Blueberry Cheesecake...say no more.

Happy Friday Everyone!  So let me start off by saying that it's 7am and I am blogging.  Not my ideal morning but our dog Penny was persistent on getting up at 6:30 this morning (another reason to add to the list of why we should pass on the having children part of a marriage , lol).  Oddly enough one of the first things I thought of in my sleepy stupor is that I have been neglecting this blog so I should get it together and post something. 

One word...CHEESECAKE!  Even better... Blueberry Cheesecake!  Even better than that...its got half the fat as regular cheesecake!  I found this gem in a Cooking Light cook book and it was love at first bite.  Although I ended up with half of it all over my kitchen and it's a process to make (that may be putting it lightly), it's definitely worth a try.  YOUR WELCOME!

• Crust:
• 2/3 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 5 cookie sheets)
• 2/3 cup reduced-fat vanilla wafer crumbs (about 20 cookies)
• 3 tablespoons sugar 
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted 
  
  
• Filling:
• 2 1/2 cups fresh or frozen wild blueberries, thawed 
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 1/2 (8-ounce) blocks fat-free cream cheese, softened 
• 1 (8-ounce) block 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened 
• 1 cup sugar 
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 5 large eggs
  
  
• Topping:
• 1 1/2 cups fat-free sour cream 
• 2 tablespoons sugar 
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
•  
• Sauce:
• 1/4 cup sugar 
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 cup fresh or frozen, thawed, wild blueberries 
  
  

Preparation

1. 1. Preheat oven to 325°.
2. 2. To prepare crust, combine first 3 ingredients in a medium bowl. Drizzle with butter; toss with a fork until moist. Firmly press mixture into bottom of a 9-inch springform pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 325° for 10 minutes; cool on a wire rack.
3. 3. To prepare filling, combine 2 1/2 cups blueberries and 1 tablespoon cornstarch in a food processor, and process until smooth. Place puree in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook 6 minutes or until slightly thick, stirring constantly. Cool slightly. Reserve 1/2 cup blueberry puree for sauce; set remaining 1 cup blueberry puree aside.
4. 4. Place cheeses in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed for 3 minutes or until smooth. Combine 1 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, and salt. Add sugar mixture to cheese mixture; beat well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Pour batter over prepared crust. Pour 1 cup blueberry puree over batter; gently swirl with a knife. Bake at 325° for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until cheesecake center barely moves when pan is touched. Remove cheesecake from oven (do not turn oven off); place cheesecake on a wire rack.
5. 5. To prepare topping, combine sour cream, 2 tablespoons sugar, and vanilla in a small bowl, stirring well. Spread sour cream mixture evenly over cheesecake. Bake at 325° for 10 minutes. Remove cheesecake from oven; run a knife around outside edge. Cool to room temperature. Cover and chill at least 8 hours. Remove sides of springform pan.
6. 6. To prepare sauce, combine reserved 1/2 cup blueberry puree, 1/4 cup sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 8 minutes or until sauce is thick, stirring constantly. Gently fold in 1 cup blueberries. Remove from heat, and cool. Serve sauce with cheesecake.

February Obsessions

So quite often in my life I definitely have my fill of obsessions.  Keeping with all things beauty I decided to share what my monthly obsessions included for the month of February. 

1. Tone Daily Detox bodywash - I have to say I'm not very faithful to any certain kind of body washes.  I hate washes that are over powering that I can smell over my perfume.  I want to be clean by a body wash not heavily perfumed!  After I used it I was hooked.  It has an amazing smell and It's extremely moisturizing.  It also has vitamin E in it which is also really good in improving the tone of your skin, big plus for me!

2.  La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo - as soon as winter arrived I started having a lot more unwelcome friends appear on my face.  I feel like I have a love hate relationship with my skin...it's either really really good or really really bad.  I have used every spot treatment on the market and have never been impressed.  I heard about the La Roche-Posay brand through many positive reviews on the web.  NO, this doesn't get rid of anything over night but after a few weeks of using it I notice a HUGE difference in the severity of breakouts.  Definitely happy about this purchase.

3.  OPI - Ski Teal We Drop - I wore this on my nails almost everyday of February, I love it!

4.  Burberry Brit Perfume - I bought this back in January and really didn't get around to using it until Feb. It's definitely not an everyday scent for me but the smell is so amazing.  When I'm choosing a perfume I look for something not too floral and something that can almost be worn by a guy as well and this was right up my alley.

4. CHANEL Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation - I think as a women your allowed to be a "princess" about a few things in your life.  Makeup is hands down my reigning princess item.  I've discovered over the years that the reason why some makeup is so expensive is because it truly is above and beyond quality and this foundation does not disappoint.  I'm a fan of most of the foundations CHANEL offers (I'm eventually going to do a post  on these) but I used the Vitalumiere Aqua the most this month.  If you want perfect looking skin without looking like you have a pound of makeup on your face then buckle down and save your pennies for this!

5.  Microdermabrasion Cleansing Tool - I had no clue that cleansing with a little brush head attached to a rotating handle would do some much for your skin!  I've used this everyday for a few months now and my skin feels so smooth and soft afterwards, it's all I can take to not constantly rub my face.  I just bought a drugstore brand of this and it has been working out great for me.

6.  TRESemme Dry Shampoo - Little known secret to healthy and shiny hair....DO NOT wash it everyday!  Sounds gross but makes a huge difference.  On the in between days dry shampoo never lets me down.

An unlikely pair

Hi Everyone!  So I thought it was time to post one of my favorite recipes.  It's a tuna quesadilla and it's a staple in our house.  I know not everyone is a fan tuna and I know your probably thinking...tuna?  quesadilla? definitely do not go together but it really surprised me the first time I had it.  I can't take the credit for finding this recipe because my husband actually found it on the back of a tuna packet.  It's easy to make and  it will fill you up!

2 packets of Hickory Smoked tuna (Starkist sells these)
4 green onion (chopped)
2 oz. cream cheese (room temperature, I use 1/3 less fat to keep it a little healthier)
1/2 roasted red pepper (chopped)
1/2 cup shredded cheese (your choose, we use colby-monterey jack)
Dash of salt and pepper
4 tortilla shells

Preheat your oven broiler.  Mix the first 6 ingredients together in a bowl and set aside.  Lay out 2 of your tortilla shells on a baking sheet and make a few holes with a fork in them.  Take your tuna mixture and spread it evenly onto shells.  Place 2 remaining tortilla shells on top of your mixture and also make holes in these with a fork.  Place baking sheet under broiler for about 2 minutes or until slightly browned then flip them over.  At this point you can choose whether or not you want to top them with cheese or not.  Cook for an additional 2 minutes and they are ready to eat.

Oh....Penny Lane

So I thought I'd share a few thoughts on a big love in my life.  Her name is Penny Lane and my husband and I have only had  her for two months but she has definitely changed our lives.  I would say our relationship is complicated to say the least but most days she has us wrapped around her little paw.

 (Penny Lane and PJ on lazy Sunday)

I mean  look at that face and those ears...heart melting for sure!  It truly is odd how you find yourself having conversations with a four legged animal about how your hair looks or what to make for dinner as if she's your best friend (or maybe that's just me).  Like most women she has her occasional crazy moment but her adorable puppy grunts, innocent little face, and "mommy" cuddles undoubtedly trump her "Puppy PMS."  So to everyone with or has experienced the love of having a pet think of them fondly and give them an extra treat because they really do become a part of our families.

Spice up your coffee

Hi everyone!  So I have to confess...I am an addict for coffee and tea! (as I'm sure most of you are too!)  My mornings always have to involve one or the other or my head will literally spin right off, just ask my husband.  Okay,  not literally but seriously...a morning without coffee just isn't worth getting out of bed for.  SO, I've decided to share a coffee recipe with a little something extra to it.  My husband PJ actually found this a few years ago when I was sick.  He claimed this was going to help me feel much better if I drank it or at least that's what Google told him.  I'm not sure that it actually helped my cold BUT it was definitely delicious!  So enjoy!

WHITE SPICE COFFEE

1/3 cup whole coffee beans (any flavor beans will work)
1 cup milk (skim, 1%, 2%, or whole, whatever you like)
1/2 stick of cinnamon
1 tbsp. honey
pinch of cardamon
pinch of ground cinnamon
1 oz. Rum (optional)

Place milk in small sauce pan over medium-low heat. Place coffee beans in plastic bag and seal.   Crush beans slightly with spoon.  Pour crushed beans into milk.  Add honey and stick of cinnamon.  Let ingredients seap together for 10 to 12 minutes, occasionally stir. Drain out coffee beans and pour milk mixture into your favorite mug.  Now is the time to add the Rum if you choose.  Add a pinch of cinnamon and cardamon to taste and stir.

Winter Wonderland of Polish

Well winter has made it's way here!  Snow has made it's landing and the the temp. is slowly dropping.  Although I wish I could hibernate through these next few months, I'm forced to brave the gloomy and chilly climate just like everyone else. 

Keeping with the Winter Season I've recently discovered some truly awesome winter nail polish colors.  I always think  that if you have absolutely nothing to accessorize with than a great polish is an easy fix.  This season it seems metallic, a touch of bold, and a little bit of classic colors are on trend.  Although, I don't typically follow a "trend"  I jumped in nails first on this one.  With this in mind I've searched and come up with some colors I love and are worthy of recommendation.  Check them out!

 Colors (from left to right)  Burgundy Flirt - Rimmel Lasting Finish Pro, Steel Grey - Rimmel Lasting Finish Pro, Gold Silk - Rimmel Lasting Finish Pro, Midnight Cami - Essie, Going Incognito - Essie

 (For the most accurate color of these I recommend swatching them on yourself)

 Burgundy Flirt:  This is a Classic Red, the more you apply of this color the deeper red it gets, I love it!  The best thing about these Rimmel nail polishes is that the formula is thick so there is no need for a million coats.

Steel Grey:  This is a neutral, almost beige like grey.  My first thought when I got this is that it may be a little drab but it really is an amazing color, great for winter!

Gold Silk:  This color is a little metallic, a little glitter, and a little iridescent.  I like it because it's not so gold it looks over the top but just right.

Midnight Cami:  I've always loved the way a dark navy blue looks on nails and this color is no exception.  I will say Essie polishes are a little bit more pricey but they are super pigmented and worth a little splurge.

Going Incognito:  I know what you may be thinking...GREEN, really?  I was definitely a little scared of green myself but this is a gorgeous shade of green that is really flattering.  It's somewhere in between a teal and true green color.

Welcome to my Blog

So here I am!  This is my first official blog and I've been thinking for what seems like months on what it should be about.  Instead of jumping right into it, I thought this first post could explain what you might be able to read in this Amberface blog.  Like many women I live for a brand new pair of high heels, a good glass of wine, hair that always does what I want, and many other "girl" things.  With that in mind I thought I might be able to share my experiences, thoughts, and opinions on all things girl and the occasional.  I'm excited to share some recipes I love, tips and tricks I've learned, some DIY projects, and much more.  So until next time...."a girl should be two things: classy and fabulous."- Coco Chanel