Make Your Cake & Frosting Too

Let me start off by saying that I am not a frosting person. I don't like super heavy, sugary frosting. Some people do; but not me. So D.'s birthday was in April and I decided to try a recipe from pinterest. I picked this one because I liked the picture. Let me tell you that this frosting is now my favorite and we have used it for P.'s birthday cake in May and for my sisters Baby shower cupcakes last weekend. 

The frosting is super easy to make and it is so light and fluffy. Not too sugary and with a really great flavor. 

Whipped Vanilla Frosting

source: smells-like-home

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 sticks (1 1/2 cups) unsalted butter, softened and cut into cubes
• 3 1/2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip butter on medium-high speed until smooth, about 1 minute.
2. Add the confectioners’ sugar to the bowl and mix on medium-low speed just until incorporated.  Add in the salt.  Continue to beat on medium-high speed until smooth, about 1-2 minutes.  Mix in the vanilla extract and heavy cream on low speed just until incorporated.  Increase the mixer speed and whip on high speed until light and fluffy, scraping down the bowl as needed, about 4 minutes.

Enjoy!

Dress Up Closet

This last week my mother-in-law (my project partner) & I made this cute dress-up closet. The plans are from ana-white.com. We modified the plans a bit cause hangers for young kids doesn't make much sense. It took us about 6-7 hours but that included two trips to the store and working while caring for my three kiddos; I was pleased. 

The next day Damsel, Paden & I painted it white. I really struggle with including my kids in projects because I like to get it done fast and, while I am not a perfectionist at all, I, at least, like it to look like an adult made it. You know what I mean. Moving on. 

But I let them help me and it was fun for them and not so bad for me. I decided on white because I wanted a neutral color since both my kids would be using it and with all the different colored dress up stuff I didn't want it to look too busy. Damsel wanted it to be rainbow colored. I won.

The following day I was planning on printing off some letters and tracing them onto the bottom since I am not confident enough to free hand it. But it was my lucky day! My beautiful cousin Madi was visiting and she had a few more hours before she had to catch the train back to Seattle. She offered to help me paint  the words! She is so creative and talented- she freehanded the letters and it turned out way better then I could have ever done. She did such a great job even with the truly cruddy, random paint brushes and old dried-up paint I had lying around. 

I love the girly cursive

& the comic bookyness of this side!   

Damsel also surprised me by helping paint one of the sides. It has taken everything I have to not repaint it white. But Damsel is proud of her work so I guess I will leave it. - sign -

The closet is perfect for the kids' dress up clothes. It's way better then having them all shoved & crumpled up in a trunk. 

Thanks again to my awesome mom-in-law and my super-cool cousin Madi!!! 

The 3 Day Diet

So, it's official - I quit my diet. Not gonna lie, I feel kinda like a loser. But, ya know, crazy diets like this don't work for people like me who have no will-power.

I did make it the whole fruit day and half the vegi day. And today, on what would've been fruit & vegi day, I ate way more fruits and vegetables then I normally would have.

It is really okay though cause I will just continue on in Zumba and try to cut back on Dr. Pepper and candy. Maybe I will actually get some results with exercise and moderation. :/

 I think that's the trick anyways.

Mothers Day Photos

The oh-so talented Stacy Jacobsen took the most beautiful pictures of my kiddos over Mothers Day weekend. 

Ivy was being a bit uncooperative. :) But she is still such a cutie-pie!

I couldn't have received a better gift! Thanks Jordy!

First Diet Ever

Wish me luck. For the first time in my life I am going on a diet. I've been having fun all weekend channeling my inner Chris Farley "Diet starts Monday!' 

I saw this on pinterest and would love to drop 10 lbs & a dress size! 

Source: justinandashleyrefresh.com via Isabelle on Pinterest

Since it's only 7 days I think I can do it! 

For scientific reasons I am listing my starting weight and measurements. 

141 lbs. 

Hips: 40 

Gut: 38 

True Waist: 32

I will post results next Monday.

DIP

So.... yeah, it has been forever since I posted anything. But now that the weather is beautiful I can finally start working on some more furniture. Here is my latest piece.

Ivory with Yellow "dipped" legs. Hand Painted & distressed
47' long, 19.5' tall, 20' wide
$40  $25

Contact me if you are interested!

(253) 359-0657

Stay tuned for more. And don't hold your breath but I am considering trying this 30 Day Blog Challenge. Hmmm... we'll see.

RED Dresser

****SOLD***
Red Dresser

Call or text 253 359-0657

Hand painted, 9 drawer red dresser 

Furniture For Sale

Cash only for all items. Local pick-up only. 

 Call or text me at (253) 359-0657

Pink High Chair 

$85

Check here for super cute ideas in what you could do with it:

here or here or here

Childrens Chairs

$20 for both 

Wicked!

We've been listening to the "Wicked" soundtrack at our house nonstop since we found out its coming back. When we see it again it will be Jordy and my 3rd time, which just shows you how much we love "Wicked"! 

We're thinking about going to Eugene, Oregon instead of Spokane because it comes a month earlier. 

Either way I can't wait.

White

So the hubby and I have agreed that white sheets and towels are truly the only way to go.

 I know what your thinking, but its not really boring. 

  And it makes you feel like your at a hotel whenever you climb into bed.  

It's just that they feel and look clean, crisp and new;

Don't they make you feel like your at the spa?

The part where me and hubby disagree is this, he things the whole clean, crisp whiteness should be carried into our dishes. 

He has a point when he says, "the focus of the meal should be the food, not the plate."

I do understand that he wants a clean-canvas-type-thing when he is making some gourmet meal.

I really do understand, why they are appealing.

But can I help but to want Fiestaware?

Who can blame me?

I blame it on thepioneerwoman.com, she introduced us.

They really are a party every time you sit for dinner.

They would make my kitchen so alive and bright!

The colors make me so happy!

 Really, I am in love.

Did I mention the 5 year no-chip warranty? 

That just might win the case with Jordy.