Halloween Jewelry

In case you haven't picked up on this...I love Halloween.  This season I have made many additions to my collection of Halloween themed jewelry pieces.   I try to shy away from things that are orange and black with "Happy Halloween" written on them.  The pieces I own are just as tacky just in a different sort of way...

This is a lovely skeleton bracelet.  She has heart eyes and little pink bow.

I picked this little guy up off Ebay. He's a jack'o lantern necklace that also has storage for very tiny things.  I have't a clue what would ever go in there...

This goth looking cameo what picked up at a craft sale that benefitted a local animal shelter.  I love animals.

I really like these spider earrings.  They are Betsey Johnson and they are awesome.  You may be able to find these at you local Nordstrom Rack or on Ebay. 

I found these pendants at the Hyde Park art fair.  The one on the left is an anatomical heart and the one on the right is a tree.  Both are made from bottle caps.

This set is also Betsey Johnson and features one of my favorite Halloween creatures...the bat.  I found the necklace on Ebay and the ring at Nordstrom Rack.

This may take the cake for tacky strange jewelry and I think its wonderful.  Its a betsey Johnson snake necklace that I picked up at Nordstrom Rack.

Betsey Johnson spider necklace.  I have a lot of Betsey things.

Turquoise skull earrings from a street fair in Evanston.

Last but not least my mother got me this skull necklace for Christmas last year.  It is, of course, Betsey Johnson.

Baked Zucchini Rounds

Saturday I took my first trip to the Downer's Grove farmers market.  I was pleasantly surprised with the array of fresh meat, cheese, flowers, fruits and veggies they had.  One of the things I picked up was some zucchini.  I decided to try out a bite size appetizer type dish, except it was my dinner.

Ingredients:

1 large zucchini

Parmesan Cheese

Mozzarella Cheese

Sun Dried Tomatoes

2 tbsp butter

Directions:

1) Preheat the oven to 350. Slice the zucchini in 1/4 inch thick slices

2) In a bowl melt 2 tbsp butter.  Toss the sliced zucchini in the butter.

3) Lay the zucchini in a single layer on a cookie sheet.

4) Sprinkle the slices with parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.

5) Bake for 7-10 min.  While cooking slice up some sun dried tomatoes.

6) Once the slices are done top with sun dried tomato slices.

7) Then add cheese.

8) Place back in the oven until the cheese melts.

3 Cheese Bow-ties with Bacon and Chicken

 This is the first meal I cooked in my new apartment.  I didn't take quite as many pictures as I would have liked, but I was busy entertaining my guests.  You're all smart people, I'm sure you can figure it out.  It was really good so give it a try.

Ingredients:

3 tbsp butter

3 tbsp flour

2 cups milk

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

7 slices provolone cheese

1/2 cup shredded italian cheese blend

2 chicken breasts

1 lb bacon

1 12oz box bow tie pasta
Red pepper flakes
Sun dried tomoatoes

(Note: I really like meat... you don't have to use near that much chicken or bacon)

Directions:

1) Boil the chicken breast until fully cooked.

2) While the chicken is cooking you can also begin cooking the bacon.  I find the easiest way is to use kitchen shears to cut the bacon into half inch pieces.

3) Once all the bacon is cut, fry it up.

4) Once the chicken is done remove it from the pan and cut it into bite size pieces. Set it aside.

5) Remove the bacon from the frying pan and set on a paper towel to drain off some of the fat. Set it aside.

6) In a large pot get some water boiling.  Don' forget to salt the water.  Once the water reaches a rolling boil add the entire box of pasta and cook on medium high heat until tender.

7) Once the pasta is done drain it and set aside.

8) In a medium sauce pan, combine 3 tbsp of butter and 3 tbsp of flour on medium low heat.  Stir together using a wooden spoon. If you don't have one don't worry, a regular spoon will do.  The result of mixing these should be a pasta like consistency.  If its too thick add more butter.

9) Kick the heat up to medium and add 2 cups of milk.  Whisk like crazy until the majority of the lumps are gone.  Bring this mixture to a boil and let it boil until it thickens up a bit.

10) Now is the best part.  Add the cheese.  All of it.  And turn the heat to low.  Slowly mix until all the cheese is melted.  

11) Once the cheese is melted add salt and red pepper flakes to taste.

12) Pour this awesome sauce over the pasta and mix it all up.  Gently fold in the chicken, bacon, and sliced sun dried tomatoes and dig in.

Halloween Decor Part 1

Today I began to put up my vast amount of Halloween decorations.  Of all the rooms I could have picked I chose to start in the bathroom.  This is probably because I've never really decorated my bathroom before and my new place has a seriously kick-ass bathroom.

I picked a grey and black shower curtain and matching towels when I moved so that they would go with any holiday stuff I wanted to put up.  I must say so far its working quite well.

In this picture you can see my shower curtain (Bed, Bath and Beyond), towels, and festive bath rug (Target).

This is one set of towels and my cute box of tissues.  I bought it because it had bats. I LOVE bats.

My second set of towels also features bats. Surprise Surprise.

I have an awesome counter top that feature not one but TWO sinks.  Each sink has a Halloween foaming soap dispenser (Bath and Body Works) ...

 

and an orange candle in a haunted house candle holder (Kohl's) between them.  

 

 I also covered the lights and half the mirror in cobwebs.  Luckily I'm short and the webs won't get in the way. But even if they did...

 

Second Mirror!! and also a 2nd counter top.  I told you my bathroom was kick ass.  Here I have a skull, a candle holder and another Halloween tissue box.

 

These little web stickers and spiders are all over the bathroom.  I think they are beyond cool and may have to purchase some more.  You can find them at Target and they are only $5!!  They also have bats. Don't worry, those will show up later.

 

 

Feel free to comment if you want specifics on where I got things or if you have any suggestions.

 

Spiked Berry Cider

The air outside is getting crisp.  I decided to make this warm drink to relax with while I watch the finale of Masterchef this evening. Go Christine!

Ingredients:

1) 1 packed spiced apple cider

2) 1 oz pomegranate Schnapps

3) .5 oz raspberry vodka

Directions:

1) Empty cider packet into your favorite mug

2) Heat up one cup of water.   I LOVE my electric kettle.

3) Pour water in mug and mix it up.

4) Add vodka

5) Add Schnapps

6) Enjoy!  Super quick and easy, and oh so yummy.  Perfect for any fall evening.