Holiday gift ideas for Moms

I am not posting many GIFT guides this year, but I will do a few. 

For starters, I wanted to put together one for moms. You see, this year, I became a first-time mother....so, I know just how challenging motherhood can be.   Every so often it's nice to receive a little something new ....ya know.........like a gift!   What better place to-go for gifting to mom than Sur La Table ? Below are some of my favorite items over at Sur La Table for moms. 

Heck, or for anyone that loves to entertain or enjoy a nice hot chocolate at home.  Which gift would you buy your mama friend or your own mother?

 

Have a great weekend!!! 

P.S. on another note, I am currently working on a blog re-design, stay tuned! 

-post by jen ramos

FOOD: Salted Peanut Butter Cups

Oh Made By Girl readers do I have a treat for you! I'm Jen from Pretty Eats and am SO excited to bring you this homemade version of a favorite, Salted Peanut Butter Cups. Creamy, with such deep flavors brought out by a small sprinkle of salt. These cups are so decadent yet simple to make, their store-bought version will pale in comparison.

The key in simple recipes is always high quality ingredients, mainly the bittersweet chocolate used in these treats. Since making these peanut butter cups at home, I seemed to have gained a few admirers (everyone in my house)! Go on, try these for yourself and earn a parade in your honor!

Salted Peanut Butter Cups
Ingredients: makes12

• 1 c bittersweet chocolate chips (Ghiradeli used here)
• 3/4 c natural peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• sea salt

Directions:

• In a microwave-safe container, combine chocolate and coconut oil. Microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring in-between, until chocolate is just melted.
• Place mini muffin cups on a cutting board or flat plate.
• Spoon 2 teaspoons of melted chocolate into each cup.
• Pop into freezer for a few minutes, until chocolate is firm.
• Remove cups from freezer. Spoon 1 tablespoon of peanut butter into the center of each cup, taking care not to touch the sides of the paper.
• Spoon 2 teaspoons of melted chocolate around and on top of peanut butter.
• Sprinkle sea salt on top of each cup.
• Place cups back into freezer for a few minutes, until firm, and try not to eat all 12 at once!

Enjoy your weekend!

- Post & photos by Jen Olson

FOOD: S'mores for TWO

Hi guy! Jen from Lemon Drop Love here. We are in the month of love and Valentines Day is creeping up on us. Today, I wanted to share a version of one of my favorite sweet treats�s�mores! But this time you get to share it with your special someone and get a little messy in the process.

S�more For Two
INGREDIENTS:

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Graham crackers for dipping
1 small skillet
 Get this one at Sur La Table or others via Madyson's Marshmallows or (or extra large marshmallows cut in half)
Heart-shaped cookie cutter

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 450.
In a small cast iron skillet, add chocolate chips. Take each Maddy Melt and cut into heart shapes or cut the large marshmallows in half and top the chocolate chips with them.
Once the oven is up to temperature, add the skillet to the oven. Bake for 7-9 minutes, or until the marshmallows turn golden brown.
Serve with graham crackers for scooping.

-images and recipe by jen costea

William Sonoma This V-DAY

How will you be celebrating this Valentine's Day? My husband & I were originally going to go out to a nice dinner, but we decided to take the fancy dinner money & donate it to a charity.  It's the first time we've ever done this on V-day....but we knew that we could come up with something fun to do anyway.  So, Mat offered to make a lovely dinner instead - then we both will be making something FUN for dessert! Neat huh?

However, if you're NOT in the cooking or going out mode, I suggest ordering something sweet & pretty for your Valentine - I recommend William Sonoma.  They have the prettiest cakes & candies for that special day.

Here are a few of my faves, and even though I'm still looking to try some of these....just out of sheer beauty I'd buy some.

Seriously, who wouldn't be impressed with any of these arriving at their door?

-post by jen ramos