g*rated: 2012-01-15

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Chocolate Cake Batter Pancakes

Pancakes

1 c. pancake mix
1 c. chocolate cake mix We found this recipe from here and decided to
1 c. buttermilk (recipe HERE) make it a little different.
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs

* can use milk in place of buttermilk

We decided to try out a few different toppings to which we liked best. We cut up some fresh bananas and put fresh raspberries on top. Then we dusted it with powdered sugar. This was our healthiest option.

We did the same 3 steps from the first one and then added some cream and drizzled chocolate sauce over the top. This was by far my favorite!

We made a frosting glaze from:
1 c. powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
We then sprinkled the top with some Valentine's sprinkles for the kids. They loved the pancakes this way. They were eating them faster than we could make them!

Chocolate pancakes is a fun way to change it up every now and then or for special occasions! We will definitely be making these again in our house!

-chelz & Buff

Linked to: Craft-O-Maniac
The Girl Creative
Cheap Crafty Mama
Michelle paige
An Original Belle
Summit Street Joy

Friday, January 20, 2012

Frugal Friday - Upcycled Bottles

After New Years we had several empty Sparkling Cider bottles. I started to throw them away but thought *maybe* I could turn them into something cute! Valentine's is around the corner and I'm in need of a few more decorations. :)

So first I removed all the labels (Goo Gone & a razor worked perfectly for this) and cleaned them out.

Then, using a technique I found on Pinterest, I used my glue gun to "draw" words on them. They're not exactly perfect, but it worked. The glue strings can be cleaned off easily with some Goo Gone dabbed on a paper towel.

Once the glue was dry I took them outside to paint. Make sure you do several light coats of spray paint instead of trying to get it completely covered in one coat -- otherwise the paint will start to drip. (Not that I'd know from personal experience or anything!) Once the paint was dry I applied a clear coat sealer. Then I added a bit of twine to the top and they were done! I love the fun bright colors and am so happy with how they turned out.

*You could also do this with mason jars or any other drink or food jars or bottles you don't want to throw out.*

Linked to:
WhipperBerry

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Healthy Crock Pot Chicken Taco Soup

This is a healthy low calorie meal that is super easy to make and I usually have all the ingredients on hand. I am always looking for healthy meals that I will actually eat when dieting with out losing good flavor. It is the only soup that I can get my kids to eat. It only takes 5 min to put it all together!

Ingredients:

1 can of black beans (drained)

1 can corn

1 can rotel diced tomatoes and green chillies

1 can chicken breast (drained)

1/2 package of taco seasoning

add water to make the soup the right consistency

*sometimes i substitute the tomatoes and chillies with a can of italian stewed tomatoes- both work great in this dish

Place all the ingredients in the crockpot and mix.

Cook it on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 5-6 hours.

Serve with cheese, sour cream, and chips. * Leave off the chips for less calories.

Hope you enjoy!

-chelz

Linked to:

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Guest Post!

chelsea here from my creative side
im guest blogging today and im so excited to share this with you guys
my blog is about fashion, style, hair, makeup, diy projects, daily life, and cooking.
there is a whole lot more but im just giving you the general view
but to the blog---------------------->

so love is everywhere right now

i cant even go shopping without seeing some promotion of a gift

for valentines day lol

sooo i decided to make a free printable for everyone

sooo here you go and i hope you like

either print it as a picture, poster, or even the front side of a card its

so cute and ill have more before valentines day gets here so keep checking back

and yes i know its small on here but if you click on the picture
or right click and open in a new window itll be larger
just click to copy save and share where ever
just make sure you give me credit :)

~happy blogging
-chelsea
http://arcasia-mycreativeside.blogspot.com/

WIWW- Peach Bling

Marie may be obsessed with cardigans, but I think I am obsessed with baggy tops! My baby is 10 months old and I still have the last 10 lbs to go, so these tops help me to hide that and still feel cute! I love my grey ONE, so when I came across this one I just couldn't resist!

I also thought it looked good paired with a cute blazer.

Top: F21

Blazer: TJ Maxx

Jeans: Nordstrom Rack

Shoes: old

Braclets: 99 cent store

-chelz

Linked to :

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Love of Fashion

I decided to give Polyvore a try and I had a lot of fun on there! This is what I came up with....

What do you think?

More fashion:

I LOVE shoes! Every time I go shopping I have to look at shoes! I was walking around the mall the other day and I walked into Forever Young Shoes and found a ton of shoes that I loved. These were my two favorites!

I love the yellow color and I don't own a pair of yellow shoes.....yet! I love the T- strap on the brown shoes, these would be cute casual or dressed up!

What style of shoes are you into right now?

-chelz

Monday, January 16, 2012

Framed Heart Tree

Remember my Christmas Tree Paper Piecing? Well I thought it would be cute to do one for Valentine's Day. This one was sooooo easy and came together quickly.

I used my 8x10 frame but decided to use the mat in this one so the opening is 5x7. I cut the bare tree from the ZooBalloo Cricut Cartridge (7") and the hearts from Plantin Schoolbook Cricut Cartridge (1/2", roly poly). Then I just glued them onto a piece of white cardstock.

The mat that came with the frame was ivory which just didn't work. So I gave it a coat of Valspar Frosty Berry and it looked much better. :)