Baking and DIY

This title post is my life, baking and a DIY project. Two of the things I love to do most. I wanted to share my tips for the perfect Oreo ball. I often get asked to bring these to parties and events and thought I would let ya'll in on few secrets to success. Today I changed things up a bit using PUMPKIN SPICE Oreos. Now, I am not a fan of an Oreo cookie by itself, it's just never been something I liked but an Oreo ball on the other hand, die for them! Here is my no-fail recipe and instructions...

Ingredients

1 package of Oreos (any flavor)

1- 8oz package of softened cream cheese

1- 12 oz package of candy melts or almond bark

1 package of candy sticks or festive paper straws (I cut the straws in half)

Instructions

Using a food processor (or wooden spoon) gradually add 7 or 8 Oreos at a time on low speed

Once the Oreos are crushed, add the softened cream cheese

Pulse until a gooey ball has formed 

For the next step I use a melon baller but you could eye ball it as well

Form balls and place on parchment lined cookie sheet 

Place Oreo balls in refrigerator for 20 minutes (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT)

Once they have hardened, melt only 5 pieces of chocolate (in 30 second intervals) 

Dip your sticks/straws in the chocolate and stick in the Oreo ball

Place back in refrigerator for 15 minutes (Also very important for dipping)

This step prevents the Oreo balls from falling off of the stick

Melt the remainder of your chocolate

Once the sticks are set, remove the cookie sheet and begin dipping the balls in chocolate

I add sprinkles on top for extra cuteness and a festive overload

I store my Oreo balls at room temperature in a cake dome. I find that if you leave the in the refrigerator, once you take them out they sweat and get mushy.

  and what do you do with the tiniest bit of leftover chocolate? Drizzle pumpkin shaped pretzels, obviously!

If you're looking for a last minute DIY to spruce up are Halloween decorations, I have got the fastest, easiest and most perfect thing for you! These paper bats are sure to give you the eerie Halloween look you're going for and only take a couple of minutes, Trace out a bat onto black poster board (I found a clip art drawing on google images) and cut it out. Stick a piece of washi tape on the back and stick where ever your heart desires! 

 SO easy and FUN!

Only 5 days until the witching hour Halloween! What are your plans? I'm off to watch whatever is playing on ABC family's 13 nights of Halloween! Have a great week!

A few of my favorite things

Good morning and HELLO fall weather! I'm thrilled to report that eastern NC is experiencing weather perfection. I wanted to try something new on my blog. I love reading about things that other people have tried and love...clothes, food, beauty/makeup products, vacations, etc. I just enjoy hearing honest opinions about new things I may not have ever heard about. I thought I would give my opinion on few of my favorite things right now...

I bought this sweater at target this weekend and it's so comfy. I think it's a easy go-to casual sweater for any day of the week. Cherry-Lime La Croix water is my JAM right now. I will be honest, when I started drinking flavored water it was not my favorite, it's an acquired taste. Now, I love it. I used to live off of diet soda and sweet-n-low and decided to cut artificial sweeteners out completely. It wasn't easy but with the help of La Croix, I am now well adjusted. This shirt, I don't even have the words to tell you how much I love it! Hocus Pocus is my favorite of all time, Home Alone coming in a close second. I have obsessed over the movie (and ALL Halloween related things) since I was in elementary school, so this shirt is absolute perfection. Not to mention it's a collaboration of two of my favorite bloggers. Win and Win! I just recently tried this awesome foundation a few weeks ago after getting it half price at the Bare Minerals outlet and I love it. It give as very natural, airbrushed appearance and doesn't feel heavy at all. I've been obsessing over this coat for a few weeks. It's so "Olivia Pope" and looks so soft and comfy and at a great price as well. And last but not least, this Vasanti facial cleaner is a microderm in a bottle. It came in my Birch Box this month and I will definitely be purchasing it. 

Hope some of you will try and love one or two of these products. Let me know if you do! Hope you all of a fantastic weekend!

FALL!!!!...and a blog post after 6 months

Happy Saturday! I finally got around to a post this morning (I REALLY have to get better at this). It's finally fall here in NC, although it's 80 degrees outside right now. Lame! Hopefully we will get some crisper, cooler weather to stick around soon. Just in time for Halloween, I hope. I started by fall decorating a few weeks ago and continuously find things that I had forgotten I bought on clearance last year. So, I am steadily adding to my decor. Here's a look around our house right now...

 and....personally my favorite spot! I literally can't stop once the lids come off of these jars!

I have already started putting together goodie bags for all of the trick-or-treaters this year! It's hard to believe we are almost half way thought October, time please slow down! I hope you all have a fabulous Saturday!