fresh cuts for spring

February 17, 2015

Spring?  Yeah, yeah, I know.. it’s totally a blizzard outside.  In my world hair follows the trends of the retail world- February rolls in and so do the bright colors anticipating spring.  You know, so that by the time it gets here we are good and ready!

Last week Brandy surprised me with a trip to the salon.  My heart and hair were both screaming for some TLC, and like any good friend she could hear their cries.  (My roots were seriously screaming in desperation.)  I will not conceal here how long it had been since my last trip to the chair.  I didn’t get much cut off, but I think that my next trip will be to return to the long bob (“lob”) I had after Adelynn was born.  This spring is all about the messy, curly lob- go get yourself one!

Here are a few incredible versions of the trend, all of which I am loving:

Spring 2015 Cuts
XO,
shansig

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that 70s style

February 16, 2015

Free spirit, festival going, hair swinging girl I am most certainly not.  Not even a little bit.  With that being said there is no denying that the 70s have taken over Spring 2015.  From suede to fringe, wide legs and flowy florals this season is all about the decade that took the rules out of fashion.  Here are a few of my picks that even the least eclectic minded, like myself, could pull off in 2015:

70s Trend Spring 20151Forever 21 mandala print maxi dress/2H&M suede skirt/3Forever 21 longline faux suede vest/4H&M flared pants/5Dorothy Perkins girls on film dark floral print playsuit/6Mango fringed suede bag

We would love to see how you rock the 70s trend.  Tag #PPJstyle on Instagram and share your style!

xo,

brandyjsig

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good morning valentine

February 13, 2015

We promise this will be the last post in which we gush over Valentine’s Day…until next year of course.

But seriously guys, how rad is it that V-day is on a SATURDAY?!  This calls for an all day celebration of love, starting with breakfast.  Who wouldn’t love waking up to those heart shaped pancakes or donut hole arrows…and what about that bacon?  (We are not sure if heart shaped bacon is so right or so wrong.  Let’s go with so right for February 14th.)  Any of these treats would make your Valentine feel extra special from the minute they wake up tomorrow:

Valentine Breakfast Ideas1Red Velvet Pancakes by whipper berry/2Donut Hole Arrows by squirrely minds/3Bacon Hearts by the paper mama/4Roasted Heart Potatoes by haniela’s/5Strawberry Cream Cheese Scones by tea with grace/6Milk Bread Hearts by kanela y limon

Happy Valentine’s Everyone!

 

double_name

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feta and avocado hummus dip

February 12, 2015

Feta and Avocado Hummus DipGreen, salty and creamy.  Mmmmm….does that sound appetizing or what?!  To make matters worse this is kind of good for you.  My apologies for posting what sounds like healthy baby poo…it is the best poo ever though.

Feta and Avocado Hummus Dip Feta and Avocado Hummus DipI love me some hummus, and I love me some guacamole even more.  A recipe that combines the two PLUS feta (salty, crumbly FETA)…yeah, I was pretty much all over that.

Here’s the thing though, this really doesn’t taste like hummus or guac or any dip I have ever tried.  It is however every bit as satisfying.  The avocado adds a creaminess to the chickpeas while the feta turns it into a briney bowl of heaven.  It’s fantastic with chips, pita or veggies and makes an excellent spread for an egg sandwich.

Feta and Avocado Hummus DipTonight, after multiple conversations about how much this was needed, Sticky and I carved out some time for a date night.  We are of course running errands (which we said we wouldn’t do) but hey, it’s still an evening together.  Our anniversary is in less than two weeks in which we will (gasp) have another date night.  I am tempted to feel guilty about that but why even go there…any quality time with my man is time well spent in my book.

Feel free to enjoy your main squeeze (and the green poo dip)!

xo,

brandyjsig

 

 

 

feta and avocado hummus dip
 
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Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: vegetarian, healthy
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 1 15-oz can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 2 avocados, peeled, pitted and sliced in quarters
  • 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 3 limes, juiced
  • 2 tablespoons tahini paste
  • ¼ minced flat leaf parsley
  • splash of hot sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Place all ingredients in food processor and pulse until smooth and creamy.
  2. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve with chips, pita or veggies.

 

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peanut butter no bake oatmeal bars

February 11, 2015

Peanut Butter Oatmeal No Bake Bars
I took one bite of these and had that instant “what does this remind me of?” nostalgia.  I still can’t figure it out.  Doesn’t matter- they require zero oven time and they are yummy, that’s enough for me.

peanut_butter_oatmeal_no_bake_bars_2Peanut Butter Oatmeal No Bake Bars
This is Flour Loves Sugars’s busiest and best week of the year!  I get giddy over Valentine’s day anyways, but in the last few years the rush of all of the orders is an added bonus.  Granted, I don’t get much sleep, usually end up sobbing over something ridiculous like a dropped egg or a broken cookie, but it also is a huge reminder of how far this little business of mine has come.  The first Valentines day I had maybe 15 orders, all Etsy- and I remember feeling so excited.  This year I reached 100 local orders, which is both terrifying and awesome all at once!  Running a small business is as they say “like taking on a new baby” in every sense- very little sleep and millions of joyous celebrations.

So, as I sit here surrounded by naked sugar cookies, with flour in my hair and icing on my shirt, my heart is so full.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal No Bake Bars

Here is a simple classic recipe to dive into:

peanut butter no bake oatmeal bars
 
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Author:
Ingredients
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter (1½ sticks)
  • 1½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • ½ cup peanut butter (creamy/crunchy- your choice!)
  • 3¾ cup old fashioned oats (not quick cooking)
  • 1¼ cup semi sweet chips
Instructions
  1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Once melted, add the sugar, milk, vanilla, and peanut butter- and whisk to combine.
  3. Turn the heat to medium/high and bring mixture to a boil for about 4 minutes, continuing to whisk.
  4. Take the pan off the heat and add in the oats, stirring to combine.
  5. Spread the mixture evenly into a lined 9x9 dish.
  6. Immediately sprinkle with chocolate chips. The heat will melt the chips, which you can then spread with the back of a spoon to even out.
  7. Allow to cool completely before cutting and serving.

XO,

shansig

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