Showing posts with label diy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diy. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Hello October! Fall Recipes and DIY Spices

Happy October Everyone!

I still can't believe it's here. Finally I have an excuse to whip up insane amounts of recipes filled with apples, pumpkins, cider and the like.


And you know what else I learned? You can make your own Pumpkin Pie Spice and Apple Pie Spice.

Take that McCormick. :P

I was perusing my Google Reader and saw Beth at Budget Bytes do a DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice, and it inspired me to share with you all a list of Fabulous Fall links for Awesomely Autumn recipes (I have mentioned I love alliterations, right?)

Amazing Apple Recipes:

Apple Cider Muffins
Apple Cider Smoothie
Apple Crumble Pie
Apple Pie Muffins
Apple Pie Oatmeal
Classic Apple Cider Doughnuts
Caramel Apple Coffee Cake
Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Perfectly Pumpkin Recipes:

Black Bottom Maple Pumpkin Pie
Brown Butter Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispie Treats
Chai Pumpkin Spice Thumbprint Cookies
DIY Pumpkin Spice Body Scrub 
Pumpkin Fudge
Pumpkin Pie Bars
Pumpkin Pie Granola
Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes


DIY Spices

Pumpkin Pie Spice
Apple Pie Spice




There's more where that came from, but then what would I share with you on the blog for the rest of the month? A homemade, from scratch, delicious month of October awaits you.

Pull up a chair and stay awhile; things are going to get cozy.

Happy Baking!

~Jess

Friday, August 3, 2012

DIY Vanilla Sugar Scrub

Hello friends,

If you love baking as much as I do, then you'll understand my need to bring it into every single part of my life. Baking, eating, and now smelling like a cupcake. Yes, you are still on the right blog. No, you did not misread the title. I plan on sharing with you the wonderful  secret I've learned thanks to sites like Pinterest.



You can make your own deliciously scented, economically awesome, body scrub. I have dropped at least $20-30 bucks on a precious jar of scrub from Sephora or Ulta, but no more! This recipe, including the glass mason jar I keep it in, comes in at roughly under $3 a batch.

Did I mention that you will have all of these ingredients already in the pantry? Oh and it's totally okay for sensitive skin. I break out even if the water is too hot in the shower, but this scrub leaves my skin baby soft and without a bump.


Here's our wonderful cast of characters: white sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Feel free to splurge and pick up coconut oil or sunflower oil, but canola works just fine and does not have any unwanted smells, like olive oil. Also, you'll need the container you plan on storing the scrub in. I use a mason jar because I like the airtight seal and it's just super cute, but if you have kids or are afraid of shattered glass, just pick up a heavy duty tupperware container.


Fill your container with equal parts white and brown sugar, or as close as you can get. The great thing with this recipe is that it's pretty much adjustable to any kind of ingredients you have on hand. I even do all white sugar with fresh lemon zest for a to-die-for citrus scrub.


Pour out the sugars and mix them together until it looks like you have a bunch of beach sand. Pack the sugar back into your jar, then add about one tablespoon of vanilla extract and a few tablespoons of oil. Let the oil and extract seep into the sugar completely before adding any more oil. You want the oil to penetrate about 1/2 way down the sugar mixture.



Then turn it out one more time into a bowl and mix with your fingers until scrub comes together. When you wash your hands after this you will already begin to notice how awesome this scrub feels.


And that's it! Pack it back into your jar, screw on your lid and you're good to go. Want more scrub ideas? Here's some links with some great ideas for other scrubs that are great on your skin AND on your wallet.

DIY Citrus Salt Scrub
DIY Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub
DIY Beauty Tips (with Body Scrub Recipe)

And don't worry; I'll be back next week with a delicious cupcake I've been aching to try out from HowSweetEats.

Until then,

Happy scrubbing!

Monday, October 3, 2011

Sweet Escapes - Halloween Goodies Pt 1

It is OCTOBER everyone!

I know you are all as excited about this month as I am. Not only is it the month of changing leaves and crisp, cool weather; it is also the month of my birthday AND Halloween! Like I said, best month ever.

So, since this is the best month ever, I decided that every Sweet Escape this month will be Halloween-themed (with maybe some other fall favorites sneaked in too!). If you plan on having any event this month, these are desserts that are sure to impress and get everyone into the Halloween spirit.

1. Candy Corn Cupcakes via Our Best Bites


I just love how vibrant this little cupcake is. The coloring is perfect and just screams Halloween. I don't even like candy corn but I love this. Why can't I get one of these instead of real candy corn for Halloween?



Now this is an inventive idea. Take a rice krispie (either homemade or store bought) and flatten it slightly. Stick a lollipop stick in melted chocolate the pierce rice krispie. Dip in chocolate and sprinkles, then add a split Halloween-themed peep on top. Ta-Da! An adorable treat full of marshmallow and rice krispie treat goodness!

3.  Candy Corn Cheesecake Mousse Via Glorious Treats


Cheesecake Mousse? Halloween themed? Absolutely. What a great way to keep to the theme with a delicious cheesecake in candy corn colors. Again, if we have all these great ideas that look like candy corn, but are way better than candy corn, why not just avoid the candy and go for the dessert?!



I love Bakerella's bite-sized treats, and this is adorable for both Halloween and Thanksgiving. She gives a great tutorial on how to make these teeny tiny pies, and they are cheap AND impressive. Leave off the jack-o-lantern face for tiny pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving, or keep them on for a ghoulish treat. :)



Okay, I know what you're thinking. "She doesn't even like candy corn! Why so many links to candy-corn themed treats?!" But really, you can't have Halloween without candy corn. Even if I don't personally like the little candies, they inspire fabulous desserts and goodies, just like these sugar cookies. So simple, yet so adorable and impressive. These are definitely on my "to-bake" list.

This has been this week's Sweet Escape! I hope you enjoyed this first segment of fun Halloween treats. Keep an eye out for a new post on Apple Crumble Muffins in the near future!

Monday, August 22, 2011

Sweet Escapes - DIY Cake/Cupcake Stand Projects

Hello old friends!

I say old since it has been over a week since my last post, but I have been moving myself into my new off-campus college apartment (Woo!). So this will have to be a short post as well, since there is still so much to do. But I couldn't leave you without your Weekly Sweet Escape. A bit more to the point than usual, but here is a little collection of DIY Projects I have found about making your own designer cake/cupcake stands. Each project is super cost-effective, and results in a fabulous stand that is both functional and fashionable. I know, more alliteration. I'm sorry I'm sorry I am working on it ;) 

1. CensationalGirl


2. Decorganize Crafts (this was the most intriguing - using stove top burners!)






4. Shelterness



As Always - hope you enjoyed this week's short, but nonetheless sweet escape. Keep an eye out for a post on Red Velvet Brownies later this week! :D