Pen it

Seeing a great note card is like eating chocolate, like drinking a caramel frappuccino, it's like seeing your favorite person at the end of a long workday, like a tight hug, like a comfy pair of sweats, like a walk on the beach atop cool sand.   Okay.......... maybe not quite, but if you couldn't guess, those are all things I love- just like seeing an amazing note card.

I love these.

via Sparrow Nest Script on Etsy

PB Fudge Pie.......and still among the living!

I'm here, yep..........still alive.  Just when I tell myself "get your booty in gear and get blogging again"- I have another long gap in post dates.  Well, as we all know 'life happens', but sometimes it's nice to enjoy the crazy busy times.

My friend Nicole came out for a visit to SD from Florida this past week.  We had some fun times and I will definitely have to share some photos from our adventures: Loads of sun, food, and laughs makes for a great time!

I'm trying to keep to my habit of making a new recipe once a week once a month of a Pinterest found treat.  If I get super dedicated, then maybe eventually it will turn into a weekly habit.  I sit down with my Husband and we drool over all the amazing looking desserts until we find one that we both are in the mood for, this time around it was the Peanut Butter Fudge Pie.  The original recipe can be found here

Ingredients

For the pie:
1 chocolate graham cracker crust
1 cup peanut butter
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
1 tub (12 ounces) Cool Whip, divided
1 jar (11.75 ounces) hot fudge topping, divided
½ cup sugar

For the topping:
2 tablespoons hot fudge
2 tablespoons peanut butter



Method
• In large bowl, beat peanut butter, cream cheese, and sugar until creamy. Fold in 3 cups Cool Whip. Spoon mixture into crust and smooth to edges.

• Remove 2 tablespoons hot fudge from jar and reserve in zip-loc plastic baggie for later. Heat remaining hot fudge according to package directions. Spread on top of peanut butter layer. Refrigerate pie until serving time.

• At serving time, carefully spread remaining Cool Whip on top of pie. 

• Knead hot fudge in baggie with hands; cut tiny hole in corner of baggie and pipe over pie. Repeat with 2 tablespoons peanut butter and pipe on pie in opposite direction.


SERVE!

I have to say that it was pretty simple to make, although by the time it was chilled and ready for the drizzle topping, I couldn't find the right size decorating tips and just used the 'ol plastic bag cutting tip method for the topping (not a very attractive outcome with the thick lines)- but it tasted amazing so I dubbed it two thumbs up!

Also, my eyes deceived while reading the recipe and I thought I read to spread whipped topping on top of the pie before adding the rest of the goop- just a quick tip, not recommended unless you want a messy pie!

DIY Ribbon Rack

It's been a long time coming.  For as long as I can remember (at least the past 2-3 years *so long ago*-haha), I've been in search for a ribbon rack.  Both my Mom and I would keep our eyes peeled anytime we visited a craft store and I even jumped online a few times to see if I could find not only a decent looking rack, but a well-priced one.  No luck.  At one time, JoAnns craft stores offered a rack, although I wasn't keen on the price nor would it have been large enough to accommodate my ribbon stash.  What's a girl to do?  Insert : Pinterest.

Just another reason I love Pinterest.  Other people have done the work/searches/pins and all I did was type in ribbon rack and I discovered an awesome DIY instruction step-by-step blog tutorial on making a rack.  I followed the the instructions from Budget Wise Home and even though she designed hers as a wrapping station rack, it works just as well for a ribbon rack and is both budget friendly while satisfying my aesthetic preferences.

I did have a few changes from the instructions I followed:  I bought unfinished wood and spray painted it, along with the dowels.  I bought silver hooks because I like the look of silver hardware.  I cut the sizes accordingly to accommodate my space.  I'd have to say, for all the materials (wood, dowels, screws, hooks, and spray paint)- cost was less than $20.  With a bit of 'husband and wife' elbow grease, the rack is complete and I am more than pleased with it.

So True!

I just saw this little saying while browsing Pink Wallpaper's blog.........gotta admit, it's so true.  Reminders like this help to motivate, inspire, and drive me to accomplish goals.

via Pink Wallpaper

Speaking of accomplishing things, I've got some fun DIY projects to share coming up this week........ stay tuned!

Josephine's Arrival- My New Desk

A new arrival will be entering our little apartment today- her name is Josephine and she's my new desk.  Yay!

Via World Market

Urban's Odds and Ends

Do you ever consider Urban Outfitters when looking for accessories or odds and ends for your home?  I admit, even back in high school, I would rummage through the  stuff  junk they had and wasn't too impressed about spending a good few bucks on thrift store looking items.

Well...... boy have they stepped up their game.  They've now got so much more to offer in terms of what they display inside their stores, but the real secret is their online store.  Wow.  I'll be keeping them bookmarked for sure.  We all know that aqua colored items are my soft spot, here's a few fun items I came across:

Stella Floor Lamp

Rag Rug

Factory Side Table

Stone Votive Holder

Industrial Magazine Rack

May be worth a look next time you're in need of a "filler" item.

Urban Outfitters

MIA- No Longer

I've been away for a while, away from the blog.  I haven't gone  'away' anywhere- although I'd like to take a nice Summer trip or long vacation somewhere.  We had a quick trip to Colorado last month to visit my sister, but that was the extent of our travels.  No additional trips in the schedule this year.  Have you been traveling at all?

It's been almost a month since my last post........ sorry about that.  Life consumed our little lives more than ever this past month.  Both good and bad.  Sometimes when you try not to focus on the negative, yet unfortunate events keep cycling around, it becomes even tougher to remain positive and grateful.  I've tried to get back into painting to help ease the stress..........although my work in progress is taking so long to finish it may begin to stress me out soon, ha ha.  In any case, I'm still around for those who may still glance at the blog every now and then.  Hope you all are well!

xoxo ~M

Enjoy the 4th!

Hope you all have a safe and Happy 4th!  We'll be sitting pretty with a nice view all day (at least that's the plan).

Frozen Fuchsia

I have never found a photo more representational of the color fuchsia.....until now.  Not only do I love it, I want to eat it!

Photo via Pinterest

Holy Colors!

I stumbled upon this Etsy shop and am in love with the color combinations used in these Ombre Hand-Dyed silk pieces.  The first silk top is my ultimate fave in this photo series- these are the best color combinations for rockin' this Summer!

Meg + Milo

All photos via Meg + Milo Etsy shop

Have you added any 'brightness' to your wardrobe this Summer?

Summer Crusin'

Crusin around SD this past weekend..........

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday.  Hope your weekend is bright and cheery.  We're planning to go on a coastal bike ride and enjoy getting our iced coffee drinks ( did I tell you were cutting back on Starbucks and only getting them on the weekends? It's been tough, but we're strong)!  Enjoy.

photo via Flickr