Orange & Ginger Apple Cider Shandy #howsweetbabyshower

Stealthy Recipes by JESSICA0 comments

Today I am taking part of a virtual celebration of sorts for one of my dearest friends, as arranged by the hilarious Bev (that Instagram, tho.) and the lovely Ashley! As I’m sure most of you know, Jessica (of How Sweet It Is) is having a baby! A baby who I think might actually come out covered in sprinkles. But like in a cute way, not a weird “wtf is my baby covered in sprinkles?” way. She also just wrote a book. You should order it. Trust me.

apple cider shandy

Mine and Jess’ friendship was pretty much instantaneous. I think we first bonded over a girl crush on Miranda Lambert and obsession with Felicity, but through this magical world of blogging have since become a real-life friends and I’m so grateful for that. Few people appreciate/share my over-usage of exclamation points, “OMG”s and love of television quite like she does, and also she’s just a pretty great friend all around. When I first started dealing with my fertility issues, Jess was one of the only people I talked to about it, and she will forever have a place in my heart for that.

SO… In honor of the lovely Jessica…

How Sweet Final Graphic

 (Amazing job with the graphic, Ashley.)

I made something boozy. And perfect for fall!

apple cider shandy

Ok, so maybe you’re thinking I’m a crappy friend for choosing to make a cocktail for a baby shower. But that’s where you’re wrong. A- I’m an awesome friend so your theory is already bunk. And 2, I know that Jess loves her a seasonal cocktail and so I’m taking one for the team and drinking this in her honor. See? Best friend ever.

This cocktail is one that I have been thinking about since I first saw fresh apple cider make its way into my grocery store. I wanted to make something adult-beverage-y with it, but since I’m not a big liquor person, I went the beer route. The great thing about this drink is that it’s light enough you can have a few, it is only half a beer after all, and it’s not too sweet …

Back to Life

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Good news, friends. After lots of lounging around and a mini-coma this weekend (aka I slept almost 24 hours total) I am feeling back to my boisterous self again.

Actually that’s a horrible adjective to describe me, but a fun word, so it stays.

So as I mentioned, I had a fabulous little last-minute trip to Atlantic City, NJ Thursday night, and it was everything I’d hoped it would be and more. We stayed at Harrah’s (which is where we stayed in Vegas, coincidentally) and despite a few questionable stains we found upon arriving in our room (shudder), it was really nice. Much to our pleasant surprise, there was some sort of Miss America Senior pageant going on, which as you can imagine was pretty amazing. Those ladies were killing it in their tiaras and sashes.
And believe it or not, this was the closest I’ve gotten to going to a beach this year.

Harrahs sunset

The view from our room

We definitely have a lot of fun, but the true highlight of the night (for me) was the Journey tribute band, Separate Ways, who rocked. Hard. The lead singer looked and sounded just like Steve Perry (the original Journey front man), and they played all my faves. During Any Way You Want It, I may have been pulled up on stage, and I may have danced & sang along to Any Way You Want It. Thankfully any photographic/video evidence of that was promptly deleted at my request demand. But I can certainly promise you that I both looked and sounded way better in my head than in real life. Shocking, I know.

(Side note: I also highly suspect said lead singer was former child actor Danny Cooksey who played Budnick on Salute Your Shorts, but with dark hair.)

You decide:

VS

Journey

 

RIGHT??

So anyways, that was super fun. Then we hit up the Gypsy Bar at the Borgata and danced to some classic 90’s jams for a while. (Biz Markie and Vanilla Ice? Yes please.) My feet were none too pleased the next day, but that’s the price to …

Lust List

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Perhaps a more appropriate name for this post would be:

“Things I really really want but no way in hell can afford.”
Just doesn’t have the same ring to it.

Also I may have just checked, re-checked, then triple checked my bank account juuuust to make sure I didn’t accidentally misplace, oh say, $1000. Sigh. Still empty.

Despite probably having to sell plasma or play my guitar on the street corner to even afford one of these items, I present to you:

My Fall 2011 Lust List:

Let’s do this.

1. Lace-up ankle booties

From Piperlime.com

Not only am I 99% sure my American Girls Doll had these exact shoes (perhaps with a tad smaller heel), but just the sight of them makes me want to re-watch the entire Anne of Green Gables series and say pretentious things in an old school house building. These paired with a longer-length full a-line skirt and a pair of bright, patterned tights would be super chic. Loves.

2. And speaking of skirts…

Teal the Deal Skirt

Modcloth.com

Not only do I love the color of this skirt (teal is one of the on-trend colors this fall), but I adore the fullness of it. It feels really Mad Men and whimsical, and is long enough to wear to work, which at my ripe old age of 28 is a huge bonus when buying apparel these days. Also… it’s only $29.99. I could just eat Ramen for a week and totally budget for this one.

3. Red Skinny Cords

Vintage matchstick cord

From J. Crew

I love that brightly-colored corduroy and denim are so popular right now, and I’ve been praying every night that the Pants Fairy send me a cherry red pair. And world peace. However I suspect the Pants Fairy doesn’t have a lot to do with that one… She can put a word in for me with the Peace Fairy.

4. A Stand Out Swing Jacket

Ascot Swing Coat

Anthro

The color… the bow… the nod to mod… there isn’t one thing about this jacket that doesn’t make me a little bit giddy. I would probably put my hair up in a …

Short & Sweet

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Oh hey again. I know right, 2 posts in one day, kind of impressive…

But I merely just wanted to let you all know something, as I said, short and sweet, and by sweet I of course mean…
(drum roll please)

The return of the Blogger Sweet Swap!

 

This time the theme is Fall Faves! You’ll get paired up with another blogger (readers can play too!) and send them your favorite fall-themed treat, whatever it may be. (I’ve heard some rumblings of pumpkin around the blogosphere lately…) Either way, do whatever you have to do to make your house smell like a Yankee Candle, and join in the fun!

If you sat on the benches last time and drooled from afar, now is your chance to participate. No one is expecting Top Chef Desserts here, people, just have fun and connect with some of the other fabulous bloggers out there! Oh and get some delicious sugary treats, obviously…

All you have to do is email me (ssh.jessica@gmail.com) or Amy, my lovely partner in crime (secondcityrandomness@gmail.com) by October 4th, and we’ll get you signed up and paired off by October 6th. Be sure to include your mailing address and if you have any dislikes or allergies!
We’re asking that all baked goods be mailed no later than Monday, October 17th, (so please be sure this is not a conflict for you!)

Rules:

1. Each participant should send approximately a dozen of whatever treat they choose to make. (12 cookies, brownie pan to serve 12, etc). Of course, you are allowed to send more, but please keep the minimal to 12.

2. Pairs will be finalized and notified by October 6th and the delicious treats should be shipped by October 17th. We just ask that you be respectful of others and try to get them out before, or as close to that date as possible.

3. Tell Amy & Jess how much you love them for organizing this fantastic operation. (this one is optional…)

*Disclaimer- the organizers of this bake swap are merely responsible for matching the participants, and are not …

Black Bean Veggie Burgers

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You know what’s great about a vegetarian diet?

…No seriously, tell me because the last five days have consisted of me opening and then closing, opening and then closing the refrigerator, skipping the entire back wall of the grocery store (they have bacon back there people, BACON) and waking up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat and shouting “LUNCH MEAT!”

 

Alright, maybe some of those things aren’t true…ok none of them are true, but the point…the point is, being a vegetarian is hard work, y’all.

 

It was easy for me to say, “Oh, I could totally be a vegetarian.” I don’t eat red meat very often, and I regulary incorporate so many vegetables and grains and beans already.
False. It’s hard. Not every meal, or even every day. But when you cook dinner every single night and have to think of something other than ground turkey or chicken to start with, it’s a challenge. And for some crazy reason I decided to eliminate fish and eggs as well. I’m obviously a masochist.

However with the challenges do come a lot of positives. Firstly, eating a dinner where the main ingredient was never a character in a Disney movie is nice. (To this day I will never, I repeat, never eat venison. Or watch Bambi again because I bawl like a baby every time.) Also, even though I still feel full after a vegetarian meal, it’s different. I don’t feel tired or weighed down. I feel satisfied and even energized.

So when I started planning my meals, there was one that I knew I would be making. I saw this recipe on the lovely Andie‘s blog, of whom I just adore, and am inspired by daily to be a better writer. I just can’t say enough good things about this chick, so if you are by any slim chance not familiar with her blog- get familiar with it. But just not until you finish reading this because her pictures literally blow mine out of the water and I’ve already been embarrassed enough today. (Just found …

Fish Tacos and April Bridal Showers

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First things first. I have a teeny little bone to pick with the Universe.

Why, oh why, have you kept us from each other for so long, Universe? Was I not ready until now for this amazing experience? In the past when I heard the name, I was put off. Why? I’m not sure. But I am the first to admit I have misjudged and for that I’m sorry.

I’m of course talking about… fish tacos. Crispy, spicy light and fresh, fish tacos.

Fish Tacos

Where have you been all my life?

Oh, fish tacos. I still don’t know how you’ve eluded me all these years but I have a feeling we’re going to have quite a few more rendezvous in our future. And no, I haven’t forgotten about you, Senorita…

You bet your ass I want salt on the rim.

Yes, it was another successful Mexican dinner run. Most are. And most are usually done in no more than 30 minutes. (How do they do it??) And this was an extra special trip because it was accompanied by some last-minute preparations for my dear friend Christine’s Bridal Shower the next day! We ran ourselves all over the place, and it was well worth it, because her Shower turned out beautifully. I was so honored to be a part such a special day 🙂

Plus any excuse to eat a bunch of food, drink in the middle of the day and wear a cute dress that doesn’t have to be ”work-appropriate”, I mean…

I whipped together a few things (including some pretty amazing champagne punch that pleasantly surprised me) but one of the things I made was this super easy veggie pizza. This is one of my go-to party foods for a few reasons. I use low-fat ingredients and load it up with veggies, you can eat it with your hands and it has bright bold flavors and a great crunch to it. Plus did I mention it’s incredible easy to make? Cause it is.

Broccoli Slaw Veggie Pizza
You’ll Need:
2 crescent roll sheets, reduced-fat
8 oz 1/3 less fat Philadelphia …