Lili's Birthday Series: Ombré Smash Cake

When I saw these sweet mini cakes on Jordan's blog, I knew they would be perfect for Lili's birthday "smash cake." I wanted to make them pink ombré to match the theme. They turned out so well and they look so adorable! I iced one and left the other two plain. Ultimately I think I prefer the look of the non-iced cakes. What do you think?

I baked these minis in three 28oz BPA-free tomato tins. I divided a boxed cake evenly between three bowls and used Wilton gel food colouring in varying amounts to get the ombré effect. then I baked each colour in a separate tin. When the cakes were baked and cooled, I carefully cut them into thirds (they were conveniently three inches high) and mixed and matched the colours. I basically followed Jordan's instructions to a "t" so if you want to know exactly how it's done see here. No sense reinventing the wheel, am I right?

Although I used a box cake for the practice run, I'll be using this recipe from Sweetapolita for her real smash cake. I'm not against cake from a box at all, but I think her first birthday calls for homemade. 

Linking up here:

The Shabby Nest
Rattlebridge Farm
My Romantic Home
Simply Sweet Home
Thirty Handmade Days
Simply Designing
Young and Crafty
Finding Fabulous
Serenity Now
The Best Blog Recipes
A Vision to Remember
Be Different, Act Normal
Six Sister's Stuff
Angel's Homestead

S'more Milkshake

I've seen iterations of the S'more Milkshake all over this fine internet over the past few weeks. I was turned on to the idea by a good friend who is a former New Yorker in LOVE with toasted marshmallow shakes (And really? Who wouldn't be?) In my mind, once you've got a toasted marshmallow, you only need to add a little chocolate and graham cracker and you've got perfection...I chose to use Nutella in this recipe, but this stems from my current obsession with stirring a spoonful of Nutella into everything I eat/drink these past few weeks. Any chocolate sauce or fudge sauce would work (equally? not sure...) well.

This recipe can be easily doubled for two.

Ingredients:

1 generous handful of mini marshmallows
1 tbsp Nutella or other chocolate syrup (you could use less, but why?)
1/2 cup (packed) vanilla ice cream
1/4 to 1/2 cup of milk (depending on how thick you like it)
3 squares of graham cracker pulsed to large crumbs in a food processor or chopper

Directions:

Toast the marshmallows in the broiler on a Silpat or parchment lined cookie sheet (watch them carefully!) This will only take a few minutes. You can flip them, but that gets messy. At least toast them very well on one side. Reserve a few for garnish.

While the marshmallows are toasting, melt the Nutella in the microwave at 15 second intervals until it flows easily. This should only take one or two intervals at the most.

Reserve one tbsp of graham crackers for garnish.

Put all ingredients (except the reserved marshmallows and graham cracker crumbs) into a blender and blend until well combined.

Enjoy!

**for bonus points, add some fluffed marshmallow vodka**

Linking up here

Chocolate, Chocolate and More
Rhinestone Beagle
Our Sunday Best
Miz Helen's Country Cottage
A Glimpse Inside
House of Hepworths
Sparkles and a Stove

What We Wore Wednesday

For this edition of WWWW we are linking up with ALFS, The Pleated Poppy and Walking in Memphis in High Heels to bring you some chambray inspired pretty. As always, I hope you'll link up with us below and share some mama and baby style. I so love seeing all your outfits!

On Mama:

chambray shirt dress: Old Navy // printed jeans: H&M // necklace: Ardene

shoes: Toms

On Bébé

chambray romper: Old Navy

**Can you tell I have a "thing" for babies in rompers? I think she has worn one in every single WWWW so far...Next week I promise a switch up**

Linking up with:

Because Shanna Said So

Easy DIY Invitations Using PicMonkey

Do you use PicMonkey? If you don't yet, you need to be using this program. It's a(n almost) free photo editing and collage building website. Most of their content is 100% free to use, but they also have some great features for "Royale" members. The membership is about $5 on a month -to-month basis, or about $30 for the year.

I am pretty enamoured with all things paperie. I love invitations, birth announcements, holiday cards and all of their ilk. One thing I've come to realize is that these little pieces of paper can be expensive! Even just purchasing a digital file can cost as much as 75 dollars...and you still have to print them and pay for postage! Yikes! When PicMonkey came on to the scene last year, I knew it would be a game changer. It's so user friendly, and all you need to have is an idea. I highly recommend perusing Tiny Prints, Etsy, Minted, and Paper Source for inspiration.

Here are a few invitations I whipped up in just about an hour on PicMonkey:

I made this invitation for Lili's first birthday party. I used this watercolour ombré desktop wallpaper as my background. For more details on her ombré and gold party, check out this link.

Another sample invite. I found the chevron desktop wallpaper here.

PicMonkey has awesome holiday themed overlays (clip art, banners, text, etc) that make DIYing your holiday cards and party invites a snap. I made this invite using this chalkboard background.

Basic Instructions:

1. Find a background image that you would like to use for your invitation. This image should be high resolution, so I recommend a desktop wallpaper image. Save the image to your computer as a JPEG. 

2. Go to PicMonkey and click "Edit a Photo." Upload the background image you want to use.

3. When you have opened your image, select the first icon (it looks like a molecule) to do your basic editing. This is where you will rotate, crop and change the exposure on your background if necessary.

4. From here, you really let your creativity take over. I recommend taking some time to peruse the overlays (shapes, banners, labels, clip art, etc)  available on the site. Click the heart and speech bubbles icon to see them all. Choose which fonts you want to use as well by clicking the "P" icon.

5. When working with colours, be sure to mark down the RBG code (it shows up in a little box when you change the colour of a font or overlay). Then you can just enter it manually each time instead of trying to find the right one in the spectrum over and over again.  

Here are some more detailed instructions for two of my invites:

I made this birth announcement as a bit of a switch-up using the "Collage" feature on PicMonkey. This is a more labour-intensive process because it involves making each individual cell of the collage as per the instructions above (for the basic invitation) and saving them to your computer. Then you upload each cell you created as well as the pictures you want to use to PicMonkey and arrange them as you like. 



If you plan on using the collage method, definitely choose your collage configuration before you start to work on creating your cells. Detailed planning will make all the difference.

I hope this is relatively clear. Head over to PicMonkey and play around with it a bit to get comfortable. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them in the comments.

Linking up here:

Crafty Confessions
Him & Her
Ladybug Blessings
A Bowl Full of Lemons
Sugar Bee Crafts
Hope Studios
Bebetsy


   

Follow me on Bloglovin'

If you are a regular blog reader, you're probably aware that as of July, Google Friend Connect and Google Reader are going the way of the Dodo bird. This is that awkward moment in our relationship where I ask you to please keep being my friend (pretty please?!?) and Follow my blog with Bloglovin. Just click that link, and it's all easy peasy from there. If you're not inclined to do that, you can always get my posts via email...because that's just what everyone needs, right? More emails!

Hope we can still be friends...

whisper:: psssst! bloglovin' is way better anyways! ::/endwhisper


Click the face and let the good times roll!

Weekend Rewind

Here are some scenes from our weekend. Steve and I celebrated our third wedding anniversary on Saturday at the Session Craft Beer Festival at Wychwood Barns. Our real anniversary is not until Wednesday, but when you have babysitting available, you take it...

I have also, of late, been ob.sessed with the 50mm lens I got Steve for Father's Day. It doesn't have an autofocus feature, which is a bit tricky, but I'm learning how to use it better every day. It takes beautiful action pictures with lots of "movement" in them. Some of the pics below were shot using that lens. Hope you enjoy!

**Yes that is a S'more milkshake, and yes I will be posting the recipe this Thursday...**

Linking up here:

Sumo's Sweet Stuff

The Oliver's Mad House

Flour Me With Love

C.R.A.F.T

Say Not Sweet Anne

Strawberry Basil Popsicles

A truly happy Friday calls for a Happy Hour. Am I right? 

These Strawberry Basil popsicles are for grown-ups only. The strawberry and basil combination is so refreshing (seriously, try strawberry in place of tomato on bruschetta...life. changer.) without being too sweet. Since Ontario strawberries are ubiquitous right about now, it's the perfect time to indulge! There is a negligible amount of vodka in this recipe...No one is getting tipsy at this Happy Hour. Feel free to omit it all together if you feel the urge to share these with your kids. 

Ingredients:

- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup basil cut chiffonade
- 600g (approx. 2 pints) fresh or frozen (ideally) organic strawberries
- 1/4 cup vodka

Directions:

- Bring 2 cups of water and the sugar to a boil until the sugar is well-dissolved (3-5 minutes).

- Remove from the heat and stir in cut basil. Allow the mixture to steep for 20-30 mins

- If the berries are frozen, thaw them. 

- Put berries, basil syrup and vodka in a blender. Pulse until combined and well-pureed.

- Strain the mixture if you like, although I don't. I like a little fibre.

- Pour into popsicle molds and freeze.

- Enjoy on the patio with friends!

Consider yourself warned: These are not Popsicle Pete approved.

Happy first day of summer!

Linking up here:

Rattlebridge Farm
Shabby Nest
My Romantic Home
Thirty Handmade Days
Finding Fabulous for Less
While He Was Napping
Young and Crafty
Simply Designing

Lili's First Birthday Party

I think it's safe (if not socially acceptable) to say that I've been effectively planning Lili's first birthday party since about last Christmas. I have changed the "theme" about 85 times, but I think I've finally settled on one that I'm really excited about. 

Submitted for your approval:

All via Pinterest

Where to even begin? The gold balloons, the ruffle smash cake, the tablecloth! I'm just so in love with all things ombré at the moment. I have so many ideas for birthday crafts, I think my head is going to explode. I'll share them all here, of course, so do keep in touch.

The first order of business was to design and order her invitations. I made this one up on PicMonkey. Don't get excited, that's not my real address ;) 

I'll post a tutorial on how I made this invitation, as well as a few other ideas to utilize this great (free!) program early next week.

I can't believe that in a mere two months, I'll no longer have a baby. This year has gone by so incredibly fast.The last few weeks have been a little emotional to say the least, and I'm only jut gearing up...poor Steve! Ha! 

Linking up here:

My Fashion Forward

House of Hepworths

A Glimpse Inside

Chocolate, Chocolate and More

What We Wore Wednesday

For this edition of WWWW, I'm wearing one of my favourite outfits. If I had to guess, I'd say I wear this outfit at least once a week. The dress is so light and breezy, and I love the pattern. I also have one in green, which you'll see in some upcoming WWWW without a doubt. I got this dress two years ago for $8...It is hands down the best purchase I've ever made in terms of the "price paid to number of times worn" ratio. 

Lili tried to look her happiest for you guys in spite of the extreme pain she is in from teething...


As always, I hope you'll link up below. I absolutely love seeing everyone's beautiful outfits...and all the babies!! I die!!

On Mama:

Dress: H&M // Cardigan: The Gap // Sandals: Birkenstock

On Bébé:

Cambray Romper: Baby Gap // Sandals: Sea Wees by Salt Water  

Weekend Rewind

Here are a few scenes from our lovely, busy weekend in Niagara visiting my parents for Father's Day. We managed to squeeze in a trip to the Niagara on the Lake Strawberry Festival (after realizing the Beamsville Festival of the same name is now defunct...my Beamsville people, what the heck?!), an impromptu s'more party and of course a Father's Day barbecue complete with the grandparents. The only thing that could have possibly made the weekend even more complete was a little bit of sailing...but there's always another weekend!

Linking up here:

Sumo's Sweet Stuff

The Oliver's Madhouse

A Manly (i.e. Meaty) Meal...

Father's day is nigh, friends. Here's what I'll be cooking up this weekend for my own Dad...and my husband of course. 

Via New York Serious Eats

I have been making these ribs for years. They are a labour of love, but if you find yourself some nice, meaty beef ribs, they are definitely worth it. The recipe comes from New York's renowned barbecue restaurant, Blue Smoke. You can substitute pork baby back ribs. They're more readily available.

Recipe adapted from Food and Wine

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons course-ground black pepper
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons course salt 
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
2 racks meaty beef (or pork) ribs

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350*
2. In a small bowl, mix together all ingredients except the beef ribs.
3. Rub the mixture all over the beef ribs. 
4. Place ribs meaty side up on a large baking sheet. **You may want to put another tray on the rack below to catch any drips. These ribs are fatty!**
5. Bake for 2 1/2 to 3 hrs or until meat easily pulls away from the bone.

**If you have a smoker, smoke these for 5 1/2 to 6 hours according to the manufacturer's instructions. I've also had good success using a smoker box on the gas grill set to about 200 degrees.**

I'll be serving these up with some creamy coleslaw. For dessert, I'll be grilling up some cinnamon dusted pineapple spears and these grilled s'mores using my homemade marshmallows.

What to drink? Beer is the obvious choice. This meal is quite fatty, and benefits from something a little bitter to cut all that fat. I recommend a nice, hoppy IPA. We love Muskoka Brewery's Mad Tom IPA and Spearhead's Hawaiian Pale Ale (a little hoppy, a LOT pineappley- yum!). If you prefer your suds a little less bitter, try Beau's Lug Tread or, my personal fave, Mill Street Organic. You'll find these Ontario craft brews at your local LCBO or online. 

I am so excited to celebrate my husband's first Father's Day! Needless to say, he's absolutely killing it as a dad, and he deserves some recognition.   

What We Wore Wednesday

Welcome to the second edition of What We Wore Wednesday. As always, we are linking up with A Life From Scratch and The Pleated Poppy to bring you some pretty mama wear.

This week has been pretty stressful here at Casa Burtch. We are dealing with a straight-up nursing strike, teething, and bottle rejection in one tiny package (see below). This week's outfit was my attempt to brighten my mood and remind myself: "Don't worry about a thing. 'Cause every little thing, is gonna be alright." The sun has been shining, my baby is healthy if not (at the moment) happy, and this too shall pass.  

A million "thanks" to those who linked up last week, and to those who shared their outfits on the FB page. I hope even more of you are inspired to link up this week. It`s super simple! Just click the button at the bottom of the posts and follow the prompts.

On Mama:

jeans: Costa Blanca // t-shirt: Winners // scarf: Winners // shoes: Toms //

bracelet: Stella and Dot 

On Bébé:

Ombré Romper: Joe Fresh // Shoes: Tiny Toms 

Maple Cinnamon Brown Butter Puffs

I devised these puffalicious little treats last Friday, as I was searching for a baked donut recipe to celebrate National Donut Day. I wanted a healthier version of something like this. These puffs almost have the consistency of a pancake (picture a baked raised donut...like that) with distinct cinnamon and brown butter flavours. If maple isn't your preference, you could easily sub in an equal amount of any liquid sweetener. 

These puffs are best enjoyed warm from the oven (aren't all baked goods for that matter?) but they'll last a few hours at room temperature. Bake up a batch for your next brunch or as an afternoon snack. They come together in a snap, and you can eat two (ok, five) without guilt.

Ingredients:

1 cup flour (I used white whole wheat, because I'm literally no fun)
3/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg (lightly beaten)
3/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt (use 2% or higher if it's what you have on hand)
1 tbsp oil (not olive, but any other works)
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
2 1/2 tbsp maple syrup (or liquid sweetener of your choice)
1 tbsp cinnamon
6 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 350*

Grease mini muffin tins (24)

In a small bowl or ramekin, combine the cinnamon and the sugar. Stir well and set aside.

Put the butter in a small saucepan and set it aside as well.

Whisk together dry ingredients in a large bowl.

Whisk together wet ingredients in a separate bowl until well combined.

Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients into the well. Fold gently until just combined. Do not over mix.  

Fill each mini muffin cup 3/4 full. Be sure not to over fill them, or they won't puff up as nicely.

Bake for 12 minutes.

For the brown butter:

While the puffs are baking, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk the butter continuously as it melts. It will begin to foam, then the milk solids will begin to turn brown. Remove the butter from the heat as soon as it turns a golden brown and pour it into a ramekin. Brown butter quickly turns to black butter (i.e. burnt) and we don't want that! For more detailed brown butter instructions, click here.

When the puffs have finished baking, they will be golden and well-domed. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. When cool to the touch, take a puff and dip it into the brown butter. Let any excess butter drip off, and then roll the top into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Repeat with the remaining.

Yields 24 puffs

Hope you enjoy!

Father's Day 2013 Gift Guide

Alright ladies, it's time to honour that most important man in your life. Whether you're shopping for your own father or the father of your little ones, it's important to find just the right gift to convey how special he really is. I've compiled a list of my favourites below. I definitely had my own husband in mind when culling ideas, but he just has such excellent taste...

1. Home Craft Brewing Kit // 2. The World Atlas of Beer // 3. Watch // 4. Clock Radio //

5. Camera and Laptop Bag // 6. Whiskey Stones // 7. Wired Magazine Subscription //

8. The Art of Shaving Cream // 9. Matching t-shirt and onesie

Be sure to check back on Monday for some of my favourite grilling recipes. They're perfect for a Father's Day family barbecue!

Happy weekend!

What We Wore Wednesday

I am really excited to bring you this very first edition ever of the Toronto Mama and A Life From Scratch "What We Wore Wednesday." I hope you'll take a moment to link your WWWW post below. I can't wait to see some mama and babies in style! If you don't have a blog, please head over to Toronto Mama's FB page, or ALFS's FB page and post your pics there. We will be making a What We Wore Wednesday album.

If you're visiting from The Pleated Poppy (hello!) feel free to link below, too!

Without further ado:

On Mama:

Shirt: H&M // Lavender Jeans: The Gap // Sunglasses and Watch: Michael Kors //

Earrings: Tiffany // Necklace: Stella and Dot // Shoes: Toms // Nail Polish: Zoya in Dove

On Bébé

Romper: Baby Gap // Shoes: Tiny Toms