Friday Five

1. Please don't give me grief for starting Halloween posts early--skull decorations are always welcome in our house. 
2. Never give up on something that you can't go a day without thinking about.
3. Andrea D’Aquino blows my mind. 
4. Wants: Polka Dot Bike. Sorry, Ladybird.
5. You have as many hours in a day as Beyonce. 

Flapper Style

First of all, thank you so much for your kind responses to my last style post! I'm perfectly comfortable sharing things that I've made (the cookies, the DIY projects) but sharing myself has been a little more difficult to wrap my brain around. I mean, chubs, y'all. On the Internet. Blame the cookies. 

Okay, enough group therapy for now. Let's talk about this amazing dress! Flapper-inspired beaded gloriousness! I picked this dress up at TxSC, Lindsay actually picked it up first, but when she decided to put it back, it became mine. In all honesty, I was probably too euphoric--sorry Lindsay! and thanks! But, gah, how could you not be crazy about a dress like this?

With the multitude of sequins and beads, the dress itself is such a statement that it demands minimal accessorizing. I have a collection of vintage rhinestone pieces, and chose a necklace from it to bring a little focus to my face. Oh, and those Prabal for Target earrings? Best impulse purchase ever? 

Dress: TFNC London c/o Lulu's (sold out, but love this similar style) / Heels: Sam Edelman / Necklace: Vintage Rhinestone / Earrings: Prabal Gurung for Target

You're So Sharp (Back to School Gifts)

It's back to school time! I guess my fondness for back to school season started in sometimes in late 2010 (that is, after I earned my BA)--or about the time that I realized (thought) that back to school no longer held much relevance for me.

Boy, was a wrong. Shortly thereafter I became a step-parent, and started a job working in an elementary school. The school schedule rules of my life--even though the boys attend a year-round charter elementary, but that's another story for another day. With my mostly-normal scholastic calendar job, I'm the kind of loony that waits for back to school time as soon as the previous year adjourns, because I miss the kids. Seriously, they can attest the how many hugs I've been subjecting them to lately. Lots of hugs.

It's just because I love them so! I also love them enough to make them lots of presents. What better way to start out the new school year than with lots of pencils? How is it that kids never seem to have pencils? Seriously.

Supplies
   Pencils
   Printables (here and here)
   Tape (I used some patterned packing tape)

Instructions 

1. Print out the printables onto a color paper of your choice. Cut out the designs, and attach to the pencils. 
2. Give to kiddos! Or, alternatively, give to your teacher and school administration, because they need love too! 

Friday Five

1. Having an egg white cocktail moment lately.
2. The most amazing ice cream sandwich, ever?
3. "Shit could be worse"
4. I kind of wish that I didn't know that bacon pimento mac 'n cheese existed--because I'm never going to stop thinking about it now.
5. (at this point, I'm pretty sure this post has devolved into "my favorite guilty pleasures"--so, without further ado, HI CHER. It's okay, it's based on Austen) 

Southern Fashioned

It's Wednesday! We're half way through, what is possibly the longest week of my life, so I think it's a fair time to talk about the cocktail that I mentioned on Sunday. When working in the kitchen with alcohol, I find myself considering the ways in which I can use similar flavor profiles in drinks. I'm a closet cocktail fiend, y'all--I'm admitting it now. I'm not a mixologist, but I'd like to play one on TV in real life.

I'm particularly fond of the Old Fashioned (blame Don Draper), and have been for sometime. My guy friends know that I have special place in my heart from Jameson on the rocks (something I never seem to drink when out with girls? Does anyone else have these weird distinctions? No, just me? Okay), but for a cocktail I prefer Bulleit, which, luckily, I needed last week for Baked Sunday Mornings!

This cocktail is exactly what I want a cocktail to be in late summer. Delicious, local peaches, some bitters (LOVE), and bourbon. It's simple, not overly floral or feminine, and perfectly calming after a day of kitchen calamities.

Southern Fashioned Cocktail 

Ingredients 
   1/2 of one (juicy) peach, cubed
   1 teaspoon sugar or 1 small sugar cube
   1 or 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
   1 teaspoon water
   2 ounces rye or bourbon whiskey

Directions

1. Muddle the peach cubes along with the sugar, bitters, and water in a chilled Old Fashioned glass. Add the whiskey and ice; stir. Garnish with a peach slice.

Simple DIY Statement Necklace

Lately I've been finding myself in a number of situations where I really need some fly (and unique) jewels. Let's be honest, though, fly and unique jewels cost money, and sometimes money isn't growing on trees. In those moments, it pays to be creative (and to horde art supplies). 

I recently wore this necklace, and received so many compliments on it, that I just had to share the process with you all. You probably own everything that you need to make this project (at least, we did). 

I always love being able to say "thanks, I made it!" in response to compliments on my attire. Seriously, it might be my favorite thing to say.

Supplies
   Air-dry clay
   Toothpicks
   Nail polish
   String or embroidery floss

Instructions 

1. Form clay into desired shape. Rounds are easiest, in my opinion. While still wet, stick a toothpick through the shape to create a threading hole. Allow clay to dry.
2. Once clay is fully dry, apply a coat of polish. You could use acrylic paint, but I love the sheen that polish has. Allow to dry. Apply a second coat. Allow to dry.
3. String beads onto floss. Wear proudly.  

Baked Sunday Mornings: Whiskey Peach Upside-Down Cake

Sometimes I'm a cocky gal, and think that I can easily make anything with little difficulty. I guess I've been at this baking thing too long, because I don't always give my baking time it's due reverence. Slap a cake together on an afternoon work break? Sure, why not? 

...because that kind of thinking can be horribly counterproductive, that's why. This cake was fraught with all kind of mishaps for me, yet it turned out so deliciously, I don't even care. I--against the advice of the Baked guys--over-filled my pie plate, and there was a large amount of cursing (and a few explicative-filled text messages) as caramel coated the bottom of my oven. Caramel is much more delicious on cakes than the bottom of my oven, but c'est la vie. 

All mishaps aside (including the one that caused me to spill Bulleit all over my kitchen counter, and make my house smell like a bar) this cake was fabulous. Bourbon caramel, unsurprisingly, is probably my new favorite thing. I didn't top this cake with anything additional, I felt there were more than enough flavor components as it was, but my husband enjoyed a slice à la mode, and loved it.

PS: This cake inspired a new cocktail recipe that will be posted later this week! Keep an eye out!

Friday Five

1. Constellation coasters: WANT 
2. ...we can set glasses full of St. Germain Sangria on them!
3. Yum.
4. I could probably live in this bar. 
5. This DIY dinosaur serving dish might just be my favorite thing. ever. 

Badass Birthday Cupcakes

I've long been a fan of making cupcakes for the birthdays of loved ones (and for the unbirthdays of loved ones, and of strangers, and because of Tuesdays). A fair number of recipes that I now consider part of my repertoire have come into my life because of such occasions--Hummingbird cupcakes most notably among them. Yet, last week I found myself facing another birthday (a double at that!) and without a perfectly kiddo-pleasing vanilla cupcake recipe in hand. 

Third graders aren't the most discriminating bunch of critics I've ever encountered, but, hey, I'm a lady with standards. They may be obnoxiously high sometimes, but they exist. They dictate that I make everything from scratch, that I try to find recipes that sound delicious, and, apparently, that I spend two days in Texas summer making skull-shaped candies for a school birthday party. 

Luckily, this often works out in my favorite because: (1) Baking from scratch is the best, (2) This cupcake recipe kind of rules, (3) Kids love skulls and candy. 

Birthday Vanilla Cupcakes 

adapted from The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook
Makes about 24 cupcakes

Ingredients 
   1 3/4 cups plain flour
   1 1/3 cups caster sugar
   3 tsp baking powder
   a pinch of salt
   1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
   1 cup whole milk
   2 eggs
   1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. 
2. Put the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and butter in a freestanding electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or use a handheld electric whisk) and beat on slow speed until you get a sandy consistency and everything is combined. Gradually pour in half the milk and beat until the milk is just incorporated.
3. Whisk the egg, vanilla extract and remaining milk together in a separate bowl for a few seconds, then pour into the flour mixture and continue beating until just incorporated (scrape any unmixed ingredients from the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula). Continue mixing for a couple more minutes until the mixture is smooth. Do not overmix.
4. Spoon the mixture into the paper cases until two-thirds full and bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until light golden and the sponge bounces back when touched.
5. A skewer inserted in the centre should come out clean. Leave the cupcakes to cool slightly in the tray before turning out onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
6. When the cupcakes are cold, decorate with frosting (candy skulls optional). I used the Wilton Buttercream Frosting, but I didn't care for it. Candy skulls were made using Wilton candy melts. 

Herbal Epsom Salts

Can we give this post a subtitle of "treat yo self"? I'd really like to be able to do that. It's my blog, so we'll do just that.

Summer is still going strong here in Central Texas, which means lots of evening bike adventures and days spent at the pool. All of that adventuring can take a turn for the exhausting on your body (a day at a giant waterpark has me currently wiped out). You should do something nice for you.

What better way to use the abundance of seasonal herbs than to treat yo self (or someone else) to an evening of relaxation? I chose rosemary and tarragon for this salt soak because of their delicious scents, and because they are both known to invigorate the body--something I desperately need as of late!

Supplies
   Epsom salts
   Fresh herbs (I used rosemary and tarragon)
   Baking soda




Instructions 

1. Mince herbs. Add to epsom salts. Allow to sit for at least 24 hours to allow the oils to soak into the salts. 
2. Easiest DIY ever? 

Friday Five

1. These celebratory banners are ah.may.zing. Let's get them for everything. 
2. This is my dream house. Look no further, this is it. 
3. I'm going to start quilting. I am going to start quilting. 
4. ...if I actually wanted to know how hot it is in Central Texas, I'd love to use this thermometer to figure it out.  
5. Since it's 900 degrees outside, let's drink this delicious-sounding tea! 

August 8th

It's a very special day today! The boys are turning 8 (on August 8th! Golden birthday win!) We're celebrating with cupcakes at school and a weekend at the waterpark!

Have I mentioned lately how studly/ridiculous/ridiculously studly these guys are? 

Full-On Texas

This weekend at TxSC, the keynote address was given by blog idols Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman of A Beautiful Mess. They're basically the coolest girls in [blog] school, and everyone knows it. I'm a pretty big fan of the variety of their posts--is there anything those girls can't do, and can't do well?

The message of the weekend (as emphasized by the keynote address) was that you should really try new things in your online life. Elise Larson told me try everything I want to try, at least once. So here's a fashion post. I fully love fashion, but I don't fully love my looks as of late, so posting these pictures is a huge stretch of self confidence for me.

...but I love this structured chambray dress/these booties/this belt and I miss my temporary tattoos! I'm pretty sure that my fashion shoot styling needs some work. I took these photos upon returning home from the final day of the conference. Actually, I shamefully asked my husband to take them; lucky for me, he's the sweetest. 

I [not so] jokingly described this look as "full-on Texas" to my new blogger ladyfriends. They keynote speakers complimented the dress, so, you know, that happened. 

Dress: Leifsdottir / Belt: thrifted / Boots: Report / Temporary Tattoo: c/o Tattly / Necklace: H&M / Bike Earrings and Midi Rings: c/o Ruche

Embroidery Work (Lately)

I'm still trying to decompress from the whirlwind that was Texas Style Council. It was incredible, inspiring, and moderately terrifying. I'm still taking notes in my brain constantly. I realized while I was attending the conference that I haven't shared any of my current embroidery project on the blog. Let's fix that right now. 

All pieces available on Etsy (click through for details)

Friday Five

1. I want to drink all of these Orange & Sage and Lemon & Lavender Vodka Tonic cocktails 
2. The Ultimate Lemon Tart--that's a tall order, but I'm game to try! 
3. ...everything here is perfect. 
4. Baby Greek Salads from Martha. Yum! 
5. My inner librarian always gets stressed out by the idea of color-organizing books, but it's still beautiful