Recipe: Easy At-Home Pizza

I love pizza... I mean is there anyone who doesn't like it?! I typically order from my favorite pizza spots in Pittsburgh (ahem, Mineo's) but I've really been trying to cook at home during the weekdays. Because of this, I have been experimenting with the best and easiest way to make a pizza! I have finally perfected it and I wanted to share it with all of you! 

What You'll Need:

- Fresh Dough: I find fresh to be so much better than frozen! Trader Joe's makes a great dough and it's usually always available. If I have time, I go to the Strip District (if you are in Pittsburgh) and buy the dough fresh from Mancini's! 

- Mozzarella: Again, TJ's always has this but if I can get to the Strip District, I get freshly shredded mozzarella from Penn Mac, it's worlds better. I also get Burrata from Trader Joe's. This is not at all healthy but SO good and takes the pizza to the next level. 

- Meat: I don't love meat on my pizza, but my finacé does, so whenever he comes over for pizza, I grab salami or pepperoni. Again, Penn Mac in the Strip District has the best soppressata and I highly recommend it!

- Extra Virgin Olive Oil (for crust)

- Italian seasonings (for crust)

- Sauce: Don Pepino is the BEST canned sauce in the entire world. I promise that it will make all of the difference in your pizza. It tastes so fresh. It has no added sugar and very few ingredients. I have tried the Trader Joe's jarred pizza sauce and if you compare the two, you'd be amazed. I don't think I would ever make pizza at home without Don Pepino. 

Directions:

- Let the dough sit out until it reaches room temperature (this step is important!!)
 - Preheat oven to 450
- While that is preheating, roll out the dough into the desired shape. I make it on a sheet pan!
- Once the oven is preheated, pop the rolled out dough into the oven for 8-12 minutes. You don't want it to look cooked!
- While the dough is baking, mix up this oil and herb mixture:

You'll also need herbs and spices. I swear by making an olive oil rubbed crust and within the olive oil, I add in garlic powder, basil, rosemary, oregano, parsley, and thyme. You can totally make this up yourself, too, if you prefer one flavor over the next, add more or less. This is just an easy Italian seasoning. You could just use Italian seasoning, too! 

- I totally eyeball how much I put in the olive oil, but you want it to look like this. Then, take a silicone brush and brush it over the crust area of the half-baked dough. 

- Top with sauce, cheese, meat, etc. 

- Pop into the oven for 10-15 minutes. You want to see a little bit of golden brown! 

My mom makes her pizza without the herb crust and she tops the raw dough with everything and bakes it. I think that adding in the herb crust and baking the dough a little on its own first really help to make it take like take out pizza! 

If you want to make it healthier, which I sometimes do, get a wholewheat crust (or Trader Joe's frozen cauliflower crust), skip the herbed crust, skip the burrata (sad, I know) and get low-fat mozzarella cheese. I also like to add in veggies like roasted red peppers, onions, etc. 

Lately

Sweatshirt// Leggings// Sneakers

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! Are you guys doing anything fun this year to celebrate? I'm not super into Valentine's Day but I did buy my fiancé a few small gifts. He is taking me out for dinner tonight, somewhere (no idea where!). So that should be fun. A few weeks ago, I had actually suggested we stay in and cook a nice meal for tonight but he had already had reservations, so we shall see!

This week started out slow but then quickly revved up. One of my absolute best friends from high school, Eugenia is getting married!!!! I am in the wedding and I could not be more excited for them and the entire weekend.

So, yesterday I got my first spray tan since I was in college. We are wearing white dresses and I didn't want to be as pale as I am right now- I am SO pale so I definitely needed a bit of color. I was worried about being 'orange' but it looks SO good and natural. I am seriously going to have to get these more often! Do you spray tan?

I am also excited because the rehearsal dinner is at our wedding venue and the wedding ceremony is at the same church we will be married in so it will be SO much fun to attend an event and ceremony in the same spots!

This past weekend, I went over to the house to take some measurements. I am trying to plan this as best as possible so starting in April, deliveries (like rugs, window treatments, etc.) start arriving at my new home! Things like furniture sometimes take weeks if not months to come in, so I'm really trying to be proactive! I have 4 weeks of overlap of having my apartment and my home so I am glad that I will be able to move room-by-room and get each room organized before I start on the next!

Measuring everything got me the most excited I have been in this entire process. The house is pretty much done now- at least it looks done to me, haha! And as I was measuring, I was starting to imagine where I would be placing pieces!

I also can't wait to move in because right now, I am so focused on the house/preparing to move/get settled that it has taken away from planning the wedding. I love the Wedding Wednesday posts, though, because it brings me back to wedding-mode once each week! Once I'm all settled in, I'll be able to go back into 'engaged' life (which is even more fun than I imagined).

Speaking of weddings, this past weekend we met with our priest who will be marrying us and it was another exciting thing we were able to check off our list!

Sale-ing: Have you ever shopped Bandier before? It's a great website with workout/athleisure pieces. They have so many different brands and while a lot of it is pricey- Lululemon prices but many even higher, their sale section is SO good. I just ordered 7 things for $200, which is kind of crazy if you think about it. About $28/piece which is like Old Navy prices! Such a win. This pink parka that is on sale is on my wishlist!

Watching: OMG I cannot wait for the HBO 4-part docu-series on Adnan Syed. If you haven't listened to the first season of Serial, you must before this premieres! It comes on at 9pm on March 10th on HBO! 

Watching II: I didn't realize How to Get Away With Murder was back on for another season so I just started the new season this past weekend and have gotten through a few episodes so far. So far it's good- not great, but still worth the watch. 

Listening: I am obsessed with Halsey's Without You!  I've been belting it out in the car when it comes on!

Loving: Isn't this puppy basket SO cute?! I want to get it for Henry for his toys! I'm wondering if you all have an upstairs toy basket and downstairs basket for your pups? Henry won't be used to having 3 floors so I thought it might be fun to get this basket for the upstairs! This is a snap of Henry from last week. I just got new towels in for the house and they are SO gorgeous. I can't wait to share more about them! 

Wanting: I haven't purchased a Tory Burch bag in a while, but this mini Radziwill is so cute. I was drooling over the bigger Radziwill bag when it came out- it is so beautiful and ladylike and kind of reminds me of the Hermes Kelly bag. I almost bought it but I just don't use big bags like that. If I am using a bigger bag, it's usually a tote. So, I'm so glad to see it in the smaller size- perfect for nights out when you only need to carry a lip gloss, wallet and phone! 

Pittsburgh-ing: I'm headed to a dinner at the new Fogo de Chao downtown in a few weeks and I am excited because I have never been. Right now, they are having such a good deal through March 31st. Dinner is just $35... so fun! 

Smelling: OMG talk about a blast from the past! Abercrombie has brought back their Fierce cologne! I remember alllllll of the boys in 9th grade used to wear this and all of the girls would just swoon over the scent! I need to go into the store to give it a whiff, it's sure to bring back memories! I love scent memories- it is one of the reasons I switch perfume every year- because when I smell a fragrance from years past, it brings me back! 

Traveling: I'm off to The Greenbrier next weekend and I couldn't be more excited! One of my favorite places in the country!

Quoting: See more of my favorites, here.

Wedding Wednesday: My Engagement Party Outfit

Dress (in burgundy, in pink, in black)

Pumps (post about them, here)// Bow Bag

White Coat (old, similar)

A few weekends ago, my parents hosted an engagement party for us at their house! It was such a fun night- so many friends and family came and we had delicious food and champagne all night long.

I was unsure as to what I was going to wear. Since it was at their house, it was a bit more casual than if it were out at a restaurant or club. At the last minute, I decided, heck with it! I am going to dress up because why not? I am glad I did because I got SO many compliments on this dress! Plus, a lot of people were also dressed up so I didn't mind!

This dress is truly special and incredible. As soon as I got it in the mail, I knew it was the one. I have been so into this cornflower blue shade this past year. I also loved the long sleeves because it seems 'winterized'. The shape/cut of the dress is so classic and has a bit of an old school vibe to it. Plus, I love anything with a full, twirly skirt!

It comes in several different colors and I have noticed that it gets released in a new color or two each season, so keep an eye out if you are looking for a specific color! It runs true to size. The top is stretchy but the waist is pretty fitted.

I paired it with blush accessories. My fiancé got me this bag for my birthday last year and I love it. It was a total surprise and something I never even mentioned to him so it's extra special. I also wore my wedding shoes!

It's kind of crazy when these wedding-related things happen. I keep thinking about how special the night was and how it's an event we will forever remember. I can't believe it has already passed now! I feel the same about our engagement night- I can't believe that is already behind us, too. So many special times that I will cherish forever!

More Wedding Content:
- I'm engaged and how he asked!
- Inspiration for Reception Design
- How We Met
- When and Where We Are Getting Married
- My Wedding Shoes

Blush Pink for Valentine's Day

 

Silky Blouse (just $36, comes in 3 other colors)// Velvet Pants

Ferragamo Vara Shoes// Ferragamo Vara Bag

Lip Color (in Babe)

I wanted to share this silk blouse with all of you this week because it's Valentine's week! How fitting to share a blush pink outfit, right? 

I spotted this blush pink top and immediately knew I had to order it. It's just $36 and comes in several colors. A great closet staple that you can wear for work or play. 

It's super comfortable and wears like a tee but the silkiness adds a dressier feel to it. The quality is similar to Zara pieces if you are familiar. Nice quality for the price but not the most luxurious ever. 

These velvet skinny pants are ones that I have had for several years now and they are usually brought back each winter season. They are currently on major sale and almost all sizes are still available. They run true to size and stretch out a bit as you wear them. The quality is great- they have been washed and tried soooo many times and still look great and hold their shape! 

I'm always getting questions about great everyday lip colors and the one I am wearing in these photos is called Babe. It's a great pinky-red that's not too much for daytime but also great for nighttime, too.  It's also matte but feels silky and smooth on your lips. This is a color that I wear often so you are probably used to seeing this color on my lips!