DIY: Elbow Patches

Learn how to make your own elbow patches at A Beautiful Mess.

DIY: Miniture Letters

I love this idea. I like to leave Danny little love notes here and there; hiding them in places that he'll find during his day (ex: on his steering wheel, keyboard or in a drawer). Sometimes I'll fold them into origami hearts , paper cranes or make a miniture letter such as this one.

This is also a cute idea for your kids...you can tell them that a Christmas elf, tooth fairy or leprechaun left a personal letter for them. 

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Christmas Shopping

This is how you do it.

Christmas shopping with Shan at South Coast Plaza.

Danish pastries, sea salt caramels and hot apple cider from Champagne Bakery.

Style Inspiration

Pictures:Pinterest

Cookie Dough Dip!

My friend Julia made this last week. It's amazing! Definitely a keeper recipe for parties!

Cookie Dough Dip
makes about 1 1/2 cups
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 8-ounce block of cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cups chocolate chips
1/2 cup heath bar toffee crumbs

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and whisk until sugar dissolves and mixture starts to bubble. Set aside to cool, and whisk in vanilla.
Cream together cream cheese and powdered sugar for 60 seconds. With mixer on low speed, add in brown sugar and butter mixture. Mix until combined. Add the chocolate chips and toffee. Stir.
Garnish with additional chopped chocolate. Serves with fruit, cookies, crackers, pretzels or a spoon.

Recipe is a modified version of How Sweet It Is.

Devonshire Cream

My Mother has had this recipe for years. Traditionarly Devonshire Cream is a clotted cream made in Devon Cornwall and Somerset England. Here is my mom's take on an easy Devonshire Cream without all the hastle of boiling, cooking and skimming milk!

Mom's Version of Devonshire Cream:

Cream Cheese (softened) 8 ounces

1/2 Cup Confectioners Sugar

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1 Cup Whipping Cream

In a bowl, beat cream cheese, confectioners sugar and vanilla until fluffy. Then gradually beat in whipping cream to achieve a buttery consitency. Chill for 2 hours.

I made this for Lyssa's tea party the other day. Everyone always loves it!

I like to put a dollop on top of scones or plain cakes.

Thanks Mom.

Girl's Tea Party

Every year, my friend Lyssa hosts a girl's tea party.

We all bring a little something to share...cookies, scones, tea cakes, jam etc.

Lyssa brings out her collection of beautiful vintage spoons and her Grandmother's tea set from India!