Friday, January 23, 2015

Beginning of Awards Show Season 2015, The Golden Globes!

Yippee it's awards season time, friends!

This year Golden Globe arrivals coverage coincided with the NFL AFC Divisional Playoff game featuring my Indianapolis Colts vs. the Denver Broncos so I had to play a little bit of catch up during the show (because I obviously COULD NOT miss the game, especially since my boys won!).  I decided to forgo the fabulous sparkling cocktail I usually make for a more casual option (aka a light beer).

The trend of the Globes carpet was stunning WHITE!  White during winter can be so tricky (washes you out so easily) but the stars that donned it must have excellent spray tan staff or they were clinging to their holiday vacay color (lucky!).  These were my favorite white looks:
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Guiliana Rancic and Emily Blunt all fabulous in various white silhouettes

Some plunging white necklines on Kate Hudson and Rosamund Pike

The color I noticed that was a second runner up to white was red.  Personally, I'm a HUGE sucker for red in just about any aspect of life.  Here are a few of my red dress picks that I thought were simply stunning.
Viola Davis, Juliana Margulies and Catherine Zeta-Jones in fabulous strapless red gowns!

Taylor Schilling, Allison Janney and Heidi Klum

Ladies that stunned outside of the white and red color parameters that I HAD to mention were:
Jennifer Anniston and Kate Becksale received perfect 10s from me! 

So that's the Globes, next up is the SAG Awards this weekend!  I've also got a 614 Restaurant Week review of Bar 145 and of course some shoes to share!

Cheers!
Steph

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

How 'Bout Them BUCKEYES!

So with the holidays and the incredible excitement of THE Ohio State University's NCAA Football Playoff birth I have been rather delinquent in my blogging, sorry!  But in the new year I'm destined for change (hopefully)! 

First I have to share some photos from our game watch last night: one of our great tailgate crew and one of the delicious duck our hosts roasted for us!

Tailgate Team Selfie

Yummm that's one pretty bird!  Excellent job Chef Bill!

To celebrate the Buckeyes not only trouncing the highly lauded SEC powerhouse Alabama in the Sugar Bowl then roasting the Oregon Ducks for the Championship, I decided to make a breakfast of champions for me and my beau.  The flavors of Buckeye candies (peanut butter and chocolate) came to mind so I set out to make a Buckeye Waffle that would make this great state of OHIO proud!  (Too much Urban Meyer quoting?  Sorry, not sorry)  But since we overindulged a bit last night while game watching and are trying to watch our diet I made a couple modifications (whole wheat flour and skim milk mainly).

Buckeye Waffle  
(Makes 6 waffles)
 Ingredients:
- 1 c. milk
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1/4 c. plus 1 Tbsp. natural peanut butter (probably could have used more)
- 1/2 c. AP flour
- 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
- 2 Tbsp. sugar
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 c. semi sweet chocolate chips (use more or less to your liking)
- 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted (for greasing waffle iron)

 Instructions:
- Mix together milk, egg, vanilla and peanut butter until smooth.
- In a separate bowl mix together flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- Pour wet ingredients in with the dry, mix together until just combined.
- Mix in chocolate chips.
- Heat then grease waffle iron with melted butter (the chocolate chips can get a little sticky) or use your preferred cooking spray.
- Pour in waffle mixture and let the waffle iron work it's magic.
- Cook to desired golden brownishness and enjoy!
- Humming Hang On Sloopy, Carmen Ohio or chanting O-H are all acceptable forms of enjoying this spirited breakfast item!

These were really tastey, the chocolate can overpower so the batter could stand to have more peanut butter in it or less chocolate, depends on preference.  With the taste of the chocolate and peanut butter as dominant flavors you could probably use all whole wheat flour instead of mixing whole wheat and AP. 

For the leftovers I just wrapped them in wax paper then put them in a freezer bag in the freezer.  They can be taken out and toasted or zapped in the microwave, in the oven or toaster in the future.

So so soooo much more to come like a catch up from the holidays, the Golden Globes fashion review, some great new shoes and 614 Restaurant Week!

Happy Tuesday and Go Bucks!

Cheers!
Steph