mood booster

black_floral_6Never in a million years would I have thought my ensemble for Mother’s Day would be mostly black.  There were two very good reasons for this though – I woke up grumpy (black always make for easy dressing when being a crab) and it was way chillier than expected outside (yes, black keeps you warmer).  10 minutes before we left I began to rethink my “where’s the funeral” look.  Not wanting to put in the effort to change,  I grabbed my coral clutch and violà – my outfit, mood and even the weather transformed into something much happier.  A handsome man and sweet little girl may have also had something to do with it.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother’s Day.

black_floral_5 black_floral_1 black_floral_4 black_floral_2|WEARING|sheer floral top similar/tuxedo blazer similar/H&M skinny jeans/beaded necklace similar/cutout heels similar/bold clutch similar

brandyjsig

 

 

Posted in outfits, style | Tagged | 2 Comments

happy birthday, brandy j!

So, today is BRANDY’S BIRTHDAY!! Cocktails, dinner and this little post are in order.

IMG_2169(1)

If you know Brandy, she never sells a celebration short- and today should be no different.
Brandy and I have known each other for some time now. Our shenanigans go back about six years, but it wasn’t until two years ago that we really started spending a lot of time together. At first, it was quick shopping trips and discussions that mostly revolved around our sweet little three-week-apart babies.
But now it is so much more.   I have found in her a constant support- a genuine friendship that has changed my life in more ways than I can count, and for that I am so grateful.
Wishing you the very best of birthdays, my sweet friend! Cheers to you and the beautiful person that you are, inside and out. I would truly be lost without you!

XO

shansig

Posted in personal | Tagged | 2 Comments

blogs mom will love

There’s a good chance your mom is on Facebook, Twitter or most definitely Pinterest.  My Granny recently purchased an iPad because she was tired of missing out on all the family instagrams (of course if she comments on someone pics more than others we call her out on it).  Our moms and grandmothers are web savvy now and they love a good blog just as much as we do.  I’ve gathered a few that may be worth sharing to a mom you know:

header6

Sometimes a girl just needs to bake.  Sally’s Baking Addition provides a creative catalog of “I think even I can do this” recipes.  She posted a S’mores Brownie Pie this week, that sounds evil and fabulous.

kristen_headerAlthough this family is made up of young children I think a mom of any age and stage of her motherhood would appreciate Rage Against the Minivan.  Kristen is real, honest and funny – she’s not trying to be perfect which is what makes her so relatable.

frugalIf you know a mom who is celebrity obsessed and appreciates affordable style Frugal Fashionista is for her.  Each day a celebrity look is featured with links to similar items at way more accessible prices.  And don’t worry, it’s not just the 20 something looks – 40+ starlets are featured as well.

gardenrantGarden Rant is the blog for all those green thumbs out there (or so I hear considering my garden is where plants come to die).  This is the place for anyone who talks about their tomatoes with the same admiration as their children.

LGN+HEADERRecently discovering Little Green Notebook I have become hooked to Jenny’s impeccable taste and best of all – her fabulous DIY projects.  Her creations look like they were purchased from a high end home boutique yet were simply made (at least she makes it look that they were).

50782475e4b0721a85bbb49bWhile pregnant I stumbled across Pregnant Chicken and felt so thankful that I did.  First and foremost Amy is funny – she puts a spin on pregnancy and that first year of baby like no other.  This is a must read for any expecting mothers out there (be sure to visit the Best Of section).

smallfrySmall Fry is a collaboration of 3 mother’s who wanted to create a lifestyle blog for children.  This is not just about the kids though – from great reads to learning about other mothers Small Fry has a little bit of everything.  A great link to send along to your friend or daughter who has young children.

DeguerrotypeFrost950x300finalLast but certainly not least is Grandma’s Briefs.  Lisa gives an honest account of motherhood and grandmother-hood.  She writes often about the difficulty of living far from her grandchildren and ways to remain present in their lives.  There are also enjoyable musings and a recipe from time to time – we wouldn’t expect anything less from a fun grandma.

 

brandyjsig

 

 

 

Posted in web love | Tagged | Leave a comment

diy chocolate covered coffee bean clusters

Owning a business often calls for thick skin.  And coffee, oh yes- lots of coffee.  Maybe not always, but at least where I’m at it does.  And chocolate.  I have no excuse for that one, I just need it.  Combine the two and I am zipping around my kitchen on cloud nine.

chocolate_covered_espresso_beans_1

The first year of owning a business has been such a whirlwind.  To be honest, when I started I had no idea what I was doing.. and sometimes I still feel that way.  I’m still learning, still figuring things out.  Holidays keep rolling in and out and I swear to myself that I will be more organized for the next one, but that never seems to be the case.  (And lets be honest, it probably never will be.)  Mother’s Day is a few days away and here I sit, an unorganized, disheveled mess, scrambling to figure out what I am getting my own mom- all while I package up these pretty boxes for one hundred other moms.   What’s new.  I have been wanting to make these for some time, and this seemed like the perfect excuse. 

chocolate_covered_espresso_beans_4

I’m a sucker for an easy, already have all you need DIY- and that is exactly what these are.  Like I mentioned above, I am also a sucker for coffee and chocolate.  If you are anything like me, you need these in your life.  And your mom probably does too. 

Ingredients:

1 cup whole coffee beans (any roast you prefer)

12 oz chocolate chips (I used semi-sweet, but again, whatever you prefer)

Directions:

Line a cookie sheet with wax paper, or prepare mini muffin liners.  Using double boiler melt chocolate by constantly stirring until smooth.  Add coffee beans, and stir to coat.  Using a fork, remove beans and place on prepared cookie sheet in small clusters.  Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

chocolate_covered_espresso_beans_3

A sweet and simple gift, perfect for any coffee lover.

shansig

 

 

Posted in diy, give a gift, recipes, something sweet | Tagged | 2 Comments

double berry streusel muffins

Remember when I mentioned my favorite muffins in the world? Well, here they are.berry_muffins_3

 

I have been on such a muffin kick lately.  Banana nutella, cinnamon streusel,  cranberry white chocolate, you name it.  But these… I have a soft spot for these pretty babies.  Fresh berries, the depth of the brown butter, the texture of the streusel.. who wouldn’t fall in love?  Last weekend Flour Loves Sugar set up at Relay For Life- and after selling out of cookies Friday night I decided to make them for Saturday morning in place of cookies.   I don’t think anyone minded.  Yum, yum, yum.

berry_muffins_1

Double Berry Streusel Muffins

Yield: 12 muffins

Ingredients:
Muffins:

1/3 cup unsalted butter, browned
1/3 cup milk
2 eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups berries (strawberries hand chopped, blueberries full)

Streusel Topping:

3 tbsp butter, soft but still cold
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup brown sugar

Almond Milk Glaze:

1/2 cup powdered sugar
2-4 tbsp almond milk (or regular milk if you prefer)

berry_muffins_4

Directions:

Brown 1/3 cup of butter, and preheat oven to 375F. Whisk in milk, eggs and vanilla extract.  In a separate bowl, whisk together flour,  sugar, baking powder and salt.  Gently fold liquid into dry ingredients, followed by berries.  Do not over mix!

Divide batter evenly using large ice cream scoop in 12 muffin liners.

Prepare topping by cutting butter into the flour and brown sugar, creating a crumbly texture.  Sprinkle evenly over muffins.  Bake 18-20 minutes, until a toothpick can be inserted and comes out clean.

Once cool, whisk together milk and powdered sugar until desired consistency is achieved, and drizzle over muffins.

Enjoy,

shansig

 

 

 

 

Posted in recipes, something sweet | Tagged | 2 Comments