Lace Dress

One Amazing Dress, Four Colors

This lace dress from Dress Barn is the perfect anytime dress. It can be dressed up or dressed down and can be worn for a variety of occasions. In the pictures below the dress was worn for Easter, Girls Night, Graduation, and a Wedding. This dress is flattering on any shape and the lace has a bit of stretch so that it is extremely comfortable for long periods of time.

Dress Barn

Fall Fashion

Here are two different fall styles. One look is styled with a white blouse, mustard colored sweater, faded jeans and brown boots. The jewelry added is a gold and brown necklace. The second look is styled with a green plaid shirt, brown tank top, dark jeans, and brown boots. The jewelry included is a brown necklace. These looks are great for early fall or late fall.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies are one of the easiest and most liked desserts among children, teenagers, young adults, middle aged adults, and older adults. It is basically a foolproof dessert that is guaranteed to make everyone happy. Here is one of my favorite recipes to use. I generally bake for 9 minutes for a  chewy cookie but if your gang prefers theirs a little more crisp then just leave them in for a few more minutes. You can also vary this recipe by mixing several types of chocolate chips for a unique cookie.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 1/2 cups butter flavored crisco
2 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
4 tbsp. milk
2 tbsp. vanilla
2 eggs
3 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
3 12 oz bags chocolate chips (semi sweet or milk chocolate)

• heat the oven to 375* and place cooling racks on the counter
• combine the Crisco, brown sugar, milk, and vanilla in a large bowl and beat using a hand mixer at medium speed until blended.
• beat the egg into the mixture
• combine the flour, salt, and baking soda in a small bowl. then mix into the creamed mixture until blended.
• stir in the chocolate chips by hand
• drop rounded tablespoons onto cookie sheets a couple inches apart
• bake 8-10 minutes for chewy cookies, 11-13 minutes for crisp cookies
                                      DO NOT OVERBAKE
• cool for 2 minutes on the baking sheet before placing on the cooling rack

*makes 7-8 dozen cookies depending on how big you choose to make them

Brownies with Sprinkles

I was craving some brownies the other night and didn't have a box mix. So what did I do? Make them from scratch! Turns out they are super easy to make and way yummier than the box mix. Here is the recipe that I used. :)  Hope you enjoy them as much as I do!



Chocolate Brownies


1 1/3 cup flour
2 cups sugar (or a little more if you like them extra sweet)
3/4 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs, beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla

Heat the oven to 350*. Use two separate bowls, In the first bowl combine all of the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, salt). In the second bowl combine the wet ingredients (oil, egg, vanilla).  Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix together until just combined. (do NOT use a mixer) Spread the mix in a 9x13 pan. Top the brownie batter with colorful sprinkles of any kind. Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Blackberry Cobbler

Blackberries are the fruit of the summer. One great way to eat blackberries is to make a cobbler. This recipe is super easy for anyone to make and it tastes delicious especially with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. I hope you enjoy!

Blackberry Cobbler

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp. baking powder
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1 16 oz package of frozen blackberries (you can also use fresh blackberries or any other frozen berries)

Directions

• Melt the butter in a 2 quart casserole dish (in the microwave)
• Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and milk in a small bowl, mix well
• Pour the flour and sugar mixture over the butter

                     ****Do NOT stir****

• Spoon the blackberries over the batter

                      ****Do NOT stir****

• Bake at 350* for 45 minutes until golden

Snickerdoodles

Snickerdoodles are one of my favorite kinds of cookies to make. They were also one of the first that I learned how to cook. They are super easy for beginner bakers and super easy to whip up on a time crunch. They also make the perfect bite size cookie.  Hope yall enjoy! :)

Recipe:
2 3/4 cups sifted flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup shortening (I use 1 stick butter flavor Crisco)
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
Cinnamon sugar mixture 

To make the cinnamon sugar mixture for the outside of the cookies start with a good size amount of sugar and then add shakes of cinnamon until the mixture is a light brown. There are no exact measurements for this :)

1. Combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt in a bowl
2. In a mixing bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar. Then add the eggs and beat well to mix.
3. Slowly add the dry ingredients and blend
4. Chill the dough in the fridge until it is easy to handle.
5. Turn on the oven to 350*
6. Roll the dough into small balls (3/4 inch across) and dip into the cinnamon sugar mixture
7. Place balls on a baking sheet and bake 10-12 minutes until lightly brown





Reference: My First Cookbook, 1972, My First Cookies

Graduation Look

I just graduated from the University of Arkansas. For my graduation I went with a fit and flare white lace dress from Dress Barn. Then I accessorized with red jewelry from Versona.