local spotlight: MC College Winnipeg

Hair is not my thing, I wash and go, never straighten it, never use styling products just drug store shampoo...I have also had the same hair dresser from when I was a kid. It never occurred to me once I got my drivers license to drive myself somewhere else. It has always been on my to-do list to try out something different. Well this week I finally got around to it. At my work (a spa) we have apprentices from MC College for esthetics and they are always good so I figured why not go and get my hair cut and the school. MC College is located at 575 Wall Street mere blocks from polo park, they have a parking lot with plenty of space.
How was it?
It was very nice and clean in the school, lots of students and bustle. I got a consultation, hair wash with scalp massage, cut and blow out. The instructors do come and double check what you want before any cutting is done and give advice. It was a nice change from my usual.
What look was I going for?
I like my long hair but I wanted the ends not to look so heavy and blunt so I was hoping for long layers or  tapered ends that felt lighter.
Overall
I had the day off and knew that it would take some extra time (almost 2hrs) it was very peaceful and pleasant. I don't think I got exactly what I had envisioned in my head but that was no fault of my technician. Next time I will bring pictures to show what I wanted, she went quite subtle and I feel I must have given off the impression I only wanted an inch cut off but oh well.
Cost
is $15 plus tax for a student cut!! I would 100% recommend trying out the school. I will be back with pictures next time and hopefully get more of a change. My hair cut was good and I was more pleased with it than my usual boring same old same old.

in love with: british based beauty blogs...

The past few month I have been trying out different make-up looks trying to find a good go-to routine. I have a love/hate relationship with beauty items. I love reading blogs and watching videos about them but on the other hand I yearn to have a very narrowed down collection with only items I use and not get distracted by "new" things. I have nailed down my eyeliner, mascara and blush but am on the hunt for a go-to cleanser, foundation and possibly eyeshadow...
Here are a few of my favorite British beauty blogs that I can not stop myself from clicking on every new post! Hope you enjoy and don't get addicted like me.

• essie button
• I covet thee
• etc llymlrs
• ghostparties

brown sugar shortbread

I didn't do to much baking for mothers day except for these cookies. I have been on a brown sugar kick and what is better than brown sugar shortbread? (well possibly lemon, lavender or earl grey...)
What you will need: (recipe adapted from a 2008 cookbook from robin hood flour)
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla (you could add more)
1 cup white flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup corn starch

How to make:
Beat butter, brown sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add flour and cornstarch. Mix until dough forms.
Roll out dough and cut with desired cookie cutters (cookies do spread a bit, do go for anything too detailed) Bake is a 350 degree fahrenheit oven for 5-7 minutes dependent on your oven and cookies size, the smaller the cookie the less baking time. Cool on a wire rack and sprinkle with icing sugar as desired.

currently loving: white candles

Lately I have been hardcore drawn to lovely expensive candles (I haven't bought any but...) To buy me some time before I break down and buy a gorgeous smelling white candle. I figured I would try and fashion my own with some pieces I already owned. The above candles can be found at chapters.

I have had this little milk glass candy dish for quite some time and finally had the bright idea to see if a pillar candle would fit in it and it kinda does. I don't mind the gap if stores would let you bring your vases in to measure that would be amazing but I just tried my luck. For less than $3 I have a lovely new white candle.

recent thrifts finds

Value village/savers is having their 50% off sale this Monday May 13th. But I happen to be a club card holder and was offered 30% off on Wednesday. I decided to take the quiter day and scope out what there was. There are a few items I would like to sew and I may go back to see if I can get them for half price on Monday, maybe... I found a few super well priced items and at 30% off they were even better no item pictured above was more than $3.50 after the discount amazing, this is why I love thrifting!
1. the top will be great for work hopefully it will stop me from wearing my "good" clothes to work.
2. it looks like a tray but it has a hook and is amazing as a mirror. I own 2 gold mirrors now and will always be keeping an eye for more.
3. I don't usually like clutches that are too small to use but the fabric on this one was too good to pass on. I will keep receipts and little bits in it. Anyone else planning on going to the 50% off sale?

baking round up: lemon and lavender pie plus coconut and cranberry cookies

Here are a few recipes I have tried over the past few weeks. I had never attempted a lemon pie before and am not sure if I would again (it is pretty fickle to get it to set properly) however the pie crust I made was really tasty, here is how I made it:
1 1/4 cups graham crumbs
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup raw sugar
1/2 tbsp lavender then ground up (I used a full tablespoon for the pie above and it was a bit overpowering but if you love lavender go for it)
How to make: 
In a coffee grinder add 1 tbsp of the raw sugar with the 1/2 tbsp lavender and grind up until very fine. Add to the melted butter and mix, add in the rest of the sugar and graham crumbs. Flatten in your pie dish and follow the rest of your pie recipe.

These cookies went very fast I didn't even think to take a picture of the actual cookies but just the lovely tea tin I took them to work in. I took a basic chocolate chip cookies recipe added in coconut and dried cranberries and it made for one chewy and kinda healthy cookie!
What you will need: (this is the full recipe makes about 6 dozen cookies for you to share, can easily be halved)
1 cup shortening or butter or margarine
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla (next time I would use lemon extract for more flavour)
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup white flour
1/2 cup coconut flakes
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
dried cranberries

How to make:
Soften shortening/butter or margarine, add both sugars and cream together. Add in eggs and vanilla. Combine baking soda and salt with the two flours and coconut. Gradually add into the wet mixture and mix well. Add in desired amount of dried cranberries. Scoop out using a tablespoon and drop unto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 9 or 10 minutes (or until golden and not over baked if you know your oven) transfer to a cooling rack and enjoy!

the donation pile

First of all I JUST found out there is such a thing as thrift hauls on youtube where have I been? This post is the opposite of a thirft haul but a what am I donating haul. I spring cleaned my heart out this weekend. I usually follow the "one thing in one thing out" rule but lately my kitchen and decor stash has gotten too big so here are a few things I loved but am leaving...
* this vintage stand mirror has been with me for years but I just don't have anywhere to display it, I have debated letting this one go but I think it is time
* tea cup hot plate, I don't cook properly and put my hot pots on the counter I have never used this and it isn't that vintage but circa 1997 so no hard feelings
* milk glass vase and silk scarf. The vase is cute but I have better ones that I use more often and the scarf I had bought to wrap a gift in but never did...
* creamer and tea cup, I once used them to hold pens and things, but not anymore.
* lipstick holder, none of my lipsticks fit in this one and it is sadly too shallow to put mascara or other products in.
* silver mirror tray, I found myself a new gold beauty in February and haven't looked back.
Hopefully these will be great finds for somebody else!

local spotlight: river city herbals

I like to source out products based on their ingredients and calendula is one of those ingredients. I have tried it in creams and ointments but really wanted to find it in an infused oil. Finding it sold locally was near impossibly and having it shipped to me was crazy expensive so I was very pleased when a local company called river city herbals decided to add calendula oil to their products line. River city herbals was founded and based in Winnipeg and offers calendula ointment, soap and lip balm but the oil has to be my absolute favorite. Organic olive oil mixed with pure calendula works wonders as a facial oil. I personally don't like to use lotion all over my face but spot treat with an oil on my drier areas and use on blemishes. It is very soothing and gentler than tea tree oil to heal the skin. This is an absolutely unique product and that fact that is is made here is even better! I found mine at scoop and save or check out this where to buy page.

random tip: removing candle wax from a jar

I google everything and when my candle from Christmas ran out I wanted to find an easy way to remove the wax and wanted to share what actually worked for others possibly googling the exact same thing right now. (the above candle is from Himalayan trading post in rose and oak, I bought mine from chapters) It is odd to do a candle review but I loved this scent and packaging but the candle itself I did not enjoy burning. I found it often gave off black smoke and was really hard to light, I wouldn't re-purchase...
Now on to how to remove the candle wax. There are a few methods but the one I tried was to place the candle in the freezer for an hour or so and gentle break the remaining wax bits with a knife. This worked PERFECTLY, all the wax came off no problem. Another tip was to "carefully" add boiling water to the jar and melt off the last bits of reside from the wax, this also worked like a charm (make sure glass is back to room temp before attempting the last part) after a good washing with the dishes this jar is like new. I was never into candles but now that I have burnt through my first one I can't look back. Now burning in my room is a pacifica candle in egyptian bergamot rose, which is amazing I would certainly buy others from this line. 

gifted

I love to have an occasion to make a card but at the same time I have also found that I am a one trick pony when it comes to cards. I switched it up a bit for my friends birthday card using an old book as the background for my doilies (which I will try and put on anything). I think the tag I made for her turned out cute. It was a nice to way to use old wrapping paper with out using too much of it I can still make plenty more tags with the scraps I have. The two of them don't go together but that is how I roll it seems.

thrift finds for april

Some months it seems I tend to come home with the same type of item for April I was drawn to all things made out of glass. I spent a whooping $6 at the thrift store this month, but I did come home with some treasures. The top items is a very vintage 40's or 50's barber shop germicide beaker, it has the original metal insert but I like it used as a vase rather than a jar. In real life this jar is made out of the heaviest glass, it really showcases how well even simple things were made back then.

In Canada we have "mason" jars but a company called "jewel" also made canning jars, most of the marked pieces I already own say "Canadian jewel" on them which is great for a Canadian gal like me to display but this jar was too cute to pass up, it will be great for holding bits and pieces. Lastly I finally added a milk glass bud vase to my collection. I was never impressed with the bud vases I came across until I saw this one, the pedestal and bubbles sealed the deal.  Hopefully with May I can stay away from the glass and tea tins and find me some vintage clothes, one can only wish.

lavender brownies

This past weekend I crossed another recipe I have been meaning to make for ages. Lavender in baking is not for those who don't like lavender to begin with, just a heads up it does taste floral. I had made lavender sugar cookies for Christmas and went easy on the lavender this time I went full on.

Lavender Brownies: (this is a half recipe if you want to feed more people than yourself double it)
What you will need:
1 tbsp lavender buds
1 tbsp raw sugar (optional see below)
1 egg
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup melted butter
1/3 cup cocoa
1/4 flour (not leveled off)
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

How to make:
In a coffee grinder, grind lavender buds with 1 tbsp raw sugar. (the sugar is optional it helps the lavender not turn to powder, is acts like ice in a smoothy)
Melt your butter and let cool for a minute, add in egg and sugar along with the crushed lavender and blend well. Add in cocoa, salt and vanilla along with the flour, stirring well.
Pour into a well greased baking pan (I used olive oil), since this recipe is small I used a 6 inch pan if you have mini baking pans or a muffin tin they would work best.
Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes or until the center is cooked.

Beware your house will smell amazing if you try these I am surprised there are not more chocolate and lavender scented things. I personally prefer the lavender sugar cookies I made before but everyone who tried these liked them so they were a hit. Not sure what should be next on my baking list...

a second hand wardrobe

I always try my best to buy things second hand but the odd time I feel that I need something "new". Recently I was in the market for a dressy but casual cardigan and value village for the past few weeks did not yield anything that fit me so I ventured out to the mall. I did find a cardigan, and I do like it but as soon as I put it in my closet I wished I had thrifted it. Even if an item is from a few season ago I tend to prefer those items in my closet over anything new. I would love to own more vintage and I think I will make an unofficial goal for the next 3 months I will try to only add second hand treasure to wardrobe. Jewelry and purses I have only bought second hand for years so hopefully I can divert my eyes from new sheer blouses. Has anyone else attempted not to buy new? How long did you last?

lasagna and coffee...yes...lasagna and coffee

Not taken on our April 15th snow storm but but back in February if I had only known this was not the last snow storm of the season...

Monday when we got some more lovely snow I decided it was a good day to stay in and cook. I have always wanted to try an easy or as they say "lazy" lasagna in the crock pot. As it turns out it is pretty fool proof but I did learn some lessons: bare in mind I winged this no recipe following here. This would work best on a sunday or saturday it is less effort than regular lasagna but needs to be tended to.

What you will need:
ground beef (don't know what size I bought, assuming it was 1lb)
1 jar of pasta sauce of your choice (I used a parmesan blend)
1 tbsp dried Italian herb mix (oregano, basil, parsley, garlic and red pepper flakes if you have fresh herbs)
noodles (I used my mafaldine, broken up lasagna noodles would work just fine)
1/2 cup water plus more later on
How to make:
Cook and drain your ground beef. In the crock pot add the jar of pasta sauce and Italian herbs stir. Add in the cooked ground beef and cook on low heat for 4-5 hours (I am sure 2 is fine since the meat is pre cooked but I had an afternoon to kill) Add water as necessary to keep from cooking down too much. About 30 minutes* before you would like to eat pre-boil your pasta so it is soft but not cooked (this step just makes it easier to stir; putting uncooked noodles in the crock pot is fine) The noodles will absorb a lot of the liquid and it will slowly turn into a scoop-able lasagna, once you can scoop it, it is ready!
* I got excited at my great smelling dinner and put my noodles in WAY to early they don't need a lot of time to absorb the delicious flavours despite what your instinct tells you. Next time I would add a layer of cheese and broil this in the oven for a bit but it was a Monday no need for overkill. Overall I enjoyed my dinner but it was no where near as appetizing as dessert...

Coffee Blondies: (went and made this up as well)
What you will need:
1/2 cup butter (melted)
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla (or as much as you like)
1 tbsp spoon instant coffee
1/2 tbsp instant espresso powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup flour

How to make:
Melt your butter and add in brown sugar and in the 2 instant coffees, blend well. Add in the egg and vanilla, stir well. Add baking soda, baking powder, salt and flour, mixing well of course. In a greased pan (8x8 is best) cook blondies in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until gold brown and a tooth pick comes out clean in the center.

Since I made banana blondies last week I have been amazed at how easy bars and brownies are to make there is soo little to clean up and they take much less time than cookies! The only draw back is they make far less per batch, you can't really bring them to share since they are usually gone by the end of the night, no joke every time. I have a few more variations I want to test out but this one is a winner the brown sugar and coffee is just too good. I have made espresso brownies and the chocolate always seems to overshadow the coffee but not here.

diy: hudson bay circle scarf

Beware these may be my worst tutorial pictures ever! Even though it is April 14th there is still a lot of snow on the ground a wool scarf is overkill but while thrifting last week I came across a "new" with tags hudson bay olympic scarf for a good price. I don't like regular style scarfs and have become quite accustomed to circle or infinity scarfs. So I got out my scissors; if it was vintage I would have thought twice about this buuuut I began by carefully just cutting off the tassels and keeping the knit in tact. I played it safe and didn't want to mess with a fraying knit.

I then hand sewed the 2 seams together (this was quite easy) the seam was a bit thick so I folded it over and sewed it down again to make a loop, much better! How I usually wear my circle scarves is with the seam at the back of my neck and wrap around it, the seam doesn't show and it is not too bothersome, but big and comfy. Overall I am quite pleased with my finds new shape it is much more wearable for me I just hope I don't need to wear it until the fall!

collection spotlight: vintage clothing tags

When I was going through my zine flyers I noticed I had stuffed some vintage clothing tags in the same box, silly me! I think these would look so cute framed and hung near a closet or if you are lucky enough to have a dressing room! I don't have any room on my walls or shelves right now to hang these up but I am so glad I found my forgotten treasures. I also found some some other paper treasures that I will post another time. It does pay to clean once in a while...

collection spotlight: my zines

Thanks to rachael (of ladylikeness, the best name ever if you ask me) and her article on poster about local zine SAPPHO. It reminded me that I have been hoarding quite the collection of zines for close to 12 years now. I can't bear to part with them and every time I clean my room I don't even go near my zine drawer. When I was 18 I started a zine called "instant glam" which is beyond embarrassing to me now soo over the top girly it is isn't even funny, but that was me at 18... With it I got to mail exchange zines from many different countries and now own pieces of art that even after 12 years are so creative it kills me!!

one is marked 2001 man how time fly's'...

Many of the zine distro's I used to use are now defunct (remember when angelfire was a thing...) I haven't looked into "modern" zines in 8 years so I have no clue which one is a good one to recommend but I do know stolen sharpie revolution was around when I was doing my thing. They are still running and have a great zine resource on their site.

I don't know when I will ever part with my zines, the zine flyers and stickers. I absolutely adore this form of art. Was anyone else into zines when they were "younger"?

Marshalls Winnipeg Opening April 4th

Winnipeg style picks from Liz Crawford. Cabin/beach style and festival style picks.

With my blog I quite enjoy it when I get invited to local events, most of the time I ending up working and can't attend but the stars aligned and I was able to attend the preview of the new Marshalls Winnipeg store at 110-600 Empress St, which is set to open it's doors at 9am tomorrow Thursday April 4th. They are giving the first 300! people in line a $10 gift card.
Marshalls specializes in off-price retail which means they have close relationships with many brands and designers and are able to offer great discounts on name brand products. I was not allowed to spoil the surprise and mention any brands but I must say there are a lot of well know higher end and department store brands including beauty brands (the perfume selection is amazing and *coughs* beauty counter items from brands I would never thought would be there)

Downtown patio lunch/work style picks and something for the men also curated by Liz Crawford

Marshalls brought in local style expert Liz Crawford to hand select some items that really highlight Winnipeg's unique style she did a great job selecting items for our upcoming spring/summer season. The store itself if I may compare it to our closest similar store Winners is laid out a bit differently. The shoe selection is extensive think 8,000 boxed footwear items all are stocked by style which makes finding items a breeze. Their mens clothing section is also quite extensive they offer suiting which is unique. A definite one stop shop.

Marshalls also offers a very unique section called the "cube" where they have specially curated items that are right on trend. Again everything is organized by style if you only want to look at cardigans than by all means they are easy to find. Right now in store spring has sprung and there is a tonne of variety of dresses and blouses it will really gets you in the mood! Come on spring...

Two shirts I adored

Marshalls will be opening 7 stores April 4th in Canada and 13 by the end of the year. If you like Marshalls Canada be sure the follow and like their facebook page. and follow them on twitter (@marshalls) or #MarshallsCA.
*disclaimer* I was not compensated in any way to write this post. Marshalls was nice enough to invite me to their store preview so I went it was something different and nice to do on a day off.

baking round up

brown butter snickerdoodles,  raspberry and coconut tarts

Over the holiday weekend (and a bit before) I tested out quite a few new to me recipes. Trying new recipes can work out great and other times not so much.
* The first one I tested out was brown butter snickerdoodles. I have a thing for snickerdoodles so I thought these would be amazing but they are too sweet for me so I won't make them again but learning how to brown butter was a good thing.
* The lovely ladies over at oh so lovely vintage posted a recipe for raspberry and coconut tarts just days before easter and I promptly sent the recipe to my mom who made them to bring to my grandmas. They were a big hit three people wanted the recipe. The recipe is pretty much fool proof and turned out so good definitely recommended.

 

Lastly I have been having a huge love for banana lately so I wanted to try something other than a banana bread. I came across this recipe for banana blondies and couldn't wait to try it. This is how I made them and they turned out great. I may be giving up cookies and going for bars since these were so easy!

What you will need:

• Unsalted Butter - 1/4 cup (melted)
• Brown Sugar - 1 cup
• Egg - 1 
• Rum Extract - 1 tsp (vanilla is on the original recipe)
• Bananas - 2 medium (mashed)
• Salt - 1/8 tsp
• All Purpose White Flour - 1/2 cup
• Whole Wheat Flour - 1/2 cup
• One 105g pack of reeses pieces (I would add more if I had more)

How to make:
Melt you butter (I used the microwave) and add to the brown sugar. Blend well. Add in egg and extract of your choice. Blend some more. In a separate bowl mash up your banana's and add to the sugar mixture, mix well. Add in your flours and salt and mix until combined (I used a regular mixing spoon for all of this no electricity needed) Add in your reeses pieces and stir. Pour into a greased pan and bake in a 350 degree over for 20-25 minutes. Mine took 20. These turn out tasting like a banana and are not sweet the peanut butter chips just make them extra tasty.

pajama upgrade

I used my good Friday to re-vamp my pj's and make them less embarrassing. I usually wear the most worn out clothing as my pajamas and any time I have to answer the door it is always a pain so I decided it was well overdue. I am lucky enough to own a heat press and a vinyl cutter. Making custom tees is not a problem it is just deciding what to make and what to put it on.(sourcing good looking tees that work with the vinyl and heat press is tricky and the main reason I don't sell my tees...)

This won't be a tutorial but a sneak peek into how it is done. It is all about the prep in making t-shirts. First you need to have a vector based image and import it into the printer software, clean up lines, remember to mirror your image and you are good to go. I tend to mess up the actual cutting of the vinyl and take no joke 3 tries at cutting it, but for most people who aren't dorks this should be the easiest part of the process... Weeding comes next and it is the most fun you get to "reveal" your design. Next is using the heat press, I have yet to find a brand that really takes to vinyl quite well, the tee I chose was not the best and the vinyl is not as melded as it should be, you want to find a 100% cotton tee but even then they all act differently.

My new sleeping tee says "I like a good book before bed" in french of course! I know it is not the best of english but I like to read a good book before bed and I enjoy a good book before bed were pretty wordy and the design looked off. Overall it turned out pretty good and I made use of my day off. If anyone wants a custom tee just let me know it will force me to source out better materials.

shopping local: deluca's specialty foods

Some things to know about me I am a tiny tiny girl but love grocery shopping and looking at food. Despite this I cannot cook a good diner to save my life. My goal this year has been to make better meals so far I have just been baking. I figured I needed some cooking inspiration and made my way down to deluca's specialty foods at 950 Portage Avenue. My goal was to find my holy grail of a pasta noodle called mafalda (it is a mini lasagna noodle used in the tim hortons version of lasagna) now I did not come home with those noodles I don't know if I was so over whelmed by all my pasta choices that I got blinded. But I did come home with the even more mini version of lasagna called mafaldine, either way these should do for the recipes I have in mind. I also had to pickup some novelty pastas the bows and leaves were too cute to pass up. I will put them in soup or make birthday cards with them watch out carolyn...

What else do they sell?
Basically everything! I stayed away from the deli and cheese since I knew I wasn't going straight home but could not pass up the chocolate and cookie isle. They stock an amazing assortment of hazlenut, orange and coffee flavoured treats. I was a very good girl and only picked out one "foreign to me" cookie and chocolate bar.  They also have an impressive selection of  honey and jam ooh and wine.

Overall I think delucas is going to be my new saturday stop for gourmet groceries. It is very reasonably priced dare I say even cheaper than the grocery store for pasta and cookies! So glad I made the drive I can't wait to start cooking!

Deluca's
Retail Store
Mon-Thur 9am-6pm
Friday 9am-8pm
Saturday 9am-6pm
Located At:
950 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB
Ph.204.774.7617

a rosy outlook

Inspired by essiebutton's rose obsession posts I figured I would share my growing collection of products containing rose. Out of all the ingredients and scents out there I have been swayed towards rose quite a bit lately...

rosebud slave: I have repurchased this several times I find it is the best lip balm for before bed.
korres wild rose daily brightening & refining buff cleanser: I got this as part of a christmas gift pack and it is very lovely; gentle yet effective. For me I find scrubs overall don't need to be expensive this was a treat but I wouldn't repurchase it.
korres will rose and vitamin c advanced brightening sleeping facial: (also in a gift pack) I want to love this but have not found that it does anything for my skin. I use it a few nights a week and it does give you softer skin but not much in the brightening dept.
maybelline color whisper in rose of attraction: my new go-to color pink but not too pink.
stella mccartney summer rose: Fruity with lemon but warms to a light rose scent. It is pretty much the perfect mix of sweet and floral without being too overpowering.
(not pictured) a few rose scented candles...

anyone else got a scent or ingredient obsession?

coffee and oatmeal cookies

It occurred to me over the weekend that despite trying to add coffee or tea to almost every recipe I had never attempted coffee in oatmeal cookies. So I went and tried it, these are almost healthy and could be passed off as "breakfast" cookies if you roll like that.
Recipe adapted from Pillsbury cookies and bars cook book circa 2003 (original recipe called brown sugar oatmeal cookies)

What you will need:
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup butter or margarine softened
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp instant coffee
1/2 tbsp instant espresso powder 
1 egg
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats (I used quick cooking)

How to make:
In a large bowl, combine brown sugar, both instant coffees, shortening and margarine; beat until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and egg; blend well. Add all purpose flour, whole wheat flour and baking powder;mix well. Stir in oats.

Drop dough by heaping tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 9 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet and let cool.

Overall:
My baking never comes out looking like the original picture I was hoping for these to be more spread out and cookie-like but they turned out like little half balls. They aren't bad and I think the coffee really suits the oatmeal. They are not sweet and would be good to make for people who like a healthier cookie. Follow my blog with Bloglovin

thrifting ugly?

There is a story behind these candle sticks...I have always wanted to own a pair but I could never justify them seeing as I have no clue if they would ever get used. I saw this borderline gaudy pair a few weeks back and passed on them. In return I had dreams about owning candle sticks so I went back to the thrift store and if they were still there it was meant to be. They were of course still at the shop {because they aren't for the faint of heart} I was originally quite pleased but no sooner than I got them home I had no clue why I was so attracted them.

I tried to make them less tacky by removing a layer and it did made them a bit tamer. I haven't brought home something this questionable in a long time. Have other done the same? Should I put the other brass bit back on and let them live in their full crystal and brass glory?

And the winner is...

Thanks to random.org I have chosen the winner for my thebalm giveway! The lovely melissa of wildflower child is the winner:) Thank you for all that entered it was great to find new blogs.