A Beautiful Love Story

This past weekend I had the honor of attending one of my oldest friend's wedding (and by oldest, I mean we've been friends since elementary school--she isn't old ;)). Funny enough, the guy she married was one of my best friends. They have such a beautiful love story and they are perfect for each other--so its only fitting that their wedding would be as beautiful as they are. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Beall--I wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness! <3

Festive Bunting Banner

Yesterday I was in a very crafty mood, so I drove to Hobby Lobby and bought a few different crafts to do. This one was a bunting banner; it was supposed to hang across my fireplace mantle but it turned out WAY too big--so it's now hanging on the wall in my front living room (I'm going to make a smaller version for the mantle). This was very easy to make, and I think it makes a huge statement.

All you need is some burlap, some fabric of your choice, a hot glue gun, and some paint. First, figure out what size you want your triangles to be. Cut one, then use it as a guide to cut  the rest of them so they're the same size. Lay out your fabric then hot glue gun the burlap triangles onto it. Cut the fabric bigger than the burlap so that you can see it. Lay all of your triangles out and hot glue gun string across the tops of it so that it makes the banner.

Once the glue has dried, flip your banner around and paint whatever saying you want onto it. Once the paint has dried, then you're all done! Go hang that banner up!

(I understand that all of this couldve been done with a sewing machine instead of a hot glue gun; my sewing machine isnt working correctly and I didn't want to wait till it was fixed). ;)

Have fun!

The Two Year Escrow Anniversary

Today is the 2 year anniversary of us closing escrow on our house! Its been a great 2 years of living here--we absolutely love living in Murrieta! Having space throughout the house and having a backyard for the kids to play in has been the greatest thing ever. Here's a quick look at some of the befores-and-afters of some house projects we've done--ranging from bathrooms, to the kitchen, to the backyard, to the bedroom, to the closet--we've done a lot to this house, and there's still so much more to do! Owning a house is the best <3

Nutella Cookie Cups

Yesterday I was craving something sweet so, like always, I hit up my pinterest desserts board. I've wanted to try these nutella cookie cups for a LONG time--nutella is amazing, and who doesn't like cookies? Sounds like a win/win situation to me! These are basically just chocolate chip cookie dough without the chocolate chips, topped with nutella. Little bit of heaven in your mouth, if I may. These are best right out of the oven, but still amazing days later. Maybe popping them in the microwave for a few seconds would re-create the just-out-of-the-oven effect? That'll be an experiment for later today ;). Let's get started!

Ingredients:
1 cup of butter, softened
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of packed browm sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. of vanilla extract
3 cups of all-purpose flour
1 tsp. of baking soda
1/2 tsp. of salt
Jar of nutella (the medium sized jar)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease your mini muffin tin and set aside.

2. Cream butter and both sugars in a bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla until fully incorporated. Gradually beat in dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking soda) until all of the flour is mixed in. 

3. Roll dough into 1.5 inches thick.

4. Pop them in the mini muffin tin and bake 10-12 minutes until golden brown but not too dark around the edges. 

5. When done, remove from oven and let sit 2 minutes. Then make wells for the nutella using a shot glass, similar object, or a spoon. Add 1 Tbsp of nutella to each cup; it will start to melt quickly so you can swirl it around and make it nice and smooth. 

6. Let cool 15-20 minutes in tin. Nutella will solidify in an hour, which makes them easier to transport. 

Enjoy!

Summer days slippin away!

It's actually starting to feel like Fall! it's finally cooling down; we haven't had the AC on the past few nights while we slept, and I currently have my back sliding door open, letting the cool breeze in. I've waited so long for this! Although I'm so thankful that we have working AC in our house, I hate having to use it. There's nothing better than a fresh breeze blowing through the house.

Guess what else is coming up? The pumpkin patch! Bates Nut Farm opens in 15 days!! I'm so excited to go this year (especially since I have a car that has working AC now for the drive out there!). I plan on taking the kids a few times :)).

Even though I'm SO excited for these next few weeks (pumpkin patch, cake orders, friends getting married), I have to take a step back and literally be blown away: is it really almost October?! So crazy. Ever since I've had kids, the time just flies. This coming up spring we'll be enrolling Maverick in kindergarten for the 2014 school year. Where did my little guy go?! He's not so little anymore!

I'm bracing myself for these next couple of months; this year flew by and got us to where we are today--guaranteed these next couple of months are just going to fly! Halloween parties and Christmas parties, anyone? :))

Saturday Fun Day?

Sunday fun day came early for us this weekend. Yesterday was a day full of parties! First we went to a party for a new friend of ours; we met through my friend Kailey and it was such a fun party. Her son was turning 5 and she threw a "Brennan's World" themed party; they had this GIGANTIC water bounce house with a slide that looked like so much fun--I almost want to have an adult party and rent one of those and just go to town! It was so hot outside but that water slide cooled everyone off and the kids had a blast. (Pictured below): they even had an "ice cream hut"--complete with action figure and princess themed ice cream flavors--it was such a cute touch and the kids loved it!

After Brennan's party, we headed down to Carlsbad to celebrate my friend's birthday AND her husband joining the Army. At this party, they announced that they found out the sex of their baby--and its a boy! It was so much fun seeing friends, eating great food, and just having a good time. All together, yesterday was such a fun day! Now we're getting ready for some football--Saints style! Happy Sunday everyone!