Brandy Saldana – Page 10 – Will Bake for Shoes

Ghirardelli Chocolate Pumpkin Pecan Brownie Recipe

Posted on December 2, 2015by Brandy Saldana

I love any excuse to bring delicious treats to the office and was stoked when Ghirardelli asked me to try out a recipe from their website using some of their products. I always bake cupcakes for work and felt it was time to branch out and bake something really different. Brownies are classic, but not really interesting to me, until I found this recipe. The pumpkin puree provides a unexpected twist on a classic brownie recipe and kicks up the look of this dessert with the swirl of pumpkin and chopped pecans. I fully consider these to be ridiculously photogenic brownies and I should have expected nothing less by using Ghirardelli.

I baked these in a 9×9 metal pan and used parchment paper to line the pan. This was my first time baking with parchment paper and I loved that nothing sticked to the pan in the end (and made clean-up a breeze!) These brownies are really decadent and I seriously recommend making these for an upcoming holiday party or get-together (your office buddies and friends will thank you.) They are pretty easy to make and look amazing when they are done in about an hour. Check out the ingredients below and see what I changed for my batch.

Ingredients – Makes 16 Servings:

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Ghirardelli Chocolate Pumpkin Pecan Brownie Recipeby Gemma Stafford December-1-2015Ingredients1 Cup Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips3/4 Cup Unsalted butter3/4 Cup Plain Flour1/4 Cup Ghirardelli Unsweetened Cocoa Powder1/2 Tsp. Baking powder3 Large Eggs1/2 Cup White Sugar1/2 Cup Soft Brown Sugar3/4 Cup Pumpkin Puree1 Egg1/4 Cup Brown Sugar1/4 Cup Heavy Cream1/4 Tsp. Pumpkin Spice MixA pinch of SaltInstructionsFor the Brownies:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a medium sized pan, heat the butter and sugar until just hot.
3. Remove from heat then add ½ cup of the chocolate chips and stir until it has all melted.
4. Leave to cool for 5 minutes, then beat your eggs into the mixture in the pan one at a
time
5. Add the flour and cocoa and beat well together.
6. Stir in the rest of the chocolate chips and ½ of the pecans (I omitted the pecans in my brownie mix and saved them all for toppings). Pour the brownie mix into
your lined baking tray.For the Pumpkin Mixture:
1. Beat all the mixture ingredients together well in a bowl using a hand whisk or wooden
spoon, then pour over the top of the brownies. Spoon the pumpkin mix on top in large dollops and roughly swirl / fold the pumpkin into the
brownie mix.
2. Roughly chop the remaining pecans and sprinkle on top. ( I bought chopped pecans, but chopped them down even more.)
3. Bake in the oven for 40 minutes. It will be ready when a crust has formed on the top.
4. Leave to cool, then transfer to a wire rack, cut into cubes and enjoy.
DetailsPrep time: 15 mins Cook time: 40 mins Total time: 55 mins Yield: 16 Servings

For a video tutorial on how to make these brownies, you can find it on Ghirardelli’s website here.
In case you need another reason to bake these brownies, or any other treat, Saturday December 5th is Ghirardelli Baking Day. This has been officially declared a National Holiday in San Francisco by Mayor Ed Lee and you are invited to bake the day away and participate for a chance to win some sweet prizes (like a KitchenAid Mixer or Ghirardelli baking products) by using #sweetestsecret on your social posts. Details and conditions can be found on the Facebook Event page. The day will be full of holiday recipes centered around the sweet not-so-secret ingredients of Ghirardelli chocolate as well as Tips and Tricks from Baking Experts Caroline Artiss and Gemma Stafford. (Gemma Stafford is the creator of this brownie recipe!)
Baking in silence is no fun and I always listen to music when I am baking or decorating in my kitchen. Ghirardelli must have known this and has a Spotify playlist to get you in the mood to bake for the holidays. I’ll be participating on Saturday and hope you’ll find some inspiration to bake too.
Enjoy the brownies and stay tuned for more baking posts this month!

This post was sponsored by Ghirardelli. All opinions expressed are my own.

Cyber Monday 2015 Sales and Promo Codes

Posted on November 30, 2015by Brandy Saldana

Cyber Monday sales have been underway since yesterday, and I’ve already picked up some cute pj’s and a fun dress from Modcloth (25% off everything today.) I plan on picking up some new cushion covers for our couch as part of my efforts to dress up our apartment more, but enjoy these deals today from the comfort of your home (or doing your 15 minute break at work!)Diane Von Furstenberg US // 25% off sitewideDATE: 11.30CODE: CYBER25Dolce Vita // Cyber Monday save an extra 20% off sale itemsDATE: 11.30CODE: CYBER20Forever 21 // Cyber Monday 21% off your next purchase + free shipping no minimum.DATE: 11.30CODE: RSTYLE21H&M // Cyber Monday deals with up to 30% off entire purchase and free shipping, with an additional 40% off all sale itemsDATE: 11.29-11.30Kate Spade // 30% offDATE: 11.30 – 12/01CODE: SHINEModCloth //Cyber Monday 25% off everythingDATE:11.30CODE: FUNDAYNeiman Marcus // Cyber Monday gift card event! earn up to a $500 gift card with your select regular-price purchase onlineDATE: 6am 11.29-12.1CODE: GC4YOUNordstrom // Cyber Monday Savings of up to 50% off select top brands + Free shipping and returnsDATE: 11.30Rebecca Minkoff // Cyber Monday All Orders Get 25% Off + Essie Nail Polish + Free ShippingDATE: 11.29-12.1Rebecca Taylor //Cyber Monday 30% off site wideDATE: 11.30CODE: CYBER30The Real Real // 20 % offDATE: 11/30CODE: CYBERthredUP // 20% OffDATE: 11/30CODE:20FORYOU
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Black Friday 2015 Sales and Promo Codes

Posted on November 27, 2015by Brandy Saldana

I am not sure how much shopping I’ll be doing this weekend, but here is a roundup of my favorite brands and stores with discount codes for Friday. Some sales are ongoing throughout the weekend. I’ve checked out the Kate Spade Surprise Sale and picked up a few Christmas presents already, and I definitely recommend checking it out before it ends on Sunday. Hopefully these codes are useful for your Black Friday shopping and stay tuned for a Cyber Monday roundup!Amazon.com // 30% off select clothing , shoes, accessories, jewelry, and watchesDATE: 11.26 – 11.27CODE: 30BLACKFRIAnthropologie // 25% off everythingDATE: 11.27-11.30CODE: SHOPTOITAthleta // 20% off entire purchase online and in stores restrictions applyDATE: 11.27 – 11.29CODE: WORKITBanana Republic US // Half off sweaters and 40% off the rest of your purchase restrictions applyDATE: 11.26 – 11.27CODE: BRFRIDAYChicwish // extra 20% offDATE: 11.27CODE: BLK20Dolce Vita // 20% off + free shipping startsDATE: 11.24 – 11.27CODE: BLACK20GAP // Early Access 50% off everything restrictions applyDATE: 11.25CODE: EARLYDATE: 11.26 – 11.27CODE: GAPFRIDAYJ.Crew // Black Friday 30% your purchase + Extra 40% off saleDATE: 11.25 – 11.29CODE: HOLIDAYKate Spade // Surprise Sale! up to 70% offDATE: 11.24 – 11.28Madewell // 25% off your entire purchaseDATE: Now- 11.29CODE: CalmdownModCloth // Black Friday up to 40% off select stylesDATE: 11.25 – 11.27Neiman Marcus // take 20% off sale items for up to 50% off onlineDATE: 11.25 – 11.27 Take $50 off select regular price purchases of $200+ onlineDATE: 11.27 at 6pm – 11.28CODE: THANKFULNordstrom // Black Friday up to 50% off select styles for all + free shipping and returnsDATE: 11.26 – 11.27Rebecca Minkoff // Black Friday 25% off all orders + free shipping + up to 70% off selected stylesDATE: 11.25 – 11.29Rebecca Taylor // Black Friday extra 30% off sale online & in storesDATE: 11.24 – 11.29CODE: THANKFULSam Edelman // 30 % off siteweideDATE: 11.27CODE: SAMSGIVINGShabby Apple // 20% off everythingDATE: 11/26Buy a dress and get a happy dress freeDATE: 11.27 CODE: SOHAPPYthredUP // additonal 40% discount for first time customers, plus free shipping through the holiday season (starting 11.24)DATE: 11.23 – 11.26Trina Turk // Black Friday 30% off entire purchase site wideDATE: 11.26 – 11.27Victoria Secret // Black Friday buy 1 bra get 1 50% offDATE: 11.26 – 12.2CODE: DOUBLEUP

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- Outfit

Piano Notes

Posted on November 17, 2015by Brandy Saldana

Black Trench Coat Luii | Black Notted V NeckTop Moschino (similar) | Faux Diamond Statement Necklace Express | Dance with Music Notes Midi Skirt Chicwish (here) | Piano Key Clutch Kate Spade NewYork | Black Geometric Bangle Forever 21 (here) | Black Satin Sedaraby d’Orsay Pumps Manolo Blahnik (here) | Le Rouge 307 Grenat Initie Lipstick Givenchy (here)After a long weekend of Posh Fest, and a week of fun adventures, I am back to sharing an outfit post featuring this fun, pleated skirt from Chicwish.
During the Summer, I picked up a few cute skirts from Chicwish. I bought this black and white music note midi skirt for my sister, but she opted to keep a different music note skirt instead. It was too late to return this one, so I opted to style it and list it on Poshmark. Lucky for me it sold a couple of weeks ago, and although it had a fun, quirky print I wasn’t sure I would want to wear it more than once, especially since I purchased it for my sister. I wore it to work, but it definitely feels more appropriate for a holiday dinner or date night.
I picked up the Kate Spade clutch at the outlet store located in the San Francisco Premium Outlets. There was an extra percentage off, and I loved the sleek design and fun print. The Manolo Blahnik heels are from The Real Real, and they were a steal! I found another pair listed on their site, in case you want to snatch them up for your holiday party outfits.
I love this red wall that Armando and I found on our way to dinner. Lately I have been in awe of his photography skills. When I think about how we both started out, he definitely was unfamiliar with blogging photography. But now he has it down and doesn’t even take half the number of photos he used to (because they come out great the first time!) I feel really lucky to have his support and to be able to showcase his talent.
Some of the best parts of blogging are taking photos when he is behind the camera. I enjoy those moments because sometimes we will be laughing, I will struggle to keep a pose, or I ask for “one more shot” when he is hungry and tries to rush through a photo shoot so he can go eat. I feel extremely lucky to be on the other end of the lens and for his willingness to help. It is thanks to him I am able to make sales on Poshmark, and I am grateful for his support for the blog and all I do.
I hope you enjoyed this post and are also grateful for someone in your life.

Macy’s Culinary Council Presents Rick Bayless

Posted on November 14, 2015by Brandy Saldana

Are you ready to wow your friends or relatives this holiday season with your recipes or does the thought of hosting anything make you want to hide in your pantry? Well if you are not ready, or are looking for more ideas or inspiration, you should check out the Macy’s Culinary Council for upcoming chef demonstrations in your area. If you are in the Bay Area, you are in luck because there is an event happening next week!
Chef Rick Bayless will be teaching you how to impress your friends with tips and trick on November 19, 2015 at 6:30PM at the Macy’s in Walnut Creek, CA. He’ll be sharing tips on how to prepare his favorite award winning dishes from his cookbooks and there will be plenty of delicious samples to enjoy!
The event is free and you can sign up through Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/macys-walnut-creek-vip-preview-night-tickets-18893412706

If you happen to spend more than $35 in the Home Department, you will receive a $10 Macy’s gift card, and a copy of Rick’s cookbook Frontera or Everyday Mexican**, which he’ll sign for you after the event!
Seating is first come, first served, so make sure to get there early. Hopefully I’ll see you there enjoying some of the tasty dishes.
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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Posh Fest 2014

Posted on November 5, 2015by Brandy Saldana

Posh Fest 2015 is this weekend and I wanted to look back at last year’s event before sharing photos from this year. What better wait to get excited about the conference than by getting a better idea of what to expect? I hope you’ll say hi if you see me there. Here are some photos I took (switching between my phone and camera) from last year’s event.

Business cards from Moo. I ordered a bunch and include one in every sale I package.

The style panel from last year. So glad to see Jennifer from Just Add Glam in her amazing heels!

Benefit sponsored and provided makeuppers and some goodies in our swag bags.

Panels composed of real users on the app sharing tips and tricks and how they take sales (or shopping) to the next level.
I didn’t attend the party that night, but I think it helped me wake up early to catch the bus ride down to Menlo Park to visit Poshmark HQ.

I learned so much since then and I feel I should create a few tutorial posts on navigating the app. A lot of new features have rolled out and I have met so many people through the app that I finally had a chance to meet in real life.

Of course, Posh Fest couldn’t be complete without a cool parting gift and here is a look at what we all received for attending.
Definitely worth attending if you are ever on the fence about buying a ticket. The tips you learn make it easy to make enough in sales to cover your ticket cost. And of course, travel costs can be cut if you room with your PFF!
Look out for a new series of Poshmark tips and of course, photos from this year’s conference coming soon to the blog.
Not on the app yet? Sign up and use my code HAEWR for $5 shopping credit!
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