I’ve already baked more 3 times at my family’s request. Yes, they’re that good.

I found the recipe for these delicious breakfast cookies while looking for recipes that could spice up my boring breakfast routine. (My breakfast routine is as exciting as my dinner routine.) The recipe comes from the blog The Kitchen is My Playground and if you haven’t already you should  head over and get to know Tracey. I look up to people who are able to whip up something amazing without following a recipe – that is way beyond my skill level. Tracey does just that and her creations are unique and quite tasty.

Give these Maple Peanut Breakfast Cookies a try. I guarantee that breakfast isn’t the only time you’ll be snacking on them!

On Sundays I like to channel my inner Emeril and experiment with new recipes. My decision to try something new is always received with mixed emotions. My family gets excited about a new meal being introduced into the line up but they also fear what they will have to choke down. Lucky for them the recipe I experimented with this Sunday turned out wonderfully! They even gave me permission to make it again!

Saucy Italian “Drunken” Noodles with Spicy Italian Sausage by The Cozy Apron

I would say that it was my cooking talents that created such a delicious meal but everyone knows that just isn’t true. The reason this meal was so great? An awesome recipe with directions even the most hopeless chef can follow. I got a bit nervous when I couldn’t find Pappardelle noodles (and that I had no idea what Papperdelle noodles are) but I substituted with wide egg noodles and it still tasted great.

Thank so much to The Cozy Apron! If you’re looking for a break from grilling – give this recipe a try!

To win, leave a comment on this post telling us a craft or diy project that you would like to see in the next issue. The winner will be announced Monday morning.

Good luck!

So what could I make that would allow them to be outside and get dirty? A sandbox, of course! And an old plastic turtle just won’t do.

Here are a few of the sandboxes I found that are inspiring me to get to work!

1. Stately Kitsch DIY Sandbox w/Lid & Benches
2. PB Kids Inspired Sandbox by Mary Ellen
3. DIY Sandbox with Lid
4. Sailboat Sandbox

Have you ever made a sandbox? If you have, let me see!

Everyone else had a similar reaction. Myself included.

Please ignore the toddler handprints on the mirror – he’s quite the climber these days.

It started to grow on me, but not on my husband. So I emptied it out and carried it back outside to try again. This time I decided to paint the drawers a solid gray and attach white knobs.

So what do you think? Which do you prefer?

Hi! I’m Kelly and I am lucky to write the blog, Eclectically Vintage.  I live in NJ with my twin girls and hubby – just a short drive into NYC.  My dream came true when we bought a 100 year old house that we completely renovated. You can usually spot me in the aisles of a thrift shop, rummaging through piles at the flea market and sometimes screeching to a halt if I find a cool castoff on the side of the road.

My parents still have lots of things I made and poems I wrote from when I was a kid.  From a page ripped from a hunting calendar that I burned the edges then glued to a piece of wood and shellacked for Father’s day to (very bad) oil paintings I made in high school.

Luckily, blogging has brought out my dormant crafting diva!  The change of seasons and each holiday is the perfect excuse to whip up a fun craft.  My girls have an annual Valentine party (no boys allowed!) and we have fun making all kinds of blinged out things for the table.  Of course, parties are the perfect excuse to get crafty and I love making things that make my girls’ eyes light up, like the paper bag turkey filled with popcorn that was our Thanksgiving centerpiece.

I don’t own a glue gun – can you believe it!  I like simple crafts that can be done quickly before I see something shiny and get distracted!  I’ve made lots of fun wreaths using marshmallows, Peeps, rubber spiders, cocktail umbrellas and I even made one out of a bubble rain umbrella and my husband’s childhood snow shovel!

I’m inspired by all the amazing projects I see around me and it’s made me open my eyes to everyday life to see how I can take something I love and turn it into something I can make myself, with a twist.  Even a walk in the park sometimes means lugging home giant branches that I’ve used for hanging spiders and cobwebs, winter snowflakes, and Easter eggs.  My poor husband never knows when I’ll make him lug something home (and I’m not above hiding my finds in the garage)!