October 20, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

I had the pleasure to not only attend, but also help create a very special baby shower this past weekend. Get the adorable details below!

I had the wonderful opportunity to be apart of a special baby shower this past weekend in Northern Virginia. Ya see, it started with my best friend from college, Becca, introducing me to her entire family that lives in the DC metro area, where I lived for 3 years. While living in Virginia, my friend’s family treated me like one of their own nieces!! I don’t have any Aunt’s or first cousins so I just love being included in my friend’s family!!

I was so excited to help with Pride and Allison shower for baby Nicholas! I was able to help make decorations and design the baby shower with Aunt Beth! The color scheme was yellow, royal blue, and gray. Nicholas’ nursery is full of elephants so we wanted to incorporate that into the party. I created a bunting banner, nametags for the beverages, signs, and advice cards for the new mommies. Get all the fun details of Pride and Allison’s darling baby shower below!

Mason jars: Michael’s

Tags: Hole punched with tag puncher from Target

Royal Blue Card Stock: Paper Source

Bunting Banner: Target

Hand Letting: Drafts & Crafts

Bottle Piggy Bank: JoAnn Fabrics

Yellow & Gray Card Stock: Paper Source

This popcorn table was amazing! It was stocked with several popcorn flavors so you can season you own pop corn bag! It was a big hit with the guests, I would highly recommend this for a party favor idea.

Mini Blue Easels: Michael’s

Hand Letting: Drafts & Crafts

How awesome are those cake pops that Beth made?? We had a blast putting together the baby shower and everyone was so helpful! Pride and Allison had an awesome turn out and were showered with beautiful gifts! Do you have any favorite baby shower ideas??

Keep in touch,
Dani

October 14, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Black and cheetah are considered fall neutrals in my book! Add a high wasted belt to any cardigan for an instant pick-me-up.

photo credit: Lacy J Photography

{Cardigan: Loft} {Top: J. Crew Factory, similar}
{Jeans: J. Crew} {Booties: Sears}
{Belt: J. Crew} {Bag: Michael Kors}

Happy Hump day everyone! This post is a few days overdue, and quite honestly, I shouldn’t even be blogging right now because I have a thousand other things that I need to be working on! Creating a new blog post is one of my favorite evening activities, of course, only after enjoying dinner with my sweet husband. Lately, I have found myself a little stuck because I don’t want to get behind on posting, but I have a lot of other things going on (i.e house hunting and getting the right mortgage). My new job keeps me late twice a week and my Etsy shop has been keeping me crazy busy too!! My mom would probably tell me something’s gotta give and it is not worth stressing myself out, but its just hard because I am a perfectionist. I try my best to stay true to my 2 posts per week goal. Well, that won’t be happening this week and I am OK with that (or at least trying to be OK with that, breathe). This weekend I am headed to DC with my girlfriend for a very special baby shower!! So blog posts will just have to wait because spending time with friends and family is more important!

Ok, if you are still reading, I am sorry for the rant! I wanted to share this look because it is the easiest way to dress up that plain cardigan in everyone’s closet. I think every lady should own a cheetah belt, it goes with everything!! Not only does cheetah look great with solids and neutrals, but it also looks great with other patterns. Don’t be afraid to pattern play, you can pull it off! Cheetah looks great with plaids too! I bought this Loft cardigan a few weeks ago for $20. I desperately needed a new tan cardigan. It seems like I go through a tan cardigan every year since I always wear it to work. What is your favorite clothing item to belt?

Keep in touch,
Dani

October 6, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

With a high top knot, laid-back Sundays are my favorite day of the week. I can’t stop wearing this denim jacket!

{Dress: Target, similar and similar}
{Denim Jacket: Loft} {Shoes: Converse}
{Sunnies: Illesteva} {Necklace: Kendra Scott}
{Clutch: Target, similar}

We are finally getting cool mornings here in Jacksonville and I basically am living in this denim jacket. It is the perfect addition to any casual outfit, like this black and white striped dress! This dress is older from Target, but I linked two identical dresses that I love! You can never have enough black and white stripes! Can we talk top knots for a second, I am so glad that I gave this knot a try. This half up/half down bun is going to be my new go-to relaxed look.

I changed into this casual look after Church to enjoy a laid-back lunch and some Sunday football! I love rockin’ my converse with dresses, it is the genius combo of sporty and chic! Have you tried sneakers with dresses?? My Rocksbox gems have been on point lately, i.e this rose gold Kendra Scott beauty. I have enjoyed the majority of the pieces that I have received and am so happy with my monthly subscription. You can still try a month free on me with code: dccoldxoxo.

Special thank you to Lacy J Photography for capturing these photos. It is always such a pleasure working with local creatives and other lady bosses. Lacy is currently booking Fall photo seasons in the North Florida area, so be sure to update those family photos just in time for the holidays!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

October 3, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Last weekend we celebrated the hubs 28th birthday with our family and friends. Enjoy the details and some party ideas for a your next gathering! 

Now that my husband and I are in our late twenties (scary thought), we really like to try new restaurants, happy hour, or hang out at the house with friends. It is rare for us to be out late these days. When I asked Jason how he wanted to celebrate his birthday, he replied, “I just want to hang out with our friends at the house.” So naturally I wanted to put together some fun foods items and make sure Jason had a well-equipped party!

I am obsessed with all things mini, even mini food aka finger food. I know it sounds silly, but it is so easy to pick up a mini food item, walk around with it in hand, mingle, and still be able to eat it… Trifecta!! There are dozens of adorable & delicious small cup choices available via Pinterest. For Jason’s birthday party I made the following food:

1. Mini Grilled Cheese & Creamy Tomato Soup:
   I made one batch of this tomato soup from Martha Stewart. This soup was the bees knees, I think everyone enjoyed the creamy goodness! The homemade soup recipe was much easier than I expected!
2. Mini Meatballs:
   Trader Joe’s has some of the best food for entertaining!! Trader Joe’s has samples everyday so I am always getting new ideas each time I venture in there. These frozen meatballs are called “Mini Party Meatballs.” After baking them for 25 minutes, I toss them in Trader Joe’s Sweet and Spicy Sauce. Poke a tooth pick into each meatball and you got the perfect finger food platter!
3. Mini Veggie Dip Cups:
   This simple concept is an instant game changer. Scoop a spoonful of veggie dip into the bottom of individual cups. I finished off the cups by placing a few celery sticks, carrot sticks, and cherry tomatoes on skewers into the cups. The cups that I used are from the dollar tree. They come 5 per pack and are rather durable!
4. Mini Mac & Cheese Bites:
   Let’s face it, when you are throwing a party not everything can be homemade. There is just not enough time in the day!! These are also a frozen selection (guilty!) from Trader Joe’s, Mac and Cheese Bites. They come 9 in a pack and you bake them for 10 minutes. Pick up a few packs of these and you have a scrumptious appetizer! 
   

“The bite bar” was a big hit!! Try any of these items as an appetizer at your next dinner party, baby shower, or bridal shower. Next time I want to try mini chicken and waffles bites and mini shrimp and grit cups. Have you tried any awesome finger foods lately or have any mini cup ideas??

Keep in touch,
Dani

September 29, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

My love for fringe is not new, but it is definetly heightened during the fall. This cozy cable sweater lined with fringe is on sale and is a must!

{Sweater: J. Crew} {Metallic Flats: J. Crew}
{Jeans: J. Crew, similar sale} {Purse: Kate Spade, similar}
{Bracelet: Jenny Bird via Rocksbox}

I go on a fringe binge in the fall. I want fringe sweaters, fringe shoes, and fringe bags!! There is just something about the edgy, yet feminine touch of fringe for the fall season. If you follow me on insta (@dccold), then you know that I am slightly obsessed with my metallic fringe/tassel flats that are also from J. Crew. I could live in these shiny ponies, they are an instant outfit maker.I purchased this blush sweater a few weeks ago when it was newly released and on sale. Well the good news is… it is still on sale!

A cable sweater is really a timeless look for fall and winter. I would love to own this sweater in the antique white color too. I took this baby for a spin to my husband’s birthday dinner at our favorite gastropub with family and friends (Kickbacks in Riverside). An adorable sweater is the perfect pick for any casual occasion or relaxed outing!! What is your go-to sweater this season? Hopefully you are having nicer sweater weather than we are in this humid Florida heat.

Keep in touch,
Dani

September 23, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Welcoming fall with open arms and open mouths… if your a pumpkin fan like me, you have to try these pumpkin spiced pancakes!

{Time} 30 mins
{Amount} 12 small sized pancakes

{Ingredients}

• 1 can pumpkin pure
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 2 cups flour
• 4 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1. Mix all of the wet ingredients in large mixing bowl: pumpkin pure, milk, egg, and veg oil. Beat these ingredients together well.
2. Add the dry ingredients to the mixture: flour, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and spices. Mix until blended and mostly smooth.
3. Eat a skillet pan or griddle over medium heat. I recommend coated the pan with some light butter, it will taste much better than pam.
4. Pour about 3 inch circles of the pancake mix on the pan. Gently flip each pancake, cooking them for about a minute on each side. Watch carefully that they do not burn! Enjoy!!

I could not think of a better way to say HELLO to fall than with some pumpkin pancakes. You may be thinking how basic, but it’s like my muscle memory knows it’s officially fall when pumpkin is on the palate!! You know when you eat something and it feels like a certain season, well, that is pumpkin spice and fall to this basic B over here!! This recipe is so so simple and is a fun way to spice up pancakes. I made my husband these pancakes to try and while he may not be the biggest pumpkin fan, he still thought they were yummy! Score for me!

I hope everyone has had their first PSL of the season and is off to a wonderful start to FALL!!!

Keep in touch,
Dani