go make it yours.

My wonderful husband gave me this blog for Christmas. I am a special ed teacher who loves to create, inspire and share. Crafting and baking have been my after work get away for years. I hope I can share a little bliss with you.

[thecakebar]

Apple Pie Baked inside of Apples Tutorial

[gomakeityours-blog]

Yum

[observando]

[truebluemeandyou]

DIY Tube Bracelets Done Two Ways Tutorials from Small Good Things here. I love the bottom photo where the bracelet is done with seed beads and a magnetic closure. For more unique DIY projects from Small Good Things go here: truebluemeandyou.tumblr.com/tagged/small-good-things

[homewardblog]

[thecakebar]

Hidden Heart Pound Cake Tutorial

[delishyourdish-blog]

“Lentil Curry in a Hurry”- Quick Red Lentil Curry Soup with Coconut Milk Drizzle

The beauty of having a Trader Joe’s, well three TJ’s locations within walking distance to my apartment is that I have access to quick-fix ingredients that can easily be transformed into a hearty meal.

While at TJ’s this week, I grabbed their ready-made mire poix and a bag of their red lentils and figured I’d make something up while I was in the kitchen.  After taking a glance around my pantry and fridge, I was able to concoct this flavorful soup!

What You Need:

2 Tbs. Olive Oil

1 1/4 Cup Red Lentils, picked through for stones and rinsed

4 Cups of Mire Poix (mixture of carrots, celery, onion, chopped)

1 Cup Sliced Cherry Tomatoes

5 1/2 Cups Water

1 1/2 Tbs. Red Curry Paste

Salt to taste

Coconut Milk, optional

Cilantro, optional

1. Set a large pot over medium heat, add olive oil.  Toss in the mire poix and saute until the onions become translucent.  Add a big pinch of salt.

2. Add in the lentils and stir to coat the lentils in the olive oil and vegetable mixture.  Pour in the 5 1/2 cups of water and cherry tomatoes.  Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer for 25 minutes.

3. Stir the pot occasionally to help break down the lentils and keep the bottom from sticking.  Spoon a little broth into a small bowl with the curry paste, stir and pour curry mixture into the pot.  Stir to combine.  Taste for seasoning.  If the soup seems a little watery, continue to let it simmer until it reduces to your liking.

4. Before serving, add chopped cilantro and a drizzle of coconut milk on top of each serving.

[thetaoofdana]

totally making a version of this tonight….!

[thecakebar]

Smores Brownies Tutorial

[craftdiscoveries]

(via Crazy Wonderful: minature mounted menagerie)

[jeffersontheater]

Starr Hill Picks #11 - Zach Peters - Jefferson Theater Social Media Manager

As you can tell from this playlist, I’m a sucker for soul music.  2012 was a huge year for the genre; Adele’s soulful-pop absolutely dominated the mainstream charts and a number of unknown gems popped up like Alabama Shakes, Charles Bradley, Allen Stone and Michael Kiwanuka to name just a few.  This list touches on a number of these artists as well as a few other random favorites.  Hope you enjoy!

St. Lucia -Before The Dive

Tame Impala - Feels Like We Only Go Backwards

Cody Chestnutt - Don’t Wanna Go The Other Way

James Blake - The Willhelm Scream

Michael Kiwanuka - Tell Me A Tale

Charles Bradley - Why Is It So Hard?

J.D. McPherson - A Gentle Awakening

Allen Stone - Unaware

Menahan Street Band - The Crossing

Frank Ocean - Super Rich Kids

Moby & The Dicks - Change

Dinosaur Jr. - Don’t Pretend You Didn’t Know

[thecakebar]

Petite Lemon Souffles – in Lemons! 

[kari-shma]

[oohhhbaby]

funfetti marshmallows

[thecakebar]

Homemade Marshmallows for Winter Hot Cocoa

[gomakeityours-blog]

Perfect for my short hair.  Think I will add some color!

Source: Alisa Burke

[ps-imadethis]

Fall Fashion aside, another reason why I love Autumn is that it’s APPLE PICKING season!  Ever since I was a kid, I have LOVED heading out to the country to gather up some crisp, delicious fruit.  On a recent day trip, I drove my Ford Edge to Wilklow Orchards in Highland, NY.  On my long drive outside NYC, I spotted beautiful fall foliage and collected ‘oodles of apples. For more on my amazing DAY, which turned into a home décor DIY, Click HERE!

I re-purposed my bushel basket because I wasn’t ready to part with the cool container.  I added some shiny dome studs, dropped in a lamp kit, wrapped the cord with rope and the result was this fun pendant lamp. Check out the full step by step DIY on Design*Sponge.  P.S.- I also made baked apples and my FAMOUS strawberry rhubarb applesauce. I see it.  I like it.  I make it… (i also eat it!)

Perfect!

[ps-imadethis]

Still searching for last minute gift ideas for the girl who has everything? Repeat after me: “Don’t buy it off the shelf when you can Do It Yourself.” Get inspired the opulent, special occasion accessories of Nancy Gonzalez, Judith Lieber, and Charlotte Olympia and wow someone on your list with a luxe clutch. A bold, graphic shape wrapped in chic texture and a little touch of bling comes together to create a covetable object she won’t want to put down! 

To create: Trace the exterior of the wooden box with a marker onto the backside of textured paper. Use solid lines to indicate cuts and dotted lines for folds. Cut out the area with scissors. Glue the paper to your box with mod podge and a foam brush. Repeat these steps for the other side of the box. Attach a button to embellish the top by wrapping wire to the closure.

[gomakeityours-blog]

LOVE!

[prettylittlepieces]

Greek Yogurt Substitutions