puzzle frame gift idea

September 30, 2015 // No Comments

homemade gifts are the best. they allow you to personalize your present just as you’d like and there’s nothing else better than knowing someone spent time creating this special gift for you.

this simple picture frame idea was inspired because 1) my kids like puzzles, and 2) my mom aka grammy always tells them “i love you to pieces”.

the simple picture frame of her favorite twinsies.

what you’ll need:

jumbo craft sticks

puzzle pieces

string or ribbon (i used hemp)

paint

glue

wooden heart (from craft store)

my little guy helped me paint the pieces. i wrote on the message, glued on the pieces and heart, and then attached the hemp on the back with masking tape.

voila…an easy project for loved ones for birthdays, mother’s day, grandparent’s day…any special day!

fall decor ~ easy fabric pumpkins

September 23, 2015 // No Comments

every holiday, i usually choose a little something to add to my holiday decor. this year, it is my boo! pillow which i love.

i wanted to get a little creative, so i went to joann’s fabrics and bought some fabric with fun fall-ish patterns.

if you’re looking for a very simple yet fun piece of fall / halloween decor, you should try this one out!

i will need to switch out my summer tablecloth to my more festive fall table runner.

you’ll need:

toilet paper rolls

1/4 yard pieces of fabric

sticks and any twine / ribbon / embellishment you fancy

i basically just tucked the fabric into the center of the roll.

almost there…just need some finishing touches. i had my daughter help pick some sticks from our backyard.

i just used some ribbon and twine i had on hand, but you could play around with all kinds of fun embellishments or just put in a stick and call it a day.

i have some sitting on my dining table as a centerpiece and the rest outside on my front porch with some scarecrows and my new pillow.

there you have it. create some cute little pumpkins for your home this fall, they’ll be some of the cutest little pumpkins around.

a few years ago, i made these simple candy corn garlands from paint chips.

last year’s purchased item was this cute little owl.

happy fall ya’ll!

simple nutella brownies

May 22, 2015 // No Comments

i’m back. it was a longer hiatus than i anticipated, but i’ve realized my need for baking therapy!

today i discovered the oohey gooey goodness of these simple 3 ingredient nutella brownies. my daughter loves them!

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/4 cup Nutella
2 eggs
1/2 cup all purpose flour

DIRECTIONS:

1. Grease a 9 x9 baking pan and preheat oven to 350F. Mix all ingredients into a large bowl with a large wooden spoon until batter is smooth. Pour into baking pan and smooth top with spatula.
2. Bake for about 15 minutes until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Careful not to bake too long otherwise brownies will dry out. Let brownies cool and set before cutting and serving.

bon appe-sweet, friends!

mother’s day gift ideas: wreaths

April 17, 2015 // No Comments

my friend kim is a local small business owner at craft + amity and designs these beautiful handmade wreaths.

if you know your mom would love a new wreath for her door, this limited edition mother’s day wreath is available to order until april 20th!

here are some of my other personal favorites below:

one of the most popular wreaths – kate middleton.

there’s just so much love that goes into each and every wreath. support local small businesses!

place an order here if interested!

here are some other wreath ideas:

you could buy this pretty one here.

paper source has some wreath kits and i made this peony one last year. the folding of the petals took some time but i knocked it out over a few nights of watching tv.

here is my finished product.

this one really stuck out to me as a unique and pretty wreath. all you have to use are old white bedsheets, and she switches out the flowers easily based on the season.

so simple, yet elegant and fun.

another beautiful paper wreath idea here. so vibrant and would brighten up any room for spring!

mother’s day gift ideas: mason jars

April 14, 2015 // No Comments

i’ve rounded up some sweet gift ideas for mothers, grandmothers, sisters, daughters and wives for this upcoming mother’s day with something every household should have – a mason jar!

who couldn’t use some cute storage and office organization with these painted mason jars? i love stripes and these spring colors are just plain fun!

love them…it’s time to go get some of this paint!

most women love flowers. but, what would make the flower giving even more special is a cute little vase with some sweet faces on it!

check out how to make this vase here. i love the creativity that can happen with mason jars.

these succulents are screaming cuteness in these painted mason jars with added straws and notes for mom.

simple spray paint can do magic like this mason jar above.

know a special lady who loves to sew? check out this sewing kit in a mason jar here.

here’s a way to personalize someone’s jar with some of their favorite beauty and skincare products. you could throw in lotions, nail polishes, travel goodies, etc.

digging this nail polish holder and gift all in one.

i’ve been wanting to make granola. a yummy treat for those sweet ladies in your life.

i’ll be back on thursday with some cute wreath gift ideas!

spring brunch inspiration

April 1, 2015 // No Comments

i had a wonderful time hosting an annual spring brunch with my childhood girlfriends and their moms and kids this past weekend. i love the springtime!

for decor, i went pretty simple with a tablecloth, some daffodils as a centerpiece, and a chalkboard easel menu.

for an added personal touch, i put out some fun old pictures from prom, graduation, middle school and high school. they brought us some good laughs.

we left thank you notes for our moms on their plates as a little surprise.

the menu was fun to put together on this chalkboard easel found at michaels.

tablecloth was found at target.

i wanted to try out a new brunch item to make and came across this picture of these bacon egg cups.

so delicious! recipe found here.

yum. :) planning on having a spring brunch? it’s such a simple way to enjoy time with some of your favorite people. i love a good brunch.

here are some other spring brunch decor and food ideas that may add some extra oohs and aahs at your next brunch!

a simple place setting idea with a tulip, love this.

simple and fun flowers made out of paper.

how sweet to just add some lime at the bottom of the vase and burlap and ribbon around the daffodils.

a cute idea for doing a fruit platter with a visit from the easter bunny.

i want to try making these little mini puff pastry quiches sometime too!

i also like the idea of trying these scrambled egg muffins. eggs + muffins + cute flower cups – how can i resist?

i might also need to try these easter egg haystacks for this weekend.

happy spring! i want to know what’s cookin’ in your kitchen!

playing with food

March 20, 2015 // No Comments

I was recently sent this photo of a very cute lion creation and knew that I would need to replicate this for my little guy at some point soon, because he is very into calling himself a lion lately.

just. too. cute.

another twist on the lion but using pasta.

Another fun breakfast idea is to make a teddy bear toast with nutella. She looks forward to this special treat every time.

Here are some cute ideas i found that are simple enough yet interesting for a toddler.

A school bus always gets my kids’ attention.

Kiwi and grape turtles! Absolutely adorbs.

I spy three cute chickie eggs. Love this idea for Easter.

This one might make it into our breakfast rotation tomorrow. I’m getting hungry!

mrs. field’s cookies at home

March 10, 2015 // 1 Comment

Are you a fan of Mrs. Field’s chocolate chip cookies? My sis-in-law is, so for her birthday I thought I’d try out this recipe and make them at home!

There are a bunch of different recipes out there, but this one actually has the gal touring the bakery and interviewing a Mrs. Field’s baker to get the step-by-step process (and this recipe calls for cold butter + chilling the dough before baking!).

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup dark brown sugar (firmly packed)
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup cold salted butter, cut into cubes
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300°F.

2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix well with a wire whisk.

3. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, blend the sugars at medium speed.

4. Add the cold butter, and mix to form a grainy paste, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Add eggs and vanilla extract, and mix at low to medium speed just until blended. Do not overmix.

5. Add the flour mix and chocolate chips, and blend at a low speed just until mixed. Do not overmix.

6. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto an ungreased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart.

7. Bake 20-22 minutes until golden. Transfer cookies immediately to a cool surface with a spatula. You can line sheets with parchment and transfer to a cold surface to do it faster. (I baked for 18 minutes and kept checking, I thought they were done and didn’t want to overbake them.)

Slightly crispy on the outside but soft and gooey on the inside.

Yum! Grab a glass of milk and enjoy!

diy: straw vase

February 24, 2015 // 1 Comment

Are you planning a bridal shower, birthday gathering or spring brunch? This simple DIY vase is the perfect touch to add to any table and the colors and possibilities are endless!

I wanted some new decor for my craft room that’s under renovation, and have been obsessed slightly with peach and light blue.