Urban Inspiration

Urban Outfitters', Target's and Anthropologie's home sections are always filled with cute, and completely unaffordable frames. So when I was in Urban Outfitters a couple weeks ago and I saw crochet covered picture frames I knew it was time I took things into my own hands.

I rummaged through my antique chest and found a crochet table runner my great grandma made and decided it would be the perfect thing to repurpose for this project. I ran down to Jo-Anns grabbed three wooden frames and some yellow spray paint and went to town.

First thing first before the crochet even came into play I took the plain wood frames and spray painted them yellow. Any color or stain would work I just wanted something bright.

Then I cut pieces of crochet to cover the entire front and sides of the frame, crochet doilies from a craft store would work too.

After I cut the crochet to the correct side I flipped the frame over and simply used a staple gun to staple the fabric to the frame. I then flipped the frame back over and cut the lace out where the picture is supposed to go.

And there you go! Easy, stylish frames that are completely affordable. I made three, one of which was a different size just to add some variation. Feel free to play with this craft after all you could use any fabric scrap to cover an old frame thats laying around your house. 

Also sorry for the hiatus this new semester of classes and the start of work has kicked my butt. But now that I'm back in the swing of things posts will be back to normal!

Candle Makeover

I love candles. They are a sick obsession of mine and I have numerous candles cluttering my desk back home. But I also love style; so one of my biggest pet peeves is ugly candles.

I've had this candle, from a local shop in one of my favorite scents, sitting in my desk drawer for years. It's made one appearance and then went right back in the drawer. Now, I asked myself why am I not using a $25 dollar candle? Oh, yeah, because it's ugly. So the other day when I was at a garage sale and I happened across and Anthropologie-eqsue vase I decided to turn my ugly, and oh so delicious, candle into something worthy of being in my room.

My basic supplies: ugly candle, wick, cute vase (pictured), microwaveable bowl and spoon

I spooned the wax out of the old candle and threw it all in the microwaveable bowl. And yeah, it was a mess.

Then I stuck the bowl in the microwave and put in there for 45 second intervals and stirred in between each interval until it was completely melted. Then I stuck the wick in the vase, tied the wick around a pen so it didn't fall in and poured the melted wax.

After sitting out for the night the candle was complete! I cut the wick a little shorter and immediately lit it. Finally enjoying the candle that has been imprisoned in my desk for the past 3 years.

Peppermint Bark

With it officially being the new year and Christmas being so many days ago I can't keep count I don't understand how I can still open the cupboard and find Christmas candy--namely candy canes.

So to officially bid farewell to the holidays I decided to use up the last of the candy canes in homemade peppermint bark. Now, this is not your grandma's peppermint bark; this is gourmet peppermint bark complete with homemade chocolate.

I scrolled through the internet and after my "homemade chocolate" search results coming up short I toyed around with a couple ingredients and came up with my own, gluten and soy free, white chocolate and dark chocolate.

Warning: cocoa butter is hard to come by; I ultimately found it in the skincare section of my local co-op look for "food grade" on the label to ensure it is safe to cook with.

White Chocolate:

• 3 tablespoons cocoa butter
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2-4 tablespoons powdered sugar 

The process is pretty darn easy:

• Melt the cocoa butter in the microwave
• After melted add vanilla
• Then 2 tablespoon at a time add the powdered sugar until the consistency is like melted chocolate
• Place in fridge to let set

Now for the dark chocolate; the recipe is basically the same except with cocoa powder in place of a lot of the powdered sugar:

• 3 tablespoons cocoa butter
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2-1 tablespoon powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder

And the recipe is exactly the same as white chocolate plus cocoa powder:

• Melt the cocoa butter in the microwave
• After melted add vanilla
• Add 1/2 tablespoon powdered sugar
• Add cocoa powder
• Add another 1/2 tablespoon powdered sugar if your tastebuds call for it
• Place in fridge to let set

Now time to put together the actual peppermint bark! Aka the fun part!

• Lay down parchment paper on cookie sheet
• Pour dark chocolate onto parchment paper and spread with back of spoon
• Place in fridge and let sit for 15 to 20 minutes
• While dark chocolate is cooling place candy canes in plastic bag and crush
• Remove cookie sheet from fridge and pour white chocolate on top of dark chocolate (white chocolate may need to be re-melted a little bit)
• Sprinkle candy cane pieces on top of white chocolate
• Place in fridge and let sit for 30 minutes
• Remove from fridge and break into uneven pieces for snacking

Keep in mind this is gourmet candy and with any gourmet candy it does not go very far. But what you do get it well worth it enjoy this treat as your final farewell to the holidays and I hope 2014 brings you everything you hope for!