New at the Shop: 2011 Weekly Planners

My dears, have you heard the good news?  The 2011 Planners are in the shop!  Their lovely and even better than last year, with a gorgeous array of vintage-inspired colors and pewter wire binding.  Plus, they're still the perfect size for a purse - or a stocking.

And here's more exciting news: I've just launched a brand new newsletter!  The newsletter will be sent seasonally and is full of goodies including exclusive discounts and printables.  Be sure to sign up now so you won't miss the Winter edition.  You'll be glad you did.

DIY: Bunting Advent Calendar

I am a big time procrastinator.  I wish I wasn't and I have seen improvements over the years, but here we are - December 1st - and do you know what I spent the morning doing?  Putting together this advent calendar.  Because it's time to start it already!  Can you believe that December is already here? 

I'm hoping that you're in the same boat as me (or know someone else who is) and need a quick and easy calendar that you can put together with things found around the house, too.  That's exactly what this calendar is: a raiding of my craft cupboard.  It turned out so darling, though! 

Here's how to do it yourself:

SUPPLIES:

• Paper scraps


• Scissors


• 1/8" hole punch


• Numbers: either rub-on, stickers or you can write them yourself


• Twine or string


• Ribbon

STEPS:

1. Cut the paper scraps into various widths and lengths.  You should have 25 in all (if you're starting with Dec. 1st; you can always start a little later in the month, too).  Fold in half and cut diagonally across the bottom corner to create points at the bottom of your "flags."


2. Using the hole punch, punch two small holes in the top of each flag, one in each corner.  Be careful not to get too close to the edge, so your paper won't rip when you thread the twine through.


3. Arrange the flags in a row in an eye-catching pattern.


4. Starting with the first flag add a number to the bottom, centered just above the points.


5. Flip each number over and add an activity for that day or a clue as to wear a toy or sweet is hidden.


6. Thread the twine through the holes and tie a ribbon bow on one side of the twine, if desired. 

That's all there is to it!  It's really very simple but looks fantastic when you're done.  We've decided to put a good range of different activities along with a few small goodies, so it's not all about the presents.  A few of my favorites:

1. Attend the city tree lighting


2. Make paper snowflakes


3. Make a gingerbread house


4. Go ice skating, tubing or sledding


5. Build a snowman


6. Visit Temple Square to see the lights
   


7. Make egg nog


8. Bake Christmas cookies


9. Make presents for friends


10. Make wrapping paper using potato stamps

What types of activites do you look forward to during the Christmas season?  Do you have fond memories of using advent calendars when you were a child?

New at the Shop: Baby's Breath Stationery

Good morning, my dears!  How was your weekend?  Mine was wonderful.  Learning to give eye drops to a three year old was a little bit stressful at first, but thankfully we've got it all figured out now (thanks to spur-of-the-moment stories he actually enjoys it now...go figure) and we're back to normal again.  We were able to spend a lot of time just doing things together, which is always nice.

Plus, I went through all the photos on my computer and organized them.  There were so many!  I find that we have more digital files of photos than actual printed ones these days.  Is it the same for you, too?  I was forced to clean them out to make room for new photos of stationery for the shop.

The Baby's Breath stationery is one of my favorites.  I started designing it a few months ago with a friend's expected baby girl in mind.  She'd been recently diagnosed with a condition similar to, but more severe than, my Lily's.  As I was thinking about it I sat down to draw, which led to my sketching this spray of baby's breath.  It's name, fragility and delicate nature just seemed perfect for such a precious baby girl.  Lastly, as I was adding color, I decided to go with a blushing pink for the blossoms instead of the standard white because pink is the color of life.  

"You're My Favorite" Game Night + Printable Invitations

For Friday's birthday party I wanted to do something that was really simple and casual.  But I still needed to have some type of theme; I feel that they help party plans come together more easily and cohesively.  I decided to have the invitations say, "since he's our favorite, we're throwing him a party" and go from there.  He loves to play games, so we did a game night.  The menu was a compilation of some his favorite foods: Philly cheesesteaks, root beer, artichoke dip and brownies.

A gathering of favorites equals a guaranteed good time.  Added bonus: it was low maintenance.  I love how easily and quickly game nights can be thrown together.  I put together this fill-in variation of our invitations for you to print out and use for your next get together.  Grab a couple of your favorite drinks, some finger foods and pass these out to your neighbors or friends.  Then let the good times begin!

Baking Day: German Chocolate Cake

When it comes to birthdays I am a die-hard fan of the birthday cake.  It's tradition and we have to make one from scratch for every birthday (they're so good).  My husband, Craig, is a big fan of coconut so when I asked him what kind of cake he wanted this year I wasn't at all surprised when he said German Chocolate Cake.  After the craziest Tuesday, and a Wednesday that took a close second, I finally was able to finish his cake on Thursday, two days after his birthday.  So sad, right?  I felt awful.  Thankfully, it was worth the wait. 

We tried this version from the Bridge Street Bakery in Vermont.  Instead of three layers I opted for two just to make things a little bit simpler.  I think it still has a stunning presentation.

Here's an interesting bit of information about German Chocolate Cake: it's not actually German.  In 1852 an employee of Baker's Chocolate Company, Sam German, created a new type of dark baking chocolate.  The company named the chocolate "German's Sweet Chocolate" in his honor.  Then, in 1957, a Texan housewife sent the recipe for a chocolate cake she had made using this chocolate in to a local newspaper, calling it "German's Chocolate Cake."  It was an instant success.  Since then, the possessive has been dropped but it's still a popular recipe today.

It's really rich and decadent and Craig loved it.  I think it'll be on the menu again next November.  Personally, I always choose carrot cake for my birthdays.  What's your favorite?

Happy 29!

Today is my love's 29th birthday.  Happy birthday, honey!  Would you all wish him a lovely day here in the comments?  Thank you, thank you!

Our boy and I love him quite a bit.  Can you tell? 

 

Halloween Costumes

Hello, my dears!  How was your weekend?  Did you do anything fun?  We had such a good time seeing friends, eating spooky treats and dressing up.  It was pretty much the Halloween pre-party.  And Friday night's costumes were 100% homemade.  Remember how we were dressing up as a tight rope walker and a circus bear?  Well, here they are. 

I should have taken the sweater off for the photo but it was cold and we were literally running out the door so I forgot.  My circus bear is pretty adorable, though, isn't he?  The slippers he's wearing are from Gap and we are both in love with them.  Such a great find.

Are you dressing up for Halloween?  What costumes will you be wearing?

{images by me}

Guest Posting

This week I consider myself a very lucky girl because I have the opportunity to be guest posting on Rachel's lovely blog, Black*Eiffel.  Be sure to drop by and visit!  Today I've shared some of my favorite reads for the fall season.  Leave a comment and tell me your favorite books.

Baking Day: Blackberry Turnovers

Hello, again, my dears.  How was your weekend?  What did you do?  I had too much fun reading through my new canning book searching for tasty recipes to try and shopping for goods at the farmers market.  The canning adventures are still underway, but I'll be sharing the results of my first few experiences later this week.

I also wanted to share the recipe for the treat I made my for my brother-in-law's birthday with you.  I opted to make blackberry turnovers because I know he's a fan of berries.  Plus, they seemed a little easier to pack, ship and share than a traditional cake (or even cupcakes) would have been. 

I made them by combining and altering little bits of two recipes: this filling and the crust noted below.  The only changes I made were to the filling, which went a little something like this:

Blackberry Turnovers

• 3 c. blackberries


• 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon all purpouse flour


• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon


• 8 tablespoons sugar


• This pastry dough


• 2 tablespoons milk

I followed all other instructions as written and was really pleased with the result.  The dough is a little bit sticky, but bakes up light and crispy. Plus, all this berry and pastry baking made my house feel and smell like fall, which I love.

What are your favorite things to bake in the fall?  What smells do you like to fill your home?

Birthday Party in a Box

This Saturday is my brother-in-law's birthday.  He's currently serving a mission for our church so we won't be able to celebrate with him in person.  Instead, I decided to send him a birthday party in a box so he can still have a fun celebration, no matter where he is. 

Inside the box are homemade party hats, birthday candles, blackberry turnovers (he's more of a pie person than a cake lover) and a tiny ping-pong game that can be set up on a regular table.  Now all he has to do is open it, add his roommates and enjoy.

Getting packages in the mail is always so much fun.  What are your favorite things to receive in the mail? 

A Peek at Our Living Room

This past weekend I took the time to restyle our bookcase.  It had been done, minorly, before but we'd since accumulated some new books, an unfortunate trophy (a fantasy football related mishap that must be displayed until a new "winner" is chosen), and a few other odds and ends.  The bookcase was starting to look a bit thrown together.  So I decided to try styling it by color and see how it looked.  I'm really happy with the results.   

My photography skills are still a bit lacking so please excuse the poor photos.  And the abundance of space on some of the shelves.  Someday they'll be filled with fun treasures.  All in good time.

Our DVDs used to be in plain view and looked a little out of place.  I purchased these DVD storage boxes to hide them in instead.  I also picked up a few magazine files while I was at it.  Everything is still easily accessible but out of sight when we don't need them.

Lastly, I finally got to hang my butterfly print from our trip to Maine.  I love it!  My boy likes to pick favorite butterflies from the print and ask what their names are.  Everybody's happy.

Would you ever style your bookcase by color?  There's an argument that it makes titles more difficult to find but I think its worth it for the overall appearance (we honestly don't go searching for titles too often and when we do, we know what the cover looks like).  What about you?

Lily Jane Stationery Giveaway

Good news: Nicole is hosting a little giveaway on her blog.  Stop by to see how you can help other women and win a set of my pinwheel thank you cards!

{image by me}

Baking Day: Mississippi Mud Pie

On occasion, I've been known to use bribery to get something I want.  Take this week, for example.  To convince my husband and his friend that they should put the kids to bed while said friend's wife and I went for a walk, I bribed them with a dessert of their choosing.  Happily, they agreed and Mississippi Mud Pie was put on the menu. 

I found this recipe in a tempting cookbook that was given to me a few years ago called Chocolate Box.  It's full of mouth-watering photography and recipes to keep a kitchen busy for months.  This version of Mississippi Mud Pie is rich enough to satiate with a small slice but has a light and airy texture that makes it perfect for hot summer months.

Mississippi Mud Pie

Pie Dough:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour


• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa


• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, diced


• 2 tbsp sugar


• 1-2 tbsp ice cold water

Filling:

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter


• scant 1 3/4 cup packed brown sugar


• 4 eggs


• 5 1/2 oz semisweet chocolate, melted


• 1 1/4 cups light cream

To Decorate:

• 2 cups heavy cream


• sugar, to taste


• chocolate flakes or curls

To make pie dough: whisk together flour and cocoa.  Using your fingertips, rub butter into flour mixture until pea-sized crumbs form.  Add sugar and 1 tbsp ice water and combine with a fork until a soft dough forms, adding more water if necessary.  Form into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 15 minutes.  Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375°F.

To make filling: Beat together butter and brown sugar.  Gradually add in eggs, melted chocolate and cream.  Mix until thoroughly combined.

Bake: Remove pie dough from refrigerator and roll on a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness.  Using a rolling pin, roll dough on to pin and transfer to a loose-bottom tart pan or pie dish.  Press into bottom and up the sides of the pan.  Line dough with parchment paper and fill with dried beans or pie weights.  Bake for 15 minutes.  Remove pie weights and paper and return to oven for an additional 10 minutes.

Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.  Pour filling into crust being careful not to over-fill.  (The filling will expand slightly during baking so fill to just below the top of the crust to allow for this.)  Bake for 45 minutes at reduced temperature.  The filling will form a thin crust with cracks running through it; this is perfectly normal so don't worry when you see it cracking.

Allow pie to cool completely.  Whip cream with sugar to a soft and fluffy consistency.  Spread on top of pie and garnish with chocolate flakes and curls.  Serve immediately or chill for later.

{images by me}

Baking Day: Blueberry Lavender Muffins

I have a confession to make: I eat breakfast for dinner all. the. time.  Perhaps as often as once a week.  I love all things breakfast (I'm talking real breakfast here, not a bowl of frosted flakes) and it's just so easy to throw together and tastes so delicious that I find myself cooking Brinner all the time.  This week was no different.  On the menu: blueberry muffins.

I'm warning you in advance: these things are highly addicting.  You won't be able to eat just one.  I've adapted the recipe slightly from one found in Gourmet.

Blueberry Lavender Muffins

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour


• 3/4 cup lavender sugar


• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder


• 3/4 teaspoon salt


• 3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
  
  


• 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk


• 1 egg plus 1 yolk


• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla


• 2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen


• TOPPING:


• 
  
  • 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, diced
  
  
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  
  
  • 3 1/2 tablespoons lavender sugar
  
  
  
  

Preheat oven to 375*F.  Prepare muffin pans.

Prepare topping:

• Using your finger tips, rub 3 tablespoons diced cold unsalted butter into 1/2 cup all purpose flour and 3 1/2 tablespoons lavender sugar until pea-sized crumbs form.  Set aside.

Prepare muffins:

• Whisk together flour, lavender sugar, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.  Set aside.


• In a separate bowl, mix melted butter, milk, egg, yolk and vanilla.  Pour wet ingredients into reserved dry ingredients and stir just until combined (don't over mix).  


• Fold in blueberries.


• Divide evenly among 10 muffin cups.  Sprinkle with crumb topping.


• Bake until golden and a toothpick comes out clean, 18-20 minutes.


• Cool 15 minutes before removing from pans. 

{images by me}

DIY: Walnut Boats

Today I'm sharing a tutorial for how to make walnut boats over on Hip Hip Hooray.  They're adorable and so easy.  Take a peek!

{image by me}

Printable: More Toy Bin Tags

Remember the toy bin tags I made for my son a few months ago?  Well, when I shared them with all of you everyone liked them so much I decided to make a second sheet.  Hurray! 

So many of you had requests; thank you for sharing!  I couldn't do everything, of course, but I did choose the ones that the greatest number of people asked for: play dough, puppets, little people, puzzles, blocks, dress up, balls, games, art supplies and movies.

To use these tags, all you have to do is download the pdf and print.  You can then use them however you please.  I chose to punch a hole and tie some thread through mine to hang on storage baskets.

I'd love to hear about how you're using them.  Be sure to leave a comment and let me know.  And be sure to tell your friends so they can get in on the goodness, too.

{images by me}

New at the Shop: Pinwheel Invitations

I just designed these pinwheel invitations for a baby shower, but I can't help but think of all the possibility they hold.  

They seem just right for a garden party, family picnic or birthday party, too.  I've just added them to the shop.  What would you use them for?

{image by me}

How to Ship Muffins (or Cupcakes)

Recently, my father-in-law was involved in a boating accident and injured himself enough to land in the hospital for a few days.  Happily, he is home now and starting the long road to recovery.  To help cheer him on his journey my son and I decided to send him a little package full of one of his favorite treats: Banana Crunch Muffins.  (If you've never tried these, please do.  They're so good.)  I wanted to package them in an aesthetically pleasing way that would also help them stay intact during their travels.  My solution: an empty cereal box.

1.  Select an empty cereal box that is the same width as the box you'll be using for shipping.  Mine happened to be Frosted Cheerios.  Using scissors, cut holes just wide enough to securely hold your muffins.

2. Wrap your cereal box in some pretty paper.  I used Kraft, but some patterned wrapping paper might look even better.  Once wrapped, cut holes through the paper, too.  Lay tissue paper inside your shipping box and slide the cereal box in on top.  It should fit snugly and not wiggle.

3.  Nestle frozen, wrapped (plastic secured with a bit of tape or a sticker) muffins into their spaces.  Freezing them before shipment will help keep them fresher for their destination.

 

4.  Fold over the tissue and secure a pretty card on top.  To keep the muffins from sliding out if the box gets turned up side down, pad the remaining space at the top of the box with bubble wrap or bunched plastic grocery bags.  Be sure to fill it up to the top before closing the box and test drive it at home to make sure your muffins are truly secure. 

You could also use this method to ship cupcakes, although I would highly recommend sending them unfrosted.  Put frosting in a separate, small plastic container for the recipient to add on themselves. 

Have you ever shipped baked goods before?  What are your favorite methods?

{images by me}

Lavender Sugar

Thanks to a little wild lavender bush growing in my front yard, I was able to dry my own batch of lavender this year.  It smells heavenly and I can't wait to try all the things I'll be able to do with it.  My first project was lavender sugar, which is so simple to do.  Blend 1 Tbs. dried lavender buds in a blender until powdery and mix with 2 cups of fine granulated sugar (Caster or Baker's sugar works best).  Or put it all in the blender together for something a little more like powdered sugar in consistency, like I did.

It's a beautiful, thoughtful and inexpensive gift idea.  You can substitute lavender sugar for regular sugar in countless recipes, like sugar cookies, or serve it sprinkled over a bowl of fresh berries.  If you'd like to try cooking with whole lavender buds, there are recipes like Lavender
Spritzer to try.  Personally, I think my powdered sugar variety will
make some amazing Mexican Wedding Cookies.

{images by me}

new at the shop: vintage milk bottle stationery

I've just added a new stationery set to the shop, designed with a pair of vintage milk bottles in the corner.  They're super-green: everything, including the kraft envelopes, is recycled. 

{image by me}

new logo and branding

As some of you may have noticed already, the blog underwent a minor makeover last night.  It's something I've been working on for quite some time and is an extension of the rebranding I've been doing on my stationery line.  I wanted something that was more versatile and clean and I'm very pleased with how it's turned out.  Here's a peek at how the shop looks now.

Be sure to pop over to see everything in its entirety.  Now that the logo and general branding are all in order I'm setting out to finish a few projects I've had in my mind for awhile now.  The shop will be filling up with more goodies in no time!  I'm excited...this is the very best part.

have a lovely weekend (and a first birthday)

This week has been such a busy one!  I've been confused about what day it is all week long.  Isn't it funny how some weeks are just like that?  But lots of good things happened.  The bathroom sink, toilet and laundry sink are all in and working and the tub has been painted and put in to place.  My garden is miraculously still alive, even with my novice experience. 

And this weekend is a very special one.  Sunday would have been Lily's first birthday.  So bittersweet, but I'm determined to focus on the memories of her life because this is the day she lived.  Memories like holding her for the very first time.

We're still deciding how to memorialize Lily's birthday.  We'd like to mark it as a tiny movement for good.  I think that's what we'll do.  She brought so much good.  It seems right to do good again on her birthday.  Will you help us by doing something kind for someone around you this
weekend?

{image by my sister}

in the shop: father's day cards

I've added two new designs to the Lily Jane Stationery line, just in time for Father's Day.  The first was inspired by my son's cowboy boots (he's wearing them in this photo).

The second showcases my love for this gorgeous font.  Do you love it, too?

More designs are in the works.  And, as always, 10% of all proceeds from the shop will be donated to March of Dimes.  

{images by me}

daytrip society

When my husband and I decided to spend the morning wandering through the shops on Dock Square in Kennebunkport, Maine we figured we'd be seeing a lot of lobsters and lighthouses (which certainly have their place in a small coastal town).  We were pleasantly surprised to turn in the door at the Daytrip Society and see a heavenly array of products that were anything but typical tourist.  Owners Jessica Jenkins and Andy West have stocked the store with items inspired by nature - both getting out into it and bringing it into the home.

There were books, note cards, bird call noisemakers, pillows, toys for children, art supplies and so much more.  We spent the better part of an hour in the store looking at (and playing
with) everything.  I wanted to buy it ALL, but instead I sated myself with a twig pencil, a toy car for my son and a butterfly print to hang on my living room wall.  I know that next time I'm in Maine, the Daytrip Society will be right at the top of my list of places to visit - and I'll bring a little coin purse just for the occasion.

Luckily for me and you, though, they have a beautiful website to shop from home.   You could find a gift for just about anyone here.  One that's unique and fun, to boot!

{images by me}

the maine coast

I've been wanting to go to Maine since before my husband and I married.  We were engaged during college and when school, work and the rest of life would get out of control I'd always say to him, "Let's just go to Maine."  I had no particular reason to pick Maine.  It just sounded so serene, plus it was far away and there was no way we'd run into anyone we knew there.  The perfect getaway. 

So this year for my birthday my unbelievably thoughtful husband planned a trip to Maine!  The anticipation was thrilling and when we arrived I was not disappointed.  It was every bit as picturesque, lovely and peaceful as I had ever imagined it would be.  Kennebunkport, Maine (host of the annual Fine Living Festival) was like something out of the pages of a magazine.

The town is free of commercialism; you won't find a McDonald's or a billboard as far as the eye can see.  The restaurants are all locally owned and all amazing.  We spent so much time eating and I don't regret a second of it.  The beaches are warm and inviting.  And the historic homes that line the streets (both residential and commercial) are in pristine condition.  ALL of them.  It's like a dream.  The beach-front homes were my favorite to daydream about living in, with beautiful porches and abundant windows.

We were lucky enough to stay at the Maine Stay Inn, a 19th century mansion turned Bed & Breakfast.  If the cozy ambiance and friendly hosts weren't enough to make us want to stay forever, the gourmet breakfasts every morning definitely cinched the deal.  I'm amazed I was ever able to tear myself away. 

I'm now scheming ways I can ensure that someday I live in a town exactly like this one.  Would anybody in the southern Maine/northern Massachusetts area like to hire my husband?  He's really quite terrific.

SHOPS:

The Candy Man: Every candy imaginable is held within these walls.  From candy dots to gummy army men, huge chocolate covered strawberries to homemade turtles, it's a nostalgic and sweet trip for the senses.

The Daytrip Society: I was ecstatic when I walked in to this shop.  So much so that I'm saving it for another post tomorrow.  Wait until you see all the goodies held inside.

Eli Phant: Located a bit further north in Portland, ME, Eli Phant is full of creative and eclectic wares for your home, desk and self.  My favorites included this pillow and these note cards.

DINING:

Bandaloop: A small restaurant you may not notice if you aren't directed to it, but home amazing organic and vegan dishes, among others, that will make your mouth water.  Our favorite meal the whole trip, hands down.

Pier 77: Built out over the water, Pier 77 is the perfect place to eat dinner while the sun sets.  The wood floors and stone fireplace really lend it a romantic mood.

Two Fat Cats: Also located in Portland, this little bakery is home to a slew of awards and the best whoopie pies I've ever had.  I've been craving more since I finished my last bite.

{images by me}

beautiful boston

Hello, friends!  How was your extra-long weekend?  I just love having those few extra days off at the start of summer.  It seems the perfect way to mark the transition to the laid-back, sun-worshipping days that lie ahead.  I spent all of my spare time outside in the warm sunshine.  The weather in Boston and Maine this weekend was gorgeous. 

I'm happy to be back in the comfort of my own home again but, oh, this weekend was perfect!  I have fallen in love with the east coast and it's really no wonder.  Gorgeous, detailed architecture graces nearly every building; trees and water are beyond abundant (for this desert-dwelling girl, the landscape was incredible); and history practically oozes out of every nook and cranny.  It was like my own personal paradise.  In Boston we spent nearly the whole time just roaming around the city, trying to take it all in.  We used the Freedom Trail as our guide, stopping at Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market for lunch and some street entertainment. 

 

I'm sure I could have spent weeks (or months) wandering the streets before I tired of it.  It was beautiful.  But we had a trip up to the coast of Maine planned, too, which turned out to be even more breathtaking.  I'll have more photos to share later today, so be sure to check back!

{images by Lily Jane Stationery}