Fourth of July Treats

As we say goodbye to June today and hello to July we're celebrating at our house with a few fourth of July treats! Since I'm off work this week I've had a little extra time to bake and that alone makes my heart swell but baking festive goodies, my heart is overflowing! Aren't donuts just the cutest little morsels? I love this vanilla bean donut recipe cause they are baked and delicious! I also made these last year and they were so good I did a repeat. Perfect way to start your day off in a festive way!

 

 

 

Baked Vanilla Bean Donuts

 

Ingredients

 

2 cups cake flour, sifted

3/4 granulated sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 buttermilk

2 eggs, lightly beaten

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 vanilla bean

Vanilla Glaze

1 cup confectioner’s sugar, sifted

1 tablespoon milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

gel food coloring (optional)

 

 

Instructions

 

Preheat oven to 425 and spray doughnut pan with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl sift together flour, sugar, baking power, and salt.

In a small bowl lightly beat eggs, then add buttermilk, butter, vanilla extract, and seeds from one vanilla bean. Combine with flour mixture. Fill each doughnut pan 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 7-9 minutes then allow doughnuts to cool 5 minutes before removing them. Once cooled, dip doughnuts into the vanilla glaze and add sprinkles if desired.

 

Baked Vanilla Bean Donut Recipe

I spotted these firecracker cookies from Cookin' Cowgirl and knew Kyle would love them and he does! They are made with cake mix and I always love making cake mix cookies cause they usually seem to always turn out perfect and these firecracker cookies were no exception!

 

 

Firecracker Cookies

Makes 25-30 cookies

 

Ingredients

 

1 box French vanilla cake mix, I used Ducan Hines

1 tsp baking powder

2 eggs

1/2 cup vegetabile oil

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup festive sprinkles, I used a mix of red, white and blue.

 

Instructions

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix and baking powder.

In a small bowl, mix together the eggs, oil and vanilla. Add the egg mixture to the cake mixture and stir to combine. Stir in the sprinkles. Drop by spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet.

Bake for 10 minutes. Allow to cook for five minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to cooling rack. The cookies will be very soft at first. Cool and enjoy!

 

 

Firecracker Cookie Recipe

 

Have you made any fun festive fourth of July goodies yet? I'd love to hear what you've made, looking for fun recipes to make the rest of the week. Leave me a comment and share your recipes! Happy July Eve!

 

 

   

Weekending Deep in the Heart of Texas

How is it that when I'm off work I feel even more overwhelmed than at work?! Welp, it might be nine o'clock at night but I'm getting my weekend recap post in before midnight! This weekend was so very fun and I'm pretty sure it was just what my soul needed! Friday after work my mother-in-law picked me and my sister-in-law Randi's mother-in-law Debbie up, got that? sounds confusing, and we headed to Randi's house. We stayed the night with her and her family so we could hit the road earlier on Saturday morning for our fun filled shopping trip to Dallas! It was so nice to have some time to see my nephews and just relax before we headed out of town. Friday evening we had dinner and just played with the boys and visited on the patio until the sun went down.

 

Bright and early Saturday morning us girls hit the road and headed to Dallas fully prepared to shop until we dropped and that's exactly what we did! We had our lists made, we make sure and stop at all the stores Oklahoma doesn't have so lists are a must have, and shopped and ate our way through the city! We were only in town for about 32 hours but we definitely had a successful trip! It was great to spend some time with these ladies while having so much fun and finding great deals! I failed to take pictures but here are a few we did snap...and yes, we took Randi's selfie stick.

 

I picked up this hat thinking no way, put it on and fell in love! I can wait for fall to throw it on with a pair of leggings and riding boots! I also made my very first trip to Vineyard Vines and I'm now even more in love after visiting an actual store, it had to be documented! I didn't walk out of Ikea with a makeup vanity table or desk chair but that's ok, just another reason to make a trip again sooner!

We made it back home late last night and I was very thankful to have this week off work when I crawled into bed and didn't set my alarm, bliss! I hope y'all had a great weekend and are having an even better Monday!

 

Friday Favorites: Oh Happy Day!

It's time for another Friday favorites and that means at five o'clock we're free! Do you guys have lots of fun plans for the weekend? I know I do and can't wait for it to start! So, let's get right to my favorites this week...

 

ONE:: Green Corn Festival

 

Kyle loves carnivals and festivals and I love anything that screams summer, besides triple digit heat! Last night we headed to the Green Corn Festival to enjoy live music, share a funnel cake and shop through all the locally owned booths. If you live local here in Oklahoma the festival runs until Sunday evening in downtown Bixby, go check it out!

 

 

TWO:: Work Vacation!!!

 

 

After today at five o'clock our office is closed through all of next week and I'm on vacation!!! I can't wait to relax, shop, see friends and family and spend some time in the pool next week! I have lots of things planned. I wanted Kyle and I to take a small vacation for a few days but since he just got back from a week in Canada now isn't the best time. Oh the struggles of owning your own business, womp womp!

 

THREE:: Digital Camo RBX Active Leggings

 

 

If you saw my post yesterday then you saw that I've been working out with the Army...Ok maybe that's a little exaggerated. However, I am loving my new camo leggings and you can still snag them for 25% off with the code found in my post.

 

FOUR:: Big Brother #BB17

 

 

Who's watching Big Brother?! This is the only show that I truly keep up with, most of the time, and I'm so excited that season 17 just started!! Confession, I'm usually three or four episodes behind but I always catch up! I LOVE it! Fun fact, I tried out to be on Big Brother about six years ago. I was single and had recently just been laid off so I thought why not?! Spoiler, I didn't make it. But probably a good thing cause I was employed again the very next week. If you watch, comment and let me know. I'd love to talk BB!

 

FIVE:: Target Dress Sale

 

 

 

Target is having a bogo sale on their dresses right now and if you pair that with the cartwheel offer of 20% off dresses you can score a great deal! After stopping at three different Target stores yesterday I found this Aztec maxi  (much cuter in person, its actually neon colors) that I've had my eye on. Originally $29.99 I scored it and another dress for $32.00 total! Not only hurry but run to your Target, today is the last day for both deals!

 

I'm so excited, today after work I'm headed with my sister-in-law, her mother-in-law and my mother-in-law to Dallas for a girl's weekend trip! I'm sad that my mom can't make it but excited to for our mother daughter day next week while we are both off! I hope y'all have a fantastic weekend!

 

 

   

Working Out with the Army...Featuring: RBX Active

When picking out new workout gear my number one priority is comfortable. If I can't move in it freely it's a no go for me. I also tend to pick outfits that are fun and cute, a lot of the time I end up with items I never thought I would pick but those are always my favorites to wear for my workouts. My workout routines are all over the place. I like to switch them up to keep from getting burned out. I always include cardio in my workout but some days I'll do all cardio, some days hot yoga, sometimes zumba and lifting and occasionally I'll just walk into the gym and pick a random cardio or strength class to attend. So, like I said I'm all over the place and I need my workout wear to be flexible, cool but cute because I truly believe if I feel frumpy then I'll be less motivated for my workout. Side note, I also feel this way with my work outfits. If I feel like I have a cute outfit on then I seem to be way more productive during the day. 

 

Ok, I didn't really workout with the Army but I did recently receive a pair of RBX Active digital camo leggings, you read that right camo! I'm not usually the camo wearing type of girl but I have to say these digital camo leggings are super fun! RBX Active definitely got it right with these stretch leggings.The fabric wicks which means it pulls moisture away from the skin to help keep your body dry. They also have a four-way stretch providing all over flex while also keeping their shape and are seamless preventing any chafing. And best of all they are fade resistant so you wont lose the fun brightness of the digital camo pattern.

Last night I met my little sister for a late evening jog/brisk walk...my body literally hates running. I just can't do it but I can jog! The city recently put in a trail that is between our houses so we met up after the blazing crazy hot temps dropped a little and took advantage of getting in a quick and convenient workout. I was a little nervous about wearing leggings in the heat but these RBX leggings were so awesome! I never felt like they were clinging to me with sweat or that I couldn't breathe in them. I'm a fan and can't wait to wear more of them!

After washing and drying them they still look brand new, no fading or shrinking! I've decided since no one at the gym saw me in them yesterday I'll be back in them tonight for my gym workout, score! You can find the digital camo leggings here and receive 25% off, check bottom of the post for discount code! I am also so happy with the army green tank I picked up at Old Navy for five dollars! It's very light weigh and breathable and matches perfect with the leggings.

You can shop RBX's line here and get 25% off your entire order! Just use discount code: Active25 good until July 31st. Also, free shipping is offered on all orders over 50 dollars. You can also find RBX's line in department and sporting good stores often receiving store discounts through them. I can't wait to pick up a couple more pairs since I know they will work for all seasons!

These leggings were sent to me by RBX Active in exchange for my honest feedback, all opinions are my own. 

 

Summer Staple Outfits

As the temperatures rise and are starting to flirt with triple digits I limit my clothing as much as possible. Ok, I'm not walking around naked over here or anything...but I wish I could! I don't know why but the heat and humidity is bothering me more this summer than ever before. I chose my outfits based on coolness for sure. Here are a few outfits you can typically find me in this summer.

 

 

 

 1- I have a dress very similar to this from Target that I couldn't find online. Let's set something straight it's coral, not orange. This girl doesn't wear orange! These floral heels, I'm in love! I almost always wear a dress to work during the summer, cool and comfortable!

2- I spend as much time in the pool, ocean or lake as possible during the summer months. I picked up this floral bikini from H&M (now on sale!) for my Mexico trip and you can find me living in it as much as possible of course on my swan, Swanny!

3- I snagged this uber comfy linen tank from H&M last time I was in Boise and it's one of my favorites. It's thin and breezy and perfect to pair with jean shorts for running errands. These jeweled sandals are from Target and right now you can get them on sale with their bogo offer!

4- Another great find from this embroidered sundress, its flowy and once again cool! I pair it with wedges and have a great cute outfit that I wont sweat to death in for a dinner on the patio.

What are some of your staple items in your closet this summer? Are you beating the heat or is it beating you like it is me? Do I dare to even say I've counted once already how many months until fall...I really don't wish summer away because it is so fun!

 

Summer Dessert Recipes: Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake Cups & Strawberry Pizza

Summer is officially here and that means I start craving nothing heavy or hot to eat. If you read my post yesterday, here, then you saw that I hosted the girls at my house for drinks and desserts last Friday evening after dinner. I knew I wanted to make a couple of desserts that were cool and refreshing. It was a very hot and humid evening and we had planned on hanging out on the patio but it was just way too humid. After a quick search on my Pinterest I came up with a couple dessert ideas. Both were delicious, cool with fresh fruit. 

I came across these lemon and raspberry cheesecake cups and I was immediately drawn to them. I'm all about presentation just as much as taste so I just knew they would be adorable in mini mason jars. Plus lemon and raspberry, count me in!

Lemon Raspberry No Bake Cheesecake Cups

Ingredients

15 lemon Oreos, crushed

2 Tbsp. melted butter

1 (6oz) container, fresh raspberries

1 (8oz) package cream cheese, room temperature 

1/4 cup sugar

1 package instant lemon pudding mix

1 cup milk

1 large (16oz) or 2 (8oz) containers whipped topping, thawed

Mint leaves for garnish

Instructions

1. In a food processor, crush the oreos. Add the melted butter and pulse for a few more times to mix into the crumbs. Add a heaping tablespoon of crumbs into each small jar or 18 lined cupcake cups. Press crumbs into the bottom of the jars. Add 2-3 fresh raspberries to the top of the pressed crumbs. Set aside. 

2. With a hand mixer or stand mixer, cream together the cream cheese and sugar. Stop to scrape down sides, add the pudding mix, and slowing begin to add the milk while the mixer is on low. Continue to mix at medium speed until filling mixture is smooth. Add 8oz of the whipped topping and fold into the filling. Stir until completely mixed. Spoon the mixture into the cups, filling nearly to the top. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight. Top with additional whipped topping, fresh raspberries and mint leaves right before serving. 

Original recipe found here.

They were a huge hit! The lemon flavor was just right and the whipped filling was very refreshing. Since I'm growing mint on my patio I was excited to be able to have fresh on hand. I was able to get 9 4oz mason jars out of this recipe. The couple left over that I shared with my parents and mother-in-law were just as good the next day after refrigerating overnight. I chilled mine for four hours before initially serving and they were perfect!

I spotted this strawberry pizza recipe several weeks ago, again on Pinterest, and wanted to make it right away! I resisted and waited for girl's night. I've had several versions of fruit pizza before but I think this one takes the cake, it's my new fave! 

 
Strawberry Pizza

Ingredients

Crust: I opted to use pre-made Pillsbury sugar cookie dough for my crust just because I had a long to do list to get ready for the night and this seemed a lot more simple. The original recipe lists a homemade crust. I actually loved the Pillsbury option.

Filling: 

1 8oz package cream cheese, room temperature

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cup granulated sugar (I also added a little less than 1/4 cup powdered sugar)

1/4 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

Topping:

1 cup fresh strawberries, mashed (I pureed in my food processor just slightly)  

4 tbsp cornstarch

10-12 strawberries, sliced

Instructions

Crust: press your dough, either homemade or cookie dough, into a 14 inch circle on an ungreased cookie sheet or pizza pan. I backed according to the package.

Filling: In a bowl combine cream cheese, vanillas, sugar(s) and lemon juice. Spread on cooled crust.

Topping: In a saucepan over medium heat combine mushed strawberries, sugar and cornstarch. Stir and simmer until thick and glossy. Remove from heat and cool completely.

Spread on cream cheese filling. Cut strawberries crosswise to make circles and place on pizza and serve. Refrigerate it not ready to serve immediately. 

Original recipe found here.

Yumm, now I wish I had a slice right now. I made this about two hours prior to serving and chilled it beforehand and it turned out perfect! I think I'm going to add blueberries to the edge of my next one and make it for the fourth of July. You can find both recipes here, enjoy!

Have you made any fun summer recipes yet?

 
   

Weekend Recap: Summer is Here & Father's Day!

This weekend was packed with lots of fun! It was the perfect welcome to summer! Friday evening I started the weekend with girl's night. The group of us that get together every month all went to high school together so Friday night we decide to throw it back and all meet at a local Chinese restaurant in our hometown. We used to eat there in high school all the time so it was so fun to go back. Afterwards I invited all the girls over to my house for drinks and dessert.

 

 Dessert recipes coming in a post tomorrow. Lemon and raspberry cheesecake cups and strawberry pizza, my word these were so delicious! Stop by tomorrow for the recipes.

 We may have even broke out the selfie stick...It was embarrassingly fun and of course all our pics were fuzzy. We're selfie stick amateurs.

All my father-in-law asked for, besides Blue Bell ice cream to return...ps how many of you are southerns and are struggling like we are without it?! Ahhh Anyways, all he wanted was lunch at Click's Steakhouse in Pawnee, Oklahoma. Pawnee is a little over an hour drive for us and since Kyle wasn't back from his trip to Canada yet my in-laws picked me up and I rode with them. We met my sister and brother in law, the nephews and my brother in laws family for lunch. It was great to see everyone and celebrate my father-in-law! 

After we got back that afternoon I ran a few errands and made a few father's day goodies and then Kyle got back. Since I had made the cheesecakes in the mini mason jars on Friday night I loved how they turned out. They are the perfect individual sized desserts so I wanted to try something else. I knew we would be spending the afternoon the pool at my parents for father's day so I put together jars with ice cream to keep everyone cool. I layered brownie with chocolate and vanilla ice cream and topped each jar with toffee bits and chocolate syrup. These jars might be my go to dessert now. I loved how I could put them all together the night before and just pull them out of the freezer when we were ready for them. Simple and everyone loved them, win win!  

Yesterday after church my family all met at my parent's house to celebrate father's day with my dad. We had lunch and hung out in the pool all afternoon, it was so nice just to relax and spend time with everyone. Kyle blew up my swan, 'Swoony the Swanny' for the first time this year and we had a lot of fun! I think my niece Jada really loved Swoony! I'm almost positive I now need this flamingo to go with the swan. We missed my little sister Caileigh since she was on her way back from her vacation. Happy father's day to my game day buddy, the best gardner I know and most of all the best dad, I love you dad and I'm so glad I got to spend the day with you!

Kyle and I ended the weekend with going to have some street tacos and watching American Sniper, which was such a great movie! If you haven't already seen it, I highly recommend it. We started it pretty late so I was worried about staying awake but I had zero problems it was that good. I hope y'all had a great weekend too! Happy Summer!