Showing posts with label 12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge. Show all posts

Monday, December 6, 2010

Day Fourteen: Oprah's Favorite Things


I have been a bad blogger this past weekend because I have been so busy with work and wrapping up school! Last week was my last full week of school but I had a take-home final to do and I have another final tomorrow and some online homework assignments that are due next Monday. My humanities teacher thought he would be sneaky and even though we don't have class anymore, he can still assign homework online...I don't really like him that much to say the least. It will all be over soon!

Now I would catch up on Day 12 and Day 13 of the challenge but right now all my family has is a bare Christmas tree and no decorations...plus I don't bake any homemade cookies that don't come from a bag or can. I am more of a fudge/brownie/cake person. I will be posting on my Christmas decorations later this week though :)

Now on to Oprah's Kalina's Favorite Things...

Amazon Kindle


iPhone 4G


Full HD LED Television


Blu-Ray Player


Betsey Johnson Dress


I would be oh so happy if I received these things while in Oprah's audience!

So sad that this blog challenge is over :( It was fun getting to know new bloggers while also getting in the Christmas spirit! Thanks Aly and Molly!

Friday, December 3, 2010

Day Eleven: New Year Resolutions

 
I can't believe the new year is approaching so fast. I already feel like 2011 is going to be amazing! January marks the one year anniversary of my boyfriend and I (Yay!) and I can't wait to have a fresh start with my resolutions.
 
uno. Go the gym at least three times a week. My school schedule for next semester should allow the time for this.

(I will need the boyfriend's motivation too)

dos. Eliminate procrastination with school assignments which will hopefully relieve some of my stress.

tres. Save my moolah! I have an issue with spending and if I want to move out of the parents' house any time soon, I better start doing a better job with this.

cuatro. Let myself have fun. I am always so busy with school and work that I never let myself enjoy life. I am a college student. I am supposed to have fun, right?

cinco. I need to start eating healthier because even though my metabolism is fast, I am sure the fast food that I consume is not good for me in the long run!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Day Ten: Favorite Christmas Songs/Caroles


My all time favorite Christmas song is Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas. And no, I don't get sick of it!


Taylor Swift's Last Christmas


Josh Groban's O Holy Night


Jessica Simpson's whole album!


Happy Thursday everyone! Tomorrow is finally Friday.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Day Nine: Favorite Holiday Recipe



Chocolate Cheesecake Candy Cane Bars

Ingredients

Crust:

  • 20 chocolate wafer cookies
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coffee beans 
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt

Filling:

  • 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature

Glaze:

  • 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon light or dark corn syrup
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup crushed candy canes (see Cooks Note)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with foil.

For the crust: Process the chocolate wafers in a food processor with the butter, sugar, coffee, and salt until fine. Evenly press the crust into the prepared dish covering the bottom completely.
Bake until the crust sets, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the filling: Put the chocolate in a medium microwave-safe bowl; heat at 75 percent power until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir, and continue to microwave until completely melted, up to 2 minutes more. (Alternatively put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with an inch or so of water to a very slow simmer; set the bowl over, but not touching, the water, and stir occasionally until melted and smooth.)

Blend the cream cheese, sugar, and sour cream together in the food processor until smooth. Scrape down the sides, as needed. Add the eggs and pulse until just incorporated. With the food processor running, pour the chocolate into the wet ingredients and mix until smooth.

Pour the filling evenly over the crust. Bake until filling puffs slightly around the edges, but is still a bit wobbly in the center, about 25 to 30 minutes. Cool on a rack.

For the Glaze: Put the chocolate, butter and corn syrup in microwave safe bowl. Heat glaze in the microwave at 75 percent power until melted, about 2 minutes. Stir the ingredients together until smooth; add the sour cream. Spread glaze evenly over the warm cake and scatter the crushed candy canes over top. Cool completely, then refrigerate overnight.

Cut into small bars or squares. Serve chilled or room temperature.
Store cookies covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Cook's Note: To crush the candy canes, remove wrappers and place in a resealable plastic bag. Use a rolling pin to roll and break the candy up into small pieces, about 1/4 inch or so.

Picture from Food Network website

I made this recipe last Christmas and it was so good- very rich, but good! It's just one of the many recipes I have gotten from the Food Network website so go check it out!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Day Eight: Least Favorite Thing About the Holidays


Link Up!

Okay my absolute least favorite thing about the holidays is how tight I am on money because of all the gifts I have to buy! I love shopping and giving people presents but I hate being low on funds :(


Another thing I can't stand is wrapping my Christmas gifts. I am a perfectionist and can't stand when gifts are poorly wrapped so it takes me forever to get mine done! 


In other news...

This is the last full week of school for me! I am beyond happy because this semester was so stressful for me. I just keep telling myself after this week, I will be able to finally relax and enjoy life.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Day Seven: Easy DIY Craft with Pictures


Go link up with Aly and Molly!

Okay I love crafts however I don't have the time between work and school to really do them anymore :(

One craft that I used to do all of the time though was make little Christmas trees out of pinecones.

There really is no certain way to do it- I would put beads and ribbon on mine but the possibilities are endless.

Hot glue guns work best to attach your decorations to the pinecone.

 They work as centerpieces or can even be made into Christmas tree ornaments!



Happy Monday friends!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Day Six: Gift Ideas


This is kind of hard for me because there isn't anything that I am absolutely dying to have...BUT I am very easy to shop for because I am the typical girly-girl.

Here are some cute girly things that have caught my eye:

I heart anything Betsey Johnson.



I do need a laptop case!

I love this pillow from PB Teen.


I want this so bad! I love to bake cupcakes and this would make it that much better :)

This is sold at Fred Flare!

That's about it for some of the things I want but I am really happy with just about anything.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Day 5: Favorite Holiday Movie/TV Show Special


These are my favs :)

Elf


National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation


The Holiday


Just Friends


I would recommend any of these!

Friday, November 26, 2010

Day 4: Tips/Tricks to a Budget Friendly Holiday Season


I just have to say I hope everyone had a marvelous Thanksgiving! I certainly did :) There was so much food...
 
 

Now on to the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge...
Go link up at the top of the post!

I am posting later today because I just got back from Black Friday shopping. I got three people completely crossed off my list of people to buy for so I am happy with that :)

I only really have one tip and I have already mentioned it once before but it's a good one! Before venturing out to shop, it is crucial to make a list of all of the people you plan on buying Christmas gifts for and how much you want to spend on them. I always do this every year and it prevents me from overspending on people and I never forget to buy for anyone.

Oh I just thought of another one...NEVER buy anything unless it's on sale! It is always tempting to buy something at first sight but chances are, it will eventually go on sale so it's better to wait.


Happy Black Friday everyone! Hope y'all are enjoying your Thanksgiving leftovers!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Day Three: Most Meaningful Gift/Best Gift You've Received



I wish I could say I have gotten a gift that was very heartwarming and sentimental but most of my gifts are just things I have on my wishlist every year. So I am going to list two gifts that I just love!

Last year my mom got me a CHI hair straightener. It's hard to believe I lived that long without one!



The second one I have not received yet but I already know one of the gifts my boyfriend is going to get me this year.

He has a big mouth and ruined the surprise but I love him anyway :)

I am horrible with directions and knowing where I am when driving so my boyfriend got me a navigation system! I can't wait to finally get some use out of it because I absolutely need one.


Tomorrow is Thanksgiving! I hope everyone has a wonderful day spending time with their families and eating yummy food!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Day Two: Black Friday/General Shopping Tips & Tricks


I loved reading about everyone's traditions yesterday!
Go link up with Aly and Molly!

Okay I love to shop so naturally Black Friday is a very busy day for me.

MADNESS!

It all starts the Sunday before Black Friday. The Sunday newspaper has all of the Black Friday deals in it so that's when I decide where I will be going to shop.

Of course in order to map out where I will be going, it is always good to have a list of all the people I will be buying Christmas gifts for and about how much I want to spend on each person.

On the day of Black Friday, I get up around 6 to be ready in time to get to the stores before they are picked over.

It is so annoying to get to a store and not find what I want! I hate that!

I am so looking forward to this Black Friday. Yummy Thanksgiving food followed by a day of shopping sounds perfect to me!

Have a great Tuesday everyone :)

Monday, November 22, 2010

Day One: Christmas Traditions


Today is the first day of the 12 Days of Christmas challenge with Aly & Molly!
Go link up!

Every year on Christmas Eve, my second family (the boyfriend's family) has a party. Even though I have only been dating the boyfriend for almost a year, I have attended the party before this year because I have been friends with his family for a long time. The party consists of lots of yummy food and then everyone has to sit on Santa's lap to open one gift. It's a lot of fun and I am so excited for this year.

Last year's party...



I stole these pictures from my boyfriend's mom :)

My family has a tradition that we open all our Christmas presents on Christmas Eve at midnight because that's when Santa has delivered all of them. Last year we didn't do this because everyone was too tired to stay up but we better enforce it this year!

Here are some pics from last year...







I can't wait for Christmas to be here! Have a wonderful Monday everyone!