Lazy Snow Days + Nutella Pancakes!

When the weather outside is frightful,

 Nope, this is more like it

 

There's simply nothing else better than making pancakes, especially if they're....

NUTELLA PANCAKES! 

Nutella Stuffed Pancakes

Author: divas can cook

Serves: 12 pancakes

Ingredients

• 2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1¾ c. warm milk
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Nutella (make sure that it is soft and creamy)
• Toppings: fresh strawberries or bananas and cool whip

Instructions

1. In a medium size bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix together milk, melted butter, beaten eggs, and vanilla.
3. Gradually add the flour mixture into the milk mixture. Stir gently with a whisk JUST until the large lumps are gone. Small lumps are good. Do no over stir or the pancakes will not be fluffy and light.
4. Let batter rest for 10 minutes.
5. Heat and butter griddle on medium high heat.
6. When griddle is ready add ¼ cup of batter onto the griddle.
7. After a minute or so add ½ -1 tablespoon of Nutella to the center of the pancakes. Use a knife to gently spread Nutella out a little.
8. Cover the Nutella with about 2 tablespoons of batter or enough to cover up the nutella. YOU MAY NEED TO TURN DOWN THE HEAT TO MEDIUM AT THIS POINT SO THE OTHER SIDE DOESN’T COOK TO FAST.When bubbles form on the top of pancake and the underside is golden, gently flip it over and cook the other side until golden.
9. Place on a plate and make the rest of the pancakes.
10. Serve warm topped with fresh strawberries or bananas and a bit of cool whip.
11. These pancakes reheat well if needed.

Notes

~TIP~ Watch that heat! I kept my heat on medium or a little above. Top with fresh strawberries or bananas & cool whip! Yum! Don’t overdue it with Nutella. A little goes a long way.

Here's how I made them:
(Sorry for the bad quality pics, I was using my phone)

In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Set aside.

In another bowl, combine the warm milk, beaten eggs, butter and vanilla.

Gradually combine the dry mixture into the wet mixture.
Make sure you don't over mix the batter, small lumps are okay!
Once mixed together, let the batter rest for 10 mins.

It should look something like this after 10 mins. It's much fluffier than it was before.

Oil or butter your pan/griddle.

Pour about a ladle full of batter onto your preheated pan.

Dollop a little bit of nutella in the center of the pancake. I guess you could use chocolate chips instead of nutella, but that wouldn't be much fun would it?
Remember!: A little nutella goes a long way especially since you don't want the pancakes to fall apart while you're flipping them.
Cook for a few mins on each side and....

Voila! Here are the finished nutella pancakes.

They're so delicious and perfect for chilly mornings during the holidays. I mean, who doesn't like nutella?

With love,

Samantha

Christmastime is Here

"Maybe Christmas, he thought doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas....perhaps....means a little bit more!" -How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

I've come to the conclusion that one must get into the Christmas mood by watching Christmas movie marathons, drinking bottomless cups of hot cocoa and decorating the tree. 

Here is a compilation of my favorite Christmas movies so far:

1) Home Alone- My favorite Christmas movie of all time. Nothing beats the original. Macaulay Culkin was such a cutie in this movie.

2) Elf- Such a funny movie that brings back great memories for me. I especially love the escalator scene and when the little businessman has a fight with Buddy for calling him an elf. 

3) How the Grinch Stole Christmas- I know this movie's given nightmares to other kids, but it's never happened to me. There's something about this movie that just makes me so happy.

4) Miracle on 34th Street(remake)- I haven't the seen the original yet, but I thought the remake starring Mara Wilson (from Matilda) was really cute. 

5) Love Actually- My favorite of the rom-com blockbusters. The puppy love storyline between Sam and Joanna was so cute! :)

What are some of your favorite holiday movies?

With love,

Samantha

Studying tips + How to Combat Stress

There's nothing I like more after a stressful week of school than to sit back, relax with my cup of hot cocoa and Pin or Polyvore away. I only recently discovered these and they have already become my new obsession. I'm still learning to navigate these sites so it may be a while before I post anything else (other than my last post) from these sites.

Speaking of tests, I recently developed some ways to study more efficiently and to reduce school stress and since midterms are coming up, what better time than to introduce these tips now?

Tips for Studying

1) Start studying ahead of time- If you are given advanced notice, use the time to plan your studying out. You won't be as overwhelmed if you study 45 mins for 4 nights instead of 3 hours in one night.

2) Make sure you have all the notes you need- Compare notes with a trustworthy friend and if you are missing any notes, make sure to get them from your teacher as soon as possible.

3) Ask your teacher for help- If you're having trouble with anything, make sure you ask your teacher for help in a timely manner.

4) Have a study buddy- Sometimes studying with someone else is more helpful than studying individually. You'll keep each other from procrastinating(hopefully) ;) and will get more work done quicker. Lastly, your study buddy can help you with something you may not understand and vice versa.

Fight Stress!

1) Study in spurts- Study for say, 30 mins and take a break. Then, go back to studying.

2) Don't get (too) overwhelmed- If you feel yourself getting too stressed, take a bubble bath and when the water goes down the drain, imagine all your worries going down the drain. 

3) Study with music or a candle- Study with your favorite scented candle or your favorite music in the background (on low)

 4) Make time for time with Family and friends- Remember that this test isn't the end of the world and don't let it consume your life. Be confident in your abilities. 

5) Don't skip meals- Skipping meals to study is probably the worst thing you can do. It'll make you moody and irritable and keep you from studying efficiently. Eating your favorite meal will also be a nice comfort.

That's all I have for you today! Like I mentioned before, 
BE CONFIDENT IN YOUR ABILITIES!! YOU CAN DO IT!! I believe in you.

With love,

Samantha

Gift Guide: For Friends

cupcake candles /Ann Taylor ivory pearl bracelet / Emerald green statement necklace, /  
Lilly Pulitzer apple iphone case /  
Butter london nail polish / Cupcake candle / Eos holiday decoration, / 
Chill in the Air Circle Scarf in Red 

These items I've chosen are the perfect little gifts you can give to your friends. They are all under $50 so you don't have to break the bank this season. Most of these items are even suitable for Secret Santas where the maximum may be $20 or less.

                                        With Love,

                                      

            Samantha

Last Night+ Hunters at Costco!!

I hope you all had a great thanksgiving and Black Friday, I didn't go shopping yesterday as I was home all day cooking. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of my turkey before carving it last night,*Tear* but overall the dinner was a success.

Last week while at Costco, I was overjoyed to learn that they were now selling Hunter boots!!!! At my local Costco, they are $75 much more affordable than the original price of $140. There were only black boots when I was there, but later on I was told that they now have olive green and brown in stock as well as black. I was a little indecisive about whether I should buy a pair because they only came in matte at my Costco and I have been lusting over a pair of glossy Hunters for a while now. Then, I looked on the Costco site and there were glossy black hunters being sold for $80(members only), but sadly they weren't available in my size. Whilst in anguish (maybe a little dramatic?) about this situation, my wise Aunt said that I could keep these and buy another pair with money from my upcoming birthday. I asked my mom and she said I COULD KEEP THEM!!!! YAY!!

Hunter Original Tall in Black

Girls, hop on over to Costco and get yourself a pair of Hunters because these are flying off the shelves!!

With Love,

Samantha