cinnamon ornaments

December 11, 2014

cinnamon_ornaments_1Phew, what a busy day.  A quick shopping trip, dinner, and an impromptu trip to score a second hand coffee table (that is a treasure!).  Two weeks from Christmas, and I can proudly say we have already stuffed these eleven days with memories and traditions.  I’ve kicked myself the last few years for being so “busy” and not finding time for lovely things like these cinnamon ornaments.

These are so fun for little hands and they fill your house with a yummy cinnamon scent.  The girls certainly had fun mixing their very own dough and picking shapes to turn into ornaments.  Waiting for them to completely dry is the only part of these that take much time.

Here’s what you need:

  • 3/4 cup applesauce
  • 1 cup cinnamon
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp cloves
  • 1/4 cup glue

 

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Combine all ingredients and form into a ball.  Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness, cut and poke with skewer to create a hole for hanging.  Lay out on wax paper for 2-3 days, flipping once a day until completely dry.

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Happy Crafting!
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shansig

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peppermint dip

December 10, 2014

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That little bug going around landed at our house last week. After bragging that Adelynn never gets sick (I even knocked on wood!) low and behold she comes down with a horrible cough, that is just today starting to show signs of its departure. We’ve been laying low this week, with the exception of the Nutcracker on Saturday (which was fabulous). My “family physician kit” from DoTerra has seen a lot of action lately- it hasn’t left our counter, which is partially responsible for this amazing peppermint dip.

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The basic recipe came from Food, Folks and Fun, which I followed exactly except for sswitching out the peppermint extract for DoTerra Peppermint oil (be sure to use pure grade oil if you try this out!), and it came out so, so yummy.  If you need something to bring to your holiday party- this is it.  Seriously, everyone will love you.  I swear.  On top of the cool points you will acquire, it’s super quick and easy to throw together.  It sort of tastes like a thin mint, only creamier and better.  (I’m not lying, it’s that amazing!)

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(If you’re wondering about my remedy for Adelynn, it has been Breathe every night diffused, and Frankincense + Melaleuca with a carrier oil on her feet twice a day.)

XO,

shansig

 

 

peppermint dip
 
Print
Ingredients
  • 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract or 5 drops pure grade Peppermint oil
  • 4oz Cool Whip (half a container)
  • 1 Cup (plus more for garnish) Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips
  • Chocolate Graham Crackers (for serving)
  • Chocolate Covered Pretzels (for serving)
Instructions
  1. Beat cream cheese on high until soft, then add powdered sugar. Add cool-whip and extract/oil and beat for an additional minute. Fold in peppermint crunch chips, and serve with chocolate grahams and chocolate covered pretzels.
Peppermint Dip
Posted in holidays, recipes, something sweet | Tagged | 1 Comment

easy holiday makeup

December 9, 2014

We all want to look our best for the holidays but in lightning speed time of course.  A basic eye with bold lips is a great way to look festive without all the fuss.  A fun look to try when you’re rushing out the door to that holiday party.

easy_holiday_makeup_1We used the fabulous Naked Basics Palette for the eye shades.

  1. Highlight the inner eye corner, brow bone and lid with Venus.
  2. Darken the crease with Naked 2.
  3. Blend a little more Naked 2 under outer corner.
  4. Using an angled brush, line eyes with Crave.
  5. Finish with mascara and your favorite bold lip!

easy_holiday_makeup_2This look is great with a simple sweater or your sparkly best.   Just don’t forget to have your lipstick on hand for touch ups.

xo,

brandyjsig

 

 

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rammel tree tradition 2014

December 8, 2014

tree_tradition_2014_1This year’s outing consisted of a daddy with a headache, unplanned mismatched outfits and a last minute change of tree farm. When we walked out the door I thought disaster was eminent. Thankfully I was wrong, and frankly should of known better. Where there’s rows of piney trees, there’s happiness. And that’s just what we found last week…happiness and the perfect family Christmas tree.

tree_tradition_2014_2 tree_tradition_2014_3 tree_tradition_2014_4 tree_tradition_2014_5 tree_tradition_2014_6On the way home our tree nearly slid off the car into oncoming traffic. My first instinct was to panic, Sticky on other hand got a great big grin and said “Come on a Brand, what a fun story we could tell!”. He couldn’t be more right (this time).

 

xo,

brandyjsig

 

 

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these things

December 5, 2014

We have Pandora set to our “winter songs” station 24/7 this time of year.  From Andy Williams to Michael Buble there are very few holiday tunes we do not love.  Especially so when it comes to any song from this album by Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward (She & Him):

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This clip from SNL.  An old bit I caught the other evening during their holiday special.  We all know this girl.  No one wants to be stuck talking to this girl.  Yet we all love her because let’s face it, she’s pretty funny.

 

Pom hats.  They are classic, fun and crazy adorable.  I can’t get enough of them, especially on kids.  Here are some versatile favorites:

pom_hats_11Old Navy grey fleece lined 2H&M knit hat 3H&M rib-knit hat 4Next Direct colourblock pom-pombeanie 5Gap pom-pom stripe hat

My littles look awfully cute in their poms during our annual Christmas tree hunt (which we’ll share more of soon):

pom_hats_2Happy Weekend Everyone!

xo,

brandyjsig

 

 

Posted in personal, these things, web love | Tagged | 1 Comment