My PB + J

the great mini pumpkin treats

It’s no secret that I love Halloween. Whenever a holiday rolls around I love sending and secretly dropping off cards and a little treat to the children in our lives. Over the weekend I was baking breast cancer awareness ribbons for The Dailey Method donation class and had some leftover dough. I decided it would be cute to bake mini pumpkins for our tricksters. Now, I am not a professional cookie baker. I have tried a few recipes and finally found the best one that works for me, it’s simple to put together and there is no chilling. Like any new recipe you should clearly read all the directions and make sure you have everything on hand. I first made this recipe for Brayden’s mushroom cookies seen here. I probably spent a good hour reading the adventures of sugarbelle blog to ensure I was knowledgeable on the recipe and technique. I cannot urge you to this before beginning. If you want to impress your friends and family with gorgeously iced cookies with a great tasting cookie to boot you must try this recipe.

When I bake I tend to do so in the middle of the night. It’s quiet and I don’t have a certain toddler begging to taste something. My baking time is my zen time. I love perfecting something and with these cookies I think I’ve finally gotten it. I am looking forward to my Christmastime baking, I will finally be able to gift pretty cookies!

Here is how I created my mini pumpkins (ignore that these cell phone pictures, it was nearly 2 am).

watch her videos on royal icing. she even has one on pumpkins and I used the technique to make a dimensional pumpkin. You basically outline and fill the immediately. Once I finished the outer parts of the pumpkins I went back in to finish the middle. I love the way they turned out. The orange of this icing was achieved my taking my leftover red from the mushrooms and mixing in gold gel. 

I took cellophane bags and added our favorite chocolate minis to the bags. Tie it off with some ribbon and you will have one impressive treat this holiday. I mailed these along with the Peanuts holiday collection to my nieces and nephew. 

Do you do something special for Halloween? If so, what is it?

nûby solid feeding {review}

Brayden has been a super eating machine lately, though you cannot tell because he isn’t gaining weight. He is just constantly going and has inherited his daddy’s fast metabolism. When he isn’t grazing, which seems like all day he will sit down for a meal. Typically he will grab a handful of his food and then move on. Last night I decided to introduce our Nûby fun-feeding bowl and easy-grip fork to see if it would help him slow down.  

For our dinner we were dining on spaghetti squash with brushetta sauce. It could have been difficult for him to use the fork especially since it was his first time using a utensil to actually eat with versus play. He took a look at the brightly colored bowl and fork and let out a, “OHHHH!” I think he was pretty excited about the new addition to his high chair tray.

The handle on the fork was easy for him to grip and he could easily maneuver the fork into his mouth with a good amount of spaghetti squash in tow. My big boy was totally loving his new independence and the curiosity that came along with using a utensil. 

 These items are very durable and will withstand being thrown, not that my angel would ever throw anything across the room but Nûby products are made for everyday use. The fork does come in a starter set with a spoon and one additional set in a different color. The bowl is also available in addition colors and is great for hot and cold food. Both are essential for transitioning your child to independent feeding.

How can you not love this face?! 

Do you have a little one about to transition from baby food to solids? 
You can purchase the fun feeding bowl from:
You can purchase the easy grip starter set from:

disclaimer: I received  the products listed above for review purposes only. However, all opinions expressed are 100% my own and I only recommend products that I would personally use or believe my readers would enjoy. 

woodland themed 1st birthday

I am slowly recovering from what seemed like months of day dreaming and planning my sweet little man’s first birthday party. It’s crazy how fast the day goes after waiting and waiting for the day to arrive. The party, despite being cursed with rain for the second time, was moved indoors. Luckily, this time around we had the space within our new house to accomodate the party inside. I am more than ecstatic to share his party with you, it was so much fun to plan and I have to tell you I was on a pretty strict budget. I was able to DIY a lot of the special details including the dessert table which I wanted to focus 100% of my time on after botching Payton’s. This is why we decided to have the food catered, but after not receiving a few items and running out of time to prepare a few apps (including the hedgehog cheese ball I so desperatly dreamed of) the party had to go on. In the end, it was a great birthday spent with our closest friends and family. We have raised enough money for two surgeries to be donated to Operation Smile. We will continue to raise money until we reach our goal by his cleft surgery anniversary February 1st. For the complete birthday photo album visit my google+ album..

My friend, Danielle, let me borrow her amazing DIY chalkboard. It was originally by the front door but I was worried with the rain. Don’t you just  love my little mushrooms?

Homemade Sparkling Apple Cider – perfect for the chilly day. 

owl goodie bags and handmade Gnome hats for all the guests 

arrangements and dips. 

Marshmallow Pumpkin Pops – The Marshmallow Studio. I love my two wee gnomes relaxing in the moss. My neighbor had given them to me the day before the party when we were having a community garage sale. 

Water bottle labels – made and designed by me. 

The dessert bar consisted of: marshmallow pops (party favors), mushroom sugar cookies, s’more & pumpkin cupcakes, macrons (vanilla, chocolate & pumpkin), meringue mushrooms, birthday cake, nutter butter “acorn” cookies and m&m’s. 

paper cupcake toppers c/o – too cute invites
fondant pieces – sugar and stripes co. 

thank you tags c/o – too cute invites 

S’mores cupcakes 

the kids painted sugar pumpkins – log seats from my parents backyard. 

faux bois banner with woodland creatures.

meringue mushrooms 
gnome hat fun. 

Vendors & Sponsors –

fondant woodland creatures – sugar and stripes co.
pumpkin marshmallow pops – the marshmallow studio 
cupcake toppers & thank you tags – too cute invites
beverages – HonestTea
gnome hats – made by my sister
faux bois banners – me
mushroom sugar cookies – me
highchair banner – me
cupcakes & cake – me
meringue mushrooms – me 
rag tie banner – me
invites – cherish paperie
vinyl chalkboard – urban walls
photographed by – my friend danielle

cherish paperie {product review}

When I was brainstorming Brayden’s first birthday party I knew it had to be a modern twist on a woodland theme. I found inspiration for my invitations and sent it to Cherish Paperie,  they were able to design my invitation exactly how I had envisioned it. Not only did the design process feel painless, it was also quick and within a few short weeks I had the gorgeous invitations sitting on my doorstep. While I did receive a digital copy the printed version was even more beautiful and I was blown away with the quality of the paper and printing. I have ordered from many of the top online card companies as well as online printing companies and none can be compared to Cherish Paperie in terms of color quality. 
Cherish Paperie is an internet-based invitation and stationary design studio located in Southern California. They specialize in all things paper related, and gorgeous paper at that! If you’re brainstorming your holiday cards like I am you should consider Cherish Paperie for a statement maker this season! Impress your friends and family with one of their unique designs from classic to contemporary and everything in between! 

Make sure to follow Cherish Paperie via Facebook and Twitter. Remember to contact them today to showcase your best family photo this holiday season.

Disclaimer: I received a set of birthday invitations for review purposes only. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

meringue mushrooms

There is just something whimsy and magical about meringue mushrooms. I made them for the first time years ago when partaking in a monthly recipe challenge for a yule log. There is just something special about them that doesn’t necessarily scream holiday season yet this delicately light cookie should make an appearance at any special event. The recipe is simple to make, just allow ample time for a slow bake in a 200º oven for 2+ hours. Serve on a delicate platter or wrapped in a cellophane bag as a party favor, they’ll surely put a smile on any face. 

Thank You Tags c/o Too Cute Invites