Just Jen

S'mores Cookie Bars

While we're on the subject of desserts, I have to share another recipe that I found on Pinterest. The recipe comes from Lovin' from the Oven. Lately there have been a TON of S'mores recipes out there. Some look really good - others seem downright ridiculous. But these cookie bars? In a word, awesome. I liked that they maintain the integrity of the traditional s'more, with the graham crumbs in the cookie and the marshmallow filling. And you absolutely MUST warm them up before eating them, that is if there are any left after pulling them out of the oven!

 

Chocolate Oreo Cream Cake recipe

I decided I was way overdue for a food post, so here you go. Chocolate Oreo Cream Cake from Real Mom Kitchen. This looks way too good not to try - and easy too!

Cute Wreath Roundup

I'll admit, wreaths aren't usually my thing. They tend to be a little too "country" for my taste. But these are a few I certainly wouldn't mind hanging that I've come across on my Pinterest travels. I especially love this paper rose wreath!

via the Brassy Apple - includes link to tutorial

via Kiki Creates

via the long thread - includes tutorial

via comeandknock on Etsy

via today's nest

Cross Stitch + Crochet

I used to cross stitch a lot as a little girl. I've always loved the tedious monotony of stitching. I've recently been toying with the idea of revisiting the craft, if I found the right project. Today I happened on this charming pillow project by the Purl Bee. Instead of cross stitching on the traditional fabric, they first created a fabric by crocheting a panel.

The space between the stitches makes a natural grid perfectly suited for the cross stitch technique, and since it is on a larger scale, it can be finished much more quickly. It's perfect! I will definitely have to give it a try - maybe a pillow or a wall hanging for above the baby's crib stitched with her name or monogram. And of course, as always I welcome any excuse to buy more yarn...

Beautiful Crochet

This is the kind of crochet I'd love to be able to do. So lovely.

Image found via Pinterest.

Friendship Bracelets

It seems these have been making a comeback lately, as tutorials are popping up all over the internet. This definitely takes me back (we won't discuss how far back...). I would spend hours with one of these safety pinned to my jeans making knot after knot.

I never really figured out how to do the more complicated patterns, so I am glad to find some good instructions. If only we'd had the internet then! And yes, since I'm stuck on the couch on bedrest for the time being, I definitely intend to make a few. That is, if I can find my stash of embroidery floss...

Check out the great tutorial on the Purl Bee here 
.

Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe

Well, we are on the official countdown until little baby girl arrives, and that can only mean one thing - baby shower time!! I have had two amazing showers given by friends, family and co-workers and have come away feeling very blessed. I have helped host showers in the past, and I know the amount of work that can go into those couple of hours! So I always want my hostess gifts to be nice and heartfelt. I try to think of something clever that I can make, or at least partially make, that is really special - but doesn't have to break the bank.
I had seen a few recipes for salted caramel sauce floating around online and decided to build a gift around that. Let me first say that I am NOT that great in the kitchen, and boiling sugar can be more than a little tricky, so my first attempt was a massive FAIL. But I didn't let it beat me! I reviewed the recipes, made a couple of adjustments and tried again. This time was a complete SUCCESS! A very sweet success, I might add... For each hostess, I decorated a jar with some vintage fabric and a cute handwritten label, nested it in an ice cream bowl, added a cute towel and tied it all together with a ribbon. And I've gotten nothing but rave reviews about the caramel sauce! I combined ingredients from several different recipes and put together my own version:

SALTED CARAMEL SAUCE

2c sugar
3/4c water
1 1/2c heavy cream
1/2tsp vanilla
1tsp finely ground sea salt
4tbs unsalted butter

Add water to a heavy bottomed sauce pan. Add sugar to the water and cook over medium heat (DO NOT STIR!) until sugar dissolves and begins to boil. Increase to medium high heat and continue to let sugar boil without stirring until it turns a light amber color. Note: you really want to stick close to the stove during this part. Once the sugar starts to change color, it can go from perfect to burned VERY quickly. The boiling process may take a little while, but be patient - it's worth the wait! Just before it starts to turn color, heat the cream and vanilla for 45 sec. in the microwave. Once your sugar is a light amber color (it should have a slight caramel smell too), remove it from the heat and slowly whisk in the cream and vanilla. It's really going to bubble up at this point, so be careful! Once combined, stir in the salt and butter until melted. Carefully pour into HOT, prepared canning jars. You can keep jars of caramel in the fridge for about two weeks - if it lasts that long!!

4th of July t-shirt craft

The BBQ's in just a few hours and Old Navy's all out of their signature flag tees? Don't worry, if you've got a plain white t-shirt and some red, white and blue paint lying around, you've still got time to whip up something cute for the kiddos to wear. Check out the clever how-to over at Nothing but Country.

Hurry! SALE ends tomorrow!

Don't miss our sale on all personalized tees and bags - ending tomorrow!

Click here to visit the shop.