Glitzy Mason Jars

Who ever thought we would come up with so many ways to glam up mason jars. From their humble beginnings as canning jars, to elaborate light fixtures - mason jars have come a long way.

I found a mason jar a few days ago at a craft store and thought, "why not?" I started thinking of dummy proof ways to repurpose it {honestly, Maya + crafts = failwhale} and realized I needed a prettier option for stashing my pens. Add some glitter and gold, and you've got a new desk decoration that's bold, functional and glitzy!

Here's what you'll need...

Take you mason jar outside and spray away! Keep the spraypaint about 8 -12 inches away from the jar to give it a nice even coat. I also twirled the paper I set it on to attain a more even coverage. 

Let it dry! I left mine overnight so I wouldn't accidentally wipe the paint on anything {it's been done before...}

Take the top and paint a light layer of glue on the edges. Drop it in glitter and take it out to dry. 

When it's dry - put it all together! Not too shabby and easy-peasy. Now I just need some better pens to vamp up the glam...

What are your favorite mason jar crafts? I need some new ideas to spruce up my apartment :)

Vegan Candy Bars

Like most of you, I'm always looking for delicious {and slightly more healthy} treats to cook up. When I found these bars in Gwyneth Platrow's, It's All Good Cookbook, I had to give them a try...and boy, they are good!

Here's what you need....

1 1/2 cups raw cashews

1 1/2 cups dates, pitted and roughly chopped

1/2 cup almond butter

1/2 cup grade B maple syrup

1/2 cup coconut flour

1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1 cup dark chocolate chips

1 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil

Directions:
Grind cashews in a food processor into a very fine meal. Divide and pit dates, and add them to the cashew meal, along with the almond butter, maple syrup, coconut flour, shredded coconut and almond extract. Pulse together until you've made a sticky ball of dough. 

Mush dough into a pan lined with parchment paper until the dough is evenly distributed. I usually like to make sure that the dough is about 1 inch deep. Refrigerate for a few hours until firm. 

Once the dough is firm, make the chocolate mixture to pour on top. Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil together {I usually just pop it in the microwave for 30 - 45 seconds and stir}. Pour on top of the dough, spread evenly and refrigerate for a bit. Once the chocolate is mostly firm, cut into pieces with a sharp knife. I like to cut them before the chocolate becomes completely firm to avoid the chocolate cracking. 

Once you've cut the pieces, lift out of the parchment and enjoy! These last for up to two weeks in the fridge and stay yummy. You can also wrap them up individually in parchment paper for on the go treats. 

Warning: these are heavenly...and it's hard to have only one. But, since they're slightly healthier than most goodies, the justification for eating a few are pretty easy :) 

Glitter Up!

Dress - Old Navy // Sweater - J.Crew {old} // Vintage Heels // Belt - Target // Purse - Kate Spade

"Have you seen my glitter purse?" is the most common question I decided to ask strangers after finding this stunner at TJ Maxx a few weeks back. For some reason, I thought the world should know all about it - but really, I should have probably reeled in my excitement a bit more. 

Anyways...I want to wear it everyday, everywhere for any occasion, so I tried to style it for any of those instances. Comfy jersey dress, light sweater, vintage heels make this springy enough and tie in with the bright glitter accessories I seem to always pick up. 

What's your favorite spring accessory you're rocking these days? I need to add some goodies to my growing lust list! 

What I've Learned From My Mother

I'm a total mama's girl at heart. Maybe it's the only only child in me, but my mother and I are basically best friends. When I get married, she's going to be my maiden of honor. I call her almost everyday, sometimes twice. She's the kindest, most compassionate, all around awesome woman I know {not to mention gorgeous for her age, which I've promised to never to disclose!} 

So here are some of the best things I've learned from my smarty pants of a momma that I am forever grateful for - 

1. Don't spend so much time worrying - everything is going to be alright. 

I'm a bit of a worrywart. Sometimes it's served me well {I'm the queen of over preparation for instance}, but sometimes it gives me anxiety - like the sleepless nights, panic attack, biting my nails sort of worry. My mom does a good job talking me down from a ledge when I get there, helping me focus on living in the moment, and reminding me to breathe - because it's all going to be alright in the end {and it has, for the last 24 years, so she's got a good track record}. 

2. You're smarter and better than you think. 

My mom is my number one fan {which works out well, since I feel the same about her}, and she's always telling me I'm smarter than I think. As women, it's important to be confident in our intelligence, and she has continued to build me up and encourage me to believe in myself. Plus, she's the perfect role model - she's smart, witty...and never is afraid to show it. 

3. Be kind to everyone you meet.

My mom makes friends with everyone. She's the kind of person who chats with the cashiers, bank tellers, etc. She even shows kindness when her 7 year old students wipe their boogers on her or show her their loose tooth {oh the joys of being an elementary school teacher}. She doesn't have a mean bone in her body, and that's something I love so much about her. Her kindness has taught me so much, and I've found myself to try to always be kind to everyone I meet too. 

4. You can never have too much of the following:

• shoes {DSW is our other home}

•laughing 

• underwear

• patience

• margaritas on a Friday night {well, you can maybe have too many...}

•yoga classes

•time with your family

•thank you letters {the snail mail versions} 

Happy Mother's Day sweet mama! Thanks for being the greatest best friend a daughter could ask for! xx

Weekend Date Night Attire

Jacket - Zara {similar}// Shoes - BCBG // Jeans - Old Navy // T-shirt - Target // Necklace - Bauble Bar {old}// Clutch - Vintage Gucci {hand me down goodness}

Hello there, weekend - so nice to see you back around these parts :) After a fun first week in Chicago, I'm ready to venture back to Wisconsin to be with my favorite guy. After living with someone for so long, it's really odd being away from them...so I'm already very excited to be with him again.

We're already on for a celebratory date night and this is what I'll be rocking at our favorite Italian bistro.  I've had a very pro white blazer agenda this spring, so this number is going to have to venture out of my closet a few times next week.

Thanks so much to A.V. for always linking us up! She deserves all the kudos/snaps/praise for putting this together each and every week.

What are you ladies up to this weekend? Tell me of your adventures so I can live vicariously though you :)