This month, I’m taking a label design class on Skillshare with Jon Contino. It’s been really fun so far. The first part of the assignent was to decide on a brand you’d like to make a lebel for and then put together a mood board to guide the design. I chose a local farm who makes fantastic juices and sells them at our local farm stand, but whose packaging could use a little spicing up.

I’m in the sketching phase right now and I’m focusing the design around hand-drawn type, fresh colors you might find in an orchard, and the idea of using a kraft packaging tape with the ability to simply write in or put a tick mark in a box next to the flavor in order to keep prosuction costs down (only using one label instead of a different one for each flavor of juice).

If you’d care to follow my progress or see the other pieces from the class, you can click here.

Can I just be honest? I’ve watched the movie Pitch Perfect about 8 times in the past four weeks. It was one of those movies I wasn’t sure I was gong to like (probably coming off my Les Miserables fail), but I ended up LOVING.  Synchronized lady dancing to a Mariah Carey chart topper?  Yes.

I may or may not have made this song my ring tone.  Don’t judge.

Other things I’ve done in multiples this month?

Consumed too many Americanos.

Made these cookies.

Listened to Tegan and Sara’s new album Heartthrob.

Dreaded Mondays.

Made ice pops and ate them out back in the sunshine.

Truth be told, these paletas came about from a need to use up some plums that were looking questionably wrinkly.  While they hadn’t gone bad, there we’re a bit too unappetizing looking to eat fresh.  I could have thrown them to the chickens, but decided to make a quick plum jam instead.

In a pan went plums with lemon juice, honey, water, and a pinch of cardamom.  Had I not been making paletas, I would have sterilized some jars, made a double batch, and preserved this business.  The jam is fantastic on it’s own, but combined with cool and creamy Greek yogurt, it’s on a whole other level.

I used natural sweeteners here to keep this recipe a little cleaner, but feel free to use any sweetener you like.  Or shortcut it and straight-out buy vanilla Greek yogurt.  Make it yours. Recipe after the jump.

Cardamom Plum and Vanilla Bean Paletas
Makes 4 ice pops

Ingredients

2 cups red plums, chopped
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 Tbsp. honey
2 Tbsp water
1/8 tsp. ground cardamom
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tsp. agave syrup or honey
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped and pod discarded (or used to make homemade vanilla extract!)

Preparation

In a heavy bottom saucepan, combine plums, honey, lemon juice, water, and cardamom.  Cook over low heat for 20 minutes or until the plums are very soft.  Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Set aside.

In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, agave syrup, vanilla extract, and vanilla bean seeds.  Stir to combine. Set aside.

Transfer the cooled plum mixture to a blender or food processor and puree until very smooth.  Using a fine mesh sieve, push the liquid from the plum mixture into a bowl and discard solids. (Note: this step is completely optional.  If you like a chunkier purée, by all means, omit this step).

Layer spoonfulls of plum into popsicle molds, followed by the yogurt mixture, repeating until the molds are filled.  Use a skewer to swirl the two mixtures together.  Insert sticks and freeze for at least four hours. Un-mold pops and serve immediately or store in a zip top bag in the freezer with wax paper in between pops.

I’ve got a new line of party decor available on Minted! This suite is called Fractions and there are just tons of different elements available to make your next party super special. I had a lot of fun designing this suite, which would be great for a baby shower to a bridal shower, to a little girl’s birthday party. It comes in lots of fun colors, so if you’re planning a party, check it out! Minted also has tons of other really fun designs available here, too.

To see more of my work available on Minted, click here!

Mondays are hard. I made you some treats! Truth be told, I made two batches of these in the span of one week. Whoops. I guess it could be worse. These treats are on the healthier end of the treat spectrum (Treat spectrum? Totally a thing, yes?), although, as with any treat, you I should probably eat them in moderation.

Almond flour forms the base of these cookie bars. In with it goes sea salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. For the wet ingredients, we combine, an egg, some coconut oil, a bit of honey, and vanilla extract. Yum! Coconut shreds and dark chocolate chips join the party at the end. A cameo appearance if you will. A quick 15-minute bake in the oven and I dare you to not cut into these while they’re still cooling in the pan. Oh, and P.S.? Crossfitters will be happy to hear that these treats are PALEO! Cookie beast mode. No? Okay. {Recipe after the jump}

Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Coconut Bars
Adapted from this recipe
yield: 9 bars

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups almond flour or almond meal
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
2 Tbsp. honey
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (increase to 1/2 cup if you really like chocolate!)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350° F. Cut parchment paper to fit an 8×8 pan.

Combine dry ingredients: almond flour, baking soda, sea salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.

Combine wet ingredients in a separate bowl and then add to dry ingredients, folding together with a silicone spatula. When combined, fold in coconut and chocolate chips.

Spread the batter into the parchment-lined pan, using your spatula to get it into the corners. It will seem thin, but this is normal.

Bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool at room temperature.

My Pinterest feed has been full of color lately, so I thought I’d share some of my favorite summer-inspired pins. I’m loving that living room!

All images via Pinterest.

Summers around here generally consist of short shorts, cold beer, and a blanket and umbrella thrown in the back of the car headed for the beach.  Last weekend was a doozy of a summer preview.  Mid-eighty degree temperatures had me craving all of the above, and while I didn’t make it out of the backyard, I did read a fantastic book and made you these popsicles.  You’re welcome.

It was CINCO DE MAYO!!!! and my thoughts turned to tacos, tequila, and Tapatio (the trifecta in our house). Tacos were consumed, guacamole was devoured, and while I layed off the tequila (probably wise – I’m such a light weight), I did indulge in a beer to wash everything down.  And then I had an ice pop for dessert.

I made these ice pops with some of my favorite things: limes, meyer lemon juice, and ginger.  The ginger gives it a little kick, while smooth honey sweetens everything up without the use of refined sugar. I plan on having a stash of these in my freezer all summer long.  You never know when the heat is going to sneak up around here, so it’s good to be equipped with frozen treats to hand out to friends on a hot day. The just might reciprocate with a cold beer. Win-win.

I wanted to try something new: combining my illustrations with my recipe posts. I made a little illustrated recipe card for these ice pops. Let me know what you think. I might keep doing them, if for nothing else than to keep practicing, which is always a good thing.

Fiesta Ice Pops
Makes 4 popsicles

Ingredients
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon/lime juice
2-inch knob of ginger, peeled and grated
Zest of 1 lime
1/2 cup honey-ginger simple syrup (recipe below)
1/2 cup water

Preparation
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, stirring to combine.  Pour the mixture into ice pop molds and freeze.

Honey-Ginger Simple Syrup
Makes about 2 cups

Ingredients
2 cups water
1 cup honey or agave syrup
6-inch knob of ginger, chopped

Preparation
In a small saucepan, combine water and honey or agave syrup. Heat over medium flame until the syrup is dissolved.  Add the sliced ginger and simmer over very low flame for 20 minutes.  Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.  Strain and and let cool completely to room temperature.

You will have some syrup leftover after making the ice pops.  Suggestion? Make homemade ginger ale! Just combine 1 cup club soda, 3 Tbsp ginger syrup, and ice.  Squeeze a lime over the top and enjoy!

Minted has a new selection of customizable greeting cards and birthday cards available on their site.  What’s so great about it?  Don’t you just love being able to buy one card? Not a set, just one.  And what if you could customize it with the recipient’s name?  Well, I’d feel pretty special if I received a card like that.

Up top, there, is my Little Spy.  She’s on the lookout for a good party, as any tween girl would be.

I thought I’d share some of my other favorites from the site (although there are so many great ones, it was really hard to narrow it down to four). Clockwise from top left:

01. Doodle Words by Althea and Ruth
02. Muted Bouquet by Moglea
03. Beaming by Nocciola Design
04. Constellation by Brie Zacher

I’m really having a love affair with Spring this year, enjoying being outside, sitting in the sun and reading or drawing.  Aside from my allergies going bonkers, it’s been a really lovely spring on the Central Coast.

I had fun with my watercolors and made up a little desktop wallpaper featuring hand painted typography and florals.  The inspiration for the word ‘Spring’ came from my sugar snap peas climbing up their trellis out back.  I hope you enjoy it!

Click to download “Hello Spring” wallpaper: DESKTOP / IPAD

Mother’s Day always sneaks up on me.  One minute it’s April and the next minute…BAM! Mother’s Day is tomorrow and I’m hunting through the picked over card selection at CVS for one that speaks to me. Well not this year.  I’m so set.  Card. Check. Gift. Check. Breakfast menu. Planned. Special Mother’s Day surprise.  Totes arranged.

For anyone who needs a little inspiration on how to show their appreciation for their mama, I put together a little gift guide.  A few of my favorite things that I’m sure my mom (and others out there) would certainly enjoy.

01. Personalized stationery she’ll be delighted to pick up and put to use.

02. Custom stamped initial necklace. (I have this one and I don’t think I’ve taken it off in a month.  Love!)

03. Josie Maran argan oil products.  I use the moisturizer for day and it’s the best.

04. A gorgeous leather everyday tote.

05. A splurge-worthy candle she’d never buy for herself.

06. Bellocq hand crafted tea No.12 Le Hammeau. I sort of want some for myself, not gonna lie.

Just popping in this morning to share that I have two new art prints available on Minted:  The Neighbors and Wild Bouquet.  I think Wild Bouquet would make a great framed piece as a gift for Mother’s Day.  Just sayin’.  :)