Organizing Obsession - The Amandas

Ever since I started watching "The Amandas" (a reality show dedicated to organizing) I've become obsessed with organizing (again.) This time, I've been "pinning" and scouring the web for cheap ideas on how to organize my jewelry.

I decided to take this vintage-inspired memo board (which was hanging out in our basement) and use it to hang some of my necklaces. For now.

Click here to see more pins from Pinterest about organizing and check out The Amandas on the Style network every Monday night 10/9 c.

Love Bites

Adapted from a Parents magazine recipe six years ago, I make these tasty morsels every Valentine's Day. 'Love Bites' are yummy little heart-shaped shortbread cookies filled with nonpareils. Delightful, delicious.

Love Bites (makes a little over 2 dozen)

- 2 sticks of butter, softened

- 1/4 C confectioner's sugar

- 1/8 tsp salt

- 2 1/2 C all-purpose flour

- 1/4 C pink or red nonpareils

(optional)

- light corn syrup

- pink crystal sugar

1. In a bowl, use your mixer to beat butter, sugar and salt until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in flour. Mix in nonpareils. Toll dough to 1/2" thickness between 2 sheets of wax paper. Refrigerate for 3 hours or up to 3 days.
2. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cut out dough into heart shapes and transfer to baling sheet. Bake 14-18 minutes. Transfer to wire rack to cool.
3. (Optional) Brush edges with corn syrup and then dip into crystal sugar. (Pictured above, I sprinkled the crystal sugar on top and baked it. Easier I think, and no added corn syrup!)

Valentine's Day Garland With Mini Baking Cups

I've been accused many times of being cheap, but in a nice way, so here is another Valentine's Day decoration that costed me all of $1.00. (Mostly because I already had the supplies on hand.)

Supplies:

• Garland
• String of Mini White Lights
• Red/Pink Valentine's Day Ribbon
• Mini Paper Cupcake Baking Cups

Decorate your garland (that you left up since Christmas!) with lights, hanging hearts. Add ribbon. Cut an X at top of baking cup with an Xacto knife and cover mini light bulbs. Easy and cheap inexpensive.

Linking to Thrifty Decor Chick!

Doing The 'Light' Thing

I have so many projects going on right now, it's mind boggling. But enough about that! Last night I made the Barefoot Contessa's Lemon Chicken Breasts for the second time and the best thing about this recipe is how it makes our kitchen smell--an aroma of lemony/garlicky goodness.

I'm on a health kick and now the whole family has to endure it. My favorite 'light' recipes:

Tyler Florence's Green Beans with Shallots and Walnuts.

Fresh Homemade Salsa

Blueberry Parfait (fresh blueberries, granola and vanilla yogurt)

Do you have any healthy recipes to share? Leave me a link in a comment so I can try it out!

'Take Your Husband To Work' Day

When I decided to create my own career path, (using all my jane-of-all-trades skills) I never would have imagined that working could be so fun. But it was today, when I invited Husband to come to work with me. My job was to sample food at a new diner in a neighboring town. He didn't seem to mind one bit.

We feasted on hamburgers, beer battered french fries, French Dip and BBQ pulled pork sandwiches. (It's 5 hours later and we are still full.)

The best part was when we got to sample all of the desserts. Oh my, I love pie, how about you?

I've decided that every time I have to go do food reviews, they will become deligated "date nights."

I Don't Make Resolutions...

But after a month of yummy cookies and holiday debauchery it's time to lighten up...especially interested in the Cinch! book by Cynthia Sass.

We'll see how this goes...