Giving Thanks, Literally.

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? I'm so happy (or should I say thankful) that I was able to 5-pack of handmade 'Thank You' cards. They're made from watercolor 

paintings of mine. 

With Thanksgiving coming up, the theme of 'Thankfulness' is all around us-- which is a good thing.

"If [thankfulness] were a drug, it would be the world's best-selling product with a health maintenance indication for every major organ system," said Dr. P. Murali Doraiswamy, head of the division of biologic psychology at Duke University Medical Center.

Dr. Doraiswamy also goes on to state that "Studies have shown measurable effects on multiple body and brain systems, said Doraiswamy. Those include mood neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine), reproductive hormones (testosterone), social bonding hormones (oxytocin), cognitive and pleasure related neurotransmitters (dopamine), inflammatory and immune systems (cytokines), stress hormones (cortisol), cardiac and EEG rhythms, blood pressure, and blood sugar." Full article here.

Pretty amazing, right? Take a peak at my cards below! If you're interested, you can purchase them from my Etsy store here: i make pretty. Thank you! :)

Total Solar Eclipse

Wanted to share a quick sneak peak at some paintings I've been working on for a new "Thank You" notecard set. I'm just about done and will be sharing soon!

In other news, a total solar eclipse will take place today, starting at early dawn in Australia (Nov 14)-- 

which is the afternoon here in the US (Tue 13). A total eclipse is when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth.

"The moon's shadow will travel 9,000 miles over Earth's surface in just over three hours, EarthSky reports. The eclipse will begin at 5:45 a.m. (AEST) and finish at 7:40 a.m. During totality [an estimated 4 minutes], several stars and planets will be visible.

The Australian city of Cairns will be the locale of choice--the only city in which the "totality" will be visible." (Huffington Post)

For the rest of us that won't be in Northern Australia during this natural wonder, I came across this paragraph that described the experience in a way that made me 'feel' like I was there:

During totality the sky becomes dark, confusing birds and other animals. You see stars in the sky and it gets strangely cooler. Street lights may come on as their sensors register the lack of light. The birds disappear from the trees and flowers have been known to close up, expecting nightfall. All around you the crowds begin to cheer and clap - that's when you know 'it's on'!

Just before and just after totality the disc of the Sun is glimpsed as a pinpoint of light through mountains and craters at the edge of the Moon. This 'diamond ring effect' is one of the highlights of a total eclipse. (Space Daily)

This particular solar eclipse is very powerful since it coincides with a New Moon. It is said to be a a time to let go of all things that no longer serve you to make way for the new (read more about it here: Scorpio New Moon )-- I'm sure we all have a couple of these. 

The Magnificent Display at Dusk

The upside to a 4 and a half hour drive at dusk is watching the sky transition with beauty and grace as the sun sets and the moon rises. The sunlight becomes such a pretty golden color and everything looks mellow and nostalgic. I feel like this is a good metaphor for the time of year we're entering, when 2012 is slowly setting and we can already feel the energy of 2013 upon us. So many big changes 2012 brought (and I'm sure there will be a few more before the year is over) and it feels like now is the time to reflect as things begin to mellow out and we can see the year coming to it's end.

Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?

Tell me, what is it you plan to do

with your one wild and precious life?

(From "The Summer Day" by Mary Oliver)

Are there any last changes you want to make or things you want to finish before 2012 is over? Any resolutions you still need to work on?

Sweet and Smoky Almond and Pumpkin Seed Brittle

Rich in zinc, iron, magnesium, potassium and calcium, shelled pumpkin seeds (Pepitas) are a nutritious snack. Add in a little sweet and a little spice and now we're talking about a nutritiously, delicious addictive snack! This recipe was ridiculously easy to make and supplied me with a week's worth of afternoon snacks that I didn't feel guilty about eating since they were a) homemade b) not containing high fructose corn syrup and all those other unnecessary ingredients c) healthy (minus the sugar)!

Before we get to the recipe, you must check out this eerily, beautiful, perfect for Halloween video:

Sweet & Smokey Almond and Pumpkin Seed Brittle
Prep Time: 10 min
Cooling Time: 30-40 min

Ingredients to make approximately 5 Cups:

vegetable oil or cooking spray for baking sheet
(
1) cup sugar
 (adjust accordingly, for me, this was too much, I used 3/4 cup)
(3/4) cup water
(
1) teaspoon coarse salt, divided
(2) tablespoons adobo sauce (from one 7-oz can chipotle chiles in adobo)
(1) cup unsalted roasted pepitas (green pumpkin seeds)
(1) cup almonds (or any other kind of nut that you want to use)
(
1/4) teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper and lightly brush with oil or cover with cooking spray. Make sure to measure out all of your ingredients because once you start, it all happens really quickly, so be prepared!

Cook sugar, water and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a heavy medium saucepan over high heat, stirring, until sugar just dissolves.

Continue to cook, without stirring, until golden which will take about 4 minutes. Then cook about 1 minute more, swirling the pan, until syrup is light amber.

Carefully stir in adobo sauce and cook 30 seconds.

Remove pan from heat, Add pepitas, almonds, and cayenne, stirring to coat.

Immediately pour onto baking sheet and sprinkle with remaining salt. I didn't do this, but if you want your Brittle to be a little more salty, go for it.

Let cool completely, and break into pieces. 

Brittle can be stored in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.

Recipe from Martha Stewart Living, August 2012

Fashion Trends: Coated Denim

// J Brand Jeans - Coated Metallic Power Stretch Mid Rise Skinny //

Denim gets down this Fall, with different patterns, prints, textures, colors and finishes. Dare I say...anything goes? A really fun trend is coated denim which gives denim different intensities of shine depending on what kind of resin or wax the denim is coated with. The wax coating can also give denim the same look and texture as leather, making coated denim a good alternative if you aren't into supporting leather goods. 

You can incorporate coated denim jeans into your everyday work look by pairing it with a blouse and blazer or t-shirt and cardigan or jacket. Dress these denim jeans up at night with a fancy top, dressy heels and some jewelry.

How fun are these finds? How do you wear your coated denim?

// BDG - High-Rise Two-Tone Coated Jean //

// Bebe - Anaconda Icon Skinny Jean //

// Zara - Olive Coated Denim //

// J Brand Jeans - Overdye Textured Coated Skinny in Pelt //

// 7 For All Mankind - Metallic Light Blush //

// Zara - Coated Trousers //

// Bebe - Silverado Metallic Skinny Jean //

// Zara - Red Coated Denim //

// Zara - Coated Printed Denim //

Caramel Apples

// The Sweetly Salted Caramel Apple
(Salted Caramel, Dark Chocolate & Peanuts)

Sweet, salty and crunchy, who can say no? //

Halloween is days away and the weather is just now cooling down here in Los Angeles. With the weather finally acting its season, I decorated my apartment with pretty Fall paintings and flowers and whipped up a couple of Halloween treats-- including these Caramel Apples.

I searched the internet for some ideas. Mouthwatering and inspired I decided to come up with my own creations:

Salted Caramel, Dark Chocolate & Peanuts

Caramel, White Chocolate Chip & Rainbow Sprinkles

and

Dark Chocolate, Cayenne & Cinnamon

(recipes are at the bottom of this post)

To work I went; tasting, testing, eating and enjoying. I have to say the The Sweet Heat Candy Apples are my fave with just the right amount of sweet and heat. Caramel Apples are really easy and fun to make. Give it a try and let me know what you come up with!

 

// The Party Time Caramel Apple

(Caramel, White Chocolate Chip & Rainbow Sprinkles)

Colorful and sweet, this treat is a party in your mouth //

 

  // The Sweet Heat Candy Apple

(Dark Chocolate, Cayenne & Cinnamon)

More on the savory side, this treat pack the right amount of sweet and heat //

In case none of these strike your fancy, here are some other awesomely delicious 

Caramel Apple recipes I found.

// The Apple Pie Caramel Apple  //

// Ghostly Coconut Covered Apples //

// The Reese's Caramel Apple //

// The Snickers Caramel Apple //

// Triple Dipped Smores //

// The Rocky Road Caramel Apple //

- - - - - - - - - - - R E C I P E S- - - - - - - - - - - 

Each of these Caramel Apples start out the same. You want to pick out proportionate, healthy looking (organic if possible) apples and wash them really well.

Cut out the stem of the apple and insert a candy apple stick, a cleaned stick from a tree or a chop stick (what I used).

Take a baking sheet and spray with cooking spray or wipe down with a little vegetable oil.

There are many options when it comes to how you want to make your caramel. You can make it from scratch, or, being new to this, I opted for ready-made caramel dip which you simply heat over the stove. Once the caramel is warm, tilt the pot and roll your apple, coating it in an even layer of caramel. Follow one of the recipes below from here or come up with your own creation!

The Sweetly Salted Caramel Apple

(Salted Caramel, Dark Chocolate & Peanuts)

Sweet, salty and crunchy, who can say no?

Coat apples in melted caramel.

Put back on the baking sheet and let it cool in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.

Melt dark chocolate over medium to low heat, stirring constantly. This part can be kind of tricky. There's a thin line between melting and burning your chocolate. If it becomes doughy, you've burnt it and your going to have to start over. Once it starts to melt, keep stirring and lower the heat.

Take your caramel covered apple and dip it in the melted chocolate.

Transfer apple to a plate and sprinkle with coarse sea salt and peanuts (or any other kind of nut you want to use).

Put back in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, then enjoy! 

The Party Time Caramel Apple
(Caramel, White Chocolate Chip & Rainbow Sprinkles)
Colorful and sweet, this treat is a party in your mouth.

Coat apples in melted caramel.

Transfer caramel coated apple to a plate and sprinkle with white chocolate chips and rainbow sprinkles.

Put in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes and eat!



The Sweet Heat Candy Apple
(Dark Chocolate, Cayenne & Cinnamon)

More on the savory side, this treat pack the right amount of sweet and heat.

Melt dark chocolate over medium to low heat, stirring constantly. This part can be kind of tricky. There's a thin line between melting and burning your chocolate. If it becomes doughy, you've burnt it and your going to have to start over. Once it starts to melt, keep stirring and lower the heat.

Transfer chocolate coated apple to a plate and sprinkle with desired amount of cayenne pepper and cinnamon.

Put in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes and then it's ready to eat!