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Happy National Candy Corn Day!

The History of Candy Corn

Candy corn has been around for more than 100 years. George Renninger, an employee of the Wunderlee Candy Company, invented the popular confection in the 1880s and Wunderlee became the first to produce the candy. The Goelitz Candy Company (now Jelly Belly Candy Company) started producing the confection in 1900 and still produces candy corn today.

When candy corn first appeared, it was popular among farmers because of its agrarian look. The tri-color design was considered revolutionary and the public went crazy for it. Lack of machinery meant that candy corn was only made seasonally from March to November. Candy corn has remained unchanged for more than 100 years and is a favorite at Halloween.

A healthy Breakfast...at Starbucks

So a few months back I stopped drinking caffeine. This quickly stopped all trips to Starbucks in fear that even the smell of the place would make me fall off the proverbial wagon. This past weekend I ventured back to get a dear friend a much needed latte. And there I discovered some changes the ol' Buck's had made...healthier breakfast items, some of which could be easily replicated at home. Yumm!

Power Protein Plate
(330 calories with peanut butter, 260 without - about one-third of your daily protein intake)

This includes a hard boiled egg, grapes, 2 apple slices, white cheddar cheese, a mini wheat bagel accompanied with peanut butter, salt and pepper. I should make this at home all the time. I love it!

Perfect Oatmeal
(140 calories for just oatmeal; 100 calories for nut medley; 100 calories for dried fruit; 50 calories for brown sugar)

I'm not so sure I'd call it perfect, but for oatmeal on the go it's pretty good.


Chewy Fruit and Nut Bar
(250 calories; 4 grams of fiber; 5 grams of protein)

This is a fancy granola bar. I just love how pretty it looks.


Apple Bran Muffin
(330 calories; 7 grams of fiber, 7 grams of protein)

Bran, Oats and apple....yumm! Of course the top is better than the bottom but what did you expect from a muffin?

Ampersand Tee

I love typeface's of all kinds! So I love these tee's!

(http://ampertee.com/index.php)

Cutest Halloween Costume

My best friend dressed up her son in the BEST costume ever! Check out the cutest boy on the block!

Do you GOOP yet?

Gwyneth Paltrow has launched a site called GOOP where she dispenses life lessons. It promises to deliver a "collection of experiences which make life good."
The categories include shopping, recipes, travel destinations and most intriguingly, thoughts from Paltrow's "sages." The goal is to share life lessons and tips for living...think Martha Stewart is ready for an aggressive take over?

I was truly a skeptic at first but now I've caught the bug! The latest "BE - nourishes the inner aspect" with sage advice from the likes of Deepak Chopra, Michael Berg of the Kabbalah Centre, Episcopal priest Cynthia Bourgeault, Sufi Shaikh Kabir Helminski, and New York psychologist Karen Binder-Brynes.. Kind of interesting, they answered each answered the same question refering to people's pessimism and how it effects life.

The latest "Make" fetured these recipies:

BUCKWHEAT AND BANANA PANCAKES

ASIAN TUNA SANDWICHES
WITH SOY AND SESAME MAYONNAISE

CARAMELIZED BLACK PEPPER CHICKEN

2/3 cup dark brown sugar (unrefined) 1/3 cup fish sauce 1/3 cup rice vinegar 1/2 cup water 2 teaspoons finely grated garlic 2 teaspoons finely grated ginger 2 teaspoons coarsely ground pepper

1 or 2 fresh Thai chilis (to your taste!), halved 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 shallots, thinly sliced 2 pounds organic boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces (1/2”) 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped cilantro

In a small bowl, combine the sugar, fish sauce, vinegar, water, garlic, ginger, pepper and chili and reserve.

In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat and cook the shallots until softened and a bit brown, about 3 minutes. Add the chicken and stir-fry, browning it all over, about a minute. Add the sugar mixture and simmer over high heat until the chicken is totally cooked through, about 6 minutes. Stir in the cilantro and serve.

Check out the site and sign up at www.goop.com.

Cute as a Bug in a Rug

These baby onsie's and t-shirts are to die for! The next friend I have that announces she's pregnant is getting one of these!

Pretty little reused, recycled or vintage jewelry

Sierra Bailey is the jewelry designer and independent artist behind all of the handmade jewelry at Manic Trout. She designs jewelry that is both colorful and unique and inspired by vintage materials, vivid colors, photography, beauty and all that surrounds her.

ohhh I love your hair

I love this virtual makeover site. Check out the before and after shots below....

Before

After

Before

After

Before
After

The Goose is Getting Fat

The holidays will be here before you know it!
Get inspiration now!

I love these wrapping caddy's! One's a cabinet and another cart. I love organization!

Silver Ball Topiary's

For my Southern friends that have no real icicles, decorate with these!

Three Cake Plates

The symbol of good fortune and fidelity - this Crane Ornament is beautiful!

Gorgeous snowflake

No fireplace to hang your stockings....look at this amazing floor stocking holder!

This funky ball and chain ornament is a one-of-a-kind find!

I love this free blown Italian ornament from the MoMA store

Hipster e-cards

This is an old favorite of mine. And while I prefer the traditional correspondence cards sometimes you just don't have enough time and I always think an e-card is better than no card!

(http://www.hipstercards.com/)