January 2013 - Simply Kierste

oreo {heart} truffles

Jan
30

Oreo Truffle Balls have been one of my favorite things for many years--really, who can resist Oreos, cream cheese, and chocolate? YUM! If you've never tried them before, I insist...you simply must! I thought it would be really fun to try something a little new, and see if I could make them into shapes instead of balls. With Valentine's Day coming up, it was the perfect time to try it, and the end result are these darling Oreo {Heart} Truffles!!! I used Kraft's basic recipe (see recipe and my directions below, in easy to print form!), and then I changed things up a little... 1. Once the Oreo and cream cheese mixture is ready to go, set the bowl aside. Lightly butter a 9 x 13 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Holiday Projects, Recipes, Valentine's Day | 4 Comments

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{jo totes camera bag giveaway!!!}

Jan
28

365

You guys!!! I'm so excited about this giveaway I can hardly stand it! I have always loved Jo Totes, and so I was thrilled to find a package on my doorstep a couple of weeks ago--inside was THE most darling camera bag... This is the "Missy", one of their larger-sized bags, which I love, love , love. It has a laptop sleeve for my 15 inch laptop (so excited that I can take my laptop AND camera), 5 adjustable pads to accommodate camera and lenses, and extra pockets both front, back, and inside for my wallet, phone, and keys. Seriously...I'm in love!!! The exterior is super soft, the interior is roomy with lots of options, and it's just plain adorable. Jo Totes has several other … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized | 365 Comments

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{you’re special…birthday jar}

Jan
25

One of my best friends in all the world had a birthday this week. And not just any birthday...the big 30!!!! I left her 6 months ago when we moved to Texas, and I was SO sad that I was going to miss this milestone. I knew I wanted to send her something to really celebrate this particular birthday, and let her know how special she is to me. So...I made her a birthday jar! It's just a simple pint-size mason jar, but it's what's inside that really counts. Tucked away inside the jar are 30 things (one for each year) about her that I love---special memories, characteristics, qualities, talents, and all those things that make a friendship what they are. I thought it was the perfect … [Read more...]

Filed Under: All Crafts, Birthdays, Crafts, Father's Day, Gift Ideas, Home & Family, Mother's Day, Thinking of You, Weddings | 4 Comments

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{mini kitchen command center}

Jan
23

The proverbial "the kitchen is the heart of the home" is definitely true at our house. It's basically one big open space connected to our family room and dining room, and it's where I spend the majority of my time...along with the rest of my family. Because of this, I like having a space set aside as a mini command center, where I can keep my calendar, papers, files, mail, coupons, and all those other things that come along with the busy-ness of life. It's where kids bring their school papers, my husband drops off receipts, where I open the mail, and make my lists. I do have an office, but it's far from the kitchen, and I like having it at my fingertips. All the openness is lovely, but with … [Read more...]

Filed Under: For the Home, Home & Family, Organization | 18 Comments

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{my current view from the top}

Jan
22

Yep. This is my current view! I'm 31 weeks and counting...hooray! I have THE longest list to get done before this baby comes, it's ridiculous. We've just spent almost a month trying to get everyone well, and we're finally here...knock on wood, cross your fingers, etc., etc., so now I can hopefully move on and start tackling the list. Since this baby was a surprise, and we had gotten rid of pretty much everything, the list is even longer than usual. It's kind of making this list and planning girl NUTS! I also feel like when I had my other kids, the list was shorter at this point. Or, maybe it's just the loss of brain cells that always seem to disappear when I'm pregnant … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized | 14 Comments

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{free valentine fonts}

Jan
18

Who wants some super cute Valentine fonts??? ♥ Fonts are a simple way to fancy up your tags, invitations, projects, and valentines, and I love this charming holiday collection! I even included a heart shapes font (the last one listed)---different letters of the alphabet are different hearts...SO fun! {CLICK ON LINK TO DOWNLOAD} I love what you do Vanessa's Valentine Cupcake Cupid de Locke Fatty Heart Zalderdash Amelie Ma Sexy Pupcat Love Letters Heart Shapes {kierste} … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Holiday Projects, Printables, Silhouette, Valentine's Day | 14 Comments

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{♥ is for…love blocks}

Jan
16

I just {love} Valentine's Day! It's one of my favorite holidays to decorate for, and I can never resist making a few new things each year. I made these cutey cute love blocks this week while I was home bound with all my sick kiddos and rainy weather, and I think they are now one of my favorite things! You all know I love simple, and this definitely fit the bill. I wanted them a bit more substantial, and able to hold their own on a mantel, so I used 2x8 blocks--perfect! So, so easy, and oh, so cute! {supplies} -2 x 8, cut into two pieces: 6 inches wide, and 12 inches wide -white spray paint, red spray paint -vinyl lettering (see other option below) -sander {directions} 1. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: All Crafts, Crafts, Holiday Projects, Silhouette, Valentine's Day | 10 Comments

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{valentine bow wreath}

Jan
14

I love having a cute wreath on my front door, and changing it out each holiday! I made a really fun one for Valentine's Day, and I ♥ it! It's SO simple, costs less than $10 to make (less if you have lots of fabric already), and takes under an hour to make--that's my kind of project. :) Isn't it darling? You will die when you see how simple it is! I just took strips of red and pink fabric, and tied them in bows all around the styrofoam wreath. EASY PEASY. (lemon squeezy...I can't ever leave that part out, lol.) I thought about using all ribbon, but my cheap budget-conscious self just couldn't justify the cost. I used some ribbon sprinkled throughout the wreath (3 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: All Crafts, Crafts, DIY Decor, For the Home, Holiday Projects, Valentine's Day | 36 Comments

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{fit friday with erica} the scale…friend or foe?

Jan
11

It's that time of year again. January. The start of a new year. The beginning. A time for changes and possibly maybe even some resolutions.This year I haven't made myself a list or contemplated five hundred things I want to work on I've only decided to try. Try to be healthy, try to serve more, try to find joy in the small things, try to say 'no' more to things outside my family, try to read my scriptures better, etc. Trying is all we can really ask of ourselves. Two years ago my New Year's resolution was to find balance. One of the many things I was trying to balance was my relationship with the scale. Was it my friend or foe? Well it all depended on what it said. If it was a number that … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized | 5 Comments

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{amazing brownies}

Jan
09

What a week. Four sick kids, lots of medications and laundry, no sleep, and all the other fun stuff that goes with it. Sometimes you just need a little chocolate to get you through...or a lot. ☺ Brownies are one of my favorite things, but they have to be the chewy, gooey kind--preferably warm out of the oven. And a little ice cream never hurt, either. I've tried, made, and eaten a lot of yummy brownies over the years, but today I'm going to share one of my all-time favorites. I've been making these for years, and every time I take them anywhere, they are devoured! They literally take 5 minutes to mix up, and within 30-35 minutes (make the frosting while they're baking), you … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Recipes | 12 Comments

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