Such Pretty Things

Valentine Candy Box Makeover

I am a big fan of makeovers...especially when it comes to packaging. There are plenty of perfectly good items out there that could be even better with just a little effort and creativity. :-)  So, when I saw these cute little chocolate heart candy boxes on sale at the drugstore for only $1 a piece, I knew I had to give them a little makeover.

This is one of those projects that is super inexpensive and so easy, but the results are fantastic!  Here's what you'll need to make some:

-Small chocolate heart candy boxes (I got mine on sale at CVS, but they sell them everywhere)

-Scrapbook papers (I chose these gold and glittered papers for their luxe look)

-Fabric flowers or other embellishments (ribbons, rhinestones, etc...)

-Scissors

-Paper Glue

-Pencil

-Ruler

Directions: To begin, unwrap your chocolate boxes from any cellophane wrapping and carefully remove the top. You are going to use it as your stencil for the box top. Just flip it over and trace the heart shape onto the wrong side of your scrapbook paper. You will also need to cut out a long rectangular strip of paper to cover the exposed sides of your box - just measure the width.

Carefully cut both of these out.

If you plan your placement, you can get about three tops and three strips from just one piece of 12" x 12" scrapbook paper! Next, glue your shapes to the box top and sides.  I like to use a glue stick or sticky dots. Allow to dry completely. Now the fun part - decorate your box!  I went for simplicity with these pretty fabric flowers from Martha Stewart Crafts...

 

They retail for $6.59 for a set of three, but I used my Michael's 50% off coupon, which made them only $1.10 each! I just love how these turned out! These would make excellent classroom valentines or party favors.

XOXO

Jessica

"Sugared" Sugar Cookies for Valentine's Day

I always make sure to bake some heart-shaped cookies for Valentine's Day. I often make my "sugared" sugar cookies - which are really just sugar cookies, covered with icing and sprinkled (liberally) with colored sugar. 

Here's how I make them: I always start with a a good basic sugar cookie recipe - my favorites are from the incredible Glory of Glorious Treats and Martha Stewart. You will also need icing in as many shades as you wish (I chose light pink, hot pink, lavender, and mint) and matching sugars in the same colors.

People always ask me for my pourable icing recipe, but the truth is, I don't use an actual recipe. I just kind of wing it - in a bowl, I place some sifted (for smooth icing) powdered sugar. Then I add some milk, one tablespoon at a time until the icing is thick, but still pourable. I also like to add some clear vanilla extract for flavor. When I have my desired consistency, I add my food coloring.

As for the colored sugars, you can easily buy them at the supermarket or cake decorating supply shop. But, if you are picky about exact colors and/or want to save some money - tint your own - it's soooo easy. Just place some sugar in a ziploc baggie with a bit of powdered food coloring and shake it up. That's it!

After my cookies are baked and cooled, I place them on a wire rack set inside a larger cookie sheet that has sides (this is a must or you will have icing flowing all over the place). To decorate the cookies, I just pour the icing over the cookies until they are completely covered and then quickly sprinkle on the matching colored sugar.  Yes, it's a bit messy, but really simple - and the mess stays in the pan!

You can seen some variations of these that I've made in previous years, here and here.

XOXO

Jessica

Homemade Hot Chocolate

Like much of the Northeast, we are enjoying another snowy day around here.  The girls are delighted to miss another day of school and we're having fun just hanging out in our pajamas, snuggling under piles of blankets, and watching movies. Oh, and drinking hot chocolate. LOTS of hot chocolate.

On lazy days like this, I like to make my own - it's really simple and tastes sooo much better than the grocery store variety.

Here's what you'll need (Makes approx. 4 cups):

- 4 1/2 cups of milk

- 1/4 cup of good quality unsweetened cocoa (Hersheys is good, but also try Callebaut or Droste)

- 1/2 cup sugar

- 1 tsp. vanilla extract

- Marshmallows, whipped cream, sprinkles (optional)

Directions: In a saucepan, mix the cocoa, sugar, and 1/2 a cup of the milk together. Cook at medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar has dissolved and mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat and add remaining 4 cups of milk and vanilla. Heat to desired temperature.

And serve with toppings of your choice!

Stay warm and cozy!

XOXO

Jessica

 

 

Target Tuesday: Sprinkle Tape & Heart Straws!

I was so happy when I walked into Target the other day and found that they had put out all the Valentine's Day items.  Yay! I just love Valentine's Day and Target usually has some really cute stuff. Once again, they did not disappoint...just look at the sprinkle tape!

Yes, SPRINKLE tape! So adorable!

And how about these colorful heart straws!

These are the cute, shorter, chubbier ones - so fun for the kiddies!

Happy Tuesday!

XOXO

Jessica

Pretty Resources: Paperless Post

You may already be familiar with Paperless Post, a very cool e-vite type company that allows you to send free virtual invitations. But did you know that they also sell beautiful "real" paper invitations and stationary with a colorful, modern vibe? And they have really fun options like the ability to choose your own custom envelope liners in a zillion patterns! We're gearing up for a bunch of parties around here and found the cutest invitations!  We had to get the sprinkles (of course!), but here are some of our other favorites...

You really have to check out Paperless Post PAPER!

:-)

Jessica

Pretty Finds: Lace Chargers

Looking for something special for a Valentine's Day party? I found these sweet lace chargers at Michael's this week and just had to share them with you...

Aren't they pretty! I especially love them as a backdrop to pretty vintage china plates and Valentine's Day treats!

Quite a bargain, too, at only $2.99 each!

XOXO

Jessica

 

A Cure for the Winter Blues

It's only the middle of January and I am already finding myself longing for Spring. I miss the bright sunlight, the longer days, and the warm temperatures. I miss leaves on the trees, flowers blooming in the garden and COLOR!  Yup, I am most definitely in major color withdrawal. So, to fight off the winter blues, I like to surround myself with as much color as possible. Enter: Kate Spade. I've been a fan for years, but this season she's totally got my number.  One look at her new candy-colored collection and you just can't help but feel happy!  With a name like "Gumdrop", this necklace is pretty enough to eat!

Look at those beautiful colors! And the earrings!

They just make me smile.

Yes, I know, Kate is on the spendy side...but then again, so is therapy.  :-)

XOXO

Jessica

***As always, I am not paid for my opinions or recommendations - I just love to share my favorite finds!