Archives for March 2015

No Bake: Chocolate + PB Robin Egg Nests

March 31, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Tried this adorable 4-ingredient Easter treat for the first time, not only are they delicious but they are also a lot of fun to make!

In honor of my ride or die bestie, Marj, coming into town this weekend from NYC, I had to test out a sweet treat for Easter! After you see the ingredients, you may be thinking- WHAT?? These cookie-type creations are made out of chow mein noodles?? Yes, indeed! I thought the same thing, “that is so weird,” but sometimes weird is good.. and in this case weird is DELICIOUS! My husband agreed, they taste like a chocolate wafer cookie with a hint of PB. So do not knock them until you try making these bad boys for yourself!

Anytime I hear of a “no bake” recipe, I am all over that. This is a great recipe for children, let them get messy and create their own robin nest! These treats call for 4 simple ingredients and you can change it up to your liking. I used Reese’s pieces because we love peanut butter in my house. However, you could use any type of “chip” that melt: white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or mint chocolate chips.

{Time} 30 minutes
{Serves} 12-14 cupcake sized cookies

{Ingredients}

12 oz bag chocolate chips (dark or milk)
10 oz bag Reese’s peanut butter chips
12 oz. bag chow mein noodles
1 bag mini or large Robin Eggs
Cupcake trays to make the molding easy
Cupcake liners are optional- these ones are from Sur la Table

{Steps}
1. Grease a cupcake pan well- I just used Pam baking spray.

2. Melt chocolate chips and Reese’s chips in a microwave safe bowl for 2 minutes or until melted. Stir chips until fully blended and smooth.

3. Pour in the noodles and mix until the noodles are coated in chocolate.

4. Use you spoon to scoop mix into each cupcake slot. Then with your spoon or hands gently mold the cupcakes to look like nests. Be careful because the chocolate will be hot!!

5. Place cupcake tray in the refridgerator for about 30 minutes to get the cookies firm and cold. Take a butter knife and gently scoot the knife around the cookie to help pop them out. I was a little worried, but mine came out really easy!

I decided not to store mine in the fridge because my house is cool. In Florida, I would probably store them in the fridge and leave them out few a few minutes before eating.

Enjoy your robin nests! Stay tuned for one more quick recipe for Easter brunch!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Leopard Midi Dress

Uncategorized

March 30, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

And it continues, I am swooning over anything ‘midi.’ Obsessed with this blue-tone water brushed leopard midi. Here are the details of what I am wearing to the next spring wedding..

{Animal print dress: Asos -I ordered petite} {Purse: Zac Posen, & here}
{Shoes: Sole Society, similar}
{Bracelets: Hermes and Bourbon & Boewties}
{Gold Marbled Ring: Pink Peonies Collection}

I am very much in a spring time mindset now.. so if anyone has mother nature’s cell, please “text” her and let her know that she can stop with this cold, Virginia spring!! Good thing I bought this dress to attend a spring wedding in Florida. Jason and I are going back to Florida for another wedding in a couple of weeks, but I could not wait until then to share this blue-tone leopard outfit. This dress is on point, I absolutely love the shape of it!! The material is awesome, has a slight stretch and is light enough weight for the warm days that are to come (fingers crossed). I believe it would look great on many body types too! P.S it is also on sale!

Is everyone getting ready for Easter this weekend?? I plan to share a few quick-quick recipes this week for an Easter brunch.. yes, 2 quicks were necessary to get my point across!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Outdoor Spring Activity Bucket List

Uncategorized

March 26, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Spring has finally sprung and we are starting to get some “warmer” weather here in Virginia. Here is my outdoor bucket list for Spring 2015!

I apologize for being a little MIA, my best friend got married last weekend in Florida.. it was beautiful weekend!! Then from FL, I headed straight to a work conference in Abingdon, VA.. a nice 5.5 hour drive! At last, I am back home and getting settled. Lots of laundry and catching up on blogging to do, stay tuned please!!

“No winter lasts forever.” Amen to that!!! No, I actually love winter, but towards the end of winter I do look forward to spring. What is there not to love about springtime.. warmer weather, blooming flowers, grass is getting green, and seasonal allergies… Ok, so maybe there is one thing I do not care for during spring, my severe allergies. However, this does not stop my love for being outdoors! Sunshine and flowers trumps sneezing any day! Check out my outdoor bucket list that I would like to complete by the end of spring, which is like mid June, believe it or not.

1. Biking & Hiking Trails- I am fortunate to live in an area where there are so many beautiful parks and trails. My husband and I love to drive a little west of DC and go mountain biking for the day! I can’t wait to throw the bikes on the back of the car and head out for an adventure! I also want to do more hiking this spring, but my husband’s prefers the adrenaline of biking.. so it is going to take some convincing! Here are some tools to help you find parks in your state: U.S National Park Service and America State Parks. These websites are great because they let you know all of the features/amenities (i.e trails and facilites) at each park.

2. Arts & Farmers Market- Handmade goods and fresh produce, need I say more?? This is a great activity to do with the whole family and a bonus.. initially it is free! You are not usually charged to get into a market, only if you want to buy items. Again, we are spoiled because each city in Northern Virginia has a farmers market. Falls Church Farmer’s Market is my favorite local market, it is the best that I have been to around. I would recommend looking on your city or county website to see what markets or festivals are in your area.

3. Easter Egg Hunt- Although I do not have children of my own yet, you are never too old for a Easter Egg Hunt, am I right? I will have to borrow some of my friend’s children to hold an Easter Egg Hunt! There is nothing like running around green grass searching for those bright-colored eggs!!

4. Strawberry Picking & Jam Makin’- This is an activity I did not get to partake last year. Jason and I went apple picking in the Fall, we had a blast!! Before it gets too hot outside, I want to go strawberry picking! Also, I think it would be so much fun to preserve some strawberries or make some jam! Here is a recipe for Strawberry Jam from the Ball website.

5. Outside Brunch- Call me basic, but oh how I like a good brunch!! I can’t wait to take on the streets of DC with some amazing outdoor brunches!! If you live in DC, NYC, or Chicago or will be vacactioning in any of these lovely places, I recommend searching for brunch spots on Bitches Who Brunch. Through this fabulous website you can search by taste, price, day of the week, outdoor patios, and bottomless sip selection, GENIUS!

6. Backyard Games- I enjoy a good game of corn hole or shuffle board… with a cold beverage in hand, of course. Pictured below was the corn hole game from our wedding, refer to wedding recap post to find out where you can order your own inexpensive set! Backyard games and a BBQ sound like the perfect hangout with friends since the weather is warming up. In my opinion, corn hole is great activity for any spring gathering!

May you enjoy the fresh start to a new season! What is on your bucket list? Do share!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Vanilla Amaretto Lucky Charm Cupcakes with Bailey’s Irish Cream Frosting

Kitchen

March 14, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

If you are feeling lucky this St. Patty’s Day, then you should try these cupcakes!! How can you go wrong with Amaretto and Bailey’s Irish Cream are in cupcakes??

{Makes} 24 cupcakes cakes

{Time} 1.5 in total (prep, bake, frost, top)

{Ingredients}

Betty Crocker French Vanilla Cake Mix (only using 3/4 of the mix)
3 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 Amaretto (optional- if you do not use amaretto, increase your vegetable oil to 1 cup)
2 cups Lucky Charms (then smash)
large ziplock bag

{Frosting}

Mixer
1 stick softened butter
3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup Bailey’s Irish Cream
Top frosted Cupcakes with Lucky Charms

{Steps}

1. Preheat oven to 350. Line the cupcake tray with cupcake liners and set aside.

2. Measure two cups of Lucky Charms and pour inside a large ziplock bag. Then use a kitchen utensil, like a spatula, to crush the Lucky Charms into a powder. Try to get it as powder-like as possible

3. Combine 3/4 of the cake mix, 3 eggs, 3/4 cup oil, 1/2 cup Amaretto, and crushed Lucky Charms in a large mixing bowl. Stir all of the ingrediants until batter is smooth.

4. Pour cake batter into the cupcake liners. Fill each liner 2/3 full to baking. Bake the cupcakes for 13 50 17 minutes. Keep an eye on them, check them with a butter knife to see if they are fully cooked. Let the cupcakes cool before frosting them.

5. While the cupcakes are baking and cooling, you can make the homemade frosting in the mixer. Combine 1 stick softened butter, 1/2 heavy cream, 1/2 cup Bailey’s Irish Cream. While slowly increasing the mixer speed to 8, slowly pour in 3 cups of powder sugar. Mix frosting for about a minute, until you see the frosting getting thicker, creating little peaks when stirred.

If the frosting is not getting thick, you can add a little more powered sugar, mix, and set the frosting in the freezer for 20 minutes. I put my frosting in the freezer for about 20 minutes to get it nice and firm before frosting each cupcake. Store these cupcakes in the fridge, they will be good for up to 5 days.

You had me at Lucky Charms and 2 liqueurs, am I right?! These cupcakes are oh-so-fun for St. Patty’s Day!! We know how the Irish like to drink, so these cupcakes will not disappoint! I love the trend of baking with our favorite childhood cereals, this one was a no-brainer! Lucky Charms was my ultimate treat as a child… probably because they are like all sugar, no wonder my parents did not want to buy these for my brother and I.

Happy St. Patty’s Day Everyone!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Windowpane

Closet, Uncategorized

March 8, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Windowpane is one of my favorite winter trends that I plan to wear well into spring. These two ‘matchy” pieces are ideal since they look awesome together and just as good when worn separately.. three outfits in one I tell ya!

{Windowpane Blouse: Loft} {Windowpane Skirt: Loft}
{Shoes: Nine West, similar} {Bag: Kate Spade}
{Necklace: Stella & Dot}

I call this look my feminine two piece suit.. I am obsessed. I totally dig pattern on pattern ensembles this season. I believe windowpane is a timeless look; it looks classy in all forms: blouses, skirts, dresses, and pants too. Loft currently has several amazing windowpane items AND they are all 40% tonight!! This blouse and skirt can be dressed up or dressed down, like I said, it is three outfits in one. I can not wait to style each piece by itself, stay tuned!

My quote from earlier this week, “The only pain I need in this life: Windowpane and Champagne!” Cheers to that!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

DIY Couch Arm Table

Cooler

March 4, 2015 by Drafts and Crafts

Having a long, narrow living room makes it difficult to have end tables next to the couch, my solution is this DIY couch arm table. Find the simple steps below!

{Materials Needed}

2”x6” lumber (aprox 1.5 feet)
Wood Screws (2.5”)
Paint or Wood Stain

{Tools Needed}

Wood Saw
Drill
Tape Measure
Carpenters Square
Sandpaper (180 Grit or Medium)

Step 1) Measure the arm of the sofa to see what length to cut your wood. My sofa arm was 6” thick and I had about 5” to the cushions.

Step 2) Mark the wood for the cuts. I decided that the two side pieces should be 4”, and the top piece would be 6” + the thickness of the two side pieces, so 6+1.5+1.5=9”.

To get the best cuts, use a carpenters square to make sure your lines are straight.

Step 3) Cut the wood. Be careful! I used a table saw, but a miter saw or handsaw will also work. Just be careful! Remember that the saw blade actually removes a small amount of wood, so as you measure make a note if you need to cut to the left, right, or directly on your mark.

After you cut, I would advise ‘test fitting’ the piece to the sofa before you continue.

Step 4) Sand the wood smooth. Make sure that there are no rough edges or corners that will scrape you or your sofa. This step creates a lot of dust, so you might want to do it outside!

Step 5) Mark and drill the holes for the screws. Measure the thickness of your side pieces (mine were 1.5”) and mark the top piece exactly at half of the thickness so your screws are centered. Pre drill the holes for the holes so you don’t split the wood. Once your holes are drilled, the screws will go in much easier. Make sure to drill the screws in enough that the ‘sink’ a little into the wood.

Step 6) Paint (or stain). I used a waterproof deck stain because I liked the color, it matches our DIY Rustic Coffee Table. To get a weathered look, rub the stain on in a thin coat with a paper towel or cotton cloth. Don’t add to much or you won’t be able to see the wood grain. If you rub on too much you may be able to rub a little off. Let the paint dry for 12 hours before placing it on your couch.

We have been enjoying our new arm table for about a week now. I think it is safe to say we are loving it!! My husband is no longer placing his morning cup of joe on the couch, which means I no longer have anxiety! If you are like us and do not have room for an end table to go right next your couch, I recommend this DIY. I saw this creation on Etsy around Christmas time and I have wanted to make it ever since. On Etsy some folks are selling them for 50-75 bucks.. this cost us around 20 dollars to make. Tip: there is a section at Home Depot called the Cull section, where you can find all different types of scrap wood. Good Luck!!

Keep in touch,
Dani & Jason