Monday, January 30, 2012

Vanilla Sugar Scrub


On our honeymoon in Greece, I had the beyond delightful experience of getting a chocolate massage... Yes, a massage that used melted chocolate instead of lotion, and it was fabulous. This amazing-ness ended with a sugar scrub, and ever since then I keep thinking how I need to get some of that stuff, so voila, I made my own this weekend!

This is beyond simple and super handy: it makes your skin very soft and moisturized, which is very important in our Colorado climate!

Here is what I used:
- 8 oz. jar
- 3/8 cup white sugar
- 3/8 cup brown sugar
- Enough olive oil to cover the sugar *(see note below)
- 1 tsp of vanilla extract

Step 1: Fill the jar with both the white and brown sugar.

Step 2: Add the olive oil and vanilla and stir! Done!

*Next time, I think I will definitely use almond oil, and maybe a relaxing essential oil like lavender as an alternative to vanilla. The olive oil smell was a bit too strong for me. Enjoy!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Fabulous (and super delicious) Homemade Bread

A couple months ago I thought I would try my hand at baking my own bread (who doesn't love warm, delicious, homemade carbs?) We don't have a bread machine, so I used my trusty KitchenAid mixer to knead the dough, and it turned out great! I have been making this yummy recipe ever since.


Aaron and I have been trying to reduce the amount of white flour that we eat, so I have started using King Arthur's White Whole Wheat flour, which has all the nutrients of traditional red whole wheat flour, but a milder taste and color, definitely worth a try! I use it for 3 of the 6 cups of flour this recipe calls for.

Here are the ingredients you'll need to make 3 loaves of bread (the original recipe yields 6 loaves, but that is way too many for our household!):

- 1/4 cup warm water
- 2 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons bread flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar
- 1 cup of oats
- 1/4 cup milled flax seed
- 1 cup white whole wheat flour
- 2 1/4 cup warm water
- 2 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1/3 cup of brown sugar (I often add a bit more!)
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil (I tried walnut oil this time since it is better for you)
- 2 cups white whole wheat flour
- 3 cups bread flour
- 2 tablespoons of vital wheat gluten


Step 1:
In the mixer bowl, combine 1/4 cup warm water, 1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar, 2 tablespoons bread flour, and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes, it will begin to bubble almost immediately.

Step 2:
Add oats, flax seed, 2 1/4 cups warm water, 1 cup whole wheat flour, salt, brown sugar, and 1/3 cup of oil to the mixing bowl. Mix on low speed with a dough hook for a few minutes. 

Step 3:
Increase the mixer speed slightly (I keep mine on 2), and gradually add the white whole wheat and bread flour, as well as the vital wheat gluten, 1/2 to 1 cup at a time until the dough pulls away from the edge of the bowl (you may not need all 5 additional cups of flour).

However, don't forget to use the mixer shield, or you'll end up with flour everywhere, like this (oops!):


Step 4:
Place the dough in an oiled bowl, turning it over to coat the surface. Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour. Since it's winter, and there isn't an area in our house above 68°, I learned this little trick: set the oven to 400° for one minute, turn it off, and place the dough inside!

Step 5: 
Do something fun, you have a whole hour! Aaron and I went on a 30 minute hike near our house, and were back with 7 minutes to spare. Check out this lovely view of Pikes Peak!


Step 6:


Take the dough out of the bowl and divide it into 3 pieces. I form one into the shape of my loaf pan, and the other 2 into balls, which I place on a cookie sheet. Let the 3 loaves rise for another hour, or until they have risen a considerable amount.

Step 7: (final step!)
Once the dough has risen, I score the top of the circular loaves with an "X" and the rectangular loaf with a slash. Once that is done, you're ready to bake them! 
Set the oven to 350° and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the tops are browned. 
Let cool on a wire rack.

Ta Da! Fabulously delicious homemade (and healthy) bread! Slap some butter on these guys and you're ready to go. 


Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Hunting for the perfect piece....

After a very productive trip to IKEA with my sweet friends, Vicki, who is an amazing designer and her awesome daughter Megan, I am getting increasingly inspired to redecorate and revamp our current home decor! We have this little wall to the left of our front door entrance, and I think it is just screaming for a beautiful piece of furniture to fill it.

I first saw this great nightstand at IKEA, and although the style and color are similar to what I am going for, however, I prefer a somewhat more traditional and classic look (or maybe a little less "brand new..." Does that make sense?).
So it is off to hunt for an older cabinet or dresser that I can repaint. I love the character that an old piece of furniture can bring to a room; for me, it gives off a different feel than shiny new pieces! Check out these fabulous examples below...
(Centsational Girl)

(Design Sponge)

 (Centsational Girl)

And the ultimate beauty:


Here are some of the items we found on our first round of searching (lots, and lots of searching). Unfortunately, none of them came super close to what I am hoping for... 




We will see what Aaron and I eventually find. This isn't going to be easy, especially because I tend to be picky... Who knows, maybe I will even end up with the IKEA nightstand! Wish us luck! 

Monday, January 2, 2012

New Year's Eve: Broadmoor Style!


Aaron and I were so excited to spend New Year's Eve at our absolute favorite (and very fabulous) place in Colorado Springs: The Broadmoor Hotel! Aaron discovered this beautiful resort when he planned our engagement weekend, two years ago on New Year's Day, 2010.


Our room- (There is even a "B" carved into the headboard!)

We love everything about the Broadmoor; it is pristinely designed and decorated, with no detail left undone, the staff is always friendly and welcoming, but first and foremost, their buffet breakfast is to die for! They have everything a foodie could ever want. Heaps of fruit and berries (no matter what time of year) topped with a delicious vanilla sauce, an omelet station, belgian waffles (and whipped cream!), eggs, bacon, biscuits, donuts, and much more. The best part: it was even more spectacular for New Year's Day! Aaron and I frequent this affair almost once a month, arriving with the premeditated knowledge that we will likely feel absolutely sick afterwards. Yet, despite the very full tummies, it is always a sweet time for us get away and reminisce about the special times we've had at the Broadmoor!  

Yummy!