The two cakes were cheerful and modern!
It’s almost time to start prepping for this year’s big Easter party, which means it’s also time to share last year’s photos! Continue reading
Adorable Custom Fairy Tree!
Last summer, two good friends asked me to create a giant magical fairy tree for their daughter’s bedroom, and I finally installed it last week! Since I was pregnant at the time, and then later had a newborn to care for, I had to take it slowly…I think we can safely say that six months is pretty darn slow! 😉 Here’s how I built and installed it: Continue reading
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Yummy Homemade Trail Mix Bars
I discovered the most delicious trail mix a few weeks ago at World Market but I realized the cost per ounce was insane so I decided to make it myself after my son and I downed the whole bag in a few days. A week later, I had already ordered and received each ingredient in bulk from Amazon Prime and got ready to mix it up. After filling a few of the giant-sized baggies with all the mail order yumminess, I realized I had a big problem…I have a tendency to eat trail mix like it’s popcorn…could I handle this much trail mix? Could my thighs? No. Probably not. Continue reading
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(Another) DIY Birth Announcement
It seems like only yesterday that I was posting about my first baby’s birth announcement, but it has been over three years now! I had a lot more time on my hands that year, so when I gave birth again this past October in the middle of getting ready for holiday sales and fairs, I figured there was no way I would be able to pull off an announcement for this second little guy. One day, while working in my studio between feedings, I grabbed a roll of chalkboard paper, really just some black kraft paper, that I had lying around and quickly sketched up his details. I set the camera without him in the photo and then waited until he was milk drunk to plop him down in the middle of the paper for a couple of shots. It really only took a few minutes of his time and I love the result!
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We Bought Our House!
Before…
I haven’t blogged in SO long for two big reasons…we bought the 100-year-old Spanish Revival home we were renting and we had a baby. Needless to say, the second half of our year was really…um…intense! I’m not sure if it was normal “new house” stuff, or pregnancy nesting hormones, but I spent every waking moment of 2016 rethinking, refinishing and refurbishing our house. I’ll take you on that journey soon, but for now, take a look at our first big projects. We removed the fence dividing our backyard in half, cut down the creeping fig eating into our stucco, removed the scary bars from the windows, and had our windows and stucco redone and painted! There are still quite a few things to do outside, but this was a huge step in the right direction. I love the giant yard, cheerful paint colors and the functional window planter that my mom filled with tons of succulent clippings. Later this year, we will need to paint the studio and pergola, re-tile the front porch and replace the fence surrounding the whole yard…2017 will be a busy one for fixing up our beautiful new(ish) home! Continue reading
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Toddler Cooking Party…He’s 3!
To say that George loves all things kitchen related would be a ridiculous understatement. He doesn’t just like “playing” kitchen…he likes using the real stuff, carefully stirring at the stove, watching every single step and trying it out himself. He even sort of non-verbally lures new guests or friends to lift him onto the counter near the mixer so he can touch it for a while (since he knows Jeff and I won’t). Obsessed would be a better word to use.
Since George is still mostly non-verbal, we had to guess what theme would be best for his birthday and “cooking” popped into my head as a fun thing for all kids to do! Here’s how we pulled it off: Continue reading
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Our Annual Easter Feast
The buffet ready for devouring.
In a little less than a week, Jeff and I will be waking up early to start our annual tradition of making my family’s pierogies for lots and lots of friends for Easter. We will hand form each one on Sunday morning and line them up in neat little rows ready for boiling, all the while teasing each other about our very different techniques and Jeff will insist that his seal is stronger. Mine will be fat and round and his will be long and skinny… I don’t think I have to state the obvious here… it never fails to make me laugh. This party is my absolute favorite to throw every year. We have a wonderful energetic egg hunt followed by a simple, heavy and delicious meal that always makes me think of my family. Here are some photos from last year! Continue reading
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Last Minute Valentine: Slice and Bake Butter Cookies
I adore a simple, crunchy, lightly sweet slice and bake butter cookie. They are lovely rolled in colored sugar, chopped nuts or coconut. For a quick Valentine’s Day treat, I rolled my cookie dough log in homemade colored sugar and shaped it into a heart when it was partially chilled. Once it was completely firm, I just sliced it, revealing darling heart cookies with a red sugar edge. Super simple and a gorgeous little gift! Recipe after the jump. Continue reading
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Ikea Hack: Picture Ledge Book Pockets
Maybe you were like me and thought the Ikea Ribba picture ledges would make adorable bookshelves in your child’s room or nursery…? Well, they are really cute, but two and half years later, when your child has A LOT of books, I promise that they will constantly fall off into a huge mess on the floor. Frankly, I started to go crazy picking them up all day long! I decided to modify our Ribbas with some white mesh to make book pockets that keep them from falling off the shelves. I love this project because it was really simple and can be a temporary fix that doesn’t mar the ledges! Instructions and materials after the jump. Continue reading
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Valentine’s Day Cupcake Sandwiches
Last year, I couldn’t think of what to bake for Jeff for Valentine’s Day when I ran across an adorable heart-shaped Whoopie pie/muffin top pan in Michael’s and inspiration struck. He loves red velvet cupcakes so I decided to make him a sort of whoopie-pie-cupcake-sandwich hybrid. The result was gorgeous, super tasty and a less messy version of a cupcake to boot! I used the Magnolia Bakery recipe exactly, so no need to reprint, but be sure to check the cakes often because they don’t take long when they are in a shallow pan.
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