Friday, November 18, 2011

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and we all look forward to the best part of the meal, the Pumpkin Pie! But I have a pie alternative for you this year to try. They are the most delicious pumpkin chocolate chip bars! I make these every year and they are such a hit! And they are super easy to make, so you'll have no problem wowing your friends and family.


Pumpkin-Chocolate-Chip Bars
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Prep: 30 minutes Total: 2 hours 30 minutes - Makes 24.
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In addition to keeping the cake from sticking to the pan, lining the pan with foil makes it easy to lift it out after baking. If you can't find pumpkin-pie spice, substitute 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, 3/4 teaspoon ginger, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1/2 teaspoon each allspice and cloves (all ground).
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INGREDIENTS
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin-pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 1/4 cups sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
  • 1 package (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
DIRECTIONS
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with foil, leaving an overhang on all sides. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, pie spice, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
  2. With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium-high speed until smooth; beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Beat in pumpkin puree (mixture may appear curdled). Reduce speed to low, and mix in dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
  3. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake until edges begin to pull away from sides of pan and a toothpick inserted in center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely in pan.
  4. Lift cake from pan (using foil as an aid). Peel off foil, and use a serrated knife to cut into 24 squares.
Try making these pumpkin chocolate chip bars this year and let me know what you think! Enjoy :)

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Our Favorite Things - Fifth Edition

Hey Friends!


Here  is the fifth edition of Our Favorite Things! What are some of yours?


Udder Cream

Udderly Smooth Udder Cream, now this sounds weird, I know. Even the label and directions talk about using this on cow's udders. But it's also for humans, I swear. It is the best, most moisturizing lotion. I use it every night before bed. It smells good, soaks in fast and isn't greasy at all. I use it on my hands, feet, legs, arms, udders, lol, everything.




 
Christina Perri's Album, Lovestrong

Christina Perri lovestrong. (Deluxe Edition) Album CoverThis is my new favorite artist, Christina Perri. You may have heard her 'Jar of Hearts' song on the radio. She even has a new song for the upcoming Breaking Dawn soundtrack. I listen to her album at least once a week. Check out her album today. One of my favorite songs is Bluebird. Check it out here.


 


PreNatal Vitamins

Now you don't need to be 'trying' for a baby to take these. And it's a sure fire way to freak out your boyfriend, husband or booty call by having them on the nightstand. But they have super powers, I swear. I started taking them about two months ago at the recommendation of a friend. My nails have gotten stronger, longer. My hair is shinier and stronger too. They are also easy on your stomach, so much easier to take than a one a day vitamin. Try it and I promise within a month, you'll start seeing results.




Way More Chocolate Chips Cookies

If you like chocolate then these cookies may be for you.  I usually only like soft cookies, but these are the best hard cookies I have had in a while.  Only problem is that it's hard to only eat the serving size of three cookies. 





 
She's the Man

She's the Man came out in 2006.  So how is it that I just saw it this week?!?!  Amanda Bynes is so funny as a boy!  If you are into romantic comedy movies made for tweens then this is the movie for you.  Also, Channing Tatum is looking real good and he is shirtless in a lot of the scenes. 






Estee Lauder High Gloss

This lip gloss gives just the perfect amount of color and isn't sticky like some of the other brands.  I recently recieved four free sample tubes of this and as soon as they run out I'll be running out to the store for more.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Two Cents judges the best Celebrity Halloween Costumes for 2011




view details1st Place - Heidi Klum and Seal go as Monkeys



view details
2nd Place - Nick Lachey and Kelly Ripa go as Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries
#The timing for this costume couldn't have been better Award

view details3rd place -Nicole Richie dressed as JLo
#I'm still Jenny from the block Award

Celebrity Halloween Costumes 2011: Nicole Richie.

See Pregnant Jessica Simpson, Fiance Eric Johnson's Halloween Family Portrait

Jessica Simpson was a Mummy and her boyfriend Eric Johnson dressed as Larry Bird.  Love these costumes.  #Best I have a bun in the oven and am posing with my soon to be baby daddy Award
See LeAnn Rimes as a Pregnant, Smoking, Drinking Bride
LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian dressed as rednecks.  This couple pulled of their costumes so well, they could make this picture into a postcard.  #Best maybe they really are rednecks Award








 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIC: Pregnant Beyonce Wears Bumblebee Costume at Halloween Bash







Beyonce dressed as a Bumble Bee




Zac Efron Wears Super-Short Shorts as Reno 911 Cop for HalloweenZac Efron sported a pair of super short-shorts to fit into his Lieutenant Jim Dangle (flamboyant cop from Reno 911) costume.  #Best how did I get into a party with a fake gun award. Woot Woot! Award









Celebrity Halloween Costumes 2011: Gwen Stefani

           



Gwen Stefani dressed as Disney's Cinderella

Celebrity Halloween Costumes 2011: Lea Michele




Lea Michele dressed as the Swan Queen from Black SwanCelebrity Halloween Costumes 2011: Brooke Shields



















Brooke Shields dressed as Uncle Fester from The Addams family





Vinnie from Jersey Shore went as Derek Zoolander - #Best Really Made me laugh out loud Award


Heidi Klum's Skinless Corpse Costume Is Us Weekly's Fan Favorite!A family affair: Siblings Julianne and Derek Hough attended a Halloween party together last night
Julianne Hough







Heidi Klum was a Skinless Corpse -
#eewww I hate blood Award







Poison Ivy - Costume OFF
Who wore it Better?
Kim Kardashian is the Winner (red wig pushed her ahead)
Celebrity Halloween Costumes 2011: Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian





 





Who were some of your favorite celebrity halloween costumes??

Friday, October 28, 2011

Happy Halloween - Where to go this weekend.

halloween decorations, happy halloween, halloween costume ideas, funny halloween costumes
Halloween is one of the best holidays we celebrate all year.  It's the one day that you can dress up and pretend to be anything you want to be, from a baseball player to a sexy Osama bin Laden (yes, that costume really exists).  Halloween is the only day in the year that people knock on their neighbors doors, say "trick or treat" and are expecting to be handed free candy.  The activities surrounding the holiday are endless, such as pumpkin carving, haunted houses, corn mazes and more...  Due to our appreciation of the holiday, Two Cents has dedicated this post to all things Halloween. Wahaaa Wahhahaahaa


http://www.statesvillehauntedprison.com/
Statesville Haunted Prison is one of the best known Haunted Houses in the Chicago area.  Something about walking around a dark prison, while people dressed in horrifying costumes jump out at you, is just truly scary.  This haunted house is a little pricey though, regular price is $30 (I am assuming for the patient people) and $40 for the VIP (people more like me, not willing to stand in line).  It is only open on Friday and Saturdays.



103.5 Kiss FM has a page dedicated to Scary Savings...I purchased a voucher from their website for Halloween Land and payed $7 for the voucher which was worth $25 at the store.  They also have discounted Haunted Houses listed.

http://chcgo2.halfoffdeals.com/


http://www.pumpkinfarms.com/SBarrington.html
Goebbert's Farm, one of the more well known pumpkin patches in the northern suburbs, is located in South Barrington.  At Geobberts, you will find a pumpkin patch, corn maze, wagon rides and a haunted house. 
  

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http://www.prairieghosts.com/mt_carmel.html

Looking for a haunted cemetery?  Check out Mt. Carmel Cemetery, located on the south side in Hillside, Illinois.  The cemetery is known for the notorious gangsters buried inside, which include Al Capone.  The cemetery is also known for being haunted by Julia Buccola Petta "The Italian Bride."  Julia died during childbirth and was buried in her wedding dress in 1921.  Soon after, her mother reported that she was having nightmares about Julia.  She dreamed that Julia was telling her that she was still alive.  Six years after her death the body was exhumed, and even though the casket had decomposed, Julia's body had not.  It was reported that Julia looked like she was sleeping, not dead.  Since then, several reports have been made that a young woman wearing a glowing bridal gown can be seen wandering across the cemetery at night.

 Boo! at the Zoo, Saturday Oct. 29 and Sunday Oct. 30

http://www.brookfieldzoo.org/CZS/boo

Brookfield Zoo is the perfect place to spend your Halloween weekend with your young child.  All of the kids dress up and as their website states "You are sure to have a howlin' good time." 

  
Navy Pier's Really Big Halloween Party - Friday through Monday, Oct 28-31

Navy Pier's Really Big Halloween Party
http://www.navypier.com/halloween/halloween.html
Navy Pier might be the place for you if you like live music and dancing, photo ops with sideshow characters, trick-or-treating up and down the Pier and a daily magic show.  Harry Caray's Tavern, which is located on the Pier, will be having a Halloween scavenger hunt.  For adults, they are offering spooktacular cocktails with fun names such as “Casper the Friendly Ghost” and “Mad Scientist.”

  Have fun and be safe this Halloween!!!

Single, Dating, Married? Still getting those awkward questions?

It doesn't matter whether you are single, dating someone or married? It seems like those annoying questions keep coming.

When are you going to get a boyfriend, when are you getting married and when are you having a baby? It doesn't stop there, it seems like no matter what stage of life you are in, there are always going to be annoying situations and questions coming your way.

Are you Single?

What's worse than getting the "When are you going to get a boyfriend?" question?

Your mom is always trying to set you up, whether it be with a state cop or your hometown dentist.

You can never go anywhere that is mostly couples, like a wedding, group dinner or Christmas party.  We all remember the dinner party that Bridget Jones attended when a smug cow asked her "Why is it...there are so many single women in their thirties...these days, Bridget?"

You hate getting asked, when are you getting married? Um, let me start dating someone first then I'll send you the invite.

You hate the bouquet tosses at weddings. Does anyone else run to the bar during this? That's my go-to place.

You don't know whether the guy you like is into you for you or just for the booty calls.  Though, if he only calls you at night or isn't interested in taking you out...I think its pretty clear.

Your gyno dr tells you to get a boyfriend, after you admit you haven't had "relations" in a while.

Friends, family and co-workers start to say things like "Have you considered online dating?"

Are you in a relationship?

At every wedding you attend, you get the question "When are you two getting married?," "Are you two next?"

Your friends always tell you, "I'm sure you'll be the next to be married." Like something is wrong with you for not being engaged yet.


Friends and family always ask, "When he is going to propose?" I don't know. Ask him.

Your mother tells you, "Why would he buy the cow, when he gets the milk for free?" Thanks Mom.

When you are in a relationship, after each holiday you get asked "So, did he propose?"

After a few years of dating and no proposal, your friends and family start asking "Are you sure he's the one?"  They just might not get that WE aren't ready yet.  It will happen when it happens.

Are you Married?

Everyone and their mother starts asking you "When are you going to have kids?" Even minutes after you just said your vows.

Every doctor appointment you go to, they seem to ask the same question and you aren't even at the ob/gyn.

People start to say things like "Your biological clock is ticking."


Your pharmacist asks you about family planning before your flu shot. Thanks! I wanted the whole Dominicks to know.

Every time you hold a baby, someone says "You look like a natural."


A random co-worker comes up and starts talking to you about family planning, etc. Telling you way too much info about his wife giving birth. Um...Thanks for sharing.





Single, dating, married? What are some of the things you've heard?

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Two Cents' Book Club, Next pick is --- The Hunger Games

Hey Friends!


Thanks for joining us for our second virtual book club pick which is --- The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins.

This is the first book in The Hunger Games trilogy. The second is Catching Fire and the third is Mockingjay. It has gotten so much attention lately because it is being turned into a movie, due out next year.


Now if you are like a friend of mine, you don't like to know who the movie actors are before you read the book. She always pictures them very different and can't get the actors out of her head when reading. So don't google 'The Hunger Games' movie before you read it, if you are the same way.


This is a young-adult science fiction novel, now don't base your decision on the made for young-adults part. I myself am not into the science fiction genre, but this book is like no other....its addicting.  Everyone that I've told about this book, has read it and loved it! 


Our book club read this recently and we have gotten even more people hooked on it. The best part is all three books are published already, so if you get started you won't have to wait forever to read the 2nd and 3rd book!




The Hunger Games introduces a sixteen-year-old girl, Katniss Everdeen, who lives in a post-apocalyptic world where North America once existed. This is where the government, called the Capitol, holds power. The Hunger Games are an annual televised event where the Capitol chooses one boy and one girl from each of the 12 districts for a massive televised battle in which only one person can survive.

I promise this is excellent. So get your copy of The Hunger Games today and start reading! We will post some questions in November.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Timeline of Lindsay Lohan's Criminal Record


Lindsay Lohan Mugshot 2011
October 2011 Mug Shot

October 2011- Lindsay Lohan was back before the judge and prosecutors recommended that she be sent back to jail for failure to complete service at an L.A. women's shelter.  Lindsay was kicked out of the Womens Shelter for not showing up 9 times.  Lindsay was quoted telling the probation department that community service at the Womens Shelter was "unfulfilling."  The judge revoked her probation, set bail for $100,000 and ordered the actress to complete 16 hours of service at the morgue before her November 3nd court date.  Chelsea Handler tweeted "This just in: Jail has been sentenced to 90 days of Lindsay Lohan."

May 2011 - Lilo began serving her 120-days-of-house-arrest in Los Angeles. Lindsey Lohan received 120 days in the slammer but it was changed to house arrest due to overcrowding in the jails.


Lilo hosts a party at her crib during house arrest

April 2011 - Lindsay pleads no contest to misdemeanor theft for stealing a gold necklace from Venice jewelers Kamofie & Co.  She was sentenced to 120 days in jail and 60 days of community service, to run concurrently with the sentence of the same length that she got April 22 for violating probation.  Lohan's lawyer appealed the ruling and she was bonded out.

February 2011 - Lohan pleads innocent to a felony grand theft charge for allegedly stealing a necklace valued at $2,500.  She is released on $40,000 bond and Los Superior Court Judge Keith Schwartz warns her that if she violates her parole while on bail for this incident, he will have her arrested and held.


Lilo arriving at court Feb2011

October 2010 - The judge orders Lilo to spend 90 days at a rehab facility.

September 2010 - Just weeks after leaving rehab early, Lindsay failed a drug test mandated by the courts.  The judge sent Lindsay back to jail for failing her drug text and bail was denied.  The judge's ruling was later overturned and Lindsay was released from jail after posting $300,000 bail. 


September 2010 Mug Shot

August 2010 - With only 23 days of rehab under her belt, Lindsay Lohan was released from her treatment program over two months early.

August 2010 - Due to overcrowding at the women's Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, California, Lindsay was released after serving only two weeks behind bars. She was immediately sent to rehab for 90 days of treatment.

July 2010 - Judge Marsha Revel sentenced actress Lindsay Lohan to serve 90 days in jail and also spend 90 days in rehab following her release. Even though it was clearly too late, Lindsay pleaded with the judge to reconsider. Showing no mercy, Judge Revel said: "I couldn't have been more clear. There are no excuses."

Lindsay Lohan f word on nails in court Lindsay Lohan Sends Message To Court On Finger Nails (Photos)
Lilo's infamous F*ck U manicure at her July 2010

June 2010 - Lindsay Lohan's SCRAM device was apparently set off while attending a 2010 MTV Movie Awards after party. Superior Court Judge Marsha Revel found Lindsay to be in violation of the original agreement and issued a warrant for her arrest and upped the bail to $200,000. The bond was quickly posted and the warrant was removed. The troubled starlet denied any wrongdoing and even posted a bunch of Tweets in her own defense.

Lohan previously wore a SCRAM bracelet in 2007 after she finished a stint in rehab. CLICK HERE FOR MORE PICS OF STARS WEARING THEIR SCRAMS.
Lilo partying in a SCRAM bracelet

May 2010 - Lindsay was issued a temporary passport and when she returned home at the end of May, a judge mandated that she wear a SCRAM device (court issued alcohol monitoring device) on her ankle.  Lindsay was forbidden from consuming alcohol and scheduled to appear in court in July.

US actress Lindsay Lohan at Superior Court for a hearing in Beverly Hills, California, USA, 24 May 2010. Lohan returned to Los Angeles 22 May after missing a mandatory court appearance and having a warrant issued for her arrest 20 May while she was in Cannes, France for the Cannes Film Festival.  EPA/JAE C. HONG / POOL
Lilo in Court in May 2010

May 2010 - When she failed to appear at a court hearing, a bench warrant was issued for Lindsay's arrest. She was partying it up at the Cannes Film Festival in France, claiming to be stuck there with her passport stolen. As quickly as it was issued, the warrant was withdrawn after her people posted the $100,000 bond.  It was Lohan's alleged failure to attend those classes, ordered after a 2007 drunken driving conviction, that landed her back in court this month.

November 2007 - Lindsay is convicted and sentenced to one day in jail, 10 days community service, three years probation, and an 18-month alcohol education program. She goes on to serve exactly 84 minutes behind bars.

August 2007 - Lindsay checks into rehab and heads to Cirque Lodge in Utah.

July 2007 - Just 10 days after leaving rehab, Lindsay is arrested again for DUI and driving on a suspended license. She is found with cocaine in her pockets and tries to convince cops that the pants weren't hers.

July 2007 - Lindsay completes 45 days of residential rehab treatment at Promises. After checking out, she wears an alcohol monitoring bracelet.

May 2007 - Lindsay is arrest for DUI and cops find cocaine in her possession.


May 2007 Mug Shot


RUMORED CRIMINAL HISTORY

January 2008 - Rumor had it that Lindsay allegedly stole and $11,000 fur coat from Masha Markova while attending a private party at 1 Oak in NYC. After several back and forth phone calls, the coat was mysteriously returned to the rightful owner without charges being filed.


June 2009 - Rumors swirled that Lindsay allegedly stole $400,000 worth of Dior jewelry. She posed for Elle U.K. on June 6 and it was discovered that jewels from the photo shoot were missing. Two days later, reps from the studio went to the police and reported a pair of diamond earrings and a necklace stolen. Coincidentally, it was the same set that Lindsay wore in the photos. No charges were ever filed in the case.

All of the information included in this blog was found through other websites and none of the information was verified through official records.