Home / Archive for April 2015

FOOD: Double Chocolate Pancakes

4 Comments Edit
Hi Made By Girls! This is Jen from Pretty Eats bringing you a fun and decadent way to wake up, Double Chocolate Pancakes.  I love trying to incorporate non-dairy options in my recipes, and experimented with Chocolate Soy Milk with these pancakes…delish!! Now these thick, chocolately treats are really more dessert than breakfast, but once in a while won't hurt. Don't forget my trick to make these cakes even more special, a sprinkle of fresh berries on top! Enjoy!









Double Chocolate Pancakes
Ingredients:  makes 10 medium sized pancakes

    •    1/2  cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    •    1 cup all-purpose flour
    •    1/2 cup sugar
    •    2 tsp baking soda
    •    1/4 tsp salt
    •    1 1/2 cup chocolate soy milk
    •    1 egg
    •    1 tsp vanilla
    •    High quality maple syrup
    •    Fresh berries of your choice

Directions: 
    •    In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients and whisk well. Allow batter to sit for 15 minutes (or refrigerate if longer than 15 min).
    •    On a greased griddle (medium heat), scoop 1/4 cups of the batter onto surface. Flip when bubbles begin to rise to the top.
    •    Stack 'em up, drizzle some syrup, and enjoy with a topping of fresh berries!








-post by jen olson

Google+ Pinterest

FASHION: SPRING TREND

3 Comments Edit
Hello lovelies! Sami from The Unexpected Type here to chat about 2015 Spring trends. With the official first day of the season behind us, it’s time to start transitioning your wardrobe! I’ve taken this Spring’s top three runway trends and given you a complete, wearable look to effortlessly transition your style towards warmer weather and fresh color palettes.

The Shirtdress // Seen in collections by Altuzarra, Charlotte Ronson, and Rebecca Minkoff
The classic silhouette gets a revamp with punchy patterns, clean design, and fun accents, like an unexpected high slit. Pair the silhouette great with a patterned bag and lace-up sandals.




Black & White // Seen in collections by Thakoon, Public School, DKNY

This year black and white gets an extreme update with innovative textures and unexpected shapes. The best part about this trend? You can transition seamlessly by stretching the life into some of your Winter blacks. A patterned piece works great with one of the season's hottest shoes, the mule, and a fun, sporty bag. 


1. Trendcy White Sleeveless Dress  // 2. Maison Margiela Mules // 3. Alexander Wang Sneaker Sling Bag

The Kimono Coat // Seen in collections by Tracy Reese, Tibi, Thakoon Winter’s cocoon trench coats are replaced with free flowing, feminine “kimono” inspired wraps and coats. Slouchy, light weight, and comfortable—what’s not to like? Pair the coat with an ultra-feminine pair of heels, like these d'orsay pumps, and a neutral bag.


1. Forever 21 Duster Coat // 2. Halogen Leather Cross Body Bag // 3.  Ulla Johnson D'orsay Heels 




(All runway photos courtesy of Vogue)
-post by sami davis

Google+ Pinterest

MamaRoo is the way to go

4 Comments Edit
Before baby came into the picture my husband & I were not into BIG baby things. So, when we first saw the MamaRoo - we both looked at each other & said, "no way." 

Well, fast-forward a month later (baby now in the picture) & that "no way" became "yes way!" On the recommendation of a friend whose a mom & my own mother, we were convinced that the MamaRoo was the way to go for comforting our baby when we couldn't hold him.  This infant seat basically swings from side-to-side & bounces up-and-down just like we do when we are holding him. 

As fate would have it, the people over at 4 Moms contacted me & said they'd gift Noah a MamaRoo - so I said YES!! I'll try it. 

I admit, we had no idea where we would put this thing.  We certainly didn't want our home looking like a baby palace...we tend to be clutter-free types.  This was going to be a challenge.  When we received the MamaRoo, Noah immediately LOVED it.  And honestly, it wasn't as humongous when we saw it in relation to everything else in our home.  Here he is (below) asleep in my work studio.  This thing gets him to SLEEP pretty quickly & I am now able to concentrate on other tasks.  Seriously, I don't know what we would've done without this.




Here's a bit about the seat & what it does:

  • sways back & forth, side to side
  • can do 5 unique motions
  • can be controlled with your smartphone
  • has built-in sounds & P3 Plug-in
  • Can play your own music from your smartphone 
  • seat fully reclines really well
  • reversible toy balls for your baby to look at  (Noah is still figuring these out)
  • reversible newborn insert, (I recommend this for added support!)
  • several colors to choose from, (we chose the classic black)

'BABY' onesie from hello apparel. 


Have you tried the MamaRoo? What do you think?



-images by jen ramos

Google+ Pinterest

7 beauty products I use every day

3 Comments Edit
I get a lot of questions about what I use for beauty products everyday. Well, it's pretty simple.  I tend to try different things, but like most women, I'll usually stick to what works. Here are 6 beauty products I use that work for me & why:



2. joeur cosmetics mineral powder blush


-post by jen ramos



Google+ Pinterest

New at MADE BY GIRL

1 Comment Edit
Hey guys! Great news!!! Have you seen the new Made By Girl site yet?

WE have officially merged Cocoa & Hearts (my original paintings) with Made By Girl!  You can now find all prints & original paintings on one website. This is easier for us, hope it's easier for you too! We have several new pieces that I think you'll want to check out like:

Lily the Swan - perfect for nurseries & kids rooms. Hand-drawn art by me, sold as a print.
love, love, LOVE - Perfect print for any decor. 
Black Abstract Swirl - add a little modern abstract piece to your gallery wall. Hand painted by me, sold as a print.
EVER & EVER in gold foil - this print would make a great print for a wedding, or a gift.

THEN we have the Original ART section | Cocoa & Hearts:
Darla's Flowers - original painted art by me
Le Kissy - original painted art by me



Plus, I'll be adding these hand-painted 'Hot Pink Swans' soon to the Original Paintings section!! Cocoa & Hearts Stay tuned!! You can always request a custom one if they sell-out.


Thank you for checking out the new site, enjoy your week!



-image by jen ramos
Google+ Pinterest

Design: Get her stylish living room

4 Comments Edit
Hi there! Monika here bringing you today's dose of design! I love to take a sneak peak into other bloggers/designers' houses, home tours are such a great source of inspiration! Who doesn't right?? This is definitely the case of this gorgeous living room belonging to Nicole Gibbons from So Haute blog!  I love her eclectic, elegant apartment, full of vintage finds and beautiful vignettes! You can see the full tour here and get the style below!


Via Glitter Guide

For a similar look & feel to Nicole's space, here are a few home items I'd recommend!
Google+ Pinterest

BEAUTY: BEAUTY & THE BROWS

2 Comments Edit
 Hi! Monica, here from beautyparler.  Jen, is away enjoying her bundle of joy today! So happy for her & her husband! As a mom to an 18 month old, I know how tiring and exciting those first weeks are.

So, March is here already which means Spring is near. One beauty trend that will continue this Spring is the full brow. In all honesty, regardless of trendy or not I've always been a fan of a fuller brow. Now, not all of us are born with full brows. So, sometimes we just have to FAKE it.  Growing up as a teen in the 90's meant that two brow trends came into effect. For the first part of the 90's full sculpted brows and by the mid to late 90's a thinner brow was in.  My mom warned me, "once you start tweezing those brows they'll never grow back the same or ever".  Mom knows best! Thankfully, I listened.

Weather you use a brow pencil, cream or powder there are countless brow products to choose from and fake it if necessary.  A new release is Maybelline Eye Studio Brow Drama, an easy to use mascara for brows. A great method for those that don't want to fully commit to a full sculpted brow. Looking to fill in sparse brows, a pencil is another easy method. An old favorite of mine, MAC Cosmetics Brow Pencil, is a no nonsense pencil that defines and allows for a more precise brow. For shading in brows, Benefit Cosmetics Brow Zings is a great kit for beginners.

Although, brow powders can be a tad time consuming you can achieve a more natural looking brow. The newest brow product in my kit, Anastasia Dip Brow Pomade is a water-proof cream formula that basically does the job of all three products listed above but in one product. Sculpt, define, shade, and fill-in brows using the dip brow. This product is for those not afraid of a more intense brow. Lastly, Wink Eyelash and Eyebrow Enhancer is for those that over tweezed. Increase and thicken hair with usage of Wink.


What do you think of fuller more natural eyebrows?




-post by monica darosa


Google+ Pinterest

ZARA KIDS

11 Comments Edit
I didn't even know Zara had a kids section, until a friend of mine mentioned it.  Well, I was pleasantly surprised when I visited their online kids store.  I decided to order a few pieces & I'm in love with the quality & stylish pieces they offer.  I gathered a few of my fave items for little boys (of course), that I have, or hope to get for Noah.  The clothes are really nice, and about mid-range prices...

Have you shopped Zara Kids yet??



Below is my little guy wearing the tee-pee pants from Zara Kids , one of my favorites.  He's also sporting some cute little 'batman' super-hero shoes from Sahnda Marie Kids
.  

Have a nice weekend! Happy Good Friday.




-Post by jen ramos



Google+ Pinterest
Subscribe to: Posts ( Atom )