Glasses Shop

Guys! Hi, how have you been? I've been busy. You probably guessed that. BUT I have a fun post about glasses for you, and you know this girl, she rocks glasses frames every day of the week. Seriously I feel naked without them. Give me a reason to change things up and I'm down for it!

That's why I'm doing a collaboration with Glasses Shop today. They let me pick a pair for free and I'm writing a post with 100% my opinions. With tons of frames to choose from I narrowed it down to this pair.

Love them! I do wish the site had a way to search by nose width/stem length/lens width... but maybe that's just the numbers nerd in me. I know what ratio fits me well and found some great frames I loved but unfortunately the size wasn't right for me. A tool that allows you to find your range quick would be a great addition.

Need glasses? use this 50% off code GSHOT50 and try a new pair from Glasses Shop!

They also have prescription sunglasses too!


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Crochet fox hat!

You know when you find a great crochet pattern and you want to make it right away? THIS is one of those patterns. And it's free too! I saw this on ravelry (this is a generic link to ravelry because I love the site and want you to know about it, it's free to sign up and totally addicting!! so many patterns! The direct link to the pattern can be found below), added it to my favorites, and then went home and made one for a friend who just had a baby. Only issue was I didn't have any fox red yarn... so I improvised and made a wolf!

Pretty cute huh?
 
I must admit though I'm rather lazy. The ears for one required sewing 2 different pieces and then sewing them together, as you can see I skipped that part and just made them a solid color.

Another lazy thing about me, I don't like weaving in ends, so instead when I changed to the white I just kept the grey yarn in the middle of my white stitches. Take a look below, I put in a piece of red so you could see how I hid the grey so I could pick it up on the other end of the white section. This also means that at the end of this round instead of going in the round again I turned my project and worked back to where I left my white waiting. Easy right? And less ends to sew in!

Of course after I was done with the grey yarn I ran to the store to get some fox red. And then I made a whole litter of fox pups! A few have gone out to friends expecting and the rest were donated to a local center that helps new moms. I've still got some red left so you can bet I'll be making some more of these :)

You can find the crochet fox pattern here. She's got a bunch of other ones too that are great! If you scroll to the comments you will see someone figured out how to make it in newborn size.

If you're looking for a solution for a 2 year old I used the same big kid pattern but a G hook for the whole thing (ended up measuring 19 inches for the head. It's for a coworkers kid, I hope they like it!

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Hemp Bracelet

I dressed like a hippie a good portion of high school and college. My poor mother. At least I never tried to sport dreadlocks. Now-a-days I've dressed up my hippie nature a bit and added in all sorts of other styles to mix things up...but parts of me still find my way back to my old ways. Take this bracelet for example.  

LOVE IT. And it's the perfect craft to bring along to make while camping with your best friend! All you need is a ball of hemp or other type of cord, some scissors, and you're ready to go! The book says you need 2- 200inch long lengths of hemp folded in half (then tie a knot at the top to form a loop- this leaves you with 4 strands but you use two together as one thick strand, see image below). In the end we probably only needed about 2 full arm lengths worth (about 130"). Another option... use 3 strands for an even larger thicker bracelet!

It's super complicated looking, but it's super simple once you get the hang of it. The hardest part is tightening it down so the tension is correct. Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it swift enough.

Image taken from Friendship Bracelets: All Grown Up: Hemp, Floss, and Other Boho Chic Designs to Make  For full instructions on how to make this check out the book!

Actually the hardest part was the book not saying you have to do the reverse of the diagrams for every other knot. Otherwise it wont lay flat... So do the above, and then for the next knot... do this:

It's just each step flipped horizontally. Sorry, a little confusing, but once you get the hang of it, so cool!


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Camping and Green Tea

Being a lover of tea I pack it no matter where I travel. What's that? You're too fussy to bother with loose leaf? Say it aint so! And to prove just how simple loose leaf is to make anywhere...

I brought it camping. Not so sure you can complain and say it's too complicated for you.

The wonderful people at Teavivre.com sent me the following sampling of their high quality and super delicious green teas:

Huang Shan Mao Feng Green Tea
Premium Dragon Well Long Jing Green Tea
Organic Superfine Dragon Well Long Jing Green Tea
Premium Tai Ping Hou Kui Green Tea
Bi Luo Chun Green Tea (Pi Lo Chun)


I couldn't even begin to pick a favorite from the bunch! Ranging from floral to earthy these teas are the perfect way to start my day, no matter if I'm camping, or heading to work.

Are you indecisive like me? Great news, they have sampler packs just like what they sent me! You can find the sample packs here.


I was not paid for this post, samples provided by Teavivre, opinions are all mine.




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Double Chocolate Protein Cookies

They're real, and they're spectacular!

Looking for a tasty protein packed snack that is a cookie in disguise? I fed these to coworkers and they had no idea they were good for them. SCORE.

That is totally my go to test for if a recipe is a win or not. Pass it on to coworkers and see if they happily eat it, and then the most important part, ask for more :D

Check out the recipe for these chocolate protein cookies on Food Fanatic.


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Strawberry Nutella Pie

Happy June! I was called out by not 1, not 2, but FOUR people this weekend about not posting... and only ONE of those four was my mom. Just saying.

If I gave you a slice of this strawberry nutella pie would you forgive me?

Thought so.

It's a good thing I decided to make up a new recipe out of nowhere tonight. Perfect blog fodder. Not that you're looking for posts from me anymore. Maybe I should explain. We had much going on this past 1/2 year that caused a lack of posting. The thing that caused the most rukus it seems was a got a new job. Seriously awesome opportunity and great people! However the schedule is a bit more jam packed and when I get home at night all I want to do is chill with the husband and Hobbes.

Trail hike anyone?

So that brings up back to this pie. This deliciously gloriously easy to make pie. Horror of horrors I realized too late I was at the bottom of my jar of nutella, so next time I'll be adding a bit more of the sweet stuff, both to the inside and the top of this pie. But for the mean time, this hit just the spot.



Strawberry Nutella Pie
recipe by steph chows

1 pre-made graham cracker crust
4oz fat free cream cheese
2- 6oz containers fat free strawberry yogurt
2 Tbs nutella
4oz fat free cool whip thawed
6 large strawberries sliced
chocolate sauce to drizzle (or just use more nutella)

Beat cream cheese yogurt and nutella until smooth. Fold in cool whip and scoop into the graham cracker crust. Top with sliced strawberries and chocolate sauce.



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A new quick at home workout

I've been working out at home for a little over a year now. Not having a gym membership is totally foreign to me but I must admit I love the time it saves not having to drive anywhere or work my schedule around a class I like.

I do miss some of my heavy weights though, on that note I've been hitting craigslist and some garage sales to find some new workout buddies to keep me company at home.

$2!!! How awesome is that! This GoFit 25-Pound Orange Kettlebell with Vinyl Coating sells online for way more than that.

Here's my workout from yesterday. It only takes 20 minutes and by the end you feel like you had an awesome workout!

Do 12 reps each of the following exercises in a row without any rest in between.  At the end of the last movement rest 60 seconds, then start from the top. Do 5 sets and you're done!

1. Pushups
2. Narrow Squat (holding 25 lb kettlebell)
3. Burpees
4. Bicep curls (12 each arm) - I used 15lb dumbells
5. High knees (12 each knee)
6. Straight leg deadlift (holding 25lb kettlebell)
7. Regular squat (holding 25 lb kettlebell)

Rest 1 minute and then repeat! Done and done. Make sure to warm up first, I tend to do a combo of running in place/jumping jacks at the start and end. Let me know how you like it!




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Favorite Hat

OK this hat might look familiar to a good number of people... it was my go to christmas gift because I'm so in love with it. The pattern is super easy to follow and once you get past R4 it is just a repeat and easy goings! I may have a few in different colors that I made just for myself...

If I didn't already give you one... go and find the free crochet hat pattern here and start hooking! What's your favorite free crochet hat pattern?? I'm always looking for new things to make!




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All But Gluten

Their tagline is "rekindle your love of baked goods" I kinda love that tagline. Gluten free baking is a tricky matter. I've given it a go and had some delicious results and some pretty epic fails. All But Gluten definitely comes out on the BIG WIN side. It's one thing to say "oh this doesn't taste gluten free" and a whole other thing to say "this tastes amazing!" I was surprised all these wonderful things were made without gluten, but delighted that they had the texture of typical baked goods along with all the delicious flavor!

Best yet, all of their products are in the regular aisle.. no freezer burn here! I have to say it's one of the biggest turnoffs of gluten free breads out there. They are always in the freezer... who wants to have to thaw something before making a sandwich? Or be forced to toast it. No thanks, I think I'll have a slice of this fresh cinamon raisin bread with a little cream cheese on top!

In case you are wondering and aren't a long time reader, I'm not gluten free. I eat everything. Personally I think it gives this review a bit more street cred... no offense but if you haven't eaten a real gluten-filled muffin in years... can you accuratly compare a product to them? These things were so good I don't care if you can eat gluten, you should eat them anyway, cause they are awesome! The blueberry muffins... seriously they tasted exactly like the white flour kind, all tender and delicious. The macaroons... seriously swoonworthy. (I may have eaten the entire bag in way less time than I'd ever admit) The chocolate chip cookies?? The perfect amount of chew. And the brownies you ask?A slight crumble to them, but not in a bad way, just eat them over a plate and you're ready to roll.

Bottom line, this line of gluten free products gets an A+ from this lady right here.


Products were provided to me, I was not paid for this post, all opinions and statements are my own.



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Farro Risotto

Hey there! Long time no talk. Much has been going on here, but in the mean time, you should go make some of this. It's amazing. No seriously. AMAZING.

It's farro risotto, and it's chocked full of mushrooms and onions and parsley... and now I want to go run off and make a big bucket full of it. Go go go! And don't be scared it's not intimidating like regular risotto... or am I the only one that thinks regular risotto with all the stiring and watching sounds like a pain to make? Me and pain to make don't get along so well... rather the opposite. I run away from pain to make. I'm more of an easy as sunday morning kinda dinner gal.

I know I got way off track so go try this recipe!




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Drink your plants - giveaway

You know me and green monster smoothies. IN LOVE. It's my morning routine. So when Traditional Medicinals wrote me asking if I'd like to try their line of teas that support the immune system I was totally on board to try. Plus it's winter, germs are everywhere so anything that might help support my immune system is a must.

Here's what they sent me:

• Echinacea Plus – With this long history of aiding in wellness, this pleasant tasting, mighty blend helps support a healthy immune system.*
• Gypsy Cold Care – Elder, yarrow and peppermint – the foundation of this tea – are a classic European blend of herbs used for centuries. Sip slowly and let your weary body be comforted by its warming properties.
• Throat Coat – Combined with licorice and marshmallow root, it provides the comfort we all need sometimes to be at our best.

The Echinacea Plus was my favorite of the three. It tasted delicious, mildly minty with a twist of citrus! Gypsy Cold Care was a close second with a tummy warming peppermint kick. I'm not going to lie... Throat Coat was not a winner in my book and was given away to a friend who enjoys licorice. I personally can't stand licorice... so that one had to go... but if you LIKE licorice... you'll love this one.

You might notice the double packaging in the pictures above. They recently rebranded and the graphic designer in me is super happy to see the new look. Well done whoever redesigned these!

Want to win your own giftpack?? Just comment below with your favorite flavor of tea! US entries only (sorry my international peeps).

Samples were sent to me, all opinions are mine. 

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. 


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PB Oatmeal Cookies

Hey guys! We are celebrating Jamie of My Baking Addiction with a virtual baby shower!!!!

I'm bringing my latest favorite cookie. It's packed with good for you protein and is delicious to boot! I've tweaked the recipe a bit since I posted it over on Food Fanatic, so here is the most up to date recipe I've been using :)

Best wishes to the newest addition to My Baking Addiction's family!!!! Congrats!!!

Check out what everyone else brought to the table!

Amber from Bluebonnets & Brownies | Lemon Strawberry Cupcakes
Julie from The Little Kitchen | Pistachio Pudding Cupcakes
Jen from My Kitchen Addiction | Sugar and Spice Cookies
Shaina from Food for My Family | Vanilla Raspberry Mini Meringue Kisses
Glory from Glorious Treats | Modern decorated cookies
Cheryl from TidyMom | Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Buttercream
Katie from Good Life {Eats} | Raspberry Hibiscus Soda
Aimee from SimpleBites | How to freeze a big batch of homemade waffles
Amanda from I am Baker | Heath Bar Cake
Steph from Steph Chows | PB oatmeal cookies
Allison from Some the Wiser | Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffins
Megan from Stetted | Strawberry Jalapeno Palmiers
Shelly from Cookies & Cups | Bacon Cheddar Scones
Emily from Jelly Toast | Meyer Lemon Scones
Kristan from Confessions of a Cookbook Queen | Samoa Layer Cake

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
recipe by steph chows

1.5 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 cup quick oats
1 tsp baking soda
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup white sugar
1/4 cup peanut butter
3 Tbs vegetable oil
2 Tbs ground flax seeds
5 Tbs water
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup cashews
1/3 cup chocolate chips

Beat together sugar, oil and peanut butter. Add flax seed/water/vanilla and stir. Dump in flour/oats/bakign soda and stir until combined. Stir in cashews and chocolate chips (use dark chocolate chips to make this a vegan recipe).

Bake at 350 for 13 minutes.


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Crochet Taxidermy

Yup. 

Crochet.

Taxidermy.

Doesn't get much more exciting than that does it? :) You see it started with me finding out there would be an ugly sweater day going on... and I don't take such challenges lightly. So I promptly went home and started googling ugly sweaters I could somehow make.

Inspiration struck when I came across this taxidermy reindeer head crochet pattern. The only issue, the pattern wasn't in english. So for all of you who would like to make one, and don't want to try and figure out how to translate the whole thing... scroll down for a few key hints/translations that will make this easy as pie for you to make.

Don't you love my 90's ski turtleneck? It was mine as a kid... hence why the sleeves are now so short.

This also goes great over a fireplace, quite the conversation starter. (I'm thinking of crocheting up a butt/tail to go on the left side... thoughts?)

OK back to that crochet pattern. Go to her site and then click on the orange link that says ""trophee_cerf_crochet_Anisbee" to download the PDF file. Listed below is a very very simple not full version of the pattern, go to her site to get the whole thing.

Here's the translation key:

ml = chain
ms = single crochet
mc = slip stitch

la tete is the head - worked in the round - start with magic circle with 6sc, (standard increases of 6 each round) until you reach 60, do another round of 60, then you decrease by 6 each round until you reach 42.

le museau is the muzzle - worked in the round (same as above) but only to 36... decrease according to her PDF

les oreilles are the ears - worked in rows. ch2 then 3sc into last on chain (turn). 2 sc into each sc. (turn)...

les bois are the antlers - worked in the round (increase in 3's each round- starting with a magic circle of 6)


It's a pretty straight forward pattern if you've ever made amigurumi characters before. Big BIG thanks to Anisbee for having this pattern up for free!!!




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Teavivre Oolong Teas

So so very happy! It's Christmas time and I got an amazing gift in the mail! Oolong teas from Teavivre!!

Check out what they sent me:

Taiwan Osmanthus Oolong Tea
Taiwan High Mountain Oolong Tea
Superfine Taiwan Moderately-Roasted Dong Ding Oolong Tea
Superfine Taiwan Qing Xiang Dong Ding Oolong Tea
Superfine Taiwan Ali Shan Oolong Tea

Even better news they are having a buy one get one 50% off sale right now! So go go go!

As you probably already realize I LOVE tea. Love it. I drink a good 6-8 cups of it a day. Can't help myself, and when it's snowy and chilly out, my number of cups go up. A long time user of tea bags I thougth I knew what good tea was. Enter in loose leaf tea. A friend bought me an infuser for christmas one year and I've been hooked rock solid ever since.  If you've never tried loose leaf... and you are a lover of tea... do yourself a favor and give it a try. I swear after infusing the same tea leaves for my 4th cup of tea, the taste and flavor was better and stronger than the first cup of a tea bag infused cup of tea.

That whole sentence was kinda confusing... sorry. I'm excited about TEA!!! So far my favorite is the high mountain oolong. It really is hard to pick from what they sent me, each has a subtle but powerful different in flavor. In all truth if you went with any of these oolongs you will be happy. Not exagerating, I'm in love. So if anyone needs last minute gift ideas for me... get me some more tea!!! :)

Merry Christmas everyone!! Check back next week for an amazing reindeer taxidermy crochet project!! Yup you read that right :)

Product was provided to me by Teavivre, I am not being compensated for this post, all thoughts and opinions are my own.


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