A couple of months ago, the amazing people over at Hotel Chocolat offered to send over some chocolates from their holiday collection for me to review. Of course, I said yes! I mean the opportunity to eat free chocolate? Count me in.  I wasn’t exactly sure what I would be reviewing, so imagine my delight when I unwrapped this amazing beautiful box of gourmet chocolates. My mom was visiting when I received the chocolates, so of course I took photos … Read More

I can hardly believe that Joe and I have already been married for close to five months. In the months leading up to the wedding there was only one thing I was a bit unsettled about: changing my last name. I have an unusually strong attachment to my last name, in part because of the connection I feel it gives me to my family’s heritage, and in part because I love the way it sounds. For as long as I … Read More

Source If you’ve been an Espresso and Cream reader for a while, then you may have noticed that giveaways have been a little sparse around here lately. I think the last giveaway I did was back during the beginning of October. I’ve been a little bit busy, sure, but the real reason I’ve been holding back on the giveaways is because I wanted to make December’s giveaway something really special. When I turned 18 my mom gave me the best … Read More

  I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving full of delicious food and plenty of dessert. And if you are a little bit crazy (like my family is), then I hope you got some amazing Black Friday deals, too!  We arrived back home to Orange City on Wednesday night and got to prepping for the Thanksgiving meal right away. My mom had already set the tables and had the turkey soaking in a brine, but there was plenty to … Read More

As promised, I filmed a video tutorial this week on how to make the infinity scarf I posted a couple weeks back after getting a number of people asking me for the pattern I used. The thing is, I didn’t use a pattern, I just sort of flew by the seat of my pants and made it up as I go. Before you watch the video, know that:a. I know very little about crocheting, so my verbage and explanations are … Read More

http://www.youtube.com/get_player By now I think that many of you have seen the finale of “Hey, Can You Cook?! All-Stars”. If not, head on over here to watch. I won’t spoil the ending for those of you who are planning to watch this afternoon or have it recorded on a DVR.  But since the final episode has now aired, I figured it was high time I shared the rest of the photos on my iPhone from the finale, as well as … Read More

  Ever since I returned from Mexico while traveling there for “Hey, Can You Cook?! All-Stars” I’ve been dying to share photos from my trip. Alas, I have had to keep my mouth shut and my photos to myself for quite a while in order to keep where and what we were filming a surprise for everyone watching at home.  Now that our Mexican adventure episode has aired, I’m happy to share a little glimpse into a week that I … Read More

First of all, thank you SO much for your kind responses to my infinity scarf post! I am trilled that so many of your are interested in making one yourself. If I could share the pattern I used, I would. Unfortunately, I didn’t follow a pattern as much as I just experimented until I found something that worked. I’m thinking of putting together a video tutorial in the upcoming weeks for any of you who would like to give it … Read More

I’m not going to lie, I’m already pretty bummed about the inevitable fact that winter is on the way. Although I love this time of year and celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas, come January, I’m ready to be over with snow an colder temps. To keep me warm as the winter months drag along, I dusted off my crochet needles and made a couple infinity scarves in various weights and colors. A couple years back I made one for a friend … Read More

We did a lot (and a lot of nothing) this past weekend. It seems like each weekend that we don’t have anything on the agenda, we end up doing a lot of cleaning, organizing, bill-paying and exercising, balanced out with an equal amount of napping, puppy cuddling, football watching, magazine reading and general lazing around. Not a bad combination if you ask me. And isn’t the hubs cute when he is organizing? Madison

Hey, everyone! Just checking in with a quick reminder that the first episode of The Rachael Ray Show’s “Hey, Can You Cook?! All-Stars” airs today. Depending on where you are across the country, the time it airs is different. To find out what time it is on in your area, you can do so HERE. Episodes will continue to air every Friday for the next four weeks, with a contestant (or two) going home every week. Happy Friday! Madison

Remember a few weeks ago when I posted a mysterious blog post about ‘exciting things going on that I can’t share quite yet’? Gosh, if you’re anything like me you hate when people say that. Am I right? Well, now that commercials are airing and a video clip is up online, I’ve been cleared by the team at The Rachael Ray Show to share with you what I’m currently working on… To watch the video link, click HERE As many … Read More