Menu Monday: Onion Rings

One of my all time favorite things to eat with burgers are onion rings. I love the crunchy exterior coupled with the crisp sweetness of the onions. The other day I tried out this recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 large onion, cut into 1/4 inch slices
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk, or as needed
• 3/4 cup dry bread crumbs
• seasoned salt to taste
• 1 quart oil for frying, or as needed

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a deep-fryer to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C).
2. Separate the onion slices into rings, and set aside. In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and salt.
3. Dip the onion slices into the flour mixture until they are all coated; set aside. Whisk the egg and milk into the flour mixture using a fork. Dip the floured rings into the batter to coat, then place on a wire rack to drain until the batter stops dripping. The wire rack may be placed over a sheet of aluminum foil for easier clean up. Spread the bread crumbs out on a plate or shallow dish. Place rings one at a time into the crumbs, and scoop the crumbs up over the ring to coat. Give it a hard tap as you remove it from the crumbs. The coating should cling very well. Repeat with remaining rings.
4. Deep fry the rings a few at a time for 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove to paper towels to drain. Season with seasoning salt, and serve.

(Source)

It took about an hour for me to make these because I used a small pan. I also included Panko bread crumbs in addition to the regular dry bread crumbs. The results were better than I expected-- extra crunchy onion rings.

What do you like to eat with a good burger?

Fab Finds Friday: Shoes

Despite being clearly beyond the age of 21, something about Forever 21's style and price point draws me into their brightly lit stores each time I venture into the mall. Not everything in that store tickles my fancy since some of their sizing is clearly for the svelte thighs and flat abs of a 21 year old. But a girl can't say no to their cute (budget friendly) clothes, accessories and SHOES. Since fall is right around the corner, it's time to invest in some cooler weather appropriate shoes. I spied these adorable booties-- that come in cream and brown. I love the button detailing as well as the wisely placed side zip. The heel is a tad bit on the high side (4 inches) but the platform front helps to ease the pain. These are priced at $35.80 (+tax).

I love the buttons on the side!

Looks like Forever 21's booties are a dupe for these cute booties by Ash on Bluefly (sold out now) which were on sale for $143.

Another pair of shoes that caught my eyes were these casual lace up boots with an ingenious side zip! The thought of having to lace it up each time made me put these beauties back on the shelf until I discovered the side zip! Bravo Forever 21! These boots were more up my alley since I spend most of my day standing up and walking. Priced at only $29.80 (+tax), how could anyone pass these up?

(Source)

Have you found any fabulous finds this Friday? Go check out Forever 21's shoe section if you haven't already! You won't regret it!

Tasty Thursday: The Crosby

My hubby and I love to eat. He is adventurous and loves to try new things while I tend to stick to favorite restaurants or favorite types of food. (One of the reasons for this is the fact that my stomach can be sensitive at times so I have to be careful of what I eat... ) He is always finding great places for us to try!

Last fall, he found this really great restaurant in OC that we've never been to. They had great food! It's called The Crosby. It was kind of hard to find. It's on the main street but there is no visible sign that says its name. It is next to a starbucks on the corner.

Hubby and I eventually found the restaurant after realizing that there is no sign and we had to find the number of the building.


This is the entrance--- where it says 400.

Wednespiration: Fall Look

Wednesday Inspiration or Wednespiration as I'll call it, will focus on anything that I've found recently that has inspired me. Hopefully it will inspire you as well!

One of the many things I love about Anthropologie is the way they style their clothing pieces together. I also love how this week's home page shows you a way to transition your summer dresses into fall by layering. What a fantastic way of wearing that summer dress you love into the fall season!

You can also layer a chunky sweater over your favorite summer tank top. Don't forget some killer heels or cute boots and a fabulous satchel to complete the look for fall!

(created on polyvore by me)

Tip Tuesday: Skin Care Review

i've been very blessed with good genes which helps me to not look like a woman in her mid 30's. (yes! i admit it, i'm almost middle age!) anyway, in addition to good genes, you must take care of your skin. That means exfoliate, cleanse, moisturize, and wear sunscreen. I've been wearing sunscreen since my teens and really started getting more into skin care in my 20's. when i look at my friends or peers who are the same age as me or near my age, i still look much younger than them and i attribute a lot of it to my skin care routine. i've used all kinds of skin care products-- la mer, shu uemura, clinique, etc... some may call me a beauty junkie and i don't take offense to it because i don't want to look OLD.

often times people say that you get what you pay for. i agree with that to a certain degree but i also think there are GEMS that are half the price of the high end brands which work more effectively than that $200 cream. let me introduce you to the GEM that i found which has really smoothed out my fine forehead wrinkles. you may be surprised because it doesn't sound very glamourous... it's from Avon. yes, you heard me right, AVON.

it's from their Anew Clinical line-- the Advanced Wrinkle Corrector. from their website, here are their claims:

• The at-home answer to wrinkle-filling injections†. Start rebuilding collagen in just 48 hours°.
• BEFORE
• Skin's 4 structural components weaken and decrease, causing new lines to form and wrinkles to deepen.
• AFTER NEW EXCLUSIVE 4D WRINKLE-REVERSE TECHNOLOGY
• is designed to help reduce the length, depth and number of visible wrinkles.
• Rebuilds collagen to help plump out lines and wrinkles.
• Stimulates elastin for improved elasticity and resilience.
• Regenerates hydroproteins to minimize creasing.
• Now...formulated to boost shock-absorbing proteins to help strengthen skin's support layers.
• Improve fine & deep wrinkles up to 50%*. Immediately plumps out wrinkles and fine lines.** Within 48 hours begins boosting collagen production.*** 1.7 fl. oz. As seen on TV.

after using this for about a year, i have seen a drastic reduction in fine lines on my forehead. i found that it really did plump out lines and wrinkles. my skin feels more hydrated, soft, smooth, and even. the best thing about this is the price. a jar of this product is $32 but sometimes avon has a deal where you can get two for $37 or other wonderful deals. i usually stock up whenever they do this. i love this product! i have a fabulous Avon rep if you need a referral.

have you ever tried anything from avon? what is your holy-grail skin care product or are you still searching?

ps: i purchased the item on my own. i was not paid to do this review. this is my honest opinion on how the product worked for me.

Menu Monday: Green Tea Mochi Cake

since being on vacation from work, i've had more time and energy to try out recipes and cook. one of my favorite blogs for great and user-friendly recipes is Week of Menus. the author is refreshing and all the recipes i've tried are very easy to make and delicious! she has pictures of each step to show you what your dish should look like. she even has a printable recipe so you can print it out and use it in the kitchen instead of using your computer. i love all of her desserts and my hubby is excited when i try new things.

i tried making the green tea mochi cake and was pleased with the results. you first mix all the dry ingredients together

then mix the wet ingredients...

then put the two together...put it in a greased pan... then bake for 90 minutes...

take it out and cool it...

then cut into small squares... it's best to share them because eating all of them will cause your pants to not fit... ::wink::

have you checked out Week of Menus? If you have not, i HIGHLY recommend it. what are some of your favorite recipes?

welcome!

i have a personal blog for family and friends and decided to start posting here on random things that inspire me and things that I've learned in the past 3 decades of life. I'm just a gal, who loves her hubby, family, friends, makeup, shopping, and a good bargain! everything on this blog is based on my opinion.. thanks for stopping by and i hope you enjoy!