Kendra's Kampfire

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Mexican Risotto

Hello! Today totally felt like Fall, so I whipped up a quick and cozy dinner for our fam. It was so tasty I decided to share it with all of you wonderful people!!

Mexican Risotto

Shopping List:

1 cup Arborio rice

2 quartz chicken stock (not broth, stock)

1 bell pepper (any color) chopped

3-6 (depending on your love for garlic, my hubby loooves it) chopped garlic cloves

1 tablespoon Cumin

2 teaspoon ground Coriander

1 cup frozen corn

1/2-1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese

1 bunch of green onions, chopped

EVOO and salt and pepper

This meal will take you about 30 minutes from start to finish. I know Risotto gets a bad wrap for being difficult, but don't worry, it's super easy!!

In a large stock pot, bring chicken stock up to low simmer (not boiling, just a simmer)

In a separate pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat, add bell peppers and sauté 6-7 minutes. Add in garlic and cook an additional minute. Stir in rice for another minute.

Add cumin and coriander. Stir.

At this point, take a ladle and add 1 cup of your hot stock to the rice. Stir constantly for a minute or so. As the liquid evaporates, the rice will become super starchy and delicious. Stir pretty often, adding stock every time the majority of the liquid evaporates. You will continue doing this for about 18 minutes. Add stock, wait for it to evaporate and add more. This will cause the risotto to fluff up and look creamy (yes, without using any cream!) Most recipes for tell you to stir continuously, but not this one! You don't need to. Just stir it around every few minutes and you will be golden.

After the rice is tender, stir in frozen corn and continue cooking another 3-4 minutes. Stir in cheese, season with salt and pepper to taste and top with green onions.

That's it! Super Simple! This is a super tasty and homey meal, and I know you will love it! Shout out to Mix and Match Mama for this recipe!!

# Recipes

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Sunday Funday

Kendra Petrellese 3:31 PM 0 Comments

This past Sunday was such a fun day! (See what I did there?) I mean, good friends, sweet wine, fall treats and some bling bling, how can you go wrong?? I hosted my renewal show for my Premier Designs Jewelry Business and some of my girlfriends came out to support me! It was such a relaxing day; they came over, shopped for some jewelry, grubbed on some food, caught up on life, what more can you ask for to end your weekend?? It means so much to me that these ladies drove from all over to support me, it really made me stop and think how thankful I am to have such fabulous women in my life!

Here are some quick pics of my jewelry spread from Saturday, including some sweet treats I whipped up. You can find the mini apple turnover recipe on Tasty Tuesday!

I mean, bling, sweets and wine, what's not to love?!

So, I'm going to rewind to a post I did a few months back, let's take a little pop quiz, shall we?

Alright people, I need you to sit down for this one and answer these few questions for me:

1. Are you looking for new and simple ways to pump up your wardrobe?

2. Would you love to have your own personal stylist to help you put together adorable looks?

3. Would you like an excuse to have a girls night?

4. Do you love FREE jewelry?

If you answered YES to any of these 4 questions (and let's be real, I know ya'll answered yes to #4), then listen here chicas! I have the answer to help you obtain not one, but ALL of these things…FOR FREE!!! And the answer is…ME! Yep, just little old me. You didn't think the answer would be so simple, did ya? This girl right here can help you pump up your wardrobe, help you style adorable looks, entertain you and your girlfriends, AND give you free bling! Before you spontaneously combust from all of this good news, let me tell you how this works!

All you have to do is tell me you would like to host a jewelry party and the rest is ivory. Once we get a date on the calendar, I show up at your house, set up my bling collection, do a little speel on how to wear some of the fabulous pieces, you get to play with every piece in my collection, and at the end of the night-you will receive your pick of free jewelry!…Do I have your attention now? Yes? Good :)

Here are a couple of perks of having a jewelry party hosted by yours truly:

1. It's the perfect opportunity for a girls night! Invite your girlfriends over from some small bites, some beverages, and quality time - YES PLEASE!

2. You get to shop for quality jewelry in the comfort of your own home! No stresses of fighting the masses in the mall to get a look at a pair of earrings with someone hovering right over you, this is a much more intimate environment

3. You have your own professional stylist giving your advice! I absolutely love this jewelry, and I love any excuse to dress you up and make your favorite outfit complete with some bling. I can show you multiple ways to wear the pieces and will help pick out pieces that suit your own personal style

4. This may be the best perk yet…you have the opportunity to earn TONS of FREE jewelry (and let's be real, who doesn't love free bling?!) You can earn this simply by hosting a show, that is it. There is no retail requirement, you are not forced to buy a single piece, this will simply be given to you for hosting a party. Amazing right?!

5. Lastly, it is ABSOLUTELY FREE to host! You don't have to drop a penny to host a show, all you half to do is invite some girls over, and your job is done. Easy Peezy (as my 4th graders would say)

It is super easy and will make for a great night! I am so passionate about this business venture, the products, and getting the chance to cultivate relationships with my hostesses. Once you host a party with me, you will be part of Kendra's VIP Club, which means you will receive special perks even better than what I mentioned above! Even if you live far away-fear not! We can have catalog shows which doesn't even require me to come to home, you will earn free bling remotely!

So in closing, you totally should book a jewelry party with me. Let's just chalk it up to being a decision that will not only be good for your wallet, but good for your soul! If you are interested, comment below or contact me directly and we can chat about more information!!

Check out my personal website to access our catalogs so you can take a look at our fabulous jewelry.

Check out my website!

I hope this post got you as excited as I am about this business adventure! And I really hope to be able to come to your house and spoil you with a party! Please, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me for details!

PS NOVEMBER HOSTESSES GET 50% OF THEIR SHOWS RETAIL IN FREE JEWELRY! YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS OUT ON THIS DEAL! CONTACT ME FOR MORE INFO!

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Tasty Tuesday - Mini Apple Turnovers

Kendra Petrellese 3:17 PM 0 Comments

Welcome to Tasty Tuesday my friends! Want a quick and easy Fall Treat you can whip up in less than 30 minutes?! Of course you do!

Check out my recipe for my Mini Apple Turnovers!

Shopping List:

2 Apples, peeled and cored and cut into 1/4 inch dice

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, I didn't use these)

One 8 ounce container of crescent roll dough (I used Pillsbury)

Powdered Sugar for garnish

*Makes 8 Mini Turnovers*

Baking Instructions:

-Preheat oven to 375. Line a cookie sheet with foil and lightly spray with cooking spray

-Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium high heat. Add apples, sugar, cinnamon and nuts (if using) and sauté for about 5 minutes or until your apples start to soften

-While your above ingredients are in the pan, open the container of dough and carefully separate the perforated triangles, for a total of 8. Place on your cookie sheet. Spoon a generous amount of apple mixture onto the wide end of each triangle. Carefully roll up the triangle so that the pointed end wraps around the outside. Do your best to make sure the apple mixture doesn't spill out of the sides-you don't want to loose that yumminess! Press the sides of the mini pie gently to seal it

-Bake in the oven until golden brown, about 10 minutes or so. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with the powdered sugar and serve warm.

See! Super easy and you will have homemade apple turnovers in your tummy with a half hour!

# Recipes

Sunday, October 11, 2015

A Golden Day

Kendra Petrellese 7:54 PM 0 Comments

Saturday was a special treat for me! It was Fleet Week in the Bay, and Mike's alma mater was having a Fleet Week Festival, so we decided to check it out. Now, don't judge me, but Mike went to college one town over from where we live, ahem, a 7 minute drive, and I had never been to his campus! Embarrassed wifey moment. So today was the perfect opportunity for him to show me around! We met up with his old friend Brian and his girlfriend, and we were off!

We're so lucky to live near the gorgeous SF Bay

Mike went to California Maritime Academy, and their claim to fame is the Golden Bear. It's a huge boat that goes out to sea every summer for 2 months and the students are the crew. They run the ship. They traveled to the Philippines, Shanghai, Japan, then back to California. I mean how cool is that?! So my hubby played tour guide for the day and showed us all around…Join me as we come aboard the Golden Bear!

Aerial view of the Golden Bear

Our handsome captn!

View from The Golden Bear-those buildings are the school's dorms

Peeking in to see if we can sneak into the Engine Room…

Ok this is where I became super impressed…Those are the sleeping quarters! Could you imagine bunking in that for 2 months after working 8 hours plus class, plus watch?! Mad props

At least they had a gym! This was technically underwater, pretty cool

The Engine Control Room where the hubs used to work

One part of the engine room

How gorgeous is that view?!

After we disembarked, (land!!!), this chica needed some fresh air, water, and some food. Stat. Not one of my proudest moments, but I was becoming a tad closterphobic and started to ~~sweat my booty off~~ get a bit hot, and needed a breather. The short time we spent on the ship made me have so much respect for those who spend most of their lives on the water, whether it be Cal Maritime Students, fisherman, or our wonderful Navy who risks their lives for ours. It was a really cool experience to get to walk in Mike's college shoes.

My husband (still so weird to say 'husband!') knows me well and took me straight to the taco truck that was on campus. So after grubbing on some amazing carnitas burritos (no photo available because I was too busy stuffing my face), Mike wanted to show me one more thing before we headed home.

The school has a bunch of different simulators, and I have to say, they were soooo cool! They are simulators that basically make you feel as if you are aboard a ship. This particular simulator took us aboard a ship that was on the SF Bay near the Bay Bridge, and there was another ship on fire. In this particular simulation, we would have to act accordingly in how to proceed. The boat started 'rocking' (it really didn't, it just felt so real!), and it felt like we were really aboard a huge ship! How cool that these students have these amazing resources at their fingertips?!

Pretending to steer the ship

Bay Bridge with a nearby boat on fire

A very successful day on the water with my love!!

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Introducing Mr. And Mrs. Morvai!

Kendra Petrellese 9:32 PM 0 Comments

Well, our 2015 wedding season has officially come to an end. And what a whirlwind wedding season it was! This past weekend we drove down to San Luis Obispo (my alma mater!) for the wedding of two wonderful wonderful people. One of my very best friends from college married the love of her life this past Saturday, and it was such a pleasure to be a Bridesmaid and stand by her side as they became husband and wife!

Our beautiful view from our room in Pismo Beach

They got married at a beautiful Victorian House in Arroyo Grande, and the venue was so Sam. And if you know Sam at all, you know exactly what I mean. Sophisticated, sweet, warm, welcoming, and cute as a button. The grounds were absolutely beautiful, and they said their I Do's underneath an adorable gazebo.

Picture Perfect

The beautiful venue

Beautiful table setting

And let me tell you, this woman is amazing. She did most of this decor herself, which included hand painted corn hole, hand painted calligraphy place cards (done by hand by her amazing Maid of Honor), a homemade photo booth, hand-cut lace overlays, and so many personal touches that took her so much time. And believe me, it was worth it. It was spectacularly beautiful.

Hand-painted wine labels

She rolled those triangles and we filled them with lavender to see the Bride and Groom off on their Honeymoon!

Pillows so the Bride and Groom can sit comfy!

Look how beautiful those hand painted place cards are! And her flowers were absolutely stunning. PS It is so cool to see my new last name next to my husbands :)

It was such a fun day. Her family rented a condo in Avila Beach, so all the bridesmaids got to the condo bright and early to start the primping process. After we all snacked on sandwiches and sipped some wine, we were all ready to go. Her amazing photographer had the great idea to go take photos down by the beach-which was amazing! We were all down at the beach, and everyone was saying congratulations to her, and strangers were taking photos of her, it was so much fun! And this girl deserved to feel like a princess, because she sure looked like one.

Me and the Bride right before leaving for the venue for her to say I DO!!

Talk about an entrance! She walked under this beautiful arbor bridge on the way to her new HUSBAND!

They did it!!!

I mean, look at the back of that dress. Stunning.

Me and my Forever Wedding Date :)

It is something so special to get to see two people who are so in love, pledge their lives together, and it will be a day I will hold in my heart for a long time. Sam and Elliot are two of the warmest, kindest people I have ever met, and I am so lucky to call them friends.

Unconditional Love

A huge CONGRATULATIONS to the new Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Morvai!!

# Weddings

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Friday Favorites

Kendra Petrellese 8:44 PM 0 Comments

Happy Friday Friends!

I hope ya'll had a wonderful week! Let's get to some things that have been making me very happy lately!!

So I know I am not alone when I say this….I love Fall. I love everything about it. I love any excuse to bust out my booties, my scarves, and drink Pumpkin Spice Lattes. So I am stoked that October is finally here! Alas, the weather has been playing tricks on us Californians. It will be a crisp 70 one day (my perfect temp), and then for the next 4 days it will be in the 80's. I am so excited for the weather to make up its mind and say sayonara to Summer!

Speaking of the Summer weather that just won't go away, I do love me some Indian Summers. It allows us to cram so many more outdoor actives into the later months! Just 2 weeks ago we were cheering on our adorable nephew at his 10am soccer game, and people, we were in sundresses and floppy hats (ok ok, Mike wasn't, but I sure rocked it!). So cheering on my soccer stud of a nephew in my sundress is definitely one of my favorites.

2 of my favorite people; the hubs and my cutie pie niece Muri. I mean, look at her, I die.

Keeping with the Fall trend here, I love me some camo. I will be the first to admit that I didn't think I could pull it off-until I put on my first pair of camo pants. I instantly felt a little cooler walking out the door! Not only does it break up the monotony of wearing jeans, but it is a perfect transition piece from Summer to Fall. Trust me ladies, if you are on the fence about camo, DO IT. Do it and don't look back!

….And I did it because Pinterest Told Me To! She has never steered me wrong.

Can be casual with converse like I am wearing here, or dress it up a bit with some grey booties

Ok ~~people~~ ladies, level with me here. Do you ever have those days where you really don't feel like washing your hair, blow drying your hair, then styling your hair? Guilty. More like, I have those days everyday. But have no fear, I have found the perfect product to embrace those days you just don't want to put in all that work! Seriously, the best dry shampoo I have ever used. I can go 3 days without washing my hair (calm down you crazies, I still shower everyday) and it still looks fab.

Exhibit A….

Can't tell it's dirty hair, can ya???

Yep. This is Day 3 Dirty Hair. All I did was spritz a little of that wondrous spray, run my fingers through it, curl, and add some hairspray, and it was good as new! And my hair stayed curled allll day, even more of a bonus!

So if you ladies are in the market for a new dry shampoo, I highly suggest this one! Found at your local CVS or Walgreens. Go get it. Stat.

Batiste Dry Shampoo

So, I don't know about you. But one of my favorite things to do when it's cold and crisp outside, and I have a free Sunday afternoon, all I want to do is bake some sweet treats. Even though my husband gives me a hard time and tells me he doesn't want me to because he is watching his girlish figure…then when I walk into the kitchen the next day, half the treats are gone…yeah babe, you don't want me to bake ;)

So I have decided to try to bake a sweet treat once a week, and I'll share them on the blog so hopefully you can whip up some tasty treats for your family!!

So for this Friday Favorite, my new Kitchen Aide is officially my favorite. It was a wedding gift given to us by my super generous aunt, and let me say this…HOW DID I LIVE 26 YEARS OF MY LIFE WITHOUT IT?! Seriously. It has changed my life. So between my new Kitchen Aide and the cozy Fall weather, our waistlines are in some serious trouble.

Check out my Chocolate Buttercream Cookie Sandwiches Recipe here!

Have a Fantastic Friday Friends!