You'd better change

Today I was reminded of something my mom used to tell me.  It was haunting me the entire day.  She has told me, "if you don't feel good in an outfit, change."  "If you don't, it will effect you entire day."

So today I got up, got ready for work, looked in the mirror and said to myself, "this blazer looks like it was made for a 12 year old."  I tried to convince myself that this blazer would be ok, probably because I do like it.  But, then I remembered what my mom said...so I put a cardigan on instead.  I also had on a cute black hat because I wasn't having the best hair day.  I left for work. 

Then, at about 10:00 I'd had enough.  I came home, took the hat off, sprayed some dry shampoo in my hair, put it in a ponytail, threw on a head band and went back to work.  The rest of the day was still off...the outfit didn't work and my hair looked like I was set to go to the gym (like I'd do that!).  The day did brighten when I came home and put on my sweats and a hoodie.

Moral of the story...If you don't feel good before you leave the house, change, because if you don't it'll bring your entire day down.

Here are a few looks I like that would have made me feel just splendid today...If any of you wanna buy me any of this, I'll take it...contact me for sizes!

Shabby Apple.com
 

piperlime.com

banana republic.com

banana republic.com

 

Merry Christmas

Vanilla Bean Marshmallows

I found this recipe about a month ago on baked bree.com.  I was really excited to try it and told Ronny I was gonna try and make homemade marshmallows.  His response was, "you can make marshmallows?"  I guess some things we just all assume come pre-made from the store.

Let me tell you, these were easy...I'm pretty sure anyone could make them. And they are really good...just like a regular, grocery store marshmallow, but better.  Don't be scared to try making them, you can do it.  These would also be good to take to a Christmas party along with some hot chocolate.  People will think you are so fancy and talented.

Vanilla Bean Marshmallows

3 packets unflavored gelatin

1 cup water

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon salt

4 teaspoons vanilla bean paste

powdered sugar

1.  Pour 1/2 cup of water into a small bowl.  Sprinkle the packages of gelatin over the water.  Give it a whisk.  Let the mixture sit while you make the sugar syrup.

2.  Combine the sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 1/2 cup water in a saucepan.  Cook over medium heat, do not stir this mixture.

3.  Once the sugar dissolves, raise the heat to medium-high and cook until candy thermometer reaches 240 degrees.

4.  Put the gelatin mixture and vanilla bean paste into the bowl of a stand mixer using the whisk attachment.

5.  Slowly pour the sugar mixture into the mixer while on low speed.

6.  Whip on high speed for 10 to 15 minutes.  It will have gained volume and turned bright white.

7.  This is the most important thing to remember, dust the bottom of a 9x13 pan with powdered sugar.  Be very generous with the sugar, or you will never get the marshmallows out of the pan.  Pour the marshmallow out and smooth.

8.  Let the pan sit out, uncovered overnight.

9.  The next day, cut out using a sharp knife or cookie cutter.  Dip the knife or cookie cutter into powered sugar so that you can get them out.  Dust the marshmallows again, so they  don't stick together.

10.  ENJOY

P.S.  I'd like to thank my Grandpa for the lovely dishes featured in this blog

Crafty Christmas

I've been feeling super crafty as of late.  And, if you know me very well, you know that I'm not fabulously gifted in the craft department.  Well, let me tell you...I've been surprising myself.  My new craft arsenal includes; yarn, felt, hot glue and sometimes spray paint...I'm in love with spray paint...it can transform almost anything.

So here is what I've done for crafty and easy Christmas wrapping.  Kraft paper, yarn, felt, hot glue, and labels from ellinee.com.

Felt bow...made all by myself...no pattern, no template, no copying, no nothing but my idea

Felt flowers...cut a circle...then cut into a spiral...then roll up and glue

Yarn wrapped

Free form bow-smushed-clumpy-thing

All vintage ornaments.  Ronny even said this is his favorite Christmas tree style yet!

White Chocolate Peppermint Pie

This pie is so simple, but so delicious.  It would be perfect for Christmas parties...it's something different.  Make it the night before and you're set.  You will love it and so will everyone else.

White Chocolate Peppermint Pie

1 pre-made chocolate cookie crust

3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk

1/4 cup milk

4 oz.  cream cheese

1 small box white chocolate instant pudding mix

3 cups Cool Whip, thawed

1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

5 peppermint candy canes, crushed

Combine condensed milk, milk, and pudding mix in a large bowl.  Mix well.  Fold in Cool Whip until smooth and add extract.  Gently stir in candy canes, reserving some for garnish.  Evenly pour into crust.  Refrigerate at least 2 hours, overnight is best.  Garnish with crushed candy canes and cool whip if desired.

*adapted from hungry girl.

Cake Batter Blondies

Here is a quick and easy dessert I found while looking on Pinterest.  It is from Six Sisters' Stuff blog.

I'm pretty sure you'll love these.

Cake Batter Blondies

1 box Funfetti cake mix

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 egg

1/3-1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Sprinkles for top

Frosting (recipe below)

Combine cake mix, oil, and egg in a large bowl.  Add milk slowly (you want the batter to remain as dense as possible).  Then mix in white chocolate chips.  Put batter in a greased 9x9" pan.  

Bake for 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees.  They will be soft, but don't over bake.  Let cool in pan for at least 30 minutes.  Once cooled, frost and enjoy.

Frosting:

1/4 cup butter, softened

2-3 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups powdered sugar

Combine all ingredients until well blended.  Spread on blondies and add SPRINKLES.

These would also be great for  Christmas parties...just use a vanilla cake mix and add red and green sprinkles.

Vanilla Bean Brown Butter Rice Krispies Treats

These might look like your everyday, ordinary, ole Rice Krispies, but let me tell you, they are so much better.  You wouldn't think that cooking the butter a little longer and adding vanilla bean paste would make that much of a difference, but it does.  These Rice Krispies are amazing...you must try them.

Vanilla Bean Brown Butter Rice Krispies Treats

4 tablespoons salted butter

1 (10.5 oz) package mini marshmallows

1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

6 1/2 to 7 cups Rice Krispies

Coat a 9x13 pan with butter or cooking spray.  Put aside for later.

Melt butter over low heat until it turns golden brown and smells toasty.  It took me maybe 10 minutes.  Be sure not to burn, be patient.  Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla bean paste.

Add Rice Krispies, stirring until well coated and combined.

Using a buttered spatula, press Rice Krispie mixture into the pan.  Let cool and enjoy.

If you don't have vanilla bean paste just use vanilla extract or leave it out if you want...but don't...it's so tasty with the vanilla.  If you want vanilla bean paste, mine is Nielsen-Massey from Williams Sonoma, but I'm sure you can find it elsewhere.

Enjoy this new version of a traditional Rice Krispies Treat.