Healthy Apple "Doughnuts" for Valentine's Day Snacking

As I've mentioned, my house has been on somewhat of a health kick. Or at least our version of a health kick. We haven't been indulging in things like donuts, cupcakes, and cookies in an effort to embrace a healthier January. The plan is to carry it right on into February, too!

However, as we all know, the hard part of February is all of the fun things that happen during that month. We basically kick it off with "the big game" which is followed by Mardi Gras which is promptly followed by Valentine's Day. In an effort not to totally go off the bandwagon, I've been thinking creatively about chocolate-ridden holidays like Valentine's Day, and today, I've got a fun alternative perfect for little kids and kids at heart: healthy apple doughnuts. 

Apples are a staple around here. I keep them for on the go snacking, easy baking, and fun recipes like this one. I love this concept because it's perfect for even the smallest kiddos to get involved. I can see my friends with kids taking these for classroom snacks - you can even skip the added sugar by just cutting the apples into fun shapes.

I used Autumn Glory apples for this recipe because frankly, they're my favorite. These apples have the absolute best flavors with hints of cinnamon and caramel which perfectly compliment the chocolate and white chocolate. They're crisp, sweet, and never mealy. They're especially handy for healthy apple donuts because they're firm enough to hold the shape and the weight of the chocolate and candies. I just love them! 

Want to make healthy apple doughnnuts of your own just in time for Valentine's Day? Here's how you do it:

Healthy Apple "Doughnuts"

You will need:

- 1 Autumn Glory apple

- melting chocolate chips (I used semi-sweet and white) 

- festive sprinkles 

- a variety of heart-shaped cookie cutters

To prepare:

Begin by slicing your apple into 1/4 thick slices. I got about 6 slices out of my apple, but only used the largest 4. 

Next, take an appropriately sized cookie cutter and press it into one of your slices. Find the smallest heart-shaped cookie cutter in the set, and use it to cut the core. 

Pat dry. 

Melt your chocolate in the microwave being careful not to burn it. I like to melt mine in 30 second intervals, stirring vigorously each time. 

Drizzle your chocolate over your heart shapes and sprinkle with festive candles and sprinkles.

Place in the freezer for 5 minutes. 

Allow to sit at room temperature for a minute or two.

Enjoy! 

This post was sponsored by Autumn Glory Apples. All opinions are my own!

Quick, Easy, & Tasty Lip Scrub

It has been crazy cold in Atlanta for at least the past month, and I'm not even remotely ashamed to admit that a few weeks ago, it was so cold (in the teens all day, every day), that I didn't leave my house for almost a week. It's sounds ridiculous to say out loud, but it was freezing...literally. 

During the course of that time, I developed super dry lips. I was drinking water, wearing some sort of balm, and doing all of the "right" things, but my lips got to be so chapped, they physically hurt. I did a little research and discovered that if your lips are chapped, and you never rid them of the dry skin (ew), adding more and more balm isn't necessarily going to do anything. You have to remove the dry skin in order for them to heal. 

Makes sense to me! 

So, I whipped up a quick sugar scrub using ingredients I already had on hand. It kept for almost a week, and I used it every other day. I cannot tell you the immediate difference in my lips after just ONE use. If you're having issues with dry lips, too, make a batch of this quick, easy, and tasty lip scrub. 

Quick DIY Lip Scrub for Dry Lips

You will need:

- a small, air-tight container

- 2 tbs sugar

- 1 tbs honey

- 1 tbs coconut oil, warmed/melted

To prepare:

Warm or melt your coconut oil in a small bowl. Add honey and thoroughly mix. Add sugar and mix well to combine. Place in air-tight container. 

To use:

Gently massage dime-size amount onto lips, working slightly into skin until some of the sugar dissolves. Rinse with warm water. Immediately apply moisturizer, lip balm, or coconut oil to lips to lock in moisture. 

Note: If you have one handy, use a small paddle to get the scrub in and out of your container to avoid excess germs or contamination. 

Nutty Valentine's Day Snack Mix

Call me a total cheeseball, but Valentine's Day happens to be one of my favorite holidays. I know it's commercialized, but I love celebrating love. Even though you're supposed to show your love year-round and even though it can be labeled as a couples-only holiday, I firmly believe you should just embrace it for what it is: something fun! Be cheesy, be cutesy, be friendly...and be those things to everyone in your life. Whether it's your sibling, your pet, your co-workers, or your significant other.

A good way to have a little fun this Valentine's Day is to mix up a huge batch of this Nutty Valentine's Day Snack Mix. Pile it into small, food safe containers, add a cute note (or a Valentine like these from Minted) and deliver a little happiness to those you love. 

Get the recipe for the snack mix here (great for the big game, too!). 

Valentine's Day Date Night In with Paper Source

Since Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday this year, I am planning the ultimate date night in. And yes, you read that right...I'm planning Valentine's Day this year. Ladies, we have to admit that we set our Valentine's Day expectations a little high. Sometimes, they're met or even surpassed. Other times, we're left wondering where the disconnect was. Either way, there's a lot of pressure on our partners to create a great date, and this year, I am taking the pressure off of my husband, and preparing a date just for him: a Valentine's Day date night IN. 

When I thought about what the perfect date night in would look like for my husband, I thought about a few of his favorite things, and tops of the list is a good beer. Admittedly, I am not a huge beer drinker, but for this sweet holiday, I can make an exception. 

I also knew that a great date night in couldn't stop with beer...we had to eat, too! And that's when it came to me: we love charcuterie platters when we go out to dinner, and while typically paired with wine, who says you can't pair beer with cheese?! Finally, we would need a little entertainment, and for that, we'll be relying on good old Netflix (complete with candy, of course). After all, the couple that presses play together, stays together. 

Paper Source has long been my go-to destination for wrapping and cards, and their gifts are equally as fun. To recreate this date night at home, you will need:

- Heart Cutting Board - as a stable setting for your charcuterie

- Happy Thoughts Juice Glasses - for your favorite beer pairings

- Hey Sugar Gummy Lips - to share and snack-on during your movie 

- Letterpress Couples that Press Play Card - as something special for the one you love 

Select your husbands' favorite beers (or the ones that he's okay to share with you for the night), and a few meats and cheeses that pair well with the flavors. I picked up Parmigiano-Reggiano, white cheddar, Gruyere, salami, and flavored jerky. Once you have your selections, it's all about presentation. Fill your heart cutting board with cheese and meat, and set-up your beer pairing station. Make notes about which flavors pair well together (and which don't) and decide your favorite combinations. Most of all, have fun with it! 

The best part of this date night in is spending time with each other (and avoiding the dinner reservation crowds, too). Finish the evening with a movie of his choice and share some gummy lips. Enjoy your date night in! 

Thanks to Paper Source for partnering with me for this post. While I did receive the products seen here, all opinions (and date night plans!) are my own. 

Valentine's Day Parfait

Add a little color and festivity to your breakfast for Valentine's Day with this quick Valentine's Day parfait. Since no one has time in the mornings, I am all about easy breakfasts that can be eaten on the go. This parfait fits that bill all while being cute and healthy, too. 

All you need to do is pick up your favorite granola, vanilla bean yogurt (or another flavor...your choice), and strawberries. Next scoop each item into a small glass (or mason jar for easy travel), layering each as you go. I like a tiny layer of yogurt on the bottom then strawberries and granola before piling it on. This breakfast parfait turns out super cute and adds a little fun to your morning routine! 

5 Valentine's Day DIYs

I heart Valentine's Day (no pun intended). I truly do. Over the years, I've learned (and shared here) to embrace the reds, pinks, and purples, love the hearts, and enjoy the holiday. Don't take it or yourself too seriously and have fun with it! Today, I'm sharing 5 quick Valentine's Day DIYs including snacks, classroom valentines, & decor.. Each of these are super easy and will bring a little joy to your face. Whether you are celebrating with your significant other, your best friends, or your coworkers, get a head start on this love-filled holiday with the DIYs below!

One:

No Sew Pompom Placemats 

Having the girls over for a Gal-entine's Day party? These placemats will spruce up your table without the extra headache. They take no time at all, and everyone will gush over the cuteness! 

Two:

Easy Coaster DIY

Incorporate the Valentine's Day colors around the house with these DIY coasters. They're seriously simple and will add a holiday punch without too much cheese. 

Three:

You're a Peach Party Favor

Tiny spice jars filled with adorable peach candy? What friend wouldn't want to go home with these? Use the free printable to your heart's content. 

Four:

Mason Jar Cookie Cutter Valentines 

Pick up adorable mason jar cookie cutters, grab some twine, print the free printable, and you're armed with one a-mason Valentine! I love the idea of whipping up a batch of mason jar cookies, wrapping them up in cellophane, and attaching the cookie cutter for friends and neighbors. 

Five: 

Popcorn Snack Mix

Popcorn is one of my favorite treats, and when you combine it with dried strawberries, chocolate, and pretzels, even more amazing things happen. This is the perfect pink treat for classroom or work snacks.

A Nutty & Neighborly Valentine's Day Treat

Hello from Salt Lake City! I am having a blast at Alt, and I cannot wait to share with you all of the amazing people I am meeting and things I am learning. Yesterday, I was over on Annette Joseph's blog sharing a few Valentine's Day treats I whipped up for my neighbors with Minted. Want the scoop? Head to her blog to see all the details.  

Valentine's Day Snack Mix

Okay, I promise this is my last Valentine's Day post this year. I just couldn't help myself for some reason this Valentine's season. The pink hues just kept calling my name. Sorry not sorry. 

I made this snack mix this weekend and much to my surprise, what I thought were random ingredients turned out to be something pretty delightful. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't inspired by Meghan at Stir and Scribble. Meghan made this adorable snack mix for her strawberry lovin' kiddo, Ella, last year, and I couldn't get it out of my mind. Of course mine isn't nearly as lovely as Meghan's, but it was tasty, so I thought I'd share it with you! 

Valentine's Day Snack Mix

serves a crowd

You will need: 

- Vanilla Chex Cereal

- Smartfood Cheddar Popcorn

- Mini Pretzels

- Vanilla Cupcake Goldfish

- Valentine's Day M&Ms

- Dried Strawberries

To prepare:

Start by finding the biggest bowl you own. This will give you plenty of room for mixing together. Add 2-3 cups of the first 3 ingredients, adding more or less to taste. I love the salty mixed with the sweet, so I added more popcorn than your average mix. Top your mix with the remaining 3 ingredients (which for me meant the more chocolate, the merrier!).  Store it in a large freezer bag for all of your holiday munching needs.

Oh! I almost forgot. Join me tomorrow on Annette Joseph's Instagram account. I'll be taking over with a few tips on how to have a stress-free Valentine's Day dinner for two at home...without spending an arm and a leg and barely lifting a cooking finger. Follow Annette for all the fun! 

Valentine's Day Gifts for Her

So, it turns out that men may or may not need a little shove in the right direction when it comes to gift giving. Some guys are extra good at it (ie. my husband), and some guys well, just aren't. I hate to leave them without the slightest idea of what to gift you, so feel free to forward this link right on to them. 

The beauty of these gift guides is that they work perfectly for gifting things to your girlfriends as well. I love the idea of picking up the fragrance set for a friend because it's at a spot-on price point. You just can't beat a gift under $20! Plus, who buys perfume for themselves? Unfortunately, not I. Enjoy this gift guide, friends, and just like the one for the guys, the image itself is click-able, so shop straight from the photo!

lip scrub / longchamp / heart earrings / fragrance set / book / thong set

Shop the post + more ideas!:

Happy Weekend, y'all!

Valentine's Day Gifts for Him

It's time, ladies! Time to start gathering those ideas for what to gift your man for Valentine's Day. Last year, I posted my go-to gift guide (which happens to be one of my most pinned images ever). I love finding easy, somewhat quirky, somewhat cute gifts for guys because let's face it: guys are so difficult to shop for! Here are my top six ideas for 2015, but I've included some other ideas below (ps. the picture is clickable, so if you see something you like, click and shop!):

Shop the post:

Happy shopping for your sweetie! 

Mason Jar Valentines

These easy DIY mason jar valentines are a great way to show your appreciation for friends or coworkers. Hontestly, once you've gathered the materials, they take approximately two minutes to make. Love that! 

Over the past few days, I've had so much fun developing cute valentines with the help of finds at World Market. I stumbled upon these mason jar cookie cutters for a steal. Add a cute gift tag with things you already have around the house, and you can gift these for less than $1. 

You will need:

- mason jar cookie cutter

- scissors

- baking twine

- small hole punch

- gift tag

To create:

Print or write your gift message on the tag. I love the idea of gifting these to friends, so I chose "You're an a-mason friend!" Next, punch a small hole in the upper corner and loop your baker's twine through. Tie the tag to the cookie cuter with a simple bow. Then gift away!  

If you liked these valentines, be sure to check out my peach themed ones, too. 

DIY Valentine's Day Favors: You're a Peach!

On Monday I shared my hypothetical brunch table decor with you, and today it's time for the favors! Of course every shin dig must include parting gifts for your friends. I have two to share with you, and the first one is up today!

Being from Georgia, I love a good peach-themed gift. I picked up some heart-shaped sour peach candies from World Market, and the stumbled upon the cutest spice jars. These ceramic lid jars come in a variety of colors and are only $.99 each. YEP! Ninety-nine cents, people! You can fill 3 jars with one bag of candy which brings this adorable DIY to just $1.62 each. Boom!

Of course I wouldn't leave you without an adorable tag for the jar. I used double sided tape to attach my tags to the jars which worked like a charm. I didn't personalize them in any way, so feel free to download them for your own personal use. Yay! Download here:

Print them, cut them, and gift away! These would be great for friends, coworkers, or kids. Hassle free and cute as a button. Done and done.

No Sew Valentine's Day Placemats

Confession: I am not usually that DIY girl. I mean, if I can buy the same thing, why would I do it myself? But this weekend, something clicked in me, and I wanted to see if I could master a few easy and cheap DIYs. And you know what? I did it! And you know what else? It was fun!

I know some people out there detest Valentine's Day or have mixed feelings about it, but I happen to love it. Single or taken, married or dating, Valentine's Day a wonderful way to celebrate love. Whether you're celebrating with your significant other or your best friends, embrace it!

If I were going to throw a soiree this year, I have to say that I'd love to have a little Valentine's Day brunch with my besties. The idea of getting all of us together to have a small celebration of our friendship warms my heart. And if I was going to throw a brunch, I'd want to decorate my table using these adorable no sew Valentine's Day placemats made with pom poms. Not only are they festive, but you can make two for $8 or so. Ready for the quick DIY?

Tweet: Make these festive Valentine's Day pom pom placemats for $4 each!

 You will need:

- round placemats

- 1.5 yards of pom pom ribbon per placemat 

- glue gun 

- glue sticks

- scissors 

To create:

Start by heating up your glue gun. Make sure it's hot before you begin so that your glue doesn't dry as soon as it hits the placemat.

Next find the seam of your placemat. Starting with the seam, add a line of glue around the edge. Only add about 3-5 inches of glue at a time so that you don't have to work quickly. Add your pom poms ribbon to the glue pushing it as close to the edge of the placemat as it will go. Continue with glue and ribbon until you've ended where you started. Cut the excess pom poms and save them for another project down the road.

Ta-da! Now, I know this isn't the hardest DIY to master, but it just may be the cutest! I'll have two Valentine's Day party favors coming your way later this week, each one coming in at $1.50 and $1 respectively. Woohoo! Stay tuned...

Funny Valentine's Day Cards

When searching for a card for my Valentine, I always try to find one that is just the tiniest bit humorous. Thank GOODNESS for etsy and its endless amount of stationary shops to fit this need of mine. Check out these funny cards and snag one just in time for your sweetie! 

ron weasley

cute dinosaur 

pick up line

i'm gonna love ya

you know...

Valentine's Day Gifts for Her

Ladies, get your guys or email him a link to this post because I have some great Valentine's Day gift ideas especially for you! Sometimes our wonderfully sweet, absolutely gentlemanly, and completely adorable men need a slight push in the right direction of that perfect present. From delicious cupcakes to dainty rings, I have Valentine's Day covered.

ANTHROPOLOGIE giftcard / SPRINKLES cupcakes / THREE JANE NYC map necklace 

/ AEDRIEL teacup / LORI LEIGH DESIGNS jewelry case / MY JEWELRY BOX love ring

Even though I love them all, my favorite item above has to be the custom map necklace. You give Three Jane NYC the street address you want, and they'll create a beautiful bauble out of it. Imagine the possibilities: the place you were engaged, your first home, or the church you were married in. What a sweet, thoughtful gift! 

Whipped Bakeshop Valentine's Treats

It's Valentine's week on the blog! I have several posts featuring this fun holiday coming up. Whether your Valentine is your hubby or your puppy, there will be something for everyone over the next few days. 

I saw Whipped Bakeshop via Waiting on Martha this weekend, and I knew immediately I had to share it with you. Cheeky cookies that are yummy to boot? What a great, creative gift! 

 Whales / Bones / Pugs

If you haven't heard, it is complete chaos in the south due to the weather that we are ill-prepared for. Cars have been stuck in traffic since 1 pm yesterday (yes, yesterday afternoon!). People had to ditch their cars and walk miles in the cold home. Please keep Atlanta and other surrounding states and areas in your thoughts today; it has been a mess!