baked brie with apricot preserves & soppressata

tonight we made one of my favorites .

this brie wrapped in croissant rolls with

apricot preserves & soppressata is great to have for guests- 

quick & easy yet incredibly warm & comforting .

we had this for appetizer turned dinner ( it was that good ) , and will

definitely be making this more in the near future !

skinty minty cupcakes

I have been really into mint recently - I think

it started with the not - so - impulse buy

of mint chocolate chip ice cream , then the 

peppermint mocha coffees , then peppermint bark ...

then I decided enough was enough & I have to stop

the junk ! but who am I kidding , I am a choco-holic as I'm

sure you are well aware . 

I was trying to think of ways I can make something pepperminty

yet skinny at the same time , & I came up with the idea of these cupcakes .

by substituting oil with pumpkin mix ( something I have 

been doing for years - I swear you'll never know ! ) , my attempt

to skinnify my cupcakes was a success .

as for the peppermint , I placed a mini york peppermint patty

in between half of the cupcake batter , then made a fresh mint

whipped cream for on top . I love how the peppermint creates

an overwhelming chilly feeling in your mouth ... betcha can't eat just one

(especially after cooling overnight in the fridge - in fact joey & 

I each sneakily had one this morning & didn't tell each other ... shhh )

the map necklace by three jane by katie schloss

I am continually in awe of the pieces jewelry designer 

katie schloss creates for her line , three jane by katie schloss .

though she is a close friend of my sisters , I am 

tremendously proud of her success & 

only flourishing position in the fashion world .

mentioned in gift guides of nearly every 

important print media's gift guides for this season ,

I have a feeling katie & three jane are

only going up from here .

check out her "map necklace , "

an innovative , clever , yet classic chic

piece , allowing you to customize your necklace &

always keep fond memories & special places

close to your heart at all times ( & marked with a diamond , of course ) .

P S - she also created a collection based on classic 90's 

icons - gusher bangles & lego necklaces ... amazing .

http://www.threejaneny.com/

RHOBH lisa vanderpump vs kyle richards

I may seem crazy , but I feel like these women are my best friends .

actually , I know you feel that way too ( admit it ! ) .

over the past couple of seasons of the real housewives of 

beverly hills ( precaution : if you don't watch , you may not relate )

I have developed a relationship with the girls just like I did in high school

with MTV's "laguna beach " - laughing , crying , & watching 

their ups & downs in awe .

the beautiful houses , the beautiful families ( hello , mauricio ! )

and doesn't beverly hills look like the most magical place ever ?

anyway , I do love my life so I will not go on about the 

oh - so - glamourous lives of the housewives - BUT , 

I had an epiphany while watching the most recent episode .

lisa's hair is always perfect . she always looks so feminine ,

especially when she wears pink ( most definitely her color ) . 

I thought , my hair is thick , brown , & slightly wavy -

I have been needing a haircut , why not try the " lisa " look ?

but then kyle came on , and her hair is always perfect as well

( okay fine all of their hair is perfect ! ) - long , shiny, & manageable .

it kind of looks like my hair now - but note the word manageable ,

as mine is not .

anywho , the brunettes of beverly hills clearly have me inspired

as to my next much needed haircut - but as you can see

I am having trouble choosing between the ladies .

what do you prefer ? long & sleek , or short & chic ?

chinese chicken wings

[ teriyaki , soy sauce , sweet chili sauce , apricot preserves , 

ginger , & garlic ]

[ simmer above mixture in sauce pan & add 

green onions & honey ]

[ once cooking the wings through , place in sauce pot 

& allow to simmer covered for 30 minutes ]

[ broil the wings & flip halfway through for a crispy skin ]

[ serve with scallion pancakes - recipe to come ]

I have been wanting to make these chinese chicken wings

for years now . I used to make them for guests / friends

in high school , but lost my cookbook the recipe was in .

for some reason , the thought of preparing the wings 

without remembering the ingredients was intimidating .

two weeks ago , I made these chinese chicken wings 

for joey & we loved them so much we made them again !

by having the wings simmer in a sauce for 30

minutes , we allowed the meat to really moisten &

soak up the amazing honey / ginger / teriyaki glaze .

joey & I have really stepped up our food game  -

think prosciutto , apricot preserve , & gruyere on toasted 

truffle oil baguette and goat cheese , fig , & sopressata crostini .

I am excited to share the new , exciting things we have been

cooking up here in queens ! these chicken wings are just the start .