CONVERSATION HEART COOKIES

Two recipe posts in one week!? 

Don't hide your delight, my friends. 

I guess it's not really a true recipe post, since it just is an extension of Tuesday's post about how to ice the perfect sugar cookie. 

Here's my take on conversation hearts- the candy ones at least. I remember when we were kids those things were delicious. Chalky, not too much flavor, just sugary crunchy heaven. 

Now they have weird sour flavors, new colors, different texture. BLASPHEMY I say. So this year rather than buying those candies, I decided to make my own sugar cookies inspired by them:

Now, for how to ice the perfect cookies, check out my post earlier in the week. Making your own icing is quick, easy, and doesn't require any fancy ingredients or techniques. There isn't a need for special bakery bags or anything, a ziplock will do! 

I colored my icing in a few pastels- use less food coloring than you think you need!

I used gel icing to write out the little messages like "Be Mine" " So Cute" and "xo".

Sidenote: not to sound like an old senile lady complaining more about useless candy- but all the text-speak candy hearts are dumb. There. I said it. Why would I want a heart with "LOL"  or "IDK" on it from someone? Mixed messages I tell ya. 

Of course I wasn't going to make a whole bunch of I LOVE YOU and BE MINE cookies for my co-workers...that might just get awkward. Thus, there are plain iced hearts in abundance for them:

What would your conversation hearts say?

I'm sticking with the simple "xoxo" as my favorite!

xo, lp

YES THIS POST IS LOVELY. AND FULL OF BAD PUNS.

** Update: I realize I never mentioned in this post that this is not a sponsored post. I reached out to these shops on my own, and they were kind enough to offer the discounts! Purely my own, un-bought opinions!! 

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Hi. This post is lovely. There. That's the only pun I'll use.

Let me start this post by addressing two groups of people.

1. To the people who love Valentine's Day: 

This post is full of quirky, creative, gorgeous cards to give for the holiday. Enjoy the pretty cards, a few discount codes, and the fact you're supporting local artists.

2.  To the people who loathe Valentine's Day: 

This post is full of cards you can give at any time to anyone you love. Stop freaking out. You can buy them now and give most of them at any time. 

Whew. Glad we got that out of the way. Let's begin.

I think there is something so special about getting valentines from smaller shops. Rather than giving a Hallmark card that literally THOUSANDS of people across the country get, you have something special and unique. On top of that, all of these cards equally double as sweet art you could frame. Really. Grab a 4x6 at IKEA and you are good to go. 

So this time around, let's buy cards for our boyfriends, girlfriends, moms, sisters, grandmas that are thoughtful, beautiful, and support smaller artists, shall we?

Allow me to share with you my favorite love-themed cards on Etsy. Some of these amazing shops have offered discount codes for all- so be sure to stop by and show them some love!

Shop 1:

It was seriously hard picking just 4 from this shop to feature.

Simple heart cards for the not over-the top lovey-dovey people in your life.

Big LOVE cards for the very over the top lovey-dovey people in your life.

Manly blue/black/texture cards for the manly man in your life.

AND Shannon is offering 15% through Feb 6th -just use code BATB15 at checkout!

Shop 2:

This shop is full of Eco-Friendly cards that I promise you'll love!

How awesome is the "you're my lobster" one? Any other FRIENDS fans out there?

All the illustrations in Kristan Lynn's shop are simple, sweet, and even quirky. Check it out!

Shop 3:

You all know I love kraft paper, right?

Bubby and Bean's cards caught my eye right away. I am completely obsessed with the XOXOXOXO card. If the brown kraft paper look isn't your jam like me, this shop has tons of other styles too! 

If any of you feel like sending me a valentine this year, feel free to send any single one of these:

Shop 4: 

I'm going to try not to go into a long diatribe about how much I love this shop. Gah. 

Reese and Jon are so dang talented- I majorly want their artistic skills. They have cards, calendars, brooches...and...crap I'm babbling. They have a card for anyone you can think of. I love the "You are the salt to my pretzel" and the foxes in love. Even if you aren't looking for a V-day cards, check out the shop and snag a few for future celebrations. 

Jon & Reese are offering 10% off all orders through 2/28 with the code HSWBB10. 

So there you have it. 4 amazing, talented, artsy shops to love and support.

Which of these 4 shops is your favorite?

Clearly you know I can't pick. They're all too good!

xo, lp

Pssst- those discount codes are good for a while, use 'em up team!

HOW TO FROST THE PERFECT COOKIE

Before you tell me that frosting a cookie is not rocket science, save your breath.

Duh it's not. Rocket science is rocket science.

However, if you want to get that just brought from the bakery look- read a little further. 

Now, if you use store bought frosting- it'll be thick enough to create a shape, but won't be slick and shiny! Heartbreaking, I know. 

What you'll need to make it happen:

1 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon butter

2-3 teaspoons milk

Food coloring optional

* the butter is not 100% necessary- but it will make the icing super shiny and lovely. promise.

How to make it happen:

 There you have it. Simple, slick, shiny cookies. 

Do you have a trick to making your cookies look bakery worthy? 

Share away, I'm always looking to improve!

xo, lp

PS: Valentine's cookie post part 2 on Thursday. Stay Tuned.

PPS: Looking to pin the whole tutorial? Got you covered:

MORE PEANUT BUTTER THAN ANY HUMAN COULD EAT

Happy Monday, folks.

After the ridiculous ice storms hitting the country, I hope you all are getting around safely! We got a good old layer of ice yesterday, but I can't complain because it's going to be insanely warm this week. 45 degrees people! AH!! That's practically bikini weather around here. 

Michael and I declared this weekend to do nothing but hang out together & take care of ourselves...after weeks of being sick lame idiots. We did just that. We cleaned. We ran errands. We cooked meals together. We drank a ton of coffee and played a bunch of Scrabble. I baked and did Valentine's crafts. 

Wow. I just realize we sound like we're 80. Yikes.

Here are some awesome things from last week, and a few things to look forward to this week:

Thing 1: Dude, run to your nearest GAP and get this indigo striped shirt. If I didn't work in merchandising surrounded by insanely stylish people who would fully notice...I'd wear this shirt daily. Fact. Buttons in the back too. Yup.

Update: I just found the shirt online, and there's 30% off at GAP today! Treat yo Self! (Runs true to size)

Thing 2: The 24th was National Peanut Butter Day. Did you all celebrate? My coworkers are awesome and one of them organized a peanut butter tasting. Skippy Creamy still wins it for me. All those runny organic ones can go away. I like mah corn syrup in mah peanut butter.

Thing 3: Polka dot chambray, orange necklace and curls.  Again, I'd wear this all the time if I could. For reasons why I can't, see thing #1 above.

 Thing 4: Like I said, Valentine's Day baking and crafts this weekend. Tomorrow is post one of two about cookies. Yup. 

Thing 5: Did you see GAP's new clutches? Total Claire Vivier look, but about 1/8 of the price. Under $30 and with the 30% going on online right now? Done. Done. Done. 4 Colors, this is my favorite:

Okay. That's all I've got today kids. 

Tell me something good about your weekend.

Did you celebrate National PB day?!?!

xo, lp

Psssssssssssst: Find me on Instagram HERE!

Friday's Fancies #52: black + white and...

The theme this week for FF was just all about black & white- what could be easier?

Let me be clear- with the chilly weather here in Wisconsin, there's no way on earth I could wear this outfit for the next 5 months or so, but a girl can dream, right?

the BEST black skinnies

the darkest studs you'll find

dotted and delightful blouse

sleek black Marc ring

the shiniest flats

That's all I've got for you today folks. Black and white and simple.

Plans for the weekend my friends?

I'll be huddling under as many blankets as possible watching it snow. Be jealous.

xo, lp

WHY WOULDN'T YOU NEED CHAIR EARRINGS?

Have you all ever shopped at ASOS?

I've only purchased jewelry there, and I've been nothing but pleased. Always free shipping, super affordable stuff, and it gets sent to you super fast. Sold. 

Now, you might say, "Laura, who on earth needs pig/lipstick/owl earrings?" 

Um, well, no one. I never claimed it was a need, now did I?

Here are some of my favorite, fun, super cheap earrings right now at ASOS:

Owls, pigs, pave rose colored studs...oh my! 

These three costume-y pieces are insane. Love the blue, the neon, and the triangles equally.

This collection of lady like studs are kind of the sweetest for a v-day gift for a friend, don't you think?

cocktail glasses/pearl crowns/ lipstick / chair and table/ pearl starbursts / gold homes

what's awesome is that the majority of these are under $15!

get 'em before they sell out, friends!

Which set is your favorite?

I kind of think the chair set is mine...with the little homes a close second!

xo, lp

LOVELY THINGS OF VALENTINE'S DAY PAST

 If you've been hanging around here a while, you might remember last year how I confessed my reasons for loving Valentine's Day. [hint: heart patterned socks play a big role]

If you haven't been around, allow me to share with you a few favorite treats from last year. Links can be found in the descriptions to the original post!

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Let's start with the sweetest of them all, shall we? 

Ombre sugar sprinkle cookies. 

 Next in line? Fishing line + free paint chips=

Valentine's Hanging Heart Garlands (that were added into the post about V-Day traditions)

 Clearly I couldn't leave out valentines, so I made 5 different styles using watercolors, glitter, and more paintchips!

Valentine's Cards Ideas

Then there are these watercolors...that have been repinned a good amount on Pinterest (thank you!!), and were insanely easy.

Valentine's Watercolors

I dabbled a little in decorating candles, which I can't say I'd do again [read:GLITTEREVERYWHERE], but they sure were fun and festive!

V-day DIY Candles

And quite possibly my favorite- my flower failure that turned into this pretty mason jar display!

Valentine's flowers...and failing.

So there you have it kids. 

A lot of Valentine's projects...some better than others...all made with love. 

OH COME ON. You didn't expect one cheesy pun? It's Valentine's Day people, that's what it's all about.

Any fun V-day DIYs up your sleeves?

Share away, friends!

xo, lp

SPICY & SALTY RED PEPPER PARMESAN PASTA

Note: Sometimes in my recipe posts I post a lot of pictures to try to prove to you how good the recipe is. I won't do that this week. This recipe speaks for itself. Nom. 

I love pasta so much. So so much. Don't waste your time telling me how processed food is bad for you. 

Yes I know.

No I will not stop eating pasta.

I've shared recipes for different noodleypastay dishes here, here, and here- and the only reason there aren't more is because I'm afraid all my Whole 30/ Paleo friends will disown me if I keep posting carb heavy dishes. Unfortunately, I just couldn't NOT post this one. It is so simple, and ridiculously delicious. 

Pepper Parmesan Pasta (serves 3-4)

What you'll need:

1/2 box (1/2 lb) of Angel Hair Pasta 

2-3 large cloves of garlic, minced

1/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese

1 1/2 Tablespoons red pepper flakes (more if you like more spice)

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

(sea salt to taste)

How to make it happen: (ready for how hard it is?)

Step 1: Cook your pasta to the directions on the box- to al dente.

Step 2. Toss while warm in olive oil  and garlic and serve on a large dish immediately.

Step 3: Top with cheese, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and oregano. 

Step 4: Eat. 

This dish looks gorgeous to serve on a big white dish, and couldn't be easier to make- as you just saw! 

If you want to cut the salt a bit- squeeze a little lemon over before dishing it all out. 

Have an awesome pasta dish I have to try?

PLEASE leave a link in comments or email me beautyandbeard@gmail.com!!

xo, lp

(as always on tuesdays, linking with 33shadesofgreen)

WHO KNEW RED LIPS WOULD CAUSE SUCH A COMMOTION!

I wish I had something cool to tell you right off the bat this week, but my brain is totally frozen from the single digit temperatures. Saturday it was 42 degrees, Sunday it was 7. BOO MIDWEST.  

Today has a high of 5 degrees. ::Shiver:: 

Per usual on Mondays, I have a few things to share with you from the past week- and I have some good ones for you this time around!

Best thing of the week...the image below.

If you've been following this blog for a while (or follow me on Instagram or Twitter) you know I post quite a lot of #ootd shots. Well the other day at work I get a text from Michael with this image in it.

 I. Could. Not. Stop. Laughing.

Yup, that's my man, half mocking me, half showing the world his workday best. Both valid and awesome.

(find more lovely #ootds HERE, maybe more of Michael someday...)

Best blog happenin' of last week....getting back to sharing DIYs. 

Loved the response from you all on the blog/Instagram/twitter about this paintchip DIY! Now I'm tempted to do more in other colors...and put them everywhere. Oh, and for those of you asking -- in the other images with the weird gold urchin- it's Nate Berkus and you can buy it here. 

Best event of the week...double date night.

I posted this picture on Instagram before we went out for dinner with our friends Emily and Ben...and when I next checked my phone I saw all the lovely comments. Geez! You all sure know how to make a girl blush. I guess I'll need to start wearing lipstick more often. Sassy.

Oh- the necklaces:

Circle diamond cutout: Gorjana from ShopBop- by far my most worn and loved necklace.

"L" Initial Neckalce: Christmas gift from Michael's stylish sister Kelly. From Etsy Shop Olive Yew.

Best find of the week...maybe.

Has anyone ordered the Kate Spade NY Things We Love book yet? In theory it sounds like the perfect little ladylike coffee table book (sorry Michael) - but I haven't heard anything about it yet! I thought it could be a great V-day gift to give to girlfriends, and it's on sale here...but I'm looking for backup, people! 

(get it on sale HERE!)

Best meal...and the simplest.

Tomorrow I'll be sharing a recipe for the easiest, most delicious pepper parmesean pasta. I'm getting hungry thinking about it. Gah.

Alright, that wraps up last week for me.

How are you all doing? Anyone else having freezing cold weather?

...oh, and let me know about the Kate Spade book. Please!

xo, lp

Friday's Fancies #51: Outfit Crush

TGIF.

No, but really.

How is it that this week felt like two? Beyond ready for the weekend, folks.

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This week for #FF {av} pulled out the classic outfit crush card, and it was not hard at all to pick a look I'm loving!

LC can layer like the best of them, and I'm loving the simple stripes layered with a little denim and a chunky scarf:

I'm not the biggest jean jacket wearer, so I went with this crazy affordable and awesome denim button up from Target. Matched with the softest black skinnies and a chunky heathered scarf, I think this could be my winter uniform. 

Clearly I had to incorporate stripes in there somewhere, and this Kate Spade bag is completely the perfect way to do so. Rather than copy LC's dark nails, I thought this shade of NARS lipstick would be a good alternative! For the finishing touch, these sweet little studs add just a little bit of sparkle!

So there you have it, outfit recreation at its finest!

What are your plans for the weekend, friends?

I'll be bundling up for the 4 degree weather we're expecting next week. Gah.

xo, lp

GOT PAINTCHIPS?

I am a certified paint chip hoarder.

Every time we go into Home Depot/Lowes/Ace Hardware/Walmart I grab a handful and scoot away sneakily like a kid stealing candy. They are stashed in probably 8 places in our apartment, and on any given day you could shout out a shade of taupe or aqua and I could find it for you. Like a squirrel storing acorns for the winter, I tell you. I do use them on occasion, like the cards I made here or here or the tiny bubble "centerpiece" I made here.

Before Christmas (yes this post is late) I thought it would be cool to make some paint chip art using the green shades I had recently run away with- for a free, colorful pop on the shelves. 

Thus, I got out some of these guys:

I used other small square chips I had to measure out squares...

....and cut those babies into 4 tiny squares...

.... like so.

Just some cardstock and a gluestick later, I was well on my way to paintchip perfection. (#sarcasm)

Then I placed it about 4 different places around the apartment before it found its home with some red & green books and my little white fox:

Now, it's a month late, but doesn't it make a good Christmas-y display?

Now that the holidays are over it's temporarily living with my Nate Berkus sea urchin, but we'll see where he ends up. 

Anyone else made some good paint chip art lately?

If you have some great ideas on what I can do with some of my stash, leave your idea in the comments!

xo, lp

P.S :Let's get things straight: I do not take any credit for this idea, I got it from my favorites over at Young House Love. Sherry had the idea for some pixelated magic, so go check out their HUGE scale awesome version!

P.P.S : Yes I have a North American Wildlife book. It is awesome and from Goodwill.