Woolzies {review & giveaway}

2.28.2013

Laundry.  It's never-ending, and not something I'm ever able to 'catch up on' (is that possible even?).


I was sent a box of Woolzies Dryer Balls to try out and review - and there's also a chance to win your own box!  Woolzies Dryer Balls are 100% eco-friendly and are a natural fabric softener.  And they are guaranteed to last at least 1,000 loads!  No more buying those chemical filled dryer sheets.  Each box contains 6 dryer balls, and I use them all at once.  Here are a few facts about them:


I've found all of them to be true except for the static.. there is still some static there when I take my clothes out of the dryer.  However, Woolzies suggests to place in a ball of aluminum foil with the dryer balls to help reduce static as well, which I haven't done yet.  And I've also heard that you can put a few drops of essential oils onto the dryer balls to make them smell good.  I haven't done that yet either, but I plan to!  :)

All in all, I really do think these are a good buy.  They do their job, they are chemical-free and eco-friendly.. and they will last me 1,000 loads!  I don't know how long that is... BUT, it's a lot longer than a box of dryer sheets would last me.  The only 'downside' is that every time I do laundry, my daughter wants to play with them.  Haha.



You can buy your own box of Woolzies here, or you can enter below for a chance to win a box! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spring Shopping for Baby Girl

2.15.2013

 

Since Old Navy's Kids & Baby Sale started last Thursday, my husband and I took Clara out shopping!  Old Navy always has the cutest clothes - all the fun, bright, spring colors and the pretty floral dresses.  Regular priced items are a little expensive, in my opinion.. so when I found out the Kids & Baby Sale was going on I was pretty excited to stock up on some things for spring/summer.

I did take Clara in the dressing room and try a few things on her... she was patient with me, for at least a few minutes.  ;)   I  had a hard time narrowing down what I wanted to actually purchase.  Little girls clothes are just too precious.

For $75 I was able to buy quite a few outfits for Clara.  I bought 2 rompers, a pair of capri's with a tank top, 4 t-shirts, a pair of yellow skinny jeans, and a pretty blue top.  I was a little bummed at the selection of colored skinny jeans.  I was really excited about those, but when I went shopping they were sold out of a lot and only had a couple pairs left in Clara's size.

 


I'm absolutely dying for summer to get here so I can stick her in the adorable rompers!!  I also love how the jeans and capris have an adjustable waistband - very convenient since she always seems to be in-between sizes.  The one thing I didn't get, but wished I did, were some jelly sandals.  But trust me, I'm going to go back for those!  Right now she's in this phase where all she wants me to put on her foot are her little sneakers (she wouldn't even let me try the sandals on her).

This child definitely has a better wardrobe than I do.  But that's on my list before spring.. this Mama has to have some stylish clothes too!

 
 

That last photo.. I asked her to show me her teeth.. and that is what I got.  ;)

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Puff Stitch Scarf {Etsy}

2.08.2013

I have a new item in the shop.  And I really really love it.  I think it's my favorite scarf at this moment (I love scarves, so that changes a lot;).  It's a puff stitch, and I just adore the way this stitch looks - it's simple, classic, yet has a different and appealing design.

Yep, I like it!


I think this would be a great addition to any wardrobe.  It's simple.  Warm enough for the dead of winter, yet good enough for a sunny & breezy day.  It's versatile and can be worn in a variety of ways.  If you haven't seen the video "25 Ways to Wear a Scarf in 4.5 Minutes"... you should watch it.


And it's available in a variety of colors!

I had to send one off to my friend Morgan, as a gift.. hope she loves it.  :)


The Best Red Velvets {recipe}

2.04.2013


I love red velvet, and I was so excited to finally make these!  I wanted to wait until February, because it's very appropriate for the whole Valentine's theme.  These are honestly the best red velvet recipe I've come across - a definite keeper in my book.  I originally wanted to do a white chocolate frosting instead of a cream cheese, so I tried it.  But it was entirely too sweet for my liking.  So I opted for the cream cheese frosting (like I should have in the first place).  I added a little more powdered sugar than what the recipe called for, because I wanted to cut the cream cheesy-ness a little.. I'm picky like that.  But like one of my friends said, red velvet and cream cheese are just meant for each other.  And it's true!  :)  Are you baking anything fun this coming up Valentine's Day?


The Best Red Velvet Cupcakes
recipe from Drizzle & Dip
  • 3 1/3 cups cake flour
  • 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) of unsalted butter at room temp.
  • 2 1/4 cups of sugar
  • 3 large eggs at room temp
  • 3 tbsp. cocoa powder
  • 3 tbsp. food colouring
  • 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
  • 1 1/2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Line a muffin pan with paper liners. Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add each egg one at a time ensuring that it is well mixed before adding the next one. Add the cocoa, vanilla and food colouring. Mix.

In a separate bowl sift the flour.  Mix the salt with the buttermilk (I just add it directly into the measuring cup). Add the sifted flour and the buttermilk to the batter in 3 parts, allowing it to incorporate before adding the next part. Do not over beat.

In a small bowl mix the apple cider vinegar with the baking soda. This will fizz up. Add this right at the end to the batter and mix briefly. Scrape down the bowl by hand using a spatula and ensure that everything is mixed in.

Scoop out dollops of dough, about 2-3 tbsp, to about 3/4 of the way up the cupcake liner. Bake for 20 minutes until well risen and springy to the touch.  Do not over bake.. no one likes a dry cupcake!  ;)  Remove from the pan right away and let cook on a wire rack.

This recipe makes 30 cupcakes - you can easily cut this recipe in half if you wish.


Cream Cheese Icing
  • 150g (approx. 2/3 cup) butter (room temperature)
  • 190g (roughly 6.5 oz) cream cheese
  • 4 1/2 cups of powdered sugar
  • 2 – 3 tsp vanilla extract
Beat all of the above ingredients together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract at the end a teaspoon at a time until it is the right consistency.  Decorate your cooled cupcakes with a swirl of frosting.  And enjoy!  :)


Here are a few tips:

1.  Always use real butter.  It's better.
2.  Yes, you can probably use all-purpose flour instead of cake flour.. but the cake flour makes them really light and fluffy.  I recommend using the cake flour.
3.  Make sure your eggs and butter are at room temperature.  It makes a difference.
4.  For my buttermilk, I use Saco Cultured Buttermilk powder.  You can get it at WalMart, and I use it for a lot of things - including yummy waffles and pancakes.
5.  Why apple cider vinegar instead of regular?  I don't know, I just learned it from watching DC Cupcakes.  So now that's what I use.  You can you regular vinegar instead if you wish.
6.  A kitchen scale comes in handy (I used it for the frosting measurements).. I use it a lot more than I thought I would.  And you can get them at a decent price.  I got mine at Target.

Feelin' Bright

2.02.2013

There's just something about fresh flowers that make everything more bright and cheerful.  So every week, or couple of weeks, I try to go out and get some fresh ones.  They make me happy - don't they make you happy?


I love how they look on the beautiful table that my husband made, in front of our big kitchen window.  Makes everything feel more airy.  One of my favorite rooms in the house!  :)  Happy Saturday!

Also, please excuse my extremely wrinkly table runner.