DIY: Wrapping Paper/Craft Supply Holder!

I've accumulated quite a bit of craft supplies over the years,

and I'm pretty serious when it comes to organizing it all.

But I'm always on the hunt for new and better ways,

especially when it comes to storing wrapping paper.

I recently saw a few ideas to use over the door shoe holders,
and after wrapping a gift for someone recently,
I realized it was time to upgrade my current wrapping paper storage,
so I created a super easy DIY Wrapping Paper/Craft Supply holder.

Take a look at how easy this was to make!!!

The Goods:

Over the Door Shoe Holder

Scissors

Since I wanted the wrapping paper to be at the very bottom,

I knew I'd need to use the three lowest rows of the shoe holder.

The pockets on the lowest row are kept as is to hold the paper in,

but the 2nd and 3rd lowest rows become loops instead of pockets.

Do this by cutting across the bottom or each pocket on those two rows.

As pictured above, you'll now have an opening at both ends of the pocket.

Now just simply hang over a free door

and fill it with wrapping paper and other craft supplies!

I was SO happy to find a clear/plastic over the door shoe holder for a few reasons.

It made cutting the bottom out of the 2nd and 3rd row pockets super easy,

because this type of plastic tends to cut easier than fabric.

AND since it's clear it's so easy to see all your craft supplies!

Lemonade Popsicles!

With Spring officially here and the temperature warming up,

I'm guessing many of us will be eating popsicles quite often.

Personally, I like to make them myself to control the ingredients.

And one of my favorite kinds is to use simple lemonade!

You can use whatever lemonade you'd like,

be it homemade or store bought - both kinds will work.

I tend to make my own using this recipe

then simply use molds to make my popsicles!

The Goods:

Lemons

Sugar

Water

Popsicle Molds

Popsicle Sticks

Lemon Juicer

Cut your lemons in half and start juicing...

Squeeze the juice out of ALL your lemons. 

I did a total of a dozen.

Measure out the amount of lemon juice you need.

And toss all the discarded lemons.

Of if you have a compost throw them in there!

Measure out your sugar and make your simple syrup.

Get your lemon juice, simple syrup and water ready to combine.

Then mix it all up in a big pitcher.

Fill your popsicle molds almost all the way full.

If you're using the tops that came with them, add them now.

If you're using popsicle sticks, freeze for about an hour 

and then insert the sticks so they stay upright.

Freeze overnight to make sure they're completely solid.

Package them up and give to family and friends.

And of course enjoy one yourself!

Whiskey Wednesday: Strawberry Whiskey Smash

Happy Wednesday everyone!!!

In 2015, I started a fun new blog series - 

Whiskey Wednesday!!!

If you missed them, here are past posts:
Irish Mule
 Mint Julep
Bourbon & Sparkling Lemonade
Irish Redhead
Old Fashion
Jameson Coke Floats
Bourbon Cherry Coke
Bourbon Spiked Apple Cider
Hot Toddy
Whiskey Sour
Sage Brown Derby

Make sure to check back each month for a new recipe!

Whiskey Wednesday will happen every first Wednesday of the month.

My friends have really gotten into Whiskey Wednesday
and almost always say yes when I ask if they want to test drinks with me.
There were five of us hanging out the night that we made this month's drink,
and we all were savoring our Strawberry Whiskey Smash until the last drop!

We based the drink off of this recipe,
but added fresh strawberries to make it even better!
I'm sure any berry would be tasty in this drink,
so feel free to use whatever variety you like best!

The Goods:

Whiskey

Simple Syrup

Fresh Mint

Lemon Juice

Strawberries

In your cocktail shaker, add a few spoonfuls of chopped strawberries...

And then add a good amount of fresh mint leaves...

Now add two ounces simple syrup...

And two ounces of fresh lemon juice as well.

Muddle everything in the cocktail shaker to release the flavors.

And finally top off with four ounces of whiskey.

Get your glasses ready and add ice to your cocktail shaker.

Shake for about 30 seconds - until nice and chilled!

Strain into chilled glasses with ice and a lemon slice...

And garnish with more fresh mint leaves. 

Cheers with your close friends...

And then enjoy your Strawberry Whiskey Smash!

I foresee this drink being very popular in the months to come.

It'd be perfect to sip on while sitting pool side during the Summer.

Note - the above recipe makes two drinks,

but could easily be cut in half if you're only making one!

Baked Donut Monday: Blueberry Donuts

Oh hello there Monday!!!

I'm back again for another Baked Donut Monday post

and today I'm going to tell you about some super tasty

BLUEBERRY BAKED DONUTS!

After having a tough time coming up with last month's baked donut,

I decided to take a bit of time and research the next few to make.

I quickly found this blueberry one with just a hint of lemon zest,

and was so excited about it I almost made it that same day!

I held off, but did make them pretty soon after.

And not only were these some of the easiest donuts I've made,

but man oh man, were they so incredibly tasty!

Let me show you how easy they really are to make.

The Goods:

All-Purpose Flour

Granulated Sugar

Baking Powder

Baking Soda

Cinnamon

Lemon Zest

Butter

Milk*

Vinegar*

Eggs

Vanilla Extract

Fresh Blueberries

*Take a quick look to see how to make your homemade buttermilk. 

In a large bowl, add the following:

flour, 1 cup of sugar, baking powder, 

baking soda, cinnamon and lemon zest.

Whisk to combine.

In a medium bowl, add the following:

homemade buttermilk, eggs, vanilla and melted butter.

Whisk ingredients together for about two minutes.

Pour the liquid mixture into the dry mixture and combine completely. 

Add the blueberries to the bowl...

And carefully fold them into the dough.

Transfer donut batter to a large zipper bag.

Cut off the end of the zipper bag 

and fill your donut pan until 1/2 to 3/4 full.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.

You can test that they're done with a toothpick.

Cool in the pan for five minutes, 

then remove and place on wire rack.

Dip both sides of slightly warm donut into a bowl with remaining 3/4 cup of sugar.

Return to wire rack to finish cooling and let excess sugar fall off.

Now it's time to take a big bite and ENJOY!!!

Blueberry Baked Donuts

Inspired by The Beach House Kitchen

3 cups All-Purpose Flour

1 3/4 cups Granulated Sugar, Divided

2 teaspoons Baking Powder

1 teaspoon Baking Soda

3/4 teaspoon Cinnamon

3/4 tablespoon Lemon Zest

1/2 cup Butter

Just shy of 1 Cup Milk*

1 tablespoon Vinegar*

3 Eggs

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1 cup Fresh Blueberries

1. In a large bowl, add the flour, 1 cup of sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and lemon zest. Whisk to combine.
2. In a medium bowl, add the homemade buttermilk, eggs, vanilla and melted butter. Whisk ingredients together for about two minutes. 
3. Pour the liquid mixture into the dry mixture and combine completely. 
4. Add the blueberries to the bowl are carefully fold them into the dough. 
5. Transfer donut batter to a large zipper bag. 
6. Cut off the end of the zipper bag and fill your donut pan until 1/2 to 3/4 full.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. You can test that they're done with a toothpick.
8. Cool in the pan for five minutes, then remove and place on wire rack.
9. Dip both sides of slightly warm donut into a bowl with remaining 3/4 cup of sugar.
10. Take a BIG bite and enjoy!!!

Things I'm Lovin' Tuesday: Suave Coconut Milk Infusion

This is an Influenster sponsored review.

I was given the Suave Coconut Milk Infusion free to try, but every opinion is 100% my own!

Last Summer I started another monthly blog series called

THINGS I'M LOVIN' TUESDAY!!!

If you missed the first few, you can find them:

here, here, here, here, here, here and here;

and make sure to check back every last Tuesday of the month!

Now onto what I'm lovin' this month...

In this post, I briefly shared my thoughts and reviewed
Suave Professionals Coconut Oil Shampoo and Conditioner.
And I was such a fan of it after the first use,
that I decided to share my love for it with you guys!!!

I'll be honest and was a little hesitant at first.

I was thrilled by the coconut milk, 

but I'm a little bit of a hair product snob,

and wasn't expecting much from Suave.

Well let me just say - lesson learned!

I am no longer anti-Suave 

and it has a lot to do with these products.

They made me a believer in inexpensive hair care!!!

I love the way the shampoo lathers,

I love the way my hair looks after it's air dried,

I love that if/when I re-buy it I won't be breaking the bank,

But most of all - I really really really like the scent!!!

The coconut milk gives the shampoo and conditioner an amazing smell.

It's not too strong or overpowering, but surprisingly it sticks around for hours!

I typically wash my hair at night and when I woke up the next morning after using these,

I WAS STILL SMELLING THE COCONUT!

If you're looking for a new shampoo and conditioner to try,

I highly recommend you give these two a try.

I can't speak on their long-term use because I've only used them a few times,

but so far I've really loved what they've done to my hair!