Updates, Semi Book Reviews, and Divas

Well hello there everyone!

Happy International Women's Day & Happy March!

Photo uploaded from my instagram: jannelleinwonderland

I've been meaning to update... really I have.

But I've been sick and trying to make it to work but falling short since I've been sent home twice in the last three days. Bummer.

Anywho! Since my last post, I've been up to some reading and in case you don't follow me on goodreads, here they are (I'll be sure to link them to their corresponding goodreads site):

The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1) by Julie Kagawa

Up From the Grave (Night Huntress #7) by Jeaniene Frost

Poison Princess (The Arcana Chronicles #1) by Kresley Cole

Endless Knight (The Arcana Chronicles #2) by Kresley Cole

Beyond the Highland Mist (Highlander #1) by Karen Marie Moning

Funnily enough, 3 of these 5 books are series starters, 1 is the final book in the series and the final one is a continuation within the same series listed above.... Maybe I like immersing myself in a series.. or 2.

I'll be uploading a post within the next week (I'm thinking Monday) with a book review on either Poison Princess or The Immortal Rules as I am currently reading The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2) by Julie Kagawa.

I will say that the book I might have liked most was Up From the Grave by Jeaniene Frost. It could be that since it was the last book in the series and I had been waiting -what felt like - forever for it that the "build up" helped. Or it could just be that it was a great book full of everything we have come to love about the series - certain characters and unexpected plot twists - and then ended gracefully. 

I should also add that series finale's for me are kind of love/hate since it's usually one I have been following for a couple of years or so (if I started from the first book's release). I want to know what happens next and at the same time don't want it to end.

This usually involves me buying a book on its release date and avoiding reading it for a month... or 5.

I try to avoid book reviews on any books I have been waiting for (unpatiently might I add)  just to make sure it doesn't influence any thoughts while reading and afterwards but I couldn't help it with this one! The ladies over at Vampire Book Club (VBC) have a great review of it that I wholeheartedly agree with here: VBC's review of Up From the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

They are also who I follow for book recommendations!

Moving along, I thought I should update you all on the Divas del Azucar premiere on MTV tr3s.

Photo uploaded from my instagram: jannelleinwonderland

For those of you unaware, the premiere of this fabulous TV show airs on MTV tr3s at 9 PM on Tuesday, March 11th! I am so proud to be a part of such a fantastic experience involving some amazingly wonderful women and their equally beautiful and out of this world cake creations. 

Avoiding any emotional blogging, I would just like to say how much I love them and am in awe of their hard work, dedication, passion, and love they pour into their work every day.

Now, that being said, go check out their new show! You will not want to miss this world premiere spectacular event.

I hope March treats you well and is full of many new, exciting experiences.

Feeling the love, I would like to leave you all off with this song that makes me feel full of just that - love.

See you soon!

❤❤❤

Madelines Conquered: The Hermès Madeline

Hello & Happy Monday!

Can anyone else believe that we're halfway through with February & almost two months into 2014?

OK.. so maybe it's not that big of a deal but to me it still feels as if time is flying by. I have spent it working, reading, cooking, and working a little more.. well, haven't we all?

Anywho, I thought I would get started with my first recipe post of the year (and you know.. ever) so let's get started.

Uploaded from my IG: jannelleinwonderland

I'm a big fan of these French delights and have been meaning to bake them for a while. I even went ahead and purchased a Madeline mold pan that I came across with full intention of using it right away. And while it took me about a year to use, I finally decided to put my specialized pan to good use when I came across this recipe in Cherry Bombe Magazine's Issue No. 2. 

I really think it's a great and simple recipe that both beginners and culinary professionals can cook alike. The only crux here would be that you kind of need this specialized mold pan to transport this simple cookie recipe into a Madeline. 

The Hermès Madeline

Adapted from Cherry Bombe Magazine Issue No. 2 (links below)

Yield: 24 large Madelines

Batter

2 large eggs

150 grams (3/4 cup) granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

zest of 1 medium lemon (scrubbed/cleaned well)

1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon salted butter, melted

1 1/4 cups All Purpose Flour

Beat the eggs and sugar until sugar is completely dissolved and worked into the eggs.

Then, add in the ingredients in order as listed above, mixing the ingredients completely into the batter before adding in the next one.

Once all of the ingredients are completely incorporated into the batter, it is recommended to let the batter sit, covered, in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours.

Now, I don't know about you, but I am too impatient to wait so long for these lovely Madelines so I waited a maximum of two and a half hours and they were (I'm assuming) just as delicious!

By the time you've waited all you can, preheat your oven to 390 F for 20 minutes to make sure it has reached our desired temperature.

Fill your molds 2/3 of the way full and bake them for 15 minutes and voila! Yum.

These were my first batch attempts before placing them to bake in the oven

Now, I found that at 12 minutes my Madelines were a bit toasty so I decided to take them out ahead of time. 

For my second batch, I lowered the temperature to 375 F (assuming that my over was a bit powerful) and baked it for 10 minutes. And I will say that this gave me a more desired light golden brown finish on my Madelines than my first batch.

Really, all of this depends on your oven strength. I would recommend preheating your oven for 390 F and just checking it after 8 minutes (since that is roughly the halfway point) and then adjusting the time right after (maybe checking it every 2-3 minutes after the 8 minute mark).

Where can you purchase this magazine? 

Cherry Bombe Website

Amazon

Cherry Bombe online:

cherrybombe.com/

Twitter

Hope you enjoyed my first recipe adaptation and be sure to let me know if you attempt it by tagging me and/or Cherry Bombe online! Here is where you can find me:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jannelle_reads

Instagram: http://instagram.com/jannelleinwonderland

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4516053-jannelle

Tumblr: http://jannelleinwonderland.tumblr.com/

Also, to make sure I leave you with a bang, here is the trailer preview of the commercial promoting Las Divas del Azucar where yours truly will be making some appearances.

Trailer - I tried to place the video in the blog post but that's not going to happen today, apparently, so here's the link! :)

You can also follow the divas online here:

Twitter

Facebook

Bakery website

And please be sure to tune in March 11 at 9 PM eastern on MTV tr3s!.

Good night & good luck!

❤❤❤

January Favorites - Lifestyle Blog Post

Hello & Happy second day of February!

For all who celebrate the Lunar New Year... Happy New Year!

For any Wiccans out there... Merry Imbolc!

And finally, if you think Superbowl Sunday merits a shout out then... Happy Superbowl Sunday!

Since I have been out of the loop for a bit, I decided to write up a favorites post for January. Now, maybe it's a bit of a cop-out but this blog is supposed to be about the things I love! So, I'm thinking these monthly-ish favorites will be a good thing. :)

First thing's first...

I have a new favorite restaurant in Orlando! Believe it or not, it's located inside the Disney Animal Kingdom resort and it's called Sanaa: Sanaa Restaurant Link

Sanaa is a African/ Indian themed restaurant. They have excellent curry dishes and even vegetarian specialties. Please do yourself a favor and order the "Traditional Bread Service" which includes your choice of 3 Naan breads and a selection of dipping sauces to choose from.

Aside from our Naan appetizer, we also ordered the appetizer sampler for 2 which included Potato and Pea Samosas, Lamb Kefta Sliders, and a choice of Chana Tikki or Seasonal Soup (we chose the Chana Tikki although the seasonal soup was butternut squash soup and I was almost too tempted but my will prevailed in the end).

For the entree, my boyfriend and I decided to share the "choice of 2" to include Butter Chicken and a braised short rib... me oh my was that yummy. I seriously cannot wait to go back!

Below is the picture I took of our uber delicious appetizer... Well, one of them.

Uploaded from my Instagram: jannelleinwonderland

My next favorite "things" of January were these great reading materials..

Darkest Fear by Cate Tiernan | Birthright #1

For a somewhat detailed review on this wonderful novel, click here.

Foodie at heart? This is the magazine for you! Check out the website here.

If you are every curious as to what I am currently reading, you can always check out my goodreads profile here: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4516053-jannelle

Numero tr3s!

Now.. this one is special. I promise there's a reason why the number "three" in Spanish was spelled with a number 3 in the middle. :)

The custom cake bakery I used to work at is debuting a new reality series entitled, "Las Divas de la Azucar" and it will be airing on MTV tr3s starting this March! The reason it is on my favorite for January (and say... not March) is because I was sent the video to this just a week or two ago.

For a little preview of what you can expect this upcoming season, click the link below and be sure to watch that video! Click here for an article in pure Spanish and a great video introducing the show

Opened Kit Kat "gift" courtesy of Laura 

When I opened this little gift flown all the way from Japan from my second Mom, Iliana, and her daughter (my second sister). Laura, on their way back from their oriental vacation, I was mentally prepared for the worst.

While I drink green tea on a semi-daily basis, well... I drink it hahaha I'm not eating it! Can I just explain to you how delicious this is? Just a slight bitterness from the green tea and a ridiculously creamy chocolate coating which I am sure is white chocolate... Where can I get these in the states?! This is definitely #4 on my favorites list.

The next itemsss combined are numero cinco on my January Favorites:

It smells delicious! I don't even like food smells for beauty products.

LUSH! If you follow me on IG, you will know I am LUSH crazy and this celestial face moisturizer and the Eau Roma toner have done wonders for my sensitive skin.

Almost done, number six is a quote I stumbled upon on pixiwoos' instagram. How true is this? 

A link to their IG can be found here! instagram.com/pixiwoos

                                      

Finally, I'll end this post with a song for my seventh and final favorite for the month of January.

Say Something by A Great Big World ft. Christina Aguilera

What were some of your favorites this month?

♥♥♥

Darkest Fear by Cate Tiernan Book Review (Birthright #1)

Hello again!

Before I start, I think it would be a great idea to link you to some of my social media sites:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jannelle_reads

Instagram: http://instagram.com/jannelleinwonderland

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4516053-jannelle

Tumblr: http://jannelleinwonderland.tumblr.com/

I'm having technical difficulties adding their badges to the blog but I should be sorting that out within the next week or so. :)

Busy week this week and getting ready to jump into our Orlando busy season at work so I was really lucky to be able to grab this beauty & read it all in one day.

Now, first I should start and say that Cate Tiernan and I have been in a serious relationship for the past 12 years.. yes, that's right. I should also say that she's not very committed to our relationship, but me? Although I do like to refer to her as the Cliffhanger Queen.... and it drives me crazy... I'm dedicated.

Ever since I read her first Sweep series novel, Book of Shadows, I have been an unwavering fan. I love her tone of voice and she does a great job with character development with the help of all of the truly original magickal elements in her books.

Now, she usually writes about witches. With the Sweep series, it was the Irish lineage witches (at least in direct relation to the protagonist), in her Balefire series, we found our witches in New Orleans and in the Immortal Beloved series, our protagonist comes from an ancient line of immortals (not really vampire... think more witch).

This time, however, Ms. Tiernan has moved on from witches and is dabbling in the world of shifters. And, I really shouldn't even say dabbling, she's head deep in the world and she's doing great at it.

Here is the synopsis you can find on the back cover of the book:

Vivi has known the truth about her family—and herself—since she was thirteen. But that doesn’t mean she’s accepted it. Being Haguari isn't something she feels she’ll ever accept. How can she feel like anything but a freak knowing that it’s in her genes to turn into a jaguar?
Now eighteen, Vivi’s ready to break away from the traditions of her heritage. But all of that changes with her parents’ shocking, devastating deaths and the mysteries left behind. Vivi discovers family she never even knew she had, and a life open with possibility. New friends, new loyalties, and even romance all lay ahead—but so do dangers unlike anything Vivi ever could have imagined.

Vivi is a Haguari. Meaning that she can turn into a jaguar, basically... although it's not that simple and it does take her some practice to get used to the shifting. You see, Vivi comes from a long line of Haguari and it seems to be something she has struggled with since the great reveal when she was 13.

On the day of her 18th birthday, both of her parents are murdered and she is left struggling with the realization that it was not accidental and she could be next.

Finding out her parents had a few secrets while sorting out items shortly after their passing, she follows them to get some answers from a family she was unaware of in New Orleans. Along the way, Vivi's lifelong friend, Jennifer, is moving on and going to college while Vivi becomes closer with her new-found cousin, Mateo, who is Haguari as well and has also suffered the lost of both of his parents.

Spending time in New Orleans with Mateo and his Haguari friends really help Vivi start to cope with her parents' passing and the life she is being forced to make for herself without them.

I don't want to say any more because I think anything after this could be considered a spoiler. I will say, though, that Cate Tiernan did a phenomenal job with the start of this series. It is exactly what is to be expected in the first book of a series- introduction to all of the big players, crisis at hand, and an air of mystery that keeps you wanting more. Add to that a massive cliffhanger and now I am just dying for the second book in this series.

 Basic Info about this book:

Name: Darkest Fear (Birthright Series #1)

Author: Cate Tiernan

Genre: Young Adult Romantic Fantasy

Rating: 4.5 (out of 5)

Sexual Content: References to sex, heavy make out scenes.

Recommend? Yes

Where it can be purchased:

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Goodreads

Author's website: http://catetiernan.net/

I hope you enjoyed my review! And please be sure to comment below if you have any questions and/or have any recommendations for any books related to this one that you would like to see reviewed.

Also, below is the song I kind of had on repeat while reading Darkest Fear (which fits in with the book pretty well, if I do say so myself.)

Landslide cover by the Dixie Chicks:

Oldie but a goodie :)

Any book you've been into as of late?

❤❤❤

Welcome

Good evening everyone & welcome to my blog!

And because we just missed it, Happy New Year!!

(posted from my instagram: jannelleinwonderland)

Like most people I, too, have some New Year Resolutions that I would like to follow through with and accomplish for 2014. The reason why I decided to start this blog is simply because I want to do more of what I love - read, write, cook. So, here it is - this blog is my baby at the dawn of early 2014. I plan to treat it well and you can sit along for the ride, if you'd like.

Now, I already cook for a living. I am a cook at an extremely lovely hotel here in Orlando, FL. Though I will not be sharing the delicious bits I cook at work, I might squeeze in a picture here and there but mostly any food here will be 100% my own from purchase to prep to cooking to table.

(posted from my instagram: jannelleinwonderland)

(These are my "here and there" photos I mentioned earlier)

About those books....

I'm obsessed. Seriously, when I'm not working and cooking here at home, I'm reading. Something about pages bound between cover and end... I can't get enough.

Here are the genres you can find me catch me reading on a semi-daily basis:

Paranormal Romance

Urban Fantasy

Science-Fiction & Fantasy

Historical Fiction (believe it or not)

And this is either Adult or Young Adult - I don't discriminate :)

We're like at 1-2 blog posts a week interchanging between book love and food love.

So, finally, if you're interested... Stay tuned!

I hope to have you riding along on this journey with me.

(posted from my instagram: jannelleinwonderland) It's meee

Also, because I can't read or cook without some music in the background, I would like to share my first favorite song of 2014: Beyoncé with Drunk In Love

Here's the link to her vevo over on youtube (explicit, BTW!):

 Any song you're currently jamming to?

♥♥♥