//ALL THE PHOTOS!

I have been swamped with classes but have been learning a lot! Finally on Christmas break and so glad to be taking it easy for a while. Anyway here are some photos taken from the last class.

Making some bananas flambé 

 

Panna Cotta- my group was the short glasses in front with lemon custard with raspberry and Chantilly cream  

My practical with an "egg nog" parfait glace with cinnamon plus Chantilly cream. At the top I had mixed berry and white chocolate to resemble a candy cane. Then a star tuile and I pipped "For Santa" in chocolate.

My plates for Advance Dinning 

//Filigrees and Chocolate

So classes have started back and this first one I'm in is called Fundamentals where we learn basics such as knife skills,   poaching fruit, creams, writing and doing filigrees in chocolate. It's actually pretty easy going and I enjoy it. Today we worked more with writing and creating our own filigrees in chocolate. I tried to do a diamond and despite my bag being stupid a few turned out nicely. The teacher saw where I drew up the diamond as practice and said I should do a dollar sign so I whipped one up free style. Well I need to get a move on the paper I have to write for this class. We picked a random piece of paper that had a fruit on it and I got blackberries so I'm learning a lot about the fruit. Hope everyone's week is going well so far!

Vintage Find 11/24

Ignore the mess but here is my chair of awesomeness that I got just the other day. I have not done much thrifting since I hardly ever have time with work and school. However, when I did squeeze time in I couldn't find anything, not even just random cute things to purchase. I'd check out a few places but my go to was a little thrift shop near the apartment which is where I saw this chair. The first time I saw it I liked the shape but knew I couldn't afford reupholstering it and couldn't imagine keeping the dingy fabric. A few weeks later it was still back there and I considered buying it because the color was nice and I could do some heavy duty cleaning but alas I talked myself out of it because I knew it was too big for my car. Yesterday le boyfriend and I went out for lunch and on our way back I asked if we could stop by the thrift store. I told myself if it was there that I would get it and as soon as I walked in there it was waiting for me up front. I asked the price (and should have haggled a little more) and bought it. I have already vacuumed the heck out of it but I was also going to pick up something else at the store for fabrics. So aside from my ocd with cleaning the fabric it's in really great condition. Now I just need to make room for it and I'll be a happy camper. 

Also I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and got to spend some quality time with family and friends. Classes start up again this week so I might not be on here much but have a great week :)

Happy Thanksgiving

Hope you all have a great day with friends and family doing a lot of this :)

Your Right To Vote

I shy away from political issues on this blog and I'm not going to bring up anything that we haven't already learned in school so here it goes.

I've seen a bunch of helpful links going around and I thought I'd share it for those who were not planning to vote but are now inspired!

• Where to vote
• What time polling places close state by state
• The most important races aside from the Presidential election
• 23 ballot measures to keep an eye on
• Real time results, analysis and commentary

I know a lot of polling places have handouts or verbally tell you but just a reminder you have to vote for the President separately. So when you do a straight ticket it does not mean you voted for the President of that political party. 

Some states require photo ID so if someone is driving you remember to bring your license or some form of recognizable ID. 

It is too late for absentee ballots or to change your address so when looking for where you vote you must have the location you are registered under.

Also don't forget to look up facts about each candidate (don't rely on what the candidate says about their opponent alone) my best advice is to avoid .com (which is intended for commerical) and visit .org or .edu but still double check their sources as well :)

Make the change you want to see and ladies practice your right that so many women before you have fought for!!

Something is Brewing

Or baking to be specific! Everything is in the works and I'm 100% excited for it but I'm still going to be vague until we're on the ground running :) Hope you have a great weekend and don't forget to change back your clock tonight! Unless you're usually late than just leave it alone.

Happy Halloween!!

Me as Han Solo with a TARDIS and my friend Two Face

I'll be stuck at school but hope you all have a safe and fun Halloween night!!

Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Meghan!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

An email will be sent out to you with more information! Thank you all again for taking part of this months giveaway and a big shout out to Jenny from Magic Cat Jenny for creating such a cute little plushie :)

Recipes | Warm Apple Cider for Two! from Of Corgis and Cocktails

Hi there! I'm Katherine and I blog at Of Corgis and Cocktails where I talk about all things related to fashion, food, and fido. It's finally time for really yummy hot apple cider. I really quite enjoy a piping hot cocktail on a chilly fall night, especially since I haven't turned my heat on. So here's my little recipe for a serving for two for hot apple cider with rum.

Sponsor Spotlight Part II

Hi I'm Moana! I have a blog about, DIY, fashion, photography, and anything else that tickles my fancy.

BLOG

Green Eggs and Hamm is me, it's my online journal of things I adore.  I'm a hippy at heart and lover of all things old. I'm a crafter, treasure hunter, and a sandwich maker.  I sell records and vintage clothes on Etsy so I don't become a hoarder...because I totally could!

BLOG || SHOP VINTAGE || SHOP VINYL || TWITTER || FACEBOOK

I'm Katherine, and my blog is Of Corgis & Cocktails, which I assure you, is not about feeding my corgi alcohol, that would be bad! I am all about quirky style, adorkable pups, and great food - which of course includes yummy drinks. I love to adventure in cities and you will always see new places on the blog!

BLOG || TWITTER || FACEBOOK

Hello there! My name is Carli and I blog over at Sweet Dreams! My blog is a collection of photographs, music, passions, crafts, and how I am turning my dreams into true stories. Come on over

BLOG || SHOP

I'm a stylish biker, surfer, avid thrifter and a tattoo apprentice/designer and city birds nest is where I show all the adventures I go on with my husband. I love to sew, am obsessed with flowers and vintage fabric. I run my own shop filled with my original illustrations!

BLOG || SHOP || TWITTER

Sponsor Spotlight Part I

These lovely ladies may look familiar and they are still just as amazing this month! If you haven't popped over at their blogs or shops I'd highly suggest you do :)

DMae is a line of hand-painted tee, totes, and soon more by me, Naimah. A 28 yr old desk zombie by day, and music junkie, writer, and crafty gal by night. My blog features my life, and the things i love, like, and loathe all at the same time. I have an all-in policy where honesty comes first, no lies...just the truth. Hardships, happiness, and all! DMae began as a hobby, and is now blooming into a full-fledged indie biz. In the coming months, you can look forward to a new line of totes, hoodies, and a special project I've cooked up all coming to the shop.  

BLOG || SHOP || FACEBOOK

My name is Hannah and I blog over at Hey Zombot! about my adventures in crafting, thrifting, and style. I also have a lovely little shop where I sell handmade jewelry. Come say hi!

BLOG || SHOP

Hey everyone, I'm Jenny.  Blogging is new to me but I'm really liking it so far!  What my blog is about is the process, the 'how to', the behind the scenes, and all that is independent.  In addition to this blog, I vlog every Wednesday on my YouTube channel of the same name (MagicCatJenny). I have also started selling my own brand of plush monsters, Nerdy Monsters, on Etsy!  I will be blogging about their story and all other DIY adventures and more! Come say hi!

BLOG || SHOP || TWITTER || SITE || YOUTUBE

Hello. My name's Oleah. I'm a 17-year-old blogger, traveler, dreamer & amateur photographer. I made this blog to inspire others, document my adventures & post general bits about everything. Stick around & see what I'll post next. It might just be something that interests you. Well, that's all for now.

BLOG || TWITTER || PINTEREST

Check back in a few days an check out the rest of the sponsors!

Sponsor Giveaway!

Hi there! It's Jenny from Magic Cat Jenny where I blog about my crafts and videos and all of my musician friends.  I've started a line of plushies called Nerdy Monsters that I'm selling on my Etsy shop.  If you like handmade creatures you should enter this giveaway to win Specs! Specs is a nerd, but he's proud of who he is. He's too passionate to focus on any one fandom, he loves all things nerdy.  (On this particular Specs his glasses are machine sewn.) What are you a fan of?  Let me know and one day there might be a Nerdy Monster who is as well!

Enter Below! (10/20/12: Rafflecopter is having some issues at the moment so please check back to enter using it please. Sorry for the inconvenience)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks so much Jenny for this adorable giveaway! I love little plushie toys and can't wait to see what other little critters you create :)

Winner of Hey Zombot! Giveaway

Congratulations to Jenny from Magic Cat Jenny!

You'll be getting an email soon with more information :) Thanks to everyone who entered and a big thank you to Hannah from Hey Zombot for providing the giveaway!!

Sponsor In October!

Click on the Sponsor link at the top of the page to view sizes available an join me next month!

I survived...

I survived Chocolates and Confections class! I know you're probably rolling your eyes but it was tough an when you had multiple recipes and a time limit there was a lot of pressure to get it done on time. My chocolate box got a decent grade it wasn't perfect but here it is.

 My original thought was to make it look like a skeleton was pushing open the grave lid.

 Then I couldn't find the molds for the skeleton fingers so decided to make a spider praline on top of the grave

When I tried to put the legs on the chocolate praline it didn't work and I barely got the two on each side. Then the crack I made on the lid didn't come out as planned so I tried to pipe chocolate over the line. Not to mention the chocolate piece for the lid was too thin an looked like it was going to sink in but it didn't fall apart!

It was a challenge and when I would get one thing right something else would go wrong. I think the only good thing was my milk chocolate was tempered so no swirls or fat blooms, just my finger prints from me trying to piece everything together in time. The next class is How Baking Works so we'll see how that goes :)

Sponsor Spotlight II

As I promised more lovely bloggers for you to check out!

Green Eggs and Hamm is me, it's my online journal of things I adore.  I'm a hippy at heart and lover of all things old. I'm a crafter, treasure hunter, and a sandwich maker.  I sell records and vintage clothes on Etsy so I don't become a hoarder...because I totally could!

BLOG || SHOP VINTAGE || SHOP VINYL || TWITTER || FACEBOOK

BLOG || TWITTER || BLOG LOVIN

Let's Go Thrifting is a quirky solo operation run by blogger/freelance writer/photographer/vintage reseller and professional thrifter Jackie Jardine.  Featuring tips on secondhand shopping, vintage photo galleries, impressive thrift finds and assorted vintage oddities, Let's Go Thrifting is a funny little blog with a big personality

BLOG || SHOP || TWITTER || FACEBOOK

Hello!  My name is Jessie and my blog is My Mod Style.  I blog about my love for life, nature and design.  I hope to inspire others and meet people who have the same interests!

BLOG || FACEBOOK || INSTAGRAM

I'm Katherine, and my blog is Of Corgis & Cocktails, which I assure you, is not about feeding my corgi alcohol, that would be bad! I am all about quirky style, adorkable pups, and great food - which of course includes yummy drinks. I love to adventure in cities and you will always see new places on the blog!

BLOG || TWITTER || FACEBOOK

Hello there! My name is Carli and I blog over at Sweet Dreams! My blog is a collection of photographs, music, passions, crafts, and how I am turning my dreams into true stories. Come on over

BLOG || SHOP

I'm a stylish biker, surfer, avid thrifter and a tattoo apprentice/designer and city birds nest is where I show all the adventures I go on with my husband. I love to sew, am obsessed with flowers and vintage fabric. I run my own shop filled with my original illustrations!

BLOG || SHOP || TWITTER

Stay tuned for more from this months sponsors and don't forget to check out Hey Zombot's giveaway (open until the end of the month) here on the blog!