Recipe: Puff Pastry Pizza

This is sooooooo good. Like, beyond good. It’s heavenly. Please let me know if you try this out! I’d love to know if you love it as much as I do. It’s super quick and easy; a perfect weekend lunch.

So to give you a heads up, I don’t do much measuring in the kitchen unless I’m baking or following a super specific recipe. This is not because I’m a magician but because I’m lazy and I’m pretty decent at eye-balling LOL. I really don’t stress it. Creativity for the win!

Start with one sheet of puff pastry and roll it out a little bit with your rolling pin. Spread your tomato sauce (I use Don Pepino) onto the pastry until you have your desired amount. Sprinkle oregano directly onto sauce. Add shredded mozzarella on top, as cheesy as you want it! Add some sliced tomatoes (I use grape or cherry) and freshly chopped parsley. Sprinkle some more oregano or whatever herbs you like, for extra flavor! Fold the edges of the puff pastry inwards like the picture below – this creates a crust of sorts. [Makes it easier to eat]

Bake it in the oven at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Enjoy!!

A+J

Belif

Hey guys!

I recently finished up a bottle of belif’s The True Cream Aqua Bomb moisturizer and thought I’d give you all a little review! Awhile ago I received a bag of sample goodies from Sephora during a promotion they were having and this moisturizer was included! I finished the sample and immediately purchased the full size. I love it! It smells so good, like candy.

So first things first, my criteria for moisturizer has never been one that promoted hydration as it’s main target. I’ve always been oily in my T-Zone area so adding more moisture is not something I typically look for or want. However, my skin seems to have changed a little; I am now a bit dryer and have a lot of texture going on. Since using the Aqua Bomb, my skin has never felt so soft before! I guess hydration was exactly what I needed.

Here is its claim: “Aqua Bomb is a lightweight gel-cream that instantly cools and refreshes skin while providing intensive hydration. This formula contains a blend of apothecary herbs, including antioxidant-rich lady’s mantle, which helps neutralize skin-damaging free radicals, improves skin elasticity, and minimizes the appearances of pores. This refreshing cream is formulated to ‘burst’ when applied, releasing a flood of weightless moisture onto skin, and then absorb completely for a healthy, smooth, supple appearance.”

It is definitely cooling and refreshing! It feels so good to put on, it even calmed some of the redness I have. My skin is very hydrated but it doesn’t feel greasy. Supple is the most accurate description from their claim! I will say that I noticed no difference in the appearance of my pores. I feel like if you want that to change, you’re not really going to reach for a moisturizer to tackle that…you’d most likely choose a serum or treatment specifically targeted for pores. At least that’s what I do anyway. For 1.68 ounces, it’ll cost you $38.00 at Sephora. [They do have a smaller size for $22.00.] This is my least favorite thing about it but honestly, purchasing cheap skin care will only yield cheap results. Drugstore products are cheap for a reason. If you want high-quality results, invest in high-quality products. I am a firm believer in this, especially when it comes to skin and hair care. It is a world of difference, trust!

Anyways, with the price only being a minor con, I do love this cream and plan to repurchase ASAP! I even got Jamal using it! It seriously smells so good, makes my skin super hydrated and doesn’t break me out. Win-win-major win. Let me know in the comments below what you’ve tried lately from Sephora that you’re loving!

A+J

 

Recipe: Meatball Wellington

We made this together the other night, it’s super yummy. Lots of flavor! If you give it a try, let me know how you like it!

 

Let’s get Cooking…

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, salt and pepper, minced onion, garlic cloves and chopped parsley until well incorporated. Form into 1 ½-inch balls.

Place meatballs on a baking sheet. Broil for 7 to 10 minutes. Set aside until cool enough to handle.

Preheat oven to 400°F. Flour your work surface. Start by placing a heaping tablespoon of shredded mozzarella onto center of pastry square. Place a meatball on top of cheese. Wrap the puff pastry around the meatball. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet, seam side down. Brush with egg wash.

Bake for 25 minutes.

Serve with your favorite tomato sauce, we used Bertolli, and garnish with basil + parmesan. Yummm!

A+J

 

 

Our First Plant!

Our home is slowly coming together, but it was missing some greenery! We wanted to brighten things up a bit so we were originally thinking faux & low-maintenance. Then someone in my office brought in a bunch of little Aloe plants she had cut off from hers at home so I ran over to get one!

Super happy I scooped one of these little guys up! Here are some benefits:

• Contains tons of antioxidants and antibacterial properties
• Accelerates the healing process of burns and provides cooling pain relief
• Can be used as mouthwash to reduce dental plaque
• Aids in the recovery of oral ulcers (canker sores)
• Acts as a strong laxative to treat constipation
• Can increase collagen production in the skin and prevents wrinkles
• Boosts metabolism + supports weight loss
• Purifies your home’s air naturally
• Improves your immune system!

I’ve found some cool DIYs for face masks including fresh Aloe that I want to try out and share with you.

As for keeping it alive, I’m really going to try my best. We bought quality potting soil, a recommendation from Jamal’s father who used to work in a greenhouse and has amazing planting skills. I found this super-cute wooden planter from the dollar section in Target to keep it in. We’ve been watering it every time we notice the soil to be dry…so for the past few weeks it’s been going okay! I think it’s even grown…apparently Aloe can grow up to 12-19 inches! I’m honestly just glad it’s still green…if it turns brown on me I might cry LOL.

If you’re wondering what else is in the planter, it’s Sage. A different coworker gave me that little piece; we’ll see how it goes. What was your first plant? Do you have any tips/tricks for me? I’m now looking into getting a Lemon Tree and/or a Strawberry bush! To have these fresh on hand would be AWESOME.

A+J

My Spring Décor Picks

Here are a few of my picks for spring decorating! My favorite décor style is modern farmhouse. Lots of greenery and fresh flowers. Lemons are an easy décor piece, just add them to a pretty bowl and put in the center of your kitchen table. I’ve been searching for gold flatware lately, this 20-piece set is $130 on Mikasa’s website but I’m sure there are cheaper versions at Target or World Market! I love the soft blue pillow and wire basket accents. This Kathy Kuo end table would be a really unique piece; I also have plans to put a big farmhouse clock like this one in our dining room. Lastly, the pretty gray oversized throw from Ugg is way overpriced, but it would look super comfy on our bed! Hint, hint, Jamal!

What are your spring décor picks?

A+J

Allergy Relief w/Essential Oils

Hi everyone!

With Spring going full force, my allergies have been terrible. My sneezing was so crazy at work yesterday, I think my coworkers must have said “bless you!” fifteen times. If you’re like me and you already take allergy medicine daily and you still need relief…try out this essential oils diffuser blend. Lavender is a natural anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory, Peppermint relieves nasal congestion, and Lemon relieves respiratory issues. I set my diffuser on my night stand, add the oils and let it diffuse while I sleep. This morning I felt a million times better! No itchy, watery eyes or nasal drainage. [Yuck] Let me know if you give this a try, I hope it helps!

 

Georgie + Bailey’s Favorite Treats

We have a picky little puppy in the house so it’s taken us awhile to find treats and snacks that Georgie is actually interested in and enjoys. Yesterday at his appointment, the Vet gave him a milk bone for being good and he just stared at it like, is that supposed to impress me? Bailey, on the other hand, will eat anything – headphones, Beauty Blenders, she’s not picky at all! They do have some favorites and I’ve found some really good deals on Chewy’s website. If you have four-legged picky eaters or big-flavor lovers, we recommend these:

1. Blue Buffalo Jolly Joints -aka- chicken jerky! Both pups tear thru these at lightning speed.
2. Digest-eeze Plus Duck Wrapped rolls. Bailey lives for these. It’s really tough to find the duck wrapped, but that’s her favorite. These rolls are easier on her digestive system. They’re about $10 at Giant grocery store; I just wish they had more than 2 per package.
3. Wellness Petite Treats – Turkey, Pomegranate and Ginger is Georgie’s favorite flavor! They are soft and chewy, easy for him to devour. For a 6-oz bag, it’s only $3.49 on chewy.com! Bonus: These are grain-free!
4. Blue Buffalo Blue Stix – There are lots of different flavor options; our pups enjoy the Lamb & Apple recipe. Georgie goes to town on these. He grabs them out of my hand and takes off!

What treats do your puppies love?

A+J

Happy Easter!

Hope you all had an amazing Easter with family, friends, and good food! We did! My parents cooked an incredible brunch and then we had fondue for dessert. It was everything!! So glad the family got together for another holiday.

Coming up this week on apartment201: Jamal’s protein shake recipe and our dog’s favorite treats!

A+J

DIY: Essential Oils – Roller Ball Recipes

Hey friends!

I’m excited to share my roller ball recipes with you – we use these every day and I can’t get enough of them! They have brought me so much relief. After using these, I’m less stressed and my mood is instantly brighter. Below are my favorite four, these will get you started. You can always adjust the number of drops according to your preference. Let me know if you’d like to see more recipes – I have plenty!

Supplies

Roller Bottles – Four 10ml Cobalt Blue Roller Bottles [My set included glass bottles as well; link here]

Labels – Plenty to choose from on Etsy; I got mine from this shop here

Essential Oils – I used Plant Guru (find them on Amazon) and Young Living!

Carrier Oil – I use Fractionated Coconut Oil; take a look at all of the benefits listed in the description here

Directions

I recommend putting your labels on the bottle first. Then take your roller bottle and remove the cap & ball. It should pop off easily. Slowly drop your essential oils in the bottle and fill the remainder with the carrier oil. Pop the ball & cap back on, give it a little shake and you’re finished! It’s SO easy to make these! Enjoy 🙂

Placement

Sleep – bottoms of feet & back of neck

Breathe – collar bones

Headache – back of neck & temples

Anxiety – wrists

A+J

My Travel Essentials

We just got home from an amazing vacation at the beach. It was so relaxing and we had so much fun. I am happy to be back home with my pups 🙂 Here are a few of my travel essentials!