If this skirt doesn’t say holidays and celebration to you, then I don’t know what does. It’s shiny, glimmering, and makes me feel like Belle from Beauty and the Beast (as noted by the twirling seen below). Continue reading “Gold Pleated Midi Skirt Sewing Tutorial”
Can you believe it’s only been two years since Bunny Baubles’ first post? I feel like this blog has been a part of my life forever. In a way it has, since my love for sweets, sewing, and general DIY’ing has been ongoing since the 90’s, but the writing only began two years ago. Things have really changed around here and will continue to in the near future (aka, a site revamp – coming soon!). Coincidentally, my first post was about thumbprint cookies and here I am today baking them again with my sister for Christmas. She’s a little bit taller and my photography skills have improved a bit, but the recipe hasn’t changed and neither has my love to create.
I hope you all have enjoyed the site as much as I have. It’s been a dream, a labor of love, and an escape from normalcy. I’ve managed to get at least one post up a week for an entire two years, and I really consider that an accomplishment with travel, a 40 hour work week, and life possibly getting in the way. I’ve only been able to keep it going because it’s just fun. I love writing, I love creating, and I love sharing my successes and failures with you all. I also truly appreciate all of the support and motivation I get from my readers, family, and friends. Your kind words and continuous inspiration keep my mind churning with ideas each and every day, and I thank you so much for that!
What’s next for Bunny Baubles, you might ask? Well, I’ve been asked many times about pushing the blog to become a job or a money making machine, but there’s something so idyllic about the way it is today. I adore baking and sewing, and I don’t want to ever put those de-stressing activities into a stress driving compartment of my life. On top of that, I really love my current job and am able to do both things within the time frame and budget I currently have going. I could reconsider some day down the road, but I promise that you can continue to see what you have been seeing from me since the start. Combining sugar, eggs, and butter into delectable treats, and forming some resemblance of an outfit or costume out of needle and thread or hot glue and glitter.
I’ve shared a few of my favorite posts from the last two years below.
1. My Favorite DIY Clothing Piece: The Seersucker Off-the-shoulder Dress
Though I’ve loved so many of the clothing tutorials I’ve posted, this one somehow takes the cake. It was so different from anything I had ever made and was inspired by such an expensive piece that I felt really gratified to complete it and be able to call it a Julia original.
2. My Favorite Collaboration: Brunch at Mark’s
It may have taken us hours to make, but I just have incredible memories from this breakfast. Great friends abound, and waiting never made a breakfast combo taste so good. If you’re looking for food porn that will undoubtedly make you drool, you have to check this out.
3. My Favorite Go To Recipe: Lemon Squares
I make this recipe every year as soon as the weather starts to turn in the Spring. They are, without a doubt in my mind, the best lemon squares I’ve ever had, and I give full credit to Joy of Cooking for blessing me with their presence. They are also my boyfriend’s favorite, so there’s a special place in my heart for these guys.
4. My Favorite Brunch Item: Breakfast Egg Tart
This thing is incredible. Somewhere between the ease of making it and the vibrant flavor combo I die a little each time I have it.
5. My Favorite Home Decor Piece: Tribal Pillow Shams
These pillows make me happy. They turn my otherwise West Elm ready mid-century modern crisp white bed (which I adore) into my bed. Colorful and ridiculous and fun.
6. My Favorite Costume: Flapper Dress
Though I’ve loved wearing every costume I’ve made, this one gives me the best memories. A best friends’ birthday complete with singing into champagne bottles probably has something to do with that. It’s also turned into a wearable dress afterwards – always a plus!
7. The Most Laughable Post: Buttercream Frosting
I had discovered that outdoor lighting was a good thing, but resorted to frosting a cake outside in the courtyard next to an abstract fountain… because that makes sense…
8. The Most Fun/Surprising Cookie Recipe: Margarita Cocktail Cookies
These were such an experiment, and they turned out better than I could have imagined. I loved making them, I loved shooting the photos, and I loved eating them even more. A success story that any parent would be proud to share.
9. My Favorite Cake that I’m Questioning Why I Haven’t Made It Again… : Blueberry Lemon Bundt
Seriously, what have I been doing with my life and my oven for the past 1.5 years?
10. Award for the Worst Photos for the Best Baked Good: Funeral Cake
If you’ve had this, you know it’s 10 times better than these photos will have you believe.
What have been your favorite posts? What more would you like to see from me? I am only as creative as the inspiration I get from the environment around me, so if you have an incredible idea and would like to see it come to fruition, please let me know! Love you all, and I hope you have the most wonderful holidays!
CHRISTMAS. EXCITEMENT. SUGAR OVERLOAD. BAKING STRESS. Words describing me trying to come up with an impressive, yet doable after work, baked good for my work Christmas party this week. Continue reading “White Chocolate Christmas Reese’s Recipe”
While most of my focus lately has been on holiday eating – think hot chocolate, cookies, and comfort food – I have also been thinking about holiday clothing as well. Besides the obvious PJ and blanket scarf combo, there are a ton of parties that need a little bit more glitz. (Wait, I can’t show up in my leggings and a huge sweatshirt to this company party?) Christmas and New Years always lend well to sparkle and shine, but I was inspired by something a little different this year. Continue reading “Velvet Off the Shoulder Holiday Top Sewing Tutorial”
The last couple of weeks in Houston we have seen some bone chilling 50 degree days. I know it sounds lame, but the humidity makes it feel 20 degrees colder, I swear. Though I’ve stocked my house with cozy pillows and shareable sized blankets, sometimes we all need to leave the couch to stock up on more hot cocoa and tea and for some reason wearing a comforter as a coat isn’t acceptable. The solution: blanket scarves. Continue reading “Flannel Blanket Scarf DIY”
So I’ve been working on a recipe for sometime now for y’all, but I didn’t want to share it until it was just right. I know, very generous of me to taste test batches upon batches of french fries and claim them not as a snack, but as a scientific baking experiment. That means the calories don’t count, right? Continue reading “Baked Shoestring Sweet Potato Fries Recipe”
With Thanksgiving only about a week away, recipes have been flying around left and right for the perfect turkey, the most incredible stuffing, and some “unique” version of apple pie. While everyone at the store is fighting you for the last can of pumpkin or the only turkey that isn’t 30 lbs (honestly, who has this many people to feed?), I’ve been hiding in the baking aisle just hoarding all the spices and a whole lot of powdered sugar. Continue reading “Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice – Cinnamon Sugar Cookies Recipe”
With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, I have been working on getting a menu prepared, drinks taste tested, and decor… well, I’m working on it. This year I am staying back in Houston and celebrating with a group of good, similarly money-minded friends (flights are crazy expensive!). Knowing this group, there will be plenty of football watching, cheery drinking, and experimentation on cooking. We’re ordering a turducken, and it’s quite intimidating… any tips anyone?
Since most focus goes into the food and there are plenty of people helping out with that, I’m trying to get creative with the decor this year! After much searching and thought, I’ve agreed that gold is best. It’s been trendy for a couple of years now in home decor, and there are so many inexpensive items that you can purchase or make to really gild your table to glittery perfection. Chargers in shimmery gold can be purchased at Michael’s for about $1.50 a piece. Old wine bottles can be covered in gold paint or glitter to hold fresh flowers. The frugal options are endless! Check out my list of DIY’s and inspirational photos to get excited about your table this year. Bonus: this theme works well for Christmas and New Years too!
These DIY gold and glitter bottles from Yahoo Makers are too easy and so glamorous. I love the greenery coming out of the tops too.
Martha always has good holiday ideas. These gold dipped pine cones could easily be used for place cards or just placed sporadically along a table runner for a rustic chic look.
It’s hard not to love these gold spray painted Christmas lights from Landee See Landee Do – I would leave these up all year! Strung along the center of the table or in some tall glass vases would make for a glimmering centerpiece.
I’m also really into these gold branches from Pop Sugar. Throw them in a clear vase, hang some ornaments on them, and you are ready to go!
Though I usually send invites out on Facebook for my events, I really like the idea of sending paper invitations for special occasions. These gold accented invites from Paperless Post really caught my eye!
For more inspiration, check out the photos below!
Gold Table Display by A Pumpkin and A Princess
White and Gold Table by Sarah Sherman Samuel
Christmas Gold Display by The 36th Avenue
Rustic Holiday Table by Junebug Weddings
Do you guys have anything beautiful planned for your tables?
Sew Bake Decorate 