Form, Function & Fun

Apple products are known for being sleek, sexy and well-designed. So, when we got our new iMac earlier this year, Eric and I wanted to make a computer desk that was as equally beautiful. 

It had to be modern and minimal, but still functional. And it had to fit in with the decor of our master bedroom.

After much back-and-forth on ideas, we settled on this simple "wedge" of a desk. It's more of a shelf, really. I had seen a much smaller version used to hold a plant, and thought: "Well, why couldn't we just make it really BIG and put a computer on it?" Easier said than done, of course. Cutting angles that sharp to make joints is kinda tricky. Or so my husband tells me. (But he did it. I knew he could. He always does.)

I especially love that it looks more like a display for artwork than a piece of furniture. And it's got a hidden storage area inside to hold all those wires, hard drives and miscellaneous computer stuff that always seems to junk up a work space. Eric skillfully added some magnets to the inside left panel to keep it in place and easily removable. Sneaky, huh?

As for seating, we're using a small, decorative ottoman that can be moved out of the way.

Once again Eric exceeded my expectations by creating something that's minimal, functional and beautiful.

Oh, to be a cat.

As I sit here and watch my cat - nap, eat, yawn, nap, stretch and then nap again - I can't help but be jealous. Oh, to have the life of a cat.

I don't know about you, but May at our house is so full of STUFF - school events, parties, class trips, field days, final reports, tests, graduations, etc, etc. I almost can't breathe. If we can just make it through next week, hopefully summer will bring some relief to all the "stuff."

For now, I will have to channel my inner feline to find peace and let stress go with the flick of a tail.

You look good enough to eat!

Create an instant kitchen canvas for your inner edible artist. These easy, photo plates make dinner time or party time more fun. Just print out a photo of someone's face and sandwich it between a clear plastic plate and a white plate (of the same size.) 

Give dad a mashed potato mustache or style mom's hair into a broccoli beehive. 

I think these would be funny at a family reunion. Or a birthday party. Or a retirement dinner. Ohhh.... what about a wedding? That would be kinda cool. The guest (or guests) of honor could get "egg" on their face, all in good fun.

Go here for the complete tutorial at SheKnows.com.

I found these square plastic plates at Party City. They worked really well, and allowed for extra space to decorate the faces.

PS.
Many thanks to my husband and kiddos for being my models/guinea pigs for this project.

Tosh.O likes my cookies.

Last year, Pee-wee Herman tweeted my pinata cookies. This year, Tosh.O blogged my taco cookies.

Thanks guys! I love you both. If I knew you were watching, I would have baked a cake too. :)

Feed Your Passion for Fashion

Combining two things that most women love: shoes & dessert.

I originally made these 9 years ago for my dear friend's birthday. They're cute and fun, and easy to make, so be sure to check out the tutorial at SheKnows. 

You could add all kinds of finishing touches to them to make them extra special. Maybe dip them in white chocolate melt and use a vanilla Tootsie Roll to make them more "bridal?" Or attach some candy jewels or sparkles on the front for some extra bling? 

They'd be perfect for bachelorette parties or a girls-night-out. And don't forget Mother's Day ... it's just around the corner!

Piñata Jello Shots

The folks at SheKnows.com threw a Piñata-themed party and asked me to create a cocktail version of my Piñata cookie. After some experimentation (and lots of sampling) I came up with these margarita-flavored, piñata-shaped, rainbow-striped, jello shots with a salty surprise in the middle.

For instructions on how to make them and tons of other great craft, recipe and game ideas for your own Piñata, Fiesta or Cinco de Mayo party, head over to SheKnows.com.

Diaper Duty (Tee hee.... she said "duty")

I know, I know... these cookies are a bit, juvenile. But hey, in my defense, they were originally baked for a bunch of 3rd graders. Who, by the way, thought that a dirty diaper cookie was hilarious.

In case you do too, there's a complete tutorial available on SheKnows.com. 

Basically, you just cut triangle-shaped sugar cookies, fold a miniature candy bar inside, and bake.

Perfect for any baby shower. (I just hope your guests bring a sense a humor with them to the party.)

Mini Taco Cookies

Could someone please explain why I have this crazy obsession with Cinco de Mayo desserts? - Pinata cookies, maraca cookies, and taco cookies.

I swear, it's not on purpose. I'm not from Mexico. I pretty much use the holiday as an excuse to drink margaritas and eat chips & queso. Don't we all?

Regardless, I made some taco sugar cookies a few years ago for work, and decided to attempt them again for a tutorial. I remember struggling with the cookie dough, trying to get it to bake in the shape of a taco shell, on top of a wedge of tinfoil. It wasn't impossible, but it was frustrating. And although they turned out lovely, there's always an easier way to bake something, right?

Like, for instance, not baking at all! This new recipe uses Oreo cookies and is assembly-only. If you can't figure them out by these photos, then head over to SheKnows for the complete step-by-step and list of ingredients. Super easy. I promise.

Now that I think about it. I also have an obsession with making foods out of other foods. - Broccoli, pumpkin pie, steak, kabobs, sushi, rice and fortune cookies. What's wrong with me?

Maraca Cookies

Shake your maracas. And then eat them. 

These candy-filled, maraca-shaped cookies sound as good as they look (and taste.) Wouldn't they be fun for Cinco de Mayo or some other mexican-themed fiesta?

Lately, I've been finding alternative ways to bake with my cake pop pan. I still have yet to make ACTUAL cake pops. Probably never will. (Bakerella is the cake pop queen. That woman blows me away with her creativity.)

Anyway, I came up with this idea for shakeable, edible maracas in April of 2012, but never really experimented with them to see if they'd work. It was about this time last year that I had my 15 minutes of Pinata Cookie fame. Oh what fun, to see my little cookie make it big. Wonder if Pee-wee Herman likes maracas?

If you want to attempt these sweet treats yourself, hop on over to SheKnows for the full tutorial. They're not hard, just a little time consuming. (Ha. That sentence should be a disclaimer on every thing I do.)

Spring

Sunshine.
Blue skies.
Greening grass.

We are so ready for spring.

Hey Gus & Bea..... look over here at me.

OK... now get a little closer together.

A little closer, please.

OK... Bea, stand up straight. Gus, quit strangling your sister, please.

Now, act like you like each other.

Go ahead, you can sit down.

Just one more. Look right here.

OK... I'm done. Thanks. Now go play.