Archives for June 2015

June 30, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

I usually bake items that are very sweet for holidays, like cupcakes or cake, but this year I wanted to make muffins for a change! Enjoy this recipe for homemade blueberry muffins!

{Amount} 15 muffins
{Time} 20 mins

{Ingredients}

• 2 cups of flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 cup of milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 cups fresh blueberries
• 1 stick of softened butter (I sit mine out an hour early)
• TOP WITH: pinch of sugar and nutmeg (need a tablespoon of each)

1. Preheat to 375 and line cupcake tray with cupcake liners or grease the cupcake pan so muffins do not stick.

2. Beat softened (not melted) butter, eggs, extracts, and sugar in a large mixing bowl.

3. Add baking powder and salt.

4. Slowly stir in the flour and milk. Can fold in half of each, and then fold in the other half.

5. Fold in blueberries and spoon dough into each cupcake liner to about 2/3’s full. Sprinkle each cupcake with sugar and nutmeg before baking!

6. Bake for 20 minutes and cool on a rack.

 

This post is going up a few days later than I would have liked to share it, but my husband and I have been busy moving across the country… well down the east coast!! We left Virginia to move to Jacksonville, Florida, where Jason and I met. I can’t wait for some new home DIY’s this summer!

With that being said, I have been wanting to make homemade muffins since spring since it is a great time of year for fresh fruit! I love me some blueberries!! I believe muffins would be an awesome goodie to bring to your 4th of July party, especially a backyard BBQ! My husband and I will be having a few friends (so grateful to be back by some of our closest friends) over to celebrate July 4th! What are your plans, what are you making?? Be sure to check out what I made for July 4th last year, you can do this by clicking on July 2014 on the right side bar on the home page of Drafts & Crafts!

Stay tuned because tomorrow I am launching a fabulous summer giveaway with the help of several other blogger babes!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

June 22, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Today I am cheers-ing to 1 year of blogging: all that I have learned, all of the people that I have met, and all of those who have continually supported me!! 

{Dress: Anthropologie} {Wedges: Ralph Lauren, similar}
{Pink Cake Pedestal: Crate & Barrel}
{Nail Polish: Butter Gold Monty}

Could not think of a better way to celebrate my one year of blogging than in my new Anthro dress. The window white pattern and drop-waist line feels very circa 1925. You know I needed a sweet treat to help celebrate… mini funfetti donuts from Dolcezza always do the job!

Wow what a big month it has been so far!! If you follow me on Instagram than you may have seen that Jason and I are moving back to Jacksonville, FL (where he is from) in ONE WEEK! We both are blessed to have new jobs waiting for us in Jacksonville and we can not wait to start the next chapter of our lives. This week represents the 1 year anniversary that I went public with my little blog, Drafts & Crafts!!

I hesitate to call it “1 year” because in the first few months of blogging I really did not know what I was doing. Today I now know that everyone has to start somewhere. Where I am today is much stronger than where I was a year ago. Blogging is like the best second job I could ever imagine. I really mean it when I say that my blog has brought great joy to my life. My husband adds that he loves working with me on certain features of Drafts & Crafts. Jason deserves a special “patience award” for working closely by my side. He has been nothing but supportive the past year. He is the person who shoots most of the photos you see on D & C so my blog would not exist without him!

I feel that I have grown tremendously as a person and as a blogger in the past year. I have learned to think outside of the box, step outside of my comfort zone, and to take chances. My favorite part about blogging is collaborating with talented women. We live in a time where social media is so powerful and I am thankful to meet other bloggers through it. I value all of the collaborations that I have had the opportunity to take part in and all of the local blogger friends that I have made! I love talking with other bloggers and getting to hear their experiences and what they have learned. Everyone brings something unique to the table in the blogging world and I just can’t get enough!

As you may know, the Etsy marketplace has been a huge part of my life as well. I have been selling hand-lettered designs for 8 months now. I love how I am able to not only share my lifestyle but also share my art work on social media. I look forward to continuing to grow my blog and my Etsy shop in the future.  I truly appreciate anyone and everyone who has taken the time to stop by Drafts & Crafts. It has been an epic adventure this past year that I can not wait to share more with you. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all my friends and family who have been encouraging and spread the word about D & C!!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

July 18, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Zucchini is one veggie that I actually enjoy eating so I have been dying to make zoodles! I am extremely happy with my new spiral cutter, here is a easy pesto dish for you to try.

{Serves} 4 people (cut in half for 2 people)
{Time} 35 mins

{Ingredients}

• 5 Zucchini 
• Spiral cutter or Julienne peeler
• 1 jar of Pesto Sauce (I used Trader Joe’s- so yummy!!)
• 6 oz. sun dried tomatoes
  
• pinch of garlic
• pinch of rosemary 
• salt and pepper to taste
• Recommend pairing:
  -Crab cake (Trader Joe’s)
  -Salmon
  -Cod
  -Chicken

1. Spiral the zucchini into noodles with a spiral cutter or julienne peeler. (There are several helpful YouTube videos that you can watch) I cut the very tip off the end of the zucchini that will go into the cutter. 

2. Heat the noodles in a large skillet over medium. Add pesto, sun dried tomatoes, and spices. Heat for 10 minutes or until noodles are hot. Pair with a light crab cake, fish, or chicken. 

I hate admitting this but I have to force myself to eat vegetables. Ever since I can remember, I put up a fight to eat veggies. I have come ALONG way since then though! I can truthfully say that I love broccoli, spinach, zucchini (squash), brussels sprouts, asparagus, and cucumbers. I try to find new recipes and ways to prepare vegetables. I try to use a lot of spices while avoiding too much fat like butter and oil because that defeats the purpose of eating healthy food. 

I have wanted to make zoodles for quite some time now. Thanks to Sur La Table my green dream came true!! I purchased the GEFU spiral cutter on sale for $20. For some reason it didn’t get the best reviews but I love mine! I don’t really plan to cut other veggies besides squash and carrots and for those items, it worked PERFECT! It is so easy to use, just like a pencil sharpener. I had no problems… if I can do it, you can do it! 🙂 

Please share any delicious zoodle recipe you may have!!

Keep in touch, 
Dani

June 15, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Off the shoulder is one of my favorite summer trends. This was a dress that I pinned and I was able to find it on Top Shop’s website. 

{Dress: Top Shop} {Sunnies: J. Crew x Illesteva}
{Sandals: Target on clearance!!} {Purse: Rebecca Minkoff}

I am really digging’ this off the shoulder swing dress. It also comes in petite, if you are in-between sizes like me, I would recommend purchasing the smaller size. It is so light, airy, and comfortable for summertime. I actually pinned it on Pinterest, than I saw it on Top Shop as I was perusing through casual dresses. I tend to look for verstaile pieces, items that can be either dressed up or dress down always get me!! I love this dress paired with my brown heel sandals and I plan to wear it with flat sandals too! I am going to be on the look out for an off the shoulder top. I found a gray one from Anthro that was adorable, but it sold out in my size in no time! What are your favorite summer trends?

Keep in touch,
Dani

June 10, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Summer is right around the corner and we believe you need to start the celebration with an ice cream social. Learn how to style an ice cream social that will give your friends something to write home about! 

Decor:
{Dani’s apron: Anthropologie} {Josie’s apron: Anthropologie}
{Glass ice cream cones: Anthropologie}
{Glass ice cream bowls: Anthropologie}
{Balloons: Anthropologie} {Tablecloth: Antique}
{Fruit container: Anthropologie} {Pillows: Crate & Barrel}
{Bunting banner: Target + DIY} {Cake Stand: H & M}

Dani:
{Top: Anthropologie} (Pants: J. Crew Factory}

Josie:
{Top: J. Crew} {Skirt: Anthropologie}

Ice Cream & Toppings:
Edy’s Vanilla Bean, Strawberry, and Mint Chocolate Chip
M&M’s
Chocolate chips
Stawberries
Assorted Sprinkles

Let me start by saying this post was TONS of fun to put together, I mean how can you go wrong with endless laughs and ice cream!! My fellow blogger bff, Josie of Josie in Color, and I both have an admiration for fashion, we are fellow foodies, and most importantly, we have a love for creating pretty things!! When we found out that we both owned these adorable glass ice creams cones from Anthropologie, we instantly agreed that with summer approaching we needed to throw an ice cream social!

An ice cream social will make the perfect backyard party this summer! It can be a festive and affordable gathering with your friends, family, or children. We thoughtfully planned out this collaboration for several weeks. Together we had many fun decorative pieces to bring to the table, literally. We had a vision to create a playful and whimsical ice cream social. Josie and I wanted our decor to be bright and full of color. I am just swooning over our finished tablescape!

When hosting an ice cream social, I would definitely recommend getting a variety of ice cream flavors so you guests can choose their favorite. We decided on three YUMMY Edy’s Ice Cream flavors with 4 different toppings. Some important tips & ideas to plan an ice cream party:

• gather some colorful decorations that will make your space pop, a bunting banner makes any space more festive!
• choose 3 flavors (Edy’s won’t disappoint!) and under 5 toppings
• serve a cold refreshment with bright paper straws
• design a chalkboard sign to highlight ice cream flavors
• set up your decor before you bring out the ice cream
• keep the ice cream on ice in a cooler or large bin so it does not melt in the summer heat
• set up some backyard games for entertainment, corn hole is my favorite!

Have other ideas for an ice cream social? Please share them with us!!

Keep in touch, 
Dani and Josie 

June 8, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Take a look at the breezy outfit that I wore while exploring the boardwalk during our trip to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. My favorite print by far this season is banana palm!

{Linen top: Ralph Lauren} {Shorts: Old Navy}
{Hat: J. Crew} {Bag: Kate Spade}
{Sunnies: J. Crew x Illesteva}
{Sandals: Loeffler Randall, similar & similar}

Happy Monday! Hope everyone is off to a good start this June! Can you believe summer is just a few weeks away?? Sorry I am a little late with this post, this is my last outfit from our Memorial Day weekend trip to Rehoboth Beach. Exploring the boardwalk consisted of: playing some arcades games, eating greasy food, shopping, and getting popcorn from Dolles which has been opened since 1910. Dolles’ CARMEL PECAN popcorn was delicious on this cool spring day! We could not have asked for better weather that weekend! If you ever get the chance, I would highly recommend visiting Rehoboth, it is such a well-kept boardwalk with so many charming shops and restaurants.

I am swooning over ANYTHING banana palm so these Old Navy shorts were a no brainer for me! I can never pass up anything that is under $30. This outfit will definitely be on repeat all summer long. I was so excited to bring these shorts on our Memorial Day weekend trip to Rehoboth Beach. You can not go wrong when paired with a breezy linen bottom down. These Loeffler Randall  sandals are everything! I got them last summer and I am still SO happy with them. I have linked two similar styles that I adore as well. You can also find me living in my new Illesteva sunnies and panama hat. What are your go-to summer accessories?

Keep in touch,
Dani