My Favorite Holiday Cookie: Peanut Butter & Chocolate Cookes

This cookie has been my most desired Holiday fare for as long as I can remember. My sister and I have begged my mom to make these cookies many times before in the past. Of course, we could have made them ourselves - they're a snap to prepare - but don't you find food cooked by your loved ones always tastes better?

I decided to make these bad boys a little earlier than usual this year. My dad has been recovering from his surgery, so when I was over at my parents' house I decided to get all Martha Stewart up in there and whip up a batch. The original recipe is one my mom cut off of the side of a Hershey's Kiss bag. It's ancient! But I found it nestled in the "cookies" file of my mom's equally ancient recipe box.

I made some slight modifications: First, we didn't have any actual Hershey Kisses, so I got extra Stewart-y and melted some chocolate chips, poured that into a ziplock bag, snipped the corner off, and made a makeshift frosting piper (or whatever they call those things! :P). Second, I have developed some kind of food allergy over the last year or so, and have a strong suspicion it is a corn allergy. Thus, I have been avoiding a lot of foods due to all the cornstarch and corn syrup in just about everything. So my mom kindly bought me some all natural peanut butter at Costco that worked perfectly. Actually, we didn't even realized until later that it was chunky peanut butter! But in the grand scheme of things...it made absolutely no difference at all! They were still delicious!!!

I've transcribed the recipe to share with all of you here. I know it's an easy recipe to find anywhere, but I'm going to do it here too! So enjoy everyone!

Reese's Peanut Butter Cookies with Hershey's Kisses

1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup creamy (or crunchy!) peanut butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons of milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Granulated sugar
1 bag (9 oz.) Hershey's Milk Chocolate Kisses, unwrapped

Heat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. In large mixer bowl, beat shortening and peanut butter until well blended. Add granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until light and fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to beaten mixture. Shape dough into 1" balls (I used a rounded tablespoon so all my cookies came out uniform in size). Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes (I would err on the lower side of that amount) or until lightly browned. Immediately (Seriously. Right away) place unwrapped chocolate piece on top of cookie, pressing down so cookie cracks around edges (but not too hard!). Remove from baking sheet. Cool completely. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

I know the recipe SAYS to cool completely, but I can tell you right now that there is nothing - NOTHING!!! - more tasty than a peanut butter cookie with still-melty chocolate! And with that, I think I will leave you. Enjoy your holidays!

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My Fall/Winter Wardrobe VIP's

1. Warehouse Iris Print Scarf - ASOS (SOLD OUT - similar here)
2. JCP Ankle-Length Pants - Plus, JC Penney
3. Fab Skinny Jeans (Short) in "Denim" - Forever21+
4. ASOS CURVE 80 Denier Black Tights, ASOS
5. Leopard Jersey Skater Dress, Dorothy Perkins (SOLD OUT - similar here and here and a sexier version here)
6. Merona Plus-Size Long-Sleeve Pullover Sweater, Target
7. H&M+ Lace Top, H&M
8. 212 Collection Solid Jacket - Women's Plus, Kohl's (Edgier version I LOVE here)
9. Clean Riding Boot, Lane Bryant
10. Mossimo Supply Co. Voneta Studded Tuxedo Flat, Target
11. Sleek Asymmetrical Faux Leather Skirt, Forever21+
12. Patent Tote Bag By Isabel & Ruben Toledo, Lane Bryant
13. ASOS Maternity Skater Dress With Slash Neck, ASOS (SOLD OUT - similar here and here)
14. Avanti Asymmetrical Zip-Front Jacket, JC Penney
15. Simple Silver Medium Hoop Earrings, Lane Bryant (SOLD OUT - similar here)
16. Cheap Monday Watch Bracelet, ASOS

Hello all! I thought I'd do a quick(ish) post about the MVP's of my Fall/Winter wardrobe. (YAY!)

Halloween Fun

The lighting on this photo happened by accident. But I really liked how it turned out!

Hey, y'all! (I'm saying this with an incredibly countrified accent, by the way. Don't ask me why.) I just wanted to do a quicky post about my Halloween costume this year! I love Halloween, and it's not because of the candy (though that's nice) or the being scared out of your wits (don't really care for that. It's the fact that for one day a year children AND grown-a$$ people can dress up in as crazy outfits as they can imagine and no one thinks twice about it! Because, let's get real for a moment, okay? We've all seen one of THOSE people - you know - those FULL GROWN people who walk around every day dressed as fairies, or as though they just stepped out of the Matrix. They. Look. Completely. Crazy. But if every day were Halloween, it wouldn't be a problem!

This was my original inspiration...

I was a little bummed this year. I had this amazing costume and I was so excited to wear it, but I found myself in the same predicament as I do every year: All dressed up and no where to go! I'm know there were some raucous Halloween parties near my apartment building (I heard them...very late at night), but I'm so NOT a party person. So I did what I wanted to: I wore my costume around my apartment while I made dinner and watched a couple movies! :D

I had some issues finding a costume when I first started looking. First of all, plus-size costumes are crazy expensive peeps! I was amazed (and not in a good way). I wasn't going to lay down $100+ dollars for a cheap polyester dress that barely covered my hoo-hah (...you know what I'm talking about.) that I'd only wear one day of the year and probably not the next year at that! Secondly, speaking of hoo-hah...what's with all the slutty costumes? I mean seriously! I was scrolling down page after page of slutty nurse, slutty teacher, slutty air force pilot, slutty disney princess. Can't women get better options? Or is this really what women, even plus-size women, like to wear? I mean, I'm not getting down on the luscious ladies who get "dressed up" for their man, but I've definitely seen women wearing these just-shy-of-illegal get ups. WHAD UP WIT DAT?

Okay...I'm done ranting. Now on to MY costume. I had an idea in my head and so the first place I looked was my go to find-everything-you-need-in-one-place place, Amazon! God, I love Amazon. I found the perfect military hat there first. They also have khaki and army green for the different branches of the military I assume. Then I figured I should push the military imagery a little further with some medals or something, which I also found on Amazon here. They are plastic, but I was surprised to see how much they actually looked like metal! While still browsing Amazon, I figured I should get some vintage-y inspired/looking heels. I came across these:

Pleaser Women's Vanity-442 Mary Jane Pump, Amazon

They were perfect. Not comfortable to walk in at all (haha) but a surprisingly sexy shoe to add to the pin-up vibe I was going for. Not to mention - from what I could tell - well made for the price. Read the customer reviews though! Apparently the Pleaser shoe brand has notoriously inconsistent sizing. I ordered half a size up and that worked well for me. They fit perfectly.

Lastly, I had to find a dress. I looked for a long time for this final, and essential, piece of my costume. It was almost like it was meant to be: about a week before Halloween, a new dress popped up on Target's website. It. Was. Perfect! It was navy, had a little retro-inspired white collar, and the best part? I knew I could wear it again once Halloween was over. Take that, over-priced costume retailers!!! And I knew it was ordained to be when I saw that the navy of the dress matched the navy of the hat PERFECTLY! That might sound a little OCD, but I'm telling you it would've thrown off the aesthetics of the whole thing if I had had two shades of navy that were close but still obviously different. Check out the dress:

Merona® Women's Ponte Dress, Target

Isn't it darling?! At this point, I thought my costume was complete. But as I was looking at myself I realized something was a little off. The hat just was NOT working with my short hair (did I mention I hacked all my hair off? Well, a professional did so it looks nice. :D). I added one last thing and I think that's what took this costume to a whole new, and may I just say epic, level. I had bought a couple wigs a few weeks back and had yet to wear either of them. One was made of burgundy fibers and was styled into a side ponytail with a braid and side-swept bangs.

It was amazing. Once I put on the wig and everything else, including the iconic red lips and black cat eye, it just WORKED. I almost wish I could walk around like that every day. But I can't (and if you're wondering why, please refer back to the first paragraph of this post). 

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Say "Hello" To My Little Friend

Readers, meet Raphael the Betta fish. Raphael...readers. You can call him Ralph for short. :D

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Lust List

1. ASOS Bag With Side Straps And Metal Keepers, ASOS, $64.49
2. ASOS Boyfriend Watch, ASOS, $37.33
3. Bandelettes - Beige, Bandelettes, $14.99
4. Cascading Chains Necklace, Dorothy Perkins, (SALE) $17.00
5. Converse Birdie, Glasses.com, (SALE) $77.00
6. Black Cat Face Jumper, Dorothy Perkins, $39.00
7. Statement Stud Rope Necklace, Dorothy Perkins, (SALE) $9.00
8. Blu Sage Wide Waistband Petal Skirt - Plus, JC Penney, (SALE) $15.00
9. Wine Rib Crew Jumper, Dorothy Perkins, $27.00
10. Olive Epaulette Crew Jumper, Dorothy Perkins, $29.00

I like to shop around at a lot of different online retailers when I have down time. Some people may call this and addictive / shop-o-holic behavior, which....it might be. I don't really see it that way because for me it is what I do to relax. Some people read. Some people take naps. Some people take bubble baths. I happen to love browsing page after page of new merchandise. Of course, this does lead to the problem of me seeing some AMAZING one-of-a-kind piece that I feel I must have IMMEDIATELY! This is my lust list, where I artfully arrange in a picture all the items I would kill someone for (just kidding...maybe. :P) You might be thinking, "....that looks more like Fall stuff." And you would be right about that! I'm in a Fall state of mind! I've never really gotten into Summer/Spring stuff, but Fall is the best. The rich colors! The sumptuous fabrics! The layering!!! So, yes. I would like most of these things with the anticipation of wearing them in the Fall.

In the Name of Independence!

(ATTENTION! This week's DIY Friday has been suspended due to the holiday! It will be up and running again next week)

City Walk Panama Hat, Cuyana, $58.00
Waterfall Wrap, Forever21+, (OLD!)
ASOS Maxi Dress With Cut Out Detail, ASOS, (SOLD OUT) (Similar here, here and here)

Every year, as far back as my memory of living in our current house goes, we've celebrated the Fourth of July. Not in the typical way of most Americans with extended families over, a backyard barbecue, and fire-works (though I did petition my mother for sparklers this year...and failed). Are you wondering what the heck is wrong with my family yet? Instead, my sister and her husband came over, and we had our annual indoor "picnic" of sorts. 

I'll be honest, we've tried the eat-outdoors-and-smile-and-laugh-as-we-enjoy-our-meal thing, but let's get real, shall we? Eating outdoors sucks. The wind. The hot sun. The bugs (*shudder*). It's simply not glamorous, darling. So we eat our barbecue food inside, and I'd say we're all the more happier for it. My dad makes hot dogs on the grill. That's about as barbecue-y as we get, actually. The real tradition is in the food we eat. 

When I was little my mom let me make "menu" of all the foods we'd be having for our 4th of July dinner. I was in to scrapbooking then (yes, as a child!) and made it all fancy with different papers and scroll-y text. We've stopped making fancy menus since then, but we always plan to eat the same foods every year: Sweet corn on the cob, potato salad, hot dogs, macaroni (for my sister and I - it never gets old!), watermelon, and baked beans. To drink we have tangy lemonade and my dad always - ALWAYS - has to have his unsweetened ice tea. 

Let's Talk Lipstick

Without Flash
L > R: Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Blissful Berry, L'Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Lipstick in Silky Java, Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids Lipcolor in On Fire Red, Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Siren

With Flash
L > R: Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Blissful Berry, L'Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Lipstick in Silky Java, Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids Lipcolor in On Fire Red, Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Siren

1 Month Down: Best of May

Since it is the 1 month anniversary here at Toasted Crackerz, as well as the end of the month of May, I thought I'd do a little "Best Of" post (also, if you came back a little later, you noticed that I changed a couple things on the blog! :D). Below are my top five favorite posts of May (and of my blog's first month of life!).

1. Emerald City

This was hands-down my favorite post of the month! I love green so it was a blast to hunt down the best green clothes/accessories for curvier women at great prices! Not to mention the fact that my city is called "Emerald City" - how much more perfect does it get?!

2. Fashion Icon: Ulyana Sergeenko

This was a fun post because I love Ulyana's unique style so much that I simply HAD to share it with the world! Every picture of her is perfection! If you read this post already then you know how I feel about it and there's no need to go beyond that. :D

3. OOTD: Saturday Siesta

I really liked the outfit in this post. I wouldn't necessarily say it was the best OOTD post I've done so far, but the colors in this pic really popped. I've always loved bright colors, so this was great. Plus the smile and my pose were JUST right, which always makes me a happy camper. :P

4.DIY: Dolce & Gabbana Earrings

I practically did this project in one day. I was on a DIY binge (I also finished the L Boleyn necklace that day too) and I think updated the blog post with all its formatting and pics on the same day. Oh yes, it was very productive. Now if only I could be this motivated every day...

5. All White Jeans...

The fifth, and final, favorite post of May. This was an outfit that kind of came together at the last minute. I hadn't worn the pants before (I wasn't sure they would fit) and I didn't know if the sweater was a good match. But it ended up being absolutely perfect for walking around the beautiful OSU campus. This was a good day. :)

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Fun with Faces

I was browsing Facebook today and came across a friend who had posted pics of herself as different races. I remember an old Oprah episode my mom and I watched where they showed her what she would look like as different races. From that day on, I wanted SO BADLY to see what I would look like. So when I came across my friend's post of FB, and saw it was a free (!!!) service, I jumped all over it!

The link is here: http://morph.cs.st-andrews.ac.uk/Transformer/

Below you'll find the pics of myself.

So here are my faces! I don't think I need to describe them as I've already labeled them. The website offers many more options (baby, opposite sex, etc.) but these ones were my favorites (and they looked the most realistic). It's so freaky, because in the caucasian pic, I feel like I look so much like my mom. When I saw it I was a little creeped out. Not because she's ugly or anything, but because I kind of knew I looked a bit like her, but I guess the black side in me dulled that. She's caucasian so I guess if I had had a white father I would have looked just like her!

My absolute FAVORITE is the Mucha one. I'm am obsessed with the Art Nouveau movement, which, of course, means I am obsessed with Alphonse Mucha (the premier artist of the movement). When I saw they offered his style as an option I literally felt my heart beat faster. That's how much I love him!  My dad said I looked like a man in the Mucha pic, which maybe I can see...a VERY attractive man. :P I love that one so much I'm actually inspired to paint an entire canvas. To see myself in a Mucha-style painting would be glorious. Okay, I'm gonna shut up about that now.

Go to the link and take a look for yourselves! It's quite fun (and very addicting).

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