Shine Your Light on Me

I am NOT a fan of overhead, bright lights... that's why I LOVE a good lamp.

Here's a few of my favorites to help brighten up a room... but not TOO bright :)

This fun lamp from SeaScape would be perfect in a living room... or bed room. I love the design.

I was looking for a fun, funky floor lamp - and I think I found one from Weylandts!

I need one of these Store-It lamps from PB Teen. You can just slide your books right in!

I love how simple and stylish this Milk Can table lamp from Ballard Designs is... adorable.

Gourd table lamps like these from West Elm are so much fun... especially during Christmastime, when you can fill the lamp bases with Christmas tree balls! Trust me, it look great.

This large pendant lamp from West Elm can really make a dining room "shine" :)

I want all THREE of these lamps from lushlee!

The cute lamps from Gizmodo look adorable perched on this window.

What about these bamboo inspired hanging lamps from RianRae?! These would look awesome in a living room or dining room.

Check out these genie inspired lamps from Apartment Therapy!

Picnic in the Park

To follow up from my last post...

I made the "Pies in a Jar" recipe to take to Jazz on the Green with my friends.

I decided to make peach/apple pies...

... and strawberry/blackberry. I wanted to make blueberry ones, but the store was SOLD OUT.

After picking your fruits and cutting them up, add about 2 tablespoons of flour, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons sugar... along with a teaspoon of cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg.

Then, go get a Ball jar! If you have a Hobby Lobby in your neighborhood, I suggest going there. You can get a Ball jar for about $1.30 - bargain!

If you want to make your own pie dough, you easily can... but I was short on time, and just went to the store and bought some pre-made dough. Wrap the dough in the inside of the jar... you DO NOT need to grease the jar.

... then fill with the fruit! For the toppings, you can cut the dough into a fun shape, and put some melted butter/sugar on the top. OR - you can mix 1 cup quick oats, 1 tablespoon flour, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon sugar and a few tablespoons of butter... and put on top for a "crumble" effect.

Put the jars on a cookie sheet. Turn the oven to 375 degrees, and stick the jars in the oven - you do NOT want to pre-heat the oven. Put the jars in right away when the oven is still cold. Leave them in for 45-50 minutes.

Take out of the oven, and let them cool for a bit. You can top with ice cream or whipped cream... or eat plain. So good.

After making the pies, I took them to Turner Park for "Jazz on the Green" at Midtown Crossing. If you need to save the pies for a later date, you can easily put them in the freezer.

Jenn and Timory came along! (So did 8,000 other people.)

We packed a picnic of wine, crackers/sausage/cheese, olives, cucumbers, and carrots...

And topped it off with our perfect "Pie in a Jar" :)

Single Pie in a Jar

Looking for a great dessert for a picnic?

This single-serving "Pie in a Jar" is the perfect fit!

Found the recipe on one of my favorite sites - Our Best Bites.

Click for the recipe right HERE!

"Bake" What Your Grandma Gave Ya

If "C" is for "cookie" - why not bake the best?

Usually... that comes from your grandma.

These "double-chocolate chip oatmeal cookies" are a spin off my grandma's recipe.

Very yummy.

What you need for DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHIP OATMEAL COOKIES:

1 cup of shortening (Crisco)

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1 1/2 cups of flour

2 eggs

2-3 cups of oatmeal (Quick-cooking kind)

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup white chocolate chips

First, combine shortening, white sugar, brown sugar. Mix well.

Next, mix in the 2 eggs until the batter turns a light color.

Add in the baking soda and vanilla. Mix.

Add the salt and flour. Mix well.

Add in 2-3 cups of oatmeal... depends how much you want in it.

Finally, add the chocolate chips!!! If you want to mix it up, you can substitute the semi-sweet chocolate chips for dried cranberries... and have a "white chocolate cranberry" cookie. It is fabulous.

This next part may sound weird, but trust me. Once the mixture is all ready - put it in the freezer for about 15 minutes... especially during the summertime. For some reason, it just makes the cookie dough a lot easier to work with.

Finally, put cookies onto UNGREASED cookie sheet... you can fit about 9 on 1 sheet.

Put in a 350 degree pre-heated oven for 10-12 minutes... until the cookies are lightly golden around the edges.

You want the middle of the cookie a little mushy when it comes out - because once the cookie cools, it will be SOFT inside :)

Pour yourself a cup of milk, and ENJOY!

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

When it comes to wall decor, I believe EVERY space needs a nice mirror. They can make a space look so much bigger... not to mention, add a beautiful element to a room.

This mirror is from Ballad Designs. I love using mirrors (or pictures) and hanging them from bookshelves. This one fits perfectly with this chocolate/white design.

This romantic round mirror from West Elm is one of my favorites.

Don't have much money? Take this idea from Dollar Store Crafts. Find a few nice plates or bowls, and glue a simple round mirror on the top.

This mirror from Ballad Designs is one of my favorites. Would look perfect in a bathroom above the sink.

This mirror from Ballad Designs is very versatile. Can be used above a fireplace, or hung on the wall in a bedroom.

This gorgeous mirror from ZGallerie is so sophisticated, and could really make a statement in an entryway or hallway.

Creative Ceramics

I think I've told you before, but I LOVE Etsy. It's amazing the neat things you can find... so today, I am dedicating my creative finds to CERAMICS.

This white Lotus Vase is so precious, and would look great perched on my piano.

Who wants one of these coffee mugs for their desk at work? :) Pay raise, right?

These Ice Cream salt and pepper shakers are in honor of my best friend Danielle (who LOVES ice cream)... aren't they cute? Not your typical salt and pepper shakers.

These is the cutest gift to give for a wedding present or anniversary present. A "Love Platter."

How gorgeous are these micro tiles? They can add such a statement to a room! Simply hang from a nail in the wall.

These garden stakes for vegetables are something I need to buy for my dad. Right now, he uses pieces of cardboard... these would look so much better :)

These Pinwheel bowls are perfect in every way. Colorful, unique, and can work great as a design element. The perfect gift for a wedding present, bridal shower, or baby shower.

I don't know about you, but I am obsessed with Aroma Melters! Especially during Thanksgiving and Christmastime, when I get use the "Pumpkin Pie" and "Sugar Cookie" scents :) And this aroma melter, is so cute and perfect.

Looking for a unique gift for a friend, parent, boyfriend/girlfriend? These custom fortune cookies are the perfect something "extra" - and are wrapped inside a take-out box!

How CUTE are these Owl Tea Bag holders?! Adorable.

How about this hanging AirPlant Pod? These are for plants that can't survive in standing water... can be used inside and out.