Mad for Muffins

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OK, so this is very much a work in progress.  I am trying to make the perfect not-so-typical muffins.  My first attempt was the Peanut butter and Jelly Muffin.  I must say for my first attempt and with no actual recipe they were pretty delish.  I took am basic box of muffin mix.  I actually used a blueberry muffin mix sans the blueberries.  Follow baking directions on box, but add and get creative.  I melted a few giant spoon fulls of peanut butter to the mix.  After letting the muffins cool I cut out a hole at the top and filled with grape jelly.  Replace the whole and enjoy.  EASY PEOPLE, EASY! Now I shall work on perfecting the craft with alternate recipes and add ins.  Stay tuned.

Work of Art

I think we have officially found the solution for parents and grandparents for when they run out of room on your fridge to hang your child's art work.   Make your child's art work come to life with this ingenious idea.  Email a jpeg of your child's amazing art and it will be created into a plush stuffed "whatever they made".   Kids, parents, grandparents alike with love to see the new version of their little ones imagination.  Display is proudly in a shadow box on the wall or up on a shelf.  This is a very special and unique way to encourage your child to continue to create and grow as an artist. 


For ordering info go to www.ittybittiesboutique.com

My favorite little Monster

The Worry Woos Monsters are the greatest new book series to hit the shelves since Doctor Seuss.  Andi Green has lovingly created the most delightful monsters for children of all ages to adore.  Each book is beautifully illsutrated in water color and has a charming plush doll for you to cuddle.  Nola, the  Lonely Little Monster is her first and my favorite.  But honestly, the entire series is heart warming and teaches children that their feelings are real and that they are not alone.  Check them all out at www.worrywoos.com.

Nola Plush and hardcover $35.00

Mama MIA! I must have one!

 OK, so technically my 21-month-old son has only called me Mama I think 3 times, but I'm still the Mama and I am madly in love with this necklace.  So pretty, so simple, so timeless, so needs to be mine.  I must have this necklace, I must have this necklace, I must have this necklace.  I wonder how many times I will have to say it before someone (my husband) figures out how much I want it! The Mama Necklace by Tali Gillette is the only gift to give Mama's to be, new Mama's, and veteran Mama's.  Wear it with jeans or wear it on your special nights out.  It doesn't matter.  It's so classic, stunning, and amazing YOU WILL NEVER TAKE IT OFF!

Fabubands are FAB-U-LOUS!

Let's face it, no matter how cute a headband may be, they hurt. UNLESS, of course, you are sporting one of these ridiculously cute and really, really comfy Fabubands. Take it from me as a girl who probably needs a headband intervention, these Fabubands are everything that you want them to be. Made for your little stylistas, but sophisticated enough for "grown ups" to wear. They go with everything. These super cute headbands come from TutimNYC's ever growing line of practical, fun, and useful products that make Mom's lives easier and kids lives cuter.

• Position as headband or across forehead for stylish look.
• Trendy designs. One-of-a-kind appliques range from hearts & stars to
art deco & 1920's inspired patterns.
• Comfortable fit for girls (ages 3 and up) as well as women .
• Soft elastic comes in a variety of colors.
• Handmade in the USA.

www.ittybittiesboutique.com

Getting Crafty with my craftbox.

Here's a little known secret of about me. I have a craft box filled with good, all be it largely unfulfilled,  intentions.  Approximately, seven overly ambitious projects lay within it, in various stages of crumbled disarray.  But, not tonight. Tonight,  I focus.  Read the directions carefully.  Read twice, cut once.

With my husband out of town and my son asleep, this was going to be the night that my crafts emerge from the  box a finished project.  I sit down with my plan to create a tutu for my friend's baby-to-be.  I know that I not only lack any legitimate sewing skills, but I also lack a sewing machine.  So I chose a simple no-sew method.  Armed with nothing more than a 5-minute video on Youtube,  I begin the process and quickly realize I should have, at the very least, watched the video twice.  I could have.  I just had already fully committed to the mountain of pink tulle surrounding me and was, at this point, determined to just figure this thing out.

On paper (or on Youtube) this seemed like a no brainer.  Scissors, tulle, elastic, needle & thread, and of course a bottle of wine to help me "focus". Check, check, check, check, AND check.  I vaguely remember the woman on the video knotting the tulle around the elastic and so I knot. And knot and knot and knot until I somehow I created a really super cute tutu.  How cute you ask?  Check out my son (yes my son, you use the model you got) modeling it!

For the record, this really was a fairly easy process and it was actually fun.   AND I must say even though I used about 25 yards of tulle (I think because I didn't pay attention to the directions) this entire process took a couple of hours.  But for those hours I was in the Tutu Zone. Knotting, fluffing, creating.  It was awesome and I will do it agian for any one who wants one!

An All-Too-Easy Peanutbutter Cookie Recipe

My husband has what some may call an unhealthy relationship with peanut butter, but because I love him I decided to sacrifice my waistline and my skinny jeans to bake him some cookies.  This recipe is so simple, so easy, so quick, and oh so yummy!  This recipe is actually a little too easy.  I found myself making these cookies anytime I was hungry.  I memorized the recipe after the first try.  Note to self: STOP memorizing cookie recipes!
Ingredients

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup of granulated sugar or you can substitute with the following:
(1/4 c white granulated sugar
1/2 c brown sugar) I just went straight up 1 cup o sugar!
1 egg

Directions

In a bowl add the peanut butter
then add the sugars
last add the egg
Mix altogether
shape into balls about 1 - 2 inches in size
place on cookie sheet about an inch to an inch and a half apart
put in oven and bake for about 8 - 10 minutes, checking as all ovens vary in their temperatures
Cookies will be soft when removed from oven that is okay, when they cool they will firm up to a nice soft cookie.

 I actually started mixing things up and put each ball of delicious peanut buttery goodness in a muffin tin and added a Hershey kiss because as we all know, chocolate and peanut butter is the world's greatest flavor combo and should be enjoyed by all.

What's your secret to these cookies?