bravingbalance

Todays the Day!!

There it is!…Our house!! As of 5:30 pm today, we own this beautiful gem!!

I’m not dead. And the only wicked I am is wicked-awesome. But this is what I feel like. Not in a terrible awful, the house-is-crushing me way, but more-like a super fantastic wonderful the house has fallen on me and is consuming all of our time- kind of way. My kitchen has been packed up for aContinue reading “Updates”

DIY: Nautical Knot Napkin Rings

I had some trim left from when I had made my nautical vase and was wondering what to do with it. With home-ownership on the horizon, I’ve been dreaming of table-scapes and thought a napkin ring would be nice! You will need: some rope trim, about 2 yards to make 8 rings (I used thisContinue reading “DIY: Nautical Knot Napkin Rings”

Chocolate Eclairs

Looks pretty good, huh?! I love love love chocolate eclairs. They’re one of my favorite desserts.They turned out alright, but definitely presented some challenges through the process. I followed this recipe. I’ve been wanting to tackle these little suckers for quite some time. Pate a choux is a fascinating dough. It’s the above ingredients. Simple.Continue reading “Chocolate Eclairs”

Tipsy Tuesday: Pink Gin Punch

It’s OCTOBER! ah! Time flies, huh? I said to my husband this evening, I’ve got to make a pink drink for tonight! He looked at me confusedly and said, “what, why? ohhhh.” Yep, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. So while you’re taking time to prep a costume and stocking up on candy for theContinue reading “Tipsy Tuesday: Pink Gin Punch”

Winter JCrew Picks

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 I know I’m quoting Game of Thrones.. but it is! Winter is coming. And I just love JCrew. Here’s some of my picks for layering to stay warm!

DIY: Gilded Bobby Pins

This was a fun little craft I did over the weekend. I had been at the craft store picking up some essentials to wrap a gift, when I wandered through the aisles. I found these little golden studs in the “iron-on” section, and picked ’em up thinking I may embellish a headband or something. WhenContinue reading “DIY: Gilded Bobby Pins”

Classic Baked Doughnuts

I bought a doughnut pan. Why, you ask? because I am self-sabotaging any hopes I have of getting in shape. Because, doughnuts are yummy! and surely baked is better then fried. Fresh nutmeg is just so aromatic and adds a warm nutty flavor to the doughnuts. I used this recipe that came on the backContinue reading “Classic Baked Doughnuts”

Tipsy Tuesday: Bourbon Lavender Sidecar

Well, it’s not really a sidecar- because that’s traditionally made with brandy. I was on a roll with the whole bourbon thing though, and wanted to try something else. A sidecar is traditionally brandy + orange liquor + lemon juice I used that basis to create this delicious concoction, the bourbon lavender sidecar. Playing upContinue reading “Tipsy Tuesday: Bourbon Lavender Sidecar”

Splurge or Steal: leopard flats

Again, diggin’ the leopard everything. In some browsing sessions I came across these awesome leopard print- horse hair Steven flats and I thought, “oh, WoW! These are almost identical to those beautiful JCrew Collection ones that are 3 times this price!” Just had to share.