loving lately

November 15, 2013

It’s the weekend again!  We are in the middle of moving- but here are a few things that have caught my eye this week:

loving_lately_november

 

1. The Innovation of Loneliness. This video came at a really good time for me.  In a world where we seem to have lost touch with what real relationships and conversations feel like- this video really puts things into perspective.  2. A good friend of mine drug me out of my box-filled house last weekend for “Ladies Night Out” hosted by this little gem of a store nestled in a small town by ours.  I will be visiting Betsey’s Boutique Shop again and again- its fabulous! 3. I’m absolutely loving all of the kimono’s and oversized sweaters that this fall is flaunting.  This is right up my alley- so comfortable!! 4. I’ve been lusting after this metallic twine for awhile now.  Seriously, how pretty is it?!  I’m hoping to incorporate it into some gift wrapping this holiday season! 5. Homemade apple cider has been all over my IG feed and I’m dying to make some!  I can’t think of a better way to make our new home smell wonderful!

If you missed our giveaway yesterday- it doesn’t end until next Friday.  Be sure to enter!!  Have a great weekend!

shansig

Posted in personal, web love | Tagged | Leave a comment

green mountain mini baked giveaway (closed)

November 14, 2013

donut_giveaway_2

One of the very best aspects of being a seller on Etsy, is the ability to connect with other shop owners and find millions of fabulous products that can be mailed right to your doorstep.  Debbie Mast, of Green Mountain Mini Baked, specializes in unique mini-donuts that  are nearly too adorable to eat.  (But go ahead and indulge, because they are equally as yummy!)

donut_giveaway

A bit from her Etsy shop:  “Green Mountain Mini Baked is a mini donut bakery located in the Green Mountains of Vermont.   If you are inclined, please try Green Mountain Mini Baked… you will be hooked!!   ❤  NEVER made with preservatives!!  Baked with as many FRESH Vermont and New England products as possible.  For example I use Vermont cage free eggs, King Arthur flour, Kate’s Real Butter Milk (from Maine), Booth Brothers Milk (the farm is 2 houses down from me), VT apple cider, VT made maple syrup, Cabot butter, and Cabot sour cream.  I  bake all my donuts in an industrial donut maker.  This ensures uniform shaped donuts, without all of the grease that comes with frying!”

Now for the fun- Debbie is graciously giving away 1 dozen of her holiday donuts to one lucky PPJ reader!  Here’s how you can enter:

1. Leave a comment sharing your favorite donut flavor.

2. “Like” Green Mountain Mini Baked on Facebook.

3. Share this giveaway on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, and tag #ppjminidonutgiveaway

Giveaway is open to US winners only, you have until Friday, 11/22/13 at 11:59PM EST to enter.  Winner will be contacted via email and will have 72 hours to respond or another winner will be selected.

Good luck!

WINNER!

Congrats to Shannon (Painting Paris Pink)! Thanks to all who entered the giveaway!

Posted in Giveaway, holidays | Tagged | 22 Comments

salted caramel-filled snickerdoodles

November 13, 2013

Anything that is “caramel filled” and I get along pretty well, if you haven’t noticed.  Add sea salt and you’ve got perfection, which is just what these too-easy-to-be-true cookies are.

caramel_snickerdoodle_5
As you know, I bake a lot of cookies.  Most of my recipes go through several “tests” before I put them in my shop (do they stay fresh for 5 days? are they thick enough? are they too similar to something I already offer?).  If they pass all of those tests, they are whisked off to a photo shoot with Brand and a new flavor is born.  What I love about baking for this blog is that those tests go out the window, and all that matters is that they are really stinkin’ good.

caramel_snickerdoodle_4

These came out of the oven and Josh says, “what are those??”. Ummmm, magical snickerdoodles, babe.  “Well… don’t you think they are kind of.. flattish?”  (This is Josh’s nice way of saying “those don’t pass the poof test”.)

caramel_snickerdoodle_2

You guys, in this moment I realized I have transformed him into a cookie snob, like myself.  Oops.

salted caramel-filled snickerdoodles
 
Print
Ingredients
  • Topping:
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar, for cinnamon-sugar topping
  • 3 teaspoons cinnamon
  • Cookie:
  • 1½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla
  • 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • 35 chocolate covered caramel candies, such as Rolo or Dove
  • Coarse sea salt
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Using a small bowl, mix together your topping (cinnamon & sugar), and set that aside as well.
  2. In your mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat eggs in one at a time, being sure to scrape down the bowl after each addition. Add in vanilla.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, tartar, baking soda, salt). Using a wooden spoon, mix the wet ingredients into the dry, being careful to not overmix.
  4. Using a small ice-cream scoop or tablespoon, scoop dough out, adding a caramel to the center of each cookie. Roll in topping, and sprinkle with sea salt.
  5. Bake for 7-9 minutes, until small cracks appear of the top of the cookies. Let sit on cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling racks- and be sure to eat a warm one! So yummy!

My recipe was adapted from this recipe.

These may not pass the poof test, but one bite and I promise you wont care.  (The cookie connoisseur in my house didn’t at least!)

caramel_snickerdoodle_1
caramel_snickerdoodle_3
Happy Baking!
shansig

Posted in recipes, something sweet | Tagged | Leave a comment

diy cranberry mask

November 12, 2013

cranberry_mask_4

Nothing says the holidays like cranberries.  Sure they are yummy in sauces and crumbles but did you know they are also a fantastic beauty treatment for your skin?  Full of vitamin A & C, cranberries produce the ever important collagen that keeps your skin looking firm and healthy.  The anti-aging benefits do not stop there.  This super fruit fights free radicals which causes wrinkles.  And if that is enough for you they also aid in locking in moisture.  I have enjoyed all of our diy masks but I have to admit this one is my favorite.

cranberry_mask_1Ingredients:

  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1 cup red seedless grapes
  • 2 teaspoons fresh grapefruit juice
  • 1 envelope unflavored gelatin

cranberry_mask_2Directions:

  1. Rinse the cranberries and grapes, and then add all the ingredients to a blender and puree until they form a paste-like mixture.
  2. Cover the mixture and place in the refrigerator for 35 to 45 minutes to thicken.Remove and allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
  3. Pull your hair away from your face and apply the mixture to clean skin.
  4. Find a spot where you can relax with the mask on your face for about 15 minutes (wear an old shirt or towel around your neck you would not mind staining if it should happen to drip). Gently wash off the mask with warm water, either in the shower or with a soft cloth.

*it is a good idea to test this on a spot under the arm before applying to face to ensure any sensitivity issues to the fruit.

mask from she knows

cranberry_mask_3My skin is still feeling soft and fresh from my first use of the mask last night.  This recipe makes enough for at least 4 applications, just be sure to let the other members of your household know it is for beauty, not eating with turkey.  Hope you pick up some extra cranberries and pamper yourself with this wonderful mask!

brandyjsig

 

 

Posted in beauty, diy, skin | Tagged | 1 Comment

cozy essentials

November 11, 2013

My week will be spent glued to my computer editing, designing, editing, designing and then editing, designing some more.  All this computer time means lots of hot cups of tea and the most comfortable clothes I can find.  These are my chilly day essentials – the must haves for curling up on the couch and sinking into a holiday movie (or holiday photography workflow):

cozy_essentials 1tunic hoodie 2oversized sweater dress 3hooded maxi cardigan 4shiny leggings 5plaid scarf 6cableknit hat 7over the knee socks 8sweatpants

brandyjsig

 

 

Posted in style, web love | Tagged | 1 Comment