Blog Widget by LinkWithin

MAKE iT | Cinnamon Sugar

Thursday, November 9



Sometimes all we need is the simplest of things to bring a little joy to our lives or even usher in feelings that take us back through time.

Today I'm sharing something that does both of those things for me.
We're talking about the perfect ratio of cinnamon + sugar today.

Yep. Seems simple enough.
Cinnamon + sugar...specifically cinnamon + sugar toast. 


It takes me back to my grandparent's kitchen.
It's morning and I can hear my grandparents talking...my grandmother looking out the bay window as my grandfather prepares her simple breakfast - usually coffee and a slice of pecan coffee cake or  maybe toast with orange marmalade.

I can clearly see them with their backs to me, watching the birds in the bird feeder together...discussing my grandfather's next scheme to prevent the squirrels from stealing the bird seed. (his last attempt of vaseline on the post didn't resolve the problem).

I can smell the cup of coffee sitting on the table in front of my grandmother and I can visualize the tiny details etched on the sides of the small, simple corelle coffee cup.  The smell of the perfectly golden toast my grandfather is eating fills the air - very thinly sliced bread from the bakery - butter only. If I'm still enough, I can even hear the specific sound the butter knife makes as my grandfather scrapes it across the perfectly browned toast.

As for my toast, my grandfather sprinkles cinnamon + sugar on top. And it's delightful.
He just eye-balls the amounts of cinnamon + sugar and it always seems to be the perfect ratio.
Wow! So many fond memories and small little details I thought I'd forgotten about.



I've treated my girls to the same cinnamon + sugar toast on occasion and of course, they too thought it was delightful. I often accidentally sprinkle on a little too much cinnamon which then means I have to add more sugar to achieve a more balanced ratio.

The other day, in preparation for my Hot Cocoa Bar this year, I was preparing a salt shaker filled with the perfect cinnamon + sugar combination for one of this year's hot cocoa flavors.

So...as simple as this little secret is...I thought you might appreciate me sharing it with you.



INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 TBSP ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS
Shake it up and it's ready.
Use a ziplock bag or salt shaker for shaking. Or just add it to a bowl and mix well.

Use this for toast, sprinkling snickerdoodle cookies or adding a little bit of extra to your hot cocoa!

That's it!
Easy.
Simple.
And that's my favorite.

PS - Love my copper + glass salt shaker? I found a set of two right here!

Here's to taking a few minutes today to think about something simple from your childhood that floods you with joy and memories you didn't know you had tucked away.

Love you friends!!
xoxo,
Jess

KEEPiNG iT REAL
The Hot Cocoa bar isn't up yet. I made some alterations to the sign and actually moved the piece of furniture I was using into the guest bedroom. J's parents are here visiting from Illinois for the next 5 days so I'll get back to the cocoa bar soon!

FOUND | Antique Copper Treasures

Monday, October 30


Raise your hand if you're into the copper accent trend? Me.
I could kick myself for letting my mom get rid of her copper pan collection about 5 years ago.

But...that just means I get to go out and hunt for copper treasures and this weekend I did just that. I found some antique varieties while "pickin'" with Rachel from Rachel Elizabeth Creates. We met for lunch and then she took me to her favorite spot for the day.

The verdict is out on whether or not I will polish these up. I don't intend on using these for anything but decor purposes but I prefer the copper shine through just a little bit more than their current state. What would you do? I've read conflicting views about whether or not polishing effects the value of antique copper pieces. Anyone have any feedback or insight you'd like to share?

Here are a couple of other copper treasures I'm currently crushing on:
Copper Tea Kettle
Old Dutch Solid Copper Tea Kettle
Copper Whisk
Restored Vintage Copper Cookware - super out of my price range but stunning!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and are enjoying this Hallow's Eve!!

xoxo,
Jess

KEEPiNG iT REAL
So I showed up 30 minutes early when meeting up with Rachel...completely by accident.
I was apparently super excited to have some girl time but it was pretty laughable considering this is only the 2nd time I've met Rachel. Ha! Her mom came along too this time and was such a treat to spend time with.

Oh...and I may or may not have a mirror Rachel found that I will be delivering some time soon since there was no way she could fit it in the car on their two hour drive home with kids in tow AND we may or may not have come up with this intentional plan to avoid any unnecessary conversations about "spending" with her hubby. Ha!!  (she lives close to where we just moved from...and I moved to where she grew up and where her family is from). So crazy, right?

DESIGN | Sweet Love Bridal Collection

Friday, June 21

I thought I'd send you off into the weekend with Love on your mind...
thanks to this really cute "Sweet Love" logo I recently designed.



Last month I was approached by my friend, Carmen to create a printable mini wedding suite.
If you don't already know, Carmen owns a super cute party shoppe called The Flair Exchange.
She creates fun hand-made party decor and she has recently stepped into the "wedding" side of celebrations.

Carmen challenged me to create a mini wedding suite including an invitation and matching treat flags
using her Rose Tissue Paper Tassel Garland Kit.
Drawing inspiration from the neutral color palette of...
copper metallics and soft pink rose gold, here's what I came up with...



I loved the design so much...(and felt like there would be many others out there who would like it too)
I decided to create a few more coordinating elements to create a complete "mini celebration" package


There's now a 24x36 printable Chalkboard Poster, Banner, Cut-Outs and Thank You Cards to go along with the invitation and party flags.


The Cut-Outs are one of my favorite elements since they are so versatile.
Create cake toppers, chair signs, stickers, lawn stakes, clings and more!




Here's the best part of this entire collection...
although it was originally intended for a wedding/bridal shower...
it's also perfectly fitting for a baby shower...
anniversary celebration...
or even for Valentine's Day! (pin it now to remember later)

The entire collection is now an INSTANT DOWNLOAD available in the shoppe.
If you prefer to have just the party flags and Fill-In Invitation...visit Carmen's site for the FREE download.  

While you're there - be sure to browse her selections of Balloon Tassels, Confetti-filled balloons and Tissue Tassel Garlands. 

But hey...
before we all head out to enjoy our weekend...

How about I randomly choose 3 winners to receive the entire "Sweet Love" Collection?
That's what I'm talking about!!

Enter now using the Rafflecopter Widget below


The contest starts NOW and the winners will be announced on Monday! (June 24th)
Tell all of your friends who are planning bridal showers, weddings, baby showers, etc.
They'll love you - I promise!!

I hope you have a great weekend everyone!

KEEPiNG it REAL
I will soooo be using this collection myself.
I'm in love with the turnout and my creative mind won't stop churning with all of the possibilities!
CopyRight © | Theme Designed By Hello Manhattan