It only comes around once a year and it must be that time, because I’ve seen several Facebook and Twitter posts, of course I’m talking about the Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks. Now you can enjoy this delicious treat all year round with this recipe.
Photo Source: Starbucks.com
Available only in the Fall as a seasonal drink from Starbucks the Pumpkin Spice Latte is, as described by Starbucks.com:
"Signature espresso blended with the unmistakable spices of fall – cinnamon, nutmeg and clove – smooth with steamed milk and topped with delectably sweetened whipped cream."
2 cups milk 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin OR 1 teaspoon of Torani Pumpkin Spice Syrup (your choice) 2 tablespoons sugar or sugar substitute – you can halve this amount 2 tablespoons vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1-2 shots espresso (about 1/4 cup of espresso or 1/2 cup of strong brewed coffee if you don’t have an espresso machine.)
Directions:
In a saucepan combine milk, pumpkin and sugar and cook on medium heat, stirring, until steaming. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and spice, transfer to a blender and process for 15 seconds until foamy. If you don’t have a blender, don’t worry about it – just whisk the mixture really well with a wire whisk. Pour into a large mug or two mugs. Add the espresso on top. Optional: Top with whipped cream and sprinkle pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, or cinnamon on top.
One of the braids that I get a lot of compliments on is the Fishtail braid. This is also called The Herringbone braid because it looks very similar to a tight Herringbone pattern.Within a couple tries anyone can make a perfect fishtail braid in their sleep and have one of the trendiest hairstyles. The fishtail braid is so popular in part because it is so simple, but also because it is the perfect combination of playful and sophisticated.
Here are some great instructions I found from thebeautydepartment.com . They say that their secret tip is clear elastic rubberbands...
Items you will need: 2 clear elastics, scissors, and lots of patience :)
Steps:
If you want a smoother braid, brush your hair out first. For a messier braid, leave the natural texture and separate the hair with your fingers.
Create a ponytail using a clear elastic.
Split the ponytail into two separate pieces.
Take a piece from the first side and pass it to the 2nd side.
Next take a piece from the 2nd side and pass it back to the 1st side.
Once you’ve finished your braid, go in with your scissors and CAREFULLY cut the clear elastic at the top.
Optional: gently pull on the pieces to loosen it up if you wish!
When you’re fishtail braiding, don’t think too hard! You’re simply making X’s. Also, remember that when you take the little piece from one side and pass it to the other side, you don’t need to keep track of it.
Heres a video for more help:
Some tips:
The skinnier the strand you use, the more intricate the braid will look. In general try to use the same thickness throughout or your braid will look uneven.
You can use bobby pins to secure flyaways.
For thicker hair, consider using thicker strands than skinnier which you would use for thinner hair.
Doing the fishtail braid while your hair is wet will give you a firmer grip and more precise braid.
Okay, Truebies.... heres some major dirt on the True Blood season finale! Michael Ausiello spilled it, saying, “By the end of the hour, the show will be down at least one series regular.” Of course we have our guesses, but now that we know it’s one series regular, at the very minimum, this really changes the game. Let’s go over the facts.
Marnie is not exactly dead, so there’s still some hell to pay in Bon Temps. Even though Bill and Eric “killed” her, Marnie’s hippy-dippy witch spirit has taken over poor Lafayette. Someone give Lala a break! There’s also that matter of Alcide killing Marcus. We can’t imagine that’ll go over well with the were packs.
Then there’s the finale preview. Bill and Eric are being burned Antonia-style at the stake, Arlene is in danger, and Pam is looking awfully distraught (but we’re pretty sure it’s not because she lost her newly-obtained vintage Cartier). And we know the fierce Pam only cries over one immortal being...
It’s Samhain (aka Halloween), so naturally the spirits of the dead rise up and start floating around town. Welcome back, Rene, Sophie-Ann, Gran, and all of Jason’s dead booty calls from season one.
3. Lafayette gets possessed!
Lafayette’s no stranger to the occasional possession, but this time his split personality threatens to ruin his relationship with Jesus. Considering that Jesus sprouts horns for no reason, you’d think he’d be understanding about Lala’s quirks.
4. Jason finds confession good for the soul, but bad for the body!
Who else thinks Jason tells Hoyt that he boned Jessica in the back of a truck, and then Hoyt beats him up? Just a guess.
5. Bill and Eric kick Nan out! Nan might be strong, but surely she can’t out-fang Bill and Eric if they double team her! 6. Sam and Luna imagine a happy ending! If this is anything like the time Bill and Sookie imagined they were kindergarten teachers, we don’t see these two staying together. 7. Terry gets a visitor! Judging from past spoilers, this must be Terry’s old war buddy, played by Scott Foley. We can’t wait for think hunk to hit up Bon Temps — though Sookie will probably just end up crushing on him. Sigh, men just aren’t safe. 8. A familiar face returns to Bon Temps! Does Russell Edgington finally make his way out of the cement and avenge Talbot’s life?!
Get ready Truebies: Nelsan Ellis (Lafayette) warns the L.A. Times that the Season 4 finale will end on one doozy of a cliffhanger. "The finale turns Bon Temps upside down," he says. "Lafayette and Jesus are directly in the middle of it, and it doesn't end well. No finale in the history of True Blood has been worse than this one in terms of the cliffhangers. "People are going to be [upset] because they're going to have to wait like seven months before they figure out what materializes after this finale."
