This recipe is for a delicious and nutritious fruit smoothie that is packed with fresh fruit, creamy yogurt and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a healthy and satisfying meal for either breakfast or lunch.

Photography by K.M. {myself}

Ingredients:

• 1 Banana (cut into thin slices)
• 3 Strawberries ( washed, tops cut off and then cut into thin slices)
• 1/2 cup Low fat vanilla yogurt
• Juice of half a lemon freshly squeezed

Photography by K.M. {myself}

Note: I like to pop my cut fruit into the freezer for about a half hour to an hour before blending to make it extra refreshing.

Directions:

1. Combine fruit, yogurt and lemon juice into blender
2. Blend until completely smooth and no lumps are visible

Photography by K.M. {myself}

“Be Inspired & Enjoy!”

-K.M.

This is one Easter tradition that is sure to delight the young ones! “Magic jelly beans” are planted into small pots or outside in the garden and while the children sleep, the “magic” begins! In the morning, you will see your child’s face light up when they see colorful lollipops have sprouted in their spots!

Photography by K.M. {myself}

Ingredients:

• “Magic jelly beans” make sure that if you want to “grow” a blue lollipop, that you plant blue jelly beans- children are getting smarter these days!
• A pot or a space in the garden where you can plant and monitor the growth of your jelly beans.

Photography by K.M. {myself}

Photography by K.M. {myself}

Photography by K.M. {myself}

“Be Inspired & Enjoy!”

K.M

From the taste of the sweet butter to the touch of vanilla, these cupcakes are simply irresistible. Their mini size make them the perfect addition to any celebration. This recipe makes about 36 mini cupcakes.

Photography by K.M. {myself}

Ingredients:

Cupcakes

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup milk (whole is best)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

Directions:

Start off by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a mini cupcake pan by filling it with the cupcake wrappers of your choice and set aside.

Cupcakes

1.  Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl and set aside.
2.  Using a hand mixer (or stand mixer), cream the butter and sugar on medium-high speed for 2 minutes or until light and fluffy.
3.  On low speed, add the eggs one at a time, making sure each one is fully incorporated.
4. Add vanilla.
5.  Slowly add some of the flour mixture alternating with the milk, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula in between. Begin and end with flour.
6.  Pour the batter into a mini muffin (cupcake) pan that’s lined with your choice of cupcake wrappers.
7. To make filling the tiny cups easier, transfer batter to a large Ziploc freezer bag and snip a small corner off or use a large pastry bag fitted with a plain round tip.
8.  Bake for about 12-15 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the middle of the cupcake comes out clean.
9.  Let stand for about 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Buttercream

1. In a medium bowl using a hand mixer (or stand mixer), cream butter until smooth and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes.
2. With mixer on low speed, slowly add 3 cups of powder sugar alternating with milk, add vanilla. Mix until light and fluffy. If necessary, gradually add remaining cup of sugar to reach desired consistency

To Decorate

1. Pipe frosting onto cupcakes with a pastry bag fitted with a round tip or a Ziploc bag.
2.  Adorn with small fondant blossoms or decoration of your choice.

Photography by K.M. {myself}

“Be Inspired & Enjoy!”

K.M

The “Caviar Manicure” from Ciaté has been one of the most popular nail trends this past year & this tutorial will show you another way to apply those lovely little beads! This particular design, inspired by Valentine’s Day, was created with Ciaté’s Caviar Manicure kit in “Rainbow,” a lighter shade of pink polish from essie and a clear top coat. 

Photography by K.M. {myself}

Directions:

1. Start of by applying two coats of the pink polish from Ciaté to all nails, except you pointer fingers. Let dry.
2. Apply a second coat of polish to your pointer fingers and immediately pour the caviar beads onto your nails (make sure you work with one nail at a time) and gently press down.
3. Using another pink polish, must be lighter or darker than the one from Ciaté, carefully paint a heart on your ring finger (accent nail). You want it lighter or darker so that you may see the heart shape you painted before applying the beads. An easy way of painting a heart is by first applying two dots of paint next to each other and one below ( triangle shape). Next connect the dots to create a heart.
4. Pour beads over wet polish and use a small dry brush or toothpick to carefully fashion beads into the perfect heart shape!
5. Apply clear top coat to all nails and let dry.

“Be Inspired & Enjoy!”

-K.M.

These heart-shaped crêpes are simply made by piping batter from a squeeze bottle to recreate the look of delicate “lace.” These are not only easy to make once you get the hang of it, but are the perfect addition to a Valentine’s Day breakfast in bed (or any other time!)

Photography by K.M. {myself}

In order to keep all your crêpes warm, start by preheating your oven to 200 degrees; You can use either a baking sheet or any heatproof dish/platter to place them on.  

Ingredients:

• 1 Egg
• 1/2 Cup of sifted flour-(Sift flour 2 or 3x to remove lumps and then measure 1/2 cup)
• 1 Cup of milk
• 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 Tablespoon sugar
• 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• Confectioner’s sugar
• Plastic squeeze bottle with small tip
• Sieve

Directions:

1. Combine flour, sugar and salt in one bowl and set aside.
2. In a small bowl, lightly whisk egg, melted butter and vanilla.
3. Make a small well in flour mixture and pour in egg mixture. Carefully blend.
4. Slowly pour in milk while continuing to whisk until the batter is smooth and free of large lumps.
5. It is very important that you pass the batter through a fine sieve in order to prevent the squeeze bottle tip from getting clogged or else you will not be able to pipe the desired design.
6. Transfer batter into a plastic squeeze bottle that is fitted with a small tip. ( You can find these at most food or craft stores for a dollar or two.)

Photography by K.M. {myself}

1. Lightly butter a non-stick pan and put on medium heat.
2. Gently tilt the squeeze bottle and apply slight pressure to start piping your design. It may take a couple of attempts if it’s your first time to get it just right. Once you get the feeling of how much pressure you need to apply, what angle to hold the bottle at and how fast to move, it is simple and fun!
3. I start my lace design by first piping the outline of a heart. I then fill it in by making connecting loops and overlapping in some areas. Lastly, I  pipe little dots around the outline of the heart. There is no right or wrong way it’s whatever design you come up with and like best!
4. Cook until golden on the bottom, about 2 minutes and then flip and cook the other side.
5. Put cooked crêpes into your preheated oven until your finished.
6. Dust with powder sugar and serve immediately.

Photography by K.M. {myself}

Since these crêpes are thin and delicate like lace, you will want to make a generous number of them & or serve it with a side of fresh fruit or yogurt.

“Be Inspired & Enjoy”

-K.M.

This beauty product review is on Butter LONDON and one of its “3 Free” nail lacquers. The brand’s polishes are formulated without harmful ingredients like Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP or Parabens. My first polish purchase was “Fruit Machine”, which is featured below.

Photography by K.M. {myself}

The rectangular bottle design itself is very attractive, straying away from the expected round form. The interior shape where the polish is held is slightly sloped at the bottom which adds a nice touch. The top black covering is removable and reveals the inner cap. This cap is topped with a small white design of a bird wearing a crown. I later emailed the company to find out more about the significance of this symbol. It turns out that the bird is a Raven, named Branwen, and has to do with the ravens of the Tower of London.

Photography by K.M. {myself}

This particular pink tone requires only two coats max due to its creamy opaque texture. It is also a “cool toned” pink, giving off a hint of lilac or mauve. I was attracted to this polish because it is very similar to one of my favorite polishes I wrote about here. I highly recommend this brand of polishes for the reasons of the sleek attractive bottle design, the lack of some harmful chemicals, and lastly, the wide array of trendy colors and textures they have available.

Photography by K.M. {myself}

“Fruit Machine” is a perfect choice for a Valentine’s Day manicure. It’s a lovely, sweet pink that is reminiscent of those famous “Sweetheart” candies. It will add a flirty touch to whatever outfit you have picked out and will look perfect for your sweetheart!

 “Be Inspired & Enjoy”

-K.M.

Sweethearts.

It seems that it wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without those colorful, heart-shaped candies with sweet messages such as “Be Mine” & “Call me.” This DIY will show you how you can transform this holiday staple into your very own homemade candy vodka. I’ll have a post for a Sweetheart Martini once my vodka is done infusing-Stay Tuned!

Photography by K.M. {myself}

 Note: You want to make sure you only use one or two colors {flavors} max per jar, or else it will result in a muddy color.

Materials:

• Plain vodka
• Sweethearts, separated by color {flavor}
• Mason jar per each color {flavor}

Directions:

1. Start of by separating the candies by color.
2. Fill a mason jar 1/3 way full with the color of your choice. Add vodka to the top of the jar. Close lid tightly and leave in a dark corner of a room.
3. Every couple of hours, carefully shake jar to incorporate vodka with dissolving candies.
4. Let sit for at least one full day.
5. Optional-Strain candy vodka with a mesh strainer/sieve into another container and then transfer back to cleaned mason jar.

“Be Inspired & Enjoy!”

- K.M.