Different flavors for an easy breakfast!I have seen lots of different recipes for overnight oats on Pinterest and finally decided to try some! I really like oatmeal, but wasn't sure about the cold overnight oats I kept hearing about. They are actually pretty tasty! They're totally different than regular, hot oatmeal but they are great and so easy to make...perfect for a quick, healthy, grab and go breakfast in the mornings! The awesome thing is that there are so many different flavor options. I've only posted 4 different ones I've tried here, but there are tons more! And what is cuter than eating your breakfast out of a little mason jar? I found a cool "Master Recipe" for overnight oats from the Cleveland Clinic (you can find it here)...I sometimes used this and just added to it depending on the flavors I was using. Just add all the ingredients to the mason jar, shake or mix, and place in the refrigerator overnight. Certain ingredients in these recipes I just estimated and eyeballed, so try them out and adjust ingredients to your own taste! Blueberry Banana Overnight Oats I used 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup almond milk, 1/2 a banana (sliced), about 1/4 cup blueberries, about 1/4 tsp cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp vanilla. I sprinkled chia seeds (about 1 Tbsp or a little less) and sliced almonds in as well. Some recipes say to wait and add the bananas and other fruit until the morning. However, I added them with the other ingredients and I liked it (I think the flavors get into the oatmeal more that way). Mix and refrigerate overnight. Peaches and Cream Overnight Oats This recipe I found from Making Thyme for Health (you can find it here). I used 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup Almond milk, 1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt, about 1 Tbsp (or a little less) Chia seeds, and 1/2 fresh peach, diced. The original recipe says to add the peach in the morning, but I added it at night and it helped give it a nice peach flavor. Mix ingredients and refrigerate overnight. Strawberry Almond Overnight Oats I used 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup Almond milk, about 1/4 tsp cinnamon, about 1/4 tsp vanilla, a tiny bit of honey (recipes call for about 1 Tbsp but I used less), and I sprinkled sliced almonds and Chia seeds in it. I just diced strawberries and added them until it looked like a good amount. You could try between 1/4 cup and 1/2 cup of diced strawberries, to your taste. Mix ingredients and refrigerate overnight. Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats I found this recipe from Quaker Oats online (you can find it here). I made a few changes to it. I used 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup Almond milk, about 1/2 cup chopped apple, about 1/8 tsp cinnamon (maybe a little more, to your taste), and about 1 tsp honey. Mix ingredients and refrigerate overnight.
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An easy and delicious recipe!A few weeks ago I tried this new recipe and it turned out delicious...so I wanted to share it on the blog! I found a similar recipe on Pinterest and another from the Pioneer Woman (you can find her recipe here). I made a few changes to simplify it. This is a perfect dish for a filling lunch or even a dinner. If you like BLTs and avocados, this is definitely a must-try! I will be making more of this one in the future! The recipe I used is below (it makes 4 servings, or avocado halves)... Ingredients Bacon bits 1/2 cup sandwich bread, toasted and cut into cubes 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes 1/2 cup chopped fresh spinach or lettuce 1 Tbsp light mayonnaise 2 large, ripe avocados Salt and pepper, to taste Directions Prepare all ingredients. Add the bread, tomatoes, spinach, and several shakes of bacon bits (to taste) to mixing bowl. Add mayonnaise. Add salt and pepper to season. Mix all ingredients until coated well in the mayonnaise. Peel avocados and remove the pits. Sprinkle tops with salt. Spoon BLT mixture into the avocados. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Yum!!Here is a salad recipe I discovered on Pinterest and finally tried...and it is absolutely delicious, y'all! It's perfect for lunch or to pair with a dinner entree. I found the recipe from foodiecrush...you can find their site here. The original recipe makes one salad, but I multiplied it and here's the recipe I used to make a big salad to fill a small punchbowl! Ingredients 2 tubs of fresh arugula 8-10 campari tomatoes, sliced ~2 avocados, pitted and sliced 12-15 slices fresh mozzarella cheese fresh basil 4 Tbsp olive oil 6 tsp balsamic vinegar Salt (I used sea salt) and freshly ground black pepper, to taste *You can adjust the salad amounts to your taste and you can always double the dressing amounts if you need more Directions Place half of the arugula in a large bowl or punchbowl. Add half of the sliced tomatoes to the arugula. Add half of the fresh mozzarella slices. Sprinkle with shredded basil. Add half of the avocado slices. Repeat the layers again. Whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper together in a bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss the salad to coat it evenly. Serve and enjoy!
Bringing New Life to An Outdated Light Fixture!One of the projects I did this summer was updating a dining room light fixture. The brass finish was a bit outdated, so we removed the chandelier from the ceiling and I repainted it to an oil rubbed bronze look! This required a well-ventilated area...a work shed or barn is great for this so it is under a cover but has a lot of air flow (and if excess paint sprays around). I used these two cans of spray paint, and had to use even a little more. Gloves and a dust mask were very helpful as well. Hanging the chandelier by a rope from a beam was very helpful for being able to spray paint all angles of the fixture. We detached the bottom sphere on the chandelier, as well as the disk that goes against the ceiling and the chain. I put these on a piece of cardboard so I could spray paint them. I had to paint the chandelier and these extra pieces, let them dry for a little while, then go back and do extra coats. I flipped over the extra pieces to get the other sides coated in paint as well. I left the light fixture to dry for a couple of days, then we put it back together and hung it back in the dining room. It looks great in the room and is updated!
Beachy Door Decor!One of the little projects I did this summer was to make a new wreath for my aunt who lives near the beach in Florida! She wanted a burlap wreath with a pretty bow to put her white wooden "L" letter on...it was fun to make! Above are the supplies I used. I had to learn how to make a burlap wreath on the wire frame. I started out using floral wire to anchor it but ended up discovering that pipe cleaners worked better. Once I finished the base of the burlap wreath, it was time to make a bow. I wanted to give her options if she wanted to switch out the bow during the year, so I made three different bows that could be switched out on the wreath! The first one (above) was a linen one with navy stripes to look nautical! Next, I added these three starfish and anchored them in the wreath to add a neutral colored beachy look! The second bow I made for the wreath was out of a pretty light linen and gold chevron ribbon. I loved it for everyday use...neutral colors but a little shine and fun! The third bow I made was out of a fun, bright aqua/mint colored stripe ribbon. The color had a great coastal feel with the starfish...and it went great with the white wooden letter she added!
A Fun and Delicious Summer RecipeAs summer comes to an end, I wanted to share this recipe to use fresh cucumbers, whether they're from your garden or from the store! A good family friend shared the recipe with me...it's a fun and fairly simple little project. My mom and I had fun making them one day this summer and the pickles ended up having a great flavor! Plus, pickles are my favorite food so I really enjoyed this! The original recipe calls to make one gallon jar of pickles, but we split up the ingredients between 4 quart-size mason jars. Ingredients Several cucumbers 2 small onions, sliced thin 1/2 head of dill 2-3 cloves garlic 2 jalapeno peppers, sliced thin 2 cups white vinegar 6 cups water 1/2 cup pickling salt (we couldn't find pickling salt but Diamond Crystal brand Kosher salt works well too) Directions Cut cucumbers 1/4" thick and put in the mason jars (fill 3/4 full). Place dill in the mason jars. Cut garlic cloves into pieces. Place the pieces in the mason jars. Place thinly sliced onions in the mason jars. Place thinly sliced jalapeños in the mason jars. Mix the white vinegar, water, and salt together. Pour the mixture over top of the other ingredients in the jars. Cover loosely with the lids. Set the jars out in the sun for 2 days. Then, store them in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
Handmade Seasonal WreathsHey y'all! I'm selling some wreaths I've made to see how it goes. Prices and approximate measurements are listed below each photo. Local pickup is preferred. Shipping is available, email me for details. If you're interested in purchasing a wreath, email me at [email protected].
Bubbly DecicousnessIn my last post of the Bridal Brunch and Lingerie Shower I said I would share the recipe for the Strawberry Cream Mimosas we made! My mom and I found the recipe through Pinterest on Swanky Recipes...you can find their site here. We made a lot of changes to the original recipe but they turned out to be so yummy! They were the perfect little addition to a bridal lingerie shower and they looked adorable! Here's the recipe with our changes to it... Ingredients 1/2 cup frozen raspberries 1 1/4 cup fresh strawberries (diced) 1 1/2 heaping tsp. sugar 1 cup half & half cream 1 bottle sparkling white grape juice *you will also need an ice cube tray Directions Pour raspberries and strawberries into a medium sauce pan. Cook on low/medium heat for about 10 minutes, allowing the berries to soften and get soupy. Add the sugar to the berries and stir the mixture. Cook for another 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let the mixture sit for several minutes (until slightly cooled). Puree the mixture in a blender. Following this step, if the berry seeds bother you, you can remove them through a strainer. We left them and did not use the strainer and it was fine! Transfer the pureed mixture to a bowl. Add the half & half and whisk together to mix well. Pour the mixture into an ice cube tray. Fill them about half way or a little more so you can use all of the mixture (just make sure the ice cubes aren't too big to fit into your champagne flutes). Freeze the ice cubes. The great thing about this recipe is that you can make the majority of it ahead of time. I made these several days prior to the shower. The rest is simple! A little while before you are ready to serve the drinks, put 3 of the strawberry cream ice cubes in each champagne flute. Let them sit for a while to begin to thaw. While the cubes are thawing, go ahead and garnish the side of each glass with a small strawberry. When ready to serve, pour the sparkling white grape juice over the cubes in each glass. You will not use the whole bottle. If the ice cubes are not melting in with the juice, use a fork to gently break it up in the glass. The mixture of the bubbly and the frozen creates an awesome little frothy drink!
...and Lingerie Shower!Recently, my mom and I hosted a Bridal Brunch for my friend, with a lingerie shower to follow. We had a ball planning and decorating for it, and the event was a blast. It was a small shower which allowed us to do lots of cute little details! I am sharing some photos from the brunch and the shower on this post! I attached white tulle to a pretty wreath we already had and hung it on the front door where the guests entered. I wrote on this awesome rustic chalkboard with hinges that we found at Hobby Lobby and we stacked white twine globes I made earlier in the summer (in my previous post) for a shower. We decorated the dining room for the brunch! Several weeks ahead, I sewed the long table runner in a beautiful duck fabric in the blue pattern, as well as the napkins. At each place setting, we used silver chargers, vintage glass punch plates, and the napkins which I tied into bows! At each place setting we also had place cards that I made with card stock and lace paper doilies, with a sprig of cotton beside each! Nothing says a southern bridal brunch more than a little lace and some cotton! On top of the table runner we placed 3 glass cube vases filled with these gorgeous, large white hydrangeas. They were the perfect centerpieces! We ordered the hydrangeas from The Butterfly Cottage (you can find their website here). I would highly recommend them for floral decor and fresh flowers! The hydrangeas turned out beautifully...AND they have lasted forever! It has been over a week and three days and they still look awesome. We have left them and the table runner out for decoration. The two photos below are over a week after the shower! My mom let the bride's mom borrow her "Mother of the Bride" pin from my wedding! It was so cute sitting at her place setting. We also placed a washtub stand in the corner of the dining room to hold the supplies for "Make your own mimosa"! I found this adorable blue chalkboard at Michael's...I wrote on it and hung it on the front of the washtub! We tied tan raffia around each grouping of a mini orange juice and a mini bottle of sparkling cider...so cute! Bubbly deliciousness! We also set up the buffet for the brunch food...it turned out great! I drew the "Brunch Menu" on a chalkboard, and we found these mini chalkboard signs to label the food. We served mini chicken salad croissants. a "biscuit bar," deviled eggs, mini pancake stacks, fruit in champagne flutes, and veggie cups. Everything was mini and cute at this brunch! One little detail we included was a "Biscuit Bar" on the buffet...we made mini biscuits and had strawberry jam, pimiento cheese, and apple butter for spread choices. We put the spreads in mini mason jars with chalkboard labels. It was adorable! The mini pancake stacks turned out to be so dainty and tasty! We used toothpicks to hold them together and put strawberry slices or banana slices and blueberries on top! We served fruit in champagne flutes with whipped cream on top, as well as colorful veggie cups with ranch on the bottom! We put both on a galvanized tray on a separate little table by the buffet! As a dessert, we served Strawberry Punch Bowl Cake (on one of my previous blog posts) in little glass punch cups! I made little cupcake topper flags that say "I do" to stick in the top! The Lingerie Shower...We strung panties on a twine garland with mini clothespins on the mantel, and we placed metal "I Do" letters on the mantel! We wrapped her gifts in black and white striped paper with light pink tulle bows! I also drew a chalkboard for the lingerie shower! We filled the bottom section of the bookshelf with a tray of Strawberry Cream Mimosas, "Eat, Drink, and Be Married" cocktail napkins, and supplies for a few shower games we played. We used a metal pail lined with cute pink fabric with bras on it and a mason jar filled with pens for the games. I decorated the bride's chair with tulle and white wings (very Victoria's Secret-esque)! The Strawberry Cream Mimosas were amazing! So perfect for a lingerie shower! I will be sharing the recipe on the blog very soon! We tied the shower gel favors in tulle, black lace, and pink ribbon! The Bridal Brunch and Lingerie Shower were a blast! Can't wait for the bride-to-be to tie the knot!
A trip to the mountains!I recently took a short trip to the mountains in Virginia with my family...it was so much fun and we got to see and do some awesome things! I figured I would share it on the blog! The mountains are such a relaxing and beautiful place! If you get a chance to go soon, go exploring and take in the gorgeous scenery. We had the opportunity to see some amazing skies and landscapes. We got to ride around the area and explore some. One thing we were able to do was pick wild raspberries. These are a type of raspberry called "wine raspberries" or "wineberries." These things are delicious, y'all. They're great just plain, on pancakes, in a pie, and more. We picked a ton of these! We found some wild blackberries which also taste awesome. These are great in pies, cobblers, oatmeal, etc. While we were riding around outside, we saw some more beautiful scenery AND we found some stunning wildflowers growing on the roadsides! I collected some of these wildflowers and made them into an arrangement. I put them in an antique blue Mason jar! It was such a relaxing trip filled with breathtaking views and fun!
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BLOG OF A...Southern Belle and Carolina girl who loves Jesus, family, and life below the Mason-Dixon line. A Fan of Southern hospitality, grits and biscuits, pearls and bow ties, cotton and magnolias, sunshine and sweet tea, and all things monogrammed! Archives
December 2016
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