Friday, June 28, 2013

TGAF: "The Time Keeper," Seaweed clay mask, Oikos

  • "The Time Keeper" Mitch Albom
    I love Mitch Albom's books and have been meaning to read this one for a while.  His storytelling is captivating and I always enjoy the way he develops the characters.  Albom tells the story of how the inventor of the world's first clock, Father Time, is punished for trying to measure God's gift of time.  He's banished to a cave for centuries and forced to listen to the voices of all those who seek more time.  Eventually he's given a chance to redeem himself by teaching two people, one who wants more and one who wants less, the true meaning of time.
  • Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask from The Body Shop
    During the summer I feel like my face is constantly dirty from sunscreen, perspiration and excess oil.  This mask is perfect for detoxifying and deep cleaning my skin.  It uses natural ionic clay with negatively charged ions to draw out impurities and control excess oil.  The seaweed also helps to balance skin tone and clarify my complexion.  I use this mask once a week and have definitely noticed a difference.
  • Oikos Greek Yogurt
    I know I'm way behind on the Greek yogurt trend, but after resisting all this time I finally gave them a try.  I'm totally hooked now.  Not to sound like those stupid commercials where women gleefully give up cupcakes for a yogurt, but I'm particularly fond of the banana creme, key lime and vanilla coconut flavors, which make nice, sweet treats.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Wednesday Wellness: Clinical strength antiperspirant/deodorant

In the summer my armpits just stop trying to function normally and become stinky, sweaty little messes.  I used to make excuses about it and pretend like it wasn't a problem because who wants to admit to that, but then I decided that denial smelled pretty bad and succumbed to making a change.

The first thing that I learned is that deoderant and antiperspirants are two different things.  Deodorants simply mask the scent of bacteria that are present when sweat is released.  Antiperspirants work by plugging underarm pores, so they don't release sweat.  Antiperspirants use aluminum salt to do the plugging and clinical strength products simply increase the concentration of this active ingredient.

I also learned that antiperspirants should be applied at nighttime because that allows the plugs to develop overnight, when sweat is minimal.  If the product is applied in the morning, the stress-related sweat from starting your day could overwhelm the main ingredients in the deodorant.
I'm a fan of Secret Clinical Strength Mean Stinks because it smells nice and floral, actually works all day and $1 is donated to Girls on the Run with each purchase.  According to their website, Girls on the Run is a non-profit organization "dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams."

There are several other options in the Secret Clinical Strength line, which includes Stress Response, Soothing, Sensitive Skin, Sport, Waterproof and many others.

What deodorant/antiperspirant do you use in the summer?

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Try This! Key lime cake with coconut filling

My sister recently completed an internship at a local bakery, so I sought out her assistance with finding ways to elevate a boxed cake mix into something spectacular.  It was a really fun project and she was truly the mastermind behind it all.

For the cake:
  • Follow the box directions for the Pillsbury Key Lime cake.  Bake it in two 8" rounds.
  • Once the cake is fully baked, use a long serrated knife to trim the tops, so that each is completely flat.  Then use the same knife to cut each cake in half to make four even layers.
For the filling:
  • Combine 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 4 Tablespoons of cornstarch.  Put this mixture in a large saucepan on medium heat and gradually stir in 2 cups of milk.  Stir it constantly for about 3 minutes or until it's thickened.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk 2 eggs and stir in about one-fourth of the hot milk mixture very gradually.  Then add the egg mixture to the remaining hot milk mixture, still stirring constantly.  Keep cooking for 1 minute or until thickened.
  • Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of shredded, sweetened coconut and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
  • Place plastic wrap directly on the warm filling and let it cool for about an hour.
For the frosting:
  • Combine 1 container of vanilla frosting with the juice of 1 lime.  Cover the bowl and put it in the fridge while the cake is cooling to thicken up.
The tropical flavors with the coziness of the cake made it a perfect warm weather treat to enjoy while sitting outdoors.  The lightness of the lime balances the creamy frosting and the sweet coconut and tangy flavors were a delicious blend.

Friday, June 21, 2013

TGAF: Mindy Kaling's book, Sassy umbrella, Bastille

  • Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling
    I've become a huge fan of Mindy Kaling from watching her TV Show, The Mindy Project.  The show is on hiatus for the season, so I thought reading her book would give me my Mindy fix.  She's sassy, smart and fashionable, so she's very relatable in a quirky way.  I'd totally want to be her best friend.  This book perfectly captures her tone and, per usual, she shares her thoughts on what everyone is thinking, but would never say.
  • "Prior to This I was Having a Fantastic Hair Day" Umbrella
    While at Ulta the other day I came across a display from the company Our Name Is Mud.  They had a bunch of cosmetic bags, magnets and hand mirrors that were adorable.  Once I saw this umbrella, though, I was totally sold.  It was a steal at $20.
  • "Bad Blood" Bastille
    This band from London first formed in 2010 as a solo project, but has since turned into a four-piece band.  The name comes from Bastille Day, which is also the birthday of the lead vocalist.  "Bad Blood" is their first studio album and was released in March.  The vocals are beautiful and passionate with poetic lyrics and enchanting melodies.  I truly love every track and am so excited for such a fresh, new sound.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Wednesday Wellness: Benefits of strawberries

After discovering all the health benefits of raspberries last week, I thought it would be interesting to learn more about another fruit that I snack on often: strawberries.

They're also low in calories, high in fiber and contain the compound nitrate, which promotes blood flow and oxygen in the body, which is great for weight loss, so they're a healthy snack.

Also, the pigments that give strawberries their color also stimulate the burning of stored fat, boost short term memory and ease inflammation.

Strawberries contain potassium, vitamin K and magnesium, which are important for bone health.  They also have flavonoids, which lower the risk for heart disease.

They help you look good on the outside too because they're filled with biotin and ellagic acid, which have anti-aging properties.  Polyphenols in strawberries help fight plaque, tooth decay and gum disease to also keep your smile looking great.

I'd heard before that strawberries can be used to whiten your teeth, so after learning about the benefits they offer your teeth I did some additional research.  Apparently, it isn't recommended that you whiten your teeth with strawberries because they are acidic and can damage your enamel.

You can weight in now...which do you prefer: raspberries or strawberries?

Friday, June 14, 2013

TGAF: "Big Spender," Beach towel clips, Revlon Nail Polish in "Guava"

  • "Big Spender" by Theophilus London ft. A$AP Rocky
    One of my favorite aspects of The Great Gatsby was the juxtaposition of contemporary music, particularly rap, with images from the Roaring Twenties.  In my opinion, it made the film more relatable and engaging.  This song popped up on an 8tracks playlist the other day and I was immediately reminded of the movie.  It's such a fun, unique combination of different sounds and will definitely be added to my summer playlist.
  • Beach towel clips
    A nice breeze at the beach can feel heavenly.  That is, until the ends of your towel start to fly up and whip sand on you.  A few weeks ago my mom and I spotted beach towel clips at Christmas Tree Shops for only $1.50 and decided to give them a chance.  I finally got to put them to the test at the beach and they worked perfectly!  Plus they're adorable.
We need to think of a name for each whale.
  • Revlon Top Speed Nail Polish in "Guava"
    I love Revlon nail polishes because they have vibrant colors and are long lasting.  The Top Speed line is especially great because your nails are almost instantly dry, which is helpful for being on-the-go during summer.  I finally got to try this color and love it for summer.  It's a bright pink, coral color that looks exactly like the color of a guava.  It makes you look really tan too.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Wednesday Wellness: Benefits of raspberries

There's a raspberry bush at my job and every morning I love going out to grab a handful of berries for breakfast.  They're sweet, juicy and a satisfying snack, but they also have multiple health benefits.

For starters they're packed with vitamins and minerals that help your body function better.  They contain potassium for blood pressure, calcium for bone development and growth, and carotinoids, which protect against eye disease.  They're also a guilt-free treat because they're cholesterol-free, low in fat, sodium and calories and one cup provides one-third of the daily recommended value of fiber for adults.

Raspberries are also high in various antioxidants, which can help fight aging and slow cancer growth.

Researchers believe the pigments that give raspberries their color have anti-inflammatory properties.

They contain ellagic acid and quercetin, which have chemoprotective benefits.

Who knew these little berries could pack such a healthy punch!

What summer fruits do you snack on?





Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Try This! Blueberry pie

This is a little bit of a cheat because I made this Blueberry Pie a couple weeks ago, but it's probably one of my most impressive creations, so I thought it deserved to be here.

I had been dating a boy who was graduating from college and wasn't sure of the appropriate way to celebrate.  I didn't want to get him a gift because I honestly wasn't sure what to get nor did I want to come on too strong.  I thought a perfect way to congratulate him would be with a delicious treat that was made from the heart.

I've never made a pie before, so I was blissfully unaware of the need to double the crust recipe or that the crust needs to be chilled in the fridge several times, so it definitely wasn't a speedy or easy process, but it was totally worth it in the end.

For the crust:
  • Freeze 8 Tbsp (1 stick) of unsalted butter for at least 15 minutes, then cut it into 1/2 inch cubes.  The colder the butter, the flakier your crust will be.
  • Combine 1 1/4 cups of flour, 1/2 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of sugar in a food processor.  Add half of the butter cubes and pulse 6 to 8 times. Then add the other half of the butter cubes and pulse 6 to 8 more times.  The mixture should be coarse with many small butter pieces.
  • Add a couple of tablespoons of ice water to the food processor bowl and pulse a couple of times.  Then add about a tablespoon more ice water at a time, pulsing after each addition, until the mixture just barely begins to clump together.  If you pinch some of the dough and it holds together, then it's ready.  Try to keep the water to a minimum because too much will make your crust tough.
  • Remove the crumbly mixture from the food processor and place on a very clean, smooth surface.  Press the heel of your palm into the mixture a few times to press the mixture into the table top.  This will help your crust be extra flaky.
  • Then, press the dough together and shape into a disc.  Do not over-knead or your crust will end up tough.  Sprinkle the disc with a little flour on all sides. Wrap the disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
  • Roll out half of the dough to 1/8-inch-thick circle on a lightly floured work surface, about 13 inches in diameter. Fit the dough over a 9-inch pie pan, and trim the edges to a 1/2 inch over the edge all around the pan. Put into the refrigerator to chill for about 30 minutes. 
For the filling:
  • While the crust is chilling, you can make the pie filling.  Gently mix the blueberries, sugar, flour, cinnamon, lemon zest and lemon juice in a large bowl. Transfer them to the chilled bottom crust of the pie pan. Dot with butter pieces.
Finalizing:
  • Roll out the other half of dough to the same size and thickness as the first, place on top of the filling and crimp the edges with a fork.  Transfer the pie to the refrigerator to chill for about 30 minutes or until the dough is firm.
  • Heat oven to 425°F.
  • Whisk egg and milk together to make an egg wash.
  • Remove the unbaked pie from refrigerator. Brush the top with egg wash. Score the pie on the top with 4 cuts (so steam can escape while cooking).
  • Place the pie on the middle rack of the oven with a parchment paper or Silpat lined baking pan positioned on the lower rack to catch any filling that may bubble over. Bake for 20 minutes at 425°. Reduce heat to 350°F and bake for 30 to 40 minutes more or until juices are bubbling and have thickened.
  • Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Let cool completely before serving.


I cut out the top sentiment by hand and just applied it with the egg wash.
The crust was deliciously buttery and flaky with a sweet blueberry filling that was accented by light notes of lemon.  Now that I know what to expect and can be more prepared, I'm definitely looking forward to baking more pies.

What's your favorite pie filling?

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Garden weekend

I spent a majority of my time this weekend working in the garden and yard with my mom.  It was hard work, but didn't feel like it because we had such a fun, relaxing time.

On Saturday, we started off by transplanting two trees to a sunnier area of the yard, adding some plants and finishing it off with mulch.  Now it's a nice, peaceful corner of the yard.
Next, we headed over to Lowe's to pick up some plants, mulch and soil.  After admiring all the different plants, laboring over which to choose and investigating the "plant hospital" section, we checked out, loaded up the car and headed back.
I found these in the "plant hospital" for only $1 and they're called Alternanthera Party Time.  How cute!
When we got back, we worked on preparing the soil for three big tubs that we put plants in.  Three indeterminate tomatoes with basil went in those.  Those tomatoes are called Lemon Boy, Sun Sugar and Yellow Pear.
I found an adorable dwarf snapdragon in the "plant hospital" that's in the upper right.
I also got two tomato plants that are intended for small spaces.  I wanted to try them out for when I eventually move out, so I can still be able to have some plants in whatever box I live in.  They're called Patio and Sweet 'n' Neat.
We called it a day at this point for dinner.

Today, we resumed working by readying the soil for the vegetable garden.  Then, we got all the plants that we picked up at Lowe's in and watered.  The plants in the bed are chives, coriander, rosemary, parsley, thyme, basil, oregano, jalapeno, red pepper, yellow pepper and Bonnie Select tomatoes.
How did you spend your weekend?

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Tasting Trail: Black Duck Cafe

Tonight, a friend and I met up in Westport at the Black Duck Cafe.  It's been featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and I don't think that I would've ever found this place without DDD's help.  I seriously questioned my GPS when it directed me down a nondescript side street to a tiny parking lot, but once I saw what the restaurant was, it all made sense.  The Black Duck Cafe is actually a beached barge from 1840 that was converted and opened in 1978.  It was a fun, casual environment with a bar, windows overlooking the river and a jukebox.  There was actually a private party for a 30th birthday that was completely funeral themed, which was hilarious.

The burger options took up a majority of the menu, so I decided to give one a try.  I got the Doctor Proctor's Bleu Cheese Burger that blended the cheese throughout the burger.  It was cooked to perfection and every bite was bursting with cheese.  My friend got the Crawfish Po-Boy that was piled high with perfectly seasoned crawfish morsels.  At some point I want to go back and try to conquer the Barge Burger that they have.  It's over a pound and a half of beef served triple-decker style.

Unfortunately, my phone died before I could take pictures, but here are some that I found.  I'll definitely be back and will be sure to record everything.


It truly is right on the water.

Friday, June 7, 2013

TGAF: Girls, Trader Joe's Cinnamon Apple Snack Sticks, NYX Butter Gloss

TGIF is so over and TGAF is about to be your new favorite phrase.

These Goodies are Fabulous will be a new, regular post for Fridays that will recap some of my favorite things from the week.  These will range from blog posts to beauty products to readings and videos to yummy snacks to everything in between.
  • Girls
    There's been a lot of buzz about this show, but for some reason I never got around to watching it.  All my regular TV shows recently wrapped up for the season, so I decided to check it out.  Also, friends were always telling me that I reminded them of a character on the show (take a guess which one).  I'm totally hooked and have watched the first two seasons twice already.  It's about a group of girls in their 20s living in New York City and trying to survive.  It's hilarious and over-the-top at times, but also accurate and thought-provoking.
  • Trader Joe's Cinnamon Apple Snack Sticks
    A friend was munching on these the other day and had only positive things to say about them.  After giving one a try, I feel the same way.  These are a light snack with a filling flavor and a satisfying crunch.  The best part is that you can eat 38 of them for only 140 calories.
  • NYX Cosmetics Butter Gloss
    I've wanted these glosses for quite a while, but I left Ulta empty handed every time because they're always sold out.  I don't mean regular, just empty sold out though.  I mean ravaged by animals with the display area destroyed kind of sold out.  I was so excited to finally get them in Creme Brulee and Eclair the other day.  They add just enough glossy shine and are long lasting, but aren't sticky.  The best part is that they smell and taste just like delicious, buttery cake.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Wednesday Wellness: Summer shaving

Warm weather is finally here!  This means sleeveless tops, short bottoms and bathing suits are back, so it's time to step up our shaving game.  Underarms and bikini areas have especially sensitive skin that can become irritated from consistent maintenance.

Here are some tips to help keep your skin smooth this summer:
  • Use a new razor every time because dull ones simply won't do as good of a job.
  • For those with very sensitive skin try a razor that has more blades and an extra moisturizing bar.  Men's razors are an excellent option because they're made for faces and it doesn't get more sensitive than that.
  • If shaving against the grain causes irritation, try swiping side-to-side.  This will still remove the hair, but in a much less aggressive way.
  • After you're done, apply baby powder to the area.  This will absorb any moisture that could cause bumps or ingrown hairs.
  • If bumps do appear, gently exfoliate the area with an exfoliating bar of soap or a gentle scrub.
I like this Olive Body Scrub from The Body Shop.  Olive oil contains Vitamin E and anti-inflammatory agents to keep skin nourished and calm.
What are your tips for smooth, summer skin?

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Try This! Honey lime tilapia tacos with mango salsa

Fish tacos are a delicious and healthier alternative to regular tacos.  The lightness of the fish and salsa for these Honey Lime Tilapia Tacos made them a perfect warm weather meal.
  • Marinade 4 tilapia fillets in the juice and zest of 1 lime, 1 Tablespoon of olive oil, 1 1/2 Tablespoon of honey, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder.
  • Combine 1/2 cup of flour, 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.  Lightly dredge the fillets.
  • Heat 1-2 Tablespoons of olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Cook fillets for 3-4 minutes per side or until opaque and browned.
  • You can enjoy the tilapia as is, but I tossed some chopped mango and pico de gallo together for a salsa.  I assembled them together on a warm mini tortilla and topped with a squeeze of lime.
I'm a very messy taco eater, so I opted to keep my fish whole instead of chopping it up.
These tacos burst with flavor that will fill you up without making you feel heavy on a hot day.

What tacos do you enjoy?

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Sip on This! Watermelon sangria

I thought a fun way to reboot Love the Little would be to include a drink recipe, so you could join me in celebrating even from afar.

Wine and fruit are two of my favorite edibles, so naturally, I'm a big fan of sangria.  It's just a perfect summertime drink.  You can bet that once the weather starts to warm up that there will consistently be a pitcher of sangria chilling in my fridge.  I especially love to eat watermelon during the summer, so this Watermelon Sangria seemed like a way to put an adult twist on it.
  • Combine 1 bottle of dry, white wine, 4 cups of sprite zero, 3/4 cup of melon liqueur, 1/2 cup of white cranberry juice, 2 cups of freshly scooped watermelon balls and 2 sliced limes in a pitcher and stir well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
Pink and green are my two favorite colors too!
This is such an easy drink to make and will be a perfect thirst-quencher at your next barbecue!

What's your go-to summer drink?

Love the Little is back!

After a bit of a hiatus Love the Little is making a comeback.  I'm sorry for the absence, but I promise to make it up to all my lovely readers.  I'm going to start including more content and bring back music and book posts for summer.  I'll make sure you'll have tons of food and drink recipes to try, DIY projects to master, tunes to groove to and readings to keep you occupied while you lounge.

I'm also going to be adding a new, weekly post to Fridays, so make sure you check it out this week!

What types of content would you like to see on the revived Love the Little?