December 11, 2014

Healthier Eats and Christmas Treats

December 11, 2014/ Annie

Did you catch this Black Bean Brownie mix I posted in my gift guide yesterday? This summer, my fellow SCOUTern Savannah showed me Kylie's blog and I've been obsessed ever since! Kylie has a soft spot for sweets, but works to feed her sweet tooth with healthier sweet treats!

Kylie recently started selling her own mix for healthy black bean brownies. Once I caught wind of this I quickly ordered three bags to give as Christmas gifts. One for Savannah, one for Molly, and then I had to save one for myself!

I have been wanting to try black bean brownies for a while so this was just the perfect thing! The mix is only $9 and they make the most delicious dark chocolate fudgy brownies I have ever had! Watch Kylie's video below to see how to make them!

A can of black beans, applesauce, one egg and the mix make up these brownies. Don't let the black beans scare you, they only make them better and healthier! A tip when making--I suggest using a food processor instead of a blender! I was limited to a blender and it just makes it a little harder to get them fully mixed!

Spreading the love via Snapchat! Merry Christmas friends!

You can buy your brownie mix here!

Annie

December 10, 2014

What I Think is a Legit Gift Guide

December 10, 2014/ Annie

I love a good gift guide, I think I've mentioned this before. Emily, Liz, Julia, Meg and Katie, all have some great ones, but honestly, I don't think I've ever actually bought something I saw on a gift guide. They are all so cute, but usually filled with your run of the mill standard gift ideas.

I've put together a few of my favorite things, some goodies I've found around the web, and a few things I'm actually gifting this year. Hopefully this gift guide is worth your time and helps spark some ideas for your own gift giving needs!

1. Scout 3-Way Bag ($22). I have this bag and it is fabulous. It fits all of my toiletries and makeup when I travel. I love how the separate compartments keep my lotion from spilling all over my blush brush etc.

2. Blue Eye Brown Eye calligraphy set ($60). Lauren from BEBE calligraphy is my girl! I've taken her class twice and she taught me so much. You can now buy her beginner set and do on online class via Brit+Co.

3. Slouchy pom pom beanie ($9). The perfect gift for friends or roommates!

4. Yeah...ImmaEatThat black bean brownie mix ($9). I already bought a few of these mixes. I saved one for myself and sent two to my foodie friends Molly and Savannah. I made the brownies yesterday and they are incredibly fudgy and delicious (and healthy!)

5. Gold ear buds ($9). For all those people getting the new iPhone 6 for Christmas, 1. I'm jealous 2. these would be perfect for them.

6. Moscow Mule mugs ($17). A hot item this Christmas, but these hammered copper ones are my favorite!

7. Fujifilm instant camera ($100). In our generation of having to take a picture of everything, I'm all about this instant/polaroid camera.

8. Beaded by W tassel necklaces ($30). You've heard me gush about my girl Whitney, but her necklaces make the perfect gift! Email her at beadedbyw@gmail.com to get your order in before Christmas.

9. Olivia Pope wine glasses ($15). Perfect for your wino/Scandal obsessed friend or family member.

10. Evelyn Henson iPhone cases ($34). I've posted about her prints, but I'm kind of squealing over her phone cases.

Happy gift giving!

Annie

December 19, 2013

Last Minute Gifts (that look like you spent weeks shopping)

December 19, 2013/ Annie

To all you last minute shoppers, this one is for you. I'm sort of a crazy organizer, planner, never miss a deadline, get things done weeks in advance kind of person, so I don't have this problem, but I'm here to help!

1st tip, pick a theme. Grab a couple things that fit your theme so it looks like you really thought about what you were buying. 2nd tip, if you are an Oklahoma local you can find all these items or things very similar in shops around town. Unless you want to spend $30.00 for 2-day shipping, you ran out of time, so shop local. I put these gift ideas into different categories and show examples of how they go together.

{Coffee Table Accessories}

A cute coffee mug and a great book are paired to style a coffee table or enjoy with a hot cup of joe.

Check Muse in Edmond for great books and Anthropologie in the city for mugs.

{Cutie Office Supplies}

Washi tape, a cute notebook and maybe a great pen for the crafty, organizer type.

Chirps and Cheers in Edmond and The Social Club in Norman both have a great supply.

{Baking Goods}

Everyone loves to bake during the holidays. Grab cupcake mix and a cake stand to display the creations on!

Williams-Sonoma has fun mixes and check Anthropologie or Muse for a pretty stand.

{Bar Cart Necessities}

This new trend in home decor is taking off. Give a cocktail book and cutie drink straws. Maybe throw in a bottle of champagne so their bar cart is complete.

These straws can be found at No Regrets in OKC or The Social Club. You can find this cocktail book at Muse, The Social Club or Anthropologie.

{Gallery Wall Components}

I love this idea for a creative gift. Wrap together fake deer antlers and a pretty print!

Check Muse, The Social Club or Dutch for prints, and the antlers are from Target.

3rd tip, The Social Club and Dutch are at the pop-up shops this weekend and I'll be working Friday and Saturday. Come visit me and take care of you last minute shopping!

xo annie

November 20, 2013

The ULTIMATE Gift Guide

November 20, 2013/ Annie

I had been thinking about putting together my own gift guides for the blog, but was struggling to find enough content to make them worth while. I still may give it more effort and post a few once December comes, but as for now I have the best gift guide to share with you.

To & From started a year ago by Meg Biram and Katie Anderson. These two bloggers had the grand idea of creating the ultimate gift guide! They contacted several bloggers and had them contribute to the guide. This year's issue went live yesterday and is stocked with 214 pages of amazing gift ideas. The issue has several categories like gifts for grandparents, gifts on a budget, gifts for the fashionable foodie etc. that make your searching easier!

I have never found a gift guide better or even similar to this one. I gathered up some of my favorite products I found and may even be gifting this year! Some things are pricy, but most of the features are at great price points!