4th of July Dessert

Its officially the weekend :) For me at least.  And the people I nanny for are off to Hawaii on Saturday, so I am officially off work for the next week.  Yay yay yay!  In preparation for our 4th of July BBQ on Sunday, I wanted to share with you a recipe from Pillsbury that is to die for.  I made it last year and it was such a hit that it will be served again this year.  

Ingredients

 1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury refrigerated sugar cookies

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup powdered sugar

2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

2 cups fresh raspberries

1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries

1/4 cup apple jelly, melted

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray 12-inch pizza pan with cooking spray.  Cut cookie dough into 1/4 inch slices; place in pan.  With floured fingers, press evenly over bottom to form crust.

2. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until deep golden brown.  Cool completely, about 25 minutes.

3. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and lemon peel until fluffy.  Spread over baked crust.  Arrange raspberries in large star shape in center.  Arrange blueberries around raspberries.  Drizzle or brush with melted jelly.  Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes.  Store in refrigerator.

Its amazing, and its super easy to make! I actually omit the melted jelly, and it is still delish.  The lemon peel zest tastes soo good, I think last year I ended up grating the peel off of two lemons.  Enjoy!

Image and recipe via Pillsbury

EdenFantasys

I'm sure by now you have all heard about the glorious online shop EdenFantasys.  If not...you sure are missing out!  EdenFantasys is my favorite online adult shopping site, where they literally have everything under the sun to fulfill all of your adult needs.  Plus, with great sales all the time, free shipping on all orders $59 and over, and a free gift with any order, what is not to love?

I usually spend my time talking about the different products I love on the site, but today I am going to tell you about some of my other favorites I've noticed as I've been shopping their site more frequently that truly makes EdenFantasys stand out above other adult online sites.

1. Discrete shipping...Everything from EdenFantasys comes in a plain box, with no identifier of the company whatsoever.  I LOVE this.  I usually don't get packages shipped to my city apartment because there is nowhere for them to be left, so then I have to go through the hassle of finding the time to go to UPS to pick up the package.  Quite annoying.  Luckily, because the shipping is so discrete, I have it shipped to my Mom's house in the burbs for me to pick up next time I'm home.  She has no idea whats inside, which is great!

2. Customer Reviews-For nearly every product on the site, there are customer reviews for the product.  On my last shopping trip, I found this particularly helpful.  I really liked reading what real people had to say about each product, and in some cases, it really helped me make the final yes/no decision on what I was debating on purchasing.  

3. The website layout- I love how the EdenFantasys website is designed.  The navigation bar is awesome.  I love that you can search by category, and then get way more specific.  For example, you can search lingerie, then narrow it down to type of lingerie, size, hide what is out of stock, sort by prices, etc.  It is awesome, and can really help you narrow down your choices so much faster.

This is only three things that I love, but to me, they are important things that keeps me coming back to EdenFantasys again and again.  It is definitely worth it, and I guarantee that you will find something you love!

4th of July Decor

Can you believe the 4th of July is already within the next week?  I can't believe it!  For me, July 4th always feels like the highlight of summer, and after it is over, summer seems to go so quickly.  I feel like it has just started, so I'm a bit sad that it is already this time of year.  However, it is my favorite holiday ever, and I can't wait to celebrate with my family and friends.  And of course, Miss Martha Stewart has some fabulous decorating ideas I just had to share.

I'm throwing a BBQ on Sunday, which is the day of the fireworks around here.  It will be filled with plenty of food, games, drinks, and hopefully some cute decorations if I can find some time this week.  What are you doing to celebrate our independence day?

All images via Martha Stewart

Sweetest Dreams

Bedrooms are often such a beautiful room full of hidden potential.  From my experience, people focus so much on their children's bedrooms, and so frequently neglect their own.  And if you ask me...that is not okay!  Your bedroom is the most necessary space for relaxation, allowing you to recover from your busy days and prepare for the next one.  Why wouldn't you want to do this in ultimate luxury and beauty?  Check out some of my favs:

Such a cute guest bedroom.  Love the white with all the bright colors.

Perfect use of vintage suitcases.  Such a fun, unique look.

You know I love me some pink.  The shade of pink in this room is beautiful.  It feels especially relaxing with the soft brown colors.

Love the pink and green.  The exposed brick makes it so unique, but the colors make it warm and inviting.

I'm obviously loving pink right now (as always).  LOVE that bed.

Great use of the loft space.  This feels like a beach house or something, definitely the perfect place for some R&R.

Shabby chic.  Love it.  Adore the nightstand.  I want.

Love the black and white.  The pop of green is a fun splash.

Love the trunk in the middle.  My oh my its perfect.

So inviting.  I love all the seating space besides the bed.

Tell me...what is your favorite bedroom above?

All images via Country Living

Designer Lust: Tobi Fairley

Tobi Fairley is an amazing interior designer I came across on the Traditional Home website.  Based out of Arkansas, she specializes in early-friendly design.  Her rooms designed for an energy-efficient charity showhouse in Hot Springs, Arkansas were featured in Traditional Home, and they are so fun and full of color.  Definitely brings new light to earth-friendly design.

I love the turquoise desk.  Beautiful pop of color!  And the gold frames above look stunning above the turquoise.

Love the curio cabinet.  And all the different colors look so put together, despite them being colors I would probably never pair together.

Beautiful coral frames.  I love the picture-frame wall.

Love the bar area.  And those lamps are fabulous.

I'm dying to see more of her work.  If it is as stunning as this, I think I am going to be in love!

All images via Traditional Home

HGTV: Best Kitchens of 2011

After doing the HGTV best baths of 2011, I also wanted to show some of the best kitchens of 2011.  Some of them are so beautiful and so unexpected, I just love them,

I believe this was the overall winner for 2011.  Although it is not my style, I think this kitchen is absolutely stunning.  Its HUGE, and everything works together.  That range is making my jealously shine, I just love it!

The natural stones and the bright light make this kitchen feel relaxed and informal, despite the beautiful dark wood.  

That huge kitchen window with the beautiful view adds so much to this kitchen.  It is simple but very well designed, I love the curved island countertop.

Natural stones must be the new things in kitchen design.  Me likie.

I love the dark cabinets and the beautiful backsplash.  This is a modern kitchen that still feels very inviting.

Love love love.  And you know every reason why :)

All images via HGTVpro

Happy Fathers Day: Missing You

Happy Father's Day to the best Daddy ever.  I miss you more than words can describe.

HGTV: Best Baths of 2011

I was recently clicking through the HGTV website, and came across the best kitchens and baths of 2011.  And wow...are they stunning! Check out these beautiful bathrooms:

Love the pretty open shower.

One of the most beautiful baths ever.  Check out that view, I could soak int he tub forever.  I love the mix of the dark and light woods, and the stones around the bathtub.  Its like a piece of enclosed nature.

Again, view from Heaven.

Love this sink.  So original.  The faucet is something I've never seen before.

I love all the white.  And the glass front cabinet is so unexpected in a bathroom.

Such a cool sink.  I love how it slopes downward.  And check out that square toilet.

So calm and peaceful.  

Again, the white bathroom.  So clean and beautiful.

Love these bathrooms! What is your favorite thing in your bathroom?

Images via HGTVpro

Pops of Pink

Pink is my favorite color ever, but I have a difficult time decorating with it outside of the bedroom.  Outside of a strictly feminine bedroom, mind you.  However, I love when I see it in other rooms, it is cheery and unexpected, plus a fabulous pop of color!  Check out this beautiful Alabama house, where they have perfected the art of using pink down to a science.

This last is my favorite.  I love love love the striped chair, and the framed silhouettes.  So cute!

So tell me, how do you feel about decorating with pink?

Images via House Beautiful