Showing posts sorted by date for query banana. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query banana. Sort by relevance Show all posts

23 May 2011

Warm Weather Parties


Lately we've been invited to several parties, my husband & I.
As soon as we RSVP, we think about what we could bring,
either as a hostess gift or something yummy to add to the table.

When we're up to it and we have time to spare,
we whip something up from our kitchen.

Quick breads, like this banana loaf, are easy to prepare.
It goes well with a hot cup of morning coffee or
warm afternoon tea.
I'm a big fan of banana bread {sometimes I
buy bananas just for this reason} and use
different recipes like the one from this cookbook.

When it's out of the oven and cooled, it's ready to be
wrapped up for the party. Foil or plastic wrap are
the easy solutions. But what if I use something that's
environment-friendly and pretty at the same time?

With the bread still in the cake pan, I swaddle it using a
clean cloth napkin.

Then I tie kitchen twine around it to keep the napkin in place.

And remember the mismatched utensils I featured last week?
I thought they were perfect gift toppers which the hostess
can use later on.

You can give the cake pan to the party host
{e-mail her the recipe so she can make it too}
or if she decides to transfer the banana bread
to a platter and serve it, you can easily
take home your beloved pan.
TADA!

By the way, Clara over at Bloomize interviewed
me on my travel essentials. Thanks Clara!

11 March 2010

Naughty or Nice?


I'm experimenting with different looks to update
this old, blah evening bag:


It just didn't seem to look current.

Add a black chain, pink tulle & accent with a
black ribbon...
TADA! It's a brand new bag!


Does it remind you of playful lingerie or a graceful ballerina?


Add a sleek wrap-dress (image from Banana Republic)
and you've got a perfect match!

09 March 2010

Day to Night Dressing


This week on my blog, I'm turning this blah bag into a TADA!

I liked the size, shape and the kiss closure.
But the decorations were far too busy.


So I covered it up and added these massive beads
in a light shade of mocha
.



I think it will look good with a tailored outfit
like this one I found in Banana Republic;
especially when it's time to hit happy hour!

04 September 2009

Going Bananas

It's Friday and I'm going bananas!
I mean that both figuratively and literally:


I've got some ready for a blah to Tada! transformation.

I turned them into banana bread, baked in muffin tins.
Very easy to grab as a quick breakfast!

And yet another transformation -- my version of a banana trifle! I cubed up some banana bread, sliced some bananas and put these in a glass, topped it with ice cream and some dulce de leche (you can use caramel or chocolate syrup, too).

Tada! Instant dessert!

Have a fabulous long weekend everyone!

31 August 2009

I Scream for Ice Cream

Happy new week everybody!

I looked through my freezer this weekend and I found some neglected ice cream. Gasp! I know, I have no excuse for ignoring this heavenly dessert, but if sweets like lemon meringue pie, strawberry shortcake and banana pudding find their way to your fridge, you would forgive me if I allowed the ice cream to "chill" for a while.

So this week on my blog
, I'm serving up some icy treats that turn plain ice cream from blah to Tada!

Ice cream + cookies

Tada! Ice cream sandwich!

It's an easy snack that both adults & kids will love.

See you tomorrow for another icy cold idea!

11 June 2009

Plane Food




When I'm on a plane, there are two things I look forward to: arriving at the destination and when the food service cart is rolled onto the aisle. Okay, so airplane food may never get a Michelin star rating but I must say I've had several memorable airplane meals. It's unfortunate that these days, many airlines have stopped serving food to cut costs. They don't even give away those little packets of peanuts anymore. Only drinks are free. They do sell food like sandwiches and snacks, but $4.00 for peanuts?!

To turn this blah situation into a Tada!, here's what I do:


I get myself a plastic container -- you know, the ones where they package take-out food.

I add these colorful liners that not only make my snack tray pretty, they make very good compartments for the nibbles I've prepared: cheese & crackers, nuts and dried fruit!

I like using these plastic containers because there's less garbage after the meal, food keeps it shape (no flat sandwiches), there's less mess and it can easily be stuffed into your carry-on luggage or handbag.

You can choose whatever you want to put in it and you're sure it's healthy! Here I've selected some banana muffins, an apple and raisins that I can eat with coffee or tea while watching an in-flight movie.

Depending on how long the flight is, you can pack smaller snacks that you can enjoy in between naps and reading. I think these containers I got at a Japanese store are ready for the job.

I've filled them with fruit (blueberries), protein (hard boiled eggs) and sweets (my favorite dark chocolate)...hey, everyone deserves a treat! You can also use these for kiddie snacks -- one for each child.

For the duration of the trip, simply rinse these containers and re-fill with more snacks.

For the flight back home, buy some snacks that you loved from your destination (ex. pain au chocolat, empanadas,
cupcakes) for that one last vacation hurrah.