Cozy sweater dress

silicon valley street style
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Wearing: Kendra Scott earrings (new for winter-love them!) / MAC Lipstick / Kenzo sweater dress / coat (old, also love this one under $300) / nail polish c/o Essie Party on a Platform / JW Anderson bag / gold sculptured ring / booties (old, also love this pair under $200)

Cool, fall weather is finally here! To sweeten the fall-weather pot, we actually had rain over the weekend! Yes! Rain! We need it soooooo bad! In order to stay cozy, yet still look dressed up enough for church during this cold, rainy weather, I wore this Kenzo striped sweater dress on Sunday.

When I first spotted this sweater dress last August, I knew I had to have it. It cost a little bit more then I normally like to spend on clothing, but I am so glad I splurged. This sweater dress is soft, cozy, and comfortable. The comfort level is out of this world! With the addition of my favorite coat from last year, I was ready for anything the sky tossed at me. Or should I say dumped? It was raining cats and dogs on Sunday!

After church, we stopped in at Rosie McCann’s on Santana Row for brunch. It was so yummy! My daughters enjoyed a chicken sandwich, which they LOVED, and my son ate chocolate chip pancakes from the kids menu. He said they were “amazing!” My husband I ate omelettes, which were delicious! If you are local to the San Francisco Bay Area, definitely check out Rosie McCann’s in San Jose, at Santana Row.

I am looking forward to wearing this cozy sweater dress over, and over again this fall season; as well as the upcoming winter season! Have you splurged recently on an item, and found it was worth every penny? If so, please share in the comments below!

Thanks for stopping by,

XOXO

Cathy

Happy Halloween!

happy-halloween-2016

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

happy-halloween-oct-2016

*I took these photo at the Winter Lodge in Palo Alto. It is a really fun indoor/outdoor ice skating rink. If you are local to the Bay Area, check it out! They also have beautiful Christmas decorations during the holiday season too 🙂

Crisp Apple Donuts recipe

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Have you ever wondered how to make Crisp Apple Donuts? I have! So when Sparkling Ice shared this delicious recipe with me, I was thrilled to be able to share it with you too!

If you love donuts as much as I do, Crisp Apple donuts are a great way to not only enjoy yummy, homemade donuts, they are the perfect dessert for celebrating National Apple Month! Love that!

Below is a fabulous Crisp Apple Donut recipe which is perfect for the fall season, the holiday season, and anytime you feel like having a yummy, homemade donut! This delicious Crisp Apple Donut recipe uses Crisp Apple Sparkling Ice, which gives the donuts a yummy, apple flavor and essence. Love that!

You can learn more about Sparkling Ice flavored sparkling waters online at SparklingIce.com. Sparkling Ice can be found in-store at Target.

Scroll down for all the details about this Crisp Apple Donuts recipe which is perfect for the Christmas season!
crisp apple donuts recipe

Crisp AppleDonuts

Yield – 12 donuts plus holes

Cook Time:  10 minutes

Inactive Time: 3 hours or overnight

Ingredients:

For The Donuts:

  • 1 cup Crisp Apple Sparkling Ice
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • ½ cup Splenda Sugar Blend
  • 2 eggs
  • ¼ cup whole milk
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 ¾ cup all-purpose flour

For The Cinnamon Sugar:

  • 1½ cups Splenda Sugar Blend
  • ½ cup ground cinnamon

Directions:

Part 1:  Making the donut dough

  1. In a mixer, cream the butter and sugar together, on medium high speed for approximately 5 minutes.
  2. Add eggs one at a time until combined.  Slowly pour in the milk and half of the Sparkling Ice to the mixing bowl.
  3. With the mixer on slow speed add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until just combined. The dough should look shaggy.
  4. Slowly pour in the remaining amount of Sparkling Ice on medium speed for 2 minutes.

Part 2:  Dough storage

  1. Tear 2 pieces of parchment paper the size of a baking sheet.
  2. Line the first piece of parchment on a clean baking sheet and heavily dust with flour.
  3. Turn out the dough onto the floured parchment and press evenly till its about 3/4 inch thick.  (If the dough seems too sticky flour your hands before pressing.)
  4. Lightly flour the top of the dough and place the second piece of parchment over the dough.  Refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight.

Part 3:  Frying donuts

  1. In a deep frying pan, heat enough oil to come up 2 inches from the bottom to 375 degrees using a candy thermometer.
  2. Gently peel the top piece of parchment off the dough.
  3. Using a floured donut cutter, punch out dough and place in hot oil.
  4. Fry on each side for 2-3 minutes or until light brown.  Adjust the heat if needed.  Scoop on paper towel lined baking tray.

Part 4:  Finishing donuts

  1. Combine cinnamon and Splenda in a large bowl.
  2. While the donuts are still warm, toss with cinnamon and Splenda mixture until evenly coated.
  3. Serve warm.

There you have it! A yummy Crisp Apple Donut recipe using Sparkling Ice which is perfect for entertaining this holiday season. I hope you love these donuts as much as I do!

Tools you may need for making donuts:

*Crisp Apple Donuts recipe created by Sparkling Ice. Reprinted with permission.

apple donut recipe