Why Snail Mail Is Good For The Soul + A Giveaway

Why Snail Mail Is Good For The Soul + A Giveaway

Monday, December 21, 2015

Hey y'all! Can I share a joy of mine? Cards. Receiving and sending notecards is a tangible expression of care. Nothing says ' I was just thinking about ya ' quite like paper and ink. I so love opening my mailbox and finding a brightly colored envelope, imperfectly scrolled with my name; The surprise of what might be inside driving me to tear into it like a child, not having the patience to properly break the seal. Perhaps the card will make me chuckle, or smiley warmly. Maybe it will shimmer and shine, or be whimsically watercolored. A handpicked, handwritten note is a treasure in this world of cyber words. Hand written letters and notes are classic. They take effort and thought. They brighten our day and warm our hearts, filling up the deepest part of us that longs for connection.  A thoughtful note to let someone know you care for them, or even just that you were thinking about them, is sweet nectar for the soul. Let us reach out more, and share love through the written word, penned by our own hand!

I received my first Sincerely Box the other day, and it rocked my socks off! I leaped into the most beautiful ocean on creativity when I opened the neatly packed box of notecard love. Each card delightful, charming, and perfectly unique. Then I found the stamps. They are little nuggets of classic fun. It was good, you guys. I am so in love with my little box of cards... I almost do not want to send them anyone. I want them all to self! I am strongly considering framing the "seasonal beverages" card. That one deserves all of the laughing emoji.

What is Sincerely Box you ask? Y'all always asks such great questions ;)

Sincerely Box is a subscription service ( just $24/month ) that sends four unique hand lettered cards and four unique stamps each month. Haley and her husband started the company to encourage people to build their relationships, and keep in touch with one another by sending hand written notes on the most delightful, sassy, and cute cards around! Bonus: You can gift a Sincerely Box to someone you know! Just one box. No subscription needed. You can surprise them with a pretty little box full of happiness.

I can't get over how cute my notecards are! I should not have all the fun though. Haley has so sweetly offered to giveaway a free box of joy to one lucky lady! You can enter to win a free Sincerely Box in the Rafflecopter below ( at the end of this post ). Plus you can use coupon code BOONEANDOWL10 now to get 10% off your own subscription!

Do you love snail mail? When was the last time you sent someone a handwritten letter/note?  Let's chat in the comments XO

ENTER TO WIN A FREE SINCERELY BOX

GIVEAWAY RUNS FROM 12/21 - 12/30

a Rafflecopter giveaway

LET'S CONNECT: 

 B L O G L O V I N  •  I N S T A G R A M  •  F A C E B O O K  •   T W I T T E R  •   P I N T E R E S T

CHECK OUT THIS MONTH'S LOVELY FEATURED SPONSOR!

Holiday Style With A Twist

Holiday Style With A Twist

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

THE GOODS

| ROMPER: LOFT ( SIMILAR )

| TIGHTS: LOFT ( SIMILAR )

| HEELS: MADDEN GIRL ( SIMILAR )

| JEWELRY: C/O MANIC TROUT ( EXACT )

| CLUTCH: HOBO ORIGINAL ( SIMILAR )

December is my favorite month you guys. Everything about it feels magical. The twinkling lights on every house, the smell of mocha lattes brewing, the classic songs on the radio, the excitement of seeing gifts under the tree. It is a happy and most joyous time of year! The street lights here, that run along the main street downtown, are shaped much like candy canes and are currently wrapped with red and white lights.. I need not express my childlike enthusiasm over candy cane lane. I inwardly squeal every time I drive down that road.

With all of the Christmas cheer comes holiday parties! A fashion lovers dream. Shimmery festive dresses are great, but I wanted something different this year. Something classic.. with a twist. I give you a romper. A romper with tights. YAASSS. I had this simple black romper tucked away in the back of my closet from summertime. Paired with jet black tights and a few unique glitzy accessories, it shines! It is a fun and flirty twist for this year's holiday parties. Classic and oh so fun!

Speaking of accessories.. I am a little obsessed with the necklace I am wearing. The green glass beads catch the light and dance on the eye. It is so festive and sophisticated. I am in love! I am extra excited for you guys because Sierra, from Manic Trout, has so generously offered to giveaway one of her beautiful necklaces! Just in time for Christmas no less. You can enter to win in the Rafflecopter below. There are only a few entries so it is especially easy. Happy early Christmas, girls! ;)

Tell me about your holiday style! Love dressing up? Hate it with a passion? Would you try the romper with tights? Let's chat in the comments!

MANIC TROUT GIVEAWAY

Giveaway runs from Decemebr 9th - December 16th.

One winner will be randomly selected and announced/contacted Thursday December 17th.

Good Luck, girls!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

LET'S CONNECT: 

 B L O G L O V I N  •  I N S T A G R A M  •  F A C E B O O K  •   T W I T T E R  •   P I N T E R E S T

CHECK OUT THIS MONTH'S LOVELY FEATURED SPONSOR!

The Best Mocha Cream Pie ( Gluten Free )

The Best Mocha Cream Pie ( Gluten Free )

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Hey hey! I have the most delicious mocha cream pie recipe to share with you guys today. I made two versions on this scratch pie for Thanksgiving, but you can make this anytime, and your family will love you for it ;) It is THE best mocha cream pie. If you need a chocolate fix, with a kick, this mocha cream pie will satisfy your chocolate needs for the rest of your life! It is a silky, rich, chocolate and coffee explosion. Major bonus: the crust for this pie is gluten free, so you can confidently share this pie with your friends and family who stay away from gluten.

__________________ MOCHA CREAM PIE __________________

Prep time: 10 minutes

Working time: 20 minutes

Chill time: 4 hours

Servings: 8

Ingredients For Crust:

1 small bag of chocolate cookies ( about 30 bite size cookies ) I use Pamela's Simple Bites Extreme Chocolate Cookies. They are gluten free, and one bag will make one pie crust. 

1/4 teaspoon of salt.

4 tablespoons of unsalted butter ( melted )

Ingredients For Pie Filling:

1/2 cup of sugar.

4 egg yolks. 

1/4 teaspoon of salt.

2 tablespoons of cornstarch.

2 cups of half-and-half

1/2 cup of brewed coffee ( I use 2 unsweetened instant coffee packets in half a cup of hot water ).

1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips ( I use Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Baking Chips ).

Ingredients For Whipped Cream.

1 cup of heavy whipping cream ( I use Organic Valley ).

2 tablespoons of sugar.

Preparation.

Preheat oven to 350˚F.Process cookies and 1/4 teaspoon of salt in food processor or blender  until fine crumbs appear. Transfer to a medium bowl. Mix in 4 tablespoons of melted butter. Press cookie crumb mixture into 9 inch pie plate or disposable pie tin. Place pie tin on baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes. Place on rack to cool.

 In a medium mixing bowl, beat the cream and 2 tablespoons of sugar on medium-high speed with hand mixer. Beat just till little peaks form. Cover and place in refrigerator until you are ready to serve the pie!

Place 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips in a heat safe bowl and set aside ( I use a metal mixing bowl ). Heat half a cup of water in a heat safe cup or mug and stir in the 2 packets of unsweetend instant coffee. Set aside. In a medium saucepan whisk together the 4 egg yolks, 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 cup of sugar. Whisk in 1/2 cup of coffee and 2 cups of half-and-half. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until thickened and whisk leaves a slight trail; 10-12 minutes. Pour over 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips and let stand for 2 minutes ( So the chocolate chips can melt thoroughly ). Whisk until smooth. 

Transfer the mocha cream into the cooled pie crust, cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and chill for at least four hours. When you are ready to indulge, top the mocha cream pie with the whipped cream and serve! Or eat right from the pie tin.. I will not judge ;)

What is the most delicious pie your have ever eaten!? Think this pie will be a hit with your family? Tell me all about it in the comments!

LET'S CONNECT: 

CHECK OUT THIS MONTH'S LOVELY FEATURED SPONSOR!