Going Bananas - Yellow Shorts and a Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Muffin Recipe

YELLOW SHORTS - Necessary Objects
CASHMERE SWEATER - Banana Republic (Thrifted)
TAUPE STRAPPY HEELS - Steven by Steve Madden
FAUX SNAKESKIN CLUTCH - Last Chance Boutique
NECKLACE - Heavenly Treasures
WOOD BRACELET - Heavenly Treasures

Princess Sparkles had her "Spring Sing" today.  Basically parents and their preschooler sit in a circle and sing songs.  I accidentally left the printed up words at home so we had to "wing it."  You know, how you sort of say the words slightly after everyone else and/or try to guess what the next words are going to be?  And forget the tune, you just go with something neutral (unless you get lucky and it's a tune you know).

I was having a little difficulty choosing today's outfit.  Partially because I was trying to accomodate two link ups ("Fruit Week" hosted by Megan Mae Daily and Casual Chic Kiki, and "Thursdays are for Thrifters" hosted by Spunky Chateau) and because I just wanted to be comfortable.  I decided to go with shorts because they're comfy and I just got these cute things at Loehmanns a few weeks ago.

Anyway, in the end I was able to "wing it."  I took a little inspiration from some of the other participants, threw on a pair of yellow "banana" shorts, and a thrifted cashmere sweater (I know, not really spring/summer, but then again, isn't cashmere considered year-round?).  I also kept everything neutral.  Basically I found that putting this outfit together was kinda like singing songs you don't know!

BANANA CHOCOLATE CHIP OATMEAL MUFFINS

Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups flour (I often do 1/2 wheat, 1/2 all purpose)
1 cup quick cook oats
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil (can substitute apple sauce for oil too)
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 banana, mashed up
1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:
Combine dry ingredients in a bowl.  In another bowl beat egg, then add milk, oil and vanilla.  Add the mashed up banana.  Add the dry mixture in and stir until just combined.  Fold in chocolate chips.  Grease muffin pan and spoon batter in (should make 12 muffins).  Cook at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

Bridesmaid Bunco

I play Bunco with my girlfriends every month.  I never win.  I just give someone else my $10.  Yes, it does kinda make us feel like old ladies to be playing a dice game every month together, but who cares.  It's fun.  And it's nice to "get out."

Tonight was my turn to host so I decided I'd have a theme (Because you can't have a party without a theme, right?).  I decided to do "Bridesmaid Bunco" because you NEVER get to rewear that bridesmaid dress.  So luckily I finished my 30 remix so I could wear this dress (it's from the wedding of my best friend, Plaid).



Modeling our bridesmaid dresses (that's Fedora on the far right)


The dress didn't quite fit right (okay, it didn't fit at all!).  That bummed me out.  I had to wear a cardigan over it because I couldn't zip it up.  No one else had to wear a cardigan!!!  I tried to get Camouflage to help squeeze me in it but he said it wasn't going to happen.

I've decided that you never know how skinny you were until you aren't that skinny anymore.  Thank you, Princess Sparkles.  Thank you, Pigtails.  You've changed me in many ways.  But I still love you.





I made baked brie, teriyaki meatballs and a corn and bean salsa (similar to Cowboy Caviar).  Here's the recipe (it's super easy, and is always a hit at parties!).

CORN AND BEAN SALSA

Ingredients:

1 can of corn (drained)                          1/4 cup rice vinegar (can use white too)

1 can of black beans (drained)               1/4 cup sugar

1 can of diced tomatoes (drained)          1/2 lime

1/2 cup green onion (chopped)              1 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 cup cilantro (chopped)                     1 tsp chili powder

2 cloves of garlic (minced)                     1 tsp cumin

                                                            salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Drain and rinse corn, black beans and tomatoes.  Toss together in a medium size bowl.  Add green onion, cilantro and garlic.  Mix in vinegar and sugar.  Squeeze in half a lime.  Then season with paprika, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper.  Let sit for at least an hour in the fridge.  Serve with tortilla chips.

Original Nestle® Toll House® Chocolate Chip Pan Cookie Recipe

Today my little Pigtails turned 1!  But instead of baking a cake, I decided to do a giant pan cookie (mainly because I can't resist a chocolate chip cookie - and a gigantic frosted one, at that).   

Here's the recipe (so you too can have a little bit of chocolate chip cookie heavenly goodness... yummy!):

Original Nestle® Toll House® Chocolate Chip Pan Cookie Recipe

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 (12 oz) package NESTLE® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels (or I use milk chocolate since they're my fave)

Directions:

PREHEAT the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 10x15 inch jelly roll pan.

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels. Spread into greased 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan.

BAKE for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown. Cool in pan on a wire rack, then cut into bars.

ENJOY (I sure did)!

***check out some other yummy desserts here at Sweets for Saturday!