Crispy Potatoes with Smoked Sausage

June 18, 2013January 8, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

This is one of my go-to meals that I make all of the time. We often have all of the ingredients for this recipe on hand and it’s one that my husband loves. Meat and potatoes are the base for this recipe, add any veggie that you have on hand to give it some variety! I don’t like kitchen clean up, so I absolutely love the fact that this is a one dish meal! The ingredient quantities in this recipe are easily adjusted for making any amount of food that you need. Crispy Potatoes with Smoked Sausage … Continue reading Crispy Potatoes with Smoked Sausage

Recipes, Savory5 Comments

Spicy & Sweet Baked Beans

June 13, 2013January 8, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

Recently we were served a Mexican meal that came with a side of baked beans. The beans were spicy and sweet, with bacon, jalapenos, and cilantro. I’d never considered combining baked beans and Mexican black beans but it was so good, I couldn’t wait to try to duplicate the recipe! I feel like what I came up with is pretty close, though I did choose to use black beans instead of navy beans. Spicy Baked Beans 6 servings 5 strips of bacon 1 cup … Continue reading Spicy & Sweet Baked Beans

DIY Tutorials18 Comments

Concrete Candle Holders // Industrial DIY

June 11, 2013January 8, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

I’m pretty excited about sharing this DIY project! We’re really into creating items out of concrete right now (you can find our Industrial Concrete Ball DIY here). Industrial home decor is so popular right now, we’ve seen concrete pieces that we love at places like West Elm and Restoration Hardware. This DIY is such an inexpensive way to bring those pieces into your home. We had to eat quite a few pringles for this project (no complaining here), I’m quite happy that our project is finally complete. These concrete candle holders are great for decorating your home or outdoor space! Concrete Candle … Continue reading Concrete Candle Holders // Industrial DIY

DIY Tutorials, Recipes, Sweet15 Comments

Vanilla Bean Scones

June 6, 2013January 8, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

This scone recipe is one that I love to fall back on when I’m craving something sweet at night! I’ve made these vanilla bean scones so many times, it’s quick and simple (as far as baking goes)! I wrote down the recipe years ago when I was looking for a copycat recipe for Starbucks’ mini vanilla scones… these scones don’t exactly look like Starbucks’ but they do have a similar taste, and they’re much fresher! Vanilla Bean Scones 2 dozen mini scones Needed: 2 cups flour 1/2 cup sugar 2 tsp baking … Continue reading Vanilla Bean Scones

Recipes, Sip5 Comments

Flavor Infused Water

June 4, 2013January 8, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

I love keeping limes and lemons around to add to my ice water in the summer. Adding a little flavor to your water is a great way to encourage water intake! Here are a few natural ingredient ideas that will flavor your water without adding sugar or artificial sweetener. Strawberry Basil // I know that basil may sound like a strange thing to add to drinking water, but it really adds a fresh flavor that goes perfectly with strawberries! Blueberry Kiwi // Adding frozen blueberries to your water is a great way to keep it cold and refreshing! Kiwi also adds … Continue reading Flavor Infused Water

Recipes, Savory6 Comments

Chicken Bacon Macaroni and Cheese

June 3, 2013February 2, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

I’ve wanted to make homemade macaroni and cheese for quite a while, it’s one of my favorite things to try at restaurants. This creamy homemade macaroni and cheese recipe is made with only fresh ingredients, no processed cheese! I’m not going to lie, macaroni with velveeta cheese is still one of my favorites, but fancy macaroni and cheese is a great treat. I really wanted to use white cheddar for this recipe, but couldn’t find any at the store that I went to. I used mild cheddar instead and it gave this dish a good, rich flavor. This recipe is … Continue reading Chicken Bacon Macaroni and Cheese

Recipes, SweetLeave a comment

Salted Caramel Shortbread Cookies

May 31, 2013May 17, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

I’ve made quite a few iced caramel macchiatos with the caramel that I made earlier this week. So good! But I did reserve some of the caramel for these sandwich cookies. These salted caramel shortbread cookies are a new creation that I’d never tried before, I love the way they turned out! The caramel in these cookies gives the crispy shortbread a delicious flaky texture. You can find my easy homemade caramel recipe here. Salted Caramel Shortbread Cookies Needed: makes 16-20 sandwich cookies 2 … Continue reading Salted Caramel Shortbread Cookies

Recipes, Sweet12 Comments

Salted Caramel Shortbread Cookies

May 31, 2013January 8, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

Recipes, Sweet5 Comments

Homemade Caramel Sauce

May 29, 2013January 8, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

This caramel would make a great dip for apples, topping for ice cream, or stir a little of this caramel into your coffee (caramel macchiato anyone?)! My mom used to make caramel this way for homemade turtles at Christmastime. Yum! The only ingredient you need to make this caramel is one can of sweetened condensed milk. It couldn’t be simpler! Place an unopened can of sweetened condensed milk into a large pot filled with water (can could explode if not completely submerged). Leave to simmer for 2 and 1/2 hours (or longer if you want a thicker caramel). Make sure to keep … Continue reading Homemade Caramel Sauce

Recipes, Savory2 Comments

Corn and Black Bean Salsa

May 28, 2013January 8, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

This salsa has such a fresh and flavorful taste, it’s perfect for summer! All of the ingredients in this simple recipe are easily kept on hand, great for a last minute appetizer or side dish. Corn and Black Bean Salsa 1 cup rotel 1 cup corn 1 cup black beans 1/4 cup onion (chopped) fresh cilantro corn chips 1 lime Stir together rotel, corn, beans, and onion. Add lime juice to taste. Top with chopped cilantro. This salsa is best if chilled before serving. Serve with corn chips. Enjoy this salsa with a tasty Mexican meal or at your next … Continue reading Corn and Black Bean Salsa

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Vanilla Coffee Syrup

May 24, 2013January 8, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

I love all things vanilla! How could you not like vanilla? It’s the flavor that I choose most often when it comes to making scones, cake, cookies, pudding, and coffee! If you frequently use vanilla beans for baking, save the empty pods for this easy coffee syrup recipe! Vanilla Coffee Syrup Needed: 2 cups water 2 cups sugar 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 vanilla bean pod (or 1 tsp vanilla extract) glass dispenser bottle To sterilize your dispenser bottle, wash it with soap and hot water. In a saucepan, add water, sugar, and the vanilla bean pod (if you’re using vanilla extract, … Continue reading Vanilla Coffee Syrup

Recipes, Sweet4 Comments

Fancy Grilled Cheese // Blueberry Cream Cheese

May 23, 2013January 8, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

I love savory grilled cheese sandwiches, but I decided to try to come up with a sweet variety this time! I figured that cream cheese was a perfect option, what isn’t cream cheese good with?!? I used blueberries that I already had on hand, but you can be creative with the fruit that you use (strawberries would be great with the cream cheese filling!). Serve up this sweet grilled cheese sandwich for breakfast or as a snack! Needed: bread (sliced) blueberries 2 oz cream cheese 1/8 cup powdered sugar 1/2 tsp vanilla butter Pop the cream cheese into the microwave … Continue reading Fancy Grilled Cheese // Blueberry Cream Cheese

Recipes, Sip3 Comments

Fresh Pineapple Limeade

May 17, 2013January 8, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

Limeade is one of my very favorite summer drinks! It’s so easy to make at home, half the price of buying it already made, and it’s much more fresh! I used pineapple to give this limeade recipe a nice tropical flavor. Pineapple Limeade 4-6 servings 1 cup lime juice (5-7 limes) 1 cup pineapple chunks 1 cup of sugar 5-6 cups of water Juice limes. Before slicing limes, microwave for 20 seconds for easier juicing. If you don’t have a citrus juicer // stick a … Continue reading Fresh Pineapple Limeade

DIY Tutorials, Holidays5 Comments

Dip-Dyed Candles // Ombre DIY Project

May 15, 2013January 8, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

I absolutely love the dip-dyed/ombre look! Recently I’ve been looking for projects that feature this trend. I came across this easy technique and used it to upcycle extra white candles that I had around the house. This is a thrifty way to add a pop of color to a party or wedding… buy plain candles in bulk and dye them to match any decor! Needed: white candles (pillar, taper, or votive) old candle wax or scentsy bars crayons (for dyeing white candle wax) can or glass jar wooden stirrer Separate old candles or scentsy bars by color (I used a mixture of pink and red). … Continue reading Dip-Dyed Candles // Ombre DIY Project

Travel3 Comments

Road Trip

May 14, 2013January 8, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

We just got back from a road trip from Texas to the midwest. We stopped in Eureka Springs (Arkansas) to celebrate our first anniversary. We had a great time hiking, canoeing, and relaxing. Click on any set of photos to enlarge! 1. The multi-level historic district in Eureka Springs. The road splits here into the upper and lower levels of shopping and dining. There are so many steep streets in downtown Eureka Springs! 2. Stairs connecting the multi-level streets in the shopping district. Handsome husband. 3. Fudge! There were a lot of little fudge shops in the area. We came … Continue reading Road Trip