top 15 of 2015

Happy New Year, friends!

I thought I'd take a little trip down memory lane today...here are the top 15 posts from the past year.  They're such a mix...recipes, crafts, holiday projects...so fun!

Thank you all so much for reading + commenting + and following along with all of my little projects! xoxo

#15 diy Christmas cake toppers

: :click here: : for project

#14 diy chalkboard Easter eggs

: :click here: : for project

#13 diy 5 minute Christmas apron

: :click here: : for project

#12 diy cloth napkins from Ikea dish towels 

: :click here: : for project

#11 how to make a beautiful cheese board

: :click here: : for project

#10 diy Mother's Day donuts

: :click here: : for project

#9 American flag pie

: :click here: : for project

#8 diy pick up sticks

: :click here: : for project

#7 diy tulip bouquets

: :click here: : for project

#6 chocolate dipped bananas and diy magic shell

: :click here: : for project

#5 diy polka dot ring dishes

: :click here: : for project

#4 homemade pickles

: :click here: : for project

#3 diy grapefruit + mint soap

: : click here: : for project

#2 diy floral decoupage gift boxes

: :click here: : for project

and the #1 viewed project of 2015.....

chocolate pudding in diy edible chocolate bowls {and I can't blame you...they were delicious!!}

: :click here: : for project

Thanks again for reading!  Happy 2016!
xoxo

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recipe: easy 3 ingredient meatball party appetizer

My New Year's Eves look a lot different than they used to...instead of getting all dolled up and staying out all night, we opt for a quiet night in with our little family {and I'm not complaining!}

Even though we stay home, we still like to put on a bit of a party atmosphere, complete with confetti, noisemakers, and a full spread of yummy food.

One appetizer that is a crowd pleaser...all the way from my 1 year old up to my husband...is meatballs.  The best part is that they're a such a snap to make...you probably have the majority of the ingredients in your cupboard right now!

To prepare, you'll need:

jar grape jelly
bottle sweet BBQ sauce
2 bags Johnsonville fully cooked meatballs {because convenience is key!}
slow cooker or crock pot

Thoroughly combine jelly and BBQ sauce in small bowl.

Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray and add meatballs.

Pour jelly mixture over meatballs.

Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours.

Serve warm and enjoy!

Happy 2016, friends!

xoxo

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Johnsonville . The opinions and text are all mine. As always, thanks for reading!

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diy: gold leaf bottle stopper + moscow mule printable

It's barely December and already our weekends are packed from now until the end of the year.  Parties, open houses...so much fun!

I never like to show up empty handed...but I hate it when I have to stop at the store on the way over because I forgot to think ahead for a hostess gift.

Here's a gift that's pretty and functional and you can totally make a bunch ahead of time to have on hand for any holiday party invites!

You'll need:

plastic animal
gold leaf paint
cork
strong craft glue
satin ribbon

Start by painting your plastic animal with gold leaf paint.  Let dry completely.

Then glue the cork to the belly of the animal.  Let dry completely again.

If you'd like to add an extra festive touch {or just cover the gap of glue} tie a bit of ribbon around.

And if you'd like to up your gift even more special...nestle a couple of tiny copper mugs in with your stopper.

A favorite cocktail recipe would also be a fun addition.  Click here for the free printable.  Print on heavy cardstock, trim, and stick it in the box, glue it to the inner lid, or tie it atop with a bow!

Merry Christmas, friends!

xoxo

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recipe: candy cane crunch popcorn

Happy December 1st!

We're feeling festive {who am I kidding...we've been Christmasing for weeks!} and party popcorn {that I've shared before here and here and here} is one of our fave snacks.  I shared our festive Christmasy twist on the DIY Candy blog...get all the details right here.

Merry Christmas...only 24 more days!! :)
xoxo

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recipe: southwestern breakfast burritos for thanksgiving morning

Thanksgiving is right around the corner...eek!

Not sure I'm completely ready with a menu and table settings and dishes and centerpieces and dessert {why do I do this to myself??}...but I can say I've got Thanksgiving morning ready to go.

So before we start our busy day of 5k turkey trots and football games in the park and watching the Macy's parade, our family needs a good...but low maintenance!...breakfast to get us through til the big meal.  One of my favorite go-tos is breakfast burritos.

They're quick.
They're easy.
They're crowd pleasers.

Any food that all six of us can agree on...winner!

To make them, you'll need:

1 package Johnsonville Naturals Breakfast Sausage

1 package refrigerated "southwestern" hashbrown potatoes
6-8 eggs {I hate leaving just an egg or two in the fridge, so I'm not exact...I use what I have.  I also sometimes use a carton of egg whites if I have one}
2-3 cups Monterey Jack {or cheddar...or whatever you like best} cheese
Flour Tortillas

Salsa {optional}

Sour cream {optional}

Start by browning the sausage in a cast iron skillet and draining any fat.

Whisk together eggs and cheese in a separate bowl.

Add potatoes to sausage in skillet and brown.

Pour the egg mixture over the sausage and potatoes.  Scramble the eggs, being careful not to 

While everything is cooking, warm up some tortillas in the microwave {15-20 seconds, or whatever the package says}.

When the eggs are finished cooking, scoop a bit into each tortilla and fold each tightly.  Then I like to wrap them in foil like little swaddled baby burritos.

I crack myself up.

But it does make keeping extras in the fridge a lot easier. :)

Johnsonville Naturals provide a clean and simple label and do not contain artificial ingredients, flavors, colors or preservatives. The line focuses on high quality, natural ingredients, such as premium cuts of meat and flavorful spices to deliver great taste people expect from America’s leading sausage brand.  

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!  I can't believe it's this time of year already!!

xoxo

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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Johnsonville. The opinions and text are all mine.

sunday bakes

In an effort to make a few more family memories...and to just slow down and enjoy our tiny bit of time together between all the go go go, I'm adopting Melanie's idea of making a different dessert each Sunday.

Today was brown butter chocolate chip cookies from Joy the Baker.  Am I the last person on the internet to have tried brown butter??

I won't confess how many I've eaten already.

Of course I still love these chocolate chip cookies and Meg's definitely get two thumbs up.  But now I have an excuse to work my way through all those desserts I've pinned. ;)

xoxo

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putting together a beautiful cheese board

Every so often a few of the other moms on our block get together for drinks and to catch up with one another kid free.

I keep seeing lovely cheese boards popping up across my social media, so I thought it would be the perfect chance to try one myself.

So after researching and studying so many pretty ones on pinterest, I gave it a shot.

Beautiful and delicious.  One of my favorite combos.

I got the majority of my ingredients at Trader Joe's and our local grocery store.  My sweet and savory mix went a little something like this...

Brie, goat cheese, blue cheese

Crackers, breadsticks, pretzel loaf

Marinated artichokes, spicy olive mix, kalamata olives

Grapes, cherries, apples, figs

Salamis 

Dried cantaloupe slices, dark chocolate blueberries

tray: Walmart

bowls: Anthropologie

spreaders: Bloomingdales

unbleached parchment: Amazon

I'm officially hooked on making these now...cheese boards forever!!

xoxo

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recipe: cupcake ice cream without an ice cream maker

Today on DIY Candy I'm sharing a no-churn ice cream recipe...because it's a million degrees outside but I can't cram an ice cream maker into my kitchen cabinets.  Ha!

Find the full post and recipe right here.

ps.  I've shared other flavors of ice cream that don't require an ice cream maker before...

recipe for mint chocolate chip ice cream here

recipe for peppermint ice cream here

xoxo

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chocolate dipped bananas + homemade magic shell

Remember eating chocolate covered bananas as a kid??  

We threw a birthday party for our two youngest over the weekend and I made these for the dessert table.  They were a hit and so easy to make too!

I started by prepping the night before...I cut the bananas in half, skewered them with a thin popsicle stick {found here}, and then put them in the freezer overnight on a cookie sheet.  

To make the chocolate shell, you'll need:

about 8 oz dark chocolate and 8 oz milk chocolate {I used an 8 oz bar of each}

about 2 tbsp coconut oil

Melt the chocolate {I did it in the microwave in about 45 sec}, stirring until smooth, and then stir in the coconut oil.  

Working quickly, dip the bananas {or anything else!} and coat with toppings...I used sprinkles and coconut flakes.  Place them on a parchment lined cookie sheet to harden.  

They're as pretty as they are delicious!

xoxo

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july 4th + an american flag pie

Happy birthday America!  I baked you a pie!

Store bought crust and jarred filling...couldn't have been easier.  Enjoy your holiday weekend, friends!  Please be safe.

xoxo

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diy: chocolate pudding cups

For the longest time I've wanted to make chocolate shells as cups for some kind of dessert, but I just never got around to it. 

I mean.  A bowl made of chocolate.  Duh.  Sign me up.  

These little treats are actually pretty easy to make.

You'll need:

chocolate almond bark or candy melts
water balloons

Following the package instructions, melt the chocolate in a deep vessel {I used a glass measuring cup in the microwave} and inflate the water balloons.

After allowing the chocolate to cool for several minutes, start dipping the balloons.  I went about a third of the way up on each balloon, but their slightly uneveness kind of adds to their charm.

Set the balloons on a wax paper lined baking sheet to harden.  If you're in a rush, put the baking sheet in the fridge to speed things up.

Inevitably some of the balloons will pop, so wear an apron to catch the chocolate spatters!

After the chocolate has hardened, pop the balloons with a pin and carefully pull them away from the chocolate shells.  

Then time to fill the chocolate bowls!

I filled these with Kozy Shack chocolate pudding and a bit of whipped cream.  We love Kozy Shack for its simple ingredients like milk, eggs, sugar and that it's made with real cocoa.

If you've never made your own whipped cream, it's super easy too...start by chilling a bowl {metal if you have it} and the beaters of your mixer in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.  Then combine 8 oz heavy cream, about 1/4 cup of sugar, and a splash of vanilla in the bowl and beat it until stiff peaks form.  

I threw some sprinkles {of course} on top on each pudding cup, but berries or crumbled wafers or pretzels or cookies...or pretty much anything...would work great!

Kozy Shack is also hosting giveaways all summer long across their social media!

Find them on facebook here.

Find them on instagram here.

Keep up with it all with the hashtag #summerofpudding on both twitter and instagram.

xoxo

 

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