Salt Dough Christmas Ornaments

A few weeks ago Maximiliano and I made some salt dough ornaments together and it was so much fun! He really enjoyed rolling out the dough and pressing his hands and feet in it. I gave him his own piece of salt dough and some cookie cutters and toys he could press into it and it kept him entertained for ever! I loved how the ornaments turned out and they were really fast and simple to make but overall it was a great activity to do with my bb. 

I am aware that there are lots of different salt dough recipes out there but I'll share the one I used anyway. One tip my blogger buddy told me was to keep these in ziploc bags or they will mold! 

Salt Dough Recipe

- 1 cup salt
- 1 cup flour
-1/4 - 1/2 cup water

1. Mix all three ingredients until you get a manageable dough. Not too dry not too sticky.
2. Roll into ball then roll out. Remember to do this on a floured surface so your dough won't stick.
3. Make as many hand/foot prints as you want then simply cut out with a knife. Make a hole so you can thread your string through the ornament.
4. Bake at 215 degrees for 2 hours.

Let dry overnight and paint them using acrylic paints.

XOXO

Lidia

Last Minute Christmas Gift Guide

Hello! Hope all is well with you guys. I made this quick little gift guide for all you last minute Christmas shoppers. If you're anything like me, you are waaay behind on this. I simply put together some of my favorite things and I hope this helps you out. Don't mind the quality of it for I made this on paint. Yes you read right!

Kitchen | Hurom juicer, for all those weight loss/health new year resolutions coming up. | Sheet Pan Suppers, this book is amazing, every recipe is made in your oven using a sheet pan! perfect for the foodie in your life. | Market toaster, umm is this not the chicest toaster you ever did see? Comes in two sizes. You pick.

Home | Campfire soy candle. A candle that smells of camping and s'mores, what else could be greater? | Fujifilm Instax  instant smart phone printer, possibly the coolest thing I've seen and I want to print out all my instagram feed with this. | Crosley portable turntable. I want to gift this thing to myself. 

Style | Naty Hat from Brandy Melville. You can wear this with anything in your closet, I love it. | Druzy Drop Bracelet from fresh tangerine. The bracelet of my dreams. | Velvetine from limecrime. This is my favorite lip product ever. It is so perfectly matte and lasts forever. It comes in various shades, my favorite being Red Velvet. These thing are almost always sold out so you have to be lucky to get your hands on one! | Mulder Platform Boot from Jeffrey Campbell. These beauties have been on my list for a veryyy long time. | Super Black nail polish in Switch. They have so many awesome shades, you'll want them all. 

Littles | Vtech Kidizoom Camera. This is kind of awesome, it's a real camera for kids! They can also take videos and play games on it and you don't have to worry about them breaking it! | Leather Ankle Boot  for boys from Zara. | Bug Bingo. I kinda' want this for myself! | Do Good Print from Help Ink. Not only do they have awesome prints that your little one will love but with each print you buy you can provide people in need with meals, clean water, medical supplies, trees and books. So you will be double gifting with this one! I have a few prints on my list. | Balloon Modeling Kit. This just looks like so much fun, It will for sure keep little ones busy all day.

Hope this was of some help for you.

XOXO

Lidia

Pinterest Inspo // Christmas

{ home // cozy throws + small pine tree via stylemepretty }

{ this would be the cutest Christmas cake, could add small pine trees. }

{ I would love to host a hot chocolate party and this one is just adorable! via williams-sonoma.com }

{ hot coco on a stick! you could make to gift or to serve at above hot chocolate party via makeandtakes }

{ these cookies are so simple yet completely adorable. }

{ for kids // this diy gingerbread play dough is an awesome holiday activity via sweetsugarbelle }

{ this would be the perfect Christmas breakfast for any kid, I'm in love via kidskubby }

{ I'm kinds of obsessed with this simple advent calendar via lapinblu }

Christmas is right around the corner and I haven't gotten any Christmas shopping done! I am not looking forward to crowded malls. We just got our tree up yesterday and it finally feels like Christmas, It's so cozy around here. I love Christmas lights and just put some in our room too, Christmas lights make anything magical. Have you done all your Holiday shopping? Is your tree up?

XOXO

Lidia

I couldn't find the source to some pictures, If you see a picture that belongs to you and want it taken down, I will do so immediately.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Hi! Hope you guys all had a wonderful thanksgiving with all your loved ones and lots of yummy food! My thanksgiving was very simple, other than two close friends, we didn't have anyone over this year since the original plan was for my mom and sister to go spend thanksgiving at my dads. Everyone ended up staying though! My sister and I did all the cooking this year and everything came out great. We had turkey, garlic-parmesan mashed potatoes, bacon corn bread stuffing, broccoli casserole, rolls and ham. For dessert I baked these bars the night before.

These pumpkin cheesecake bars were seriously too easy to make. I love love love a recipe that is effortless but amazing. They do take a bit too bake and you have to cool for at least 3 hours but if you make them a night or two in advance you are good to go!

I know that pumpkin season is over and now it's peppermint everything but if you're like me and love incorporating pumpkin in your baking then you might want to try this recipe out. Or you can pin this and make for next thanksgiving, I can assure this will be a hit at your gathering. 

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

makes 12 large squares or 24 small squares

recipe slightly adapted from roxanashomebaking

crust:

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 

1/4 melted butter

filling:

4 packages (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened 

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

4 eggs

1 cup pumpkin puree

2 teaspoons cinnamon 

Heat oven to 300 degrees.

Line a 13x9" baking dish with parchment paper or foil, leaving about an inch hanging on the sides.

Pour the crumbs and butter right in your prepared baking dish and mix it all very well. Press mixture into the bottom of the pan as packed and even as you can. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar on low speed until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time just until incorporated. Spoon half of the mixture on top of crust and spread evenly.

Add pumpkin puree and cinnamon to remaining cream cheese mixture, whisk until smooth and spoon over plain cream cheese mixture in pan as evenly as possible.

Bake for 50 minutes until set. Turn off the oven and let the oven door open with the cheesecake still inside. This way allowing it to cool down inside the oven for an hour. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. Cut bars into desired size. Garnish with whipped cream and cinnamon!

Enjoy!

XOXO

Lidia