Spring Chicken

If Bakerella's Spring Chickens cake-pops don't put you in the mood for spring, I don't know what will. So so cute!!

In Season: Pumpkin Spice Latte

Are you loving the sudden change from summer to fall? It was sunny + warm on Saturday here in Cincinnati (although it did get a little chilly that night), but the next day definitely called for cords and long-sleeves! Crazy how it changes so quickly. But I'm really loving it. I finally feel as though ordering a pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks is allowed. But one better than that is this recipe to make the same drink in the comfort of your own home!

Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes

Ready in: 7 minutes

Ingredients
2 tablespoons canned pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger brewed espresso

Directions
Brew your espresso. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, whisk together the pumpkin, vanilla, sugar, pumpkin pie spice and milk. Warm over medium heat, whisking constantly, until hot and frothy. Do not bring to a boil. Pour the espresso into a mug and pour the pumpkin spiced milk over it.

Enjoy the tastes of the season! xo, Alicia

[Photo credit: jlynne photography]

September + Apples

I love to go to the apple orchards in the fall. So I was excited when I found this super easy apple tart recipe from The Pioneer Woman. I am picking up puff pastry + apples on the way home and making this as soon as possible!

Ice Cream Treats

Have you been able to enjoy some sort of ice cream treat yet this summer? Well, if you haven't (like me), I found these gorgeous and yummy-looking ideas from Martha Stewart today + wanted to share them with you! Since summer is almost over (seriously, September is in four days??), we better hurry and make these! I thought these three looked especially good (although there are 60 total ideas...). From top to bottom: Malted Milk Shakes, Brownie-and-Peanut-Butter Ice Cream Sandwiches, Ice Cream Cupcakes.

Easy Recipe to get you through the Week

If you have never tried a southern-inspired shrimp and grits recipe before, you are truly missing out! Lucky for you I have a great, easy, and quick recipe {compliments of my sweet aunt Jeanette, who is an awesome cook!} to share with you! This is seriously so easy and not a lot of prep or ingredients. Perfect for weeknights.

Shrimp and Grits

Ingredients:
4 cups of chicken broth
1 cup of grits
1 cup of shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Green onion, chopped
1 pound of small shrimp (already cooked)
1 (10 oz.) can of green chilies (drained)
1 can of diced tomatoes

Directions:
Bring chicken broth to boil and add grits. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Stir grits and cheese together. Add onion, green chilies, tomatoes, and shrimp. Put in casserole dish and spread some cheese on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes. Enjoy!

(*When I make this, I use a can of tomatoes that has green chilies in it already.)

Weekend Recap and Great Finds

Monday rolls around again...a fresh start to a new week. It's really wet here in Cincinnati (slow front moving in...rain all week), but it's sooo green! Very lovely.

{credit via syal8r}

Last night I made the Congo Bars I told you about before.

{credit via bakerella}

They. were. amazing. Everyone else thought so too! We ate them while they were still warm with vanilla ice cream. YUM!

And now for some great finds:

These Furoshiki Shiki Card Holders are great for protecting and carrying your business cards or social calling cards! They come in shades of pink, green, and yellow. How cute!


My friend Sarah (who now has two sweet baby boys) just reopened her etsy shop, Jack and Izzy, after a maternity leave of absence! Check out her things! She is so talented and throws the cutest parties.


This print is available through annechovie's etsy shop! I love it and think it would be so fun to buy, and then surprise my husband by hanging it up [see if he notices it:) ]. It sums us up perfectly!

Let me know of some other great finds! As always, thanks for reading and happy Monday!
xo, Alicia

{Inspiration} St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day, for me, is one of those holidays where I'm not really sure exactly what I'm celebrating (I know he was the patron saint of Ireland, but why do we celebrate in America?? And by drinking green beer?!). Anyway, don't worry, I've always worn green on the day because sometimes it's fun to have a reason for the day to be special, even if I'm not sure exactly what the reason is! In high school, my friends and I would make up holidays just for that reason--because it makes a day so much more fun and enjoyable if you think there's something particularly special about it, don't you think?

This day is also fun for me because my husband comes from Irish descent AND his name is Patrick. A couple years ago, my cousin (who was three at the time) made the connection between MY Patrick's name and the holiday. He would tell his mom how he wanted to go visit "St. Patrick." I love stuff like that--so cute!

In honor of the upcoming holiday, here are some "best of the web" photos to draw inspiration from and enjoy from Hostess with the Mostess:

Above are some pretty and chic ways to incorporate green and celebrate the holiday

And don't forget Irish fare--recipes here

Tomorrow I will unveil some notecards that can make this holiday extra special for you and your friends alike!

P.S. As a side note, I think it's very fun how Old Navy makes t-shirts (only $5) to wear on the day!