Easy No-Bake Cookie Recipe

Posted in Food by rockparkerscissors

Some days my sweet tooth calls and it’s time to bake! When I want something easy and quick, these no-bake cookies are always top of the list. I usually always have the ingredients on hand, and they are very scrumptious! Another plus is they make several cookies, so there is always enough to share with your family, friends, and neighbors!

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I shared the cookies before I could take a photo of final product. This unfortunately is a theme in our household.

One of my favorite recipes is from Brown Eyed Baker. You are welcome to get the recipe below, or view it here at Brown Eyed Baker’s site: No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Putter Oatmeal Cookies

Makes two dozen

1/2 cup of unsalted butter
2 cups of granulated sugar
1/2 cup of whole or 2% milk
4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
pinch of salt
1/2 cup of peanut butter
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
3 cups of quick-cooking oats (I used old-fashioned oats)

Add the first five ingredients (through the salt) to a 4-quart saucepan. Bring to a rapid boil and let boil for one minute. Remove from heat. Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla extract until smooth, then stir in the oats.

Use a medium cookie scoop (or 2 tablespoonfuls), drop onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Let cool until set, about 30 minutes.

Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature (or in the refridgerator) for up to two weeks.

3May2016

My Go-To Dress Lately

Posted in Fashion by rockparkerscissors

With the warmer weather we are having in Texas lately, I am reaching for my black tank top dress in the closet more frequently. The best thing about this black dress is that I can change the look with accessories – jewelry, vests, or even kimonos.

When tailgating comes in the fall for football, I can easily show my spirit with this dress. Or if an outdoor concert comes up, I am quick to choose this dress and dress it up accordingly. It really works for anything when you are feeling creative or when you want your look to be effortless. This dress is also light and comfortable, so you don’t have to worry about sweating as much on those hot summer, or spring, days.

Below are two of my favorite looks with this dress:

26Apr2016

Fiesta!

Posted in Happiness by rockparkerscissors

These last two weeks, San Antonio celebrated Fiesta for the 125^th year. Fiesta San Antonio is an event that started as a one-parade event to honor the heroes of the Alamo and Battle of San Jacinto. Since 1891, it evolved from one parade to two weeks of celebrations, competitions, and festivals.

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This last weekend, I was able to catch the end of Fiesta with my mom and one of her best friends. We headed down to San Antonio and attended the Battle of Flowers parade Friday. The parade lasted about five hours, and it was full of fun! There were trick horses, several high school and college bands, large balloons, and floats that were fully covered with decorations. Some floats had royalty, who were winners for coronations and other contests. Their gowns were elegant with hand-beaded trains. It was spectacular!

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Of course, I had to get a cup of cucumbers. I was introduced to them my first year of Fiesta, and I continue to get them every time I come. The cucumbers are soaked in pickle juice, sliced into spears, and then topped with Trechas salt and Chamoy. It is a great snack, especially when you are looking for something refreshing on the streets of San Antonio.

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After the parade, we went to Fiesta San Fernando and then walked the Riverwalk. We had to stop at Boudros or some tableside guacamole. It is one of my favorites!

My mom and her friend continued Fiesta events the remainder of the weekend. They attended Flambeau, the night parade, and a few other events.

When it is time for you to plan your next trip, I highly recommend planning your next trip to Texas during Fiesta. Viva Fiesta!

19Apr2016

Pork Chops and Rice

Posted in Food by rockparkerscissors

One of my favorite meals growing up was pork chops and rice (mostly the rice!). It is sure to bring happiness to your belly! Since this is one of my favorites, I wanted to share it with you. Who knows, this might become your family’s favorite too!

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I couldn’t get a photo of the final product before the family grabbed a plate and started eating!

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Pork Chops and Rice

Serves four

4 boneless pork chops
6 small (or 4 large) green onions, sliced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 ½ cups of raw white rice
1 can of Chicken and Rice Soup (I use Campbell’s)
1 soup can of water
4 chicken bouillon cubes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Flour, salt, and pepper pork chops. Brown pork chops in skillet, at medium/high heat, and remove. Pour out most of the grease. Reduce heat to low/medium. Add onion, bell pepper, bouillon cubes, and rice. Stir until brown. Add soup and water. In a covered casserole dish, line the bottom of the dish with button. Once bouillon cubes are dissolved, pour vegetables and rice mixture into the covered casserole dish. Place pork chops on top. Bake for about one hour, or until all the moisture is absorbed and rice is tender.

Bring the family together and create this dish tonight. It will be fun to make, and your taste buds will thank you!

12Apr2016

Wimberely Market Days

Posted in Happiness by rockparkerscissors

Earlier this month, my long-time friend and I went to Wimberely Market Days. Wimberely, Texas hosts one of the oldest outdoor market in the Texas Hill Country. With over 475 booths, you are sure to find something for you or a loved one.

We loved strolling along the paths, listening to live music, and catching up with each other while we shopped. Once we finished shopping, we continued chatting with some food and drinks downtown at Inoz’s. It was so pleasant with more live music and great food.

As always, I love hanging out with friends and exploring new things. I can’t wait for our next adventure!

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Wimberely Market Days is open the first Saturday of the month, March-December, from 7:00-4:00pm. So get a group of friends together and check out Wimberely Market Days next month!

5Apr2016

Easy Meal Night

Posted in Food by rockparkerscissors

Sometimes, work days are long and you don’t want to spend a lot of time on dinner. Or maybe the pantry is getting low, and the options are limited. One of my family’s favorites are hobo dinners. They are tasty and so easy to put together. Super easy clean up too! Our family’s recipe makes four servings, and they are great to reheat and have as leftovers too.

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Hobo Dinners

Serves four

1 lb. of ground meat
4 slices of bacon
1 package of frozen corn
3-4 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced
1 package of carrots
1 small can of mushrooms, sliced
1 can of green beans, drained
1 small onion, small
grated cheese
margarine
foil

To make individual dinners, you will need four large pieces of heavy-duty foil (approx. 18-24 inches wide). Preheat oven to 400 degrees (fahrenheit). Shape the ground meat into fourt patties. Salt and pepper both sides, and place in the center of each piece of foil. Slice the bacon into halves and place on top of each patty. Divide the green beans and frozen corn onto each dinner. Divide the potatoes and carrots onto each dinner. Salt and pepper (we add seasoning salt too). Add onions, mushrooms, grated cheese, and a pat of margarine. Wrap tightly and place on a baking sheet. Bake for one hour, or until potatoes are tender.

If you are ever missing some ingredients, it is still okay to make the meal. It just allows you to be more creative!

Happy dining!

29Mar2016

Girls Trip to Round Top, TX

Posted in Happiness by rockparkerscissors

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This past weekend, we took a girls trip to antique week in Round Top, TX. I joined my mom, grandmother, and my grandmother’s best friend since grade school for this fun trip. It was definitely something I have never seen before. Round Top, and several surrounding towns were full of tents and vendors. Everywhere you looked, there was somewhere to shop.

Round Top’s antique week happens twice a year – once in the spring and once in the fall. Round Top is actually a series of small towns that set up hundreds of vendors for two weeks. There are thousands of people here shopping during that time. Normally, the population is about 90 people in Round Top. But when it’s antique week, the population turns in to about 30,000.

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While a majority of the shops were antiques, there was great jewelry, clothing and furniture booths too. I’m not a big antique shopper, but the way items were set up and displayed was something to enjoy.

My main role on the trip was co-pilot. My mom and grandma studied and planned certain areas we were going to shop, and I had to help us get there.

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This event has a very thick magazine that lists most of the vendors that will be at antiques week. It also provided a very wide map that was our best friend by the end of the trip.

I bought a few things throughout the weekend, but my favorite part of the trip were the memories we made. There were a lot of laughs, some great food, and great views with the spring flowers blooming amongst the hills.

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Hat: Ralph Lauren | Shirt: Red Raider Outfitters | Vest: Columbia | Pants: Nike | Shoes: New Balance

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My mom’s hat: Ralph Lauren | Mom’s shirt: GAP

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After my Round Top experience, I have a few tips to share:

Take a basket or cart to keep your purchases. We had a foldable basket that we took everywhere.
Bring snacks and water. Because these are small towns, there are not a lot of gas stations or restaurants around. It was easy to throw those in our basket as well.
Wear comfy clothes and shoes. You will see everything, from sweats to skirts and heels. But with all of the walking, you won’t want your feet to let you down.
Get a fried pie! I’m not the biggest fried pie fan, but there was a food truck that made fresh fried pies. They had a TON of flavors, and usually ran out every day. They are located in the Blue Triangle section.

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I hope you all have the opportunity to visit Round Top someday. Happy Traveling!

22Mar2016

Oliver & Otis

Posted in Fashion by rockparkerscissors

Do you love looking cute and being comfortable at the same time? Oliver & Otis mastered the perfect t-shirt for this look. Some are funny, some are sweet, but ALL are guaranteed for a compliment (in my opinion).

photo by conebyphotography.com

I recently had the pleasure of participating in the company’s recent photo shoot. It was a blast! But along with the photo shoot, I want to explain how I learned Oliver & Otis was local to me. I have to thank Facebook for this one.

Scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed one day, I came across a post from one of my old college friends and sorority sister. The photo she posted looked very similar to the park I frequently go to in town for family picnics and walking our dog. So naturally, I investigated further. As soon as I clicked on her profile, I learned that she didn’t live far from me at all! I instantly messaged her, and we were able to catch up with each other.

With our chat, I learned that she created Oliver & Otis with her family. What a dream! To actually follow your passion and start your own company. I already loved these shirts, but I had a greater love for them after I learned the story behind creating the company.

So if you are looking for a fun gift, or just a cute shirt to wear, I highly recommend Oliver & Otis shirts and supporting small businesses!

photo by conebyphotography.com

Photo by conebyphotography.com

photo by conebyphotography.com

Shirt: Oiver & Otis | Jeans: LOFT | Necklace: Kendra Scott | Bracelets: Pura Vida | Earrings: BAUBLEBAR

15Mar2016

Having fun with pants

Posted in Fashion by rockparkerscissors

I think color and printed pants are a lot of fun. The only catch is making sure they don’t make you look bigger than you really are.

One little secret about any pants with pockets – make sure the pockets are placed under your rear, and the pocket size isn’t too small or too large. It will make that rear of yours more appealing. The wrong placement of pockets can lead to your booty looking flat, wide, and sometimes longer than it really is. If you are nervous about that pocket size, look for nice colored or printed pants that don’t have actual pockets at all! Problem solved.

On the front side, make sure your pockets don’t gap. There is an easy fix to this to make your pants look much more flattering. Take the pants to your favorite seamstress, and have them close your front pockets. You’ll be looking great in no time.

I have several colors and patterned pants, but one of my favorites are these red pants of mine. If red is too bold, find the color that works best for you.

Similar top: LOFT Paisley Top , LOFT Utility Blouse (I strongly suggest waiting to purchase anything at LOFT until they have their flash sale, which is a 40-60% discount) | Pants: Old Navy | Similar shoes: 6pm , Sole Society , Steve Madden | Earrings: Kendra Scott , Urban Outfitters | Necklace: Kendra Scott | Bracelet: David Yurman | Watch: Michael Kors

(Notice how my chambray top is one of my favorite pairings with these pants! Feel free to see more denim top ideas on my previous blog: The Basic Chambray )

So have some fun today, and let it show with those pants. Choose the styles that look like you, and don’t be scared to wear them!

8Mar2016

Stripes for DAYS

Posted in Fashion by rockparkerscissors

I have a love for stripes. It is so easy to create different looks, and most stripes are pretty comfy too! I purchase most of my striped clothing from Old Navy and Nordstroms, but it is easy to find stripes anywhere. Here are a few outfit creations with stripes: