Apologies

Hi everyone! I just wanted to give a quick note to apologize for not being able to blog very regularly especially in these last few weeks of tax season! I have not had any time to web shop this week so there will be no "Ti Amo Thursday" today. I have a very busy few days ahead of me along with Vegas so I'm hoping to blog at least once before I leave. But once I get back my schedule becomes extremely lax and open so there should be at least 4 posts a week!

Thank you for being patient and for following me.. I promise good posts are coming!!! :)

Manic Monday

Hello lovelies! As I embark on this last full week of tax season, I am listening to a lot of pop songs to get me amped up for Vegas. These are a few Top 40 songs at the moment that I can't get out of my head.

Ke$ha-Blow

I lose it every time she says "James Van der Douche"

Katy Perry f/Kanye West-E.T. 

I've liked every song she's put out on this album.

Dr. Dre f/Eminem & Skylar Grey- I Need a Doctor

I love any colloboration between Dre and Eminem. They are the ultimate power duo. Skylar's vocals on the chorus are haunting and I enjoy the collage of video flashbacks in the beginning.

Hope you all have an amazing week!

Thanks to YouTube for the videos.

From My Stovetop to Yours

Today I bring you a yummy, yummy, yummy recipe. I highly suggest you make this asap!

Baked Ziti
PointsPlus Value: 7
Serves 12

Ingredients:
3 spray(s) cooking spray
1 pound (s) uncooked pasta, rigatoni or penne
3/4 pound(s) part-skim ricotta cheese
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, or more to taste
1/4 cup(s) grated Parmesan cheese, divided
4 cup(s) marinara sauce, store-bought, divided
1/2 pound(s) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheeses
1/4 cup(s) basil, cut into ribbons, for garnish

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 F. Coat bottom and sides of lasagna pan with cooking spray.

Cook pasta according to package directions; rinse with cool water and drain.

While pasta is cooking, in a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, red pepper flakes, 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese and 1/3 cup marinara sauce.

To assemble ziti, spoon 1/2 cup sauce on bottom of prepared pan; top with half of pasta in an even layer. Evenly spread pasta with ricotta mixture; cover with half of remaining sauce. Top with remaining pasta and spoon remaining pasta on top; sprinkle with mozarella and remaining tablespoon Parmesan. Bake until cheese melts and is browned, about 20 to 30 minutes. Allow ziti to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing into 12 pieces.

ENJOY!!!!

Fabulous Buys

As it is crunch time at work I haven't had much time to window shop lately. But as I mentioned in a previous post I did do a bit of real shopping over the last weekend. So I thought I'd share my fashion booty :)

American Rag Curvy Skinny Jeans from Macy's

I'm always on a quest for the perfect pair of jeans and these come pretty darn close. As a curvier woman, I've found it to be a little more difficult to pull off the skinny jean craze. However, American Rag's curvy skinny jeans solved all my problems. And when I walked up to the register and they rung up for $12 plus tax, well I think I may have made a little squeal of joy!

I finally used my Go Jane gift card. While the zig zag wedges were already sold out (tear!) I did find 2 pairs of reliable replacements. Granted, they're off season now, but phenomenal deals.

Sweater Cuff Pedestal Bootie

I don't have many pairs of brown boots and these were just too adorable to pass up for $15!

Suede Button Loop Bootie

Do I really need to say more?

I really need to get to Target to buy that Mossimo Messenger Bag before its gone (its sold out online!) and back to Macy's to shop for swim suits. Me and my mom are planning on doing some shopping next Friday to celebrate the death of this tax season and to see Scream 4.. I'm very much looking forward to it!

I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Thanks to Macy's and GoJane for the pictures!

Manic Monday

Good afternoon! Hope everyone's weekends were lovely; I actually got a little bit of shopping in!

Here are my music picks for the week. NKY is sunny and breezy so I am feeling spring fever today!

Jimmy Eat World-Sweetness

There's just something about this song that screams "summer with the windows down". Love it!

The Protomen- The Hounds

I just really enjoy this song :)

La Rocca- Sketches (20 Something Life)

I first heard La Rocca on One Tree Hill and instantly fell in love.

Thanks to Youtube for the videos.



Best Dressed: Country Music Awards

I didn't watch the awards but have been looking at pictures of the red carpet all morning and hands down, the Best Dressed (in my humble opinion) was Taylor Swift in her pale yellow Elie Saab gown.

Thanks to Yahoo! for the picture



From My Stovetop to Yours

I'm going to start off this post by saying that I am NOT a vegetarian. I applaud those of you who have chosen that path but I would hope that as I respect your lifestyle, in turn you will respect mine. Many of my recipes include meat so if you find that incredibly offensive, I would unfortunately advise you to stear clear of my Sunday posts.

Moving on, today I bring you yet another Weight Watchers recipe. (What can I say? They're delicious AND diet friendly!) We tried this for the first time this week and mmmm... yum yum yum!!!

Filet Mignon with Bearnaise Sauce
PointsPlus Value: 6
Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1/2 tsp table salt, or to taste, divided

1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste, divided

1 pound(s) Beef, filet mignon, trimmed, raw, use four 4 oz pieces

2 spray(s) cooking spray

1 large egg yolk(s)

1 Tbsp water

2 1/3 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted

1 tsp fresh lemon juice

1 1/2 Tbsp chives, and/or parsley, fresh, minced.

Instructions

Rub 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper all over steak.

Coat a grill pan with cooking spray; set over medium-high heat. Heat pan until it's almost smoking and sizzles when water is dropped onto pan surface.

Place steak on pan and cook, without turning, about 5 minutes. Flip steak; cook about 4 to 6 minutes more for medium doneness.

Remove steak to a cutting board and loosely cover with aluminum foil; let rest for at least 10 minutes (steak will continue to cook under foil)

Meanwhile, to make sauce, bring a small saucepan one-third filled with water to a boil (creating a double boiler). In a metal bowl, beat egg yolk with 1 tablespoon room temperature water until frothy; set bowl over saucepan and cook, stirring constantly, until egg yolk thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove egg yolk from heat; slowly whisk in melted butter until well combined. Stir in lemon juice and remaining salt and black pepper; whisk in fresh herbs. Serve steak with sauce. Yields about 3 oz of steak and 1 tablespoon of sauce per serving.

Note: Make sure you have all the ingredients prepped and ready before you start making the sauce.

**I would definitely recommend having everything prepped or a friend/significant other help as I found this easier as a 2 person recipe. For a side, we cooked potatoes, onion and zucchini in a skillet for 10 minutes.



Thanks to Weight Watchers for the picture and recipe!