Be My Valentine?

January 22, 20135 Comments

Even though I am not into mushy Valentine’s day celebrations like boxes of chocolate’s and cheesy cards, I do love the excuse to dress in an extra-girly pink outfit and putting some food coloring in my mash potatoes to make them pink (I’m a dork, I know.). What are you doing for Valentine’s Day?

Happy ♥ Day

February 14, 2012Leave a comment

Hope everyone has a fabulous Valentine’s Day. Tonight I am going to make a fabulous dinner (I am avoiding restaurants on V-day due to obvious reasons) and just enjoy a night in with some great food & wine.

{My heart patterned dress from Forever 21}

{a surprise gift from a co-worker left on my desk this morning}

{my DIY heart manicure}

Red Velvet Cheesecake

February 7, 2012February 7, 20122 Comments

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and the best way to a man’s heart? His stomach. This delicious cheesecake recipe will be sure to make him ga-ga over you. 🙂

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup whole buttermilk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
2 (1-ounce) bottles red food coloring
1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

Stir together graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar; press mixture into bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
Beat 3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese and 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar at medium-low speed with an electric mixer 1 minute. Add eggs and next 6 ingredients, mixing on low speed just until fully combined. Pour batter into prepared crust.
Bake at 325° for 10 minutes; reduce heat to 300°, and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until center is firm. Run knife along outer edge of cheesecake. Turn oven off. Let cheesecake stand in oven 30 minutes. Remove cheesecake from oven; cool in pan on a wire rack 30 minutes. Cover and chill 8 hours.
Beat 1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese and 1/4 cup butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth; gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until smooth. Spread evenly over top of cheesecake. Remove sides of springform pan. Garnish, if desired.

*short-cut tip: Buy Graham Cracker ready crust and just follow cake mix recipe.

Valentine ♥

January 20, 2012January 20, 2012Leave a comment

My favorite part of Valentine’s Day as a kid was passing out unique card to my classmates and waiting for special V-day cards from my peers. My little Valentines always had my favorite cartoons like Strawberry Shortcake, Smurfs, or Ninja Turtles- yes I was kind of a big deal! 🙂

We are never too old to pass out Valentine’s but a treat will get you much further. Bring something special into the office or to your friend’s place and celebrate the cheesy holiday!