Bunny Sugar Cookie Cutouts & Homemade Icing 

Easter bunny, hop this way. I have gotten into the habit of picking up cute seasonal cookie cutters to make sugar cookie cutouts since I made these little ghost cookies this past Halloween.

Easter Bunny Sugar Cookie Cutouts & Homemade Icing

I have to say, it is really fun keeping an eye out for what type of cutouts to make for the next holiday & or the next approaching season.

I picked up these 'big, medium, & small' bunny cookie cutters at my local TJ Max. The small & medium size cutters worked the best. I found a link for similar bunny cookie cutters here for under $5.00.

For these cookies, I used a bag of Betty Crocker's sugar cookie mix, followed the directions, & rolled out the cookie dough.

After the cookies were cut & baked, I then decided to make my own homemade icing using the dipping technique.



I followed this recipe I found on the baking blog, Sally's Baking Addiction.

Essentially, you'll need these ingredients to make homemade icing:

1. one cup of powder sugar/confectionary sugar

2. 1-3 tablespoons of skim milk {I used skim}

3. 1/2 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract

After the ingredients are added, whisk until the icing consistency forms. Afterward, I dipped each bunny {individually} in my icing bowl & let dry on a parchment paper-lined tray for a little over an hour.


Next, I took pink frosting in a tube & added the bunny tail. You can sprinkle glittery sugar while the icing is drying for an extra sparkle effect if desired--I did!


I hope you have a very Hoppy Easter. Enjoy!

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Crafting: Beginners Cricut Projects 

Recently, I received a Cricut Maker. While, I was so excited, at first, I then quickly became overwhelmed.

As you know {if you know anything about the Cricut world} there are a lot of components to crafting with a Cricut. Essentially, a Cricut is a die-cutting machine that cuts out any shape imaginable on an array of fabrics, papers, vinyl, & even wood! I wrote an introductory article for Parents.com if you want to check it out.

Cricut Projects for Beginners

While my Cricut skills are still {very} beginner level, I want to share a few Cricut Maker beginner projects {ideas} that I have recently made.

I am hopefully going to try making a few shirts with my Cricut Maker & Cricut large Easy Press--soon!

Cards

I have made a handful of paper-cut & vinyl cut cards with my Cricut Easy Press. I typically use whatever images are free on Cricut's Design Space & then just go with that.

Based on using the Cricut for cards, I have to say, the Cricut vinyl is my favorite medium to work with as it is the easiest to apply.

Decals/Monograms 

I monogrammed my camera case

Monograms make everything so much better. At least, that is my theory. With the Cricut Maker, monogramming anything is a breeze!

Labels

If you read this post, you'll recall I re-did/organized the underneath portion of my bathroom vanity. I monogrammed my trash can & labeled my cleaning station.

As I noted above, I am just starting to get the hang of crafting with my Cricut, but hopefully, spring offers some new inspiration for new projects.

I also post bits & pieces to what I am crafting on my Insta-Stories, follow along @ Katelynchef

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A Day in-the-Diet of a Plant-Based Blogger 

Plant-Based. These two words have become increasingly popular as 2020 rolls into its third month. It appears that Impossible burgers, patties, chicken drumsticks, & other faux meats are popping up in frozen food aisles as well as fast food drive-thrus everywhere.


I have to say, I have been vegetarian for almost three years now & I consider my diet to be plant-based. I am in no way a nutrition expert, but I do try to educate myself on what is healthy & I try to eat a balanced vegetarian diet.

Truthfully, I am not into the impossible meats--just because it is meatless doesn't mean it is healthy for you. However, on the other side, it is good that others are expanding their pallets & limit their weekly meat consumption.

Going back to my original point, this post, I want to share healthy vegetarian/ plant-based alternatives that I enjoy eating throughout my day in case, any of you are curious as to what one eats when they are plant-based.

What I  enjoy eating varies in a way, but I also am a creature of habit & I don't mind eating the same thing more than once throughout the week.

Breakfast

Healthy Eating: Oatmeal Breakfast

I love to make oatmeal mixed with dried cranberries, a small handful of walnuts, & cinnamon sprinkled on top. After I have heated the oatmeal {microwave}, I usually add a small handful of fresh fruit {whatever is in-season} & sometimes a fried egg right on top!

If you like spice, I add a dash of hot pepper flakes into my fried egg as it cooks in the skillet--boosts your metabolism for the day.

I also mix in the no-sugar-added almond milk {I'll use skim milk if in a pinch} to my hot oatmeal. Almond & skim milk aside, I also LOVE the non-fat lactose free Fairlife Milk!

Lunch 

Dried Mangos are a favorite

I typically keep my lunch the same as it is on a grab n' go basis. I love the no-sugar-added dried mangos as well as dried figs, dates, & other dried fruits. Dried chickpeas are delicious. I buy a bag of snacking dried chickpeas from Aldis.

I am picky when it comes to dried dates, but I gravitate toward Natural Medjool Dates, but I also love the coconut flake Medjool dates too {I buy at Giant Eagle}.

Going back to dried fruit, when I buy dried fruit, I always look at the nutrition label. I only want that fruit to be listed. For example, Dried Mangos, I buy ones that list 'Dried Mangos' {no additives/sugars} on the label.

I like the Nutty Fruity brand. For lunch, I also love eating RX Bars, but I buy the kid-size bar. Also, the 100 calorie nut packs are great for a source of good fats & energy. 

Healthy snack buying tip, Marshals & Home Goods has great a healthy foods aisle where the foods are healthy as well as affordable too.

Back to lunch, if I am still hungry, raw sliced carrots & celery are go-to's.

Of course, mid-day is also the time I go buy a non-fat latte at Dunkin'. Gotta have some fun, am I right?

Dinner

Organic Rainbow Swiss Chard

For dinner, I enjoy making nutritional wraps that almost always has a 1/2 of an avocado incorporated into my recipe. I pretty much eat avocados daily.

For my wraps, I roast chickpeas & eat them on vegan pitas. This recipe from a Pinch of Yum is a good resource & a good example of a favorite dinner that I enjoy making.

When I want to mix it up, I will whip up a nutrition bowl with riced cauliflower, frozen peas, black beans or chickpeas {for protein & fiber} or I'll steam kale to an add-in my make-shift salad.

For this dinner, I sauteed rainbow organic swiss chard with a bit of lemon & olive oil in a skillet. It was delicious! Rainbow swiss chard is great as a main dish option or as as a side dish. My parents like it on top of mashed potatoes.

For the sauteed rainbow swiss chard above, I used this Veganosity recipe.

Naturally, I have fresh fruit throughout the day as well. I credit my good winter health to eating an orange or half or a grapefruit every morning. 

Around lunchtime, I usually grab a banana & in the evenings, I love snacking on green apples or fresh grapes.

This is just a peek at what I enjoy eating as a plant-based person--my major takeaway from going vegetarian is to eat your color {beets, rainbow swiss chard, kale, carrots, apples, pineapple, tomatoes, peas, & it goes on}.

A Quick Guide To Buying Your First Pair of Glasses Online 

Going out to pick out a new pair of glasses no longer has to be this big, expensive, confusing chore. Nah, not with the variety of online retailers that sell quality, affordable, & stylish glasses.

I used to spend a fortune on one pair of glasses & that one pair would be my only pair of frames that year.

However, since being introduced to online eyeglass retailers such as Phonetic Eyewear, buying glasses online is fast, fun, & affordable.

As long as your eye prescription isn't super complicated {bifocals, trifocals, astigmatism, etc} buying glasses online is easy if you know the following.

• Know & understand your facial features aka face shape. 
• Have an idea of what eyeglass shape{s} flatter your face
• What type of lenses will you get? Non-prescription, blue light blocking, anti-glare, prescription along with blue light--the variety of lens options you add on at checkout changes the total price outcome at payment. 

Alpha Blue Light Blocking Computer Glasses {c/o}

Cute Cars of Palm Springs California 

Palm Springs, California. A destination that is known for its many bright, bold, brass, & beautiful front doors.

If you can get past admiring the many doors { & marvelous gates} that Palm Springs dishes, you might notice a cute car {or two} speeding by.

I will be completely honest with you, I know nothing {ZERO} about cars, but when I do spot a cute car {especially a vintage one} I am the first one to pull out my camera.

In this photo-blog-series, enjoy the cute cars of Palm Springs that I captured. Beep. Beep.

Cute cars of Palm Springs

Classic Cars

5 Ways to Prep for Spring

Listen up, buttercups, daisies, crocuses, peonies, daffodils, lilacs, & all you other petals, spring officially springs Thursday, March 19th.

Just because the calendar officially declares springtime in the Northern Hemisphere, doesn't always mean it feels {or looks} like spring--at least right away.

However, like spring showers, springtime flowers are inevitable. As spring arrives, there is always so much to do & so many ways to embrace a new season. Here are 5 Ways to Prep for Spring.





1. Curate Your Closet: Now it is that time to move your winter gear to the back of the closet & bring out your spring clothes. As you're rearranging your closet, consider your everyday style & donate {or sell} in-season clothes.

I have been making it a rule, for every piece of clothing I personally buy, I have to donate something.

2. Tidy Up: Each spring {& fall} I declutter & thoroughly clean each room. There are 3 tips to cleaning your space for the new season that I read in a Bed Bath & Beyond monthly flyer.

I quote:

A. " Banish: Curate your closet: keep the best, let go of the rest."

B. "Bundle: Sort garments by type to get what you need, fast."

C. "Be Tidy: Cut closet clutter with under-the-bed storage boxes."--Bed Bath & Beyond.

3. Organize Finances: Recently, I went through my finance files & shredded old statements, filed away old but still relevant statements {& invoices} & then organized everything into a three-part filing system that reflects my work as a self-employed writer & content creator.

No matter your system, it is always good to go through everything, safely discard the no-longer-needed paper work & get everything you do need {& will need} straight for the rest of the year.

4. Taxes: April 15th is Tax Day for those who don't file for an extension. Don't wait until the last minute, take a Saturday & get your tax prep & taxes done!

Trust me, you'll feel like a million bucks once it is over!

5. Pick a Color Palette: Going into a new season, I find inspiration in picking out a color palette. This past fall, you may recall this blog post where Valspar Paint color experts shared upcoming hot colors?

Lotta from Stockholm Clogs {c/o}

Well, I have been very inspired by hues in the family of blushing bride & green water aka soft pinks & light-eucalyptus greens hues.


Needless-to-say, Spring I am ready for you! Are you ready for spring?

P.S. my rose gold wood clogs are from Lotta from Stockholm & I love them.

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