Monday, November 28, 2011

{It's Cyber Monday}

We at DC Sweet Treats hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving holiday!  Did you do any shopping on Black Friday??  Well now that we've stuffed ourselves silly, and shopped til we dropped, we are back at our desks trying to get ourselves together to face the work week.  **yaaaaawn**



Hear that sound...?  That's the sounds of millions of mice (mouses??...whatever) clicking around the globe.  What better way to ease back into the work week than by starting off checking out a few Cyber Monday deals??  Yay!  More shopping!

Cyber Monday made its debut in 2005 on shop.org, and is coined to mean the Monday following Thanksgiving, which has turned into one of the biggest shopping days of the year.  If you're like me and hate crowds, Cyber Monday is my way of participating in Black Friday sales without getting pepper sprayed or trampled...or having to get out of my pj's and bunny slippers after a full day of stuffing myself with turkey and candied yams.

Whether you are getting a jump on gift shopping or just indulging your own selfish desires, Cyber Monday is the ticket for today!  As a way to help shoppers out, shop.org created the website cybermonday.com, which lists the deals being offered by tons of retailers from Avon to Bath and Body Works to Lands End to Kohls.  More deals and coupon codes for Cyber Monday can be found at Cybermonday2011.com, which shows you where to find the latest deals on everything from Uggs to laptops.  And Retail Me Not pulls through as always with the coupon codes for deals and steals around the web.

Workchic.com gives us working women a list of resources for some great deals on work apparel.  Chic-steals.com also helps us out by offering some websites with deals on women's fashions.

Here are a few things I have my eye on...

1.  Body Shop - 3 items for $30...I love their Dream fragrance:  Body Shop 3 for $30

2.  EasyCanvasPrints - 25% off canvas prints...these make awesome gifts!:  Easy Canvas Prints 25% Off

3.  Pantech Tablet - $99...because I just don't have ipad money:  cybermondayonlinedeals.com

Let us know if you got any amazing deals for Black Friday or Cyber Monday that we should be completely jealous about!

Friday, November 18, 2011

{Clock is Ticking for Thanksgiving Orders}


Place your Thanksgiving orders with Sweet Treats by Sunday, November 20th to ensure delivery by Wednesday, November 23rd!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

{"I Brought the Green Bean Casserole!"}

Lol...I'll be the first to admit I'm a total goof.  Everytime I hear the words green bean casserole, I giggle, thanks to the commercial where every holiday guest arrives with a casserole dish claiming that they "brought the green bean casserole!"  My cousin showed up one year and said that at the door, and I needed five minutes to get myself together...and I still chuckle out loud upon reminiscing.  I'm so silly, yes I know. 

Well anyways, with Thanksgiving around the corner, it's time to start assigning out menu items.  If you're the lucky one that gets to bring the green beans, here are a few recipes that may be of interest to you.  And yes...some are green bean casseroles.  Tee hee hee (It gets me every time!)


Blue Cheese Green Bean Casserole from Closet Cooking 


Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter
1 onion (sliced)
1 tablespoon butter
1 8 ounce package crimini mushrooms (sliced or quartered)
2 cloves garlic (chopped)
1 teaspoon thyme (chopped)
salt and pepper to taste
1 splash sherry (or white wine)
1 pound green beans (trimmed and cut into bite sized pieces)
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
1/2 cup blue cheese (crumbled)
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
1 handful french fried onions (home made or canned)


Directions:
1. Melt the butter in a pan.
2. Add the onions and slowly cook until they caramelize, about 20-30 minutes.
3. Add the butter and let it melt.
4. Add the mushrooms and saute until the mushrooms start to caramelize, about 10-15 minutes.
5. Add the garlic, thyme, salt and pepper and saute until fragrant, about a minute.
6. Add the sherry and deglaze the pan.
7. Add the green beans and saute until bright green and just starting to turn tender but still crisp, about 5 minutes.
8. Melt the butter in a small sauce pan.
9. Add the flour and stir until lightly golden brown.
10. Add the milk and simmer until it thickens.
11. Add the blue cheese and simmer until it melts.
12. Add the green beans and mushrooms and toss to coat.
13. Pour the mixture into an 8x8 inch baking dish.
14. Top with the panko bread crumbs and french fried onions.
15. Bake in a preheated 400F oven until the sides are bubbling and the top is golden brown, about 5-10 minutes.


Green Bean Bacon Casserole from SheKnows.com


Ingredients:
  • 2 (16 ounce) cans whole green beans, drained
  • 1/2 cup French dressing
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 6-9 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled

Directions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Mix together the first three ingredients. Spread into a casserole dish and sprinkle the bacon on top.
  2. Bake for 30 minutes.

Garlic-Roasted Green Beans Recipe with Shallots and Almonds from KalynsKitchen.com

Ingredients:
1 lb. fresh green beans (thin beans preferred, but any type will work)
6 shallots, peeled, and cut into thin slivers
5 large cloves garlic, peeled and cut into thin slices
2 T olive oil (original recipe called for 3, but I thought 2 was plenty)
1 tsp. salt (or less)
fresh ground black pepper
1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, very finely chopped
1/4 cup almonds, chopped (I used sliced almonds and only slightly chopped them)
1 tsp. lemon zest

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 450 F. (If you're cooking other things you can use a slightly lower temperature, just increase the time a little.)

Trim ends from green beans. If using thin, long beans, cut in half crosswise into pieces about 2 inches long. Peel and cut shallots and garlic, then place with beans in plastic bowl. Add olive oil, salt, and pepper, and use a wooden spoon to toss until beans, shallots, and garlic are well coated with oil.

Spray roasting pan with nonstick spray or mist with olive oil, then arrange the vegetables in a single layer. (I like to cover the pan with foil, then spray the foil for even easier clean-up.) Roast 12-15 minutes for thin beans, or slightly longer for regular beans, until beans are slightly shriveled, and shallots and garlic are lightly browned.

While beans cook, toss together chopped parsley, chopped almonds and lemon zest. When beans are done, toss hot beans with parsley/lemon/almond mixture and serve immediately.


Sesame Soy Glazed Green Beans from Pen & Fork

Ingredients:
For the beans
1 pound green beans
2 teaspoons peanut (or vegetable oil)
1/2  to 1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
1/4 teaspoon red chile pepper flakes
1 cup sliced red bell pepper (about 1/2 of a large pepper)
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds*

For the glaze
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon cornstarch whisked together with 1 tablespoon cold water (slurry)

Instructions:
Make the beans
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and set up a large bowl of ice water. Drop the beans into the boiling water. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 to 4 minutes. Remove beans with tongs or a slotted spoon and plunge into the ice water.
2. Remove the beans from the ice water after a few minutes, when the beans are cool. Pat dry. Slice the beans, at an angle, into 2-inch, bite-size pieces.

Make the glaze
1. Heat a small skillet over medium-high heat for several minutes. Pour in soy sauce (it will sizzle furiously). Stir in honey and vinegar. Stir in slurry. The mixture should quickly thicken, probably in less than a minute. Remove from heat and set aside.
2. Heat the peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the green beans and stir to coat with the oil. Stir in the garlic, ginger and pepper flakes. Saute for another minute or two. Stir in the glaze, tossing to coat and cook just until heated through. Remove from heat.
3. Place the beans on a serving platter and sprinkle with the toasted sesame seeds.
* To toast sesame seeds, heat a small, dry skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the sesame seeds. Shake the pan occasionally to prevent burning the seeds. The seeds are toasted when they turn a shade darker and smell nutty. It should take about 5 minutes, give or take.


Fried Green Beans from naturallyella.com 
Ingredients:
  • 2 dozen green beans
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 cup panko
  • 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 tablespoon oregano
  • Enough oil to fry beans
Instructions:
  1. Set-up a breading station ( 1/2 flour, milk, and 1/2 panko.) I pulsed the panko, garlic powder, and oregano together in a food processor so that the panko was fine.
  2. Start by rolling the bean in flour, dip it in the milk, and roll it in the panko mixture. Place in a bowl. Once all the green beans are through, repeat so that each bean is double breaded.
  3. Heat oil to 350˚. Place green beans in oil without crowding. Let fry until breading is golden- 3 to 4 minutes. Remove with tongs and place on sheets of paper towels.
Notes:
Would also work to bake.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

{B.O.L.O: Girl Scout Cookie Lip Gloss}

For those that are unfamiliar with CSI, SVU, Criminal Minds, and other crime show drama / real life cop lingo...B.O.L.O  means Be on the Look-Out.  And we at DC Sweet Treats are putting you on notice Lip Smackers is introducing a line of Girl Scout Cookie-inspired lipgloss.


Stylist.com reports that the lipgloss will be available in your local drugstores and beauty aisles for the holiday season.  This is great news!  You can enjoy Thin Mints for hours, and not worry about your waist line.  Personally, I'm a Samoa girl...but I also enjoy being able to fit into my jeans.  So maybe just using the lipgloss will satisfy my appetite for an entire box of cookies.  My guess is probably not. 

The gift set includes Girl Scout favorites Chocolate Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter, Thin Mints, Trefoils, and Coconut Caramel Stripes.  The set will be in stores such as Walmart and Claire's for as low as $5.  And if you're like me and prefer a lot of shine, the liquid glosses will be hitting the shelves in early 2012.

{Squash Cupcakes}


{omg i feel like i could just dip my finger right into that cream cheese icing! }                                          

Though this is a recipe for Summer Squash Cupcakes, squash makes me think of pumpkins, which make me think of fall, which makes me think of Thanksgiving.  And this recipe sounds like it'd be perfect for your Thanksgiving festivities or for a sweet treat that won't make you feel completely guilty.

This recipe, from Garden Betty is simple, and most of the ingredients are probably already in your kitchen.  And if you're a gardner, you may be able to stroll out to your garden and grab the perfect squash for this recipe.

Sweet Summer Squash Cupcakes
Makes 12 cupcakes

Ingredients:
Dry ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Wet ingredients
2 eggs
1/3 cup olive oil
1 3/4 cups grated summer squash

Cream cheese frosting
4 tablespoons butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar

Method:
1.     Preheat oven to 350°F.

2.     In a medium bowl, combine all the dry ingredients and set aside.

3.     In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and olive oil together. Add the grated summer squash and mix well.

4.     Add the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon until the batter is evenly mixed.

5.     Using a spoon, divide the batter evenly among a lined muffin pan. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.

6.     Meanwhile, make the cream cheese frosting. In a small bowl, combine the butter and cream cheese using a pastry blender, electric mixer, or good ol’ fashioned fork.

7.     Remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool slightly. Take the cupcakes out of the pan and arrange on a wire rack to let them cool down.

8.     Add the powdered sugar and mix it all together until the consistency is smooth and even.

9.     Spread the frosting over the cooled cupcakes using a small spatula.

For illustrations that accompany this recipe, visit Garden Betty's Blog.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

{It's Pashmina Weather}

It seems like almost with the turn back of the clocks for Daylight Savings Time, the temperatures outside immediately dropped, signaling that winter is around the corner.  While the days will be shorter outside, the cooler temps and darkness brighten my life for one reason, and one reason alone:  it's time to pull out my pashminas!!
 

{Jennifer Aniston looking chic and casual in her blue pashmina}


{ Halle looking absolutely gorgeous in ivory dress and pashmina }

The pashmina is my FAVORITE winter accessory, and if I'm being honest...I don't wait for winter to wear them.  These lovely neck cozies can be worn year round, especially if you work in an air-conditioned building, are going to an evening event where the temp may dip at night, or if you want something to cover your arms when you wear a sleeveless top.  I rarely go anywhere without one on my neck or in my bag because...you just never know when you might catch a chill.

Throw it on casually with your jean jacket as you head out to grab Starbucks, or put it on as a shawl with your evening gown on your way to a gala.  Pashminas come in pretty much every color under the sun and so many tons of fun designs like paisleys, florals, and geometric patterns.  They can help to bring out a color in your outfit, compliment something you're wearing, or match perfectly with your monochromatic ensemble.  And honestly...there's no rule that it has to match at all. 

From sweat pants to evening gown, I can't think of anything that a pashmina won't go with beautifully, which is why I LOVE them so!  If you're getting married, they are an awesome bridal party gift, and if you want to just say thank you to somebody special, it's a thoughtful and affordable token of appreciation. 

Check out wholesalers like The Pashmina Store, Belt Outlet, or Amazing Collections where prices are as low as $6.95 and the options are plentiful.  Priced from as low as $5 up to $100 or more, you can find so many options for this must-have accessory.  If you live in a city like DC or New York, your corner street vendor probably has a pretty awesome selection for about $5 to $10.  Here are a few that I found online that are pretty cute.


{ Chocolate Brown: Target - $14.99 }
   
{Red and Blue Denim with Paisley: Shopping Flu - $12.99 }
 

{ Fuschia: Ebay - $13.99 plus shipping }
 
{ Mustard with Design: Jasmine Scarfs on Etsy - $28 }

And if you need pashmina inspiration, I'm loving VeryPashmina.com's Celebrity Scarf Style Blog where everybody from Roseanne to Jessica Alba to Chris Martin to Diddy is spotted out and about in their pashminas. 

No really...I said Diddy. 


Funny pashmina fact: 
It's taken me about three years to program my mom NOT to call it a "pashimmy".  lol. 

Monday, November 7, 2011

{Monday Morning Blog Reading}

I might be biased...because I think cats are just the cutest things on earth, aside from panda bears and puppies and kittens...and of course, babies...but this particular pic on  Cupcakes and Cashmere's blog completely made me smile on this Monday morning.  Kitty love is so adorable!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

{November Specials!}

Ginger Snaps - 2 Dozen for $12!!
Coconut Cake - $25!!



Friday, November 4, 2011

{Sweet Treats Tweets!}

DC Sweet Treats is pleased to announce that we are now on Twitter!  Follow us!  Our name is @dcsweettreats! 

Thursday, November 3, 2011

{Cinnamon Stick Candles}

I love finding chic, easy, decor ideas.  This idea for table decor found on Home Stories A2Z by way of Youplusdallas.com certainly fit the bill!  Not only is it cute and easy, but cinnamon is my FAVORITE home fragrance!  Well actually, it's apple cinnamon, but...cinnamon is part of that.  Check out the blog post for easy directions on creating this look for your own home.



{Gorgeous Lentil Tablescape}

I now have a new-found appreciation for lentils!  How gorgeous of an idea is this for your fall tablescape!?  And thanks to the instructions from HGTV, you and the kids can make this a fun home project!  This will give you and the fam something to talk about over Thanksgiving dinner when the convo about travel time and traffic starts running a little dry.


Materials and Tools:
assortment of miniature, small and medium pumpkins (orange and white foam craft variety)
assortment of pillar candles (green, white, rust and yellow)
double-sided adhesive sheets (available at craft stores)
ruler
pencil
scissors
split peas
dried lentils (various colors and sizes)
beans
pie plates
 
Steps:
1. Pour lentils to almost fill pie plates, one color lentil per plate.
 
2. Cut strips of adhesive to form the band, strips can range from one to three inches wide, depending on the size of the pumpkins. Tip: Visually, it's best if the adhesive strips cover approximately one-third of the pumpkin.
 
3. Remove one side of paper from the adhesive and wrap around the middle of the pumpkin. Remove the remaining paper backing. Add additional strips of adhesive until there is a continuous band around the middle of the pumpkin.
 
4. Roll the exposed adhesive in the lentils, pressing the lentils into the adhesive to affix. Use fingers to place additional lentils in areas where they do not completely cover the adhesive.
 
5. Press all lentils gently to make sure they are secure and repeat for remaining pumpkins.
 
6. Cut strips of adhesive that equal the height of each candle, minus two inches.
 
7. Wrap the adhesive around the candles in the same manner as the pumpkins, leaving an inch of candle color exposed at the top and bottom and roll the exposed adhesive in the lentils to cover.
 
8. To create a colorful tablescape, pour additional lentils onto table in a colorful pattern. Place pumpkins and candles on the bed of lentils. Raise some pumpkins and candles by placing them on stands or candleholders.
 
Note: To store this decoration for future use, wrap candles and pumpkins in wax paper to keep lentils attached and store in a cool, dry place.


{Adorable Apple Cider}

I can't say I'm a humungous fan of apple cider.  But I surely would have six servings just to be able to drink it out of something as adorable as this!  A mug made out of an apple!  HOW ADORABLE!!!  Use this low-cal recipe from Better Homes and Gardens at your upcoming fall fiesta.


Ingredients
·       8 cups apple cider or apple juice
·       1/4 - 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
·       6 sticks of cinnamon
·       1 teaspoon whole allspice
·       1 teaspoon whole cloves
·       small apple slices
 
Directions
1. In a saucepan combine cider and brown sugar. For spice bag, tie cinnamon, allspice, and cloves in double layer of 100-percent-cotton cheesecloth. Add the spice bag to the cider mixture.

2. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the spice bag; discard. Serve cider in mugs with small apple slices, if desired. Makes 8 (about 8-ounce) servings.

{Owl Smores}

OMG...lol...the picture of this little guy made me have to write a quick post about this!  This is so adorable!! 


Recipe for Owl Smores from Living Locurto.  Be sure to check out her coordinating printables!

Ingredients:
  • graham crackers
  • marshmallows
  • chocolate chips
  • yellow candy melts
  • candy corn
Directions:
  1. Cut one marshmallow in half and place both pieces on a large graham cracker (2 stuck together).
  2. Put a candy melt on top of the marshmallows.
  3. Heat in the microwave for about 2-5 seconds, just enough to make the marshmallows puff up, but not get too hot.
  4. Take out of microwave and add a chocolate chip on the yellow candy melt and the candy corn beak while the marshmallows and candy are still warm. Everything should stick together nicely.
  5. Let cool and serve! You can make these the night before a party and everything is still very tasty.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

{Cupcake Wrappers}

Cupcakes seem to have taken on a life of their own these days.  They come in tons of fabulous flavors and colors, and have an infinite number of decoration styles.  It seems like there's always something new being done to turn every cupcake into a work of art.  And now, there are cupcake wrappers. 

Cupcake wrappers turn an already awesome cupcake into a presentation piece.  It adds whimsy to your baby shower sweets presentation or class to your bridal shower dessert table.  Here are some cupcake wrappers that I found online that I love!

Cupcake wrappers with hearts and customized lacy message from livelaughlovelots on Etsy


Lacy Heart Wrapper from PME Arts & Crafts


Cookies and Milk Cupcake Wrapper from RV Parties on Etsy


Patterned Wrappers to coordinate with your wedding or party theme at My Wedding Favors, Etc.


And if you're feeling adventurous, you can always turn cupcake wrappers into a DIY project.  Here are instructions on making a doily cupcake wrapper at Something Old, Something New


Or if you have your own awesome paper, but just need a cupcaker wrapper template, use this free template download and tutorial from Paperie Crafts


 
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