Roman Style Pizza

Besides New York City pretzels and bagels, there ain't nothing like a good ol' slice of its iconic pizza. The wide, thin, doughy hand-tossed crust, oozing with sauce and mozarella...munchies perfection, I tell ya! However, some of the most memorable pizzas I've tried were authentic Roman-style ones. On our honeymoon, the hubz and I made Rome the first stop on our European tour. One of the first things we did was wander the streets and grab a quick bite of real Italian food. "Why not start with pizza," we thought. We were pleasantly surprised to find that the pizza was considerably different from NYC pizza. Roman-style pizzas are thin and crunchy and are topped with a more conservative amount of sauce and cheese. They are also usually baked in wood burning ovens, giving them a distinct "old world" taste.



Here is my version of a Roman-style pizza (I had to use my plain old electric oven, but I think it turned out almost as good!)



Ingredients:

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

5 tbsp. wheat flour

1/4 cup semolina flour

1 tsp. yeast

1 3/4 warm water

1 tsp. salt

2 tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (plus extra for drizzling)

3/4 cup tomato sauce

3-4 cups mozarella cheese

1/3 cup basil leaves



Preheat oven to 450°F. Dissolve yeast in warm water for 4-5 minutes. Sift together all-purpose, wheat and semolina flour with salt. Slowly add in water and then olive oil. Knead for about 2 minutes and form into a ball. (Take care not to over-knead the dough as it will overwork the gluten network, making it more gooey than an typical Roman-style pizza). Move to another bowl that is coated in olive oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand for 1-2 hours until dough has risen. Punch down dough and knead for another 2 minutes. Place in fridge for another 2 hours. Take out dough from refridgerator, spread onto pizza stone (or a baking pan if you don't have a stone) and shape with your hands. The shape doesn't have to be perfect as this adds to the pizza's rustic quality. Top with tomato sauce, cheese and basil leaves. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Ever Had One of Those WTF Moments?

Now, I love me some MAC makeup but I've never been one of those cult followers who stalk the internet kerfuffle surrounding new and much anticipated collections, limited edition products and the like. I do, however, wish I was one of those obsessive-compulsive MAC addicts right about now. After seeing some swatches online of the Stereo Rose Mineralize Skinfinish (a repromote item in the In The Groove collection), I wanted it. I've heard that it's a beautiful coral highlight powder, with more subtle shine than full on shimmer. Sounds nice, but I doubt I'll ever get to see it firsthand since EVERY location is sold out!! I asked my hubz to take me to the mall on Saturday so I could cop this heavily craved product, but decided not to go since he doesn't like shopping or mall crowds and because he seemed tired. Why did I have to be considerate at that moment?! Cue in the Homer Simpson "DOH!" Anyway, cut to today when I rang up one MAC counter and the salesperson notified me that they usually get shipments on Thursdays and most people bought the majority of them that same day...in BULK. I even called up my sister in Atlanta (thinking that maybe this is just a NY area phenomenon) and asked her to scope out the situation there. SAME THING!!!! At this point I just want the MSF just to say I got it LOL. On one hand I want to commend those people who bought them in mass so that they could hawk them on ebay for three times the price because they must have entrepeneurial spirit...on the other I just wanna say WTF. Ya...there is my makeup-related WTF moment.

Brownie Addict's Bliss...Best (Easiest) Brownie Recipe

Everyone knows that I'm a big fan of QUICK and EASY but still (almost) from scratch recipes. I had a hankering for brownies yesterday (my pregnancy cravings are showing up at the last minute)...so I grabbed whatever ingredients I could find from my mum's pantry to whip something up. Surprisingly, this recipe produced some of the yummiest, fudgiest, chocolatiest brownies I've ever tasted, not to mention the prep & cook time was under an hour. That there is awesomeness in my book. If you can't find the particular hot cocoa brands mentioned in this recipe, feel free to use any other kind or just use unsweetened hot cocoa mix and add another 1/2 to 1 cup sugar depending on your sweet-tooth.

Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter (melted)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2.5 cups sugar
4 eggs
1.5 cups all purpose white flour
1/2 cup Ghirardelli "Double Chocolate" hot cocoa mix (or 2 packets)
1/2 cup Nestle "Rich Chocolate" hot cocoa mix
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Cream butter, vanilla extract and sugar together. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after adding each. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, hot cocoa and salt. Gradually stir the flour-cocoa mixture into the butter-sugar mixture until combined. Add in chocolate chips. Spread evenly into a lightly greased 9x13 baking pan. Bake in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool for about 15 to 30 minutes before cutting and serving.

Now if only I had some ice cream to go with this!

June Favorites

This really should have been posted a while ago, so I apologize for the delay! At least I got it on here before my July favorites, right? LOL.

1. Ardell Demi-Wispies Lashes...During the hot, humid summer months, I like to keep my makeup as uncomplicated and smudge-proof as possible. These lashes add just the right amount of oomph to an otherwise simple look.

2. NYX Trio Eyeshadow in TS3...If you're looking for a small, versatile pallette of neutrals, then this is a great pick. The colors include a nude which I use as a highlight, taupe for lid color and a dark brown for the crease. I also love that it conventiently fits into my makeup bag and that I can take it on the go.

3. Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in 070 Soft Nude...It seemed as though for a while, every time I was browsing through the makeup at several drugstores this was the particular lipstick that was universally sold out! When I found the last one at a Rite Aid not too long ago, I just had to snatch it up and see what the hoo-ha was all about. It's a nice creamy, pigmented lipstick in a pinky-nude shade. It's a little milky-looking for my lips but when I blend it out with a lipliner like MAC Spice or Stripdown, it works really well.

4. Inglot Lip Gloss in 541...This gloss is so special lol. It's really unique as it's essentially a clear gloss that reflects blue and purple! Err...I don't think my description is doing this iridescent lip gloss justice...but if you live in the NYC area, then I would definitely head to Inglot's Times Square location and check it out in real.

5. Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder in Deep...I bought this matte bronzer specifically as a contour. The reddish undertones work wonders to sculpt my NC42-43 skin tone.

How to Achieve Luxurious hair

I'll be the first to admit that my own hair is not perfect. Albeit, even if I might wish for naturally fuller or curly locks as opposed to my fine, silky straight hair, I do try to make the best of what I've got. It occurred to me to write about this subject when I noticed my mother-in-law "towel-drying" her hair. Actually, it was more like she was rubbing the crap out of it...so aggressively it was like she was sanding wood or something. I cringed just thinking about the damage she was causing to her hair...the breakage, split ends and not to mention the frizzy aftermath it entailed. She's not the only person I've seen guilty of this crime against hair though. And these are the same friends and family members that complain about having unruly and unmanageable hair. Now I now not everyone's hair is the same, but there are a few simple and universal tips that can help anyone attain tresses that are soft, shiny, touchable and tamed.

1. After washing your hair, gently squeeze out any excess water with a soft towel. Don't rub your head like your grating cheese, especially not with an abrasive towel because this will only increase frizz. On the other hand, smoothing the hair downward along the shaft will help keep the cuticle laying flat.

2. Use a WIDE-toothed comb to detangle wet hair to prevent breakage. Only use a brush when your hair is dry.

3. Don't over-shampoo your hair. The cleansing ingredients in shampoos will strip your hair of its natural oils, dry it out and make it unmanageable. Whether you shampoo every other day, every two days, three days or every week is up to you and how dirty your hair gets. The same tip goes for other clarifying rinses and products.

4. Avoid excessive sun, chlorine and salt water (during the summer).

5. Concentrate conditioner on the ends of your hair. Your roots produce natural oils that soften and keep your hair healthy anyway...the ends of your hair however are usually the most damaged and need the most attention when it comes to conditioning.

6. Don't sleep in tight buns or ponytails if you have long hair. Instead, opt for a loose braid. Also, the best material for you to rest your pretty little locks on is satin.

7. Trim your hair every six to eight weeks. Some stylists will tell you to come in every four weeks, but that's because they want to get paid. But you really only need clean up about every 2 months to maintain healthy looking hair.

8. You scalp needs stimulation for your hair to grow faster. Gently massage your scalp for 2-3 minutes when you shampoo to increase circulation.

9. Rinse product out with cold water. This is the best way to achieve ultra shiny and tame hair since it seals the cuticle. Hot water causes the cuticle to open up, resulting in frizz.

10. This might be hard for some, but try to avoid over-processing and over-exposing your hair to heat. Your hair might be looking fierce immediately after blow-drying and straightening but, it's going to be damaged in the long-run. If you do insist on blow drying or ironing your hair everyday, use a heat-protecting spray first! Morever, try to invest in ceramic and ionic hot tools. Ceramic plates prevent overheating and seal the cuticle while ionic products use negative ions to help break up water molecules faster and with less damage done.

There are many more tips in my aresenal that I'd like to share but we'll save them for anther post!

Turqoise Nails

This morning the hubz was sweet enough to miss part of the Argentina-Nigeria World Cup match so he could take our daughter to gymboree class. The opportunity arose...so off I went to get a manicure! I'm decided on Essie's "Turqoise and Caicos" polish. It's a bright turqoise color-perfect for summer! It just puts a smile on my face. The bummer is that even though it's a pretty pastel color, the formula is so sheer that you need at least 3 coats for it show up properly. My newly polished nails also go with my new Forever21 feather earrings lol.

A Little Late But Here Nevertheless...May Favorites!

Haven't posted in minute...so sorry about that! But I'm just going to jump right in and give you a rundown on my May favorites. I think these products will continue to be june, july, august...and maybe even longtime favorites!

1. Fresh Lotus Eye Gel

I had to return my Clinique All About Eyes eye cream about a month ago as I found it a little too greasy and it was causing tiny milia around my eye area. While it was moisturizing, it did not seem to reduce any puffiness or darkness. I decided to exchange it for the Fresh Lotus Eye Gel which I am so far loving. The formula is light and absorbs quickly into the skin with a cooling effect. Besides anti-inflammatory lotus extract, it contains green coffee and ginko biloba, both of which help to stimulate ciruclation. I use this day and night, and unlike some other harsher eye serums, I find I can even use the Fresh Lotus Eye Gel three times a day! I've noticed that not only does it diminish puffiness and darkness under the eye, but my entire eye area is more hydrated, leaving a more refreshed appearance. I also like that it comes in a pump container because it saves more product and is more sanitary than a tube or pot container. The only downside is the price...$48 for .5oz. However, with any eye cream, a little goes a long way! You don't need one pump per eye, just half a pump, rub your two ring fingers together and dab lightly under your eyes until the product is absorbed. Never pull your skin as this can cause premature wrinking. Also, it's best to start from the inner corner and work out because this motion drains fluids through the lymph nodes.

2. Cosmedicine Global Health SPF 30 Face

Memorial Day marked the unofficial beginning of summer, but it's been quite warm and sunny here in NYC for some time. Being a brown-skinned girl, I hate the white, chalky appearance most sunscreen give but this formula is clear...amazing! I'm on my third or fourth tube, that's how much I love this product. It's waterless, so it will hold up and won't run and sting your eyes when you're sweating. Even though it's pretty thick, it doesn't feel greasy when used in moderation and it dries to a matte finish. It's also good for all skin types, even sensitive skin. I would recommend this as a year-round moisturizer because we need SPF EVERY DAY and because it can even act as a makeup primer. It retails for about $40 dollars for 1.35 oz.

3. Mac Fleur Power Powder Blush (Satin)

This bright pinky-coral blush may look a little intimidating in the pan but when applied moderately with a soft, fluffy brush on the apples of the cheeks it gives the most beautiful flush and pop of color! It's a great spring and summer hue. I also like the satin finish because it's pigmented, not exactly matte but not as shimmery as a frost finish blush. I was using this consistently, but since I recently got Hipness blush from Mac's To the Beach collection (an intense coral in a frost finish), I've been testing that out instead.

4. Ardell Invisibands Demi-Wispies Lashes

I normally reserve falsies for special occasions or a nights out, but these are natural enough to wear during the day time, yet still flirty, sexy and fun. These lashes add volume and length, and because they are slightly longer at the outer corners, they make your eyes appear longer too. They are around $3.50 a pair but if you take care, you can reuse them a few times before they lose their shape and become all nasty from all the glue.

I'm currently on the hunt for a new perfume. Preferably something citrusy and fresh. Hopefully I'll find one and it'll be in my June favorites!