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August 5, 2017

Currently Crushing On.


Happy Saturday! I hope you guys are living up this first weekend of August. Crazy that we are here already! We have a fun weekend planned, starting with breakfast at the Children’s museum today. What are you up to?!


P.S. This past week, I shared my beauty favorites and lifestyle favorites over on crumbs! Ooh ooh ooh annnd it’s finally the last weekend of the nordstrom anniversary sale, so here are my favorite buys and what I’m loving so far!


xoxoxo


Best of the internets this week:


how stunning is this summer green goddess salad?


majorly craving this lobster cherry tomato pasta.


smoked salmon eggs benedict! deeeelish.


so badly wanting a cherry rum and coke.


avocado and greek yogurt chicken salad. yes please!


the prettiest ever chestnut plum upside down cake.


heck yes, perfect linguine and clams.


boozy strawberry peach slushies. i dieee.


super adorable mini chili bowl bites!


hellllo: brown butter chocolate chip banana muffins.


really love these mediterranean tuna tartines.


real deal summer water. it’s a beauty.


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Published on August 05, 2017 03:45

August 4, 2017

Double Chocolate Zucchini Cookies with Sea Salt.

It’s a cookie Friday!


double chocolate zucchini cookies with sea salt I howsweeteats.com


YOU GUYS.


Lately, I’ve been making these zucchini oatmeal chocolate chip cookies from last year on repeat. Max really loves them. It makes me feel good that there is a vegetable in my cookie. I like to give them away and be like “YOU’RE EATING SOMETHING GREEN!”


So we’re doing it again.


Super fudgy chocolate zucchini cookies, for the big fat win.


double chocolate zucchini cookies with sea salt I howsweeteats.com


We never ate zucchini bread or cake growing up. Never! Crazy right? Mother Lovett never made any. My mom would always do one thing with the garden zucchini we got and it was this: bread and lightly pan-fry with tons of parmesan cheese and then marinara for dipping.


I shared the recipe on my blog forever ago and if I felt like hating myself and being embarrassed for 56 hours on end, I’d link it. No thanks! But a quick google search will help you. Oh yay.


We were major savory zucchini eaters and we only ever did so in the summer. I still love that dish and Eddie and I always order fried zucchini when we see it on a menu. But it’s such a crapshoot. We love to find the lightly breaded ones that don’t taste like deep fryer. You know?


Anyhoo, I’m totally going to do that before summer ends – it goes on the bucket list now. But in the meantime, serious chocolate chip cookies with zucchini were on the menu.


Serious. I mean seriously. This is serious chocolate going down!


double chocolate zucchini cookies with sea salt I howsweeteats.com


These are so rich and fudgy and chocolate. My goal was to keep them as chewy as I could without allowing them to get too cakey and I think that goal was achieved. These babies are decadent. I almost felt like I was eating a brownie cookie!


Not a bad thing. Never a bad thing.


The thing that sets these over the top for me is the sea salt sprinkled after baking. Oh Mylanta. It’s the best combination of sweet and salty.


Oh oh and I did a little extra drizzle of chocolate on top because… I’m extra.


And I know that I haven’t shut up about not being into sweets (yet!) this pregnancy, so I have found that one cookie can do it for me. It’s perfection. It’s not like a pan of brownies where I want to keep going at it with a fork, or a cake that I want to keep slicing into. You can have one (… err, or three) of these and be totally satisfied!


Maybe.








Double Chocolate Fudge Zucchini Cookies




Yield: makes about 20 cookies




Total Time: 1 hour




Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
3/4 cup loosely packed brown sugar
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup freshly grated zucchini
1 cup chocolate chips or chunks



Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.


To start, I like to grate the zucchini and then lightly sprinkle it with salt. After a few minutes, squeeze it in between a towel or two to remove some of the moisture.


In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.


In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar. Whisk in the egg yolk until combined. Whisk in the vanilla extract. Stir in the grated zucchini. Stir in the dry ingredients until they are just combined and you have a dark chocolate dough. Fold in the chocolate chips.


Use a 1/2 to 1-inch scoop and scoop the dough onto a parchment lined baking sheet, about 2 inches apart from each other. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the cookies are just set. Let them cool for 10 minutes before removing them from the baking sheet. Sprinkle them with sea salt before serving!


If you'd like to drizzle yours with chocolate, I melted a few spoonfuls of chocolate chips and drizzle it on top!





[adapted from my chewy oatmeal zucchini cookies]






Be sure to follow howsweeteats on instagram and tag your recipes with #howsweeteats! You can also post a photo of your recipe to the howsweeteats facebook page. I appreciate you so much!


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AND we’re eating a vegetable!


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Published on August 04, 2017 03:45

August 3, 2017

Honey Berry Kombucha Smash.

We’re in full blown mocktail mode over here!


honey berry kombucha smash I howsweeteats.com


This honey berry kombucha smash is my new favorite thing. Until my next favorite thing comes along! You know the drill.


honey berry kombucha smash I howsweeteats.com


I know that every time I ramble on about how much I love kombucha, I say the exact same things. It’s annoying. “Oh I love it. And I sometimes use it as an afternoon snack. I also prefer it over coffee. It’s amazing in cocktails. It’s the only thing I could drink daily aside from water.” And blah blah blah – on and on and on!


honey berry kombucha smash I howsweeteats.com


Those things are all true, but let’s focus on the cocktail/mocktail aspect of it today. Because it makes for the best base and mixer! There is something that is so much more flavorful and complicated than using some sort of soda or ginger ale. There are more flavors. It’s a bit vinegary, which I obviously love, but many versions aren’t vinegary enough that you actually taste vinegar.


And sure, SOME are, but a lot of the fruit infused ones I love the most are not overly tart. For this drink I did use the tart cherry (okay, which is sort of tart!) but also the raspberry lemon. Perfection!


honey berry kombucha smash I howsweeteats.com


Can we also discuss this color for a moment? I just want my entire life to be this color. Let’s be real.


honey berry kombucha smash I howsweeteats.com


To start here, I simmered some honey and blueberries together until the berries were bursting. Then I smashed them with some fresh raspberries as well as kombucha to mix everything up. Poured it over crushed ice and topped it with vanilla seltzer (the same one I was raving about last week!) and threw in some fresh basil and mint.


honey berry kombucha smash I howsweeteats.com


I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS! That’s the thing. This might be my most favorite mocktail I’ve created so far.


honey berry kombucha smash I howsweeteats.com


The flavor is incredible because there is a richness from the simmered berries. The honey tames the tartness. And the soda makes it seem super bubbly to the point where I almost want to say that if you did serve this to someone, they may actually think it is a cocktail.


And of course, you can go ahead and add vodka or tequila or bourbon or any other boozy ingredient you might prefer. I GET YOU.


honey berry kombucha smash I howsweeteats.com


Super bubbly and not boozy! Come three months from now things will be verrrry different.


honey berry kombucha smash I howsweeteats.com


But right now my dream life is sitting out on our patio and sipping one of these come happy hour.


honey berry kombucha smash I howsweeteats.com


Now that we’re into August, I’m having an almost end-of-summer meltdown where I feel like we have to do all the things. Are we playing outside enough? Swimming enough? Did we do enough fun summer things? Then at the same time I’m like are we doing too many things? Are we not relaxing enough? We do we always have to be dong 43 thousand things? I was bored all the time when I was a kid!


SO I’m sipping this mocktail and pondering super deep questions.


honey berry kombucha smash I howsweeteats.com





Honey Berry Kombucha Smash




Yield: serves 2







Ingredients:

1 cup fresh blueberries
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup fresh raspberries
1 (12 ounce) bottle kombucha (I love ginger or strawberry for this!)
4 ounces ginger beer
fresh mint or basil for garnish



Directions:

Place the blueberries and the honey in a saucepan and heat over medium-low heat. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until the berries are bursting and juicy. Turn off the heat and add the blueberries to a jar or bowl. Top with the raspberries and add about 1/2 cup of kombucha. Muddle the berries with the kombucha until they are somewhat smashed.


Fill two glasses glasses with crushed ice. Add some of the smashed berry + kombucha mixture to each. Top with more kombucha, leaving a bit of room for the ginger beer. Top with the ginger beer. Add a bit more of the smashed berries on top and garnish with fresh mint or basil if desired.








Be sure to follow howsweeteats on instagram and tag your recipes with #howsweeteats! You can also post a photo of your recipe to the howsweeteats facebook page. I appreciate you so much!


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P.S. I’m also becoming a professional blueberry burster.


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Published on August 03, 2017 03:45

August 2, 2017

July Favorites: Lifestyle.


Moving on to everything I loved in the month of July! It’s rather “bag heavy,” ha. I did share a few things I’m loving this pregnancy over on the baby page a few weeks ago. Share your favorites below! xo


Okay, as for music… don’t laugh at me. I can’t help it if my music tastes range from being 17 years old to 68 years old. First up, we can’t stop listening to Bruno Mars Versace on the Floor. It’s not like it’s an appropriate song for Max but he must have heard it in the car and is OBSESSED with it. I’m dying to go to the Bruno Mars concert here on the 22nd but feel like unless I want to put my pregnant body in a crop top or bodycon dress, I will stick out like a sore thumb. Ha! Okay next, I wrote earlier this month that my mom and I went to the James Taylor concert and Bonnie Raitt opened for him. I didn’t know anything by her, but when her song “Nick of Time” came on, my mom was like OMG I USED TO LOVE THIS SONG OMG. I love that she loved that song back in the day because I think it’s so relevant to so many people I know at the moment. I’ve been listening to that too, like a baby boomer.


My crazy candle love this month still goes to the Copper Coconut from Bath and Body Works. Ugh! I hate that I love this candle so much but the scent is unreeeal. I wish I could find a coconut way or soy wax candle that had the exact same scent.


DeLallo GOLDEN(!!) Balsamic Glaze. Years ago I used to make my own balsamic glaze, but then DeLallo came out with an easy squeeze bottle and I’ve never looked back. We use it all the time, especially in the summer on tomatoes. I just about died last month when I was in the store and came upon the golden balsamic glaze. AH! I love golden balsamic vinegar more than traditional, so this has been in constant rotation over here. It’s amazing.


I’m steadily making it through my summer reading list and in July, I read And We’re Off and just loved it. Such a good story!


Costa Del Mar South Point 59 sunglasses. I completely copied off of my cousin who bought these in May. They were on my counter and I tried them on and fell in love. I prefer plastic frames over wire (I just think they are more comfortable), but this is sort of a mixture of both. Not only do I like the look of them, but they are polarized and so great for swimming, driving and full days out in the sun. My eyes are weirdly sensitive (why is this? They have always been this way!) and a lot of times I wear sunglasses even if it’s cloudy. Cannot even explain my love for these ones.


New Barn Barista Almond Milk. I’ve been a Califia farms almond milk fan for years (I adore the coconut almond milk!) but grabbed this on a whim at Whole Foods. WHOA. It is the only almond milk I actually LIKE in coffee. I mean, I can stand other almond milks, but I don’t enjoy them. To me, adding almond milk to your coffee is like adding water. It adds next to nothing. This is so much creamier than regular almond milk though. Super impressed.


Dolce Vita Studded Sandals in Gray. I love love love Dolce Vita shoes (I’m afraid to count how many times they have been in my favorites!) and got these on the first day of the nordstrom sale. They are one of the only things I could really wear “now” even though they are meant for fall, and I adore them. The color is perfect and I’m not a gray person. The studs are so cute and they are pretty comfortable too. Freaking love ’em!


KitchenAid Pro Line blender. In full discloser, KitchenAid did send me this blender a few months ago when my kitchen was being remodeled. Holy cow… I cannot say enough good things. You guys know it took me forever to buy a Vitamix, and then earlier this year, that broke. Eddie grabbed a Ninja (which we have had before) since he has a smoothie every morning because we needed something that day, and the blades dulled down within weeks. This KitchenAid blender is INSANE. 100% the absolute best blender I have ever used in my life (and I have no obligation to write about it!). It blends everything. The only thing is that it is HEAVY – heavier than my Vitamix, but it’s not like I’m ever carrying around the base. We are so crazy over this that I recommend it to everyone who asks.


Fawn Design diaper bag. So a few months ago I told you guys that I was thinking of getting the Honest diaper backpack and a ton of you commented and emailed to say I just HAD to get the Fawn one, that it was incredible. I’m at this stage where I hate to use anything but a backpack with Max – I like both hands free. And while I’ve never been one to really carry a diaper bag (since we have to drive everywhere, I just leave it in the car!), my go-to was the Rebecca Minkoff Julian backpack which I adore and wrote about in my favorites multiple times. The only problem was that it was a black hole inside, and it was sort of difficult to fit a diaper, some wipes, a snack and Max’s water without everything becoming a jumbled mess each time. So I got the Fawn Design one and oh my gosh, I LOVE IT. I’ve been using it since before we went on vacation in June and it has been perfect. The pockets on the outsides AND the insides are amazing. While I was on vacation, I saw that they restocked the mini bags, which was what I initially loved. I had bought the regular size backpack and while I love it, it’s bigger than I need right now. I knew the mini would be perfect, so I ordered one of those once they were back in stock and love that too! It’s the ideal size for one toddler. Once the new baby comes, I’ll be using the regular sized for a while – and with any long travel or days out, I use the bigger one too. Might do a big full post on it on my baby page.


While that’s been my go-bag for life, in late spring I bought a Las Bayadas bag and have been using it as our pool bag all season. It’s HUGE and amazing, not to mention neon! It fits so much – like five beach towels (I bring multiple extras for Max!), clothes, shoes, his puddle jumper – EVERYTHING. I also bought my cousin one of the blankets in the neon stripe for her birthday back in June too. I’m obsessed. Give me all the neon!


And on one more bag note (OMG, I know), I couldn’t resist and bought this hot fuschia crossbody Ted Baker bag at the nordstrom sale too. I really only use this when I don’t have Max with me and as I’ve said for years, I’m a crossbody-only girl when it comes to my purses that aren’t diaper bags. They just make everything so easy! It’s been a long time since I bought a crossbody bag that isn’t a Rebecca Minkoff MAC clutch. I love this shade so, so much and the bag fits the perfect amount.


This is certainly a random one, but last month I fell in love with stroopwafel caramel bites from Trader Joes. I have not been into sweets at all this pregnancy, and while these are still a little on the sweet side, they aren’t overly sweet. The best part of them? The TEXTURE! Oh my gosh. Like crunchy and creamy at the same time. I bought them on a whim and Max and I loved them. They are the perfect treat that you can have two of (like, actually only two!) and enjoy. How did I never try these before? Note: I just googled and saw that my friend Bridget actually did a taste test post on these!


[none of this is sponsored, just like to talk about things that I discover and love over the month. i purchased everything myself unless it was a gift from a family member or friend. tell me your faves! there may be a few affiliate links above. love love.]


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Published on August 02, 2017 18:16

Roasted Sicilian Cauliflower with Quick Tomato Jam.

We’re eating vegetables today!


roasted sicilian cauliflower with quick tomato jam I howsweeteats.com


Oh yes we are.


Don’t look so surprised!


Um, but you might be surprised. Because there is barely any cheese involved. BARELY. We are talking sprinkles.


Not THOSE kind of sprinkles… but cheese sprinkles. On this roasted Sicilian cauliflower that tastes like actual heaven.


roasted sicilian cauliflower with quick tomato jam I howsweeteats.com


So! Back when we were getting our kitchen redone (yes yes, you’re going to get to see it here shortly!), we managed to eat fairly well. We didn’t go out to eat very much and I mostly attribute this to still being in the somewhat sickly stages of pregnancy where any and all food sounded horrific.


A handful of times, Eddie brought dinner home from Whole Foods. Not necessarily just the hot bar foods, but once or twice he picked up the meals that are $25 and include a large entrée and two sides.


The ones he brought home were pretty good even when nothing else sounded tasty, but of course his choices were super meat heavy. You could bring me three sides and I’d be a happy camper. Like, at a steakhouse? I’d be happy ordering three side dishes for dinner and no steak or seafood. Yes please!


roasted sicilian cauliflower with quick tomato jam I howsweeteats.com


Anyhoo, one evening he brought home the Sicilian roasted cauliflower from Whole Foods. It was super flavorful. Tasted phenomenal at the time, which may have been because we did nothing but grill the same vegetables for eight weeks.


The taste was so spot on though – and when I looked at the ingredients, they were pretty simple. I was on a mission to recreate it as soon as we had a working oven, which happened a few weeks later.


roasted sicilian cauliflower with quick tomato jam I howsweeteats.com


I’ve been making it ever since as a side dish to some of our favorites, things like flank steak and even chicken sandwiches. For some crazy reason I’ve always enjoyed cauliflower even though my distaste of vegetables is high – but only if it’s roasted. It weirdly tastes like popcorn to me when roasted. Straaaange.


roasted sicilian cauliflower with quick tomato jam I howsweeteats.com


But! I’ve been waiting to share this and while it’s something I’d probably make more in the cooler months, we’ve been enjoying it so, so much.


P.S. I’m not about to call these cauliflower “steaks” because I just can’t get into that, but I did sort of slice them like so. You can certainly do it with florets if that’s easier. Do your thang.


roasted sicilian cauliflower with quick tomato jam I howsweeteats.com


This quick tomato jam recipe is one I first developed last year when making these bacon and egg avocado toasts. It’s a spin-off of the heirloom tomato jam from American Spoon and is SO delicious, almost like a jam form of ketchup, but a million times better. And that is saying a lot since you know I don’t love tomato-based things! Or shall I say: tomato sauce based things.


roasted sicilian cauliflower with quick tomato jam I howsweeteats.com


The one thing I wished that the Sicilian cauliflower had the first night Eddie brought it home was some sort of dipping sauce. While I initially was aiming for a chipotle crema or even a cheese sauce of some sauce, it didn’t really jive with the whole spice mix on the cauli. I love those two things, but they were semi-weird with this dish.


Therefore, tomato jam it was!


roasted sicilian cauliflower with quick tomato jam I howsweeteats.com


This stuff is ridiculously easy to make. You simmer a few fresh cherry tomatoes with some other delicious ingredients and blend the whole thing until smooth. Tastes like MAJOR summer. Then you dip!


roasted sicilian cauliflower with quick tomato jam I howsweeteats.com








Roasted Sicilian Cauliflower with Quick Tomato Jam









Ingredients:

1 head of cauliflower
2 garlic cloves, minced
6 garlic cloves, whole
4 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons finely grated parmesan cheese
fresh basil and oregano for topping

quick tomato jam




1 1/2 cups whole cherry tomatoes
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper




Directions:

Slice the cauliflower head into large pieces or simply break it into florets. Place it on a baking sheet. Sprinkle the minced garlic cloves over the cauliflower and place the whole cloves on the baking sheet. Drizzle with the olive oil. Season the cauliflower with the basil, oregano, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Sprinkle it with a bit if parmesan cheese.


Roast the cauliflower for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown and toasty. Remove, top with fresh basil and oregano and serve immediately with the tomato jam.


quick tomato jam


Heat a saucepan over medium heat and add the tomatoes, garlic, sugar, lime juice and vinegar. Stir often, cooking until the tomatoes begin to burst. Continue to cook as the mixture bubbles and the tomatoes break down, using a wooden spoon to break them apart if needed, about 10 to 15 minutes.


Carefully transfer the mixture to a food processor or blender. Blend until pureed. Pour into a jar and let sit at room temperature until the mixture cools completely. It will thicken more as it cools. Once cool, store in a sealed container in the fridge.








Be sure to follow howsweeteats on instagram and tag your recipes with #howsweeteats! You can also post a photo of your recipe to the howsweeteats facebook page. I appreciate you so much!



roasted sicilian cauliflower with quick tomato jam I howsweeteats.com


Oooooh just look at that caramely goodness.


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Published on August 02, 2017 03:45

August 1, 2017

Tuesday Things.


1. It’s completely crazy that it is already August and I’m still steadily making it through my summer reading list! What book are you on right now? Last night, I started Forks, Knives and Spoons.


2. These fresh crispy salmon burrito bowls are one of the most gorgeous things I’ve ever seen. Mad craving. Mad.


3. This past weekend I did a major clean out of our linen closet in our master bathroom and found Excedrin that expired in 2012. Like what? We didn’t even live here in 2012! Why did we even move that? Cannot even tell you the other ridiculous things I found.


4. I’ve become so weirdly obsessive at the moment about planning ahead and I’ve never been like this in my life. It’s is so odd and must be some crazy form of nesting. Isn’t it too early for that?! I’ve found myself bingeing on minimalist videos even though I think we can ALL agree I will never be a minimalist.


5. Speaking of not being a minimalist, can we discuss why someone would need a taco truck bag? I mean, I love tacos. But I cannot.


6. However, I know nothing because my inner Kelly Kapowski is pretty excited that all these shirts are coming into style with knots tied on the bottom of them.


7. Do you have an at-home desk that you LOVE and that has tons of storage? I die over the beautiful desks that are all pretty and clear acrylic and white and all that jazz, but I need drawers and stuff to actually have storage.


8. Still haven’t been solidly watching any TV shows, but I did watch Girl on the Train finally… and can’t decide if I liked it. I was also doing ten million things while watching it because I’m the worst, so that could be why. We also caught Keeping Up with the Joneses on HBO which was semi-hilarious at parts. I just miss some weekly Jon Hamm.


9. I’m pretty sure that I’ve written for years about my disdain for talking on the phone. It was probably the first millennial trait I displayed, as I used to talk on the phone for HOURS to my cousin and friends in middle school. Like I wanted nothing more than my own phone line (why?!) and that clear phone with the colorful wires running through it. So I am finding this article super interesting: what happened when I replied to every email with “call me.”


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Published on August 01, 2017 08:54

July 31, 2017

July Favorites: Beauty.

Hello hello!


july beauty favorites I howsweeteats.com


Can you even believe we are almost into August?! CRAZY!


Last week, I did a major clean out of our linen closet in our master bath which I probably hadn’t done since before Max was born. GAH! I don’t keep makeup in there, but I didn’t toss a lot of empty or expired things and am using up the things I really love. I’m almost finished with my Sunday Riley Tidal (this is probably my 3rd jar!) and may try the Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Cream – have you tried it?


I had one major fail this month and that was the Amore Pacific Sunscreen Mist. OMG. This was a nightmare. I used this on my face (with my eyes closed of course!) and first, it never dried down at all, even after attempting to rub it in. Second, it ran into my eyes ALL DAY LONG. It was so awful. So disappointing because I love this brand. I didn’t return it though, because I have been using it on my neck and chest when we are outside. Just don’t put that stuff on your face! EEEEK.


Anyhoo, on to my loves for the month!


july beauty favorites I howsweeteats.com


Weleda Skin Food.  Okay so I have mentioned Skin Food before, because it’s something I’ve used for years and in the winter, often put it on my entire body. I’m almost embarrassed to tell you what I’ve been doing with it this month… putting it on my FACE! Guys, my skin had a major dry skin freak out. Holy crap. I think it was a combo of pregnancy hormones, sunscreen, sweating from exercise and being in the sun, plus extra face cleansing that comes with that, etc. NOTHING was helping my skin. The FAB Ultra Repair which I swear by would soak in within seconds.


I mean, I guess I’m thankful that I’m not breaking out, but applying any makeup over dry skin is horrible! It’s basically impossible and felt like my face was flaking off. So, Skin Food to the rescue. It’s practically an oil/ointment type of cream and I’ve been slathering it on my face at night. It has worked! My skin is now back to normal. It also didn’t break me out, but keep in my that my skin is ridiculously dry. I just buy this at Target or on Amazon.


Unite Liquid Dust. Ooooh I’m really in love with this. A few months ago, I told you how my hair stylist used volumizing powder to sprinkle in my hair before curling. It was amazing! It totally works, but it can also be a sticky mess and if you use one particle too much, you can barely brush your hair. He used this on me at the beginning of the month and I fell in love. I’ve actually been spraying a tiny bit on my hair when it’s wet and letting it air dry. But you can also spray it on when it’s dry. It’s exactly what I wish I could do with the volumizing powder.


Plus, I really love the Unite brand. I’ve used the 7 seconds conditioner for years as well as the blow and set gel too.


july beauty favorites I howsweeteats.com


Tom Ford Soleil Blanc. So this is a scent/product I have wanted since last summer, but every time I tried to grab it during a sale, it was sold out. And it is so pricey that I never wanted to pay full price. But… I am in LOVE with this. And I don’t purchase a lot of this crazzzy high end beauty. First, just like last month I am still into that summer sparkle. I think I’m subconsciously doing it since I know that in a few months, I’ll have a newborn and be nursing and I don’t like to wear any irritating fragrance or makeup or glitter and get it all over them, you know? Ha. This smells so wonderfully summery. I’ve been putting it on when we are out and about, out for the evening or going to swim, just as something a little shimmery. It is heaven. I feel like it’s the summer counterpart to the Noir Pour Femme I love to wear in the fall and winter.


Jouer Skinny Dip Highlighter. This is a repeat but it’s SO necessary to mention again. I’ve been using this highlighter 98% of the time this summer and I get asked about it every single time it’s on my face. This shade is just so pretty. I mentioned before that it will probably be too dark for me come winter, so I’m living it up now. It works as an eye shadow too!


july beauty favorites I howsweeteats.com


Anastasia Sun Dipped Glow Palette. This is one of the palettes I mentioned last month that I bought at my impulse evening at Sephora. I hadn’t used it enough in June to say if I really loved it, but after using it all this month, oh I am in LOVE. It’s another one of those multiple-use palettes as I can use most of these shades as eye shadow too. I use the bronze shade as bronzer and it is a little shimmery, so beware of that. Definitely not matte. But I am loving it right now for summer!


Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. I grabbed this at the end of June and it’s been on my lips every single night. It is SO moisturizing. You know I’m a sucker for any and all sleeping masks since my skin is a desert. I’ve used it so much that I’ve barely touched my favorite sugar advanced lip therapy in the evenings. This stays put. It smells incredible. I love that it has a little wand to apply, but I do with it had a place to hold that wand!


july beauty favorites I howsweeteats.com


Hmmm as for other things, I did end up buying the value set of SK-II at the Nordstrom anniversary sale because I have wanted to try the essence for ever. People say it’s so life changing! I don’t mind paying a lot for skincare (I’d rather pay for skincare than makeup!) and I am liking it so far, but the smell is kind of horrifying to me. That might be the whole pregnancy sense though. I’ll let you know for sure next month! I am still absolutely LOVING the Tarte and Jouer palettes I mentioned last month too.


Other than that, I’m anxiously awaiting some fall lipstick shades. Oooooooh. What are you loving this month?!


{as usual, none of this is sponsored and all of these products were purchased by me. i am not affiliated with any of the companies above, nor do i accept free products. just love to talk about what i like, makeup junkie to makeup junkie. there are some amazon and general reward style affiliate links above. thank you for being here!}


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Published on July 31, 2017 12:45

Heirloom Tomato Garlic Toast with Basil Whipped Feta.

Are there recipes that come to mind instantly when you think of SUMMER?


heirloom tomato garlic toast with basil whipped feta I howsweeteats.com


This is totally one of mine. Anything heirloom tomato-y, cheesy and toasty is exactly where I want to be in the heat.


And throwing heirloom tomatoes on your garlic toast that is already spread with basil whipped feta sounds like an EXCELLENT plan for Monday. Might make it the best Monday of the summer, in fact!


heirloom tomato garlic toast with basil whipped feta I howsweeteats.com


Every summer I love sharing some sort of easy lunchtime or simple dinner recipe with heirloom tomatoes. A few years ago it was grilled garlic toast with heirloom salad on top. Obviously I love eating pretty things, but these tomatoes are just so delicious when made into a simple sandwich or toast. It’s the epitome of July and August.


While this isn’t something I’d usually throw together during the week – I have no idea why and should definitely change that – it’s the quintessential summer Sunday lunch. Like something I’d make right when we get home from church or something that I’d even throw together around five or six for an early dinner with grilled corn.


Tastes like HEAVEN.


heirloom tomato garlic toast with basil whipped feta I howsweeteats.com


Oh but of course, the ultimate thing to do here?… a BLT. Just sayin’. Giving you an extra idea!


heirloom tomato garlic toast with basil whipped feta I howsweeteats.com


I feel like whipped feta is an easy staple that I make every season. It pairs well with so many different recipes, appetizers, be it in the winter or the spring. It’s tangy and rich and I love using it as a spread or a base for toasts and crostini. Here, I threw in a ton of fresh basil from my herb box and it was insanely flavorful. It was like pesto whipped feta – the basil was so strong.


In the summer, it holds up fairly well in the heat too. I mean, I wouldn’t place it in a bowl in the hot burning sun for hours, but I have spread it on crostini and topped it with vegetables, kept it in the shade for an hour or so and it gets eaten up like crazy. So versatile and tasty.


heirloom tomato garlic toast with basil whipped feta I howsweeteats.com


Whyyy are heirloom tomatoes so absolutely stunning? I never care about eating tomatoes sliced raw like this until I see the beautiful heirloom ones. Half the time they look almost too pretty to eat.


heirloom tomato garlic toast with basil whipped feta I howsweeteats.com


Also!


This toast is brushed with garlic oil, so there is that. Or garlic butter! Whichever you want. I live for toast.


heirloom tomato garlic toast with basil whipped feta I howsweeteats.com


Now let me just say that after I made this a few times with the basil whipped feta, I started adding an egg on top. AHHHH! It was so fantastic. Super filling and satisfying too. So you should definitely give that a whirl.


Let’s make our heirloom toast the next basic, easy avocado toast! I’m in.


heirloom tomato garlic toast with basil whipped feta I howsweeteats.com





Heirloom Tomato Garlic Toast with Basil Whipped Feta




Yield: serves 4 to 6







Ingredients:

6 slices sourdough bread
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 to 4 heirloom tomatoes, sliced
fresh basil and oregano for topping
salt and pepper for sprinkling

basil whipped feta




8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled and at room temperature
3 ounces whipped cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn into pieces




Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place the sourdough slices on a baking sheet. In a bowl, stir together the butter and garlic until combined. Spread each slice of bread with the butter.


Bake the slices for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden brown and toasty.


Remove the toast and spread each slice with a tablespoon or so of the whipped feta. Top with a few heirloom tomato slices and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Add a few basil and oregano leaves for garnish. Devour!


basil whipped feta


Add the crumbled feta to a food processor and pulse until small crumbs remain. Add in the cream cheese and puree for 4 to 5 minutes, scraping down the sides when necessary, until feta is super creamy. Add in the basil leaves and blend until combined. This keeps great in the fridge for a few days!








Be sure to follow howsweeteats on instagram and tag your recipes with #howsweeteats! You can also post a photo of your recipe to the howsweeteats facebook page. I appreciate you so much!


heirloom tomato garlic toast with basil whipped feta I howsweeteats.com

Remind me to come back and look at these babies come January.


The post Heirloom Tomato Garlic Toast with Basil Whipped Feta. appeared first on How Sweet It Is.

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Published on July 31, 2017 03:45

July 30, 2017

Adventures at Picklesburgh!

picklesburgh 2017 I howsweeteats.com


We looove going to Picklesburgh every summer! You know that I am completely infatuated with anything briney, pickled and tart, so Picklesburgh is my dream. Max also loves the big pickle on the bridge and thinks it’s hilarious. Here’s a sneak peek of our day!


picklesburgh 2017 I howsweeteats.com


picklesburgh 2017 I howsweeteats.com


picklesburgh 2017 I howsweeteats.com


picklesburgh 2017 I howsweeteats.com


I always love the food that either Meat and Potatoes or Tako is serving. This year, we ended up getting their version of Nashville hot chicken from Coop de Ville, which is their new restaurant opening up in 2018. This was SO GOOD.


It was super spicy but had this cool, refreshing slaw and obviously… pickles.


picklesburgh 2017 I howsweeteats.com


picklesburgh 2017 I howsweeteats.com


picklesburgh 2017 I howsweeteats.com


picklesburgh 2017 I howsweeteats.com


Max loved the watermelon lemonade and is still talking about it today.


picklesburgh 2017 I howsweeteats.com


picklesburgh 2017 I howsweeteats.com


picklesburgh 2017 I howsweeteats.com


Hope you had a great one! xoxo


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Published on July 30, 2017 15:51

Nutella Coffee Crunch Brownies. {Video!}

[this post is in partnership with my favorites, DeLallo Foods! I’m created some delicious recipes and videos that you’ll see over the next few months. xo]


These are what my Nutella dreams are made of.


nutella coffee crunch brownies I howsweeteats.com


Look at that fudginess! Check out that crunch! Look at that coffee!


Okay, maybe we can’t SEE the coffee, but trust me, it’s in there. So is the Nutella. Nutella coffee crunch brownies sound like they should definitely be a thing, so let’s make them one. K?


nutella coffee crunch brownies I howsweeteats.com



This recipe comes highly borrowed from these super-old school crunchy topped better-than-crack brownies I shared here on the site AGES ago. One of the most popular recipes ever, something insanely rich and indulgent. I mean, making one pan of those? You really can’t even EAT more than one, so you better have somewhere to take it!


When I first came up with this recipe, I was missing those brownies and really craving a fudgy, chocolate coffee brownie. Something to put other rich desserts to shame. And of course, it had to include Nutella because ever since Max was born, I can’t get enough. Something so odd to stick around.


nutella coffee crunch brownies I howsweeteats.com


Most of you know that I didn’t even care for Nutella until I was pregnant with Max, so there’s that. The love has not gone away yet. Two point five years and running.


nutella coffee crunch brownies I howsweeteats.com


These babies are filled with the instant espresso baking powder from DeLallo’s. Oh my WORD – is this stuff incredible. It packs the perfect coffee punch and I love throwing it in all my chocolate desserts. A little bit will just enhance the chocolate flavor, but a good bit will give you some coffee lovin’ that you can’t ignore. I can’t even tell you how many jars I have used up in the last two years.


Since Eddie is a coffee hater, he knows nothing about me adding this to brownies and is probably reading this and very, very sad over all my brownie secrets. Seriously, add a teaspoon of this stuff to your chocolate goods and wait for your mind to be BLOWN.


nutella coffee crunch brownies I howsweeteats.com


In these brownies, I add a bit more of the instant espresso so we can really taste that coffee flavor. And there is also Nutella IN the brownies, which is heaven sent. The topping is melted chocolate, Nutella and crisped rice cereal, but you let it set completely so it’s super crunchy and crispy. A texture lover’s best friend. I live for that crunch!


nutella coffee crunch brownies I howsweeteats.com





Nutella Coffee Crunch Brownies




Yield: makes one 9x9 inch pan, make about 16 brownies




Total Time: 2 hours




Ingredients:

brownies



1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons DeLallo instant espresso powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2/3 cup Nutella, melted and cooled

Nutella crunch topping



1 cup chocolate chips
¾ cup Nutella
1 ½ cups crisped rice cereal



Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8x8 baking pan with butter or nonstick spray.


In a large bowl, combine melted butter with sugar and vanilla extract, whisking until combined and almost smooth. Whisk in each egg one at a time, stirring until a smooth batter forms. Add in flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking soda and salt, stirring until combined. Stir in the Nutella.


Spread batter in the 8x8 baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes until set. Remove and let cool.


Nutella crunch topping


In a bowl, melt together the chocolate chips and Nutella. I do this at 50% power for 30 seconds in the microwave and repeat, stirring after each, until melted. Fold in the cereal until it's coated. Spread the topping on the brownies and refrigerate them for 1 to 2 hours, until set. Slice and serve!








Be sure to follow howsweeteats on instagram and tag your recipes with #howsweeteats! You can also post a photo of your recipe to the howsweeteats facebook page. I appreciate you so much!


nutella coffee crunch brownies I howsweeteats.com

Maybe just a little sea salt on top too. Juuuust a bit.


The post Nutella Coffee Crunch Brownies. {Video!} appeared first on How Sweet It Is.

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Published on July 30, 2017 03:45

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