My chili recipe

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 large red onions, chopped
5 tablespoons chopped jalapeño chilies with seeds
8 garlic cloves, chopped
2 1/3 pounds ground beef (15% fat)
1/4 cup chili powder
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice
2 15 1/4-ounce cans kidney beans, drained
1 14-ounce can beef broth

Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions; sauté until brown, about 6 minutes. Add jalapeños and garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add beef; sauté until brown, breaking up with back of fork, about 5 minutes. Add chili powder, cumin, and paprika, then mix in tomatoes with juices, beans, and broth; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until chili thickens and flavors blend, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes. Skim any fat from surface of chili.

Ladle chili into bowls. Serve, passing bowls of sour cream, grated cheese, green onions, and cilantro separately. YUM

Pick your poison

Today I put on my domestic shoes and baked up these delicous cupcakes. Simple vanilla cake and chocolate frosting with orange sprinkles. I scored these great cupcake liners and picks last minute at the Boylston Street iParty. I sprinkled the tray with some festive candy corn and it made for a warm cozy October night.

Boston jack handmade soaps!

Here they are everybody, my handmade soaps! These shown are oatmeal based with fragranced oils and fresh herbs. Making the soap was just the beginning, my favorite part was creating the packaging. I added beautiful gems to the unique paper, handcut & wrote the descriptive tags, added my business card, tied with twine and there you have it. If anybody is interested in trying out my soaps, just comment or get in touch with me through facebook or twitter (@handmadeboston) I'd love to send them your way! xo

Cupcake vineyards

Well, let's just state the obvious. I bought this bottle of vino at my local wineshop simply because the vineyards name is Cupcake... & it's actually pretty decent; a smooth cab with dark fruit and molten mocha hints. Cupcake anything, is a must have for me!

Flavor of the day

I spent the best part of my morning making soap! The flavors of the day are vanilla rosemary sage and thyme ginger cucumber. The rosemary and sage are fresh from my uncles garden, yum! Tomorrow I'll be heading to some shops to get decorative paper to wrap them in. They'll be finished with a thick twine and my own handcrafted tags with descriptions. Stay tuned!

Made with love

These heartwarming, quote engraved measuring spoons come from a collection of kitchenwares at Beehive Kitchenware, an online haven for housewarming nicknacks. Take a peek and make a purchase for yourself or a loved one at http://www.beehivekitchenware.com/index.php

Bows on the toes

Adorable and practical. One of the smartest, recent trends I've seen is interchangable shoe clips. Instead of buying 50 pairs of shoes, why not just change out the fun of it? The clip seen above comes from the shop at no. 144 on Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop/No144?section_id=7154985) So if you're out and about ALL day, and have to change outfits, why lug another pair of shoes around all day? Just switch the clip! LOVE it.

Sweaters for your to-go

I want one just because. I mean, really, look at it, it's cute as a button.

You can find this cozy to-go cup sweater in a variety of colors on Etsy at

http://www.etsy.com/shop/madeinlowell?ref=top_trail

Not only is Liz Smith, of Made in Lowell, awesome for hand knitting these,

but she's also a local bay stater, and you know I love my local crafters.

Check her out on Etsy and follow her on Twitter @madeinlowell

Mercato del SUSHI

Long time friends and owners of Mercato del Mare (the only fish store in the North End) have a new fishy in town. They're now serving up sushi made to order. Definitley a refreshing amenity in a neighborhood filled of mostly pasta, bread and cheese! Go visit them at 99 Salem Street in the North End (Boston) ask for Keri or Liz and tell 'em Alexis sentcha! Check out their website and go ahead and Like! them on facebook! http://northendfish.com/

DIY mason jars

As if we didnt love mason jars enough already,

now you can tint them whatever color you desire.

Check it out here for DIY how-to's http://100layercake.com/blog/archives/9009