A Lovely Layered Dessert - Brownie Mocha Trifle

The beginning of May means one thing here in Louisville - Derby.  To celebrate, we had a potluck style cookout last week at my office where everyone was asked to bring a side dish or dessert.  Before I even had a chance to think of what I could bring, the decision was made for me by my co-workers.  Everyone was requesting that I make the Brownie Mocha Trifle that I had brought the year before.  Easy enough.  Even though Derby is now over, I thought it would be great to share this easy recipe with you since there will be many more opportunities for cookouts and potlucks in the coming months.

To start, you will need to gather the following ingredients:

• 1 package fudge brownie mix (8-inch square pan size) and the associated ingredients (eggs, oil, water, etc)
• 1 3/4 cups cold milk
• 2 packages (3.5 ounces each) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1/4 cup cold brewed coffee
• 2 cups whipped topping
• 2 Heath Bars, crushed

Prepare your brownie mix and bake according to the package instructions.  Since they need to cool afterward before being layered, I actually did this the day before I fully put the dessert together.  That way, I wouldn't have to be up all night waiting for it to cool.  You can easily cover the pan with plastic wrap and store it in the microwave for a day - just don't forget it's in there, especially if you have a metal pan.  That would be bad.  If you are a night owl and staying up late won't bother you, you can absolutely do this all in one day.

Once they are cool, or the day you are ready to assemble, cut the brownies into 1-inch squares.  Then, in a large mixing bowl combine the milk and pudding mixes until thickened.  Next, stir in the coffee and fold in the whipped topping.

Now you're ready to start layering!  In a trifle bowl or large glass bowl, layer the brownies and pudding mixture, one after the other.  In my bowl, I was able to get about 3 layers each.  Top with the crushed Heath Bar and you are all set.  It's that simple!

After our cookout the bowl was practically licked clean, so I think it's safe to say it was a hit.  What are some of your favorite desserts for summer cookouts?

xoxo,

Amanda

DIY: Re-purpose and Up-cycle Candle Jars

 In the spirit of no-buy month, I thought what better DIY project to share than one that involves something you probably already have lying around!  Whether you have a collection of old candle jars that would make even a hoarder cringe like I do, or you just finished burning one and don't want to toss it in the trash, this is a super simple way to clean them out and reuse them as various storage and decorative containers.

If you're working with an assortment like I have here, pick one out that you want to use.  I chose to use the Spiced Apple Toddy jar from Bath and Body Works, since it has a decorative lid and I plan on making this into a closed storage container.  Place your jar in the freezer (without the lid) for about 30 minutes or until the wax is pretty firm and frozen. 

Next, take a knife and cut into the wax so that it starts to crack and break up into little pieces.  I find it best to use a steak knife rather than a butter knife, so be very careful not to let it slip.  The last thing we need is a sliced finger!  Also, it helps if you can toss some of the pieces out as they break off.  When all is said and done, you should be left just the wick(s) which are glued to the bottom of the jar.

Fill your jar with hot water and let it sit in the sink for several minutes.  This will loosen the glue so you can pop the wicks out.  Again, you might have to use a knife to get under the metal depending on how stubborn it is.

To remove the labels, I fill my sink with hot soapy water and let the jar soak for several more minutes.  Then it's very easy to scrub the label with a rough sponge to remove it.  Goo-gone also works wonders for this (and the leftover sticky residue).

Just dry your jar, and voila!  You have a clean jar ready to be turned into something wonderful and new.  Here are some of my personal favorite uses for these jars:

Make your own floral arrangement with a re-purposed candle jar, vase filler beads, and silk flowers.

Hold q-tips and cotton balls on your bathroom counter.

The mason jar type jars from BBW are my favorite to use as makeup brush holders.

What are your favorite ways to up-cycle and re-purpose old candle jars?

xoxo,

Amanda

April Showers Bring May Challenges?

I got the brilliant idea to try a no-buy month in May recently while doing what else - shopping.  I realized that I had gone to the mall every weekend for the past month, and I was starting to feel a little bit of buyer's remorse.  Now don't get me wrong, I am a smart girl when it comes to managing my money (hello, accountant over here!), but I wanted to see how much I could really save up in a month if I wasn't shopping every weekend.  Plus, I knew I had a closet full of clothes and drawers full of makeup and beauty products just waiting to be loved again.  At the same time, I knew if this was going to be successful, I would need my partner in crime

Chelcey

to embark on this journey with me.  Luckily for me, she

reluctantly

agreed to take on the challenge.

 We both agreed to close out April with a bang, so we had a sushi dinner date and headed to Target to see what we could find.  Chelcey scored this adorable little black dress (every girl needs a LBD) on the clearance rack -

the clearance rack

- for less than $20.  I found this striped top tucked in among the sweaters and had to have it.  As we made our way to the home decor section, I decided to splurge on this pouf as well.  I had been eying it every time I came in the store, just waiting for it to go on sale, and tonight it was!  

Finally, we wound our way to the office section where Chelcey grabbed a notebook, and then the beauty department where I picked up a new concealer.  Does anyone else have a specific route they take through Target like we do?  Anyway, as we finished at the checkout, we both realized we wouldn't be able to set foot in Target for a month, for risk of breaking our no-buy challenge.  While that may seem like a difficult task, I am so excited to rediscover the hidden gems that have been hiding in my closet and bringing out old beauty favorites I had pushed to the back of the drawer.  It's the perfect way to channel some creativity, by re-imagining things that you thought you would never use again.   

Chelcey and I will be documenting this journey on Instagram, and we'd love to have you take the challenge with us!  Just use #nobuymonth and/or #savingmoneyishard when you post your own Instagram photos.  Show us how you breathe new life into the pieces you had completely forgotten about, and we will feature our favorites in our next post in this series.  Also, be sure to check out Chelcey's blog - she has some great tips for getting through the month, including avoiding all e-mail ads that stores may send to you ten times a day.

Good luck!

xoxo,

Amanda     

Welcome Spring, and a Pretty New Bag

Michael Kors Hamilton Slouchy Satchel

Spring has finally arrived here in Louisville, and I couldn't be happier.  Of course, that means shopping for new clothes and accessories is absolutely necessary.  About a week or so ago, my friend Chelcey and I were out doing just that.  While the retail therapy was wonderful and much needed, I couldn't help but be annoyed at the pain of lugging around my suitcase of a bag.  Don't get me wrong, I love my Michael Kors satchel, but having a sore arm from shopping just wasn't going to fly any longer.  I had my eye on a gorgeous mint green cross-body bag from Fossil, but I wasn't ready to splurge just yet.  Little did I know, the perfect bag was waiting for me somewhere else.

Then, a couple days ago after work I decided to stop by Target and see what was new.  Lo and behold, a beautiful bright pink bag caught my eye as I walked in, and I knew I had to have it!  And I mean, come on, it's Target.  If I could only shop at one store for the rest of my life, it would be Target.  I don't know how I didn't think to look there before.  I immediately scooped one off of the shelf and headed for the checkout, so I could get home and fill it with all of my

junk

stuff and start carrying it.

Merona Mini Satchel

Now I don't know about you, but changing bags is quite the ritual for me.  It's a chance to purge all of the unnecessary things weighing me down (literally) and start fresh with only the things I really need.  Those gum wrappers at the bottom - trash.  Receipts from last week's shopping spree - filed away.  With a new bag free from clutter, a girl can conquer the world.

Clockwise, starting with the wallet:

Kate Spade Wallet (similar)

, Orbit Gum,

Anthropologie Sunnies

,

Vera Bradley Cosmetic

, EOS Lip Balm,

Soap and Glory Hand Cream

 This is where we start talking downsizing.  Spring to me is all about ease and functionality.  If I'm going to be out and about enjoying the beautiful weather, I don't need to carry a whole lot with me.  For me, the essentials are my wallet, hand cream, lip balm, gum, a small makeup bag, and sunnies.  All of these items fit perfectly in my new Target bag, with room to spare if I ever need to cram something else in there.  Also, I love this Kate Spade wallet because it can double as a chic clutch for going out or if I am making a quick trip to the store.  I definitely don't need to carry those cough drops from my cold three months ago, or my old point-and-shoot camera (cell phones these days work just as well).

 Within my makeup bag, I just carry a small mirror/brush combo I found at Target, a roller-ball perfume, my go-to everyday lipstick and gloss, and another lip balm.  I particularly love this Sugar Rose balm from Fresh because it's an effortless way to add a pop of color without requiring the precision of a lipstick, perfect for when you might be caught without a mirror handy.  The roller-ball perfume is super convenient as well, especially when the weather heats up and you want to be able to easily re-apply your fragrance.  And of course, every girl needs to have their favorite my-lips-but-better shade at their fingertips at all times.  If you're ever in doubt about what shade of lipstick to wear, your MLBB shade is the easiest choice you can make.

So there you have it, my spring essentials and tips for downsizing to a smaller, more functional bag.  What are some of your Spring necessities?  Have you found a new bag for the season?  I'd love to hear your tips and tricks as well!  

xoxo,

Amanda

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