want to see what’s in my purse?
join me over at the small things blog for a peek at what I keep in my giant bag for the “just in case.”
what do you lug around all day? I’d love to know what you have to have on hand…
what’s in my purse?
May 4, 2012
guest post from {Catie’s Blue}
March 27, 2011
Hi Allora Handmade readers! My name’s Brandi, and I run a blog called Brandi Girl and a shop called Catie’s Blue. I’m honored that Jess is having me over today.
If you don’t know me, I’m kind of in love with color. Hues and shades, tints and tones, these are music to my ears. I especially love seeing the color in nature come back, and I have been desperately waiting for Spring since about October.
Now that it’s here, I’m swooning. Soft colors, bright colors, it doesn’t matter. Here are a few colors I can’t wait to see more of:
It’s like a little mini rainbow of handmade goodness! What colors are you loving right now?
guest post from {Knitty Bitties}
March 25, 2011
Happy Friday!!
Thank you to Jessica for letting me take over her blog for a second time. The pressure is always a bit intimidating, but I just can’t resist the invitation to hang out and smell the roses over here!
If I had to pick the top three things I love to do in my free time, I’d have to say …
- The first is sewing {which you can read all about on my blog, Knitty Bitties}.
- The second is running {which I can’t do for another 4 weeks due to a cracked rib from coughing … ouch!}
- The third, and the one I want to talk about today is … baking.
I *HEART* Baking!
There is nothing better than walking into my freshly cleaned kitchen and feeling that urge to bake. The same thing happens after I clean up my sewing room. To me, clean and organized is inspiring.
Favorite tried and true ‘bread’ recipe -
Hot Buttered Pretzels (from King Arthur Flour)
Notes:: I make this in my Kitchen Aid mixer with King Arthur’s Bread Flour {yes it’s worth the extra money and DOES make a difference}. It’s quick and easy enough that if I need a bread to go with dinner at say 4PM, I still have time to make this one.
Favorite cookie recipe -
Outrageous Chocolate Chip Cookies (from All Recipes)
Favorite cupcakes –
Hummingbird cupcakes (from Cup Cake Bake Shop by Chockylit)
Favorite new recipe –
Salted Caramel Butter Bars (from Cookies & Cups)
Most recently tried recipe –
6 Ingredient Chocolate Chip Scones (from Beautiful Nest)
Favorite homemade snack recipe –
My version of the ‘Homemade Whole Grain & Nut Energy Bars’ recipe originally found on Jessica’s sister’s blog, 30 Handmade Days. Unfortunately the link isn’t working, so I’m including the full recipe with my modifications in parantheses.
Ingredients:
Directions:
** I skipped this step and instead put all the dry ingredients (minus the oats) in the food processor to get a finer mix. **
**I purchased all of my nuts/coconut/wheat germ from the bulk section at Win-Co making it slightly less expensive. I also buy my almond butter fresh ground as well as my honey from Win-Co. I wouldn’t say this is a ‘cheap’ replacement for store bought granola bars, but they are so, so, so much better tasting (and better for you). Plus it makes 16 bars, which is about 2 boxes … so it’s probably a wash or a slight savings. **
Unlike the other recipes I had tried, these cut really nice about 2 hours after baking and didn’t require overnight cooling to come together. I cut the pan into 16 rectangular bars which really stayed together. Sure there are still a few crumbles, like any granola bar, but so much less than my earlier attempts.
Recipes I’m wanting to try::
- Cookies & Cream Cheesecake Cupcakes (from Martha Stewart Cupcakes, blogged at Handle the Heat)
- Peanut Butter S’mores Turnovers (from The Recipe Girl)
- Cinnamon Sugar Pull Apart Bread (from Joy the Baker)
Favorite recipe sites::
All Recipes
Pioneer Woman / Tasty Kitchen
Joy the Baker
Two Peas and Their Pod
Pinterest
And now I should be offering you a plate of baked goods for sitting through such a mouth watering post. If I could, I would. Seriously, then I wouldn’t have to eat it all {and then run 8,347 miles} … because some how I married a man without a sweet tooth and had a child who could take or leave most of the things I bake.
Instead I *might* be giving away one of my “Happy Little List Takers” here on Allora Handmade very soon. It’s perfect for making your grocery list/meal plan and holding your coupons & calculator as you head to the store.
Happy Creating!! I hope I inspired you to try something new!
XOXO, Andrea
