Let\’s Talk: Christmas Cards

Can you believe that Christmas is right around the corner? My Christmas cards are usually super girly, last year I designed a Christmas tree out of shoes and turned it into a card. However this year I decided that I wanted Jack to be the star of my Christmas cards and there is no better way then with Shutterfly. Even though I am a graphic designer and could easily design cards on my own I absolutely love the variety of cards that Shutterfly offers, you can easily customize them and they are so affordable! Here are my top five favorites. Do you send out photo cards? Make your own custom holiday cards Shutterfly or splurge on some photo gifts Shutterfly.

{How cute would Jack be on this card?}

For 2013 Shutterfly is offering some fabulous holiday cards and gifts. Including new card design styles in 5×7 folded tri-fold & back of card designs! Cards come in a variety of styles to match your personality perfectly.

Classic: traditional colors, iconic illustrations, aspirational sentiments, snowflakes and monograms.
Contemporary: trend forward colors, texture and layering, water color techniques, shine, glitter. Making Instagram pictures perfect for this style!
Whimsy: humor and nostalgia meet, fun sentiments.
Merry and Bright: all about color and having fun.
Religious: metallic type treatments, incorporated story ideas.
Photo Basics: multiple colors, vertical type, family name highlights.

BLT Pierogies

I lived in Pittsburgh for three years and that is when I was turned onto pierogies, Mrs. T\’s Pierogies to be exact. Whenever my neighbor would have a get-together to watch sporting events she had plenty of fingers foods, but also never forgot to include a pierogie dish. My favorite was her BLT Pierogies, and that\’s exactly what I served as a main dish this past Sunday for the Lions game. Living in Michigan Pierogies are not something you usually indulge in at parties so my friends were a little hesitant to try them, once they did they couldn\’t help but have seconds and thirds, not to mention I was asked to bring them to next weekends game get-together. The whole grain and mini Pierogies definitely were the crowd favorites.

Guests really liked the fact that the recipe was easy and such a time saver. They also couldn\’t believe that Mrs. T\’s Pierogies could actually be an appetizer or the perfect meal. At my get-together we ended up going on the Mrs. T\’s website and then creating the pierogies and apples we put some caramel on them and whipped topping and they made the perfect dessert. Making pierogies the perfect last minute meal for any occasion, last minute guest, impromptu party and everything in between.
I participated in a campaign on behalf of Millennial Central Consulting for Mrs. T’s Pierogies. I received a gift card to purchase get-together supplies to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

BLT Pierogies
Ingredients
1  (16-ounce) package frozen pierogies  (I used Mrs. T’s)
3 slices of bacon
1 package cream cheese
1/2  cup  chicken broth
1/2  cup  shredded cheese (I used colby, mozzarella and sharp)
1/2 green pepper; chopped
1 roma tomato

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Arrange the pierogies (frozen) in a glass baking dish that has been coated with cooking spray.
3. Spray the pierogies lightly.
4. Cook bacon in a pan until crisp; remove from pan, crumble and set aside.
5. Add cream cheese and chicken broth to the pan you cooked the bacon in (make sure you leave the grease in the pan.
6. Whisk until the cream cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth.
7. Pour the cream cheese mixture evenly over the pierogies.
8. Top with cheese.
9. Bake for 22 minutes or until bubbly and thoroughly heated.
10. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with green pepper, bacon and tomato.
11. Enjoy

Did you know:
• Mrs. T\’s are the perfect pairing of pasta and potatoes.
• Flavorful whipped potatoes combined with tasty additions such as cheddar cheese and onion are gently folded into a pasta shell to create the perfect canvas for your favorite ingredients and spices.
• Whether it\’s game day or the season premier/finale of your favorite show (Hart of Dixie party anyone?), gather your friends and enjoy Mrs. T\’s Pierogies.
• Bursting with flavor, Mrs. T\’s Pierogies make delicious finger foods, side dishes and main dishes (always keep a box or three in your freezer).
• Mrs. T\’s Pierogies are available in 11 different varieties, including whole grain and mini-size!


Like Mrs. T\’s Pierogies on Facebook.

Zoya Winter 2013: Zenith

Zoya\’s winter collection Zenith is made up of icy iridescent blues, metallics and sugar plum purples that are reminiscent of the season. I absolutely love every color in collection.


{Belinda}

Belinda is a rich royal sugar plum purple shimmer with specks of fuchsia and ice blue.


{Cassedy}

Cassedy is a celestial pewter metallic.


{Dream}

Dream is a deep ice blue jelly with holographic glitter.


{Mosheen}

Mosheen is an ice blue packed with iridescent glitter. This polish is meant to be a top coat for other shades as it is sheer by itself. I think it would be gorgeous over a dark blue or black (will showcase it soon).


{Payton}

Payton is an iced cranberry red packed with iridescent glitter.


{Seraphina}

Seraphina is a polar iced metallic silver.

$100 Gift Card Giveaway

Start your holiday shopping off right with a $100 Visa gift card!
How to Enter:
Make sure you leave your email in the comments
Tell me what your favorite part of the holiday season is?
Follow me on Twitter.
Follow me on Instagram.

Winner will be contacted by Monday, November 11th. Good Luck!

Pumpkin Spice Latte Sugar Scrub

I was at a high-end beauty boutique the other day and found a line of drink inspired sugar scrubs that smelled absolutely divine, especially the pumpkin spice latte sugar scrub. They were, however very expensive. So when I got home I decided to have a go at making my own. The result was fabulous and the recipe is simple as well, not to mention these would make adorable holiday gifts.


Pumpkin Spice Latte Sugar Scrub
Ingredients
2 cups brown sugar
1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground clove
½ teaspoon ground allspice
1 tablespoon ground coffee (I used pumpkin spice coffee)
½ cup coconut oil

Directions
1. Add the coconut oil to a mixer and whip until it becomes the consistency of frosting.
2.  Add in the brown sugar, cinnamon, clove, allspice and ground coffee and whip to combine.
3. That’s it! Store in an airtight container.