Keto Candy {The Best Keto Candy Recipes to Try}

January 22, 2019

Looking for delicious and easy-to-make keto candy recipes? Today, I’m sharing a compilation of keto-friendly chocolate recipes from some of my favorite food bloggers!

I love keeping an eye on various internet trends and seeing what people are searching. Lately, one much-sought-after search term keeps cropping up in results–Keto Candy!

For those who don’t know, the Ketogenic Diet is a high fat, low carbohydrate diet that touts many health benefits (including weight loss).

Typically on the Keto Diet, chocolate, with it’s vast amounts of sugar, is a no-no.

Fortunately, some of my favorite food bloggers have found a way around this, and have created Keto Candy recipes that use chocolate (usually dark chocolate, which has less sugar), are Keto-friendly, and taste great!

Let’s take a look at some Keto-friendly, lower-carb Chocolate recipes to try!

Chocolate Hazelnut Torte via Divalicious Recipes

Frozen Chocolate Whips via Sprinkle Some Fun

Mocha Brownie Protein Bars via Amy’s Healthy Baking

Chocolate Keto Fat Bombs via Diabetes Strong

Match-Moringa White Hot Cocoa via All The Nourishing Things

Keto Fudgy Brownies via All The Nourishing Things

Keto No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cheesecake via Eat Beautiful

Overnight Triple Chocolate Muffins via Eat Beautiful

Sugar Free Chocolate Coconut Butter Fudge via Butter for All

Keto Chocolate Mug Cake via Low Carb Maven

Keto Mint Chocolate Bars via Two Sleevers

Low Carb Keto Triple Chocolate Cheesecake via My PCOS Kitchen

Low Carb No Bake Chocolate Tart with Raspberries via My PCOS Kitchen

Easy Dark Chocolate Nut Bark via She Loves Biscotti

Mexican Spiced Keto Chocolate via A Clean Bake

Who knew that chocolate could be a part of a healthy, Keto lifestyle? I hope you found something delicious to add to your diet!

Thanks so much for reading all about Keto Candy {The Best Keto Friendly Chocolate Recipes to Make}. Have a great day!

Spring

Favorite Spring Free Printables {Wall Art, Gift Tags and More!}

January 11, 2019

A collection of some favorite spring free printables! Whether you are looking to decorate your home without spending a lot of money, or on the hunt for a spring-themed gift, this post is for you!

I know, I know, we are still in the throes of winter. Here in Virginia, we’re even expecting some snow this weekend!

What better time, then, to look towards warmer, longer, sunnier days? If you’re ready for spring, this collection of favorite spring free printables may help!

Whether you’re looking for some inexpensive decor for your home, a gift, or a spring-themed gift tag for spring/Easter gifts, this post has something for everyone!

LOVE these spring initial watercolor printables! All 26 initials are available, and they’d be the perfect gift idea for a friend’s spring/summer birthday.

These free Happy Easter printables come in two colorways, and are a fun, easy and colorful way to decorate for Easter!

With muted colors (and a touch of gold), this welcome spring printable is perfect for your entryway or gallery wall.

I love this free printable Mother’s Day coloring page and card via Where the Smiles Have Been. Such a meaningful gift idea that mom will treasure!

Looking for a unique spring gift idea? These free printable “toss, water, bloom” tags are perfect to attach to a gift of wildflower seeds or seed bombs!

Nothing says spring like wellington boots! I love the simplicity of these watercolor “hello spring” printables. They’re the perfect addition to your spring/summer home decor.

These floral heart printables come in two colorways, and are a sweet reminder of the beauty of spring blooms!

These free “Happy Easter” gift tags are the perfect way to top off an Easter-themed gift or treat!

These watercolor succulents are a favorite of mine–they come in two background colors and work with almost style of decor.

Love florals? These colorful, watercolor “bloom” printables may be just your thing!

In a similar colorway as the “bloom” printables, these pink/gold/aqua spring printables are feminine, floral and fun!

I think these wreath name art free printables are perfect for any season, but the florals and bright colors definitely give it a spring feel which I love.

These St. Patricks’ Day themed gift tags are perfect for sharing fun treats with friends and classmates.

Mother’s Day is the perfect time to show the women you love what they mean to you. This Mother’s Day printable is a meaningful gift mom will love, just add a frame.

We have other Mother’s Day printables in our archives, including this floral printable…

…and these “mom you are so loved” free printables.

Hope you found something you love! Thanks for reading all about our Favorite Spring Free Printables {Wall Art, Gift Tags and More!}.

Have a lovely day!

crafty things

Glitter Plates {An Easy Mod Podge Craft}

January 8, 2019

Often, when I don’t have a lot of time to devote to being creative, a 30 minute craft is just the thing to get my crafty fix.

I found these simple plates at Target in the kids crafting section, and knew I could take my trusty Mod Podge and do something fun with them. These easy decoupage plates are the result…

I have and adore this glitter set, and love when I can get a chance to combine some of my favorite colors to create something colorful and sparkly.

Here’s what you need to make your own…

Materials:

Plain White Dishes or Trays (mine are from Target)
Glitter
Painters Tape
Mod Podge Matte

Step 1: Use your painter’s tape to create your pattern on your plates. Make sure to press down all edges of the tape well, to prevent the Mod Podge from bleeding underneath the tape.

Step 2: Using a foam brush, apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to your plate, and gently sprinkle your glitter onto your coated section.

Tap gently to remove excess glitter. Repeat for each section of your plate.

Let dry completely. After mine were dry, I took a minute to touch up a couple of edges that needed a bit more glitter. Carefully coat with a thin layer of Mod Podge to seal, if desired.

These really couldn’t be easier, and are perfect for gifts, or to organize your jewelry or makeup.

I’m considering putting one next to my sink to hold lotion and soap, and one in my kitchen to hold a plant. They’re just so versatile!

Thanks for reading all about our mod podged glitter plates. Have a lovely day!

Celebrations/Vacations crafty things Tips & Tricks

Want More Happiness? Make a Thankful Jar!

January 3, 2019

Looking for an easy way to practice gratitude this year? Want to feel happier, more thankful and have more joy in all you do? Consider making a thankful jar!

I’ll be honest, like many of you, I’m always on the lookout for ways to have more gratitude in my life.

There are so, so many ways to accomplish this, but, for me, my gratitude practice needs to be easy, without taking up too much time.

With just a few simple materials (a jar, a pen, and some slips of paper) this thankful jar is just the thing for noting and recalling the many blessings in my life.

Each day, simply jot down one thing you are thankful for. The best part is, this is an activity the whole family can take part in.

At the end of the year, sit down with your family and recall the many wonderful events and moments of gratitude of the previous year.

It reminds me a lot of our thankful pumpkin, which is one of our favorite Thanksgiving/Fall traditions!

What is one simple idea you are using to make your life better this year?

Thanks so much for reading all about our Want More Happiness? Make a Thankful Jar!. Have a lovely day.

Tips & Tricks

clever home organization tips and tricks

January 2, 2019

Sharing easy organization ideas to organize every part of your home! These tips and tricks will help you clear clutter and organize your way to a better life!

Happy New Year, friends! Like many of you, my thoughts this time of year always turn to ways to declutter and organize my home.

I love an efficient, tidy and well-organized space (who doesn’t?), and in today’s post, I’m sharing easy and clever home organization hacks. Let’s get started…

LOVE this simple and easy way to corral plastic bags via burlap+blue.

Have a tiny bathroom? These 11 space saving hacks can help you out!

I LOVE using baskets around the home. Here, we have space saving and organizational ideas using inexpensive wire baskets.

Need more bathroom organization ideas? Head here to see what we did with this one organizational system to organize my daughters hair bows!

I love this list of 17 things you didn’t know you could do with chickenwire!

Lastly, this post has home organization hacks for every room in your home!

Thanks for reading all about our clever home organization tips and tricks. Have a lovely day!

food and recipes holidays Valentine's Day

Valentines Day Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints

January 2, 2019

Valentine’s Day Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints are the perfect way to celebrate the holiday! Package some up to give as teacher or neighbor gifts; just add to a clear bag and tie with a length of twine!

Friends, I have so many good things to say about these easy Valentines Day Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints. They are simple, easy to make, and are perfect for Valentines Day!

I made this easy holiday treat two ways. First, with the traditional fork crisscross pattern, and then covered with white heart sprinkles.

Here’s what you need to make them yourself…

4 ounces softened cream cheese
4 cups confectioners sugar
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
food coloring (optional)
1-2 tablespoons milk (optional)

Add your softened cream cheese to stand mixer (you can also use a hand mixer).

Mix for 1 minute, then add your confectioners sugar, one cup at a time, letting each addition incorporate before adding another.

You want your mixture firm, but moist. If your mixture is too hard, add a tablespoon of milk and mix in. If your mixture is too moist, add more powdered sugar.

Add your extract, then, if you’re making more than one color, divide into bowls. Add food coloring and mix in.

Refrigerate mixture for about an hour, as mixture will be sticky!

Form balls and place on parchment covered sheet pans. Flatten and decorate. Refrigerate until firm. Store in refrigerator in airtight container.

After you make your mixture (full recipe is below), simply divide into bowls and use food coloring to make as many different colors as you’d like.

These turned out amazing! We all loved them, and I can’t wait to package them up for some Valentine’s Day treats!

Tips & Tricks

Flower Box {The Very Best Resources for Window Boxes Online}

December 28, 2018

Looking to add to your home’s curb appeal? Want to decorate your home and porch seasonally? Consider a flower box!
I’m sharing some favorite finds with you today!

I love the idea of making the outside of my home as welcoming and appealing as the inside. If you feel the same, this post is for you!

A flower box (or window box) is a narrow box, made of various materials, in which flowers and other plants are grown. They are often placed on an outside windowsill.

I’ve gathered some of my favorite flower boxes to share with you all here today. If you’re looking to add style and color to your home, this is a great place to start!

Flower Box Favorites

This rustic flower box comes in many different sizes and is perfect for fans of the Fixer Upper look!

Insert succulents, grasses or your favorite blooms for year-round color and style.

As usual, leave it to IKEA to come up with a design that’s simple, design-forward and well-priced.

Their ASKHOLMEN flower box is adjustable, sustainable, and made from durable acacia, a naturally sturdy hardwood perfect for outdoor use due to the high density of it’s wood fibers.

Looking for a mixed materials flower box at a reasonable price point? This galvanized flower box may be just what you’re looking for!

It comes in several designs and the wooden construction is lightweight (but sturdy) and comes fully assembled with removable interior plastic liner.

If you’re looking for a more traditional window box with GREAT amazon reviews, this is one to consider!

It’s made of stainless steel with an antique copper finish (hand-applied) for universal appeal that works well with many house designs. Their craftsmanship and quality are hard to beat.

Lastly, Hayneedle is a great resource for window boxes in various styles and price points!

Lastly, this book, How to Window Box, is the perfect primer if you’re new to planting and designing creative flower boxes. It’s not overwhelmingly long, it just shares lots of how-tos and inspiration for making window box designs that wow!

“This genius, compact little book is a colorful (and meticulous) how-to guide for creating gorgeous indoor and outdoor window boxes.” Real Simple

Hanging Succulents – How to Make a Hanging Succulent Planter

December 26, 2018

Need a trendy way to display your hanging succulents? I’ve got you covered with my Hanging Succulent Planter!

I’m Courtney from The Kitchen Garten, and I love to help others with gardening, DIY projects, and fresh recipes. For more garden related crafts and resources, check out my blog!

Succulents. The low-lying trendy plant they are. It’s actually taken me quite a while to develop a love for these particular plants. And it wasn’t until I stumbled upon String of Pearls succulents that I actually considered giving them a try. Most of what I’d seen were the hens and chicks, and I wasn’t impressed.

Granted, I am the type of person who wants everything I plant to bloom and blossom, so naturally succulents weren’t in my wheel house. However, I’ve come around to their way of low-maintenance thinking.

While I love the look of succulents in a low planter on a table, I wanted a bit of green in the kitchen. And my counters didn’t need anything else sitting on them.

It’s a daily struggle to keep them free of toys, socks, rubber bands, Nerf bullets. You name it, and it has probably been on my counter in the past week.

So to keep the counters less cluttered, I immediately thought of a hanging succulents planter.

DIY Hanging Succulents Planter

You might not immediately think, embroidery hoops, of course that would make a hanging planter! But I knew that embroidery hoops were already a lovely light wood color, and that their adjustable tension and double hoops made them perfect for gripping some kind of rope for hanging.

While I originally planned to stain the hoop, once I paired it with the bowl, I liked the colors together. Our house is a bit midcentury, and the wood of the hoop was the perfect look.

And did I mention that these hoops were my Yaya’s (Grandmother). I inherited her sewing items, since my mom isn’t exactly a crafter… love you, Mom! So this hoop has to be 30+ years old, and was in excellent shape.

I also picked up a cheap bowl at The Dollar Tree for my hanger. You really can’t beat $1 for a ceramic bowl, and I loved the blue/green color.

For the actual hanging, I went with a 1/8in. braided synthetic cord. It was able to hold quite a bit of weight and wasn’t super bulky. Finally, I had originally planned to use String of Pearls succulents, but decided on String of Bananas. Sounds silly, but that’s exactly what the plant looks like!

I ordered from a seller on Amazon, and they had the best customer service. JMBamboo accidentally shipped me the wrong succulent, but once I messaged them, they immediately sent the correct one out. I was very impressed with their prompt attention and the great condition the plants were in when they arrived.

Succulents With No Drainage

Since I used a ceramic bowl, there are no drainage holes for the plant. Succulents can actually survive well in this type of planter. It does require some careful watering, because you don’t want the roots sitting in water.

Start first with a succulent or cactus potting soil for the best drainage. Then you can check out this great article from Succulents and Sunshine on watering succulents in planters without drainage holes. Now, on to the supplies and instructions!

Supplies

1 Trailing Succulent Plant
1 Embroidery Hoop
1 Ceramic Bowl (Choose bowl based on embroidery hoop size)
1 pkg 1/8in. Synthetic Cord
1 S-hook or Ring
1 screw-in hook

The How-To

First make sure your embroidery hoop and bowl fit. You want the hoop to come up under the lip of the bowl, but not be at risk for the bowl to slip through the hoop.
You also want to avoid a bowl that is too big and doesn’t go far enough up the bowl. This will make your hanger unstable.
Next, decide how long you would like your planter to hang. Then cut three lengths of cord, adding on 3-inches to your hanging length for knots. Tie a secure knot on the end of each length of cord.
Loosen the outer ring of the embroidery hoop and push through each of the knots, spreading them out around the hoop. Then tighten the tension of the outer hoop so that the knots cannot be pulled through between inner and outer hoops.

Plant your succulent, or whatever plant you choose, in your ceramic bowl. Clean up the edges and sides just in case any soil is lingering. Place bowl inside hoop.
Lift up on your lengths of cords until they are taut. Gently lift your hoop and planter off the ground and create a knot that allows your plant to hang balanced.
This took me two tries, but it’s really not too difficult. (I couldn’t resist including this picture of my giant hand above the tiny planter. Ha!)
Use an S-Hook or O-Ring to hold up your planter. Then hang it from a hook you may already have hanging, or you can use simple screw hooks mounted to suspend your planter.

Finally, enjoy your handiwork and new hanging succulents planter!

Thanks for reading all about our Hanging Succulents – How to Make a Hanging Succulent Planter! Have a lovely day!

Christmas crafty things holidays

Kids Christmas Tree Craft Idea

December 19, 2018

This kids Christmas tree craft idea is a fun and easy way to decorate for the holidays and share some quality crafting time together! Ice cream cones make the cutest trees (just be sure to leave extra for snacking).

These ice cream cone Christmas trees are a great classroom project, or make them at home and use them as holiday decor around your home! Mine are being used as a colorful and fun dining room table centerpiece!

Here’s what you need to make this easy kids Christmas tree craft for yourself:

Sugar Ice Cream Cones
Green Icing (I had white icing that I added green food coloring to)
Assorted Candies

In addition to icing, I put out a variety of sprinkles, coconut flakes (they look like snow), m&ms and other various candies. The more the merrier!

First, have your kids spread icing on the ice cream cones. I found that a thicker layer of icing helps the candies stick to the cones better.

Then, let your kids decorate to their heart’s content! There’s no wrong way to make these, and kids from toddler age on up will enjoy decorating their cones (and sampling the goods along the way).

Find lots more Christmas for kids inspiration in this post, including calendars, crafts, recipes and more!

Thanks so much for reading all about our Kids Christmas Tree Craft Idea. Have a great day!

Christmas crafty things holidays

How to Make Initial Christmas Ornaments with Salt Dough

December 18, 2018

One of my favorite holiday traditions I have with my kids is to make salt dough ornaments. They’re so much fun, and easy, too!

Today, I’m sharing one version of our salt dough ornaments–initials that you can attach to gifts or hang from the tree!

Salt dough Christmas ornaments are such a great holiday tradition! They’re perfect as gifts, or to use as a gift topper!

Here’s what you need to make your own:

2 cups flour
1 cup salt
3/4-1 cup water
Initial cookie cutters
Mod Podge Sparkle
Paint for dipping (if desired)
Twine or ribbon for hanging

Step 1: Make your dough by mixing your flour, salt and water. If your dough is too dry, add a bit more water, if it’s too wet, just add more flour . . . salt dough is very forgiving; it’s hard to mess it up!

Step 2: Roll out your dough and cut out your initials. Place on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.

Step 3: Use the end of a skewer to poke a hole at the top of each initial for hanging. Bake at 250 degrees for 2-3 hours. Let cool.

Step 4: I decided to dip my ornaments in gold paint (which I added to a cup and mixed with about a tablespoon of water to thin), but you can decorate your ornaments with glitter, craft paint, or anything else your heart desires.

Dip your initials, and let dry on parchment paper.