Inspiration Monday

**don't forget about the GIVEAWAY! enter now!**

Source: flickr.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: twinfibers.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: via Nandita on Pinterest

Source: via Jayme on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: chimeraobscura.com via Julie on Pinterest

All of these pictures inspire me to get things done and take beautiful pictures of the process! I hope they start your Monday off well! 

 

 

GIVEAWAY!!!! *closed*

I really intended for this post to be up yesterday, so my apologies but I had a big test and I forgot to take pictures. But I'm giving away some of the fruits of my craftiness to you, my loyal followers!

Two coffee cozies! So there will be TWO winners! I'm so excited!

I have 2 personally because I like to have them in separate bags.  They are great for take out coffee, but they also unbutton and fit around a coffee cup at home. And in spring colors, they are perfect for the changing weather.

So.... How can you win one? Easy!

(1) Comment here with your favorite coffee flavor

(2) Blog about this giveaway and leave a link here

(3) Become a follower (already a follower? comment that too!)

So three ways to win! Go enter now! 

**GIVEAWAY entries ends March 2nd!**

 

 

Busy Busy

Although I am a pretty organized individual, sometimes school just gets the best of me! Its been a busy couple of weeks leading up to Spring Break (I know! Its really early!) so I haven't been able to craft or bake/cook as much. I've enjoyed spending my weekends being creative, but I can't wait to have some downtime to spend during the week getting projects done! But until then, I have a special request. 

Over the week of Spring Break (mine is March 6-13), I REALLY want to have guest bloggers share tutorials or recipes that just say "Spring" to them. It could be anything from spring jewelry to a meal that just makes you feel better after the months of heavy winter food.  

If you're interested, please comment on this post and I'll get back to you! Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

**oh, and come back tomorrow for my first little GIVEAWAY!**

 

 

Flea Market Finds

Here are the lovely things I picked up at the flea market (a crazy experience: cross between the black market I saw in Ecuador and a bad garage sale) on Saturday. I'm not sure when I'll have the courage to brave the crowds again in the future, but the treasure-hunting is calling me, especially because I wound up getting some great things!

I'm going to turn this into a Belle dress for Halloween!

The tray was 50 cents, and everything else pictured in the three pictures was $5! So great! 

An Indian block stamp for $7! I can't wait to use it!

I also picked up a bedside table and a vanity chair, but they are in my car and waiting to go home. Pictures when I redo them! 

This is a little older, but I found this jar two weeks ago and decided to fill it with my tea bags so I can see what I have. I love it! I really want to buy more, but on Etsy, the matching jars are close to $10 plus shipping, whereas this one was $1.06! A steal!

It was such a great weekend for finding things for my future apartment!

What are your favorite thrift store/ flea market finds?

Recipe Tuesday

I love trying new recipes and with Tastespotting and Pinterest, I'm always finding more to try but there never seems to be enough time! Thankfully, I got to spend some quality time with my friend, K., on Friday to bake and with S. on Saturday to go flea-marketing and bake in the afternoon.  It was a full, but delicious weekend!

Chocolate Chip Cookies via the Holiday Cookies magazine by Martha

These are PERFECT- sweet with a little saltiness that makes them addictive

Fruit for the Blood Orange and Clementine Galette: tangerines, 1 Moro blood orange, three raspberry blood oranges, and a lemon

via the Pitchfork Diaries- I saw the pictures and knew that I had to make it!

It made enough filling for 2 galettes, so be prepared to indulge! It really tasted like subtle citrus with a little extra sweetness. It was delicate and so fresh. And really easy!

Cocoa-Orange Granola Bars from Anja's Food 4 Thought

These are tasty, but they aren't firm enough for my taste. I don't know how to tell when they are done, but I think we undercooked these just a tad. I can't wait to try again, because the flavor is spot on!

Overall, we were really pleased with all of the recipes and I'm super stoked to eat the leftovers! 

Did you bake anything special over the weekend? 

Inspiration Monday

In an effort to help me blog more, I am going to add in a little more structure to the week! Here's my proposed plan:

Monday: Inspiration Monday (because everyone needs to be inspired for the upcoming week)
Tuesday: Recipes
Wednesday: open (so far)
Thursday: Tips and random stuff
Friday: open (so far)

Any suggestions?

Source: find.myrecipes.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: find.myrecipes.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: lexieskitchen.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: realsimple.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: vintagerosegarden.tumblr.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: realsimple.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: kindovermatter.com via Julie on Pinterest

 

 

Craftiness

School has been keeping me busy lately, but here are some of the projects that I have completed recently! 

I made my own pennant stamp out of a rubber cork.

I used the pennant paper to write Philippians 1:6 on it

Joy canvas: Romans 12:12

My dessert the other night: Gala apples with smoked Gouda slices.. yum! (not really a project, but I had fun arranging the plate!)

Chalkboard star! Above my desk

 

 

Recent Recipes I've Tried

I don't think I share it enough, but I LOVE a good chai tea, especially when its made from some of my friends who have visited India and prepare it the real way they learned it (equal parts sugar and milk, anyone?!) So when I see chai tea incorporated in recipes, it always makes my mouth water. 

So, I got the chance to make some chai tea bread for breakfast with friends last week and it turned out wonderful, even though I had no doubt that the chai would be a winner. The only part I wish I could re-do was cooling the tea; my tea was slightly warm but I was freaking out and praying the eggs wouldn't turn into scrambled eggs. But nothing happened except a delicious loaf of chai tea quickbread!

Don't let this picture fool you- its really moist and tastes delicious!

I also made this recipe for vanilla-scented granola, but modified it a little: I decreased the amount of almonds to 3/4 cup and added 1/4 cup dried pomegranate seeds.

This granola was SO GOOD that we were eating it off the baking sheet like candy when it came out! And it is really versatile + doesn't call for 20+ ingredients! Its my new, go-to granola recipe. Take a chance and make some- you won't regret it!

 

 

Loveliness

Happy Valentine's Day! I got to celebrate a little early because I was home visiting my family and boyfriend over the weekend, but here are some of the wonderful DIY projects I am currently in love with (more on my wonderful family and boyfriend later today, when I get around to uploading the pictures from this weekend!)

Source: themodernladyblog.com via Julie on Pinterest

Superhero Valentines from zakka life

Source: shannonbrown.typepad.com via Julie on Pinterest

Date Night in a Basket (one for each month!)

Source: themayberrysparrow.blogspot.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: bystephanielynn.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: makeandtakes.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Source: citified.blogspot.com via Jayme on Pinterest

Source: fizzandginger.com via Charlene on Pinterest

I have two tests this week, but hopefully I'll get around to crafting some once they are done! Have a wonderful Valentine's Day with your loved ones!