Sophisticated Treats: Throwbacks from the 1990s

Remember your favorite snacks as a kid? Well, many of them are still on the market today, and can bring back fond memories of summers at the park and trading lunch items in the school cafeteria. And, of course, you can make these snacks 'cool pink' by adding a little fab-ness to them and featuring them at your next party--or when you just feel like mixing your grown-up culinary sensibilities with your child-like sugar cravings.;)

Teddy Grahams

They're tiny, bear-shaped, and glazed with cinnamon magic. Teddy Grahams were a snack staple in the 90s, and were the perfect not-too-sweet cracker/cookie for a frothy glass of milk. To make this snack a little more 'adult', crumble the cookies and use it as a layer for your yogurt and fruit parfait, or mix the Teddy Grahams with nuts and coconut as the topping for apple or berry crisps. Of course, eating them right out the bag is delicious, too.

Handi-Snacks

Buttery crackers and softened cheese are the two main ingredients of this kid-friendly lunchbox necessity. Cheese and crackers are also pretty standard fare at cocktail parties, so if you want to make Handi-Snacks a little more high-brow, mix fresh herbs in the cheese and brush a mixture of olive oil, a pinch of sea salt, and sesame seeds onto the crackers. Mix the cheese and herbs well and place it in a large bowl, and bake the crackers for a minute or so and position them around the dip. Your guests will be so impressed. For real:)

Yoo-hoo

It's chocolate. It's milk. It's milk AND chocolate (not to mention tasty), because it's Yoo-hoo, the liquid treat you couldn't wait to get your eight-year-old hands on. If you've found bottles of Yoo-hoo at your local grocery store (they're not as abundant as before), mix the beverage with coconut milk, nutmeg, whipped cream (booze-enhanced if you like)and a candied ginger topping for a sophisticated hot (or cold) chocolate treat that makes recess seem like it was only yesterday.

Let me know how you guys like these treats--and which grocery stores still carry these treasures! Until then, stay cool--and pink:)

Realistic Resolutions

OK, so by this time, you're probably giving up on your resolutions--and it's only the first week of January lol. Well, I'm not here to beat you up--continue enjoying your greasy slab of pizza for lunch, but check out this article (see the link below) on how to make sure that you achieve your goals for 2011 in a practical way. Happy new year! :)


http://www.suite101.com/content/making-realistic-new-years-resolutions-a328198

Cool Pink Fashion--Dressing Well for 2011

If you're going to be cool and pink in 2011 (and I KNOW that's one of your resolutions;:), it's important to know what types of clothing work best for your body type. Here's a link to one of my articles on women's fashion that I hope you guys find helpful.:)


http://www.suite101.com/content/womens-fashion-how-to-dress-for-your-body-type-a326889

Cool Pink Resolutions--Things I Learned in 2010

The natural season for self-reflection is underway, although I make it a point to learn something new every day (which is, undoubtedly, the Cool Pink fashion;))However, in light of the new year, I've compiled a list of things that made 2010 a pivotal turning point for me in my relationships (love you babe--2011 is our year;)), professional development, and spiritual stability. After all, Cool Pink is about more than baking mouth-watering treats and looking fabulous doing it--although that is important.:) Here's the list-hope it helps...


Things I Learned in 2010
-i am a grown-up. ipso facto, i can eat whatever i please for breakfast. and yes, that includes cupcakes.

-i do, indeed, whip my hair back and forth. mostly forth;)

-never judge a book by its cover. judge it by the publishing company that distributes it, and consider the edits.

-peace is a gift people work hard to steal, because it is so valuable. peace is also a customized gift, so no one can properly don my peace except for me--it will not fit correctly on anyone else. the tailor-made nature of peace also makes it the thief very obvious.

-gold eyeshadow makes a great face and body contouring tool. But if you use the wrong shades, you'll look like you're going to a Halloween party as a penny.

-misery does not love company. misery loves to make other people miserable, and then leave once the damage is done. so, get rid of misery before it has a chance to work.

-skinny jeans are the BUSINESS, especially with blazers and stilettos;)

-there are more people i can do without than i thought. i mean no harm, and God bless their lives, but i'm good.

-some people truly are not intelligent. that is why they can't understand you when you're talking to them. love them with the love of God and try not to get aggravated.

-everyone that you're friends with is NOT friends with you. if God hasn't told you to love them especially, STAY AWAY and love them from afar.

-paisley and stripes look really cute together :)

-some people are worth all the discomfort and aggravation they unintentionally cause. most are not. ask God who deserves your nerves, and act like you hear him when He answers.

-i'm on the verge of dropping some people off at their stop as i continue my journey. everyone who thought they were going with me to my fulfillment may not be present when i reach my destination.

-some people think i'm too spiritual. some people feel i'm not christian enough. some people exchanged their throne in heav--oh, wait. that was Jesus. ok, let me work on this one some more lololololol

-everything i do is not everyone's business. that doesn't make me questionable or of ill character. it makes me an adult with a part of my life that is not for public display or scrutiny. and 10 times out of 10, people who are overly concerned with my affairs don't mean me well.

-people who live in glass houses should get a new real estate agent and MOVE. immediately. and even when you're in a new place, the 'no stone throwing' rule still applies.

-all good things don't have to come to an end. however, evil, is always temporary, even if the stint is prolonged.

-macadamia toffee is very delicious. also, it belongs in almond-flavored gelato, so i feel that the gelato shops should get into that:)

-"He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he that is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy let him be holy still." (Rev. 22:11.)

-i'm different--even more than i thought. and it's good to be aware of that.


Happy New Year!!!! Make it cool--and pink;)

Cool Pink Gift Baskets

Since the holidays are here, I've been asked by friends, business associates, and family to create and sell some gift baskets that they can take to Christmas parties or give as gifts. So I've decided to do just that:) Until January 5, I'll be putting together personalized gift baskets based on the recipient's favorite things, or the nature of the party you'll be attending. You can send your request for a basket to the blog (or respond to an FB or Twitter post) and I will either: 1) give you step-by-step instructions on which items to include in the basket, right down to colors and fabrics; or 2) make the basket for you (I've done some research to make them reasonably priced) and have it shipped to your address:) Until then, deck the halls with dusty rose and pistachio--they look great together, and make the Christmas tree much more noticeable! Stay cool--and pink;)

Cool Pink in the Red: Holiday Desserts

Cool Pink is going red--red velvet, that is. Red velvet cake is pretty popular this season, but of course, I've been playing around with some variations of this tasty dessert to make the holidays especially memorable. So here's my version of red velvet creme brulee--with coconut praline chips:) For this recipe, you'll need:

sugar
heavy cream (or soy cream)
cocoa powder
red food coloring
cinnamon extract
real vanilla extract
egg yolks--about 10 or 11 (or egg replacer)
unsweetened chocolate


Place the sugar, cream, extracts and food coloring in a saucepan over medium heat. When the mixture comes to a light bubble, add the cocoa powder and about a bar of unsweetened chocolate.

Place the egg yolks in a stainless steel bowl. Start whisking the yolks and slowly add the cream mixture to the bowl. Strain the mixture and pour it into individual ramekins, or use a large ceramic casserole dish (but personally, i like the individual ramekins better;))Place the ramekins in a large baking pan and fill the baking pan so that the water comes halfway to the side of the ramekin. Bake the creme brulee until it's firm in the center--about 20 minutes. Remove the creme brulee and let it cool completely--then put it in the fridge for at least two hours (i know, i know. but trust me, it's necessary). Then dust the top of the brulee with sugar, and use a handheld propane torch to give the dessert its golden brown crust.

For the coconut pralines, you'll need:

sweetened shredded coconut
powdered sugar
dark Karo syrup
finely chopped pecans or almonds
condensed milk (or the soy alternative)

Combine the syrup, sugar and milk in a saucepan and bring it to a low boil. Cook the mixture to the soil boil stage--you'll know it's ready when you can drop a small piece of the sugar mixture into cold water and it forms a small ball ;) Stir the mixture to make it creamier, then add the coconut. Allow the mixture to cool before forming it into teaspoon-sized discs. Place the discs on buttered parchment paper and store them in a Rubbermaid container until you're ready to decorate your creme brulee plate with them.

Enjoy!:)

What to Wear to Thanksgiving Dinner

Whether you're hosting Thanksgiving this year, or have been invited to dinner with friends and loved ones, it's important to come to the 'table' in style (after all, it's the Cool Pink way;))Here are some outfit must-haves for your Thanksgiving celebration.

Blazer. A blazer is a classy way to cover up any unsightly bulges that you're likely to acquire after that third helping of garlic mashed potatoes (it happens to the best of us). Blazers give shape to your torso, and a blazer that is slightly loose makes it easy for you to keep the jacket buttoned while--and after--eating. It's also a great idea to choose a blazer with tails or a sequined collar so that the focus is on your impeccable style--and not your midriff.

Flat shoes. A pair of flats or flat boots makes your Thanksgiving outfit chic and relaxed without looking too casual--it may be a holiday, but you still have heads to turn;). If you're wearing skinny jeans (make sure they have some give) a tall, flat blot in a neutral color like gray or tan will free you up to wear a brightly colored top without being too flashy. If you've opted for boot-cut jeans or pants with a looser fit, flat shoes with a metal or flower embellishment on the front adds a festive touch to your look.

Accessories. Gold and bronze accessories are perfect for the fall season, and will keep you looking your best in holiday pictures. If you're donning a large wrap-around sweater for Thanksgiving dinner (another rather forgiving piece of clothing), large gold earrings will keep the outfit from looking too frumpy. Or, a fitted blazer with rolled up sleeves will show off your bronze bangels nicely.

When you look good, you feel good--and you think twice about gorging yourself with sweet potato pie. Maybe. Have a Cool Pink Thanksgiving! :)