Photobucket
Photobucket

Monday, February 28, 2011

Music Therapy with Miss Moon

Yesterday, I wrote about making a clear and conscious choice to feel good everyday. For those of you that decided to join me in the challenge, I promised that this week's Music Therapy with Miss Moon choice would be a song that would serve as a soundtrack to your choice-making. I am a woman of my word!

I've had this song as a part of my Practice Smiling Wake Up Mix for over a year now, and I've found it to be a powerful anthem/affirmation when making the choice to feel good. So much so, that the title of the song is in fact, "Feel Good"! LOL



I hope you all will enjoy this empowering song by Lira and that it will inspire your choices today!!!



I just wanna feel good everyday
I wanna wear a smile upon my face
I wanna feel the joys of the day
I wanna feel alive in every moment
Said I won't waste time on feeling blue
I won't waste time on things I can not change
I'm gonna live these days as best as I can
Doing everything that feels right

Singing la la la lala la...

I wanna hear the laughter of a child
I wanna feel the hug from a loving friend
I wanna hear "I love you" every now and then
I wanna show somebody that I care
Cause feeling good is a choice that we all make
Just like a smile is a small effort you make
I love to feel the nudeness of a brand new day
Happy to be alive today

Singing la la la lala la.....

Joy within my soul
I feel good today
Yes I do

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Be Blessed: And CHOOSE to feel GOOD

"The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live." ~ Flora Whittemore

"To decide is to walk facing forward with nary a crick in your neck from looking back at the crossroads." ~ Betsy Cañas Garmon

"Your attitude is everything. What you came intending to focus upon in this life was your level of joy. When you click upon and set your tuner to wanting joy, everything else falls into alignment."
~ Abraham-Hicks



One of my favorite lines from the movie "Cousins" (with Ted Danson and Isabella Rossellini) is from Lloyd Bridges' character, Vince: "You've got only one life to live. You can either make it chicken sh*t or chicken salad. ". I don't know about y'all, but I'd much rather have me a chicken salad! LOL

Every morning, when we wake up and start a new day, we're presented with a choice: Will my day be a good one, or a crappy one?

We often ignore the opportunities that can come for making the choice to feel good, simply because we think that the choice is not ours to make. That's not the case!

No one has the power to make your day unhappy if you've made the choice to feel good: not that dude knocked you out of the way to get a seat in the subway, not your boss, not your landlord, not that gum-poppin' teller at the bank, no one. Just you.

When you've made a conscious choice to feel good and respond only to energy that makes you feel good... encounters with people who aren't joyful will be few and far between. And if any grumplestiltskins should try to venture onto your path, you can just shake, shake, shake, shake...shake them off (Like Mariah Carey! LOL).

Try it tomorrow! Monday is the perfect day to start a pattern of feeling good (I also promise to provide you with a Music Therapy Song to help accomplish this goal, so visit tomorrow morning!) Wake up in the morning and think to yourself, "Today.. I am choosing to have a good day!"

Saturday, February 26, 2011

A Little [DAVE MATTHEWS BAND] for a Saturday Night

Oh Lord, was I in love with this song in my 20s!!! I used to put the c.d. in my discman (Yes, I'm old! LOL) and play this song on repeat until the batteries died. This is definitely on my "Top 50 Most Romantic Songs" list.

I hope you will enjoy "Crush", on this Saturday Night... and be sure to curl up with the crush of your choice (I pick Grape... just kidding!)





Thursday, February 24, 2011

Cinema Couture: Friday Foster (1975)

A few weeks ago, I decided to have a blaxploitation film marathon. While watching the first movie on my laptop, Friday Foster (Courtesy of Netflix), I was so bowled over by Pam Grier's wardrobe, I was inspired to create a new series of fashion posts, dedicated to the notable looks straight from the celluloid to your closets.



One outfit in particular was especially casually chic, and I knew that this "perfect for the weekend" look would be the first that I'd recreate for this series.




**Actual screencaptures I made while watching the film! lol**

After my movie marathon was complete, I did some research and once I found a better picture, I was ready to recreate this ensemble!!




To start, I selected the Ellos Handkerchief Cardigan Tunic Sweater (Sahara Orange Ombre) ($24.99 - $29.99, One Stop Plus)



Underneath, I went the economical route and chose the Women's Plus Jersey-Stretch Tanks (Sashimi) ($12.95, Old Navy)



In searching for the best pair of jeans to accompany this look, I immediately knew that I wanted to select the Denim Yacht Trousers ($52.00, Torrid)



And last but not least, I am (as you may know) ALLLL about the handbags, so I opted for the Harness Satchel (Sienna) ($68.00, Urban Outfitters)



And there you have it! If you've never watched "Friday Foster" the movie has a bunch of amazing looks (And I do believe Miss Pam Grier was rocking a LV Speedy in one scene!).





What are your picks for fashion and film? Comment your suggestion and they may appear in our next installment.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

DOPE: "Fans, Friends, & Artists Must Meet.." by Erykah Badu





Friends, fans, artists must meet
Which 1 are you? Which 1 is me?
Friends, fans, and artists must meet
Which 1 are you? Which 1 are me

FANS

"God, please oh please let her breathe my way
If she sing my song today I can be ok
See I understand the message in the song she write
I was really happy for her when she won tonight

She a rebel for the struggle fightin just like me
I know she down to sing at the cookout, free
I was kinda dissappointed with the song she wrote
Went to her website wrote a long ass note

She done made a million dollars but she down to earth
She be rockin chuck taylors and a thrift sto' purse
Signin autographs til the park was dark
I know it's kinda hard when they luv ya art

In the magazines they be twistin up the facts
But her response was fair I like how she come back
She be sangin for the world sharin' all her pain
When she fell up in the game she had changed
"

Fans, friends, and artists must meet
Which 1 are you? Which 1 are me?

FRIENDS

"Folk in the face like she aint da same
Still da same b**** she just changed her name
She don't really like to hang around with us no mo'
Wasn't nothin' like that back in '94

She be fallin in the spot with a fat ass grin
Now she roll a benz she don't need no friends
She only really made it cause her skin is light
Don't nobody really understand that s*** she write

She done made a million dollars she can give us some
She be havin fun... s***, we wanna have fun
Seen her early in the morning looking bad as hell
Gonna be lookin' really funny when her s*** dont sell

Airport, bouta miss a flight
4 carry-ons talkin bout "pack light"
Oooh please, oh please... give the queen her tea
I only come to the show 'cause  I get in free
"

Friends, fans and artist must meet
Which 1 are you? Which 1 are me?
Fans, friends, n artist must meet
Which 1 are you?

ARTIST

"Folk in my face 'cuz I'mma supastar
N****s hang around cuz of who I are
Get alotta love cuz of what I got
Say they happy for me, but they really not

Sell alotta records and I roll a benz
Fall up in the spot now I'm losin friends
All I wanna do is give the world my heart
Record label trynna make me compromise my art

Make a million dollars, make a million mo'
Tax time come 'round still a n***a po'
I wanna say "Wait...", but I'm scared to ask
The world start spinnin and it's movin fast

Try to stay sane it's the price of fame
Spendin my life trynna numb the pain
I shake that load off and sing my song
Liberate the minds and I go on home
Peace.
"

Quest for *THE* Bag 2011: After a few CRUSHING defeats on Ebay..

I am kicking myself for missing an opportunity to get the Coach Peyton Bag for less than $300!!! I completely forgot that the auction was ending!!

I remain ever vigilant and I am confident that one day (cue the opening melody to "Someday We'll be Together" by Diana Ross and the Supremes...LOL), one day sooner or later, I am going to find this bag. This  baby will be mine!!!

In the meantime, to cheer myself up from the blunder of the day, I decided to get myself my first handbag in almost a year.



Another Coach Legacy bag, this is the Bleecker Leather Tote, which I got for almost NOTHING on Ebay! Yay, me!

I decided to send myself the message that I can get a Coach bag I like on Ebay for cheap, by getting one for cheap!! While it's not my beloved Peyton, it will fill the void. For now! LOL

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Cinema, Cuisine and Cocktail : "The Mistress of Spices"

I saw this movie recently and I knew that this would be the perfect choice to pair with a spicy, romantic meal (With a few sweet surprises!) for the newest installment of Cinema, Cuisine and Cocktail.



Synopsis by the Internet Movie Database:

A baby girl is born in a destitute family in India, who regard her birth as a dowry-debt. This child grows up, and her parents realize that she is special with powers to find lost things as well as forecast calamities. Bandits come to know of her existence, and in their quest for wealth, abduct her, but she manages to escape and lands on a shoreline where a woman is teaching young girls how to be mistress of spices. She is inducted into this group, and named Tilo. She is mistress of Sesame seeds, and like all others must follow the 3 Dictums to wit: look after desires of others; never leave the spice store; and never touch anyone else's skin. Tilo is then trained to walk over fire, and control her senses. When she matures, she is placed in charge of a store 'Spice Bazaar' in San Francisco, where she caters to an older Indian man called Dadaji, a male named Kwesi, a woman named Myisha, a taxi-driver named Haroun Rehman, Jagjit and his mother, as well as a man named Doug and his girlfriend. She prepares special spices and mixes them to improve their lives. Tilo starts to get attracted to Doug, breaking the first rule; she also leaves the store to visit Haroun, and she starts to feel - thus breaking all the sacred rules. Watch what impact this has on her customers, and on her very life herself.





Keema Biryani

Recipe Courtesy of Neel's Corner

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups rice, ( half Boiled with 1tsp cumin seeds, salt and bay leaves)
2 lbs mince meat (beef, chicken or lamb)
2 tbsp red chili powder
Salt to taste
1/2 cup oil
2 onions, sliced
1/2 bunch mint leaves, chopped
6 green chilies, whole
2 tbsp garlic ginger paste
2 tbsp whole all spices (black pepper, cloves, cardamoms and cinnamon stick)
5-6 tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup dry plums
1/2 bunch coriander leaves, chopped
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tbsp all spices powder (garam masala)
Few Bay leaves

Preparation:

Heat the oil in a pan and fry the onions, when they are light brown in color then add whole spices and bay leaves and allow to splutter.

Mix in the minced meat and the ginger-garlic paste and fry for 6-7 minutes over a medium heat.
Once the mince is nicely fried, mix in the tomatoes, plums, salt, cumin powder, red chili powder, all spices powder, coriander powder and cook it covered on low flame till all water dries up and mince is cooked.

In other pan put some oil in bottom and then place cooked mince, green chilies, mint and coriander leaves and cover it with half cooked rice.
Seal the pan with its cover and put the biryani on dum for 5- 15 minutes. Serve hot with khuchoomer salad and raita.

Alu Gobhi

Recipe Courtesy of Pepperfool.com

Ingredients

2 lbs. potatoes, cut into 1/2" cubes
4 oz. ghii (or 1 stick butter)
1/2 C. oil, mustard (or as little as 1/4 C.)
1/2 tsp rai (black mustard seeds)
1 onion, medium, chopped
2 Tbs. ginger, fresh, finely slivered
2 tsp. amchoor, ground (dried green mango)
1 1/2 tsp haldi, ground (turmeric)
1 1/2 tsp dhania, ground (coriander)
1 1/2 tsp jeera, ground (cumin)
1 tsp. paprika, powder
1 tsp. mirch, lal, powder (cayenne)
1/4 tsp hing, powder (asafoetida)
3 lbs. cauliflower, cut into flowerets
2 tomatoes, fresh, ripe, peeled, diced
salt to taste

Directions

In a large wok, heat ghii and brown potatoes lightly. Remove the potatoes and remaining ghii/butter and set potatoes aside, reserving the ghii/butter.

Pour in the mustard oil. [To prepare mustard oil for cooking, heat until oil just begins to smoke, then let cool a bit. Reheat and begin cooking.] When the oil is hot (but not smoking), add the mustard seeds. Almost immediately they will begin to pop. Stir in the onion and toss until lightly browned. Reduce heat and add all remaining spices. Cook, stirring constantly, until lightly toasted.

Add cauliflower and fry a little bit, until cauliflower is to the point that it and potatoes both need the same amount of cooking time to be fully cooked. [After frying the cauliflower just a bit, I add about 1/4 C. water to keep everything from sticking/burning, but this probably wouldn't be necessary if I used non-stick cookware.]

Add potatoes and tomatoes, cover, and cook until done.
Add reserved ghii/butter and salt to taste.

Kesari Phirni

Recipe Courtesy of Monishgujral.com/

Ingredients:

Milk (full cream)-1 ltr/ 5cups
Rice flour (chawal ka atta)- 100 gm/ ½ cup
Sugar- 1 cup/ 200gm
Salt a pinch
Green cardamom – chhoti elaichi powder- 3 gm/ 2/3 tsp
Rose water(gulab jal)- 4-5 drops
Pistachios (pista)- 50 gm/ ¼ cup
Saffron (kesar) dissolved in 10 ml milk)-1 gm/1/4 tsp
Rose petals -10

Method:

In a heavy pan , heat half milk and bring to a slow boil.
Dissolve the rice flour in the remaining cold milk and slowly add to hot milk .Continue to cook over a very low heat , stirring constantly until the mixture becomes thick like a light custard.
Add sugar and a pinch of salt and cook for 2-3 minutes till the sugar is completely dissolvedcool , add cardamom powder , rose water and mix well.
Pour in a bowl garnish with saffron and chopped pistachios on top.
Chill and serve.

Hot Spiced Ginger Rum

Recipe Courtesy of Laurie Knoop, Heat Magazine

8 ounces water
4 slices fresh ginger
2 cloves, whole
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
2 ounces of Rum
1 cinnamon stick
Pinch of nutmeg

1. Bring water, ginger, cloves and sugar to a simmer over mediumhigh heat for 3 minutes.
2. Place Rum in mug. Strain the boiling water mixture into the rum glass.
3. Add a pinch of nutmeg and stir together with cinnamon stick.





Monday, February 21, 2011

Music Therapy with Miss Moon

Last year, I posted an edition of Be Blessed, highlighting a poem, Time-Tested Beauty Tips, written by Sam Levenson, but commonly attributed to actress, icon, and my namesake... Audrey Hepburn.



Inspired by these "beauty tips", Chrisette Michele's (Featuring Lem Payne) "Dear Miss Audrey" encapsulates the message that true beauty comes, not from what you wear, but how you love yourself and the world around you. What better choice for "Music Therapy with Miss Moon"?

Despite my eagerness to share this message, I couldn't find a good video online of the song. Undaunted, I decided to take matters into my own hands, and created a slideshow that showcases the unmistakable beauty that was Audrey Hepburn: iconic images of her at her most lovely - wearing beautiful clothing, and most importantly, images of her humanitarian work for UNICEF in the latter years of her life.

I hope that the song and the video will inspire all of you to find your beauty within, and in finding that beauty... do all you can to make the world around you a better (and more beautiful) place.



Dear Mrs. Hepburn
Good afternoon
I hope that heaven is kind to you
But a question -
How can I be lovely as you?
I got a poster in my bedroom
And I got a little black dress or two
(Dress or two)
Tell me what real ladies do?

Chorus
Excuse me Audrey how'd you do it?
She told me there was nothing to it
She said: Just let your soul shine (repeats)
Let it shine
Excuse me Audrey how'd you do it?
She told me there was nothing to it
She said: Just let your soul shine (repeats)
Let it shine

I wake up early every morning
To find my picture painted beautifully
So beautifully
Right on the mirror on my wall
I take a brush up to my hair again
To find a brand new style for me... yeah
What makes me different from them all?

Chorus
Excuse me Audrey how'd you do it?
She told me there was nothing to it
She said: Just let your soul shine (repeats)
Let it shine
Excuse me Audrey how'd you do it?
She told me there was nothing to it
She said: Just let your soul shine (repeats)
Let it shine

So sad, so bad, so sickening
And all they wanna know is where the rich n***as is
Short skirt with thighs out they killin’ it
But that ass the only reason we feelin’ it?
What a shame she thinks he gon give into it
But he only wants to get all up into it and get rid of it
Sex ain't love, friends don't need benefits
He’s full of lust baby, I know the sentiment

Chorus
Excuse me Audrey how'd you do it?
She told me there was nothing to it
She said: Just let your soul shine (repeats)
Let it shine
Excuse me Audrey how'd you do it?
She told me there was nothing to it
She said: Just let your soul shine (repeats)
Let it shine

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Be Blessed: And Be a GOOD Friend (To Yourself!)

" If you must love your neighbor as yourself, it is at least as fair to love yourself as your neighbor." ~ Nicholas de Chamfort

" If you had a friend who talked to you like you sometimes talk to yourself, would you continue to hang around with that person? " ~ Rob Bremer

" It is not selfish or narcissistic to love yourself. It is your first and foremost responsibility." ~ Alan Cohen



If you are anything like me, you are a lot more forgiving to others than you are to yourself. I know that it is a process I continually work on, and I've grown a lot over the years.

A part of my progress came from seeing myself as a friend and treating myself as such. When sad or discouraged, I would internally say the comforting words I would say to any friend in the same position. And I felt comforted!

For most of my life, it was the exact opposite. I had an inner "Mean Girl" that couldn't wait to tell me how much I sucked. If there were any imperfections about my day, the spotlight would prominently display them in my mind.

That Mean Girl is still here, I'm sure. But like any toxic frenemy, I'm not checking for her anymore. I don't need that kind of drama in my life!!



Today, I will begin to treat myself with the same fierce sister-love I'd give to my best friends in the world!!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

A Little [ESPERANZA SPALDING] for a Saturday Night

My apologies to devastated Justin Bieber fanatics out there, but I am SOOOO GLAAAAD Esperanza Spalding won the Grammy for Best New Artist. I'm not knocking the Bieber... don't get me wrong. But after hearing this beautiful interpretation of the William Blake poem, I am confident that the right decision was made.



I hope you all will enjoy "Little Fly" on a beautiful Saturday Night....



Friday, February 18, 2011

And Now...A Makeup Moment: M∙A∙C Wonder Woman Lip Sticks



So I was unable to attend the launch party here in NYC for M∙A∙C's newest collection (Had to work and couldn't get out early enough), but my good friend, my Pirate Sistah, Bad Ass Blogger herself... Jay the Bohemian Diva was in attendance, and her reporting of the event had me very excited to check out the collection myself.

While M∙A∙C's Wonder Woman Collection offers a myriad of goodies for the eyes, face and nails (There's even a KICK ASS Utility Belt Brush Set for your Eyes and Face), I was super excited about their Wonder Woman Lipstick shades!!

From left to right: Heroine, Marquise'd, Russian Red, and Spitfire.

Here is a closer look at the swatches:


Heroine (Brown bronze)


Marquise'd (Sandy cream peach)


Russian Red (Intense blush-red)


Spitfire (Bright creamy magenta)

Come pay day, I knew that one of these colors will be mine!!!! While I liked all of the shades, there was only one that made me go "OOOOOOH!!!!". Can you guess which one? Hmmm...?

Okay, This is what I bought:



I chose Spitfire... I thought that this magenta shade would be a fun, flirty look for the spring.... And because I've been needing a mirror for my purse, I also got....


The Wonder Women Invincible Mirror... how dope is that?!?!?

Here is me rocking, Spitfire. I must admit, immediately after making my purchase, I had a bit of buyer's remorse, thinking I should've opted for Heroine (Which is more of a shade I am used to wearing!) I still may get that color, but I really really like how I look in Spitfire!! I tried it on to take pictures for this post and the color immediately perked me up. I look forward to rocking this shade all spring!!


*FYI: I lined my lips with M∙A∙C's Cremestick Liner in Portside - a color that works with most of my lip shades and I love to DEATH!!! Thank you, Chris for taking the picture!***

Check out the M∙A∙C Wonder Woman Collection at http://www.maccosmetics.com/

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Yummm! Groovy Goodies for a Girls Night In to Remember!!!

There is nothing greater than hanging out with the homegirls, getting tipsy, catching up, reminiscing and laughing until you're hoarse! During the winter months, it's hard to plan a girls night out because frankly, it's too damn cold to be looking fly in your cute shoes! LOL

What better way to get some much needed time with the girls, without ruining your duds in the snow than to have a Girls Night In!?!?!?



All you need is a living room, a group of your best girlfriends, a t.v., some girl-power movies on D.V.D, and these recipes for treats and cocktails, guaranteed to make it a great night in!

Funky Garlic Cocktail

Recipe Courtesy of Drinks Mixer

Ingredients:

32 oz white wine
32 oz Coca-Cola®
32 oz Sprite® soda

Directions:

Chill all ingredients prior to serving. Pour into a highball glass, and stir well.

Garlic Shrimp Bruschetta

Recipe Courtesy of Woman's Day

Recipe Ingredients
24 thin slices French bread
Olive oil cooking spray
1 cup diced plum tomatoes
1 T bsp olive oil
3⁄4 tsp minced garlic
1⁄4 tsp each salt and pepper
24 medium shrimp
1⁄4 cup pesto
Garnish: small basil leaves

Recipe Preparation
1. Heat broiler. Place bread on baking sheet; coat with cooking spray. Broil 2 to 3 minutes, turning once, until lightly toasted.

2. Put tomatoes, 1 tsp of the oil, 1⁄2 tsp of the garlic, and the salt and pepper in a bowl. Toss to coat.

3. Heat remaining 2 tsp oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add shrimp and remaining 1⁄4 tsp garlic. Saute 2 minutes or just until shrimp are cooked through. Remove from heat.

4. To assemble, spread each piece of toasted bread with 1⁄2 tsp pesto. Top with about 1⁄2 Tbsp tomato mixture, then one shrimp.

Tip: You can prepare the toasted bread and the tomato mixture 2 hours before serving.

Grilled Chicken Skewers with White Wine Garlic Sauce

Recipe Courtesy of Food.com

Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounces coconut oil or 1 1/2 ounces butter
3 onions, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed As always, adjust garlic according to taste
250 ml dry white wine
salt
pepper
1 ounce flour
1/2 pint milk
1 kg chicken

Directions
1 Melt 1/2 oz (15gm) coconut oil in a pan, add the 1 chopped onion and cook gently until soft and golden. Add the garlic and cook for another minute or so. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the wine, turn up the heat and reduce the volume a bit. Remove from heat.
2 In another pan melt the remaining 1 oz (30 gm) of butter. Add the flour, stir and cook for about five minutes.
3 Now add the milk to the flour. Add the milk slowly while continuing to stir! You will end up with a nice thick sauce.
4 Mix in the onion and garlic and the sauce is ready.
5 Cut the chicken into rectangles as much as possible. Shouldn't be too thin so it can go onto the skewer, but too thick and it takes a long time to cook, I'd say 3/4 inch (1cm pieces).
6 Put the chicken into the sauce and let sit in the fridge over night. (If your in a rush, 2-3 hours in the fridge.:).
7 Cut the remaining onions into pieces.
8 Skewer the chicken/onion. (You can other veggies here if you like, depending on what your side will be).
9 Grill and enjoy!

Crab Cakes with Lemon-Dill Sauce

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen, Food Network

Ingredients
Lemon Dill Sauce:
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill leaves
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 garlic clove, minced
Crab Cakes:
3 tablespoons butter
1 green onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons finely chopped red bell pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
3 tablespoons heavy cream
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh parsley
Cayenne pepper
1 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1 pound white or claw crabmeat, picked free of any bits of shell
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Directions
To make the sauce, combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and stir well. Refrigerate until chilled. The sauce will thicken as it chills.

To prepare the crab cakes, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Saute the onion, bell pepper, and garlic until the pepper is limp, approximately 3 minutes. Add the cream, mustard, 1 egg, parsley, cayenne pepper and 1/2 cup bread crumbs, to taste, and mix well. Gently fold in the crabmeat.

Form the mixture into 8 patties, about 1/2-inch thick. In a mixing bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cup of bread crumbs with the Parmesan. Pat this topping onto both sides of the patties. Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.

Using a skillet, combine the oil and remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Saute the crab cakes in the hot oil-butter mixture for approximately 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. These crab cakes can also be baked for 7 to 10 minutes in a 400 degree F oven.

To serve, spoon a dollop of the lemon dill sauce along side each crab cake

Chocolate Sorbet

Recipe Courtesy of Ina Garten, Food Network

Ingredients
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup very good cocoa powder (recommended: Pernigotti)
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups water
1/4 cup brewed espresso (1 shot)
11/2 tablespoons coffee liqueur (recommended: Tia Maria)

Directions
In a large saucepan, mix the sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in 2 cups water and the espresso. Cook over low heat until the ingredients are dissolved. Off the heat, stir in the coffee liqueur. Transfer to plastic containers and refrigerate until very cold.

Freeze the mixture in an ice cream freezer according to the manufacturer's directions. The sorbet will still be soft; place it in a plastic container and freeze for 1 hour or overnight, until firm enough to scoop.

Claret Lemonade

Recipe Courtesy of Food.com

Ingredients:

3/4 cup lemon juice (fresh is best)
orange slice
1 quart red wine (Bordeaux, Merlot, or Shiraz)

Simple Syrup
2 cups sugar
2 cups water

Directions:

1 Bring the sugar and water to a boil in a heavy medium saucepan over high heat.
2 Reduce the heat to medium-low.
3 Simmer, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved, 6 to 8 minutes.
4 Let cool completely.
5 Half fill a glass pitcher with ice cubes or cracked ice.
6 Add the lemon juice and a few slices of orange.
7 Fill the pitcher nearly full with claret and add sugar syrup to taste.
8 Let stand 20 minutes to blend and ripen.
9 Serve over ice. Garnish each glass with Lemon or Orange slice and fresh raspberries (optional)

Now that we have some tasty treats for FANTASTIC Girls Night In, all we need are the friends and of course some great movies. What would be on YOUR movie list?!?!?