I have the most amazing recipe to share with you today. My grandmother’s recipe for Peanut Butter Balls. I took them to a couple of cookie exchanges this year, after many years of keeping the balls a secret, and everyone raved. Some even called for the recipe. I made so many batches this year for exchanges or gifts, I have the recipe memorized. So, in the spirit of Christmas, I’m sharing the recipe with you, the world. And please feel free to share the recipe with others. Life is too short to keep fabulous desserts like this a secret. Happy Holidays!

xo, Kira

Peanut Butter Balls
Makes 20-30

1 stick of softened butter
2 cups of creamy peanut butter
3 1/2 – 4 cups of powdered sugar
3 cups of Rice Crispies or crisp rice cereal
1 package of Almond Bark wax chocolate coating (found usually only at Christmas time at the grocery store)

Instructions:

Blend softened butter and 2 cups of peanut butter until smooth in a large mixing bowl.

Add one cup of powered sugar at a time to the peanut butter/butter blend. Start with just 3 1/2 cups. Depending on your peanut butter and the temperature in your house, you may need the extra 1/2 cup.

Add crisp rice cereal. At this point, it may be easiest to use your hands to mix.

Roll mixture into 1/2 inch or 1 inch round bite-sized balls, depending on how you like them. Set balls on wax paper. Set aside.

Melt small batch of chocolate according to instructions on package. I use the quick microwave instructions.

Roll balls one by one in chocolate and set on wax paper to dry. Melt additional chocolate in small batches and roll balls until all coated.

Makes 20-30 balls. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to one month. But seriously, they won’t last that long!

0 comments permalink |  8:12 AM |  12.23.2011 | 

You may have seen Studio Joy Li at the Scottsdale Waterfront Mix Shops and thought it’s a pricey designer boutique from New York or Los Angeles. Though the design, craftsmanship and the storefront would rival any NYC or LA boutique, Studio Joy Li houses the local designer clothing of Joy Li.

The warm and friendly woman-owned boutique of Studio Joy Li houses the brilliant, wearable collection of designs by Joy Li, a veteran designer in the fashion industry working during her career for companies such as Liz Claiborne and Guess. The philosophy of design is described by the designer as “confident, comfortable” and is unconcerned with trends. Rather, she focuses on the customer and her lifestyle with an emphasis on the European contemporary color-palette, which centers on sophistication and neutrality allowing pieces from Studio Joy Li to mix-n-match almost effortlessly. Li says, “Our Scottsdale store is our testing lab,” meaning this first and current flagship boutique is where Li tests her merchandise for quality, listens to feedback from customers, responds to the market and runs her business with business partner Jean Bartolomei.

Studio Joy Li creates “styles that empower women to lead life with confidence and balance of mind, body and spirit.” With three lifestyle focuses of her collection including: Go, Lead, Be. “Go” includes styles that travel well. “Lead” incorporates styles that project confidence in a professional setting and “Be,” styles that work for chill weekend or personal time.

Li’s current collection photographed by Christos Sewell at the award-winning Desert House by Circle West Architect’s Peter Koliopoulos, is an exquisite expression of fashion meeting architecture. For Li, Desert House was the perfect setting for her latest designs, saying Desert House “speaks” with the layers of organic and modern textures from the house including rock, water and earth, like the interchangeable, contemporary and textural pieces found at Studio Joy Li. Koliopoulos said this of Li, “Joy’s design aesthetic moves beyond the mere symbols of fashion. Details express what the basic idea of the design requires for each relevant piece: belonging or separation, tension or lightness, friction or fragility…When I design building environments, I try and give them this kind of presence.”

Beyond a successful fashion designer in Arizona, it’s not often in our community of fashion professionals to hear of a business partnership. Li told us having a business partner and having a strong team is key to her success and growth. “Jean means what she says,” said Li of the integrity of her business partner. This overall company integrity and the agility of being a small business, has led to the steady growth and expansion of Studio Joy Li. Starting from just over 400 square feet with shelves, desk and merchandising sets designed and built by Li and her husband Glenn, the store now claims over 870 square feet with “a lot to see in a little space,” said Li. Surprisingly, Li’s team includes a growing infrastructure of local seamstresses, offering job opportunities for local women, keeping the entire production of some garments within Arizona.

For more information about Studio Joy Li or to shop online, please click here.

Studio Joy Li at The Mix Shops | 7144 E. Stetson Drive, Ste. 100 | Scottsdale, AZ 85251 | 480-970-1043

Photography by Christos Sewell

Article originally written by The Shoperone, Kira Brown, for Desert Living Today.

0 comments permalink |  10:54 AM |  12.22.2011 | 

Need a refresher course for holiday makeup trends? Wanna indulge in a mini-makeover while holiday shopping? Stop into Sephora at Scottsdale Fashion Square or other participating locations. Sephora offers complimentary 90-minute beauty consultations when you purchase at least $125 worth of products and beauty supplies (what’s that, like 3 things?!). Call ahead and make your personal, private appointment with beauty specialists Sara or Megan for a personalized beauty profile, first look at new products, personalized product recommendations and personalized advice for gift giving.

Our top pick for women from a recent visit: Philosophy Sweet Kisses & Merry Wishes Set that features four holiday-inspired shampoo, shower gel and bubble baths, and four high-gloss, high-flavor lip shines.

Our top pick for men: Delux Fragrance Sampler with 14 samples of fragrance that includes a $50 voucher for a full-sized version. Perfect when you have no idea what to get Dad!

0 comments permalink |  11:23 AM |  12.21.2011 | 

Join us Wednesday, December 14th from 6-9 pm at Ted Baker London.

Scottsdale Fashion Square

Complimentary Tedtini’s, sweet treats and 30% off for ladies and gents!

0 comments permalink |  2:30 PM |  12.7.2011 |