new blog layout

I've been debating for awhile now. I have a "me" blog and this is my "crafty" blog. Should I combine them? Should I keep them separate? I don't know yet, but for now I have made this one less crowded, less cluttery with this new minima layout.

Maybe I'll just keep them separate and figure out how to make it a 3-column blog. Oh the choices!!

Holiday Baking

The holidays are in full swing and I'm loving having the time to bake! I have already made some yummy chocolate chip cookies...

I even packaged some up for the boy - what a lucky one he is!

On Wednesday night I'll be joining two friends for a baking party. I am going to be making fudge - hopefully the "easy" recipe I was recommended online is going to be easy. Update tomorrow! :)

Little Black Box

I participated in December's Little Black Box sending in 100 promos. I can't wait to hear from the people who purchase the LBB and get my items. Wondering how this will turn into sales for plumstars...anyone else done this before?

Here are the tags I sent in...

Here is the blurb about plumstars on the LBB website...

100 Little Things...

1. my family - da, lady, buttmunch, sagens

2. my friends - all friends new and old

3. going back to school
4. a glass of red wine
5. unwinding with a good book
6. chick lit books, especially red dress ink books
7. starbucks coffee in holiday cups with a spill stopper stick
8. knee high socks in pretty colors
9. high heels of all heights

10. teaching children something new
11. crafting all day long

12. organizing!!
13. closet cleaning - fashion shows with friends
14. cuddling in front of a fire
15. watching romantic comedies over and over
16. sleeping in after a fun night out with friends
17. going to a blockbuster movie with a crowded theater
18. peace, love, forgiveness
19. shopping and finding great deals
20. playing scrabble
21. putting together puzzles with chubs
22. etsy!!

23. blogging - love to read them, love to write them
24. hollywood fashion
25. hoho, bub and double down

26. kappa delta sorority - now and then

27. gel pens in fun glittery colors
28. candles lighting up the room
29. fresh baked chocolate chip cookies
30. rehearsing for plays and opening nights
31. jane austen in all forms
32. cooking and baking
33. sushi – all you can eat midori sushi
34. dirty martinis
35. chunky sweaters in cold weather
36. disneyland with friends

37. mexican food – guacamole, margaritas
38. tank tops and short
39. ugg boots that aren’t real and just as warm
40. decorating for holidays
41. swap-bot

42. getting together with friends
43. baking cookies, pies, sweets, everything
44. having a “real college experience” at sdsu
45. rain showers with thunder and lightening
46. rainbows
47. dew on grass
48. sunsets and sunrises

49. going on hikes in new places
50. camping, really roughing it!
51. sleeping under the stars
52. wearing scarves in all weather
53. long necklaces with lockets
54. paris, planning trips

55. wine tasting
56. new york trips with friends
57. going to the beach
58. lounging away a sunday afternoon
59. dreaming
60. wishing
61. hoping
62. praying
63. freedom
64. love
65. the safety of buttmunch
66. texting silly things
67. lunch with purple stuff with lady
68. family photos old and new
69. scrapbooks full of memories
70. museums of beautiful art
71. finding new favorites
72. little coffee shops with oversized mugs
73. independent movies
74. rent & wicked
75. balcony seats
76. vacations with chubs

77. crisp, cool sheets in summer
78. jacuzzi & champagne
79. weddings to celebrate love
80. laughing so hard tears fall
81. crying
82. guardian angels
83. believing in yourself
84. achieving goals
85. supporting others
86. giving back
87. having a history, knowing your past
88. the internet, e-mail, facebook, twitter, connecting
89. tiny newborn babies
90. equality
91. picking up shells on the beach
92. big hugs and sweet kisses
93. snow and snowboarding

94. cabins and beach houses
95. the health of my family
96. celebrating birthdays
97. understanding why
98. sparkles
99. plumish
100.being grateful every day

National Brownie Day

Although National Brownie Day is not officially until December 8th, I figured you'd all need time to get those brownies baking! So here is a delicious recipe to try. Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 packet of ready-made chocolate brownie mix

1/4 cup skimmed milk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

1 packet Philadelphia cream cheese

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease the bottom of 9-inch pan with non-stick spray (or dust with oil and flour).In a medium bowl, stir brownie mix, water, oil and 2 eggs until well blended. Spread onto the greased pan. In another bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on low speed until creamy; beat in sugar, and 1 egg until well blended. Drop some spoonfulls of this mixture over the layered brownie batter. Now is thr fun part:) Take a knife and cut through the batter several times for creating a random marbled design. Ask your kids to do this; they'll love it!! but give them a blunt spatula instead of a knife.

Bake for 35-40 minutes or until cream cheese mixture is light brown. The toothpick trick should work, but the cream cheese should not be overcooked. Remember, these brownies will have a fudge-like texture, so they are more sticky and elastic, unlike cake, which is soft and moist. Remove from oven and let it cool completely before cutting into slices or chunks. You can store them covered in the refrigerator.

Chandeliers!

A friend of mine scored us adorable chandeliers!! Through a friend's wedding my techie friend got two chandeliers, one for each of us, for only $10!! I love it!!

Now to find a place to hang it!!