Recipe: Festive Candy Bark

Here's a little something kinda festive for you today: candy bark! I know this isn't full blown Halloween, but I have to be honest with you. We don't celebrate this holiday (it doesn't exactly align with our beliefs as Christians). BUT this is crazy delicious let me tell ya what, and you won't be disappointed. I mean c'mon Oreos and Reece's Pieces?! I took this to our church harvest party this weekend and it was quite loved by all.

Candy Bark

16 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
Halloween Oreos, quartered
Honey-roasted peanuts
Reeces Pieces
8 oz. Almond bark

**This is SO adaptable. You can add whatever else you want: Butterfingers, Twix, etc. You can also use bittersweet chocolate chips if you want it less sweet, but who would?**

1. Make a foil candy mold, about 10x12 or so. (I used this method in my s'mores candy bars, remember?)  I would set the foil mold inside of a casserole dish, because you are going to need to transport to the fridge. That won't work so well with melted chocolate poured into a flimsy foil mold.

2. Melt chocolate chips in a saucepan on low until melted and warm (not hot) stirring continually.

3. With your third hand while chocolate is melting, chop up Oreos and other desired ingredients.

4. Once chocolate chips are melted, pour into foil mold and spread evenly to about 1/4" thickness. I actually had extra so I made another mold, about an 8x8 square and filled with chocolate.

5. Sprinkle melted chocolate with Oreos, peanuts, Reece's pieces, and any other candy of your liking.  Press down into chocolate a little bit so that it sticks.

6. Melt almond bark in a saucepan or microwave. Drizzle over the candy and chocolate layers in a zig-zag design and sprinkle with more Reece's.

7.Place in fridge and let chill for at least 45 minutes. Peel off foil when it is firm.

8. Break up into irregularly shaped pieces and serve.

I am so excited to experiment with other candies and even for other holidays. I'm think for Christmas it will be really pretty with reds and green candies, Easter with pastels, etc.


Linking up today at One Artsy Mama, The Girl Creative, Sew Chatty, Keeping it Simple.

Saturday Morning Coffee 10.29

Our week was a tad bit chaotic, but we survived.  Ashyr is teething which has been a new challenge and constant fussiness.  We also just put in an offer on a house yesterday that we are hoping to buy.  It is exciting, scary, nerve-racking, and really cool all at the same time.  Guess we just have to wait and see how it all pans out.  In the meantime, trust God and have open hands, right?

I am so excited about today because it is girls day out with a friend which means umm, shopping and eating out.  Hoping to purchase some of these today.

Then a hayrack ride at night with our church family.

Well friends, come back on Monday for something that will make you drool.  :)

GIVEAWAYS! Win a $35 Mary Kay Gift Certificate and a Necklace!

I wanted to let you know about an awesome giveaway (in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month!) going on right now over at my friend Ashley's blog, Heart 2 Heart. She is giving one lucky winner a $35 gift certificate to spend any way you'd like at her online Mary Kay store! Be sure to head over there and enter your name eight different ways HERE!

You also have the chance to win this lovely two tone metal necklace from yours truly. You have five ways to enter, just click HERE and leave a comment for each way you choose to enter!

My Style: Boots & Blazer

Blazer: Vintage, thrifted

Shirt: Old Navy

Jeans: Old Navy

Boots: Gianni Bini

*Earrings: Vintage,thrifted

I mentioned yesterday that we went to the Country Club Plaza earlier this week. It is one of our absolute favorite places to go here in KC. We love the romantic, Spanish architecture, fine dining, European art, and high-end shopping. But really we just go to walk around since the only shopping we can afford to do there is window shopping and maybe some drinks. Anyway, everytime we go I feel the need to blend in with the crowd--sophisticated and smart. A blazer with leather boots and a bag seemed to fit the bill. I also wore some vintage earrings that I am in love with.

*Earrings available for purchase here.

Pinteresting Wednesday: Animal Print

It was a gorgeous day yesterday, so we went to walk at the plaza for the afternoon.  Within one block, I saw three different store window displays featuring animal print merchandise, one lady with a leopard print purse, and another lady wearing a animal print cardigan.  Since then I have been thinking about the trend and realizing I own absolutely nothing with animal print. Honestly, I always thought it was well, tacky.  But I am reconsidering and my next thrifting adventure I will be on the prowl.  Sorry, I couldn't resist that. While I feel like giving it a chance in my wardrobe, I will only allow it in moderation.  Here are some pins that I think are good ways to incorporate it without looking scary.  The last two are my favorites.

Source: google.com via Ashlee on Pinterest

Source: mystylepill.com via Ashlee on Pinterest

Source: shop.nordstrom.com via Ashlee on Pinterest

Source: theblondesalad.com via Ashlee on Pinterest

Source: kendieveryday.blogspot.com via Ashlee on Pinterest

Source: paris-iloveyou.tumblr.com via Ashlee on Pinterest

Source: mystylepill.com via Ashlee on Pinterest

Source: chictopia.com via Ashlee on Pinterest

What do you think about animal print? Tacky or classy?

Thanks for taking a look at my pins and while you're here, be sure to enter my necklace giveaway!

Linking up at The Vintage Apple and This Kind of Love.

Small Business Month: Workspace

Today's link up challenge at Three's 4 Me is to show off our workspace.  So let me give you the grand tour of my beloved workstation (aka: the nursery!).

First off, we have the desk.  As you can see I have my shipping scale, tape, packaging, future vintage items to list, and my trusty measuring tape (the drawers are full of baby clothes).  That's really all I need, except my camera, but that was in use (obviously). Pretty small operation.

Next to my Capernaum Vintage supplies, I have some craft supplies (remember I said I am opening a handmade store in the near future?!)  I figured I would go ahead and show you a sneak peak of my main supplies. A stack of felt and little box of embellishments.  The big clunky craft box is too big to keep on the desk, so I use this small box to hold only the little supplies that I am currently using.  And yes, it is an empty wipey box.

And before you go and say "Wow, it's so organized!" just hold your horses for one second.  This is directly on the floor next to the desk (which btw I staged the desk to look like it is neat and tidy. Believe me it's a disheveled mess 24/7).  And I kindly cropped out half of the jumbled clutter on the floor just for you!  I like to welcome and fool impress my guests with a clean home, don't you?

Aaaaaaaaaaaand now you know why it's like this.

Busted.

But how could I possibly be mad when he looks at mama like this?!

Okay back to work.  So now that you know about my desk (and messy floor) take a peek at my closet where my inventory is stuffed stored away. Boxes and boxes full of vintage goodies and tons of clothes that need to be listed.

There you have it!  Hope you enjoyed. I for one, had a blast.  However, it is eye opening to me that I need to stop living with organized chaos and actually organize the chaos.  I have had one too many experiences when I make a sale and start sweating bullets because I can't remember where I stored an item.  It's a serious black hole in there. I need a system such as a box of purses, a box of jewelry, a box of knick knacks, etc.  Right now it's all mixed together.  I'll get right on that. ;)  Just so you know, I DID reach my first goal from last week. I successfully added FIVE new items to my shop.

  Oh oh, wait! What's that I see???

Future vintage lover? Indeed!

P.S.  Be sure to scroll down like two inches and enter my necklace giveaway!

GIVEAWAY! Win this Two-Tone Metal Necklace!

I am SO excited to announce my 100 follower GIVEAWAY today.  You have the chance to win this beautiful two-tone metal necklace handmade by one of my absolute favorite etsy shops, Otis B Jewelry.

The necklace features a delicate, hammered sterling silver disk (10mm) that is suspended beside a larger smooth gold filled pendant measuring 15mm in size. Both are joined to a 14k gold filled chain measuring 17 inches in length and secured in the back by a lobster clasp that is flanked by tiny rice pearls for an elegant finishing touch. 


Darling, huh?!

Okay, so you have FIVE ways to enter! And if you already follow me though any of these methods, please still enter for each one that you already do!


1. Follow my blog with GFC


2. Follow my Facebook page.


3. Follow me on Twitter.


4. Follow me on Pinterest.

5. Tell me what you would like to read more about on my blog (recipes, outfit posts/fashion, diy, nutrition/exercise, marriage topics, etc). Whatever interests you--I'd love to know so I can include more of the topics my readers like.


Please leave a comment on this post for each entry method that you choose to do.

This giveaway is open until Friday November 4 and I will announce the winner Monday November 7. If your email is not available anywhere on your blog, please leave it in one of your comment entries, so I can contact you if you are the lucky winner!  :)

Thank you so much for following my blog. I appreciate each and every single follower and comment that I have ever received. :)

xoxo,
Ashlee

Saturday Morning Coffee 10.22

Weekend Plans:

1. Read my Bible.

2. Cut random things out of my big stack of pretty felt. I find it rather therapeutic (and happens to be for a project I'm working on).

3. Thrift store shopping.  Hoping to find some hidden treasures.

Looks like it will pan out to be an amazing weekend.

Hope yours is great too!

Blog Hop Friday 10.21

From the blog hop?  You can follow me via GFC, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest if you'd like. Just leave a comment and I will follow back!

And, if you are ever interested in guest blogging, please let me know.  I'd love anything like diy projects, mommyhood, decorating, recipes, fashion, marriage, homeschooling, etc.  Email me at capernaum.home@gmail.com.

Happy Friday!

Small Business Month: Hindrances

On Tuesday I wrote out my goals for Capernaum Vintage. Today the link up challenge at Three's 4 Me is to identify hindrances in acheiving those goals.  Here we go.

1.  TIME.  Seriously, where does it go?  Like everyone feels, there just aren't enough hours in the day.  I always tell myself I'm going to work on my shop, but as the day goes along I find myself consumed with cooking, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, and working on websites for the hubs.  I love my role as a SAHM, but there is always something that needs to be done and my lil' business takes a back seat. (I'm also in the process of opening a SECOND etsy store for handmade goodies which equals time. More on that later.)

2.  Advertising.  Lacking big time.  The only place I do it is right here.  If my shop was out there more, it would probably bring in more profit.

3. Creativity.  Hitting a brick wall on this one right now.  I'm wanting to design a logo for a banner and business cards, but all my creative juices are being zapped with designing the aforementioned websites and new handmade etsy store.

4. Motivation.  I'm sort of embarrassed to admit this one.  Somedays I just don't FEEL like working on it.  After performing all my other duties, the last thing I want to do is pull out boxes of inventory from the (unorganized) closet, iron the clothes for pictures, take the pictures, take measurements, upload/edit/post pictures, and put everything back in the closet. Makes me tired just thinking about the task.  But can I expect a business unless I do the work?  In unison now, a big resounding "NO!" And I better suck it up, because my goal of posting 5 new pieces of inventory is due TUESDAY.

5.  A MOBILE 7 Month Old.  Ahh yes, the babe.  He gets his own category, because he is such a huge part of my everyday life.  Before I go further, let me say I love him to death, so there is no confusion. :)  He just slows me down when it comes to getting stuff done.  I give him something to sit and play with quietly, he crawls everwhere. I fold the laundry, he unfolds it.  I change his wet diaper, he poops in it 10 seconds later.  I put him down for a nap, he wakes up before I can blink. On and on. Basically your average 7 month old.  What would I expect really?  Nothing else.  It's just a fact of life right now and trying to manage it is a challenge.

Tired of my excuses, err I mean hindrances?  Me too.  Ready for solutions? Me too. I just don't have 'em in concrete yet.  But now that I know my obstacles, I will be able to make steps towards overcoming them.  Already have some churning in my head.

Good stuff. Sure loving Small Business Month!

Pinteresting Wednesday: Mixed Patterns

Last month I hadn't quite joined the mixed pattern party (read about it here). But over time I have come to embrace the trend.  Have you?   Here are some of the looks I love.

Source: prettystuff.tumblr.com via Ashlee on Pinterest

Source: mystylepill.com via Ashlee on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Ashlee on Pinterest

Source: honestlywtf.com via Ashlee on Pinterest

Source: jcrewaficionada.blogspot.com via Ashlee on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Ashlee on Pinterest

Source: atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com via Ashlee on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Ashlee on Pinterest

Source: sundaycrossbow.blogspot.com via Ashlee on Pinterest

I'm currently working on a few looks of my own and plan to share. Linking up at This Kind of Love and The Vintage Apple.

Small Business Month: My Fortune 500 CEO GOALS!

Up until this point with my etsy shop Capernaum Vintage, my goals have been aimlessly floating around in my head.  I have tweeked them when needed (you know, so that when I see that I'm not going to reach them, I can let myself down more gently).  No more of these shenanigans, because today over at Three's 4 Me our link up challenge is to write out our business goals as a Fortune 500 CEO would do!  Some of the goals I came up with are short term, others are long term (and sound like a 1st grader wrote them, not a Fortune 500 CEO).  I need those short term goals as a boost along the way when I reach them, and the long term goals will help me have a better vision for my business.

Goals:

1.  Capernaum Vintage will have added 5 more pieces of inventory by October 25, 2011.  (That's one week from today. Baby steps, folks.)

2.  Capernuam Vintage will have created a store banner by November 15, 2011.

3.  Capernaum Vintage will have (finally) run a shop sale by advertising it on my blog by November 30, 2011.

4.  Capernaum Vintage will have implemented two of the solutions created in the Diversifying Your Audience post last week by December 31, 2011. (Specifically social media and business cards).

5.  Capernaum Vintage will have made a profit of $500 by April 12, 2012.  (That's my shop's one year anniversary).

6.  Capernaum Vintage will have launched the new website by June 1, 2012.



Wow, that felt great to get those written down--thanks Nicole! I'll try to keep you updated as I go along.

Wish me some serious luck!

My Blog Award (!) And My Nominees (!!!)

Today I am so excited to share about a blog award I recently received.  But before I go any further, I want to say a big THANK YOU to Liz over at The Quick Journey for nominating me.  I'm truly flattered!  

The Liebster blog award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. Liebster is a German word meaning dear, sweet, kind, nice, good, beloved, lovely, kindly, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.

So now it's my turn to pick 5 people who I think deserve this award (with less than 200 followers).  I based the "less than 200 followers rule" on your GFC followers. Okay, here are my picks in no particular order.

1.  Angie @ Ma Belle la Vie.  I knew I would be a fan of her blog right away when I read a post that said she thinks it is okay to buy the same top in multiple colors, to be addicted to coffee, and to decorate your house with kitschy holiday decorations.  Kindred spirits I tell you.

  
2.  Ashlee @ On the Front Porch Looking In. Ashlee blogs about diy projects, fashion, design, God (love that part!) and many more lovely things.  And of course an obvious reason I love her is because she spells her name the right way. ;) Love her blog design too!

3.  Nina @ The Good Girl.  I typically don't think really hard about peoples blog posts.  You know, I read them leisurely. But not on her blog. (This post especially has stuck in my mind and challenged me.) Thanks for always sharing what is really in your heart, Nina.  I love your depth.

4. Amber @ Mrs. Amber Apple.  I cannot get enough of this girl. She has some SERIOUS vintage style (see?) which I absolutely adore.  She shares recipes, outfits, pins, decorating,  tutorials, and more!

5. Misty @ An Unpretentious Teacher.  Misty is one fashionable woman.  And right now she is doing a "100 day retail detox."  She's committed to not shopping for 100 days (so brave!) and I'm enjoying her updates. I deeply considered participating, but chickened out.  She is definitely inspiring me to give it a try though!  Great dresser, great writer, great blog!

 My goodness it was hard to only pick 5 blogs. But I hope the chosen nominees will share the love with others now (and sorry if you have already been given the award).  Thanks again Liz for allowing me to be a part of this. :)

***I reached 100 followers this weekend, which means a GIVEAWAY is in the works.  Hint: It will be something amazing from here.***