pumpkin pie protein shake

This is the most delicious shake that I have had in a while! I have been on a protein shake kick trying to get this body ready for all of the holiday grubbing that is likely to occur in the upcoming months. One of my favorite things about the holidays are those yummy drinks that pop up at Starbucks and Coffee Bean. Yes, those sugary, caramely, and spicy concoctions that call for an extra workout if you choose to indulge.  But why do that to ourselves? Instead make this healthy version that adds fiber and protein to your day. . .

1 cup coconut milk or almond milk // 4oz pumpkin puree // 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice // 1 tblsp raw pecans // 2 scoops vanilla protein powder // 1 scoop fiber // ice

ENJOY!! XOXO

pumpkins. parties. paper

Along with drawing and playing with chalk, a new found love of mine is creating one of a kind invitations! My darling nephew is turning one and my sis is turning the backyard into a pumpkin patch. We are working on the details as we speak and can't wait to share!! Here is a look at the invitations that I hand drew and illustrated for it. . .

smitten

Hey there! If you haven't checked out our little Etsy shop please stop by and say hello! We have some new little gems and fun trinkets for you and your fabulous home. We are always hunting for treasures so if you are looking for something specific, let us know and we will keep our eyes peeled through out our travels! Here is a sneak peek at a few pieces that we are smitten with. . .

Click HERE to check out the rest!!

XOXO

DIY navajo sweater jacket

Last weekend I was cleaning out my closet and found this army jacket that I had bought at the Salvation Army a year ago. I was on the fence about keeping it since I hadn't worn it in a while and am trying to make room for new stuff! Something about it made it hard to get rid of, in the back of my mind I knew that I would want it if I got rid of it. We all have those moments when you go on a cleaning spree and then think to yourself, damn I wish I had that piece still. So I slung it over my desk chair and decided that I would just figure it out later. Yesterday the idea came to me when I saw this beautiful navajo sweater jacket at Anthro that I wanted with my whole heart the minute that I pulled it from the shipment box. I clung to it as if it were my childhood blanket! The price though is not so heart warming {especially with preschool starting and holiday budgeting beginning} But then I remembered that little diamond in the ruff that still needed a home. I ran out to the Goodwill and found a navajo print sweater and grabbed my scissors. A new baby was born. . .

DIY home made birthday gift

One of my favorite things to do is to give gifts!! No matter what the occasion, making something special for someone you love is the best feeling on earth. I am so blessed to have an amazing group of friends in my life and this past weekend I delivered a very special birthday gift to my friend Katie. She has a beautiful family and our dear friend Kelly of wild {whim} photography took this gorgeous picture of them. I had an idea! Off to Michaels I went to buy a sliver of wood to transfer the picture onto! I hammered a little picture hanger to the back for easy installation, and there you have it! A unique, one of a kind gift made from the heart. For the full tutorial,  check out our post here. 

 I have told you before it is all in the packaging for me, it's like icing on a cake.  Every gift needs the perfect topping. For the family portrait I knew that I wanted to make a sweet little bag to wrap it in, so I got out my sewing machine and got to stitching. The end result was exactly what I wanted. . . gift wrap as well as an extra little gift that can be reused again and again! It's easy as pie. . .

 Supplies: your gift, fun fabric, scissors, silk ribbon, sewing machine

STEP 1: cut your fabric to size. I like to keep the fold at the bottom to eliminate a seam!

 STEP 2: Lay your fabric with the right side on the table. Fold over each of the 2 long ends to about 1 or 1-1/2 inches and make a crease. You can pin these if you’d like and remove the pins as you sew, or you can simply watch the line and keep it folded on the crease as you sew. Sew on the cut edge of the fabric, creating a pocket  for where your string will go. Sew both sides. 

STEP 3: Once both sides are sew with their folds, fold the fabric in half with the right side in. You’ll now want to sew up the 2 sides of the fabric in just one straight line. But DON’T sew over the holes of the folded edge part you just sewed. STOP before you get across these. You need these both open to get your string through.

STEP 4: Turn your bag to the right side out. You should have 4 sewn lines – 

2 folded over sewn lines for the string and 2 sewn lines to make the bag.

 STEP 5: Cut your ribbon, about 2-3 feet, depending on how large your bag is, 

and attach a safety pin to it.

STEP 6: With your safety pin as a guide, thread your string through the holes in the bag. Go through one side and continue on to the other side. Take off the safety pin and tie the two ends together.

Now you can cinch up your bag and it’s ready for some fun treasures!

With my little drawstring bag complete, I stuffed my heart felt gift inside and 

hand delivered the package.

XOXO

Laura

home made peppermint patties

Yes, these are what you think they are! Homemade peppermint patties, ahhhhh my life is complete. A few years back I went through a major Yorke phase where I would buy the large patties and break off a little piece like every hour, just to make sure that I could enjoy a little taste of heaven all day long! Wow, that kind of sounds crazy looking back? Oh well. When I came across this recipe I knew I had to try it! Pretty simple and incredibly successful, you will blow people's minds with these. . .

 

Make sure to grab a little helper if you have one :)

Delicious peppermint filling is inside of this cute little package!

Don's place your patties on a cooling rack like I did! I don't know what I was thinking?! When I went to pick them up their bottoms stuck to the rack. No good! I ended up re-dunking them in chocolate to cover up that little mistake. . .

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons light corn syrup
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 tablespoon vegetable shortening
8 ounces 70% cacao bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup peppermint candies, crushed

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat 2 1/4 cups of confectioners sugar together with corn syrup, water, peppermint extract and vegetable shortening until just combined.  The mixture will be very crumbly.  Dust a work surface with remaining 1/4 cup of confectioners sugar.  Empty contents of bowl onto work surface and knead until smooth (this will take a few minutes).  Shape dough into a log, about 2 inches by 8 inches long.  Wrap tightly in parchment paper and freeze until very firm, about 20 minutes.

Remove dough and slice into rounds using a sharp knife.  Place rounds onto a parchment lined cookie sheet and freeze again until firm, for at least 15 minutes.

While dough is chilling, melt chocolate in a microwave safe bowl in 30 second intervals.  Cool slightly.  Chocolate should be warm but not so hot that you cannot put your finger into it. 

Cover another baking sheet with parchment paper.  Remove patties from freezer one at a time and submerge into melted chocolate (we just used our hands).  Coat quickly and allow excess chocolate to drip off.  Place on parchment paper lined pan and sprinkle with crushed candies. Repeat, covering all patties with chocolate and candy.

Let patties stand until chocolate is set, about 1 hour.  Store in fridge, between wax paper in an airtight container.  Bring to room temperature before serving.

recipe by: blue eyed bakers

DIY mini terrariums // creative connections event

This past Friday night I helped host a wonderful event for a really cool group called 

CREATIVE CONNECTIONS at Anthropologie. They are a fabulous group of female creatives  who meet each month for inspiration & socializing. They network, learn from each other, and make new friends in the creative field! They also get to make those face-to-face connections with ladies that they tweet with, blog with, facebook stalk, and work near! I headed the DIY station of course, and got to meet a ton of talented young women with creative minds, in fields that I dream to one day be part of.  It was a lot of fun to teach a little craft that can be used in SO many ways. We made tiny terrariums inside of our glassware, tea cups, and bowls. These cute little trinkets make perfect teacher gifts, party favors, thank you gifts, centerpieces, and would look incredibly darling in the cup holder of your car! All you need is some gravel, a little soil, and a baby succulent. Find a container in your kitchen and layer away. . . it's that simple! Oh, and I served homemade peppermint patties and take five bark for the DIYers. . . stay tuned for recipes!

XOXO 

Laura

labor day traditions

We like to look at Labor Day as a kick off to fall!! The air starts to get crisp, the beautiful fall colors start to pop up in the leaves, and the holidays are right around the corner!! These thoughts make us over the moon excited. Not to mention all of the cozy clothes and blankets that come out of hiding and take center stage. We wanted to share with you a few of our favorite things to do on Labor Day!!

 Host a bohemian dinner party for our friends and family

 Cool off with homemade rainbow snow cones. 

Let's be honest it is still 90 degrees here in Southern California!

 Take a few minutes to hike around the mountains and collect flowers to fill all of 

our empty vintage vases on our tables.

 Yes, even though it is Labor Day, we still like to squeeze in a little catch up work on our day off!!

 Throw on a flowing dress + leather hat. Enjoy a walk with the family.

Lay in the grass, watch the clouds, and blow bubbles. 

Each bubble represents something or someone that we are thankful for!!

We hope that you are enjoying your Labor Day!!

photo credit: stay wild and free // 100 layer cake