A Post: Happy New Year, Bookworms!

I'm welcoming the new year with open arms and a happy heart. While 2012 was pretty great, I'm looking forward to some exciting changes that 2013 is sure to bring. I didn't complete as many books as I wanted, but realize that I really lost steam towards the end with all the stuff I crammed in. And I can live with that. I'll just have to try harder. I'm starting 2013 off right and should be finishing up Sarah Water's Fingersmith in the next couple of days and already know it's going to be one of my favorites.

I won't say that 2012 was exceptional in the reading department. I was proud of myself for finishing as many classics as I did, three down, 47 to go, which is a ton considering I wasn't really reading them at all the year before. So. That's something.

The holidays were a real riot. I had a relaxing Christmas celebration with my immediate family, and attended a 20s-themed NYE party with my closest friends. It was AWESOME. Dressing up is the best. Here are some snapshots (excuse all the instagram shots):

I made this sweatshirt for my Nana in '93 with two of my brothers (little James wasn't around yet) and it's awesome. Let's talk about how puffy paint and bedazzlers should be brought back from the depths. And that iron-on? We were way too cool for our own good.

I got my inspiration from season three of Downton Abbey (I'm looking at you, Lady Edith) and had so much fun! We sipped on champagne and had a big group hug when the clock struck 12.

I did some baking. Lots, actually. If you love chocolate and caramel, make these cookies now. They will change your life (sort of). Salted caramel stuffed chocolate crinkle cookies. The best. 

So to the announcements:

There are some! And I can't even contain my excitement. Many opportunities presented themselves shortly before the new year and I just knew that it meant good things were ahead. First, I'll be reviewing books (both fiction and nonfiction) over at SadieMagazine.com beginning at the end of the month. The site is amazing. It's really for the women of today, featuring interviews with some incredible lady-entrepreneurs, musicians and the like. Offering advice on everyday living, fashion and today's buzz, it's a great source of relevant content that's fun and intelligent. I am so grateful for this opportunity. I'll be linking over to my reviews so you can take a peek!

I'm also joining the TLC tours and will be updating the blog with my first review of Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes on January 24th. Very excited to join everyone else who is already participating and share some great books.

There are other things that I must keep to myself for the time being, but believe me, are so wonderfully wonderful. 

So, what's up with you? What are you anticipating for the new year? What did you complete in 2012 that you'll never forget?

Happy New Year, everyone! 

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A Post: Deliver the Christmas Cheer

I can't believe it's already mid-December! It seems like Thanksgiving just ended and I was just starting to decorate the apartment, begin the wrapping and light the pine scented candles. It actually felt too early. Like I was betraying Thanksgiving in some way. However, I guess I'm glad I got a start on it all because it's less than a week away! I got the shopping done early, and actually only had to call about two gifts that were missing, and fight over one parking space to replace one of those aforementioned gifts. So. I'm officially done with the gift getting and have a few packages to wrap up before I can sit back and relax.

Our apartment's generally clear surfaces are currently covered by boxes wrapped in festive paper and bags full of surprises. I love to choose little things for my loved ones that I know will bring the biggest smile. I keep mental notes of all the things they've mentioned throughout the year so they get the perfect little something. However, purchased items aren't always the meaning of success, so I decided to throw in some homemade gifts to lighten the load and spread the love. Sorry for all the Instagram/camera filtered photos... I was too lazy to get out the dslr.

Here's a couple I'd like to share that are simple enough to finish just in time for the big day.




S'mores Kits

I initially found this gem on Pinterest during Halloween. When I saw Christmas tree shaped Peeps at the grocery story, I figured I'd give it a go. S'mores just happen to be one of my most favorite desserts, and these festive little trees make it the cutest treat.

What you'll need: (Note: I'm a craft hoarder, ask J.. he'll confirm, so I had all of this stuff around the house. I'm saying this so you don't feel like a weirdo if you don't.)

1 box Christmas tree shaped Peeps (they also have gingerbread men and snowmen)
1 bag Hershey's mini bars
1 box of graham crackers (if you're feeling up to it you can make your own, I like this recipe.)
Sandwich bags
Treat bags
Ribbon, Yarn or Twine

I use sandwich bags to keep the contents fresh so that the recipient can choose to eat them right away or save for later. If you have a vacuum sealer, you're way cooler than me, and should definitely use that. Place two graham crackers, two Peeps and two hershey bars next to one another (you can also play around with the placement) in the sandwich bag and seal. Place within a festive treat bag, or sheet of tissue paper, or piece of burlap, and make a neat bow with the decorative ribbon, yarn or twine. I also bought mini snowflakes, used a hole punch, and threaded the ribbon through to make gift tags, but you can do whatever you want to add a little extra flair. Finish by smiling innocently while handing over to children already full of SUGAR.

I gave these to all the kids in my extended family and they loved them. Their parents can pop them in the microwave for a quick dessert, or they can snack on the items individually. It might not be the most HEALTHY holiday treat on your list, but it's definitely tasty! It's also really quick and easy. So... you're welcome & enjoy!


Chocolate Chunk Blondies (recipe featured and adapted from Shutterbean.com)

If you haven't tried a recipe from Tracy's blog, you need to do something about that ASAP because they are the best. Like Joy the Baker (they actually have a podcast together), she features delicious goodies that are sometimes healthy, and a lot of times not, with good ingredients and awesome photo steps to match. To say I'm in love with her blog is an understatement. When I saw her recipe for these blondies, I knew I had to make them for my Dad's family Christmas party. Total success. Seriously, I didn't even get to bring any left overs home, which is rare considering the amount of desserts often present.

(I briefly considered using butterscotch with chocolate chips, which you can totally do, but decided against it. Next time, I say!)

What you'll need:

• 1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed I used half dark and half light, but it's whatever
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts I'm weird about nuts in my desserts so I didn't add these
• 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips 
• Small bag of decorative M&Ms of your choice I chose the green and red colored, dark chocolate.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour an 8 x 12 x 2 inch baking pan.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on high speed for 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. With the mixer on low, add the vanilla, then the eggs, one at a time, and mix well, scraping down the bowl. In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda and salt and with the mixer still on low, slowly add flour mixture to the butter mixture. Fold in chocolate chips with a rubber spatula.
Spread the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. I chose to add festive M&Ms to the top of the blondies to make a little design. Lightly press them into the very top of the dough in whatever design you choose or sprinkle them over (again lightly pressing in). Bake for 30 minutes (or what seems like forever in my ridiculous oven).

The finished product: 

Hope everyone is having a happy holiday! Remember to reach out to all those that love and let them know how much you care. :)

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Summertime Pie With Blueberries, Raspberries and Blackberries

My friend Mandy from Multiple Factors invited me to a little get together to celebrate the 4th of July by watching fireworks and meeting new people.  And so, I decided to bake a pie.  With a little (huge) nudge from the Whole Foods website, I bought a load of fresh berries and got to work.  Needless to say, the pie was a success! Pardon my photos: these iPhone shots were the best I could do at the time. 

Recipe via Whole Foods

What you need:

2 1/2 cups flour, divided
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
Salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, chilled and cut into small cubes 

(I did about a cup and a half for all berries, excluding blueberries which were about 2 cups)

3 cups (about 3/4 pound) blackberries
3 cups (about 3/4 pound) raspberries
2 cups (about 1/2 pound) blueberries
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon raw or turbinado sugar, divided (I used light brown sugar)
Zest of 1 large orange or lemon
1 tablespoon milk or heavy cream

How to do it:

Put 2 cups of the flour, granulated sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt in the bowl of a food processor and pulse briefly to combine. (I use a pastry blender, so don't fret if you don't have a food processor!) Add butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. (Alternatively, cut butter in by hand with two table knives.) Add 1/4 cup ice-cold water and pulse, or mix by hand with a fork, just until dough begins to come together. Form dough into two 4-inch discs, cover and chill until firm, about 2 hours or overnight. 

Preheat oven to 350°F. Put blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, 1/2 cup of the raw sugar, remaining 1/2 cup flour, zest and a pinch of salt in a large bowl and mash together gently until well combined and juicy but still chunky; set aside. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one piece of dough into a 10-inch circle and gently transfer to an 8-inch pie pan. Transfer berry mixture to pie pan; set aside.

Roll out remaining dough as you did the first piece and transfer to pie pan, gently draping it over the berry filling. Firmly press the edges together then trim away excess dough. Pinch or crimp edges as desired and cut 3 slits in the top of the pie to allow steam to escape. Brush crust with milk and sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon raw sugar then bake until golden brown and bubbly, about 1 hour. Set aside to let cool completely then serve. 

 

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Happy Holidays

There's something about Christmas that is bittersweet.  While it's an absolute joy to celebrate with my family and loved ones, I find an inherent sadness, perhaps tears of joy would best describe this feeling, during this season.  The act of giving, the warmth of the setting, the food being shared-- it's all very wonderful. However, I really wish we could all stop and do this more often instead of reserving so much for just a few special days out of the year.  Perhaps this will be a New Year's resolution of mine. 

Anyway. Happy Holidays, everyone!  I'd like to say thanks for the support, the discussion and the feedback this year!

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DIY: Holiday Gift Tag Craft Project

A couple of days ago, while rummaging through the kitchen storage drawer, I noticed that we had quite a number of brown paper bags from shopping excursions hidden behind the foil. Let me mention that I've recently developed distrust for the craft paper sold at major craft stores, but I've always loved that brown bag design feel. So I thought why not actually, I don't know, use a brown paper bag to create little tags for the gifts under my tree.

So, this is where you'll need to begin:

Step One.

Search high and low for a brown paper bag--you must have one somewhere!  Mine, pictured here, has already gone through one round of tag making.  

Step Two.

Cut blocks of paper out.  This can be done with whatever shape you is appropriate for your gift.  

Step Three.

Apply adhesive to the bottom of the strips and set. I use adhesive rolls, but double-sided tape or a glue stick would work. This reinforces the paper and makes it a little heavier so that you may decorate your pieces without fear of the paper deteriorating.

Step Four.

After the two sides have been glued together, cut small pieces of scrap paper to fit the brown paper back piece. I use scrap craft paper (the same paper so detested!), measuring and cutting accordingly.  

Step Five.  

Apply the scrap layer to the brown paper base so that you have a nice, little border.  Use a hole punch to allow you to thread ribbon or attach twine to the tag.

Step Six.

Use a marker or rubber stamp to personalize the tag.

Step Seven.

Thread ribbon through hole and attach to the gift.  Twine is also perfect for a more rustic, organic feel.

Done!  

Here's to a simple tag fix that's much more personalized than anything you could buy at the store!

Feel free to share your unique wrapping/tagging ideas!  

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