chocolate peanut butter cake

Every Thanksgiving my sisters and I (Ryan can’t be trusted, he likes pumpkin) try to determine the winning pie of the year among the 30 varieties there usually are. Last year this chocolate peanut butter mousse pie made by my 14 year old cousin won. I just made it last week for a friend’s birthday and thought it might be time to dish out the recipe.

Layer one:
1 c. chocolate graham cracker crumbs (I just used normal graham crackers)
1/3 c. honey-roasted peanuts, chopped
6 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted

In medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, peanuts and butter; press mixture in bottom and up sides of 9″ pie pan or spring form pan. Set aside.

Layer two (I like to go heavy on this one):
1/2 c. whipping cream
1/2 c. sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips

Pour cream into microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir in condensed milk and chocolate chips until smooth. Spoon into crust. Chill 1 hour.

Layer three:
1 c. whipping cream
1/2 c. sweetened condensed milk
6 oz cream cheese, softened
3/4 c. creamy peanut butter
1 c. Peanut Butter Crunch cereal (optional)

In large bowl, beat cream to stiff peaks; set aside.

In separate bowl, beat condensed milk, cream cheese and peanut butter until smooth. Fold in whipped cream and cereal. Spoon over chocolate filling.

Freeze 3-5 hours or until firm. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with mini peanut butter cups.

I apologize if I just ruined your diet

fun things to send in the mail the fall edition

I really can’t think of one person who would say, “Boy, I really hate when I get fun mail!” And if you are that person, you’re probably reading this blog to mock it.
To celebrate fall, why don’t you send a friend one (or all five) of these items:
the latest issue of Kinfolk
some soft pretzels (or a baked item of the pumpkin variety)
a colorful throw
a box of cool socks
a crate of gourds or mini pumpkins
Now if I could only do something about the dreary post office

THE LOOK FOR LESS

By fashion contributor Ashley of The Daily Bucket. Read more about my talented group of contributors right here.

photo | sweater | coat | jeans | boots | camera

Remember last spring when I spotted printed pants on the summer radar? Well over the weekend I went shopping and they are here to stay! In fact, they’ve multiplied, like little rabbits. So today’s look for less is inspired by floral pants. I LOVE this image. The neutral black from head to toe and longer coat makes floral pants suddenly seem timeless and not so scary. And this look for less can be even cheaper if you’ve been stocking up on your classic pieces (boots, coat). The color block sweater works as a two for one as well, saving another penny! Have you made the printed pant jump yet? I don’t know how much longer I am going to be able to hold off….

high waisted shorts

only good lookin gals wear high waisted shorts

By fashion contributor Ashley of The Daily Bucket

{Title Picture}
With the end of summer in sight I feel like I owe a shout out to the high waisted shorts that have made an appearance this year. They can look good or bad real quick and I find myself thinking the “mom jean” look isn’t so bad. Am I going crazy? Here are a few tips to help you style your last minute short purchase (in a good way)!

{Black and White}
A good hint for pieces that are more risky is to keep it neutral. Because these shorts are in black and paired with white and nude accessories the look feels more polished and classy. Its an attention grabber, but in a good way.

{Around the City}
Keep this look fresh by wearing a loose patterned button up and a light jacket that comes down past your shorts. Pair it with some strappy sandals and you are set.

Keep reading to see two more high waisted shorts looks!

Wear to Work
For a look that is appropriate for (some) work environments choose a longer trouser short that is less form fitting. Dress it up by wearing a blazer or a tailored jacket. Peep toe platforms polish this look off.

Day at the Market- Picture of Katrina via Ashley Thalman Photography
For a simple casual look the jean short works best. Pair it with a striped tank and basic accessories. This look is all about letting the shorts do the talking.

So, what do you think? Would you dare to wear high waisted shorts?

side braid

Braids can add so much interesting texture to your look! Here's how you can take a classic french braid and style it to get a pretty side braid. Sarah demonstrates how to style a side braid on our model Sarah (two pretty Sarah's in one place!).1. Gather a large section of your hair starting from one side of the crown of your head and sweeping to the other side. 2. Begin braiding three small strands from the top of this section. 3. As you braid add more strands from the original section. 4. Be sure to braid so that your hair wraps around the top of your head. 5. Finish by wrapping one strand around the entire braid, securing it in place. You could use a hair tie as well and wrap the hair around the hair tie, hiding it.

this is so pretty

Make a statement piece in your home out of supplies you already have on hand! I designed my oversized fabric garland chandelier to fit over our table but you could also use it in a corner that needs a little more excitement, above a reading nook in a child's bedroom, or as the backdrop for your next holiday party. 

You'll need: 1 wire cooling rack, 2-3 yards of fabric in different shades, 1 strand of twinkle lights, 1 white extension cord, lace, chenille, embroidery thread, a needle, two hooks that screw into a wall, a drill. 

1. cut strips of fabric in varying widths (1/2" - 2") for depth. 2. create texture with strips by stitching loosely through them with embroidery thread and then bunching them up before tying a knot. Spread them out evenly along your thread and leave enough string at the end to tie it to the cooling rack.

3. Starting about 5 rows in from the outer edge, fold the short ends of each strip of fabric over and hand stitch a complete row of fabrics. Vary the shades and thicknesses but use more thick ones than skinny ones on the inside rows. They need to cover your lights and add density. Tie a knot at the end of your row and trim your thread. Repeat until the outer five rows on each side have been covered. Use more thin strips on the outer row. 4. Add three or four strips of fabric along the middle rows just at each end. You're going to leave a big hole in the middle for the lights to hang. Add some thin srip here as well.

5. Use a thin strip and wrap it around the edge of your sheet to cover the exposed metal. Stitch together at each end to secure. 6. It should like this. Repeat on the other side.

7. Carefully attach your twinkle lights. Start with the plug near the back left (or right) corner and tie it near the top with a thin strand of fabric. Continue to tie up your lights in three or four places. Let them hang down but not further than the fabric. 8. Cut four strips of fabric measuring about 2.5" apart and stitch them together at the end as shown.

9. Pull one strand through the corner and continue to braid the rest together. This will be one of the four strands that you hang your chandelier from. You can replace this with chain if you'd like but the fabric disguises the extension cord a bit. Attach your extension cord to the plug in from your twinkle lights and then braid it with the strand on that corner. 10. Draw all four strands up so that they are equal and tie them in a large knot.

Drill a pilot hole in your ceiling and hang a strong hook where you'd like to hang your chandelier. I drilled another above the socket against the wall so that the extension cord could hook into that and not hang down aimlessly. Then I plugged it in and had some lovely lighting! Trim yours up to the height you'd like. 

During the day it works as a statement piece and softens up the dining area. After dark it adds drama and a soft glow, perfect for these long nights

DIY sweater

Hi friends! Today we want to share a super quick and simple method for sewing your very own heart sweater! We've seen this trend all over this year and love the simple statement that a big heart can make! Enjoy...

1. Make a heart pattern with paper and place it on the sweater to make sure you love the size and shape. 2. Once you've created the perfect pattern, use it to cut a heart out of your fabric. We used polyester fabric because it has some stretch and won't fray. 3. Simply pin it in place and sew it on using the zigzag stitch. 4. Wear your new sweater proudly. You did it!!