It’s been almost three months since my last post. Which, in the blogging world, is a lifetime. Life has been rollercoaster ride the past few months and it’s during those times that you really appreciate the good people in your life. I’m lucky to have a wonderful husband, fantastic family and friends, as well as talented and supportive colleagues. It’s a good thing.

There’s been a lot of highlights this year. And I know this weekend will bring more great moments. One of my nearest and dearest friends is getting married this weekend and I CANNOT wait for the celebration to begin. We met at work six years ago – she sat across from me and from the moment I met her, I knew we would be friends. Emily’s not only gifted with a personality that brings out the best in anyone, she’s also one of the most generous friends I know. I’m so happy for Emily and her fiancé Chris and I know they’ll have an incredibly happy and loving life.

Cheers to the happy couple!

Image courtesy of Megan Dandeles.

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Happy Chinese New Year! 2013 makes the Year of the Snake, which I’m really excited about. Our family has celebrated Chinese New Year for as long as I can remember and even though we’re not officially celebrating with our family and friends for a couple of weekends, we’re going to try to incorporate noodles (which represents longevity) and other good luck charms into our day tomorrow to start the New Year right.

Looking for some delicious Chinese New Year food inspiration? Check out the some of Kevin’s Closet Cooking recipes – I can’t wait to try them myself.

Gan bei!

The post Happy Chinese New Year! Year of the Snake appeared first on Confetti In Her Hair.

Are you excited for Super Bowl weekend? I always have the game on, but primarily tune in to judge watch the commercials and the halftime show. I’m a little more excited for the game this year because a few of us are heading to New Orleans this weekend and I can’t wait to see the excitement in the city firsthand. More details to come on that front.

But if I was staying the town, the best part of watching the big game with friends is hands down the food. One of my go-to appetizers the past few years has been a caramelized onion dip. It’s incredibly easy to make and equally addictive – if you bring this to a party, trust me, people will definitely ask for the recipe. This recipe is an adaptation of Michael Schwartz’s, the James Beard award-winning chef and owner of Michael’s Genuine in Miami (full disclosure – he was a spokesperson for a client campaign). The original recipe calls for full-fat mayo, cream cheese and sour cream –  I make a lower fat version of this dip which I don’t think compromises the flavor at all (suggestions are in parenthesis below). I also don’t make my own chips – I buy the thickest cut potato chips I can find at the store and it does the trick. I would also recommend to let the dip “marinate” overnight; definitely intensifies the flavor.

Michael Schwartz’s Caramelized Onion Dip

Makes about 4 cups

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons olive oil

5 medium onions, chopped (I use purple onions)

1 large garlic clove, minced (I love garlic, so I use at least 5 cloves)

8 ounces cream cheese, softened (I use the reduced fat version)

1 cup good mayonnaise (I use a mixture of regular and low fat mayonnaise – both Hellman’s brand)

1 cup sour cream (I use  reduced fat sour cream)

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Thick-cut potato chips, for serving

In a large saucepan, melt the butter in the olive oil. Add the onions and cook over high heat, stirring frequently, until just softened and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to moderate and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are golden and softened, about 20 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Let cool, then coarsely chop the onions.

In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle, beat the cream cheese at medium speed until smooth. Beat in the mayonnaise and sour cream. Fold in the onions and season generously with salt and pepper. Scrape into a bowl, cover and refrigerate until chilled. Serve with potato chips.

What are your favorite game-day staples? Let me know and you have a chance to win a copy of Michael Schwartz’s cookbook, Michael’s Genuine Food, which is chock full of delicious and easy-to-do recipes. All you have to do is the following:

MUST BE A FOLLOWER OF CONFETTI IN HER HAIR TO ENTER

Requirements

• Like Confetti in Her Hair on Facebook.
• Let me know your favorite game day food in the comments section below.
• Share this giveaway on your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or blog

Giveaway will run through 2/3. Winner will be announced 2/4.

Good luck & thank you for reading!

The post A Super Bowl Giveaway! And an incredible caramelized onion dip appeared first on Confetti In Her Hair.

Hope you’ve all had a great weekend! Did you watch the Golden Globes last night? Tina Fey and Amy Poehler KILLED it. Can they please host every year? I love this time of year – awards season is my version of Superbowl.

Well, it’s been a week since I’ve started the winter cleanse and so far, it’s been pretty good. There’s absolutely no way I’ll ever give up burgers or my mom’s potstickers, but I am eating less processed foods and incorporating more fruits and vegetables, so it’s a start. In regards to the yoga classes, well, let’s just say, I have a looonnnngggg way to go. But at least I know more now than I did last week, so I’ll just keep baby stepping it. Here’s to a year of mindful living.

And now for my favorite links from the past week:

Looking for some ways to easily shave some empty calories a day? Check out Refinery 29′s guide – who knew it could be so easy?

Is anyone else excited for the upcoming Netflix release of Arrested Development? T-minus five more months before the entire series is released at once. I may or may not have to take a day off and enjoy one of the funniest and under appreciated shows of all time.

Images have been leaked of the upcoming Prabel Gurung | Target Collaboration set to release in stores February 10. I hope the collection translates well once it arrives in stores. My personal favorites are looks number two and twenty-one.

Excited to share my tour J.W. Hulme with you later this week! Until then, cheers!

The post Confetti Round-Up::January 14, 2013 appeared first on Confetti In Her Hair.