Ok - So we all know Black Friday Is just about the best day of the year to find the biggest deals and get a head start on all our holiday shopping. I have a few thoughts for those who dare to brave the BF mania.
First - Make a List before you go. This will prevent you from over purchasing and will keep your eye on the ball so you don't get distracted by other GREAT deals that are no where near anything you needed meanwhile taking away precious time to grab what you do need and GET IN LINE.
Second - Do your homework. Check out the following sites to get a heads up on where the best deals are...
CYBER MONDAY
Blackfriday
Target' Black Friday Ad
Third - Go to Target. You can seriously get something for anyone and everyone at Target and they have just about everything else you could ever need as well. Target is definitely my favorite Black Friday starting point.
Amazon has also been running programs all week. CDs are $6.99 and books are discounted.
Shutterfly.com is offering a buy one get one 50% off deal on photobooks as well as many other discounts on items they sell.
Potterybarn is offering 20% off many Christmas decor items.
Last Recomendation - if there is anything you have been wanting or needing, check the company's website that sells that item. Almost all retailers are participating in the BF event
HAVE FUN, WAKE UP EARLY, AND ARM YOURSELF WITH AT LEAST ONE MUG-FULL OF COFFEE. Happy Shopping!
The Sabby Apple
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
LAST MINUTE HOLIDAY RECIPES
If you are like me, you love sweets, and the holidays...but we are all busy and might not have time to come up with great recipes before the holidays arrive. So here I am - at your rescue! Just kidding. But I do have some great ideas that are sure to spark some sweet tooth desires!
1. First on the list: Easy Cobbler
Ingredients:
1 cup butter (I use Brummel & Brown - a low fat yogurt-based margarine)
1 cup flour
2 cups sugar
2 tsp baking powder
4 cups of fresh fruit (my favorite is strawberries, but you can also use blueberries, blackberries, peaches, and others, or try a combination of several of them!)
Instructions:
Set the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a sauce pan, bring the 4 cups of fruit and 1 cup of sugar to a low boil - just until the sugar is melted). Set aside. Mix the remaining 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup of flour, and 2 tsp of baking powder in a mixing bowl - set aside. In a large baking dish (I use a 9x13) pour in the melted butter (1 cup). Then pour the batter mixture over the butter and then pour the fruit mixture on top of that.
Put the baking dish in the oven for 30-40 minutes, until the top is browned. ENJOY!
2. Next on the list is a yummy appetizer treat that I like to call Heaven Sliders.
Ingredients:
mini burger patties - found at Trader Joes
mini burger buns - found at Trader Joes
Garlic Mustard Aioli - Trader Joe's brand
1 sweet onion, diced and caramelized
shredded fresh parmesan cheese
1 TBSP olive oil
Instructions:
Cook the mini burgers on a pan on the stove to medium or medium well - approx. 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a separate pan; caramelize the onions with just a dash of olive oil. When the burgers are nearly done, put 1 TBSP of olive oil in a flat pan and toast the mini burger buns. When all are finished, compile the burgers...first a layer of mustard aioli, then a sprinkle of shredded parmesan, then the burger patty, then another sprinkle of shredded parmesan, topped off with the caramelized onions and the top bun placed on top. Peirce with a toothpick or sandwich skewer and display on a platter for your guests to enjoy! These are delectable.
This year I am going to be giving the following Real Simple recipe for Butternut Squash Breadpudding a try...WISH ME LUCK!
Need quick last minute ideas - go check out the freezer section at Trader Joes...they have already made deserts such as pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheesecake, berry tarts, and apple turnovers. If you need some quick Thanksgiving style foods, they also have a quick cornbread stuffing mix, and already made turkey breast with gravy. They have ready to heat in the microwave sides as well such as brussel sprouts au gratin, candied sweet potatoes, and scalloped potatoes, all found in the cold section by the veggies! Got to love TJs around the Holidays!
Happy T-DAY EVERYONE!!!! And Happy Black Friday Shopping: up next - Some Black Friday Deals to be had.... Posting Shortly!
1. First on the list: Easy Cobbler
Ingredients:
1 cup butter (I use Brummel & Brown - a low fat yogurt-based margarine)
1 cup flour
2 cups sugar
2 tsp baking powder
4 cups of fresh fruit (my favorite is strawberries, but you can also use blueberries, blackberries, peaches, and others, or try a combination of several of them!)
Instructions:
Set the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a sauce pan, bring the 4 cups of fruit and 1 cup of sugar to a low boil - just until the sugar is melted). Set aside. Mix the remaining 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup of flour, and 2 tsp of baking powder in a mixing bowl - set aside. In a large baking dish (I use a 9x13) pour in the melted butter (1 cup). Then pour the batter mixture over the butter and then pour the fruit mixture on top of that.
Put the baking dish in the oven for 30-40 minutes, until the top is browned. ENJOY!
2. Next on the list is a yummy appetizer treat that I like to call Heaven Sliders.
Ingredients:
mini burger patties - found at Trader Joes
mini burger buns - found at Trader Joes
Garlic Mustard Aioli - Trader Joe's brand
1 sweet onion, diced and caramelized
shredded fresh parmesan cheese
1 TBSP olive oil
Instructions:
Cook the mini burgers on a pan on the stove to medium or medium well - approx. 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a separate pan; caramelize the onions with just a dash of olive oil. When the burgers are nearly done, put 1 TBSP of olive oil in a flat pan and toast the mini burger buns. When all are finished, compile the burgers...first a layer of mustard aioli, then a sprinkle of shredded parmesan, then the burger patty, then another sprinkle of shredded parmesan, topped off with the caramelized onions and the top bun placed on top. Peirce with a toothpick or sandwich skewer and display on a platter for your guests to enjoy! These are delectable.
This year I am going to be giving the following Real Simple recipe for Butternut Squash Breadpudding a try...WISH ME LUCK!
Serves 8| Hands-On Time: 30m | Total Time: 1hr 30m
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for the baking dish
- 2 medium onions, chopped
- 1 1/2 pounds butternut squash (about half a medium squash)—peeled, seeded, and cut into 1⁄2-inch pieces
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 3/4 pound soft French or Italian bread, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 7 1⁄2 cups)
- 1/2 pound Gruyère, grated (2 cups)
Directions
- Heat oven to 375° F. Oil a 2 ½- to 3-quart baking dish.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until beginning to soften, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the squash, season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper, and cook, tossing frequently, until just tender, 8 to 10 minutes more. Stir in the sage. Let cool for 10 minutes.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Add the bread, cheese, and squash mixture and toss to coat.
- Transfer to the prepared baking dish and bake until golden brown and set, 55 to 60 minutes.
-
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| Copyright © 2010 Time Inc. Lifestyle Group |
Need quick last minute ideas - go check out the freezer section at Trader Joes...they have already made deserts such as pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheesecake, berry tarts, and apple turnovers. If you need some quick Thanksgiving style foods, they also have a quick cornbread stuffing mix, and already made turkey breast with gravy. They have ready to heat in the microwave sides as well such as brussel sprouts au gratin, candied sweet potatoes, and scalloped potatoes, all found in the cold section by the veggies! Got to love TJs around the Holidays!
Happy T-DAY EVERYONE!!!! And Happy Black Friday Shopping: up next - Some Black Friday Deals to be had.... Posting Shortly!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Some of My Favorite Things - Holiday Version
The Holidays are Upon Us - so it's time to get crackin'
Here are some great ideas for gifts for those you love...
Real Simple teamed with The Container Store on some great holiday recipes you can gift in your favorite container - HOW CUTE!
Click Here for All Gift Ideas
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| Infused Vodka (vanilla & jalapeno) |
Whippy Cakes - An All Time FAV - any girl in your life will just go crazy for these delicious hair pieces...
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| © 2010 WhippyCake.com |
These are a new found fav - similar to Whippy Cakes, but with a little twist, called Vintage Rose Wraps (again a perfect gift for the girl in your life)
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| Copyright © 2010 Vintage Rose Wraps |
Shutterfly Photobooks - Simply Put: I am obsessed. I have used about 4 different photobook programs and Shutterfly beats all of them. Make a photobook of your family to give to your parents, grandparents, or friends for the holidays.
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| © 1999-2010 Shutterfly, Inc. All rights reserved. |
Costco is by far the best place to get your holiday cards printed. The price is unbeatable. The trick is to either buy a pre-made template or make one yourself if you are so graced with a husband such as mine who is a photoshop guru! The easy route: use Costco's templates, they just aren't quite as fluffy!
Ceramic Painting places...these places are great for anyone. Put your family's handprints on a big platter for the grandparents, or have the little ones paint a mug - TIMELESS!
These Chic Camera Straps are sure to make the photo-genic lover of your family go crazy! To Buy, go to Shey B
The Pebble Collection on Etsy is also a must for the ladies. I have a couple of the berry rings and the berry necklaces - they are AWESOME.
Here's one for the boys...and the girls too! TOMS
These shoes are by far my favorite article of clothing currently. What's not to love about a young guy who started his own company here in the U.S. (once again supporting domestic economic growth) with a goal to give back? For every pair of shoes sold, TOMS will give a pair to a child in need. They call this the One for One program. These are great for little ones...teens...men...and women. There are so many colors and styles to be had - they are sure to brighten up more than one person's holiday spirit!
Beginnings...
So, here I am, being a mom, DOT com. I am spreading my wings, and learning the ropes of how to juggle being a mom, working, going to school, and keeping up with the Jones'...or in this case, the bloggers!
I love fashion, fun things, my daughter and my husband. I also love finding cute creative goods, vintage style home furnishings, and do-it-yourself projects (though I have absolutely no time to do any).
I love writing - I even once dabbled in the idea of becoming a journalist, but then I realized they don't make any money! So - what better way to publish than to do it for free and only on the topics you want?
For my first posts I will share with everyone some of my favorite things. Most of them are handcrafted and made by hardworking people here in the U.S. (I support an increase in real GDP). I hope you all enjoy my little tidbits about life in the fast lane, the joys of motherhood, and fun things!
I love fashion, fun things, my daughter and my husband. I also love finding cute creative goods, vintage style home furnishings, and do-it-yourself projects (though I have absolutely no time to do any).
I love writing - I even once dabbled in the idea of becoming a journalist, but then I realized they don't make any money! So - what better way to publish than to do it for free and only on the topics you want?
For my first posts I will share with everyone some of my favorite things. Most of them are handcrafted and made by hardworking people here in the U.S. (I support an increase in real GDP). I hope you all enjoy my little tidbits about life in the fast lane, the joys of motherhood, and fun things!
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