cookies – Amanda Bella

Coconut Macaroon Nutella Cookie Nests

I have to be honest. I totally judge desserts by their cover. Mind you, some of the yummiest treats I’ve ever eaten were less than stellar looking, but overall, I hardcore judge a dessert table. Luckily, the Easter recipe I’m sharing today is both adorable and delectable.

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April 13, 2017 | 6 Comments

Friends, Lifestyle

A Winter Wonderland Wedding!

One of my friends from college, Brianna, got married last weekend! We met while we were both rushing the same sorority in 2007. She is one of the funniest, kindest, most entertaining girls I know, she’s one of the very few people that can just make me laugh hysterically.

I’m so glad that we’ve kept in touch & I’m so happy she invited us to spend her wedding day with her! I wanted to share some of the photo’s I snapped from her special day!

But first a few throwbacks:

Here we are in 2007 at one of our sorority events! Brianna is lovely red head in the center 🙂

Here we are at our initiation! Looking all young & awkward lol — Here we are at our initiation – Phi Sigma Sigma, Iota Delta Chapter, the Kappa class! Looking all young & awkward lol

And here we are in 2009? Over-picniked lol. Extra tan skin & super white teeth. (Anyone else go through a crazy Picnik phase? lol) — And here we are at another initiation in 2009. Looking over-picniked lol. Extra tan skin & super white teeth. (Anyone else go through a crazy Picnik phase? lol)

I have no photos from her ceremony, because I kind of feel strange using a phone/camera in church. I feel like the bride wants to see smiling faces as she’s walking down the aisle, not cameras (but you should know – the ceremony was gorgeous & very sweet).

So, we begin photos at the cocktail hour:

We walked into cocktail hour & I could not get over this table of prosciutto! They had an incredible crudite, fruit, meats & cheese stationary display – as well as some tasty passed apps.

After cocktail hour we entered the ballroom & were blown away by the Winter Wonderland before us! And the monogram - loveee!! — After cocktail hour we entered the ballroom & were blown away by the Winter Wonderland before us! And the monogram – loveee!! (They had small table tents noting the hashtag for the event #KottPartyOf2 (which I think is such a fun way for guests to share photos on FB, Instagram & Twitter that you can look back on) – so I snagged this picture from AtmosphereProductions Instagram account)

I stole this picture from Carlgti2010's Instagram account as well. This was our table :) — I stole this picture from Carlgti2010’s Instagram account as well. This was our table – everyone got a huge mason jar filled with hot cocoa, marshmallows, peppermints, chocolate candies & more. I actually tapped into mine the next day! Do you see the table number? Each table number was a small notebook that asked guests to write notes for the bride & groom to read on their X anniversary. We wrote notes for their third. Such a cute idea 🙂

After cocktail hour we entered the ballroom & were blown away by the Winter Wonderland before us! I loved her tall, hydrangea & crystal centerpieces! — I loved her tall, hydrangea & crystal centerpieces!

The beautiful couple's first dance :) — The beautiful couple’s first dance 🙂

Snagging a quick selfie ;) — Snagging a quick selfie with the Mister 😉

Photo boothing wih my friend, Steph! — Photo booth fun with my friend, Steph!

Got a hold of the bride for a group shot! Steph rushed the sorority with us in 2007 as well :) — Got a hold of the bride for a group shot! She looked so gorgeous & her dress was simply breathtaking! (Steph – on the left – rushed the sorority with us in 2007 as well 🙂 )

Mike & I! It’s funny – he grew up in the same hometown as Brie, so he actually knew a bunch of the guests.

Cake time! Her 4 - tiered cake was gorgeous ( and delicious!) — Cake time! Her 4 – tiered cake was gorgeous ( and delicious!)

This is Mike's "I'm ready to get down" dance. We defintely did a bit of dancing that night! I think my feet have finally recovered :) — This is Mike’s “I’m ready to get down” face. We defintely did a bit of dancing that night! I think my feet have finally recovered 🙂 (LOOK AT THAT HAIR!! OMG.)

More photo-boothing :) — More photo-boothing 🙂

Cake, cookies, assorted truffles & chocolate covered strawberries!? So good!

So, I didn’t catch the bouquet, the girl right in front of me did! …But guess who caught the garter!?

Go figure! I should have known. Mike never loses at anything. One of the girls at our table caught the bouquet so they did their little thing - it was too funny. — Go figure! I should have known. Mike is so competitive, he never loses at anything. The girl who caught the bouquet was from our table so they did their little thing – it was too funny & she and her boyfriend were real sweethearts 🙂

...Obviously we had to have one more photo booth experience for good measure :) — …Obviously we had to have one more photo booth experience for good measure 🙂 Right afterwards, we hit up the candy bar & called it a night. A GREAT night at that.

The wedding was so much fun. I’m really glad that I was able to be there to celebrate with Brianna and all of her friends and family! Everything was just perfect.

Sending a huge congrats to Brie & Colin (who are currently in Hawaii!!!) Wishing them a lifetime of love & happiness!

XOXO

December 13, 2013 | 0 comment

Lifestyle, Manicure

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!!!!

One of my favorite holidays 🙂

You can be sure that I will be wearing my black and orange today AND indulging in all things Halloween. I wish I could say I’d be passing out candy tonight, but 3 years ago, my roommate & I learned the hard way when we bought 12 lbs of candy in anticipation of the dozens of children that would be ringing the doorbell at our condo complex…needless to say, we had a whopping Z-E-R-O come by. We ended up feasting on a wide variety of Mars & Hershey products for weeks. Evidence:

Circa 2010: There's the culprit!! See that big orange bowl in the back? We had enough candy to fill it 3x. Noms. — Circa 2010: There’s the culprit!! We had enough candy to fill that bowl 3x. Noms.

So tonight I plan to bake some treats, watch a couple Halloween classics, and work on my costumes. Eeee!

Can I just tell you how much I LOVE making my costume every year?! I really got into when I was in college. After perusing some of those photos, I’ve opted not to post any pictures because…. well, I’m a working woman. Not that they were anything offensive, or crazy inappropriate, but you know how college goes. Regardless, I still loved them – I was really able to tap into my creative side & in turn, now adore this holiday even more!

With that said, I have two costumes this year! I will write a post about them sometime next week since I won’t be wearing either until the weekend. I’m really excited about them for many reasons, one being that I’ve never personally seen anyone wear either 🙂

Here’s a sneak peek:

picstitch — Here’s to hoping they come out okay!!

So, I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Halloween!

Be sure to paint your nails, bake some cookies, dress up, eat lots of caramel apples, carve a pumpkin and watch lots of scary movies today!!

Screen shot 2013-10-30 at 11.49.58 AM — Source.

d82f3ea0ddabf7744ae19e6da5647f49 — Source.

Be safe! XO

October 31, 2013 | 1 Comment

Fashion, Food, Manicure

Munchies, Manis, and Manning

While I’m not the biggest Football fan I do enjoy watching the Superbowl. Seeing as my entire family is made of Giants fans, this one was extra special. I spent Superbowl XLVI at my parents house relaxing, eating and enjoying some time with everyone. (I was not going to take any chances watching this game with my die-hard Giants fan of a boyfriend, he was halfway across the state doing whatever it is he does lol).

My Mom, and sister were so cute in their Giants gear! I love that my Mom wore her heeled clogs, I would have done the same 🙂

The girls spent the day cooking and baking some yummy treats for the family. We had so much food, I had to take some pictures of my favorites!

My Mom made mac and cheese (my absolute favorite), the most tender pulled pork and she totally outdid herself with a serious nacho platter. My sister and I made a dirt pudding (vanilla pudding mixed with cream cheese, butter, cool whip, and Oreos).

We made another special dessert in honor of Eli- seeing as Ange (Mom) is obsessed with him! Every time he’s on screen she says “I LOVE Eli…he’s such a nice boy!” So of course we had to make his favorite cookies! Eli’s Mom makes him “Lace” cookies whenever he visits home, and I can see why- they were SO good!

They are very thin, crispy, oatmeal, brittle-like cookies. We made 6 dozen, and they were such a hit. I honestly cannot wait to make them again!

Whenever I’m home I’m always playing manicurist. I gave my Mom and sister gel manicures- Katherine got the sweetest Valentines Day inspired mani!

We had a really nice time, I love being with my family. Plus the GIANTS won! 🙂

What did you do/eat on Superbowl Sunday?

February 9, 2012 | 3 Comments