Red Velvet Slice (not an epic Pinterest fail)

 

RED VELVET SLICE

Ingredients

3⅓ cups flour

¼ cup unsweet­ened cocoa

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon bak­ing pow­der

1 cup but­ter, softened

1½ cups sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 Tablespoons red food colouring

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1x 8 Oz cream cheese (250gm tub), softened

2 ½ cups sifted powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

 

Instructions

1.    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Have a 9x13 inch pan ready. Line with aluminum foil and spray it with cooking spray so that the bars easily lift out and are easy to cut.

2.    In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.

3.    In a mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup butter softened and sugar until light and creamy. About 2-3 minutes. Beat in the eggs, vanilla, and food coloring until combined.

4.    Add the flour mixture until a soft dough forms. Press into the bottom of the 9x13 inch pan. Bake for about 20 minutes until the edges start to pull away from the sides and a toothpick entered into the center comes out clean. Allow to completely cool before frosting.

5.    To make the cream cheese frosting, Beat together the cream cheese and butter. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat together until smooth. Frost the top of the bars and enjoy!

what to do with an old t-shirt and a couple of coat hangers...

I found this posted on a friend's facebook page and thought it was cute...just a quickie for today and technically nothing to do with fashion, but imagine the 'designer' t-shirts that could be used to make a little doggy or cat house...



Hunter Animal Rescue

Resolutions

I havent mentioned my resolutions for 2013....I do have to agree with Lisa Marie Fernandez, (designer) as mentioned in an interview with Vogue, that 2013 will be the the year of the body! I have my first "appointment" with the gym today, its pouring with rain and I really dont feel like going....but alas the appointment is made and its time for "Project Overhaul". Actually if I am brave (probably not) I will load a before and after photo of my 10 week transformation. Secondly Lisa Marie mentions that she will not be following "trends" and I tend to do this anyway....I dont spent a lot of money on items that go in and out of fashion - I prefer to spend my money on more classic designs that can be worn for longer periods (ie season after season).

But in the meantime here is a snippit from Vogue's interview on resolutions from Lisa Marie Fernandez and Caroline Issa:



Lisa Marie Fernandez, Designer

1. My 2013 will be the year of the body. I would like to take up fencing as a new sport for this year.

2. Each year, I make it a point to visit new countries of interest. So far, for 2013, I have planned Beirut, Montenegro, and Cartagena.

3. 2013 is the year for authenticity. I will be wearing brands that I feel are authentic and have provenance. No trends, no "it" anything. This applies to art, fashion and music.


(I had to keep this picture larger so that you could see the spots on Caroline's shoes....love!)

Caroline Issa, Tank magazine publisher and creative director, in her interview with Vogue...

Alas it's a perennial one - I think my personal trainer has had enough of me dodging him and using all my travel as an excuse not to head into the gym. I love it once I'm there, but I need to step up on the motivation to get me there. I always feel better after a session, so I need to make more time for it and no more excuses!

How to make Sarah Jessica Parker's "Louboutin Ribbon Shoes"

I love these ribbon shoes...so cute and easy to make!


Shoes with an ankle and toe strap (you could even do this with a flat sandal, don't be afraid - really, any shoe with an ankle strap would work. )
Ribbon
Coordinating Needle and Thread/Sewing machine
Scissors
Pins
Matches

work with a wide, black grosgrain ribbon. I already have plans to use suede, satin, linen, or even tulle (like Maegan did) for additional options with color and texture.

Begin by measuring, on your own foot, the length of the ribbon you will use a base (apologizing in advance for the model's bunion...this isnt Angela's delicate foot):



Fold the ends of the ribbon over the straps and pin in place, then sew (you don't need a machine for this).


I used a contrasting thread to show the stitches:



See how your ankle strap slides right through? At the bottom I stitched it in place, but if I'd had any Velcro I would have sewn that to the bottom to make it removable.



Now, begin cutting the ribbons for your loops. I used 5 ribbons, 3, 3 1/2, 4, 4 1/2, and 5 inches in length (cut two of everything of course). It is really important to burn the edges of each raw end of ribbon to avoid fraying.



Now stitch each length into a loop. (You might be able to glue this)



Here is your collection of loops:



Now begin to attach each loop, overlapping, onto the base ribbon. Begin at the bottom:



The four ribbons should be sewn onto the base like this:



Now, leave your smallest loop round and tack it, from the inside bottom, onto the base ribbon, like this:


Tada! You really could match any dress with one basic strappy sandal. Imagine if these straps were a nude color...the possibilities!!!

Sparkly soled LANVIN shoes

I would really love a pair of these sparkly soled LANVIN shoes….but alas I will have to make my own. Here is how you can do it…

Step 1: Tape the bottoms where the outsole arch ends. I made a V-shape on mine. The reason the glitter isn’t all over the sole of the shoe is when you walk it will immediately rub off.

Step 2: Get the essentials—Paint brushes, decoupage and sealing glue, glitter and tape.

Step 3: Paint on the glue with a paintbrush, cover with glitter and shake off over a nearby sink. Be extra careful along the edges so it doesn't look sloppy later.

Step 4: Once dry paint on another layer of the glue/seal.

Tip: do the inside of the heel as well – it will look fantastic!

Step 5: Once they're dry tap them a little to make sure the glitter is stuck on there good... or you can leave a sparkly trail for a little while.

Tip: To clean up the edges and bottom use  a damp cloth and lightly picked up stray glitters and used scotch tape to pick up any glue debris.

Thank you to Samantha Hutchinson

A pretty feather pen

I really love pretty femine things. A gift from my mother on our wedding day (which seems like a million years ago) was a beautiful feather pen to sign our Marriage Certificate with.

I came across a DIY on how to make one and wanted to share....


What you’ll need:
Any type of feather (pick one up at Spotlight!)
Black or white duck tape
Decoupage glue
Scissors
A paintbrush
Pen filler


Cut the very tip of the feather so it fits properly into the tube of the pen filler


Cut strips of duck tape and slowly tape the pen and feather together in pieces—the smaller the sections, the less bulky the tape will look. Wind around the pen filler to create a cohesive look.


Proudly display your new feather pens on your own desktop, or spread the love and give as gifts!

Thank you to Blogger Samantha Hutchinson

Bling up your shoes

• What You’ll Need-
• A fun pair of flats with a small heel
• Flat back crystals
• Superglue or another strong-hold glue
• Toothpicks

Use a toothpick to apply glue to the back of your crystals. Then adhere the crystal to the heel of your flat.


The crystal pattern is completely up to you so be creative—play around with different shapes and arrangements!

Allow some time to dry before rocking your new flats…then once your patience runs out, take ‘em for a spin!

Thank you to Blogger Kristen Turner for this DIY