BOGO Starbucks Frappuccinos

Buy one get one FREE Starbucks Frappuccinos at participating Target Starbucks.  Hurry deal ends Monday, July 2.  




http://dealnews.com/Starbucks-at-Target-Buy-1-Frappuccino-get-2-nd-free/589090.html

Dark Chocolate Raspberry Bread

So I was trying to find a way to use up some raspberries I had in the fridge and came across a dark chocolate raspberry bread recipe on Pinterest.  Of course I didn't have several of the other ingredients on hand so I had to alter the original recipe. I also cut the sugar content in half.  I do this for most all recipes and no one ever knows the difference.  This post is my version of bread if you want to try the original recipe click here... http://www.recipeboy.com/2012/05/raspberry-dark-chocolate-banana-bread/  They have a way prettier picture of the bread but I can't compare the taste since I only made mine (which was super delicious!)




Dark Chocolate Raspberry Bread


2 c flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt


1/4 c sugar
1/4 c brown sugar
4 Tbs butter softened 
2 eggs


1 mashed banana
1/2 c unsweetened applesauce
1/3 c sour cream
1 tsp vanilla


1 c dark chocolate chips (I use Ghirardelli 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate chips)
1 c halved raspberries lightly tossed in 1 tbs Flour


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter and flour a 9x5 loaf pan 
Whisk flour, baking soda and salt together in bowl.  With your mixer beat the sugar and butter together. Add eggs beating well after each one.  Add the banana, sour cream and vanilla.  Beat just until blended.  Stir in flour mixture just until moistened. Be careful not to over-mix.  Gently stir in the chocolate chips and raspberries.  
Bake for 50-60 min
A wooden toothpick should come out clean or I never have toothpicks on hand so I use a piece of uncooked spaghetti.


Cool and Enjoy!

Jewelry Sack

This is a super easy little drawstring sack that would be perfect for so many different things.  When we go out I throw a couple little toys and a pacifier in it and my little girl carries it around with her.  I used to throw those items in my purse but this makes it so much easier to find them and my purse doesn't end up being full of toys.  Great for times when lugging a diaper bag around isn't necessary.  Also would be good for and emergency makeup bag or nail supplies or jewelry.  

Anyways it only took a couple hours and one ball of sugar n' cream yarn which runs about $2.50 and you can usually pick it up at walmart or meijer or any regular craft store.   I think if I made an adult version I would add some beads to the ends of the drawstrings but for this one I just knotted the ends.     

                                                                         Closed

                                                                            Open

*Pattern found here
http://www.caron.com/projects/jb/jb_954_bag.html

Dorm Dresser to Entryway Chest

 This is my first experiment with sanding and painting furniture and I have to say I'm pretty pleased with the result.  My brother, just graduating college and moving 500 miles away, asked if I wanted his old dresser.  I've been wanting a new piece of furniture for my entryway and thought maybe this could work so I happily took it off his hands. Since I got the dresser for free the total cost for this project was around $35.  The most expensive part was the new hardware I bought.  Geez those little knobs add up! They were about $3 a piece and of course I needed 8. The rest was small amounts of primer, paint and sandpaper.

                                before

                         after!

Beach Bag

I'm so in love with my latest crochet project.  It makes the perfect bag to take to the pool or beach.  It is super deep so even huge beach towels fit easily.  I used the basic pattern from http://www.freepatterns.com/detail.html?code=FC01034&cat_id=1.  Of course I used my super value yarn and changed up the color pattern to give it a more nautical feel.  I did the cross stitch rows in navy and the other rows in white.  The cross stitch is a little awkward at first but easy to pick up so don't be intimidated by it.