Foodie Pen Pal Reveal

It's that time again for Foodie Pen Pals!  This is my second month participating and was matched up with the wonderful Kelly, who doesn't have a blog for me to link to.  Her package came from NYC, so I hope she is doing well and is safe.  Kelly if you're reading this, "Thank you!"  I love my box!  Seriously..it's totally me.

I sent my box to Dawn from Spatulas on Parade.  Make sure to check out what I got here and the recipes on her blog!

Here is what's inside my box:

• Beanitos - Great chips!  Kelly suggested them with hummus, but guac is great too!  Both are winners with these chips.
• Annie Chun's Wasabi Seaweed Snacks - I eat these straight.  I grew up snacking on nori so this was a slam dunk.
• Ginger Slices - These had a nice bite to them.  I've never tried these before and was pleasantly surprised. 
• Keen-Wah Decadence Organic Chocolate Chia - I'm saving this for my flight tomorrow
• Odwalla Berries GoMega - I'm saving this one for my flight too!  I get the munchies on airplanes.
• Justin's Maple Almond Butter and Honey Peanut Butter - I'm in love.
• Pumpkin-N-Spice Granola Bars - My pumpkin addict self is jumping.  
• Ginger Candies - I haven't tried these yet, but I will soon!  

Thank you again Kelly!  

If you wanna sign up for November click the badge below :)  You do NOT have to be a blogger to participate!

Pumpkin Coffee Creamer

Before I get into this post I want to send my prayers and thoughts to all those affected by Hurricane Sandy.  Our power went out for a few hours, but nothing like what happened in and around N.Y.C.  Please take a moment to send positive thoughts their way.
____________________________________________

I don't know if I'm a complete dud or what.  I have tried almost every pumpkin spice "latte" (they're really misto) recipes online.  I haven't found one with a flavor and texture that I truly love.  I was playing around in the kitchen, and discovered I loved the flavor of the milk/cream part.  I decided to make my failed latte experiments turn into a delicious creamer to add to my coffee.  Let's be honest with each other.  Nothing tastes as amazeballs as Starbucks so why not take it in a similar direction?

I personally hate the flavor of artificial sugars and ingredients.  I can't eat or drink sugar-free anything, including the chemical laden creamers of the powdered variety.  Not to mention how horrible sugar-free goods are for your body and digestion.  Before I was educated on the evils of sugar-free,  I tried to make myself like it.  I just couldn't take the flavor or aftertaste.

I love how this recipe gives me the hint of pumpkin I crave.  If you want your pumpkin kicked-up-a-notch, serve it with your favorite pumpkin spice coffee and syrup.

How perfect would this be to have in your mug while trick-or-treating with the little ones?!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk of your choice or half-and-half if you're feeling naughty
• 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
• 2 tablespoons white chocolate chips
• 2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Blend all ingredients together in a blender
2. Pour desired amount of creamer into hot, freshly brewed coffee of choice
3. Optional: sprinkle pumpkin pie spice on top.  You can add whipped cream to if you want to treat yourself.

If you prefer a more latte/misto experience you can warm the milk up in the microwave.  That way you can add more pumpkin creamer without cooling off your coffee.  For a more Starbucks flavor I suggest using espresso.

 Make sure to store what's left of the creamer in an airtight container in your refrigerator.

Kitchen Aid Mixer On Sale At QVC

Warning: This is probably the most selfish blog post I have ever made.  It is more of a plea to my husband for a Christmas gift.  Pathetic?  Maybe, but I don't care.  I've wanted one of these suckers since high school.  Let's be real.  What woman doesn't want a Kitchen Aid Mixer?  At least a woman who loves to bake.  Can I get an Amen?!  I figured I couldn't be the only one who dreams of a Kitchen Aid.

If you've followed my blog for a while, you know that this mama loves some home shopping television.  I swear I'm a senior citizen at heart.  I have the most basic of basic cables, which means the only channels I get are PBS, local news channels, a shit ton of Telemundo stations, and home shopping.  Sometimes I just want some noise in the background, and I get sucked in.  It hypnotizes me like a great late-night infomercial.  Must. Have. Kitchen Aid. Mixer. See?  I'm hypnotized.

The awesome deal QVC has today (and today only) is a 4.5-qt 10-speed mixer with a tilt head.  A tilt head!  Talk about making a great product even better.  Wanna know what else they added?  The new flex-edge beater that scrapes the sides of the bowls for you.  Do you hear that hubby?  I think I hear the angels singing.

The best part of all?  You get a huge price break compared to purchasing from the Kitchen Aid website, reduced shipping and handling of only $9.97, and SIX monthly payments of $41.66!  That means it ships to you immediately, and you have six months to pay the sweet sucker off.  I mean you could pay the $250 up front if you really wanted to.  If you were planning on giving this as a Christmas gift, you have until January 31, 2013 to return the item by the very small chance the recipient didn't like it.

I personally love the silver.

Here is a little breakdown of all the goodies:

• Tilt-head stand mixer
• 4.5-quart stainless steel bowl with handle
• Burnished flat beater for general mixing
• Wire whip for creams and meringues
• Dough hook for kneading thick doughs
• Flex Edge beater to scrape bowl sides
• Pouring shield makes adding ingredients easier and minimizes splatter
• Manual, including over 25 recipes
• Model: KitchenAid Ultra Plus
• 300W motor
• 10-speed control adjusts from a slow stir to a fast whip
• Electronic speed sensor maintains mixing speed as ingredients are added
• 67-point planetary mixing action
• Soft start feature helps cut down on splatter with gentle acceleration
• Bowl clamping plate holds bowl in place
• Bowl, pour shield, and Flex Edge beater are dishwasher-safe
• Handwash flat beater, dough hook and wire whip

Freaking awesome.  Everyone knows Kitchen Aid has the best reputation for stand mixers.  It is the sturdiest, long-lasting, and sexiest one on the market.  Yes, I did say sexiest.  Just look at it!

QVC has a range of exclusive colors such as: Gloss Cinnamon, Almond, Pistachio, Bayleaf, Blue Willow, and Copper Pearl.

I have to say *hint hint* my three favorite colors (in order) are:

1. Silver - It would go with a changing decor.  Let's face it..these machines last forever.
2. Gloss Cinnamon - It's classic, sophisticated, and not as in-your-face as the red.
3. Pistachio - It reminds me of a classic mint color of a classic car.  Super fun.

If this machine interests you, head over to QVC and browse the KitchenAid 4.5qt. 300 Watt 10 Speed Tilt-head Stand Mixer.  Make sure you place your order before midnight tonight (October 28, 2012) or else the deal is gone.  Remember you have until January 31, 2013 to return it so what do you have to lose?

P.S.  Hurricane Sandy better be gone by Thursday because I can't wait to go home to the 360ly.  Better yet, she should head into the middle of the Atlantic.  No one wants her anyways.

Pumpkin Protein Shake

I'm going to be on vacation the first two weeks of November, and would LOVE to have some fabulous guest posts.  If you're interested, please email me at: andreabai@glamhungrymom.com.  I would prefer the posts be recipes, beauty, or style related.  It gives me an opportunity to showcase some great blogs, and get yourself some free publicity.  Please contact me no later than October 30, 2012.  I would love to share the bloggy love, but I won't be online too much while I'm gone.  Damian and I are going home to visit friends and family, and I want to spend quality time with them.  I'll still be around the blogosphere though!  Promise.  

Back home, I would always order the pumpkin pie smoothie from Emerald City Smoothie.  It tastes so good! I decided to make my own little version.  It's easy, quick, and delicious.   


Ingredients:

• 8 oz. milk of choice
• 1 serving of vanilla protein powder (I like using the Body by Vi because it tastes like cake)
• 1/4 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla
• 6 ice cubes

Directions:

1. Blend all ingredients together
2. Enjoy!

I seem to have misplaced my notebook where I jot down all the measurements for my recipes.  I have so many pictures of food I've made, but I can't remember the exact measurements.  Hopefully it will turn up!!!

Don't forget to stop by Wannabe Green to enter a giveaway for a $10 Starbucks giftcard from me!  

Insta Dump

Shopping at Target and Damian was in love with these shades

My Beauty Bloggers VoxBox came in!  In love!

I made homemade margherita pizza for my family.  So fresh.

I was waiting at the airport to pick up one of my husband's best friends as a surprise. Blog post coming soon :)

Leopard and stripes kind of day

Follow me on instagram:  glamhungrymom

I have a ton of pictures on my camera I need to upload for blog posts.  Yummy recipes and life catch-ups.  Stay tuned!

Group Giveaway at Because Shanna Says So

Because Shanna Says So is hosting an awesome group giveaway I'm a part of.  I'm giving away a $15 Sephora gift card, and the other ladies have some awesome prizes as well.  Make sure you check out Shanna's awesome blog, enter the giveaway, and tell your friends!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Introducing: Sweet Life

If you know me, you know I love my hometown.  Where is that you ask?  Olympia, WA.  Olympia is beautiful and eclectic just like Sweet Life.  Sweet Life Boutique is Olympia's go-to place for all things fashionable, fun, and girly.  It is one of my favorite shops of all time.  Since I moved from Washington I haven't been able to get my sweet fix filled.  That is until now.  Sweet Life has finally started a website featuring some of the cutest and sassiest clothes, shoes, and accessories in their store.  If I wasn't heading home in two weeks I would have already purchased some goodies.

I decided to compile my top ten favorites so you can get a taste of the Sweet Life.

1. True Romance Ring How cute is this funky ring?  Perfect to add a pinch of attitude to your look.
2. Dead Man's Chest Buttondown Skulls are in!  This is cute on it's own or layered.
3. Low Rider Ankle Boot I die for this boot.  Pair this with a girly dress or skinny jeans and a tee.
4. Golden Heiress Dress Totally a Audrey Hepburn LBD brought into the present.
5. Gleaming Leopard Belt Perfect to spice up a dress or monochromatic outfit.
6. Sweet Love Ring This ring is uber popular on Pinterest. I mean how could it not be?  
7. Dory Bracelet The scaled detail on this bracelet is gorgeous.
8. Elle Dress Date night is the first thing that comes to mind when I look at this sexy dress.
9. Bailey Blazer Roar!  This is a staple everyone needs.  The blue lining adds the perfect touch.
10. Hey Stud Collar Necklace Wearing a collar necklace instantly adds style to your outfit.

I know you guys will love Sweet Life Boutique as much as I do.  Please check them out and help support one fabulous small business.

QVC New Beauty Test Tube and Same Love

I was finally able to film for you guys.  I received my New Beauty Test Tube in the mail and decided to unbox it for you guys.  If you don't know what it is, it's a sample (with some full-size items) program.  It's like Birchbox and GlossyBox, but you can return it if you aren't happy.  It has about eight items and comes with New Beauty magazine that retails for $9.99.  The test tube shipment itself costs about $30.  I consider it to be a pretty good deal.

My son makes a fun appearance in this video too :)

• Mally Evercolor Automatic Eyeliner (FULL SIZE) - I will definitely repurchase this.  This eyeliner is the only one I have found to last all day and not travel...even in the waterline!  It hasn't irritated my eyes all day either.  My eyes are always red at the end of the day with normal eyeliner in my waterline but not this one.  If there is one product I say to buy it's this one.  It applies smooth like a liquid, but with easier use.  Get it. 
• Wen - I swear I just don't get it.  I feel like a hair mask once a day will make it just as soft.  I just think it makes my hair greasy on the roots.  I'm probably using it wrong.
• Dr. Perricone MD High Potency Eye Treatment - it claims to firm eyes, reduce appearance of wrinkles, and moisturize your eyes.  If I like it I'll add it to my "October Favorites" video
• Philosophy Full of Promise Dual Action Restoring Cream - I'm excited to try this moisturizer.  I haven't found a Philosophy product I didn't like.  
• Living Proof Full Thickening Mousse - I've heard great things about this product.  It is supposed to add volume to your hair without the sticky residue.
• bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss - It's a great everyday color, but I don't think I will repurchase it.  There are too many other lipglosses I like more.
• Smileactives Tooth Whitening Pen -  The pen is supposed to last 3 weeks, and Smileactives claims the average whitening in 3 weeks is 5 shades.  Saves me from buying Whitestrips!
• Perfect Formula Strong Nail System Daily Moisture - Lord knows my cuticles need all the help they can get this time of year.

If you guys are wondering what song is in my video it's "Same Love" by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.  If you haven't heard of Macklemore yet you better catch up.  His album is the #1 album on iTunes.  Did I mention he is an independent hip-hop artist?!  How amazing is that?!  His album is beating Jay-Z, Mumford and Sons, Justin Bieber....everyone.  He comes from my city, Seattle, and went to college in my hometown of Olympia.  

The song, "Same Love", is one of the most well done songs and videos I have ever seen or heard.  The lyrics are so powerful, they brought me to tears.  Everyone deserves to be loved.  PLEASE watch this video.  

What are you waiting for?  Go download Macklemore's album and get familiar.

Baked Blueberry Oatmeal

I was going to make a YouTube video yesterday, but the landscaper was working during my son's nap time.  If you didn't know my son's nap time is when I film.  It's light out and so much easier.  I don't have any fancy lights or anything, so I make do.  I'm hoping to film twice a week....hoping.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Did anyone else wake up freezing?  It's definitely time to turn the heat on and get the humidifiers out.

I was playing around in the kitchen a little trying to make an oatmeal cobbler.  Fail....ish.  Instead of a cobbler it ended up being a tasty baked oatmeal that was a delicious. Sometimes our mistakes can create the yummiest outcomes.

I'm going to try to create a pumpkin version.  If it turns out well, I'll post it for you guys!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups uncooked rolled oats
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups milk (I used 2%)
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup and 1/4 cup brown sugar, divided
• 1 pint blueberries
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Spray a 9 ince x 9 inch baking pan with cooking spray
3. Mix oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in a medium sized bowl
4. In another bowl, whisk milk, eggs, butter, and 3/4 cup sugar together
5. Pour wet mixture into the dry ingredients and mix well.  
6. Fold in fruit
7. Pour into baking pan
8. Bake for 25 minutes until golden brown
9. Sprinkle pecans and 1/4 cup brown sugar evenly on top of the baked oatmeal
10. Bake for another 8-10 minutes
11. Let cool and serve

This is a great dish to make the night ahead.  It's great to eat with oatmeal or by itself for breakfast in the morning with a cup of hot coffee.  I like to heat it up for 20 seconds in the microwave, but my husband liked it cold.  He didn't even try to heat it up!  I think it taste great heated with some vanilla yogurt.

I hope you guys enjoy this!

Urban Decay Friends and Family Sale

Hello my loves!  I have been getting tweets, messages, and emails asking how to get a Naked eyeshadow palette for cheaper.  I didn't really have a good answer at the time, but now I do.  Urban Decay is hosting their annual Friends and Family Sale which means you can buy everything for 20% off!  Yes, that includes the Naked and Naked 2.  What about sale items?  That's included too!

What are you guys waiting for?!  Hurry up and shop!  Or tell your special someone your wish list for Christmas ASAP.

Buffalo Chicken Salad

Today I am guest posting over at the fab blog, Jessica Who?  Jessica is so freaking pretty, sweet, and a marketing maven.  I love Jessica's blog and I know you will too.  

I am a buffalo chicken lover, but I thought I would lighten up the recipe a little by making it into a salad.  I've been making this recipe without measuring anything for the past year.  I decided to finally measuring my ingredients out for a blog post.  

Want to check out my recipe?  Go to Jessica Who? for my Buffalo Chicken Salad recipe.

Pumpkin Spice Almonds

Before I get started let me say a couple things.  

One: Make sure you check your washer's drain connector-thing-a-ma-bob.  It can get loose and then you will flood your house.  Thank God I have tile where it happnened.

Two:  Did anyone wonder why Mulan loved Prince Phillip in Once Upon A Time?  Umm...where the hell is Shang?  How did you not love him after this little number?  You have brought great dishonor to your family, Mulan.

And now back to our scheduled programming....

 

 I've been seeing pumpkin pie almond recipes on Pinterest, but I have to admit I haven't actually pinned or looked at one.  I had the bad case of the munchies today and decided to make my own version.  I used the last of my cinnamon for this recipe, but I think it worked out.  How did I not notice I was low on cinnamon before?  This Glam Hungry Mom needs to go to the grocery store or Costco...stat!

I already set aside a few baggies of these goodies for some friends.  I usually only eat a handful of almonds with some chocolate or fruit, but I keep popping these in my mouth.  I don't even want to know how many calories of almonds I have consumed.

Be warned.  Your house will smell bomb dot com while these are baking.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups raw almonds
• 2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 tablespoon brown sugar
• 3 tablespoon agave nectar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees
2. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
4. Spread coated almonds evenly on baking sheet
5. Bake for 20 minutes

How flipping easy is that?!  I hope you guys enjoy this snack as much as I do.

September Foodie Pen Pal

I've been seeing so many great foodie pen pal posts in the past I obviously had to join in the fun.  This is my first foodie pen pal swap ever.  I was sent a fun package from the lovely Susanna, who resides in Tennessee.

Here's what I got:

• Pumpkin drop cookie mix - obviously this grabbed my attention!  I'm a pumpkin-aholic, duh!  
• Jack Daniels Gentleman Jack - I've never had whisky.  Every time I muster up the courage to try it I chicken out.  I promise I will give it a try!  Jack is made in Tennessee, which makes it the perfect local item.  
• Organic Gummy Bears - perfect to keep in my bag in case of the munchies
• Coconut Bar - another perfect purse bar.  The only ingredients are coconut and rice syrup.  So excited to try!
• Moose Munch - I mean seriously.....how can you go wrong with it?  De-freakin-lish
• Dried Apples and Strawberries - this healthy snack is right up my alley.  Love them!
• Justin's Chocolate Almond Butter - One of my favorites.  Truth be told I've never had Nutella because I'm afraid I'll like it.  I know how bad it is for you so I avoid it out.  The packet of Justin's is delicious on apples.
• I also got fun little pomegranate and ginger candies. 

Thank you so much Susanna!  I'm definitely doing Foodie Pen Pals next month.  Are you?

If you're interested click the Foodie Pen Pal badge below!

On a totally unrelated note, did anyone watch Once Upon A Time, Revenge, and 666 Park Avenue?  Sunday nights are amazeballs!