" Designed By Lauree: April 2013

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

DIY Tuesday [Piranha Plants]

Today I'm sharing how to make these super fun Piranha Plants from the Super Mario Brothers video game. They were a great addition to the surprise 30th birthday I worked on. They turned out super cute and they don't require a lot of effort. 

Here's what you'll need:

Monday, April 29, 2013

Make it Monday [Chocolate Stout Cake]

Sadly I do not have pictures of this cake cut open, I only have pictures of it covered in fondant. But I had many complements and requests for this recipe at the birthday party so I am sharing them with you today.

This cake was a Chocolate Stout Cake, filled with Chocolate Coffee Ganache and topped with Chocolate Buttercream.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Cake [Lets Talk Cake Pops]

These little guys are something for me to blog about... My first successful Cake Pops!!!

You may know that I ran a side business a few years ago [some of my work] and every time I had an order for a cake I had cake scraps. Now I always just turned those scraps [with leftover frosting] into what I called Cake Balls.
My husband and friends always joked about the name... 

Freebie Friday [Mothers Day Tags]

Mothers Day TagsI realize it not Friday, but this past week I've been super busy helping with a surprise party [I'll post about that this coming week] for a friend. I haven't had much free time to blog...

I made these Mother's Day Tags to use as however you'd like and they coordinate with this Mother's Day Coupon Book.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

DIY Tuesday [Toy Story Shirt]

Last week the twins Auntie Jess placed an order with me for a Jessie [from Toy Story] Shirt. Auntie Jess was going to a Toy Story birthday party and she wanted to dress up like Jessie, such a cute idea!

The twins and I love Toy Story so I was more than excited to do this project! I hand painted the entire shirt [front & back] and it didn't take too much time.

Here's how I did it...

Monday, April 22, 2013

Make it Monday [Skinny Cookie Dough Dip]

Happy Monday everyone!

I've been on a diet for a little over a month and so far things are going great! I'm on track to reach my goal and I've been working out like crazy. I do however still have cravings for sweets; mostly chocolate. The hardest part about dieting has been Pinterest!!

All of those yummy recipes just call out to me. Well lucky for me I found one that I can eat and not feel super guilty about. I've discovered a blogger [love it when that happens], her name is Katie and her blog is Chocolate Covered Katie. I'm her new biggest fan!

Anyway I found this recipe for her Cookie Dough Dip and today I'm sharing it with you.


Friday, April 19, 2013

Freebie Friday [Mothers Day Coupon Book]

Mothers Day Coupon Book
Good Afternoon and Happy Friday Everyone!

Mother's Day is coming soon so I thought I'd share with you a cute and simple Mother's Day Coupon Book I made.


Tuesday, April 16, 2013

DIY Tuesday [Wrapping with Washi Tape]

Wrapping with Washi Tape
As you saw in my other post Washi Tape Frame; I've finally jumped on the band wagon and started crafting with this amazing tape. I have to say its really fun to work with!

Today I'm adding this colorful tape to my nieces first birthday present.

This is the other pattern of tape I bought from Pick Your Plum [love them!].

Here is what I did...

DIY Tuesday [Washi Tape Bow]

Washi Tape BowI wrapped my nieces first birthday present and I used Washi Tape to dress up plain white wrapping paper as seen in this post.

I created a bow made from Washi Tape and here is how I did it:

Monday, April 15, 2013

Make it Monday [Split Roasted Chicken]

Split Roasted ChickenThis weekend was overcast and gloomy, not my favorite weather, then I remembered I had a whole chicken in my freezer. I decided we'd have a comforting and warm dinner.... Split Roasted Chicken.

Why the "split"? Well honestly because it roasts faster! I'm all for a faster cook time and still all the yummy goodness of roasted chicken. I made this with lemons and fresh herbs, we just love this combo when we roast a chicken...

It sounds much harder than it is; here's what you'll need.

Friday, April 12, 2013

Freebie Friday [Thank You Tags]

Free Thank You TagsToday I've made some cute Thank You Tags for you to download! You never know when you'll need a quick Thank You gift..


 These tags will dress up any gift!












Thursday, April 11, 2013

Round Up [Cakes by Lauree]

I've only recently discovered blogging, honestly its too bad I didn't have one of these back when I was running my cake business [on the side]. I still make cakes, just not as often as I used to...

Today I'm sharing with you some of my favorite cakes that I've made over the years.


Tuesday, April 9, 2013

DIY Tuesday [Mickey & Minnie Mouse Painted Shirts]

Mickey & Minnie Painted ShirtsWe got a chance to go to Disneyland yesterday with some friends [for free], we were so excited and extremely thankful.  So, I decided to make all of the kids shirts as a way to thank to our friends  and their family for getting us in. We had a total of 4 kids, two boys and two girls. Naturally I chose to make Mickey & Minnie Mouse Shirts!

I hand painted all of these shirts and they were pretty easy to do.

Around the House [Gallery Wall Part I]

DIY Gallery WallWe've lived in this house for almost a year and there are certain areas that still need a personal touch. Ok lets be honest... most of the house needs our personal touch but we only have so much time. Our hallway has been in need of some decor since we moved in, so here's our DIY family Gallery Wall [part I]...


Friday, April 5, 2013

Freebie Friday [Framed Family Quote]

Good Morning!

I'm finishing up my hallway family photo gallery wall today, should be up on the blog soon...

Right in the middle of our family photos is this printable I'm sharing with you.

Together we are Family.

Simple and to the point.



Tuesday, April 2, 2013

DIY Tuesday [Washi Tape Frame]

Washi Tape FrameAfter seeing tons [and I mean TONS] of Washi Tape projects on other blogs & pinterest, I bought some! I bought 4 rolls from Pick Your Plum when they were only $1.50 a roll, score! I had an unfinished wood frame from Michaels [only $1] and here it is... my first Washi Tape project.

Washi Tape Frame












Monday, April 1, 2013

Make it Monday [Breakfast Flatbread]

Healthy Breakfast FlatbreadI've been eating really healthy for the last two weeks; I'm working on getting my pre-twin body back [finally]. So today I'm sharing with you my healthy Breakfast Flatbread.

My favorite part about this breakfast? Its fast & delicious!