Owl Hats

So I'm not sure if it is because everyone I know is having babies, but I have realized that owls are the trendy baby thing right now. My friend found this awesome pattern for crocheting owl hats and I had to try. I knew how to knit, but not crochet so I logged onto youtube and taught myself. I have made these two so far. I realized crocheting is a very relaxing to me.

Polka Dots

I got this shirt and cardigan combo for Christmas. I love polka dots and so naturally I have been wearing this a lot. Oh, and did I mention I love J Crew. This whole outfit may be from there. 

1. Shirt // 2. Cardigan // 3.Skirt

Happy 50th Mom!

My mom just had her 50th birthday, and let me just say she is the hardest person to shop for. Not only that, but this one was a bigger deal than normal since it was her 50th. My Dad turned 50 back in May, and she took us all to Florida to surprise him. So needless to say we had big shoes to fill.

Since I knew my mom didn't want a surprise party, and a trip wasn't possible either, I decided something sentimental would mean a lot to her. My mom has so many great qualities that my brother, his girlfriend, my husband, and I love and appreciate about her. We decided to come up with the top 50 that mean the most to us about her. We made a magnetic board displaying them for her.

Salad So Good It Doesn't Even Need Dressing

So there is this new restaurant in Grand Rapids called Gus's Original. I have fallen in love with this place all due to one item on the menu, The Strawberry Patch Salad. I often think I should try something else, but when I am up to order I just can't do it.

Today I decided to make this salad myself since I am in NY and can't go get it. I have to say it turned out pretty close to the original. This salad is so good you really don't need dressing.

Chocolate Chip Blondies

Saturday night, 9:00 PM and that sweet tooth rolls around. After seeing some chocolate chips in the cupboards, I jumped on the computer and found the perfect recipe for tonight, Chocolate Chip Blondies. This quick and easy recipe I knew would satisfy the craving, not to mention blondies are one of my favorite desserts.

Combine the sugar, butter, and eggs, and vanilla in a bowl.

Add the flour, salt, and baking powder to the sugar mixture.

Stir in the chocolate chips.

Spread into a greased pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

mmm...hit the spot

Makeup Brushes

Makeup brushes are a great tool to apply your makeup properly and evenly. There are so many different shapes and sizes available. The brushes below are the brushes I own and believe are important for everyday use. Each brush has it's own function. Even though I may not use each one everyday it is nice to have different options available.

1. Concealer 2. Powder 3. Highligher/Bronzer/Contour 4. Blush 5. Eyelid Eye Shadow 6. Eye Crease
7. Eye Shadow Blender 8. Eye Liner 9. Smudger 10. Lip

The brushes are listed in the order I use them. Makeup brushes can be purchased at all different price ranges. My favorite inexpensive brushes are from Target, and MAC sells some of my favorite more expensive ones.

Baby Bites

In NYC there is a cupcake place called Baked By Melissa that sells bite sized cupcakes. They are a huge hit, and I must say are pretty tasty as well. With this in mind Bill came up with what he thought was a brilliant idea, so I put it to the test. Mini chocolate chip cookies.

Not sure what recipe to turn to I choose my pinterest favorite, The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie.

2 3/4 c (14.5 oz) all-purpose flour
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
1/2 c (4 oz) unsalted butter at room temperature
1/2 c (4 oz) Crisco (plain or butter flavored, I prefer plain)
1 c (6.5 oz) light brown sugar
1 c minus 2 T (6.5 oz) white sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 t vanilla
1 1/2 c (10 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips (Hershey's brand is best)
  
1. In a small bowl mix the flour, salt, and baking soda until the ingredients are evenly distributed.  Set aside.

2. Using a mixer, cream the butter and shortening on high until light and fluffy 1-3 minutes.

3. Add both sugars and beat on high 1-2 minutes. 

4. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat until fully incorporated.

5. Add the flour mixture and mix until just incorporated.

 

6. Touch test the dough.  It should feel slightly sticky, but not much should stick to your finger.  If it is very sticky add flour 2T (.5 oz) at a time.  If it is firm or dry, you have added too much flour and there is not a good way to reverse this.

7. Using your hands, roll the dough into balls your choice of size (I tried a variety of sizes ranging form a penny to quarter). Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and add one chocolate chip to each cookie dough ball.  

8. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes or until firm.  You can hold the dough up to two days in the refrigerator or up to six months in the freezer. 

9. 15-20 minutes before baking, position the oven rack to the second highest setting. Preheat the oven to 375.  

10. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and bake 4-7 minutes depending on size of your balls.  They are ready to come out of the oven when they are domed and puffy, show a few signs of browning and look a bit underdone.  

11. Leave the cookies on the cookie sheet for (10)2 minutes.  Remove them to a cooling rack so they will cool evenly.  Wait ten minutes, then serve your Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie!

 We took them with us to our New Year's party and they seemed disappear quickly!

Up North Adventures Day 2

Up bright and early we headed to Boyne Highlands. We were ready!

Overall it was a great time had by all. We decided we needed to make this an annual adventure.

Up North Adventures Day 1

Over the weekend Bill, my brother Geoffrey, his girlfriend Brittany, and I all went up north to Petoskey, MI. We drove up on Saturday and spent the day exploring Petoskey. On Sunday we headed to Boyne Highlands, where we hit the slopes. Brittany is from Petoskey, so she gave us the official tour.

After we checked into the hotel our first stop was Johan's.

According to Brittany they have the most truly ooly gourmet doughnuts. I have to say, I agree. Bill and I bought 3, with the idea of just taking a bite or two of each one, but probably not finishing all of them. Well, next thing you know, they were all gone.

Since we were all full on doughnuts we headed to downtown Petoskey to browse the shops and walk off the sugar high. The downtown strip ranged from cute boutiques full of clothing, tea, candy, jam, and winter wear.

Once we were feeling hungry again we headed over to City Park Grill.

We finished the night up with a few drinks at the Side Door, turning in early for our big day tomorrow on the slopes.

Happy New Year!

I have some exciting news, both for you and for me. My amazing husband bought me a Canon 60D DSLR camera for Christmas.

 

Now I can share more quality photos with you, once I get a little more experience. I have been playing around over the holidays and here are a few fun pictures I took.

 

I know I need some more practice, but I am really excited about the whole new world of photography. I can't wait to see what sort of photos I can take with all the different functions. What kinds of camera do you use to take pictures?