Chic Galleria » Kristin Cuccio

Upside Down Night

Kristin Cuccio — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 07:01:57 +0000

Every once and a while, my fiancé and I like to have breakfast for dinner or as we like to call it “upside down night”!

With our wedding quickly approaching, I am demanding more healthier dinners. So when it comes to breakfast this is no exception!! I have become a fan of The Real Housewives of New York and current star of Bethany’s Getting Married, Bethany Frankel. While browsing her website I found a great breakfast meal that is both hearty and healthy.

What you need:

4 egg whites

1 tsp real vanilla

1 tsp maple syrup

4 slices of whole grain bread* (preferably stale)

*Depending on how long you let them soak in the mixture you can use more bread.

In a bowl, combined the egg whites, vanilla and syrup, beat lightly. Place bread in mixture and coat both sides. Place a non stick pan over medium heat and cook the slices for about 2 to 3 minutes. Drizzle with syrup and your favorite summer fruits!!!

This is definitely a healthier option and it’s about 200 calories for every two slices. You can still enjoy a dessert-type breakfast and not feel the guilt!

“Upside down night” is a treat that I always looked forward to. Is there something special that you make for dinner? I would love to know!

Kristin Cuccio currently resides in Clifton, NJ with her fiancé and works in New York City. In her spare time, she likes to bake and blog about it. You can keep up with her latest baking adventures at http://kriskupcakes.blogspot.com/

A Fabulous Night with Teresa Guidice

Kristin Cuccio — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 07:43:43 +0000

On July 22, 2010, I attended the book signing for Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Guidice. She happens to be one of my favorite housewives on the show and when I heard she was signing books near my office I had to try and go. Although that show is filled with drama, it does have its family moments.

The family moments I love the most are the ones with Teresa. In the Season 2 premiere, we saw Teresa cutting tomatoes and making sauce while teaching her kids in hopes to continue that tradition. As an Italian-American, my mother did the same with me. I would help my mom, dad and grandparents each year. Every Labor Day weekend we would go to my grandma’s house and cut tomatoes. We would puree them through a machine my dad and uncle created and then my mom and grandma would cook the tomatoes and jar them. I remember dreading it every year, but as I look back it was a nice memory of us doing something together as a family. I hope to one day do the same thing with my family.

I left work at 6pm hoping to get a good spot in line. I got to the Marmi Shoes, on 53^rd and Madison, and to my surprise there was NO line! It didn’t start until 7pm, so to pass the time I went shopping in some nearby stores. While leaving one of the stores, I saw that people were starting to line up and I made sure I got a spot! I was about the 20^th person in line so it wasn’t too bad. It was definitely too hot to stand outside, but all of Teresa’s fans starting coming out and waiting!!

As 7pm rolled around the doors did not open and people were starting to get antsy. If you watch the show you know Teresa is never on time, not even when she was giving birth to her 4^th child!!! At 7:15pm, a worker came out and said she was stuck in traffic and would be here in 25 minutes. Some people decided they weren’t waiting, but I stuck it out. I mean what else did I have to do?! Around 7:30pm someone came out of the store and said she would be here in 10 minutes!! Sure enough around 7:50pm a white Mercedes pulls up in front of the store and guess who was driving and waving at us…Teresa!! A lot of people were shocked that she drives herself, but I mean come on people, this isn’t an A-list celeb, this is a reality show mom! I liked it.

As soon as she walked in the store, they set her up and started letting people in. I entered the store and purchased her book, then continued to wait in the line for her to sign it. While I waited, I browsed the shoes and purses around me and watched as other fans took their picture with Teresa and talked to her. She was very nice and for keeping the line moving so quickly she really did spend time talking to each person, which was nice. Finally I was up, I introduced myself to her and I told her right off the bat that I love that she makes food from scratch and that my family also makes “gravy” or “sauce” the same way she did on the show. She asked if I was Italian and if we made anything else homemade. I told her that my parents do make homemade pastas and other dishes and that I need to start practicing my cooking skills since I will soon be a Jersey housewife myself!! To which she replied, “It’s all in the book and it’s very simple!!” We shall see…I’m a great baker, but not so sure about my cooking skills. She also complimented my phone case which was blinged out!! An hour and a half was totally worth it to spend 5 minutes talking to my favorite housewife. Love, love, love her!!

To pick up a copy of her book, Skinny Italian, you can go to any book store, order it online at Amazon.com or check out her website http://www.teresagiudice.com/ to see if she is coming to your town!! Also, check out the Real Housewives of New Jersey, every Monday night at 10/9c on Bravo.

Let out your Inner Minx!

Kristin Cuccio — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 07:52:11 +0000

Since I have been working in New York City, I am starting to notice different trends that I wouldn’t normally see working in the suburbs. The other day, I was at the local Fed Ex and I saw a girl that had shiny metallic silver polish; a little shinier than usual. So I asked her, “Where did you get your nail polish?” She told me that it’s actually like a nail sticker that they just put on your nails. Not exactly correct but described as best she could. It’s actually a process called a “Minx” coat and she had her nails done at Bliss Spa. If you go on their website Bliss.com they have numerous locations all over! After she said the word “minx” I immediately thought of NeNe from Housewives of Atlanta and there is an episode where she is having the same manicure.

My first thoughts were, how much is this and where is the closest Bliss Spa?!! I went online found a spa near me and gave them a call. The whole process is 45mins; the cost of a manicure is $55 and a 60min pedicure is $85. Not too bad, these minx coverings let you doll up your digits with playful colors and patterns, from metallic to cheetah print. Following filing and buffing, a flexible film is applied instead of liquid, so there’s no smudging, chipping or drying time. I asked how long the “coating” lasts and was told up to two weeks, but depending on how much you work with your hands it could be shorter, just like any other manicure.

What a cute way to accessorize any outfit for a girl’s night out or a hot date! Who knew you could have this affordable celeb trend. It is also a cool conversation piece; in the city you never know who is paying attention to what you are wearing! I am definitely making my appointment soon!

Have you gotten a minx manicure? What are your thoughts?!

Here Comes the Bride…

Kristin Cuccio — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:06:02 +0000

Planning a wedding can be very stressful, I know, I am planning one myself. No matter how prepared you are there is always something that comes up. I have found some helpful tips that I would like to share with fellow Brides-to-be!

Get a calendar. This is extremely important, whether it’s an electronic or an actual planner, this will come in handy with keeping your appointments up to date and keeping everything in one spot. I received a bridal planner as an engagement present from my Maid of Honor and it has become my Bride Bible! I definitely recommend.

Set goals for yourself. Once I got engaged I started planning right away, I knew my date and I was determined to book the big things by a certain time. I was engaged in May and my goal was to have the Reception Hall, the Photographer, the Florist and the Church all by December. I knew that during the holidays and starting my new job I would be very busy, so my plan was to get the time consuming stuff out of the way first and leave the little details for the next year.

Include your groom. This can be frustrating since you have been planning this day since you were 5 years old! Through my experience planning, I have learned that your groom will secretly want to get involved but will not tell you. It is also important that if you both are putting out the money then you both should decide on things together. My fiancé was very flexible, he was fine with whatever I chose but I made sure he was there for the tours and appointments with each vendor because it is also his wedding! We know this day is all about the bride but the groom should know what’s going on, and who knows, they may surprise you with their suggestions.

Use the bridal websites. There are tons of free websites out there, The Knot, Brides.com, etc. Sign up for a free account. There are so many helpful things on those sites, pictures, reviews, blogs from other brides-to-be, even a check list so that you are staying on the right track! I have used the community blog for several questions that I had and also to see what other brides were doing. Sharing ideas is key and again you might be surprised with the help you get from other brides in the same situation as you.

Know your budget. This is EXTREMELY helpful to you and your vendors. If you know how much you have to spend on each item than you won’t waste your time looking at the expensive things and getting your heart set on something that you really can’t afford. You will only focus on things that specifically fit into your budget. This also helps if you do not know exactly what you want and will narrow down your choices.

Don’t get frustrated. If I learned anything from all this planning is to take your time. It’s your day, you only get married once! Don’t feel bad if it takes you 2 hours to pick out an invitation or you make 3 visits with the same 2 florists so that you can decide on which place you really like! Of course, every bride wants everything perfect and it will be; just take your time! You are not a “Bridezilla” because you want all of the details to be exactly how you want them. There is no crime in perfection and everyone’s perfection is different. Your vendors are getting paid very well so let them work with you; don’t make it the other way around.

I hope you find this article helpful, I am fortunate to have great bridesmaids, family and even friends who are planning their weddings for support. Sometimes the best advice is from the experiences that you go through yourself. Good luck Brides-to-be and happy planning!!

Let Them Eat Cake…Italian Love Cake!

Kristin Cuccio — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 07:16:29 +0000

How will you show the Love this year? What do you have planned for this Valentine’s Day?! Will you be going out to a romantic dinner with your sweetie or are you staying in and watching TV?!

During the recession don’t put love on the back burner! For those of you on a budget, there are plenty of things you can do! Why not bring the romance to your significant other. Cook your sweetie a romantic dinner or order take out from your favorite restaurant and watch a classic romantic movie. With all of the hype of Valentine’s Day what you would spend at a restaurant you could spend half and have just as an enjoyable time together.

Want to attempt a romantic dinner for two? Why not make your sweetie’s favorite dish, or surprise them with something they never had before; allrecipes.com has some great ideas for dinner. Who says you even have to cook? Why not order some take out from your favorite restaurant, it’s the thought that counts! Set the mood with fun decorations that you can find at any party store or even the Dollar Store. I was there the other day and picked up cute champagne flutes and a Valentine’s Day centerpiece, even picked up a Valentine’s Day card. They have tons of cute napkins and plates, even silk rose petals, all for $1, what beats that?!!

Thinking about hosting a dinner party?! Again, there are tons of ideas for that as well. The internet is a perfect tool to start your search with great recipes or even Valentine’s Day cocktails or party games.

This Valentine’s Day my fiancé and I are opting to create a romantic dinner for two at our place. He is in charge of the dinner and I am handling the dessert! I found this cute dish on allrecipes.com called Italian Love Cake and it is simple as can be!

What you need:

1 package chocolate cake mix
2 pints part-skim ricotta cheese
3/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 package instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup milk
1 container frozen whipped topping, thawed

Prepare the cake mix as directed on the box, pour your batter into a 9 x 13 greased pan and set aside. Combined the ricotta cheese, sugar, vanilla and eggs into a mixer and blend well, spread the mixture evenly over the top of the cake batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 75 minutes if using a glass baking dish, 90 minutes if using a metal pan. I like to make sure my oven is already set to 350 degrees while I am mixing all of the ingredients together, that way once you are ready you oven is nice and hot! Finally blend the pudding mix and milk until thickened, add in your whipped topping and spread over cooled cake and enjoy!

With everyone concerned about the economy why not get a little creative, don’t be afraid!! You never know what you will come up with and your sweetie will be impressed by how much thought you put into this special evening.

Share your thoughts…what will you being doing for Valentine’s Day this year?