Summertime Crafting {Washi Tape}

One of my favorite things about summertime is having the time to craft, or better making the time to craft. I've been in love with the delicate Japanese masking tape (aka washi tape) forever. Now you can find it at Office Depot and Wal-Mart. We can thank Scotch brand for that. One of my favorite places to order it online is a company called Cutetape. They literally have dozens upon dozens of cute washi tape and other packaging, party, and craft supplies and ideas. Their washi tape comes in so many wonderful, cute & pretty designs.

Pretty Tulip Washi Tape Japanese Set of 3 $8.00

$6.50

$4 per roll

For some simple craft ideas with washi tape check out some of these simple ideas I found on Pinterest.

Back to School/Office

DIY stationary

Decor

If you try any of these washi tape crafts I'd love to see your pictures. Just Instagram them and tag me @lavendermud or tweet your pictures to me @gb_shortcake. If I receive enough submissions I might feature them in an upcoming post.

Happy crafting!

xoxo Gwen

Preppy Summertime Bottle Openers

I don't drink beer and I don't spend the money on bottled soda, but I cannot resist the charm of these cast iron bottle openers from C. Wonder. Perfect picnic/kitchen/BBQ/party essential if you ask me.

CAST IRON ANCHOR BOTTLE OPENER $15.00

CAST IRON LOBSTER BOTTLE OPENER $15.00

xoxo Gwen

Wordless Wednesday {Herakut Street Art}

xoxo Gwen

Doodlers, Unite!

Next time you're "caught" doodling in class, a meeting, or the boardroom let them know you're improving your comprehension and creative thinking. If that doesn't work show them this video. Change their mind. Doodlers, unite!

xoxo Gwen

Flag Day

Today I feature two of my favorite things: the American flag and vintage prints.
Happy Flag Day!

 

 

 

xoxo Gwen

The Recipe Club {Chocolate Icebox Cake}

Some of you might remember I read The Recipe Club by Andrea Israel & Nancy Garfinkel awhile back and decided that I would attempt the recipes throughout the story and blog about them. Today is the first official post of the series.

I've never made an icebox cake before, but I will attempt the first recipe in the book (page 14), Chocolate Icebox Cake.

Chocolate Icebox Cake

Recipe

5 simple ingredients

Now I have to admit that my intention was to follow the recipes precisely and decide if they were successful or not, but here I am first recipe in the series changing it up. Instead of the log form mentioned in the book I went with the traditional cake layer method (as you will see in the following pictures).

I used my Magic Bullet to do the mixing.

Traditional cake layer method.

Cookies then cream mixture, then another layer of cookies and cream

Topped with mini chocolate chips

Mine chilled in the refrigerator for approximately 9 hours before I had the first piece.

Verdict....So Delicious!

 xoxo Gwen

Orange Is the New Black

I believe I literally stumbled across Season 1 of the show when it was released. I read the plot summary and decided to give it a go. It quickly became an obsession. I watched episode after episode without realizing it was a Netflix original. I got hooked on the title sequence with "You've Got Time" by Regina Spektor.

Orange is the New Black follows Piper Chapman a 30-something woman sent to prison after being convicted of a decade old crime. Inside she meets quite a few interesting characters and her new story begins. I definitely loved the character building and the one liners. Season 1 was over quickly because once I started watching I couldn't stop myself from watching the entire season.

Last week season 2 was released and yes, I have watched the entire season already. It's just that good. I think I will go back and re-watch both seasons at some point. Heck, I might even start today. But yes, I will be one of those poor souls waiting around until 2015 for the next season.

So if you haven't binge watched this Netflix original yet and you think you'll just be able to watch one episode without watching another I challenge you to try. The first season focuses on Piper and her meeting everyone and finding her way in prison. Season 2 tells the back story of so many characters it has you falling in love with them even more than you did in season 1.

xoxo Gwen