Recently I have been addicted to making biscotti,
and I have created the ultimate recipe. Each biscotti is about 85 calories,
and is very low in fat. The ingredients you'll need are few and simple. Ingredients: -3 cups all purpose flour -1 cup sugar -2 large eggs -1 egg white -1/2 teaspoon baking soda -1 teaspoon baking powder -1 teaspoon clementine or orange rind (I zest the entire clementine) -1 teaspoon vanilla extract -1/4 teaspoon almond extract -3/4 cup unsalted almonds -1/4 cup plus 2 1/2 tablespoons of water -1 teaspoon salt -Extra Water Optional: -1/4 teaspoon maple extract - 1.5 teaspoons of poppy seed Right
off the bat you can see that there is no oil or butter. I also take
away one yolk from an egg to eliminate some cholesterol. If you use a salted nut like pistachios add only a small pinch of salt. Now
the orange rind is not optional, because I've tried it without, and it
does not taste nearly as good. The maple extract is optional because it
can be hard to find, but it just adds more depth to the dough. The poppy
seeds add color, but not much taste. Now before you start, know that
this dough will be extremely sticky. Make sure you are always flouring your surface and spraying your hands with nonstick spray. Directions: 1.) Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F 2.) In a mixing bowl, mix together your flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, poppy seeds, and almonds.
3.) Using a spatula or spoon give your dry ingredients a small mix. 4.) In a separate bowl, mix together your eggs (including egg white),
water, clementine or orange rind, vanilla extract, almond extract, and
maple extract.
5.) With the mixer on medium speed, slowly add your wet ingredients into the mixer. 6.) Mix until everything is mixed together and your dough is formed, like the picture below.
It may take a couple of extra tablespoons of water for the dough to form. Add it slowly and wait and see if it helped.
7.) Flour your surface and hands and put the batter onto your surface. Remember, the batter will be sticky. 8.) Spray your hands with nonstick spray, as well as the surface you will be placing the dough on. 9.) Place some flour onto the same surface where you sprayed the dough. I ran out of flour so I used nonstick spray, but usually I only use flour. 10.) Place half of the dough onto the surface. 11.)
Re-flour(or re-spray) your hands and take one half and place it on your floured
surface. You want to make sure you re-flour it so that it doesn't stick
to your surface. Apply more flour (or spray) to the top. Using your hands, press
the dough into about an 8 inch log that is about 2.5 inches wide, and
about 1/2 an inch thick. Put your log onto your cookie sheet (make sure
your cookie sheet is sprayed with nonstick spray).
When you put the log onto the sheet it will not want to come off your surface. Use your fingers as a spatula and get under the log as best you can. When you place it onto the sheet simply reshape it to how it was. 12.) Repeat the same process with the other half, and make sure to re-flour(or re-spray) everything the same way you did for the other half. 13.) Make sure the logs are placed horizontally on the baking sheet, both separated from each other, 14.) Using a baking brush or paper towel, lightly brush off as much flour as you can off from the tops. 15.) Bake for 30 minutes and then take out of the oven and let them cool for 10 minutes. 16.)
Place one log on a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, cut the dough
horizontally into about 1in. thick biscotti's. Place the biscotti's
onto the cookie sheet.
17.) Bake for 15 min, and then flip the biscotti's over to get an even cook time. 18.) After you flip them, bake for another 10 min. 19.) Take them out of the oven and let them cool completely.
I'm
telling you, these with a cup of tea are literally heaven. When you put
the logs on the cookie sheet you may have to reform them a bit, and
don't be discouraged by the dough. These are worth it!!!! I also love replacing the almonds with cashews and replacing the orange with lemon. The great thing about these is that you can make them however you want. If you're feeling fancy, melt some chocolate with water and drizzle it over the top.
I'm leaving on vacation tonight so I will not be posting anything on a schedule. I have some posts ready though and I I will post them throughout this month! As Always, xoxo Em *This post is not sponsored, all opinions are my own :)*
For as long as I can remember, smokey eyes have seemed to intimidating to even try. They look beautiful, but I felt as though if I did it I would end up with something that resembled a black eye. Although after watching several smokey eye videos on youtube, I decided to give it a go. I have attempted this look several times, and have come up with just the right look. It is easy, and is perfect for a night out. I apologize in advance for the horrible quality of these photos. My tripod moved each time I took a pic and made the photo blurry. To do this look you'll need a matte white shadow as your base. You could also use light yellow, pink, etc. You'll also need a dark matte brown eyeshadow as well as a black matte eyeshadow. As for the brushes, all you need is a fluffy brush that you can use to blend as well as put on the shadow, and an eyeliner brush. You'll also need a piece of tape. Start by priming your eyes. Then take your matte light colored shadow and apply it all over your lid and above the crease. When your eyes are open you should be able to still see some color.
Next you want to take a piece of tape and put it on your hand. Rip it off once or twice to remove some of the stick. Then, place it under your eye, following your bottom lash line.
Using your same brush, apply the dark brown along the edge of your eyelid by the tape. Apply the same color to your crease and blend it all out. Make sure you don't put too much of the brown on the eyelid. In the photo below after I took this photo I then blended until my crease and edge of my eyelid were the same amount of dark as the inner part of my crease in this picture.
Next use your black eyeshadow and eyeliner brush and line your top and bottom lashes with a thin line. Go back to the brush you used before and smudge the liner out. This brush should still have some brown on it, so when you smudge the bottom lashes you will also be bringing some color down. The last step is to clean your brush and go back to the light matte color. Add a bit of this to the center of your eyelid. Only a little though, and then blend it out. To finish the look curl and add mascara to your lashes.
On my eyes I did two different types of smokey eye. On the left the brown is focused on the outermost part of my lid, and it continues off the lid. I did this by applying the brown eyeshadow right next to the tape. On the right I kept the color concentrated on the lid, and brought some of the brown onto the lid.
I hope you guys enjoyed this post! It is almost July! This summer is going by quick... As Always, xoxo Em
Let me start this post by saying where my purse is from. It is a Vera Bradley purse, and the pattern is in summer cottage. I don't know the exact style, but the pattern is from a couple seasons back. I love this purse because it is perfect for summer. It fits on my shoulder well and the colors are adorable!
Now I would be lying if I said that all of these items are neatly organized in my purse, because they aren't. Recently I cleaned out this purse, which is why there aren't many items here. On the front of my purse is a pocket where I keep my receipts, because I always think I'll need them for something. It is one of my hoarder qualities. In the inside of my purse there are a total of 6 pockets, and I keep different things in each one. In one I keep my powder and hand cream. In another i keep my lip gloss and pens (random, I know). In the last I keep some perfume tattoos. I got a free sample of these a long time ago, because when I was 13 I was obsessed with signing up for free samples. These ones are temporary tattoos that smell like the perfume, which I think is cool. In another pocket I keep my sunglasses. In the main compartment of my purse I keep everything else. This includes my wallet, EOS lip balm, notebook, and Russian vocab book. The EOS is an awkward shape, so it won't fit in any pockets. I use my notebook to write down any ideas that pop into my head. I'm learning Russian, so I like to have my Russian vocab book so I can look at it when I have some free time. Another thing I bring with me is my phone, but it was charging when I took these photos. I will have a youtube video up soon to accompany this post. If any of you have blog posts that you want me too see leave the link to them below, I love finding new blogs to follow! As Always, xoxo Em *This post is not sponsored. I ordered the perfume samples on my own, they were not given to me. All photos, objects, and opinions are mine :)*
Pool and ocean water can do serious damage to our hair during the summer. This mask will add shine to your hair as well as make your hair less frizzy and more smooth. I use this mask about 3 times a week, and I can tell a major difference in my hair. The ingredients you'll need are few and simple. They are olive oil, plain yogurt, and honey.
The first thing you want to do is pour one tablespoon of olive oil into a small bowl.
To the same bowl add two tablespoons of honey. Add the honey to the same tablespoon measure so that it comes out easily.
Lastly, add two tablespoons of plain yogurt.
Mix everything together until well combined. It is okay if there are a few clumps of yogurt throughout.
To apply the mixture make sure you are either wearing something you don't care about or have a towel under your hair. I like to start by dipping the ends of my hair right into the bowl. I then put a latex glove on and just pour the mask all throughout my hair and distribute it evenly. Don't go above your ears because if you get the mask on your roots they make get greasy. Leave the mask in your hair for about 20 min, and then take a shower and shampoo and condition your hair like normal. When you wake up (or after your hair dries) you'll see that your hair is shinier and smoother.
As Always, xoxo Em
*This post is not sponsored. All photos, objects, and opinions are my own :)*
One of my favorite ways to style my hair is to do the milkmaid braid. It is easy, takes little time, and looks beautiful! Another thing I love about it is that it keeps my hair out my face. We all have moments when we contemplate chopping all of our hair off, and then we talk ourselves out of it. If my hair is up in a braid, I don't feel like it is getting in the way.
Start by dividing your hair into two equal sections.
Next braid your hair into two braids. Braid your hair going under (Dutch style), not over. This will prevent your braid from popping out from your head. Secure the braids with an elastic, preferably with clear elastics. I don't have any on hand, so I used yellow.
Take one braid and bring it across your head, securing with several bobby pins on the other side of your head.
Do the same with the other braid, so that you get a crown. My hair is long, so I use a lot of bobby pins and hair spray to keep everything in place.
Here is the finished look! It is perfect for summer because it keeps your hair off your back and out of the way. If I'm feeling fancy sometimes I braid a piece of ribbon into my braids to make my hair look more formal.
As Always, xoxo Em
*This post is not sponsored. All photos and opinions are my own :)*
Summer is a time when you can get crazy with your hair! Try using temporary dye on the tips of your hair or on a couple streaks. Go to the hair salon and tell them to style your hair however they want. Whenever I get a trim I do this and I'm never disappointed.
Homemade Ice Cream Nothing tastes better than homemade ice cream, plus you get to customize it! Just saying, mint ice cream with york peppermint patties in it is the bomb.
Mini Camping Trip Invite a few friends over with some sleeping bags and sleep outside! Just make sure you check the weather forecast first. Make s'mores, tell ghost stories, play paint Twister, have a BBQ, and just enjoy the outdoors from the comfort of your backyard. If you are worried about the bugs, just sleep inside. Then in the morning have pancakes with all the toppings!
Run a 5k Yes, exercise! You can also walk, but running is more fun! I love doing color runs, or glow runs, where you run at night with glow sticks. At big running events there is usually a concert or festival at the end, and you usually get a cool T-Shirt!
Volunteer Go to a local dog shelter and walk the dogs for a day. Or go to a soup kitchen and help with meals. Most soup kitchens have websites with schedules and ways you can help.
I love making strawberry rhubarb ice cream! What is your favorite type of ice cream? Since a lot of you emailed me asking for another giveaway I may do another one soon. If you ever have questions about my blog or about makeup or life in general, email me at urbanlifexo@yahoo.com or emmarodgers75@gmail.com. This one is my personal one so I will get back to you sooner on that one (the emmarodgers75@gmail.com one). Nothing makes me happier than talking to you guys, I love getting your emails on anything! I can help you plan outfits for special events, or give you tips on anything. As Always, xoxo Em
Photos: Pinterest Tumblr By Evan-Amos (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons By Isderion (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons By Eva holderegger walser (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons <a title="By Stilfehler (Own work)
Recently I have been going to Ulta, Walgreens, Target, etc. a lot looking for makeup products that were affordable and worth my money. Some of the items I bought were the ones above, and I have mixed reviews on them. The first is NYX's Sugar Wafer. This is the one on the far left. The packaging is very compact and sleek looking, but it does have a lot of writing on it. I like the plastic part because it shows what the color looks like and once again adds sleekness to the packaging. The pigmentation is very strong, and it goes on very creamy. It lasts for about 2-3 hours and is very moist and light. It doesn't feel like a lipstick at all. The color itself is a nice light peach color that would compliment any skin tone and any face type. This NYX butter was $6 at my local Ulta. The next lipstick is the NYX Indian Pink lipstick. It is $3.99, and I love it! It is a coral color that would compliment anyone with any skin tone. It is highly pigmented, so if you put too much on it tends to look frosty. For people with pale skin and with a light coat it would look natural, whereas people with olive or deep skin tones it would come off as more vibrant. It doesn't last for that long, but overall I like it. The packaging on this lip stick is my favorite because it is simple and is the most classic. The next lip stick is the Made it Mauve by Maybelline. The first thing that I thought about it when I tried it on was that the smell was amazing! It smells like candy :). The color is not pigmented at all, it is quite sheer. Personally I don't like dark, vibrant colors in the summer, so I really like this kind. It really makes your eyes pop, and comes off as a nice deep purple color. It acts kind of like a stain, because it stays on for a long time. I bought mine at Target for $5.99. NYX lip products can tend to look cakey, whereas this has never done that. The last lipstick/chapstick is the Baby Lip's Pink Punch. I think the packaging is super cute and is $3.99. Is it worth it? Ehhhh.... I have four of these, and they actually dry out my lips. I can't add too much of the product either or else my lips will be barbie pink. The problem is that ht lips get dry and I want a lot of moisturizer! The color doesn't last all that long either. Out of all of these it is my least favorite, but I will bring it with me to the beach or in my purse because it is the least "formal." Should you buy it? I would recommend Peach Kiss, because it is more subtle and you can apply it more liberally.
Here are some swatches of the products. The first one on the left (hot pink) is the Baby Lips. I applied 4-5 layers of each product to show the amount of pigmentation it gives off. The next color is the Color Whisper, then the NYX in Indian Pink, and then the NYX butter in sugar wafer. The camera did not project the NYX Indian Pink well, because it is not red at all. It is a mix of peach and coral. It is also shimmery. None of these products were given to me. I'm starting to post more personal posts with my own pictures and am using my own products. If ever I'm sponsored or am given products to review I will tell you so at the top of my post. As Always, xoxo Em
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