Last weekend the weather was so warm, we were walking outside with short-sleeve t-shirts on and enjoying brunch at a restaurant that had all of the windows open. This weekend? Back to boots and sweaters and bundling up baby with temperatures in the teens. I’m ready for that spring weather to make a come back, but if it’s going to be arctic-cold for a little while longer I’m going to make the best of it. We had some friends over for lunch this weekend (life with a newborn guys, lunch dates are the new dinner date!) and took advantage of these chilled temperatures with a crackling fire in the fireplace and a hearty lunch menu. I was craving something warm like a homemade soup, and decided to test a new recipe with tons of my favorite soup ingredients: hot Italian sausage, white beans, carrots, spinach, and some tasty cheese tortellini.
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The reality of having a newborn means that most mornings I’m waking up to some cute little baby cries and need to throw on my glasses and slippers get to feeding her before a meltdown ensues. If I’m super lucky, my husband has already made the pot of coffee and I’ll grab a mug before the baby squeaks turn to screams. I’m usually starving when I wake up (feeding this kid has made me more hungry now than I ever was while pregnant!) so I have gotten into the habit the past few weeks of grabbing a granola bar to eat quickly during that first feeding of the day. It’s easy to grab and I can eat it one handed, so it’s the perfect snack to curb my early morning stomach grumbling.
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I love a good DIY project, and most of the time when I get an idea for them I’m starting with inspiration for what the end product is going to look like. Every once in a while though, my inspiration comes from the actual materials I’m working with. An interesting material can spark the thought, “hmm, what can I make with this?” – and that’s exactly how this DIY project started.
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I’m getting so excited to watch the Academy Awards on Sunday night, it’s the biggest TV night of the year for me (sorry SuperBowl, red carpet wins!). My viewing traditions include cozy pajamas, fully charged iPad, iPhone and computer for live-tweeting and red carpet reviewing, and of course super-tasty Oscar’s night snacks. I have a sweet-tooth fix for this year’s show, a movie-theater snack inspired ice cream sundae. I started with vanilla bean ice cream (if you’re going vanilla, vanilla bean is always the right choice!), drizzled it with salted caramel sauce, and topped it off with caramel popcorn and salty peanuts. I’m a sucker for that salty and sweet flavor combination, and this sundae hits the spot. For a little extra nod to the Oscars, I served them in champagne coupes and topped them with Hollywood star cupcake toppers! Can’t wait to whip one of these up on Sunday as I settle in for a night of celebrities and ball gowns.
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Post-baby we have been so lucky to have friends and family dropping by with sweet treats and delicious, hearty freezer meals. Though, after almost a month of eating homemade cookies and cheesy baked pastas like it was our job, the indulgent eating is starting to catch up to us and I’m realizing we need to get back onto a healthy kick. One of the best ways for us to get into a healthier routine is to plan out our meals ahead and have everything prepped in the fridge — otherwise I grab whatever snack is easy to pop-in my mouth with my free non-baby-holding hand! I decided to make some hearty winter-flavor inspired salads, with everything pre-portioned out for easy to grab lunches.
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This year I’m extra excited for awards show season because I’ve actually seen a ton of the movies that were nominated. Thanks to a few extra weeks of pregnancy, we hit the movie theater quite a few times since sitting and eating were about all I could physically manage in the activity department. Since then we’ve been knocking off more movies from the couch with a newborn keeping us close to home most nights. I take awards show viewing pretty seriously, getting myself set up with a laptop and phone for reviewing red carpet looks and tweeting my expert analysis (you know, from my fashion throne wearing a top knot and yoga pants). I also make sure I assemble awards show snacks with the same discerning eye I give to reviewing couture ball gowns – the snacks are essential fuel for viewing!
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It’s a strange thing, missing your favorite cocktails for 9 months! I’ve been easing back into mixing up a tasty adult beverage since having Jane; my hiatus seems to have my cravings and flavor preferences flipped upside down. I used to love really sweet and floral drinks, but I’ve been instead reaching for the hoppy beer my husband drinks and seeking out much spicier, citrus-y drinks. When I saw blood oranges stacked up high at the grocery store this week, my taste buds were inspired and I saw a sweet citrus cocktail with a punch of spicy ginger tang in my future. I took the blood orange juice and fresh ginger, and simmered them down with water and sugar to make a flavorful simple syrup. The simple syrup dressed up some champagne in a sweet little pair of coupes which I garnished with orange zest. It’s a perfect cocktail for Valentine’s Day, a little bit sweet and a little bit spicy, and of course a bit bubbly too! Full recipe below:
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This post was created in partnership with Keurig Green Mountain®; opinions are my own. 
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The team at Martha Stewart Living sent me a little care package this month with a fun Valentine’s Day challenge: using some of the tastiest array of Swiss Chocolat Frey treats and some Martha Stewart crafting supplies, they encouraged me to find a creative way to share the love with my friends and family. Food is one of my favorite ways to show my love, and I decided to tackle a sweet, indulgent dessert inspired by the Chocolat Frey Milk Chocolate and whole roasted Hazelnut Crunchy Nut bars: Valentine’s Day Chocolate Hazelnut Cannolis.
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I get all heart-eyes at the adorable Valentine’s Day decorations and gifts I see in stores, but let’s be honest — my actual Valentine could probably care less about heart balloons and cocktail stirrers (love you Hubs!). Which is why I’m absolutely delighted that Galentine’s Day has become an increasingly popular celebration thanks to the hilarious champion of girl-gangs, Miss Leslie Knope. Sending your best gal-pals a Valentine’s Day treat, or even throwing a festive Galentine’s Day brunch, are the perfect excuse to stock up on heart-covered trinkets, festive pink decorations, and tons of sweet treats. I’ve saved a few of my favorite Galentine’s Day celebration gifts and ideas below to help you get in the spirit! 
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