DIY Post: Country Chic Engagement Party.

I recently had the honor to help host an engagement party in my little hometown Nacogdoches, TX over Christmas break. My friends Kristen, Catherine and I had such a fun time together making sure the party was planned with our own personal touches for our guest of honor Chelsie and Cade. We had little time to throw it together since we all live in separate city's now but we managed to pull it off with a little bit of creativity, a few DIY projects, one long night of decorating, moving furniture and of course the help of my Dad, the handiest man I know. (Thanks for all your help Dad, we couldn't have pulled it off without you. I wanted to share a few pictures of the fun DIY projects that I thought made the party perfectly personal.

Invitations (Printed on card stock paper & ribbon)

Flowers (Made by Catherine in vintage vases)

Cake (Made by my Mom and I from one of my favorite baking blogs Smitten Kitchen. Link to icing recipe here & cake recipe here)

 Decorations (By Kristen)

Monogram Door Wreath for Entrance (Made by me using, spray paint, wooden letters & ribbon)

We had such a great turn out from so many friends and family that love and support Chelsie and Cade as much as we do! A big thanks to everyone who was able to come help celebrate this amazing couple. I'm so happy for these two love birds and can't wait to stand by their side on April 11th!

XO, Claire

Mrs.Leslie's Cookies.

After visiting my family in Texas over thanksgiving the last thing on my mind was food. Until my one of my Moms best friends Mrs. Leslie made me take a bag of her homemade cookies with me for my plane ride back to NYC. Man was it a mistake only taking a few, they were so yummy! Not too sweet, not too chocolatey and the perfect texture. 

Upon returning to the city, I had 2 things on my to do list: bake those bomb cookies and attempt to put up a few holiday decorations. Nothing says holiday cheer like fresh baked cookies and glittery ornaments (see below).

With that being said, the decorating is still a work in progress but the cookies were a sweet success. Perfect for the holidays! So I wanted to pass along Mrs.Leslie's recipe because one bite in, I was on the phone trying to get my hands on the secret myself-- My roomie Maggie would give an "Amen Sister" to that too. Enjoy!

Cream with mixer or food processor:

1 cup parlay (margarine)

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

Add In:

 1 egg

1 cup vegetable oil

1 cup oatmeal

1 cup crushed cornflakes

1/2 cup coconut

Stir In:
1 cup pecan chips (or walnuts)

3 1/2  cups flour

1 tsp soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

Form into balls and crush with fork.

Bake at 325 for 12 minutes. Powder sugar on top.

Cool.

Celebrate.

Recipe (Click Here)

The cake I made Kevin for his Birthday.. Happy Birthday boyfriend!

Be Mine.

Just a few snap shots of the cake I baked last night...

Happy Valentines Day Everyone!!!

And my pretty flowers from Kev-- such a sweet boy ;)

DIY: Cake Plate.

Thanks to my recent edition of "Do it Yourself" magazine I was inspired to make a cake plate yesterday which I've been meaning to buy forever now since one of my newest hobbies is baking. Seriously this is one of the simplest projects I've ever done and only cost me a total of $8. I found both the candle stick holder which I used as the stand and the plate at a local thrift store yesterday in the upper east side. The pictures below show my step by step process and my finished product. This would make the perfect gift for any girl who loves to bake or to just display in the kitchen. Have a thrifty Thursday!

Magazine Idea Page:

Step-by-Step Process:

Ta-Dah!

Claire's Cookie Cake.

For  a friends birthday I was trying to think of a yummy dessert that would be easy to make and serve at a restaurant for her birthday dinner. I thought cookies would be a good idea because they would be easy to box and no serving required-- But that was just way too boring. Then it hit me duh-- I could make a cookie cake! Because growing up, who didn't hate the kid that had a cookie cake at their birthday party? They the best!

So here are the easy steps of how to make your own homemade cookie cake that will be a hit. Not to mention I googled where to buy a cookie cake in Manhattan and they were no where to be bought. New York bakery's need to get with it!

Cookie: 

1) Make cookie mix according to directions. I used 11/2 bags of Betty Crocker Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix. There's no reason to try to make them homemade, it's the best! (The trick is to use real butter and make sure you let it soften - Do not melt.)

2) Grease Round Pizza Pan 14-16" and spread dough evenly.

3) Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 Degrees. (Do not walk away-- cooking the cookie until it is golden brown so the cookie is not overcooked and crunchy is key.)

4) Set in fridge to cool for about an hour before icing.

5) Transfer cookie to Pizza Box (I tried to pay for one at a NY pizza place.. but the lil cuties gave me one for free.)

Icing: (You can either make your own white frosting or buy in the can and then dye-- I actually bought it this time because I think it just taste better.)

1) Mix icing with food coloring in separate bowls until desired color is achieved.

2) Transfer frosting to ziplock baggies and clip ends to decorate.

3) Ta-dah!! Who's jealous now?

            

Other goodies I baked for a co-workers birthday that are pretty simple and easy to share: