Baby schtuff

Missing posting - thought I'd jump on this one because it's  fun and fast project and great for gifts.  It's funny I don't post a lot, but I create one (or nine!) somethings every day.  I don't usually think they are blog worthy, but most of them are probably perfect for blogging because they are usually made with things I have in my stash and I can walk out the door with them in under an hour, also.

I have a special college friend that means the world to me.  Her younger sis just had her 2nd babe and gave him a cool, albeit tricky name for friends and older family to say.  Lucien - LOVE it!  Well, to gift to her and help her out a bit, I designed a cute t - has a cutie pie tag on it that says "Hello my name is"... then I found a handwriting looking font to spell out his name.  I used the Avery transfer sheets made specifically for knits.  I really like this stuff.  If you flip the garment inside out and wash/dry it's just fine.  I emailed her pics and needless to say, she love it.  It will get mailed out this week. With... another onesie that I used a bit of wonder under to make a little tie I appliqued onto the front. BOTH onesies took about 20 minutes to make.  That might even be exaggerating it because I stopped to talk to my very cool 10 year old daughter while I was working.  I love that kid :0)

baking...

making these today.  they aren't out of the oven yet or I'd already be shoveling them down my throat with a cold glass of milk.   i may or may not have tested the dough.  a few times.

S'mores Cookies

11 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 ½ cups flour
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup mini marshmallows
3 regular sized Hershey’s bars, broken into pieces
1-2 packages graham crackers, broken into squares

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line baking pans with parchment paper. I used one 11x17 pan and one 9x13 pan but you can really use any sized pans you want.

Lay out graham crackers side by side on the pans as close as possible (they should be touching). I used a large cookie sheet with sides.  You may have to add or remove graham crackers according to how much dough you have. If you want your cookies thicker you will use more dough and less graham crackers.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, sea salt and cinnamon to combine. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter with white and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.

Add the flour mixture to the butter mixer and combine on low speed.

Fold in the chocolate chips and marshmallows. You can even do this batter ahead and leave it in the fridge. 

Place tablespoons of dough on graham crackers about 1 – 1 ½ inches apart. I used my small ice cream scoop that holds 1 tbls. and just overloaded it.  Press down slightly with fingertips.

Bake for 6 minutes then remove from oven to press Hershey’s bar pieces on to the top. You can place as many pieces or as little as you want depending how much chocolate flavor you want.

Bake for 7 more minutes or until dough is beginning to turn golden brown at the edges. Remove to a wire rack to cool. For clean cutting make sure cookies are completely cool and cut with a sharp knife.

uh huh

Jimmy Fallon is hilarious.  I am tired of the rain.  Weiner, rehab? really? Please stop wasting valuable space on the news with your news-mate Sarah Palin,  I don't care what's in your old email.  If someone read mine, they'd put ME in rehab.  Want: new sandals, a sunny day, a weed-free garden.  Tired of school work for my 10 year old.  There are 8 days of school left, if they don't know it by know, they aren't going to learn it now.  I have used my Cricut every day this week.  I really need another trip to Trader Joe's - apparently they have a Pomegranate Limeade that makes a great margarita.  I need new nail polish and Clinique isn't sold online?  At my Mission Control (my desk, decaf coffee and 2 computers) we are attempting to do emergency marketing and PR to get our local food pantry filled up again. (and by 'we', I me moi)
I neeeeed to run this week a couple of times. Ahh, that brain dumping felt good.

Sewing inspiration

Had to get in gear with some sewing projects - I pulled together some cute card cases and a Kindle cover.  I am working on a I Touch/Phone cover as well, but didn't love the closure idea I first had so back to that soon.  This laminate is terrific to work with and ensures that your electronics are super cute and protected a bit.  They are all lined and padded inside.
I love (read: obsessed) this new Sis Boom print. I love a nice trellis pattern and this one has all the right stuff, great proportions, deep, rich color and flair.  Happy Girl.   The card cases photo shows the open one in fabric by Sis Boom, as well as the pink and the bottom turquoise print. The one in the middle is upholstery fabric that's a gorgeous linen/burlap feel with French words embellishing it.  I'll be bringing the card cases down to Space this week or next.  One has already been claimed.(stolen by my daughter)  Some others will end up on my Etsy site.

Rainbow kind of party

I had a blast doing the TENTH! birthday celebration this year.  The girl chose peace signs as her theme.  She spyed the rainbow layer cake on-line with me and she asked if I would make it.  It was super easy and fun to make.  Everyone was so surprised at how cute it was.  I already had my niece ask for one for her upcoming birthday.

Rainbow cake beginning - mixed up a white cake mix and divided into bowls.  

Baking layers 2 at a time

colors all stacked with white frosting

yum!  everyone was so surprised what lay inside the plain white cake

I LOVE LOVE the candles I found to match the cake

A slice o'happy

cardstock I printed peace signs, cut into shape and sewn on the machine into a bunting

hershey kisses with mini stickers I printed on my computer

dipped marshmallows.  the girl did these - so fun!

These were her friends party cakes.  they loved the rainbow love. 

loves

I put these pretties in my Etsy shop - they are super fun little pony-tail holders that are really soft.  They hold your hair well, but if you are like me, and it spends time on your wrist, it won't cut off your circulation.  Love when that happens, right?  At just $6 - they are perfect! 

Today my loves are Netflix and September issue.  Grace Coddington, Vogue Creative Director, is an interesting person- former model turned magazine-ista girl.  She's interesting in that in her office and her own space, she commands attention with her red hair and amazing ideas.  Once she leaves her cocoon, she becomes an underling of Anna Wintour.  Fun to watch - at one point, I had all of the September issues of Vogue saved from high school until I was about 31.  Sadly, they were damaged by water.   I was devastated. 

I just worked out watching the end of the movie - now off we go on our day! Got some new Sis Boom laminate pretties to ponder.  

redux

Ok peeps - let's roll it - new look and new name.  Purple Pineapple wasn't doing it for me - it didn't describe who I am and what I do.  The truth is, I do LOTS of things and I need a catch-all name to represent me.  Really me.
Let's see if I get better at posting.  More posts that are informative.  hmmm.
I am currently sitting on my bed watching an old Sex in the City where Carrie finally realizes who she IS and leaves Paris.  I'm sort of feeling that transformation - I am job hunting now and wonder WHO I might become?  I still want to have all of my fun freelance projects going on, but not sure how that might work. In the mean-time, I'm feeling like I want to just Get To It.
Wish me luck!

Valentine's Day Research

Ok, Valentine's Day is upon us and I have done some difficult research for you all. Here are the results:
I eat Dark chocolate everyday. Just a small amount, but must have it. Bar chocolate I am hooked on now is Ghiradelli Sea Salt Soiree. Ridiculous name, don't judge me, but it's got that true dark chocolate flavor.

*all of these places are local FFLD County, CT locations, but all of them have websites and will ship to you - enjoy!
If you live near Fairfield County, CT Fresh Market in Westport has a great selection of Bar chocolate as well. One great brand with unusual flavors they carry is Vosges. Bacon, chilies, curry, goji berries. Their selection varies, but you can also order online. They also carry other brands that are fun and interesting.
Cocoa Michelle's is terrific - get the Dark Ganache and Sea Salt, do yourself a favor and pick up a hot chocolate. Amazing. Love how pretty the chocolates and presentation are also.
Bridgewater chocolate - get the cherry hearts. the coconut igloos are also great. Let's be honest people, all of their chocolates are good.  The gift boxes make an impressive presentation.
Belgique is also great, everything is good. Dependable, expected and expensive. However, their Kent store is more of an experience- pretty ride up (during another month perhaps) and adorable yellow house-looking building set in a crushed stone lot with pretty landscaping.
Chocopologie is fantastic. We love their Hannah - Burnt Caramel with Hawaiian Sea Salt, Madeleine - Dark Chocolate truffle, Carrie - Crunchy Mocha Nougatine Truffle. Usually get chocolates AND a couple of their amazing little cakes. If you want to be a star, get one (or more!) of the cakes. Truly life changing.
Munson's (good old fashioned, lots of choices and CT company) and Godiva are good, but have gotten bit too processed and commercial; and with so many other options listed above, these are good go to places, but for something really special, the above places are very high quality, delicious and artisan.
CTBites blog did a top 10 in Ct for chocolate, but we've tried them all (multiple times!).
Ok, I think that covers it. he he he