new year, new look

I decided it was time for a blog re-model. It just wasn't "glittery" enough. So here we are- cleaner and more sparkly. Now maybe I'll be more motivated to blog regularly :-) xoxo

Sneak Peek: The Venue

Everyone knows I'm going to be a crazy bride. I have been engaged 25 days and our venue/caterer, photographer, and photobooth are already booked- deposits have been sent. I know it's a little bananas and I still have a glorious 13 months to plan every last detail, but there is one thing I've learned in this process so far- OTHER BRIDES ARE CRAZIER. Everything I've booked has been in a sense of urgency for fear that we won't get what we want if we wait too long. Take the venue, for instance. I e-mailed just to get some info on the general time frame Steve and I were looking at, only to find out that half of September and all of October 2012 were already taken! Obviously, I had to jump on it.

Steve and I will be getting married in Savannah, Georgia where we both went to college. We didn't know each other while we were in school, so it'll be fun to go back as a couple. Both of our families live on the East coast so we wanted somewhere easy for them to travel to and most of our friends are also SCAD alum so we thought it'd be a fun "destination" for them to visit again.

After exploring several different options in the beautiful historic city, we landed on The Georgia State Railroad Museum (formerly the Roundhouse Railroad Museum). The property is an old train yard and has tons of rustic character. We love that it's out of the ordinary and not too stuffy. After all, we want the wedding to be a GIANT PARTY. You can find other examples of a Steam Punk Wedding and a Vintage Wedding done there earlier this year. Both are amazing.

The two of us will be going to Savannah next weekend to check it out for the first time and we're SO EXCITED. I am already going back to speak to SCAD's incoming Freshmen at Orientation, so this trip worked out perfectly. Stay tuned!

since I've been gone...

Okay, okay... SO my maid of honor (that's right, maid of honor- we'll get to that later) has been giving me a hard time for not blogging and rightfully so. It has been a very, VERY long time since I've written a post, but that's because life has been a whirlwind of crazy amazing things!

For starters, I switched jobs. I am now back with the Walt Disney Company doing Graphic Design for apparel and accessories at the Disney Store! I could not be happier to be back with my old team in my old office doing what I love to do on products I LOVE. That being said, I've also been way too busy with my new workload to post something everyday. So that's my excuse.

Secondly, and most exciting, I AM ENGAGED!!!!! Steve proposed on August 4th and I was totally surprised. I have been fully immersed in helping to plan my Matron of Honor Kendall's wedding (that's right, besties engaged at the same time) that I didn't even suspect anything Steve had in the works. He came home with Chinese food one night after work and sitting in my box of potstickers was a beautiful sparkling ring! What? You want to see it? Well here you go!

Steve inherited the center diamond from his Great Aunt and it's just been sitting in a jewelry box at his parent's house. He had the rest of the ring made to match my "dream ring" which he found by snooping through my computer. Of course, unsurprisingly to anyone who knows me at all, the planning has started and is in FULL BLAST. It's been 22 days and I already have my venue/catering, photographer, and photobooth booked for our September 2012 wedding in Savannah, Georgia. The bridesmaids (all 8 of them!) have also bought all of their dresses- you can't pass up a j.crew sale of over half off! I am hesitant to start a NEW blog just for the wedding, so you'll probably see a lot of my planning posts on here :-) 

I PROMISE I will try to be better about posts. Lots of exciting things to come!

Like Crying? Watch These...

My friend Brandon has been away on business for what feels like FOREVER. He finally returned to L.A. this week with these two commercials to show for his time away and MAN was it worth it!

I love seeing friends' work through other media. Since I know nothing about video or editing, I am amazed at how such a short and select number of images, clips, and words can say so much. I am so proud of not only his creative work, but also the message these commercials send. The internet is an endless resource for us to express ourselves and make a change. These probably won't make everyone cry, but I was still hysterical when I re-watched them this morning.

aaaand they're up!

All new camera straps have been listed to my etsy site! You can purchase them here. Enjoy!

xoxo

Yay Camera Straps!!!!

Technology should be cute, right? Right! Camera straps being added to my etsy site by early next week! I'll keep you posted! wahoo!

ONE DAY WITHOUT SHOES

Speaking of shoes... today I'm not wearing them- and neither should you!

As you can probably tell, I am a BIG fan of TOMS Shoes- their styles, their mission... everything. (That Blake Mycoskie's not too bad either- yum). If you don't know much about the company, here it is in a nutshell. TOMS stands for "Shoes for Tomorrow". They create and sell these super-simple, undeniably comfortable shoes and for every pair someone purchases, they donate a pair to a child in need. "Shoe Drops", when the TOMS team brings shoes to the communities, happen all over the world. Who knew shopping could be so rewarding, right?

ONE DAY WITHOUT SHOES is an annual event (this year, April 5th- TODAY!) where people voluntarily go barefoot to raise awareness of the huge percentage of children all over the world who can't afford to protect their feet. People everywhere participate and spread the message- you can do it too! I'm not looking forward to using the public bathroom today, but I guess that's just part of the lesson...

Liberty & Nike

I don't know where I would wear these... but I definitely need them. Available at Liberty of London starting today and almost completely sold out already.

new cases coming soon!

Thank goodness for my boyfriend and number one fan, Steve, who is always taking pictures and documenting my various craft activities (having a new camera and lens doesn't hurt, I guess). Due to popular demand I've been working on some more iPhone cases to replenish my Etsy Store which has been seriously lacking lately. Some of the prints are ones you've seen before and some are brand new! I'm thinking I may need to make a new one for myself...

I'll let you know when they're up and available for purchase! xoxo

Seeing Green...

St. Patrick's Day has always held a special place in my heart (and wallet). After years of living and waiting tables in Savannah, Georgia- known for having the 2nd largest St. Patty's celebration after Boston)- March 17th will always remind me of green beer, beads, Guinness shamrocks, pure chaos and TIPS! Celebrating in L.A. has never been quite the same.

In honor of all things shamrocky, here is a random collection of green items I love, not necessarily just for this holiday. Have a fun and SAFE St. Patrick's Day!!

1. Green Cabana Stripe Duvet, Urban Outfitters, $68
2. Ampersand Wooden Sign, WilliamDohman via Etsy.com, $22
3. Gold Diggin' Savannah Tee, Urban Outfitters, $24
4. Hunter Watling Boots, Nordstrom, $175
5. Keurig Mini Brewer, Keurig, $99
6. Tory Turnlock Small Tote, Shopbop.com, $495
7. Green-wich Village Nail Lacquer, OPI, $8
8. Holga 35mm Camera, Urban Outfitters, $48
9. Boardwalk Cargo Short, J.Crew, $54.50
10. Latte Bowls, Anthropologie, $20

Easy as Pie

Now that I'm on Bloglovin I have been able to keep up with a lot more blogs on a very regular basis. That being said, I can't take full credit for this post because I got the idea from A Beautiful Mess's post from yesterday. She and her friend made mini peach pies and I love anything miniature so I had to try making some of my own. With Steve on overtime at work, I was looking for something to do and this fit the bill perfectly! 

The pies were not as easy as I thought they'd be and I was prepared for disastrous results as the dough kept sticking to my rolling pin. In the end I worked it out and they turned out great! Here's how to make your own mini-pies:

Supplies:

• 1 Package of Puff Pastry Sheets
• Cupcake pan
• 1 Can of Pie filling (I used Apple)
• Rolling Pin
• 1 Egg
• Pastry Brush

Let the puff pastry sheets thaw. Pre-heat oven according to the canned filling instructions (425 degrees for me). Roll out the pastry sheets into a thin layer (about 1/8" thick). Cut out circles to make the pie crust- I used a large cup as a guide and cut around it since the cup wasn't quite big enough to use as a cookie-cutter. Press the circles into each cupcake compartment and create a little "rim" of dough around the top (this is important for attaching your crust "strips" later on). Put the filling into your little crusts and top by weaving 1/4" wide strips of leftover dough. Beat the egg in a bowl and add a teaspoon of water. With a pastry brush glaze the top of the pie crusts with the egg mixture (you can skip this step, but I like the nice, golden shine it creates). Now you're ready to bake! **Useful tip: I had intended on following the filling instructions for cook time, but because these pies are so tiny you don't need to bake them as long. Mine had said to bake for 45 minutes, but I cut it down to about 22 minutes. I think they cooked perfectly, but I like a crispy crust. For a flakier, softer crust just keep and eye on your pies and remove them when they're to your liking**

Finally, remove from oven and enjoy!!! They're the best when they're fresh and ice cream doesn't hurt, either ;-) YUM! 

happy sunny weekend!!!!

It's supposed to be 75 degrees and sunny in L.A. this weekend for the first time in awhile and I CANNOT WAIT. I feel like we missed out on good weather all of last year, so Mother Nature better be making up for it early in 2011! I won't be surfing this weekend because 1) it's still too cold and 2) I'm extremely rusty, but I thought this picture of me and my friend Candice kind of looked like an "early spring" day by the beach, which I'm looking forward to :-)

Happy Friday everyone! Hope you have great weather too! xoxo

Perfectly Prep: Leather Trim Bags

Nothing says preppy like tan leather trim, bronze buckles, and canvas! All retailers are taking note this Spring, each with their own version of the classically casual-yet-sophisticated style. In fact, there are SO many options I find it difficult to choose which one I want the most (but I'm leaning towards number 9... or 1... mmmm or 10)!

1. Vintage Reissue II Flap, Fossil, $148
2. 535, Christopher Kon, $32
3. Le Pilage Messenger, Longchamp, $195
4. Striped Bag with Leatherette Trim, Forever 21, $19.80
5. Mulligan Bag, Matt & Nat, $145
6. Spannaus Purse, J.Crew, $98
7. Magnified Margin Wallet, Anthropologie, $198
8. Backpack to the Future Bag, ModCloth, $79.99
9. The Scholar Satchel, Madewell, $148
10. Saddlery Sophie Bag, Marc by Marc Jacobs, $478

Spring Scarves to Wake Up Your Wardrobe

I have always been (and always will be) a jeans-and-t-shirt kind of girl. Don't get me wrong, I love clothes. I eat, sleep, and breathe fashion, but at the end- and beginning- of the day, comfort always comes first. However, there's a major downside to always dressing casually- you always look the same! So what's the solution for someone like me, who rocks the same basics 5 out of 7 days a week? SCARVES! Okay, well, accessories in general work, but scarves are my favorite. They're versatile, they come in all colors and prints, they're super comfy, and they come in handy in public places when you need to cover your nose and mouth from funny smells (random, but SO true).

Since I'll soon have to pack up my various chunky, cable-knit options... here are my picks for spring scarves. 

1. Jersey Striped Scarf, Forever21, $8.80
2. Halogen "Paisley Dot" Scarf, Nordstrom, $38
3. Floral Print Crochet Eternity Scarf, Urban Outfitters, $29
4. Halogen "Floral Patchwork" Scarf, Nordstrom, $38
5. Polk Street Scarf, ModCloth, $9.99
6. Stussy Future Cat Scarf, 80s Purple, $24.75
7. Shadows & Light Scarf, Madewell, $55
8. Galaxy Scarf, Anthropologie, $58
9. Plaid Illusion Scarf, Madewell, was $49.50 now $35
10. Conversational Pom Pom Scarf, Urban Outfitters, $24

FURreal?

(images "borrowed" from WGSN, Cupcakes and Cashmere, the vogue diaries and YesStyle)

A few months ago my way-more-fashion-forward-than-I-am friend, Michelle, mentioned the need for a new staple in her closet: a fur vest. At first I thought it was the kind of thing she, and only she, could pull off. I've always stayed away from furs because I don't like feeling like I'm wearing my dog AND there's that whole allergy thing that always comes into play with items like that. Needless to say I was skeptical. 

Man oh man was I WRONG. Fur vests, jackets, boleros (real OR fake- I prefer the latter)... are EVERYWHERE and they are the more-than-perfect finishing touch to any winter outfit, dressy or casual. I know the season for these things is just about over, but after fashionistas were shown sporting them all over NY Fashion Week I can't help but feeling like I missed out on some kind of huge fur-mania bulletin. Next time Michelle warns me about a trend, I'll be sure to take note ASAP.

Dreaming of Summer...

So, it's totally not warm enough to even START thinking about summer, but that doesn't keep us L.A. residents from going to the beach! I love a good February bonfire with friends or a weekend stroll down Venice beach. With all the stores switching to their spring collections, it's never too early to start incorporating warm-weather pieces into your wardrobe. Here's to waiting for a warm weekend!

1. "Signet" Cat-Eye Aviator Sunglasses, Ray-Ban, $145
2. Colorblock Trim Fedora, Forever 21, $9.80
3. Artist Woven Scarf, Forever 21, $8.80
4. Wrapped Bangles (Set of 15), RJ Graziano, $55
5. Waffle Knit Vest, American Eagle Outfitters, $34.50
6. Vine Ring, Gorgana, $54
7. Pleated Shorts with Self Belt, Seven for All Mankind, $155
8. "Topless & Barefoot" Nail Polish, Essie, $8
9. Hoola Bronzer, Benefit, $28
10. Yellow Stoned Washed Twill Classics, TOMS, $48
11. Boat Tote, Anya Hindmarch, $135
12. Bay Blanket Cardigan, Quiksilver Womens, $74.50

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Geek-Chic: Wayfarer Eyeglasses

Thanks to celebrities-turned-hipsters such as M-K Olsen, Lauren Conrad, Justin Timberlake, Johnny Depp, and Justin Bieber (just to name a few), these nerd-tastic classic eyeglasses have become a new {again} fashion staple. 

The Ray-Ban Wayfarer, made popular in the 1950s and 60s, has been amidst a MAJOR comeback for the past few years in sunglasses and, more recenty, in eyeglasses. Even those who are not vision-impaired are wearing them as an accessory. Knock-offs of the bold, plastic full-rimmed style can be found just about anywhere. 

I'm all about the geek-chic look, so I tried on a pair of $7 "imposters" on Venice beach for the first time and fell in love. I'm a contacts wearer, so it felt kind of funny to be putting on fake glasses OVER my corrective lenses. I've since ordered an authentic, prescription pair for myself and love that they cover half of my face (my other, more petite glasses make me dizzy). 

The best part about this look? It works for pretty much everyone. Let's face it. Whether you're 5 years old or 55, skinny or not, hip-hop or hipster, they're always a little goofy looking and always cute. So go ahead and try a pair. Your inner Drew Cary and Clark Kent will thank you.

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what I want... may be a myth

Yesterday I did a post featuring this noteslate device scheduled to release this summer. If you missed it, it's basically an e-reader (think kindle or nook) with a paper-like display that you can write on- essentially a digital notebook. Doodles, ideas, scribbles, and random notes can be saved and downloaded later. NEED. Right? Right. 

So why did I delete the first post? Well according to several articles online as well as commenters on the product's facebook fanpage, this awesomely awesome device MIGHT NOT be real. I guess there are scams out there that lead you to believe in an upcoming product so that you'll sign up for updates and give them your e-mail address--- which they'll then sell. Suspicions arose because detailed product images and specs were yet to be seen- until today. The website has been updated and I'm still not sure how real it is, but there are other techie blogs already hyping this thing up... and they'd know best, right? 

Anyways, I wanted to save any of my readers from potentially falling for a scam, but the idea of the thing is cool and now there are more people talking about it, so I guess we'll just have to wait and see! 

DIY: Paper Mache' Letters

As I've mentioned many times before, I have an obsession with anything monogrammed. It could be because I happened to get one of the coolest letters ever, "N", but that's a biased opinion. I also love ampersands. I know, I'm weird.

Steve and I have done some major home decor renovations in the apartment the past couple of months (my way of coping with the fact that we didn't purchase my Westchester dream-home as I had led myself to believe we would). As part of re-doing our oversized hallway, I wanted to find an "N", "&", and "S" to hang above our mirror. Unfortunately, the fabric-covered letters from Anthropologie are a little to feminine for my boyfriend's taste and, unless I want NY Giants memorabilia evenly spread throughout the house, I have to respect his wishes for a not-too-girly apartment.

Most craft stores sell pre-made, unpainted paper mache' letters, but there's only one option- Serif Font, capital letters only. I wanted something a little more vintage looking and lower-case, so JoAnns was not going to be help me out this time. Then I found this helpful DIY blog post from Me Like Stuff where she explains how to make your own "Big Letter".  Here's my take:

• For the base of the letters I used a sturdy old box. I figured corrugated cardboard is easiest to cut, but be careful because it also bends easily- not good for structural purposes. If I were to make another set I might use chipboard or foam core instead, but this works fine if you're careful.
• For the spine of the letters I used a lightweight cardboard I stole borrowed from work. Posterboard would also be ideal. The bendier, the better.
• After taping my letters together into their shape, Steve and I made the decision to not paint them after they were paper mache'ed. We had an old 1970s gossip magazine laying around so I cut the interior pages into strips and planned to leave them exposed (inspired by Anthropologie's Savannah Animal Busts). Remember to save your favorite parts for last so that they're on top (I found a snip of a lingerie ad for Steve's "S" that I wanted to show)
• Craft Tip: Cut lots of SKINNY strips for the curved parts of the letters- they lay smoother when paper mache'ed on and you can always conceal them with the bigger strips later
• Other Ideas: Aside from painting the finished product, you could also cover them with fabric, fabric strips, paint them, or use maps (another fave of mine). The options are endless! 
• TADA! all done! I didn't cover the backs of the letters because I knew I'd be hanging and not leaning them. Plus, I was rushing to get it done for house-guests. Super unique and SUPER cheap home decor project! Give it a try :-) 

late 20s

This past weekend I celebrated my 27th birthday with friends (new and old) in New York. For some reason 27 sounds so much older than 26- maybe because 26 feels like it's lingering in the "mid-twenties" zone and still a distant reach to 30. I embrace the new year, my new sophisticated age, and the knowledge that comes with being one number older. Thanks for all the birthday wishes (and hooray to facebook for knowing how to make someone feel loved). 

xoxo

Michelle made me these fantastic (and ADORABLE) little "Cake Balls". Can't go wrong with pink glitter sprinkles! 

Great Etsy Reviews!

I check my Etsy feedback like a madwoman. I've had a rush of orders lately (which isn't saying much, but some is better than none!) and until now nobody had really left me feedback on my items. I am SO HAPPY that people are loving their iPhone cases!!! I plan on making lots more soon since they've been a hit so far! These reviews really made my day :-) Success!

new computerrrr!!!

Hooray for early birthday gifts! Today it's officially "birthday month" and I already got a present! Thanks to my super-fantastic, ultra thoughtful, AMAZING boyfriend I now have a power machine to do all my art, business, and fun on!!!!! That's right, I'm posting from my new iMac! wahooooo!!!!!

work it out.

For so many people the new year begins with a promise to get in shape. "This year, it'll be different," but usually it's not. About two weeks in (if we make it that far) we start to fail at our gym routine and, like every year prior, we trade the treadmill for the television. 

My boyfriend, Miss Amy, and I have been very good at our workout routine since the end of 2010 and (so far) show no signs of giving into the temptations of the sofa. I always find that the best way to get on a routine and stay on it is to reward yourself with new clothes/gadgets/tools to motivate yourself. Positive reinforcement through presents? Yes. Here are some of my work-out favorites. Whatever it takes to keep you sweating, right?

1. Tech Stretch Hoodie, Athleta, $118- because you need something to keep you warm on the way there! I don't have this (yet) but it looks practical and cute- win win!
2. Tri-Blend Racerback Tank, American Apparel, $19- I love how loose and comfortable these are for everyday gym-going.
3. Aerie Layered Sports Bra, American Eagle Outfitters- Aerie, $29.50- AMAZING. Who doesn't love a layered look? The picture doesn't do it justice (the yellow is more bright lime), but trust me, best activewear purchase I've made in a long time.
4. Vata Short, Athleta, $39- I don't have these yet either but plan on getting them soon. I love the way bike shorts feel but am not comfortable enough to go prancing around in spandex. This way you get the look and feel of two pairs of shorts for one!
5. Nike Free Run+ Womens, Foot Locker, $84.99- Okay I lied. THIS is the best activewear purchase I've made. EVER. They feel like you're wearing socks. I was inspired to buy these after Steve got a pair for Christmas and raved about them. If you run a lot, these are a must. My feet used to fall asleep when running (don't ask, I don't know) but not anymore! They're also Nike+ Sensor compatible so you can track your progress as you get fit.
6. Goody Stay Put Secure Fit Headbands, any drugstore or (my favorite) Target, about $9 for a pack of 3- I have bangs. They get sweaty. These solve that problem.
7. iPod Shuffle, apple, $49- Some jerkface stole my old shuffle from the gym (but I was the real idiot who left it there by accident). Without music a workout is pretty much torture so it had to be replaced. The new shuffles have the Voiceover feature that my old one didn't, so I guess I can look at it as an upgrade!
8. Ink'd SC Headphones, Skullcandy, $19.95 (but only $9.99 at Target!)- One of the few headphones I've found that stay in my ears while I'm jogging along. AND they come in a bajillion colors. 
9. Hydraform Handheld Pocket by Amphipod, Athleta, $20- I don't have this yet either, but it's on the list of things-to-buy. The worst thing about working out outside is finding a place to keep all of your stuff. This not only makes it easy to carry your otherwise annoying water bottle, but also stores small necessities such as your keys and money. LOVE.

It's almost February. If you're still on your gym routine, reward yourself. You deserve it ;-)

it's time.

I'm writing this post from home with my fingers crossed and my breath held that my macbook doesn't decide to fail me mid-type. Last night nothing, and I mean NOTHING, on it would work and I pretty much accepted that my entire tax refund (and maybe a new credit card?) must go towards a new macbook ASAP. It's been 3 years since I got this old guy and I'll be sad to see it go, but here's to new beginnings and more powerful machines!

What I Love Now: Drapey Shorts

Photo borrowed from FreePeople.com

I can't get enough of these drapey shorts/ tap shorts/ skorts that I'm seeing everywhere. I have yet to get a pair, but they are ADORABLE. I especially like them with knee-high socks (see below) and a loose, silky tank. Wear them bare-legged, with tights, however you decide to and they'll still be cute. Perfect Winter-to-Spring transition piece and there are so many different options! That polka-dot pair might have to be factored into my budget ASAP. 

Here are a few of my faves (Pictured, from left to right)
1. Big Bow Ruffle Shorts, Free People, $68
2. Frilly Tap Shorts, shopnastygal.com, $38
3. Dolce Vita Macie Print Shorts, Shopbop, $77
4. Aster Fields Skort, Free People, $58
5. Tibi Lace Shorts, Shopbop, on Sale for $193.20
6. Leopard Print Scallop Hem Shorts, Topshop, $110
7. Polka Dot Skort, Free People, $58
8. Waterfall Drape Shorts, Topshop, $70
9. Simple Trouser Shorts, Forever21, $15.80
10. (same as no.1)

Right Now: My Etsy Favorites

As an Etsy seller, I think it's really important to support my fellow crafters. My bank account may not agree, by my apartment has been looking great ever since I started buying handmade. Here are some of my favorite items for sale right now (also on my birthday list, in case any of you were wondering).

(from left to right)

1. Lets Get It On, $15, linocutboy- amazing.

2. New York Yankees Solid Pine Wall Hanging, $24.99, Rivalry Time- if your boyfriend insists on having sports memorabilia in the house, at least it can look artsy

3. Peridot Sterling Silver Ring, $75, stonefeverjewelry- I lost the ring I wear on the tip of my middle finger and Etsy is the only place I can find a size 4 ring I like

4. Vertical Cities Print, $45, allisonrae- I've been lusting over this print for a really long time. One day I'll break down and finally buy it

5. Teresa Print, $20, holly- This SHOULD be called the "Nontra and Q Print"

6. Shut The Front Door Sign, $175, WilliamDohman- I'm going to take a stab at making one like this for the bathroom that says "TAKE YOUR SOCKS OFF"- awesome if you know the secret meaning behind this phrase ;-) 

7. So Fly Printed Letterpress, $15, rollandtumblepress- because I am, duh. 

8. Binary I LOVE YOU heart, $27.50, wallenvyart- sometimes the boyfriend pretends to be a robot so it seems fitting to have this hanging on our wall

Peppermint Bark Gift Jars

Remember when I told you I was going to cover glass jars for my co-workers' Holiday gifts? Yeah well I lied. I struggled with finding paper I liked and procrastinated long enough that there was NO WAY I would be able to Modge Podge two dozen lids in time. Because I had already bought the jars, I had to improvise. I decided to make small jars of home-made Peppermint Bark instead! 

I started with the Food Network's Peppermint Bark Recipe and made some modifications. Here's a step-by-step on what I made!

The Supplies

• Dark Chocolate Bars (my personal preference)
• Cookies 'n' Cream Chocolate Bars (couldn't find White Chocolate)
• Candy Canes
• Pinking Shears
• Hammer
• Large Zip-Lock bag
• Microwave-safe Bowls for melting chocolate
• Rubber Spatula
• Tin Foil
• Baking Sheet
• Big Knife and Cutting Board
• Holiday Fabrics
• Ribbon
• Labels
• Glass Jars (I ordered mine here, super affordable!)

The Steps

1. Chop chocolate bars into small pieces and put into separate bowls (white chocolate in one, dark chocolate in the other). Place unwrapped candy canes in the zip-lock bag and break into small pieces by hammering from the outside of the bag (my downstairs neighbors did not like this step).

2. Line a baking sheet with tin foil. Make sure the shiny side is facing up. 

3. Melt dark chocolate in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir with the rubber spatula and repeat until chocolate is melted all the way. *do not microwave for more than 30 seconds at a time or the chocolate will burn! 

4. Spread a thin layer of the melted chocolate onto the lined baking sheet using the rubber spatula. 

5. Let chocolate harden. I put it in the fridge to speed up the process for my second layer.

6. Repeat steps 3 & 4 with the white chocolate, spreading the layer on top of your hardened first layer.

7. While the white chocolate is still melted, sprinkle on the chopped candy cane pieces. Gently press the pieces in so that they stick. 

8. Allow to harden completely. When the bark is ready, break it into pieces. TADA! You've got your bark! 

I put Christmas-colored m&m's into the bottoms of the jars for more color before adding in the Peppermint Bark. I think it added a nice little candy "mattress" for the main attraction. Next, I cut squares from the Holiday fabrics using pinking shears and tied the fabric over the closed jar lids with ribbon (a second pair of hands helps for this step- thanks, Amy!). Lastly, I added custom-made labels for a personal touch! 

... and there you have it! An easy, one-night project that's both affordable and personal! I wish I had done this post early enough so it could have been relevant, but I think this would also make a GREAT Valentine's Day treat as well- switch out the candy canes for cinnamon hearts, maybe? If not, there's always next Christmas :-) 

a busy new year...

hi blog readers! I am SO sorry I haven't posted anything for over two weeks. It seems like 2011 has brought along a rush of work (both the 9-5 and personal) so I have hardly had any time to sit down and come up with good posts for this blog! I promise this week I will find some time to add fun things for you to read. Stay tuned and thanks for reading :-)

new year, new beginnings!

Happy belated holidays to everyone! Looking forward to a fantastic and productive 2011 and wishing all of my readers the same :-) more posts coming soon!

xoxo, Nontra