Girls Night In! Part One.

A few weeks ago, I decided to have a Girls Night IN.  A lot of my friends can't find sitters to go out on Fri/Sat nights, so I figured maybe staying in would work out better.  And, it did!  Everyone I invited showed up.  I sort of went "Pinterest happy" with the goodies, but it was sooooo yummy!  I'll post one thing now, then do a separate post for each item I made (with the exception of deviled eggs...I made those, but they're not a Pinterest find). 

Cute little sign I made for the event invite on Facebook

I thought it would be super cute to have a little present for all the girls, so I made these glitter wine glasses (click here to see the pin)!  They were surprisingly easy, and didn't cost a fortune.  Everyone loved them, and that they got to take them home!  

{Supplies Needed: Wine glasses, Glitter, Mod Podge, Glitter sealer, & foam brush.}
Don't feel like making them?  Email me (beachgirlheather @ gmail.com) for a price!  :)

Of course, there was plenty of wine to fill the glasses (and some non-alcoholic sparkly for my preggo friend)!!

~Heather

DIY: Hand Scrub

I LOVE Bath and Body Works' 60 Second Manicure Hand Scrub.  No matter how many times I apply lotion my hands always seem dry, however, when I use this scrub followed by a nice hand cream, my hands are super hydrated and soft!!!!

Imagine my delight when I saw a "copycat recipe" for this on Pinterest (click here for the pin)!  So excited! 

As you can see, I just reused the Bath and Body Works container, but you can use any small container (mason jars, Rubbermaid containers, etc).  I used Palmolive's Soft Touch, but you can use any hand soap or body wash that you like the smell of an/or moisturization of.  There is no specific "formula", just add sugar and soap until you reach the desired consistency.  Nice and easy!  It worked just as well as the Bath and Body Works, but is sooo much cheaper!  I will definitely be using this "recipe" a lot!  

~Heather

Tried it! Parmesan Honey Pork Roast

So, we had an early summer heat wave (4 days of 90+ degrees), and it reminded me that I needed to find some new crock pot recipes!  I LOVE the crock pot in the summer; you can still have home cooked meals, WITHOUT using the oven and making the whole house hot!  

I found quite a few recipes that look good, and I tried the Parmesan Honey Pork Roast first, as I had already taken a roast out of the freezer to thaw. 

I admit, I was pretty skeptical, as there wasn't much liquid in the crock pot to start, so I thought it would end up dry, but after a few hours, it was very "juicy", so no worries!  

 

After 6 hours, the pork shredded easily with just a fork!  Hey, that rhymed, and I didn't even plan it!  LOL!  Anyways.   It doesn't look "juicy", because I drained the juice to make a gravy (that is included in the recipe as well).  My guys loved this and I will definitely be making it again!  


Ingredients:
1 (2-3 pound) boneless pork roast
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup honey
3 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp dried basil
2 Tbsp minced garlic
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt

2 Tbsp cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water

Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Place roast in slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine the cheese, honey, soy sauce, basil, garlic, oil and salt; pour over pork. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or until a meat thermometer reads 160°.

Remove meat to a serving platter; keep warm. Skim fat from cooking juices; transfer to a small saucepan. Bring liquid to a boil. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth. Gradually stir into pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Slice roast; serve with gravy (I also made mashed potatoes and the gravy was delicious on them!).

Notes: I didn't have minced garlic, so I used garlic powder.  I also used pre-shredded parm cheese.  My Hubby HATES honey, so I didn't tell him that there was any in here until he said he liked it.  He was surprised and said he didn't taste it at all! 

~Heather


**Original recipe click here

Tried it! Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

I wanted a quick, easy dinner for the kiddo and I so when I came across this pin for Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake, I decided to give it a shot.  Kiddo LOVES buffalo/hot sauce....me....not so much.  It's okay, but not my fav.

Well, I must say.....kiddo loved it, as I expected.  I....really liked it!  Wouldn't say I loved it, but I'll def make it again!  Next time though, I'll add a bit more ranch, or a bit less buffalo sauce.  

Here's the recipe:

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

1 16 oz. box Penne pasta, cooked and drained
*3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; cubed and cooked
**1/2-1 C. Franks Hot Sauce
3/4 -1+ C. Ranch dressing
1-2 C. Shredded cheese (Colby Jack or Cheddar)

1. Preheat oven to 350* and prepare a deep baking dish.
2. Mix together hot sauce and ranch.  In separate bowl, mix chicken, pasta and cheese.  Pour sauce over all and mix well.
3. Pour everything into prepared baking dish, sprinkle with cheese (if desired) and bake for 20-25 min.

*Easy Cheat...I used canned chicken!  Already cooked and cut up!  I used 1 big can, & 1/2 of a small one.  There was PLENTY of chicken throughout the dish.
**I used "Red Hot" Buffalo/Wing sauce, not "Frank's Hot Sauce", so I'm thinking any hot/buffalo sauce is fine!  :)


~Heather 

Pan Seared Sea Scallops

Tonight the man and I couldn't decide on dinner, so I went wandering through the grocery store. I found a great deal on sea scallops, so my mind was made up. When I got home I searched through pinterest for a good seared scallop recipe and I came across this link. 

Of course I made my own slight changes (added a sprinkling of cayenne pepper and parsley, no shallots) but this was AMAZING.

So easy. Delicious. Great flavor. 

I served with cheesy rice and broccoli. 

I will definitely make this again!!

Double Chocolate Coca Cola Cake

Ok, I didn't make this cake, but I DID eat it.  It was AH-MAZING.  I'm not a "cake person".  I'll eat it, but it isn't my FAV dessert.  This cake has made me a "cake person".  My friend made it for me yesterday for my birthday.  I was going to just "pin" it to Pinterest, but apparently they don't allow pins from Facebook.  Whatevs!

This is it.  The BEST, most amazing chocolate cake EVER.  

Here's the recipe, courtesy of "Living the Country Life" on Facebook!

Double Chocolate Coca Cola Cake

1 cup Coca Cola (real thing, not diet)
1/2 cup oil
1 stick butter
3 Tablespoon cocoa
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla

Frosting:

1 stick butter
3 Tablespoon cocoa
6 Tablesppon of cream or milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 3/4 cups confectioner's sugar

In a saucepan, mix Coca Cola, oil, butter and cocoa and bring to a boil. In another bowl, combine the sugar, flour and salt. Pour the boiling Cola mixture over the flour mixture and beat well. Add the eggs, buttermilk, soda and vanilla and beat well. Pour mixture into a greased and floured 13 x 9 inch baking pan and bake at 350 degrees or 20 to 25 minutes. Remove pan. Cool for about 10 minutes before frosting.

Frosting: In a saucepan, combine the butter, cocoa, and milk. Heat until the butter melts. Beat in the remaining ingredients and spread on the cake while it's still warm. Enjoy!

***Note: I ate half of my {huge} piece of cake before my friend told me what was in the cake.  You can NOT taste the Coke.  I am NOT a Coke fan (or a fan of ANY soda.  Bleh!), so if you are like me and don't like soda, PLEASE, don't pass this recipe up just because of that!  You can NOT taste it.

~Heather

Tried it! Shredded Buffalo Chicken

I was craving something easy peasy but delicious...I knew I had come across this pin not too long ago, so I decided to throw it together.

I cooked on high for 4 hours, then served on Hawaiian rolls as sliders. SOOOOO delicious!! I highly recommend!