Cookies for Christmas

I was a baking fool this year! There are just so many sweets that I love, I couldn't decide so I made them all.

 

   

Pretzel Rolos, Peanut Butter Kiss cookies, Iced Sugar Cookies, Red Velvet Whoopie Pies with Peppermint filling, Mini Cranberry Bread, Peanut Butter crunch Buckeyes. 

First Sewing Machine

We were going through some old pictures over Christmas at my parents house and found this picture of Christmas morning. My mom is holding the patterns. So cute!

Please note the other gifts (etch-a-sketch, cabbage patch doll in stroller, plastic high heels) :)

Merry Christmas

Santa came!!!! I got a dress form for Christmas this year and I CAN'T wait to use it! Stay tuned for my New Years Eve dress!

Christmas Date dress

I finally finished this dotted tulle dress. I think "dotted tulle" describes the fabric better than lace, as I previously called it. I wore the dress on a Christmas date. We had a fabulous dinner at a restaurant downtown! We were running late though, so we didn't have time to take a picture. These pictures were taken the morning after, which is why my head is cropped out.

 

 

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies with Peppermint Filling

Mmmmm!!! I added mini chocolate chips instead of the crushed candy canes. Also note, you can cut the filling recipe in half.

Recipe Here

Merry Christmas Eve! 

Peanut Butter Crunch Buckeyes

Here's an excellent twist to the standard buckeye for the holidays! The original recipe calls for chocolate chips and paraffin wax. I used that recipe a few years ago and they tasted like chocolate crayons. Something must have gone wrong with the wax?!? This year I just took the easy way out and used Almond Bark. Soooo much easier! Also note, the more Rice Krispies you use the the harder it is to keep the ball together and in the right shape.

 Peanut Butter Crunch Buckeyes

6 tbsp butter
2 c powdered sugar
1 1/2 c crunch peanut butter
1 c Rice Krispy (cereal)
1 block of Chocolate Almond Bark











Melt butter, peanut butter, and powdered sugar together in a bowl. Add Rice Krispies.

Form 1" balls. 

Melt Almond Bark in microwave. Follow melting instructions on package. I didn't melt the entire bar at once because it hardens faster than I can dip the Peanut Butter balls. Fully submerge peanut butter ball in chocolate. Use toothpick or fork to remove and place on wax lined cookie sheet.

 Refrigerate. 

Coming soon...

I feel bad when I don't post for several days... I've been super busy sewing, baking, Christmas shopping, etc. I'll post it all soon!

Here's a sneak peek at what I'm working on...

Calzone

I made a calzone yesterday with the leftovers from lasagna the night before. As I've mentioned before we like everything spicy, so we used spicy sauce, hot Italian sausage, spicy pepperoni and jalapenos. But you can really use anything! I usually don't put the sauce in the bread and use it as a dip instead, but we had the leftover meat mixture from the night before.

Easy Calzone Recipe

Ingredients:
French Bread Dough
Marinara Sauce
Shredded Cheese
Toppings of your choice

Directions:
1. Preheat oven based off the directions on the French Bread
2. Cover cookie sheet with foil so you don't have to wash it afterward
3. Roll out dough. No need for rolling pin.
4. layer toppings
5. fold over dough
6. cut slits in dough
7. bake according to package
8. Eat and Enjoy!

All that sparkles and shines

Sequins and sparkles are everywhere! Last year I was determined to make a black sequins caplet. Little did I knows sequins fabric is no where to be found, at least not in Indianapolis. Not only that, but I can only imagine how difficult it is to sew. Good thing I found a cute little sequins jacket from H&M. I'll be honest, I haven't even worn the jacket. But my roommate did last year, so that counts.

This year, I'm still on a sequins kick and again I can't make anything. I am actually making a dress with a little sparkle and shine! I'm hoping to wear it New Years Eve. I'll keep ya posted.

Here are some of my favorite sparkly items for this season.

1.2.

3.4. 

 5.

6.7.

8.9.

1. Brandy and Melville   2. Lulus

3. Victoria's Secret     4. Forever 21

5. Lulus    6. Miu Miu

7. Forever 21   8. Modcloth

9. JCrew

Jasper Turtle Treats

Someone in Jasper (small southern Indiana town) made these a few years ago during the holidays and they were a hit! Word must have traveled fast because the whole town was out of Rolos that year. True story.

These are so simple and incredibly tasty!

3 Ingredients
Pretzels
Rolos
Pecan Halves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1. Spread pretzels on baking sheet.
2. Place one Rolo on each pretzel.
3. Bake for 3 minutes.
4. Press pecan into Rolo immediately after removing from oven
5. Refrigerate
6. Enjoy!
7. Make more. You won't be able to stop eating them!

Lace dress

I'm not really sure if this material is actually lace, but that's the section I found it in at the fabric store, so we'll go with that. I've been inspired by all the lace out there to make a dress with lace overlay. Wish me luck. I've never used lace nor made an overlay before.

  

Wedding Update

Under 7 months to go!!!

Dress: If ya didn't know I found my dress!! Woohoo! I'm happy to say I have been in several bridal stores and looked through several magazines and am still happy with the dress I've chosen. I was worried I would change my mind. Fingers crossed I still don't. Now I'm trying to decide on a veil and accessories. Why are there so many options? It's so difficult to choose. :)

Venue: I actually did change my mind on the venue. There's not a huge selection in a small southern Indiana town, but I've got some BIG ideas on how to decorate. I'm super excited about the decor! I ordered linen samples and they came in this week. I'm very pleased with them.

Colors: After all those posts, we came to a decision and have chosen Plum, Black, Grey and White. It's going to look classy and fun!

Bridal Party: I am thrilled to report in the last month 2 of my bridesmaids have become engaged!!!! Congrats Lauren and Lauren!!!! I absolutely LOVE wedding talk and it's so much fun talking to another bride-to-be!

What's next?
I'm currently working on bridesmaids dresses, a wedding website, food tasting, and centerpieces. Dan is busy working on our save the dates and invites!

Hope you're as excited as I am!! It's going to be a blast!

Buddy?!?

Spotted at Circle Center mall. 

Shoe tree

I have 2 mini Christmas trees. One is green with regular ornaments and the other is white with shoe ornaments. We really have limited space to decorate and could only put one up. I "surprised" Dan with the white one when he got home from work the other day! haha :) He maybe would have preferred the green one.

Somebody's Getting Married

Extra, Extra Read all About It!

I'm thrilled that my MOH is engaged as well!!! 

Congrats again! 

Vintage Patterns

Vintage patterns are awesome!! I thought my mom had some good ones from the 90's but these are great!!

This is only from the 80's but this Etsy store sells patterns from the 40's on. 

I love the puffy sleeves and cutout back! 

Sydcam123

Purple Skirt

I've been in a mini skirt craze lately and and I'll be honest my first attempt was a dud. I first made a red skirt about 2 sizes to big. I tried my best to trim it down, but it just didn't work so I scrapped it. This purple corduroy version is my second but probably not last attempt.

This should have been a really easy project. I mean its just a simple skirt! I think the issue is that I want it to sit on my natural waist not my hips which is what the pattern is really for. Also next time, I'll remember to line it.

 

I can't for anything get the color to look like it does in person. But it is a really pretty purple.