simply indulge

a new beginning

2006-04-11T15:44:00.000-07:00

I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is I'll be working as a contributing editor for Boutique Cafe's website in a new feature called the Daily Dish. We'll be reviewing products of interest to moms and kids alike (kind of like what I do on my blog). The bad news is I won't be able to keep up both my blog and the Daily Dish, so you'll no longer be able to indulge in my wonderful ramblings. Considering only a few family members and friends visit "simply indulge," I don't think the blog will be too terribly missed. But that's okay. For those that find themselves experience withdrawals, head over to Boutique Cafe and check out the Daily Dish (coming soon).

And don't forget to check out georgie tees every so often. We plan to launch a new line of shirts in June, and you won't want to miss it. We've had some great inspiration for some great tees. We'll also be adding some new "great finds" in the next week or so, so visit us soon!

Thanks to all who have indulged in my blog. It's been fun!

indulge the new mom

2006-04-06T13:21:00.000-07:00

Need a great idea for that next baby shower? Try pairing one of our georgie tees with a Modern Union diaper & yoga bag. Our site, georgietees.com, now carries these great bags designed by another "mompreneur" here in the Salt Lake area.

Having personally tested these bags I can assure you they are a great find, and not only because of the price. (As cute as they are, a Petunia Pickle Bottom is not in everyone's budget.) The best part of a Modern Union bag is its ability to multitask, something we moms know all about. By day it's a chic diaper bag, but by night it can double as a gym bag, yoga bag, or even book bag.

Our idea of the perfect way to indulge a new mom? A Modern Union diaper & yoga bag with a georgie tee onesie wrapped sweetly inside. It will be truly "ah-inspiring" at that upcoming baby shower.

your own personal shopper

2006-04-05T09:21:00.000-07:00

While at the gym this morning (lately a once-a-week visit), I was reading a leftover copy of the April 24th edition of First magazine. In it I found info about a website I never knew existed and one that could possibly change the world.

The site, Shop It To Me, takes personal shopping online. You select your favorite apparel brands (Armani, Prada, Seven Jeans, Juicy Couture, and DKNY, to name a few) and sizes. Shop It To Me will scour the sites of leading retailers and email a daily or weekly summary of which new items go on sale in your size. It sounds so easy it's scary! It's free to subscribe and you can choose to receive daily or weekly emails. Retailers are limited to a select few, so you'll still want to comparison shop if you find something you absolutely must indulge in.

Now all I need is a site that will scour the sites of leading chocolatiers (See's, Godiva, Ghirardelli, to name a few) so I can receive an email when a pound of dark chocolate truffles goes on sale.

wholesome indulgence

2006-04-01T21:54:00.000-07:00

Once again this week has been one of temporary insanity; hence the long silence since my last post. But it's Saturday night and I thought I'd tell you about a healthy indulgence I had this morning, and after I tell you I'm heading to the freezer for some Ben & Jerry's Half Baked Lowfat (i.e. near guiltless) Frozen Yogurt.

At 5:20 a.m. this morning, my alarm clock went off. No, I wasn't heading to some great doorbuster sale. I was heading to the local rec center to sign my kids up for SuperSport, a summer program that runs from 10:30am to 2:30pm 2-3 days a week and involves kids in various sports and activities. Because of its popularity in years past, parents used to camp out the night before just to sign their kids up. This year they did it a bit differently with pre-registration numbers and a lottery.

Anyway, my girlfriend met me at the crack of dawn so she could register her kids as well. The only incentive was hitting Mimi's Cafe for breakfast after registration. And that is where my healthy idulgence comes in. I wasn't feeling up to a huge breakfast at 7:30 a.m., so instead of their yummy Pain Perdu Breakfast, I ordered Mimi's Old Fashion Buckeye Oatmeal. The Buckeye Oatmeal comes with brown sugar, raisins, granola, and milk on the side, but here's the really important part: It was the best oatmeal I've ever had and I'm already planning my next visit to Mimi's Cafe (though not before 9am this time). The serving size was huge and I only managed to finish half the bowl, but I was seriously full until after lunchtime.

So check out Mimi's Cafe for a location near you and order a bowl of their Old Fashion Buckeye Oatmeal. Not only is it wholesome but it's one of the cheapest things on the menu--all the more reason to indulge. Oh, and don't forget to order one of their muffins to-go. You won't regret it, though your waistline might...

second-hand indulgences

2006-03-26T15:31:00.000-07:00

Though this may not appeal to some of you, designer indulgences can be found outside of Nordstrom. Yes, it's true! Besides finding great deals in such places as ebay and Bluefly, those that are willing to let other try before they buy can find some steals in a good ol' fashioned second-hand shop.

Case in point. This past week I dropped off some clothes (sold as part of the Anthropologie quilt fund) to a place called Plato's Closet. Plato's Closet is a store selling gently-used clothing, but it's not your typical second-hand shop. This store caters to the young, hip, and trendy (or the young, hip, and trendy at heart). You'll find items from GAP, Abercrombie, Banana Republic, Steve Madden and more. Anyway, this past visit I stumbled upon a fabulous pair of 7 For All Mankind capris. The fit was perfect, the condition was great, and the purchase was a no-brainer. The pair cost me $45, half of what they would have cost new. It was truly a magical moment.

Just one word of caution. If you have young children I suggest leaving them at home if you're planning a visit to Plato's Closet. It takes time and dedication to go through those racks one item at a time. But believe me, the indulgence is well worth the work.

anthropologie...need I say more?

2006-03-21T22:44:00.000-07:00

Tonight I have a story to tell, and it's one women will want to tell their significant others because it just might give those significant others some insight into how to make us happy.

A couple weeks ago I received my Anthropologie catalog in the mail. If you're not familiar with Anthropologie, well, I'm truly sorry. As my husband likes to say (though not to other men), "It's the one store that makes me wish I could dress like a woman." Well, the most recent catalog had a quilt that told me it was the perfect quilt for our bed--I simply had to have it. But dear hubby told me I needed to budget for it, something he's never asked me to do before. Okay, he may have asked and I just didn't listen, but this time I took him seriously.

The next day I went to my closet and looked for anything I could sell to make some money. I spent the next couple weeks selling items on ebay and at Plato's Closet. I finally made just over half the cost of the quilt and decided it was enough to make the purchase. I went online to buy the quilt and what do you know? It was out of stock. Out of freakin' stock! I was pretty angry. I called that same dear hubby and let him know how upset I was. It sounded like he truly felt bad, and that made me feel just a little better.

About a half hour later my husband called back and told me he had made a call to Anthropologie and found out the item was going to be placed on backorder, but that's not the best part. He had actually found a store in California that had the quilt and got them to ship it for free. My wonderful husband went ahead and purchased my quilt. Honestly, how many husbands would do that? I promptly called all my friends and family to let them know I had the most wonderful husband in the world. He had been trained well after almost 10 years of marriage. Sigh.

You're probably wondering what kind of quilt would be that important. Let me just say, it's the perfect quilt for me: Medallion Hothouse Bedding.

back for more

2006-03-16T22:43:00.000-07:00

This one's short and sweet (literally). I full-on sabotaged my goal of avoiding junky food during the week by not only visiting Cold Stone Creamery once again, this time trying their Mint Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip, but also hitting McDonald's for dinner. To my credit I ordered a somewhat healthy Cobb Salad, but I did eat all my daughter's French fries from her kid's meal. (She's more an apple slices kind of girl--I so can't relate.)

Because misery loves company I promptly called a girlfriend, whose goal for the week was to stay away from crunchy foods like chips and other snacks, and gave her the go ahead to indulge in a bag of chips and a box of Girl Scout cookies so she too could hit a record high for calories this week. I highly doubt she did, but the fact that she didn't exercise this morning makes me feel a little better. (I didn't either, but don't tell anyone.)

jeans discovery

2006-03-15T08:29:00.000-07:00

The other day a girlfriend of mine came over and she had on the cutest pair of jeans. I often look at the pockets to see if I can identify the brand of jeans. (If I were a guy this would be an awesome excuse for checking someone out.) I had never seen those cute pockets before and so I asked what brand they were and where she got them. I'm now going to share the info with you so you can head out and try on a pair for yourself. As soon as I drop a couple more pounds I might indulge in at least trying a pair on.

Brand: Big Star
note: the only site I could find was for a different Big Star out of Germany
Style she was wearing: Big Star Casey Stretch Jean
Where she bought them: Buckle, but you can find them at other online retailers. I suggest trying them on before buying.
Price: $86

For those of us who always have to buy the longer lengths, this style comes in both 31" and 33" lengths. I prefer a 34" to 35" inseam, so I may have to check out their other styles next time I make it out of the house without children. Yeah, that'll be a while...

still screaming

2006-03-11T20:37:00.000-07:00

I'm starting to detect a theme for this week. Perhaps my body is deficient in those vital nutrients of sugar, milk, and more sugar and so it's craving the things it needs. Hey, it's almost believable.

With the goal of eating healthy during the week I find I hit the good stuff pretty hard on the weekends--and for me, weekends start Friday night. Last night we went out with some friends to a great little restaurant in Holladay called Gepetto's. It serves fantastic pizzas, sandwiches, and salads, not to mention yummy garlic bread with cheese and mushrooms. On the weekends you can enjoy live music from local bands while indulging in delicious food. (I had the Chicken and Spinach Salad with their scrumptious homemade Creamy Cucumber dressing.)

After all that good-for-me spinach and Romaine I was definitely in the mood for a treat so we headed to one of our favorite dessert spots, Cold Stone Creamery. For those of you without a Cold Stone, let me fill you in. Cold Stone makes their own (decadent) ice cream daily. But that's not the best part; customers get to design their own ice cream creation by choosing from a variety of mix-ins. The ice cream and mix-ins are then hand blended on a frozen granite stone.

Last night, instead of ordering my "usual" (mint ice cream with brownies or Oreos), I decided to exit my comfort zone and try the Cold Stone creation known as Germanchocolatekake. It consists of chocolate ice cream with coconut, pecans, brownie, and caramel. It was so good it even rivaled Maggie Moo's Better Batter Cake Carnival (even though Better Batter Cake Carnival uses a non-chocolate ice cream).

If you have a Cold Stone nearby and haven't yet stopped in, I suggest you don't. It can easily become a serious addiction. I'm already trying to figure out when I can get my next fix.

another favorite recipe

2006-03-09T23:08:00.000-07:00

Because I'm really lame and don't have time to actually post something of substance, here's another favorite recipe. Hopefully it will keep you satisfied until I get back into the swing of things.

Chocolate Chip Pie
2 eggs
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c packed brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 c butter
1/2 c flour
1 c semisweet chocolate chips
1 c chopped walnuts
1 refrigerated pie crust, 9"

Preheat oven to 325. Beat eggs until frothy. Add sugars and vanilla. Melt butter and add to sugar and egg mixture. Stir in flour until well blended. Mix in walnuts and chocolate chips. Pour into pie crust and bake for 1 hour or until cooked in the center.

The only way to truly indulge in this dessert is to serve it warm topped with vanilla ice cream. Or if you're me, topped with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, and whip cream. Yep, it's pretty much another to-die-for dessert.

we all scream for ice cream

2006-03-07T12:55:00.000-07:00

The good news is georgie tees has been really busy with orders from BellaBlu. The bad news is, these orders keep me from posting on a regular basis. But don't give up on me yet!

Since I only have a few minutes I want to let you know about a new favorite treat. Yesterday I picked up a package of Dreyer's Dibs at the grocery store. I'll admit I was hungry while shopping and I just couldn't resist buying them. I chose the Mint with Chocolaty Coating and flipped over the back to check out the damage on the nutrition label. I about passed out when I saw 420 calories a serving with about 2.5 servings per package according to Dreyer's. Of course I could probably finish off a whole package on my own, but since I'm trying to eat a little bit more healthy, I figured out the calorie count for one Dib--it's approximately 16.

So last night, after a long day and no Diet Coke, I popped a single Dib into my mouth and indulged my sweet tooth for just a few seconds. And the indulgence was one I needn't feel guilty about even though I've made a goal to avoid sweets and junky treats during the week. It was only 16 tiny little calories and worth every single one. I probably could have had two or three but thought I better stop while I was ahead.

If you're looking for something sweet but don't want to splurge on calories--or are a nut for portion control--I suggest you pick up a package of Dreyer's Dibs. They're so good you just might have to try one of each flavor. I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream...especially at 16 calories a pop.

it's the cheesiest!

2006-03-04T20:32:00.000-07:00

This week has been quite the whirlwind, and it doesn't look like it's slowing down any even on the weekend. With what little time I have I do want to tell you about one of the yummiest dishes I experienced last night.

For those of you unfamiliar with Buca di Beppo, it is family-style Italian dining. A small-size entree will feed at least two, while a large size will feed at least four. The idea is to order a few different dishes so you can share this taste of Italy. (This is one of the few times I actually am into sharing my food...) Anyway, the couple we were with ordered the macaroni and cheese, which is only on the kids' menu, and convinced the waitress they were willing to pay whatever they had to in order to get an adult-size version. Let me tell you, it was well worth the price. It was probably the best macaroni and cheese I've ever had in my life, and believe me, I've had my share. Eating it was even more fun because it came straight from the kids' menu.

So next time you visit Buca, remember to order the mac 'n' cheese, but be sure and get the large or there might not be enough to share.

versace? are you serious?

2006-03-01T13:28:00.000-07:00

While searching for some online children's boutiques I came across Vivace Wear. "Vivace Wear offers the finest selection of Italian clothing and shoes for children from newborn to six years." Of course I had to check it out. I mean, who knows? Spit-up might actually look cool on fine Italian clothing. Here's the part where I tell you something you might not know: Versace actually designs a line called Versace Young. Yep, Versace makes children's clothing. Now you too can dress your child in a Versace denim skirt for $268 or better yet, a fur cardigan for $338. I bet they're even dry-clean only, so be sure and tack that on to the price tag.

If Versace's not in your budget, perhaps you'll be interested in the Leather Lace Up Boot for boys. It's only $78 and sure to last almost a year before you'll need the next size up. I mean, what boy's wardrobe is complete without some Italian leather shoes? You don't want him to be the only one without a pair at school this year.

Perhaps I sound a little cynical, but when my kids' favorite shirts are the ones they tie-dye at Bear Lake every year, why waste my money on something they'll probably never wear (and which will be covered in mud at the first sign of spring)? Of course, those Versace glitter jeans were pretty cute. I wonder if they come in my size?

cha-ching!

2006-02-28T21:56:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's the sound of money, and georgie tees is finally bringing some in. The online boutique BellaBlu Maternity recently picked up our line of tees and we've had four sales in two days. That's a first for our little business, which has had a very slow start since our website opened on December 1, 2005. We're hoping this is just the beginning of a very successful year. To help us celebrate these past couple days I highly recommend you whip up a batch of the following cookies and eat at least two hot out of the oven. Just don't burn your tongue on the ooey, gooey chocolate chips.

Blue Ribbon Chocolate Chip Cookies
2 1/4 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 c butter, softened
3/4 c packed brown sugar
1/4 c white sugar
1 (3.4 oz) package instant vanilla pudding mix (these are extra yummy if you substitute chocolate pudding mix)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 c semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together the flour and baking soda and set aside. In a large bowl cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Beat in the instant pudding mix. Stir in the eggs and vanilla. Blend in the flour mixture. Add the chocolate chips. Drop by rounded spoonfuls on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool two minutes on cookie sheet and remove to a wire rack. Store in an airtight container.

how the other half lives

2006-02-27T22:08:00.000-07:00

It's been a few days since my last post, and to tell you the truth I haven't done much but fight the urge to sell my children and run away to Vegas. But I will share with you a fun date my husband and I went on this weekend. On Saturday night we indulged in a truly "sweet" evening, a surprise my husband had planned over two weeks ago. Through work he scored VIP tickets to Saturday night's Utah Jazz game against the New Orleans Hornets. Now these weren't just great seats--these were the be-all, end-all for Jazz fans.

After parking right across the street from the Delta Center we took an elevator to the sixth floor where a gourmet buffet was ready and waiting. From salads to top sirloin with Bernaise sauce our tastebuds were seriously tantalized. Of course I hit the dessert table pretty hard, including the chocolate mousse cake and chocolate ice cream with chocolate sauce. We inhaled our food so we could head down to find our seats for the game. With floor seats our feet were literally on the court and you could almost touch those sweaty, six-foot-ten players (not that I'd want to, mind you).

During halftime they had a special room for those same VIPs where you could munch on nachos, pretzels, cookies, and all-you-can-drink soda. I spent my time looking around the room, taking it all in. I couldn't help but notice a fantastic pair of jeans, though I didn't dare go up and ask her what kind they were. I'm not sure strangers take kindly to your looking at their backsides. I also shot a picture of some serious spike-heeled boots, but the image from my phone didn't turn out. They were pretty out of control--you all would have loved them.

Anyway, it was an evening full of indulgences I'm not accustomed to, but you know, I could probably get accustomed to them pretty quickly.

the perfect fit

2006-02-24T17:32:00.000-07:00

I just found an article on The Early Show's website that recaps on segment from Tuesday's show. "Internet Jeans: Find Your Fit" has The Early Show's Debbye Turner visiting various online retailers, who are doing their best to help customers find the right pair of jeans without the need for a dressing room. She visits Levis.com, Leefit.com, Shopbop.com, and Mejeans.com and offers a recap on her experience. The article peaked my interest and I decided to search the web to see if any other sites offered a custom-fit experience. Here's what I found:

Tommy Hilfiger lets you pick the fit and fabric, label style, pocket design, leg opening, fly style, hardware style, and even the buttonhole thread color.
Land's End lets you choose your fabric, features, and fit. Custom jeans will be available again soon.
Googling the search term "custom jeans" brings up a ton of sites offering the opportunity to design your own jeans. I didn't take the time to thoroughly check them out, so shop at your own risk!

Of course if you don't want to go the custom route, you can always stick with Seven for All Mankind or Citizens, which are popular because they seem to fit most body types. But if you've never owned a pair I suggest buying them from a retailer who allows returns just in case you're the exception to the rule. Happy shopping!

laughing my butt off

2006-02-23T13:58:00.000-07:00

It's been four months since I gave birth and I still haven't seen the inside of my pre-pregnancy jeans. I know, it took nine months to pack it on; I should give myself nine months to get it off. But I'm not one for having a lot of patience. Since I'm still nursing I can't cut way back on the calories, but I have found little ways here and there to help me eat a bit healthier. I made one of my latest discoveries at the local Neighborhood Market.

How many of you have seen the round case of Laughing Cow cheese? You can't miss it. It's the package with the big red cow--complete with cheese wheel earrings--on the front. Inside are those little foil-wrapped wedges of creamy Swiss cheese. They have a light version which I've used on sandwiches, but it was always a little tricky to spread on that crappy light bread (the stuff that falls apart if you look at it funny). Well, last trip I discovered a new item from Laughing Cow--a tub of Light Creamy Swiss spread. This stuff is fantastic! Not only is it very low-cal, it spreads easily on your favorite wheat bread. Shake things up a bit by toasting the bread first.

You'll no longer experience gaping holes in the middle of your sandwich. Plus you've saved on calories, so go ahead and add on that extra slice of avocado. Don't worry, avocadoes are a healthy addition to any sandwich.

One non-guilty indulgence a day is about all I can handle. They aren't nearly as much fun as guilty ones. Chocolate truffle versus cheese spread? Truffle wins every time.

nap time

2006-02-22T22:42:00.000-07:00

Today I indulged in an afternoon nap. I slept long enough to wake up with a puddle of drool on my pillow, and it was well worth the slime. If you haven't taken a nap lately, I highly recommend it. I call it Plan C and put it into action when Plan A (Diet Coke) and Plan B (chocolate) have already been used and considered ineffective for maintaining sanity. Yeah, it was that kind of day.

guess what?

2006-02-21T14:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I decided it was time for a visit to Babies"R"Us. Our family room wasn't nearly as cluttered with baby items as it could be. We have a bouncer chair, play mat, basket of toys, and Boppee. If there's standing room then there's still more things to buy. So I headed out hoping to find the next best thing in baby entertainment. After deciding on the Evenflo Exersaucer Mega, which folds for easy carrying though I have yet to figure that out, I made my way over to my favorite rack (different than my husband's favorite rack), the clearance rack.

After picking up a "Baby's First Easter" onesie my daughter insisted on buying her little brother, I quickly worked my way through the clearance items. I wasn't really impressed. Of course that all changed the minute I laid eyes on the GUESS khaki pants, size 6/9 months. Yep, couldn't resist indulging in those. I only wish they had a pair in my husband's size. I'll admit some of the appeal had to do with the cargo style, but it had a lot more to do with the "guess jeans" stitched just above the pockets on the back of the pants. It was a total no-brainer, though I did hold back on the matching long-sleeve shirt. I just can't force a child to wear long sleeves during the summer, even if it is GUESS. All I can say is I love having children...it's one more way to indulge in a designer label.

the history of denim

2006-02-20T15:09:00.000-07:00

How many of us understand the history behind our favorite pair of jeans? And I mean other than their recent history of being put on a rack, tried on, purchased, and brought home. I thought I'd search the Net for an article or two on the history of denim. Ready to be enlightened? Check out the links below.

denim by Birgit Lohmann answers the question, Who first stonewashed a pair of jeans? (Dying to know, aren't you?)

Invention of Levi's 501 Jeans gives you the background on possibly the world's most famous pair of jeans.

Definition of designer jeans from Wikipedia offers a concise history on designer denim, including links to other resources.

Now this may not float your boat as much as a new recipe for death-by-chocolate something or other, but it may give you a new appreciation for that already appreciated pair of designer jeans you just can't live without.

shake it all about

2006-02-18T21:32:00.000-07:00

For me weekends are when I get to sleep in and indulge in a nap or two. Not this weekend. My husband, who is our church's Scoutmaster, had a campout (yes, in below freezing temperatures) with the scouts last night and so I was up at the crack of dawn on a perfectly good Saturday morning with our new little one. And then, probably as a result of his body working so hard to keep warm last night, said husband took a two-and-a-half-hour nap this afternoon. Sure, he deserved it, but dang it, that doesn't make it any easier!

So tonight we got to do what I wanted to do, and that was head out for an adult dinner/dance at our local church. Because we weren't sure what to expect we didn't necessarily wear dancing shoes. After dinner and dessert--chocolate frosted brownies, of course--the music started, and for the first couple of songs you'd think we were junior high students at our first after-school dance. Everyone sat around looking at everyone else waiting for someone to do something. Finally one couple was brave enough to bust a few moves, and that made it okay for the rest of us to hit the dance floor.

Why am I telling you this? Because tonight I got to indulge in two things I've probably done less than a handful of times in my life. One, I slow danced with the man I love (yes, I forgave him for taking that nap). And two, I got to do the Hokey Pokey. That was truly the highlight of the evening. You haven't experienced the Hokey Pokey until you've got a roomful of what you thought were grown men and women putting their backsides in, putting their backsides out, putting their backsides in and shakin' them all about. Yep, we really know how to party.

simply chocolate

2006-02-17T20:12:00.000-07:00

It seems at least every other post I leave on this blog has something to do with chocolate. My original intent was to cover my other favorite things, like jeans and heels. Perhaps I should change the name of this blog to "simply chocolate." Just tonight I made a batch of my mom's no-bake cookies so my girls and I could indulge in something yummy before bed. If you've never made these cookies before, you've got to try them. This recipe is great when you need something fast, like two dozen goodies for that bake sale happening today.

Mom's No-Bake Cookies
1/2 c butter
2 c sugar (I use 1 c sugar, 1 c Splenda)
1/2 c milk
1/4 c unsweetend cocoa
1 tsp vanilla
3 c oatmeal
1/2 peanut butter (creamy or crunchy--you decide)

Mix butter, sugar, milk, and cocoa in a medium saucepan. Bring to a rapid boil and boil for two minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add other ingredients. Quickly drop on waxed paper (aluminum foil works great as well). Lick the bowl and spatula clean before placing in the dishwasher.

One of my secret indulgences? Real Mexican vanilla. Whenever my mother-in-law would head down to Mexico I would have her pick me up a huge bottle. Recently I read an article on how to be sure you're getting the real stuff. I'll probably think twice about buying it south of the border. Check out A Word About Mexican and Caribbean Vanilla Extracts. Who knew?

snow is falling all around

2006-02-15T19:34:00.000-07:00

The reality of the groundhog seeing his shadow hit home today. The snow started sometime early this morning and hasn't let up since. I've already done my share of shoveling and refuse to go back out there in the dark. You know, I love the snow around the Christmas holidays, but once Valentine's Day has come and gone I'm ready for summer. I could almost skip spring if it weren't for those great purple and white blossoms on the trees (we like to call it "popcorn"). If you skip spring you can skip spring cleaning, right?

Tonight I helped my older children indulge in an old favorite enjoyed by my roommate and best friend. During college no late-night chat (a.k.a. therapy session) was complete without a mug of hot cocoa garnished with a heaping scoop of mint chip ice cream. If you've never tried mint chip ice cream in your hot cocoa you're missing out on one of winter's simplest pleasures. Note: Make sure your hot cocoa is extra hot so it stays warm while the ice cream melts. By the way, the best part of drinking the cocoa is finding all those tiny chocolate chips at the bottom of your mug. It's like buried treasure, only better!

Looking for gourmet hot cocoa? Check out Stephen's Gourmet Cocoa, a Utah original. Of course Godiva's Dark Chocolate Truffle comes highly recommended as well. If you're feeling adventurous, mix and match your hot cocoa and ice cream. Try raspberry hot cocoa with French vanilla ice cream or dark chocolate cocoa with butter pecan. Discover the perfect combination for your tastebuds and you'll have a new favorite treat when the weather gets frightful.

confection perfection

2006-02-14T10:15:00.000-07:00

Happy Valentine's Day! Today's blog is going to be short and sweet so I can get back to eating the bag of Ghirardelli dark chocolate I gave my husband for Valentine's Day. In celebration of this yummy holiday, which has nothing to do with true love and everything to do with how much chocolate you receive, I'd like to introduce you to a local candy company with a confection you can't live without.

In Brigham City there is a candy company known as Idle Isle. I was not aware of its existence until a friend had me try one of their famous Almond Creme Toffees. That was about three years ago and I have never forgotten the experience. So when you're tired of the same old See's Candy, or even Godiva (if you're that lucky), order a box of Idle Isle's world-famous confection and give yourself the best Valentine's gift ever!

a sip of the good life

2006-02-13T20:56:00.000-07:00

Someday I'm going to travel to one of these fabulous locations and actually watch an Olympic event in person. Living in Utah, I had my chance when the 2002 Winter Olympics hit Salt Lake City. Did I take advantage of this possibly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? Nope. I'm sure I had a good excuse like figure skating being totally sold out. I did take my oldest daughter to watch one leg of the torch relay, and had we not been nearly frostbitten, it probably would have been a truly awesome experience. You know what the real issue is? I'm a Summer Olympics person, and it has nothing to do with the Speedos...

With the Olympics taking place in Italy this year I can't help but think about all the shopping Katie Couric must be enjoying. But since I'm not a Today Show host, and since this month's budget doesn't allow for real Italian leather shoes, I'll have to settle for a smaller--though sweeter--indulgence: the Italian soda. I'm going to let you in on a great way to enjoy an Italian soda at home without the cost and the extra calories you'd get at your local Italian restaurant.

Homemade Italian Soda
2 to 4 T of your favorite Torani syrup flavor* (more or less to taste)
8 ounces sparkling water (or Sprite if you like it on the sweet side--yep, that's so me)
2 T cream, milk, or whipping cream (more or less to taste)
1 bendy straw (very important)

Fill your favorite 16-ounce glass 1/2 to 3/4 full with ice. Add the Torani syrup and sparkling water. Slowly add the cream. (Actually, you can add it with the syrup and sparkling water, but we like to watch it make cool designs as it falls to the bottom of the glass. We're easily amused.) Place straw in glass and sip your new Italian creation!

* Torani syrups can be found at Cost Plus World Market. If you don't have a World Market, check out Torani's website for locations. Their site also has some great recipes for over 50 different Italian sodas.

finger-lickin' good

2006-02-12T19:26:00.000-07:00

With a new baby my husband and I don't go out much, so when we do it's a small indulgence in itself. But on Friday night we tried out a new restaurant here in Utah. It's called Goodwood Barbecue Company and it came with some good recommendations. After a 50-minute wait (typical for a Friday night) we were seated, menus in hand. Being newbies our server pointed out Goodwood's signature dishes. We were hungry enough to try all of them but started with the onion rings. Okay, the onion rings must have been sliced from the world's largest onion and were totally to die for, especially slathered in the house ranch dressing. My main dish was called "Honey Stung Chicken Sandwaich," and let's just say it was better than Better Than Sex Cake.

The next day I indulged in the leftovers and they were just as yummy as the night before (something that rarely happens). I'm already planning the next visit to Goodwood, perhaps to celebrate Valentine's Day. And maybe I'll even top off the better-than-sex sandwich (well, it's a close second) with some Better Than Sex Cake (one version of the famous recipe below).

Better Than Sex Cake
1 package Devil's Food Cake mix
1/2 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
6 ounces caramel ice cream topping (or die-hard chocolate lovers can try hot fudge)
3 (1.4-ounce) Heath bars, crushed (or you can use Heath Bar Toffee Bits)
1 (8-ounce) container frozen whipped topping

Bake cake according to package directions for a 9x13 inch pan; cool on wire rack for 10 minutes. Using a wooden chopstick or handle of a small wooden spoon, poke holes in the top of the cake, making sure not to go through to the bottom.

In a saucepan over low heat, combine sweetened condensed milk and caramel topping, stirring until smooth and blended. Slowly pour the warm topping mixture over the top of the warm cake, letting it sink into the holes; then sprinkle the crushed chocolate toffee bars liberally across the entire cake while still warm.

Let cake cool completely, then top with whipped topping. Decorate the top of the cake with some more chocolate toffee bar chunks and swirls of caramel topping. Refrigerate and serve right from the pan!

sparing the midriff

2006-02-10T16:22:00.000-07:00

Those living outside Utah may be totally unaware of the latest craze in clothing: extra long t-shirts and tanks to help save the world from the bare midriff (the result of the super lowrise jean). I personally own quite a few of these shirts as I am not a fan of sharing my backside with others while bending over to pick something up. I believe the revolution started with Shade Clothing and moved on to Coverage Clothing, Layers, and The Mod Bod. With the immense popularity for this type of clothing, it is definitely an I-wish-I'd-thought-of-that moment.

Today Shade had their half-yearly sale, and since most of these clothes are on the pricier side, I made my way down to Thanksgiving Point with every other woman in Utah. Five minutes before the doors opened a huge group of us, along with at least 10 strollers and three times as many kids, stood shivering in the 30-degree weather. It reminded me of that old Mervyn's commercial where the woman is standing outside the store in the wee hours of the morning saying, "Open, open, open..."

At high noon the doors finally opened. Fortunately we experienced very little after-Thanksgiving-Day stampedes. (Strollers tend to slow that action down.) Free cookies and milk helped keep everyone, including children, happy. An hour later I exited the event without a scratch on me and with a few great shirts. All in all It was a rather satisfying experience. Now, if See's Candy could just do that with their seconds and discontinued items.

confessions of a selfish mother

2006-02-09T10:47:00.000-07:00

Though I'm generally a very giving person, there exists one area in my life in which I'm not so generous, and that is food. For example, I always buy at least six boxes of Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies, five of which go in a secret hiding place and one of which goes in the cupboard for the rest of the family. When we go out to eat and I bring home leftovers and my husband doesn't, too bad. He should have planned ahead. Those leftovers are mine and I'll be eating them all to myself, thank you.

Yesterday was a prime example of my secret little indulgences. After a long afternoon of shopping we stopped at McDonald's for healthy snack-size fruit & yogurt parfaits. I also ordered three chocolate-chip cookies for $1 (I can never resist). Now, I could have shared those cookies with my two older children, but instead I hid them in the front seat and took bites when they weren't looking. As I finished off the first two I felt a little guilty, but that feeling was soon overshadowed by the yummy, slightly melted chocolate chips. My kids never found out. Come to think of it, they're not nursing a new baby and don't need the extra calories, so I guess I did them a favor. Ah, the many splendid ways we justify our actions.

It was actually a big, fat day of indulgences, though my checkbook felt like it had gone on a one-day diet. I overdosed on children's clothing at Gymboree and then topped it all off with a trip to Nordstrom Rack. It's a good thing I hit the gym last night. It may not have reduced the credit card bill, but I did work off those chocolate chip cookies!

fantasy brownies

2006-02-07T23:39:00.000-07:00

Because I'm craving chocolate but don't dare eat it this late at night for fear of thwarting the loss of post-pregnancy pounds, here's another great chocolate recipe to add to your collection.

Double Chocolate Fantasy Brownies
1 package chocolate cake mix
1/3 c vegetable oil
1 egg
1 c chopped nuts
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 c semisweet chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 375º. In a large bowl, beat chocolate cake mix, oil, and egg until crumbly. Add chopped nuts and reserve half of the cake mixture. Press the remainder firmly into a 13 x 9-inch cake pan.

In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine sweetened condensed milk, semisweet chocolate chips, vanilla, and salt. Cook until the chips melt, stirring constantly. Pour melted chocolate over the crust and top with the reserved crumb mixture. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly.

The recipe says it makes 24 bars. Yeah, right. I'd say it makes more like two: half the pan for me and half for the rest of the family.

what took me so long?

2006-02-06T19:22:00.000-07:00

While reading the January/February issue of Business 2.0 I came across the article "Start Last, Finish First." The article talks about startups that have challenged industry leaders and become successful. One of the startups B2 highlighted was Zappos, an online shoe retailer whose goal was to steal customers from bricks-and-mortar stores. After some ups and downs, it has done just that. From sales of $8.6 million in 2001 to over $300 million in 2006, the store has expanded its line of shoes along with handbags and other leather goods. Why am I telling you this? Probably because I'm amazed it took me so long to discover this website. If you haven't checked it out for yourself, you've got to make time (and plenty of it) for a visit. Just see if you can navigate away from Zappos without adding a few pairs of shoes to your Valentine's wish list...

just call me grace

2006-02-05T20:53:00.000-07:00

Today was Superbowl Sunday, the time of year when we get together with friends and family just so the menfolk can yell at the TV in hopes the referees will hear them. We indulged in yummy Superbowl goodies--chips and dip, crockpot meatballs, Vienna sausages, veggie platters, brownies, candy, truffles, soda. (I skipped the soda so I could use those calories on more truffles.) But you know, as much as I will forever be grateful for the person who first discovered truffles, today I am even more grateful for whoever discovered ibuprofen.

I don't have too many embarassing moments, and once I can laugh about it, today will be one of them. (I'm almost smiling as I type this so I'm well on my way...) What happened, you ask? Well, I managed a fabulous face plant on the sidewalk while leaving church. Nope, no ice on the walks; they were perfectly dry. And the sidewalk was totally level. There was nothing I could have possible tripped on except my own two feet. Let me tell you, I scored a perfect 10 on this fall. I saw it all in slow motion as I struggled to regain my balance. Instead of righting myself I moved even faster towards the inevitable. Using my hands as brakes, I brought myself to a stop with my cheek flat against the pavement.

It's been a long time since my last fall--at least three years, and that was coming down the side of a mountain (pretty good excuse). After I realized I was no longer vertical, I managed to pick myself up, pounding headache and all. My little 6-year-old, with an "I'll help you, Mommy," started cleaning up the contents of the diaper bag, which had exploded upon impact. I hobbled to the car, where my dear husband was waiting. He was nice enough to ask me what had taken me so long. Yeah, he's special that way. Believe me, he's felt guilty ever since.

So today I indulged in truffles, but what floated my boat even more were the two ibuprofen I took when I got home. I think I'll be indulging in a couple more very soon.

a girl after my own heart

2006-02-03T18:12:00.000-07:00

This post is going to be a short one since it's a Friday night, and yes, even though I'm home and not out on a hot date with my husband, I do have better things to do than sit here staring at the monitor and contemplating the meaning of life. Actually, I already know the meaning of life. (It's chocolate, silly.)

I saw a commercial last night, which I've seen a few times before and smile every time it airs. How many of you have seen the oh-so-great commercial by American Express that has the little girl destined to be a great shopper? It's one of my absolutely most favorite commercials. For those that haven't seen it, let me give you the highlights:

Little girl, probably in 3rd grade, rolls her eyes as she sees the school nurse walk by dressed in white and says something like, "Doesn't she know you're not supposed to wear white after Labor Day?" Switch to same girl sitting in the office of a therapist looking at ink blobs on paper. When asked what she sees, she says something about Italian leather slingbacks. Flash forward to when she's a mother with twin daughters in a double stroller. While in the store a woman comes up to her and says, "They're adorable, aren't they?" The mother replies, while looking down at her fabulous heels, "I own a pair in lime green, too."

Okay, that's classic.

why pay full price?

2006-02-01T10:09:00.000-07:00

"Hello. My name is Emily and I'm a jeans addict." If they had a jeanaholic support group, I'd be in it. The only thing stopping me from buying every pair of jeans I like is knowing my kids would go hungry if I did. Of course I don't mind starving myself for in the name of fashion, but I just don't feel right about placing that burden on my family.

I absolutely love jeans. I love to buy them, wear them, and even wash them once in a while. As much as I'd like to own one of every pair of designer jeans, most of the pairs in my closet come from the GAP. I'm not sure why, but it must date back to when they started offering longer lengths in women's jeans--the whole pedal-pusher look came and went a long time ago I'm told. Plus with all the styles GAP offers, they always have something that seems to fit just right. (And their sizes seem to run big, so I can often get away with a smaller size. Bonus!)

Anyway, I'm rambling. Back to the subject. I have personally indulged in a pair or two of Sevens, and their butt-lifting abilities were worth the price considering I didn't pay full retail. And that's the real reason for today's post. I wanted to share a website with you that caters to those who hate to pay full price for designer denim (because saving money means you have more to spend--a wonderful indulgence). Bluefly is a fantastic find. Not only can you get designer denim at a discount, they have a great return policy. This comes in handy when buying jeans where fit can vary for the same size. Bluefly is a fabulous place for anything designer indulgences you're looking for, from shoes to accessories to clothing to even items for your home.

ebay is another great place to find some deals on designer jeans, though you'll want to make sure they're authentic and you're actually getting what you're paying for. Here are some tips I use for buying on ebay:

Make sure the buyer has a good reputation. Check out both his or her positive and negative comments.
Verify that the picture they have is a picture of the actual jeans (if possible).
Look for the word "authentic" and a picture of the inside label showing their authenticity.
Check the measurements! ALWAYS go by measurements and not size. Request measurements if they're not listed with the item.

If you have any other suggestions for buying designer denim, please let us all know. Helping each other indulge, especially for a good price, is what makes the world go 'round. (Well, it's what makes my little world go 'round.)

character shoes

2006-01-31T14:25:00.000-07:00

Speaking of shoes, I loved this post from a very popular blog, dooce. It seems I'm not the only one with children who would give their eye teeth (if they knew what those were) for a pair of slippers endowed with the large head of some TV character. Catch the full article here: "Nu Shoos". I've fought the shoe-aisle battles before, and I usually win. I'll admit I caved once, and a pair of Dora shoes made it through the front door.

My children may never know the joy of wearing shoes that light up, and they may never own a pair of ruby slippers--thank you, Target--exactly like Dorothy's in The Wizard of Oz, but they'll survive. Just as they start thinking life is no longer worth living (and yes, a 3-year-old can pull that off), I offer them an Icee on the way out. Nine times out of ten the bribe works, and when it doesn't...well, let's just say the world doesn't end just because your daughter is wearing a brand-new pair of Dora tennis shoes...

to-die-for chocolate cake

2006-01-30T20:33:00.000-07:00

Okay, it's time to write about something I take very seriously...yes, I'm talking about chocolate. I can't be the only one out there who keeps her own personal stash of chocolate hidden from the rest of the family. Oh, and of course I order close to a case of Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies every year. (YES--it's that time of the year again...make room in your freezer for those extra boxes. Heck, by an entire separate deep freezer for the garage and stash a whole year's supply. Never hurts to be prepared.)

Anyway, I'd like to share one of my favorite chocolate cake recipes. It's great for taking to get-togethers and is always a hit. It's also the perfect way to salvage an otherwise crappy day, so be sure and make it often.

Death-by-Chocolate Cake
3/4 c sour cream
4 eggs
1/2 c water
1/2 c oil (or applesauce if you're into the whole substitution thing)
1 chocolate cake mix (I highly recommend Devil's Food)
1 small box instant chocolate pudding (um, I'd go with Chocolate Fudge)
1 c semisweet chocolate chips (I recommend the mini ones, and feel free to double it)
Powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a bundt pan. Beat sour cream, eggs, water, and oil together in a large bowl until thoroughly mixed. Add cake mix and pudding mix and beat for 2 minutes. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour batter into bundt pan. Don't forget to lick the bowl clean.

Bake 45 to 55 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean. Let cake cool 10 minutes, then invert cake onto serving platter. When cake is completely cool, sift powdered sugar over the top and serve.

Enjoy!

amen!

2006-01-28T23:04:00.000-07:00

Just got this via email today and couldn't resist posting it:

Today is International Very Good Looking, Damn Smart Woman's Day, so please send this message to someone you think fits this description. Please do not send it back to me as I have already received it from a Very Good Looking, Damn Smart Woman. And remember this motto: Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming, "WOO HOO! What a ride!"

Amen--especially to the chocolate!

speaking of indulgences...

2006-01-27T12:44:00.000-07:00

When I first started this blog I thought I'd focus mainly on my three weaknesses (jeans, shoes--especially heels, and chocolate), but as I lay in bed late last night I realized there are so many other little things I consider indulgences, and some of those I pay a small price for. I'm not talking about the questioning look my husband gives me when I bring home another pair of black heels, nor the shock the credit card statement gives me each month. Those are givens. I'm talking about the not-so-common effects our choice to indulge has on us and others.

Back in October I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Since birth I have been nursing the lucky guy (according to my husband he's very lucky). Throughout my pregnancy I kept up on the Diet Coke hoping he'd be used to it once he was born. Well, I tried one out when he was under a month old and the experience didn't go well, so I layed off the caffeine. But the other day I desperately needed a Diet Coke. I was tired, my girls were giving me a bit of a headache, and it was the only way I was going to make it through the rest of the day. I figured by now one Diet Coke should have little effect on the guy. Well, that medium-sized indulgence cost me. My little one was up almost every two hours that night--very different from the four- and five-hour stretches he usually pulls. The next day I was more exhausted than ever and could have downed about a 2-liter of Diet Coke, but fortunately I thought better of it. It probably would have sent us both to the funny farm anyway, and then who would have taken care of the girls?

I guess when it comes to indulging ourselves we should at least consider the consequences. Some have a much bigger effect on our sanity than others. Money may not keep me up at night, but a wired infant sure does.

it's simple--simply indulge.

2006-01-26T16:16:00.000-07:00

I have a passion for a lot of things--my husband, my children, my business--but to be truly honest, what I love most to indulge in is one of three things: a new pair of jeans, a new pair of shoes, or chocolate. The guiltiest of pleasures? Eating chocolate while wearing a new pair of jeans along with those new heels. (Of course, if it's dark chocolate I don't feel so guilty. Research has shown the benefits of dark chocolate, so I'm really doing it for my health.)

Dear hubby doesn't quite get the whole jeans and shoes thing, though he does get (sort of) the chocolate thing. He, of course, only owns about four pairs of shoes and three pairs of jeans, most all of which I have bought for him. Buying jeans and shoes for others isn't nearly the same high, but it's a quick fix...

I have a feeling a lot of women can relate to my more-than-occasional indulgence in a new pair of jeans, a great new pair of heels, or a handful (and another handful and another handful) of M&M's. A great-fitting pair of jeans paired with a great set of heels make you feel like you're the queen of the world--well, at least your own little world. And the chocolate, well, why would you even try to live without it? I am dedicating this blog to those three loves of my life. So it leaves my family a bit left out. They can go shopping...