Blog Love

I just happened upon a blog called Stylebagge and was amazed by most everything there! I saw many project and cooking ideas that are going on my to do list.
Here are a few:


french fry shoot­ers and sliders


wine rack from Real Simple
Head on over and check out the blog!

XL Pants to Skirt

I bought this pair of pants a while ago, when I saw that they were only $1 I couldn't pass it up. It was a size 3x and I wear a 6 or 8, but I knew the material would cost me more then $1, let alone the zipper, buttons and studs (if I even knew how to put such stuff on and make it look professional). Here is the skirt after it was completed. I added some textured fabric (the closest in color I could find), so that the skirt would be fuller and have more visual interest. I finally finished it last night (it took me a long time).



scarf: www.savvysheitels.com // t-shirt: old navy // skirt: made by me

I am linking up to these link parties:

New Loves

With the cold weather finally upon us (I know in LA it doesn't really get 'cold' but for us Los Angelenos its cold) I have been wearing more layers and what better way to add an extra layer to keep warm or little sparkle to brighten your day then with some cute new hair (or head) accessories. Here are a few new items I've been loving lately.

1. Fall Turban
2. Chocolate Brown Bucket Hat
3. Knit Beret
4. Glittering Paisley Headband
5. Gold Rose Hairclips

A New Lamp

My daughter and I found this lamp at her local Goodwill, it's so cute and filled with so much personality. I made her take a picture of it for the blog. In the second picture you can see the little birds in the cages. I bought the birds and it brings the perfect touch of whimsy to the room. This is her entrance table.

Homemade Marshmallows

About 2 years ago my daughter told me about these amazing homemade marshmallows that she made from a recipe she read in bon appetit magazine. I just came back from visiting her and we made the marshmallows together. She was right, they are incredibly easy to make. It's a completely different experience then store bought marshmallows. It was like biting into sweet sugary clouds of yummy goodness. I will warn you it takes concentration so this is not something you can do with your toddler playing on the kitchen floor (we made them when her son was sleeping) however it doesn't take very long and the effort is well worth it.

Ingredients

• Nonstick vegetable oil spray
• 1 cup cold water, divided
• 3 1/4-ounce envelopes unflavored gelatin
• 2 cups sugar
• 2/3 cup light corn syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup potato starch
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Preparation

Line 13x9x2-inch metal baking pan with foil. Coat foil lightly with nonstick spray.

Pour 1/2 cup cold water into bowl of heavy-duty mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Sprinkle gelatin over water. Let stand until gelatin softens and absorbs water, at least 15 minutes.

Combine 2 cups sugar, corn syrup, salt, and remaining 1/2 cup cold water in heavy medium saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves, brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush. Attach candy thermometer to side of pan. Increase heat and bring syrup to boil. Boil, without stirring, until syrup reaches 240ºF, about 8 minutes.

With mixer running at low speed, slowly pour hot syrup into gelatin mixture in thin stream down side of bowl (avoid pouring syrup onto whisk, as it may splash). Gradually increase speed to high and beat until mixture is very thick and stiff, about 15 minutes. Add vanilla and beat to blend, about 30 seconds longer.

Scrape marshmallow mixture into prepared pan. Smooth top with wet spatula. Let stand uncovered at room temperature until firm, about 4 hours.

Stir potato starch and powdered sugar in small bowl to blend. Sift generous dusting of starch-sugar mixture onto work surface, forming rectangle slightly larger than 13x9 inches. Turn marshmallow slab out onto starch-sugar mixture; peel off foil. Sift more starch-sugar mixture over marshmallow slab. Coat large sharp knife (or cookie cutters) with nonstick spray. Cut marshmallows into squares or other shapes. Toss each in remaining starch-sugar mixture to coat. Transfer marshmallows to rack, shaking off excess mixture.

Picture and recipe credit http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2008/07/homemade_marshmallows#ixzz19X87SBby