Kate Spade Saturday

I'm a huge fan of Kate Spade, so of course it makes perfect sense that I adore their new sister-line, Kate Spade Saturday, that has just recently launched.  Kate Spade Saturday is chic, fun, relaxed, and has more of a youthfulness to the styling.

On weekends, who doesn't love a quirky, vibrant, but carefree fashionable outfit or accessories?  And the best part of all, it's less expensive than Kate Spade.  Tennis shoes from $65.00 and weekender bags from $40.00!

Thankfully, we now how Kate Spade Saturdays here to help style the inner weekender in all of us :)

How secure is your password?

I recently stumbled across this website and it quickly made me realize that my more frequently used password, would only take someone 43 hours to crack.  The other one that I use, but not as frequent, would take 98 million years (No Joke!).  After visiting this website, I quickly realized that all my online banking and other important website logins, needed to be changed to password #2, to make sure I don't ever get hacked!  It's definitely worth the 15 seconds, to ensure your password is secure.

Check out how secure your password is by clicking here

Chevron obsession.

This year, it seems everywhere I shop, from high-end clothing boutiques, furniture stores, art galleries, to big consumer stores like Target, 'Chevron' is everywhere.  It's on artwork, clothes, scarves, furniture, and home decorative accents, in various sizes and colors.  

I'm definitely not complaining, as I love the vintage modern inspiration.  Chevron has been around for centuries (est. as far back as 1800 BC) and over the past few years, is definitely making a modern statement and come-back.  

Weekend Inspiration: De-stress

A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they'd be asked the "half empty or half full" question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: "How heavy is this glass of water?"

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn't change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes." She continued, "The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything."

It’s important to remember to let go of your stresses. As early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night. Remember to put the glass down!

I hope everyone has a stress free & fun weekend! Remember to let the little things go, relax and do something for ''you'' today & tomorrow.  =) 

Make someone happy!

This is a breakfast meal that will surely put a smile on anyone's face!  Your significant other, family members, friends, or little kiddos.  It's such a fun way to start off any morning; full of lots of color & deliciousness!

Ingredients for Pancake Mix: 
6 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda (check expiration date first)
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons sugar

**Combine all of the ingredients in a lidded container. Shake to mix. Use Pancake mix within 3 months**

"INSTANT" PANCAKES:
2 eggs, separated
2 cups buttermilk
4 tablespoons melted butter
2 cups "Instant" Pancake Mix, recipe above
Nonstick Spray2 cups fresh fruit such as blueberries/raspberries

Directions: 

1. Combine the buttermilk mixture with the egg yolk mixture in a large mixing bowl and whisk together until thoroughly combined. Pour the liquid ingredients on top of the pancake mix. Using a whisk, mix the batter just enough to bring it together. Don't try to work all the lumps out.

2. Put even amounts of batter into separate bowls.  Add 2 drops of food color into each bowl until desired color is reached. Stir.  

3. Check to see that the griddle is hot by placing a few drops of water onto to the griddle. The griddle is ready if the water dances across the surface. Apply non-stick spray on the surface of the griddle.

4.  Laddle pancake mix onto griddle, then flip once bubbles appear in the center of each pancake. 

5.  Top with fresh berries & powdered sugar/syrup (if preferred).  Enjoy!

Brother Vellies

I came across this new (to me) shoe vendor, Brother Vellies, & I've fallen completely into shoe heaven. My favorite are the neon toed style (pictured below) & for all my mommy readers out there, they even have matching ones for your little ones!

I love the backbone & essence of how this company came to be and that they are currently employing 8 gentleman in Swakopmund, Namibia (Africa) who make 20 pairs a day by hand.  They are individually crafted from wild kudu leather, and each shoe is one of a kind and made to last.   No nails are used in the process.  They are finished by hand, using a knife to perfect the outer texture of the leather.

Definitely check out their website to see a lot of other styles and colors for men, women, & children.

Easter Sugar Cookies!

I took this cookie recipe into work with me and had all my co-workers raving about how they were some of the best homemade sugar cookies from scratch they had ever had!  It quickly made me realize when they all started asking for the recipe, that I needed to make a blog post out of it, so they could get the recipe here and it gave me the chance to share it with all my blog readers.

The two main differences in this cookie, is the texture of the sugar cookie itself (by not using granulated sugar, like most recipes) & also the W&S Royal Icing recipe is divine (although a little more on the difficult side to actually apply a clean look, but they are beyond tasty so that doesn't matter in my book!)

Use this recipe with any cookie cutter & it'll be your favorite sugar cookie recipe for all occasions.  That statement, I can guarantee!

Sugar Cookie Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Coarse salt
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 cups of turbinado sugar 
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• Sprinkles for decorating

Directions

1. Make the cookies: Sift flour, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt into a large bowl.
2. Beat butter and sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture, then vanilla. Switch your mixer to a ''dough'' attachment. Refrigerate dough, wrapped in plastic wrap, for at least 1 hour.  **NOTE: I always freeze 1/2 of the cookie dough in a freezer safe container, to use later because 4 cups makes a lot of cookies.  You can refrigerate half the dough you plan on using and instantly freeze the rest.
3. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Roll out dough to a scant 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut out cookies using cookie cutter rerolling scraps twice. Transfer to a baking sheet, and refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes. Bake until edges just start to brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack, and let cool completely.
4. Follow directions on Williams & Sonoma Royal Icing mix box.  Decorate & enjoy!