inspired by charm

Jazzy Jello Apple Slices

2012-05-30T11:44:00.000-07:00

Hello friends! I'm so glad you all liked my little 'weekend recap' yesterday! It was fun putting it together. I'm thrilled it was well received. Look for more of those every week.

Today I have a super easy, healthy, and delicious treat to share with you. I discovered this little gem of a recipe over the weekend from my Aunt Mary who made them as a little snack. Thanks Aunt Mary! I assume some of you have heard about these before. I did a little internet research and its seems the recipe has been around for a while.

But for those of you who are new to these, may I introduce Jazzy Jello Apple Slices.

Basically, these are apple slices sprinkled with Sugar Free Jello Mix. That's it. But let me tell you, it makes a boring apple really tasty and unique!

Here's how they come together. Cut up about three medium sized apples. I used Macintosh and I choose to leave the skin on.

Put your apple slices in a baggie.

Sprinkle in an entire pack of Sugar Free Jello Mix. I would assume you can use regular Jello mix, but that would make them a little less healthy.

I made black cherry and strawberry.

After that, shake your apples in the bag until the Jello mix is evenly distributed. Toss them in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes and you are done!

Beautiful and delicious apple slices ready for snacking!

As an added bonus, the Jello mix will prevent the apples from turning brown. Love that!

Not only are these delicious, but I think they would also make a very unique cocktail garnish or fruit tray garnish. Totally different and unexpected!

What do you think? Have you seen this done before? Will you give them a try?

Eight Lovely Things: Weekends with Michael

2012-05-29T13:04:00.001-07:00

One. On Sunday Morning, I made these delicious muffins via this recipe from The Fabulous Beeakman Boys and served them up with homemade Strawberry Rhubarb jam. If summer had a taste, this could be it. Divine.

Two. Those muffins were the centerpiece of my breakfast table set for ten. The black check tablecloth is from Kohls. The dinnerware is Fiesta in Lemongrass and Marigold. The chandelier is from Pottery Barn.

Three. I found a new magazine at the grocery store. The cover shot completely drew me in with it's sunny yellow accents. Plus my design hero, Sarah Richardson is inside!

Four. The first campfire of the summer was at my brother house. Good tunes, good drinks, and the best company.

Five. On a Friday afternoon run. I found this tree. Of course, I immediately thought of donuts. Did I mention I was running? Oh the irnoy.

Six. I floated around in my Dad's pool on Monday. It was magic. The first day at the pool is always magic.

Seven. I went to Hollywood. Hollywood, PA. Its home to one of my favorite antique shoppes, and not much else.

Eight. I also whipped up this fabulous Fluffy Pink Lemonade Cake. If you need the most perfect summer dessert. This. is. it. Just fabulous!

(So, this is a new little weekend recap 'thing' I want to try on the blog. I hope to post this on Sunday nights or Mondays. Though not attempting to completely steal his idea, this recap was inspired by the amazing Will and his colorful world of Bright Bazaar. I love his '10 Things I've Learned & Loved this Weekend' posts. So much wonderfulness packed into a little post. Be sure to check his out and let me know what you think of mine! )

Mother's Day Done Right with Shannanigans

2012-05-25T09:45:00.001-07:00

I honestly can't tell you how excited I am to have Shannon of Shannanigans guest posting on the blog today. If you remember a few weeks ago the amazing and obviously super talented Shannon and her hubby spent some time at my little inn.

When she sent me this post I literally got goosebumps. Yep, that's how much I love it! It has entertaining, crafts, baking, loads of color, planting, bow ties and plaid shorts. I'm mean, come on! Does it get any better?

I'll will shut up now and let Shannon take over. It's such an honor to have her posting here today! Thanks Shannon. (This is one of my top two favorite Gabe outfits! Boy has style!) And you know if I'm hosting a party I'm calling on you and Bottle Pop Party Co. to do it! Truly fabulous work!

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Hi there Inspired by Charm readers! I'm Shannon, I blog at Shannanigans and I am president of the Michael fan club. Just kidding. But I would be. Should I start one? You'd join, right? Anyway, I adore everything Michael does, so when he asked me to whip up a guest post for IBC, you know I was on that. I had visions of crafting up something spectacular using some great find from the thrift store...something that would really make Michael proud.

But here's the problem...I'm the mom of a toddler. Toddlers and browsing don't mix. And like a lot of you, I don't have the time to DIY all the fun things on my Pinterest boards. Did I mention I run a business too? So yeah, kinda busy. But when it came time for Mother's Day, I knew I wanted to do something special for my own mama. And make it pretty...obviously. This I found the time for.

I decided to host a little brunch, just for the two of us and set it up in my back yard. Luckily Mother's Day came and the sun was shining so, along with my little helper (yeah right), I got to setting the table. I was inspired by this adorable picnic invitation I found at Eat Drink Chic as well as the little gingham pocket. So cute, right? What's even better is that they're free printables, go get yourself some!

The invite had such bright fun colors, that I pulled every one of them, from the retro oilcloth tablecloth I found at HomeGoods to the handpainted stripey flatware. My Goodwill has random forks, knives and spoons for 10 cents each. Each! A strip of fabric tied around the fork and knife makes em a cute set.

Meanwhile, my little buddy was off picking flowers for his sweet grandma. I die over his Doodle Dooz Bowtie, don't you? We subscribe to the Michael way of doing flower arrangements...we grab em from our own yard!

Next up was picking out some plates. I know I said I don't get to the thrift stores too often, but I did score these melamine "paper" plates, originally from Target, brand new for 5 bucks for the whole set. I did the Goodwill-find happy dance, I swear it. The sweet little vintage yellow dessert plates, from Venerable Pastiche, matched the invite and tablecloth freaking perfectly. I couldn't have found a better match.

And I was too excited to put my new (old) blue mason jars to good use. Mason jars are my go-to for every event. And as much as I love a paper stripey straw that you see everywhere, these plastic straws from Target are candy-colored and reusable! The "You Are So Loved" print was actually a freebie with a purchase from one of my favorite shops, The Wheatfield. Go browse and die over the prettiness.

One of my favorite parts of setting a cute table are placecards. Anytime someone comes over for any meal, I'm putting out placecards. It's such a great way to get creative and tie in your theme. I used these precccccious little picnic baskets from My Wedding Favors, Etc. with a little plant tucked inside for both a placecard and a little gift.

I love it when it comes together!

I also got a chance to re-use the brown paper flowers we made for my Always Crafty Workshop at my home back in April. I just cut out a few more leaves in coordinating colors and tucked them in the existing flowers.

In case you need some giant paper flowers of your own, I'll be doing a quick tutorial on my blog later this week!

And of course, no brunch is complete without something purty to snack on, right? Especially when it's a cake adorned with a cute little washi tape bunting from Inspiration Nest.

This is a quick little recipe that I really have no source for. It's just in my head. Jell-o probably invented it, who knows. Let's call it Orange Angel Cake, how bout that?

1) Prepare a box of angel food cake mix and pour half of it into an ungreased bundt pan. Feel free to make another cake with the other half. The cake rises so high that half of the mixture will fill the entire bundt pan.

2) After it's done baking, let it cool in the pan then use a serrated knife to shimmy it out of the pan.

3) While it's cooling, prepare a box of orange jello by mixing 3/4 C boiling water with the powder then stirring in 1/2 C cold water.

4) Poke holes in the cake every 1/2 inch about 3/4 of the way down with a skewer or fork. Pour the jello mixture into the cake, letting it soak in. Refrigerate for 3 hours to set.

5) Frost with your choice of whipped topping or glaze. I used a pre-made bottle of vanilla glaze and it worked perfectly.

This little dude enjoyed it. And I'm pretty sure you will too.

Thanks so much for having me, Michael! BFF's Forev!

Shannanigans

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