in a weird space of time where it's okay if we don't see each other. Well, I tell myself it's okay that we don't see each other...but none of my cousins have little kids yet, & our grandparents are getting older so we choose sides & try to see each other in the Black Friday madness, sort of.

Craig's Family

Craig's family well...they planned the Christmas Day everyone will get together back in August. YES, AUGUST. We have to decide whether we are going to one house or the other for Thanksgiving in September. It's like taboo to go this long without knowing where your going for the holidays. Last year we got the Secret Santa names in early October. Frankly I think its too early and it drives me crazy! I don't know what I'm doing tomorrow night but I have to plan months in advance. I can't. Life happens, ergo you adapt. If you don't' give an answer in their time bracket, EVERY TIME you hang out with the family you are asked until that respective holiday what your doing. Ahhh!!!!

 {Movie - Four Christmases - Source}
 

But Craig and I have made some decisions and it's a breath of fresh of air. Whew! Finally. I think it's great that in our relationship we can work together to come to a conclusion too. Now all I gotta do is worry about fitting into that holiday dress...hmmm...=)

Are you an Early Planner or a Spur of the Moment Person when it comes to the Holidays?

I'd love to hear...

'Tis The Season - Christmas Tree Cupcakes

It's never too early for Christmas Trees, especially Christmas Tree Cupcakes! Last night I tried to pick something festive for my students to brighten the spirits since we haven't had class in forever due to Hurricane Sandy AND then a freak windy early snow storm. Christmas Trees won the vote!

The secret to these lil gems is a 1 large cupcake as your base and 1 small cupcake to build your icing tree on. Throw in some some green, red, & yellow icing, a few pastry bag, a Wilton Metal Styling Star Tips #17-#22 for the tree base(#'s vary in size, depending how big you want your tree), and a smile.

Here is a small step by step tutorial through pictures:

 Cover the base larger cupcake with icing to make the tree skirt. I tried making red icing but for some odd reason it stayed pink...The color was Christmas Red, but oh well. You place the mini cupcake on top of the bigger iced cupcake. If you feel the mini cupcake is wobbly please add more of a generous amount of icing underneath.

Begin to build your tree. The beauty of the smaller cupcake is that it will help create the dome look of a tree. I've seen people on Pinterest use strawberries as well to create a smaller tree. I once used marshmallows but it was way too boxy. A small cupcake works best!

Then you fill in the whole mini cupcake to create the Tree. I added some pink dots so it looked like ornaments & a yellow star for the top. 

There you go, Christmas Tree Cupcakes! I also had a friend from last year's cupcake class make a set of 6 and use them as her table center piece.  It was really cute!

All above photos were taken by me. I think I need a new camera....=P

{Martha's Christmas Trees Source}

Another version of a Christmas Tree Cupcake is by Martha Stewart. Christmas Tree Cupcakes. The catch to these beauties is the a Waffle Cone as your base. The only thing is I wouldn't want to transport these lil trees anywhere because a toothpick is what keeps the cone on there. I don't feel like the waffle cone would be sturdy enough not to topple over hmmm....maybe I'll try these out in the next month as a test...hmm...

Are you a Cupcake Lover? Have you Ever Tried Decorating a Cupcake?