Cake Mix Cookies

I have had so many life changes the past few months! Ben and I have officially moved to Denver and are happily engaged :) I am really loving it here, and am so glad that I am settled and have more time to blog! I have been trying so many new recipes and I am excited to share them with you.

I tried this recipe when we first moved and it was a DISASTER. I found it on Pinterest, but had no idea that high altitude can affect baking, and learned the hard way with flat, doughy cookies (ew). I tried this high altitude version today, and it was very successful!! Am I officially becoming a Denverite??

Cake Mix Cookies

Ingredients:
1 Box of french vanilla cake mix
2 Eggs
1/2 Cup of applesauce
2 Tbsp flour
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix all ingredients together
3. Scoop cookie mix onto greases pan.
4. Bake for 15 minutes. Makes 20 cookies.

*You can try this with different kinds of cake mixes and get creative! If you don't live in high altitude, omit the extra flour and only bake cookies for 11-13 minutes.

Enjoy :)

xx,
Pretty Penny

Roasted Brussel Sprouts With Red Wine Vinagrette

A few nights ago we went to an amazing Mediterranean restaurant that had the most delicious brussel sprouts! I know what you are thinking (did she say brussel sprouts?), but this famously despised vegetable is becoming very trendy in the foodie culture, and is surprisingly REALLY delicious (and good for you too!) This dish was so delicious that I was craving it just a few days later, and  decided to try and re-create it on my own. This is an easy side dish for a weeknight dinner.

Roasted Brussel Sprouts With Red Wine Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

Brussel Sprouts

1 lb. brussels sprouts, halved

2 tbsp. olive oil

Sea salt

Pepper

Garlic powder

Sliced almonds

Vinaigrette

1/4-1/2 a cup of red wine vinegar

1-2 Tbsp olive oil

Salt

Pepper

Pinch of sugar

Directions:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees

2. Toss brussel sprouts in olive oil, sea salt, pepper, and garlic powder

3. Lay brussel sprouts cut side down on a pan

4. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until brown

5. Toast almonds in a pan (about 5 minutes)

6. Toss roasted brussel sprouts with almonds and vinaigrette

Enjoy!!

xx,

Pretty Penny

Pretty Penny Pantry Makeover

A few weeks ago I decided to organize our pantry. I'd had it with not knowing what was going to fall on my feet or head when I opened the cabinet. Ever go to the market and continually buy brown rice or your favorite snack only to realize you already have 3 boxes sitting in the back of your pantry? I know this has happened to you..it's okay...we don't judge here.

So began the pantry makeover. For this project, I got inspiration from various blogs, and the Container Store became my haven. Here are the steps to my pantry makeover project. But first...

The Before Picture:

I am seriously embarrassed. And this is only two shelves. Getting hives just looking at the clutter! Here is how I tackled this disaster...

Pretty Penny Pantry Makeover

Step 1. I made a list of items that we use on a regular basis like pasta or rice. I then went to the container store and got amazing food storage containers, as well as a soda can holder to use for canned food, and other open containers. The storage container are great because they seal your food in and keep it fresh.

Here is an example of one of the open containers:

Step 2. I used these great label templates from the Better Homes and Gardens website. I printed, cut, and had them laminated. I stuck them onto my containers with tape. I used my label maker for the smaller containers.

Step 3: I took everything out of the cabinets and put all items on my kitchen counter. I then tried to group things according to categories (snacks, breakfast, grains and rice, etc.) This is a great time to throw things away that you don't use or that is expired. Organizer junkies call this "purging".

Step 4: I filled my containers with all of our essentials, and slowly started to organize each shelf. It is kind of a trial and error process. Here is the end result!!

After buying all of the containers and getting the labels ready, the organization part only took about an hour. This is a very doable project. Have a happy Saturday :)

xx,

Pretty Penny

Choco the Monkey Banana Bread

I LOVE when I have a few overripe, brown bananas sitting in my kitchen because that means it is banana bread time!! Bethenny Frankel's Boo Boo Banana bread is my go to recipe when I am craving this moist delicious bread. Fun-fact: Boo-Boo refers to Bethenny's dog Cookie who bears a similar resemblance to my puppy Choco.  Today I decided to experiment a litte. I substituted half of the flour for whole wheat flour, and added flaxseed meal into the mix as well. I finished it off with sliced almonds on the top, and a dash of cinnamon. Hello nutty, chewy, chocolate-y amazingess!! And it's good for you too! You absolutely must try this newly re-named recipe (after my puppy Choco of course).

He totally approves!!

Choco the Monkey Banana Bread

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

1 tablespoon smart balance butter

1 cup overripe bananas (2-3 bananas)

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup white flour

1/2 cup wheat flour

3/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup of bittersweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup of flaxseed meal

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.

2. Spray pan with cooking spray. Pour in batter and cover loosely with foil.

3. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, then bake for another 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes our almost clean (moist crumbs are fine).

4. Cool completely, then slice and enjoy with a hot cup of coffee :)

*Some other ingredients you may want to add/substitute: carob chips instead of chocolate chips, use all whole wheat flour, walnuts instead of almonds, fresh blueberries*

Have a deliciously pretty day!

xx,

Pretty Penny

Pretty Things

Here are some pretty things that I am loving right now :)

Pale pink satin Toms--remind me of ballet slippers :)

Mismatched Bangles

Lightweight Cream Splendid Longsleeve

Sheer Peasant Skirt

Suede Nude Platforms

Tory Birch Clutch

Have a pretty week :)

xx,

Pretty Penny

Pretty Sweet Valentine's Day Treats

Stumped on what to make your honey for Valentine's Day? Here are a few  treat ideas that look and taste pretty :) Click on the dessert title for the recipe!

Chocolate Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwiches from Martha Stewart

Conversation Heart Cookies From Martha Stewart

Chocolate Chip Meringues With Strawberries From Cooking Light

Marshmallow Pops From Becky Bakes

Rice Krispy Hearts From Their Little World

Have a pretty valentine's day!

xx,

Pretty Penny

Household Binder

Well I did it...I attempted my first real organization project, and it was very successful! As I mentioned before, I was inspired to create a household binder after reading a wonderful organizing blog. In her blog, iHeartOrganizing, Jen explains step by step how to create a household binder to keep everything you need in one place! Can't remember where your checkbook is? Look in the binder! Need the contact info for your dog walker? Look in the binder! Can't find that awesome groupon you bought months ago? Well....you get it.

I loved  this project because it was so easy, and I was able to get creative. I think it is the perfect starting point for anyone who really wants to start organizing, but doesn't know where to begin or is simply too overwhelmed. This is how I did it:

Our Household Binder:

I went to Office Depot and picked out a cute and colorful binder. I also bought a label maker, label sheets, and dividers that have pockets in them.

I created a fun label using Word, and printed it out on one of my label sheets. Then I cut it out and stuck it on the binder. This adds some personalization :)

I printed divider tabs with all of the categories I needed. I chose Home, Life, Finances, Choco, and Coupons based on what I needed to organize. 

Home includes anything to do with our apartment including lease information

Life includes calendars, to do lists, gym membership info, etc.

Finances include our bills, pay stubs, and our checkbooks, which fit nicely in the divider pockets

Choco includes anything to do with our puppy

Coupons...self explanatory :)

 Other sections you may wish to include are contacts, calendars, or food. The possibilites are endless!

The pocketed dividers are so useful, as you don't have to hole punch everything. I love that I can grab any of the coupons I need before leaving the house, and I know EXACTLY where to find them.

The dividers have a back pocket as well, which is a great place to put any instruction booklets you have for household or kitchen electrics. I put this in the home section.

Our dog Choco is an important part of our lives, and comes with TONS of paperwork! I now have a place to put all of his veterinary forms, adoption forms, and any Petco coupons we stumble upon!

I created a personalized to do list, and added this in the Life section. I also created a personalized apartment project list which goes in the Home section. This is proving to be very helpful since we are moving in a few weeks, and have a lot of little things to do around our apartment.

This project took me under an hour, and is very easy to do! The best way to organize is to start with small projects that are easy to accomplish. Good luck getting organized, and stay tuned for my future projects!

xx,

Pretty Penny