The Wedding!

I can't remember the last time I woke up at 3am (on purpose)... but I sure was happy to today. I can't get enough of this wedding! Kate was breathtaking and I absolutely LOVED the dress. Here are a few of my favorite photos...

photos: source

Snag That Style: Kate Middleton

It's a very special royal edition of Snag That Style! I'll admit... I am obsessed with the royal wedding! I definitely won't be getting much sleep tonight because I have to see it live! So this week, in honor of the soon-to-be princess, Snag That Style is dedicated to the beautiful Kate.

Get Kate's style (without the royal cost) with some of these fabulous finds!

1. blue dress 2. engagement ring 3. black pumps

4. black blazer 5. polka dot top 6. brown boots

7. wool hat 8. red coat 9. black clutch

31 Cent Ice Cream!

I just found out tonight is 31 cent scoop night at Baskin Robbins! 

Get your cheap scoop between 5pm and 10pm! 

Irvine Robbins - Cofounder of Baskin Robbins

source

...and yes, I thought this was important enough to dedicate an entire post to... I LOVE ice cream.

America the Weird

Most people want to travel to far off countries or somewhere tropical and relaxing. Not me. I've always wanted to go on a road trip all over the US making stops at only the weirdest/most awesome roadside attractions. Here are a few of the places I'm dying to see...

The Neon Museum - Las Vegas, NV

website / photo  

Cadillac Ranch - Amarillo, TX

website / photo 

Dollywood - Pigeon Forge, TN

website / photo

RV Hall of Fame - Elkhart, Indiana

website / photo

Salem Sue - New Salem, North Dakota

website / photo 

 World's Largest Cuckoo Clock - Sugarcreek, Ohio

website / photo

Tinkertown - Sandia Park, NM

website / photo 

Flinstones Bedrock City - Williams, AZ

website / photo 

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

One of my favorite combinations is peanut butter and chocolate. That's why I decided to try this recipe from Zoe Bakes. If you're as big of a peanut butter fan as I am, you will absolutely love these cookies.

Ingredients:

• 1 and 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup chunky peanut butter (Skippy Super Chunk works well)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups peanut flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 4 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Using a mixer, mix together the butter and the brown sugar with the paddle attachment for 2 minutes on medium speed. Add the peanut butter and mix well. Add the eggs one at a time. Now add the vanilla.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the peanut flour, baking soda and salt. I bought my peanut flour at Trader Joe's. I couldn't find it anywhere else. 

Add this to the peanut butter mixture and mix until doughy. 

Now add the chocolate. I mixed it in by hand. Roll balls of dough with your hands that amount to be about 3 tablespoons. Use a fork to flatten them and create a crosshatch pattern.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. 

These are insanely rich! I can only eat one at a time... which is probably a good thing. Enjoy!

Happy Easter

I just had to post this beautiful photo. Happy Easter, friends!

Earth Day

To celebrate Earth Day, I've put together a list of some of my favorite recycled craft ideas. I'm looking forward to trying a few of these this weekend!

recycled serving set

colorful bottle lights

a vase made with a balloon

cereal box map

yarn candle jars

jar chandelier

bulb party favors

There are so many great recycled crafts out there. I'm currently looking for a good way to put all of my scrap paper to use. Once I find something, I'll be sure to share it. Happy Friday!

Peeps Please

I love peeps. They are one of my favorite Easter treats... but up until now, I never thought of doing anything with them except eat them (as is). After a little research, I've come to find many interesting uses for peeps and I'm so excited to try a few!

peep wreath

peep s'mores

peep cocoa

chocolate covered peeps

peep topiary

peep sushi

Although it sounds unappetizing, the peep sushi is made with rice krispies treats and fruit roll ups. Yes, please!

Spicy Pickled Eggs

Love them or hate them... they're here to stay (in my kitchen at least). I absolutely love pickled eggs. My Grandpa used to make the purple kind (made with beets) and ever since, I've been in love. Recently, I've been testing different spicy pickled egg recipes and I seem to have hit the jackpot!

Adapted from this recipe... these eggs are delicious. If you're a pickled egg fan, I definitely recommend giving these a try. The first step of course, is to hard boil the eggs. My favorite tool when hard boiling eggs is my Egg-Perfect Timer.This timer is really great... it changes color to tell you exactly when your eggs are soft, medium, or hard boiled.

Another trick I use is to place the hard boiled eggs in ice water when they're done... this way you can peel the shells immediately. The next step is to make the broth for your eggs to pickle in.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups white vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pickling spice
• 3 teaspoons red pepper flakes
• 6-8 cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 sliced habanero peppers
• 3 sliced jalapeno peppers
• 1 sliced red bell pepper
• 1/4 of a white onion

Combine all ingredients and heat in a saucepan for about 15 to 20 minutes. Stir occasionally. Warning: this is a potent combination!

Carefully place the eggs and the heated broth in a jar. Try and refrigerate these for 2 to 3 weeks. I actually never wait this long because I'm too impatient... but, I'm trying. Here's a link to the jarsI like to use.

Serve with salt, pepper, pretzels, and a nice cold beer!