BRONZE BUDGET BRIDE

I hope your holiday presents include all of these...happiness, love and wonderful memories.

From my family to yours...have an amazing holiday season!!

I love pie, more than cake actually. That might be because of my egg allergy I couldn't eat it without getting a stomach ache till well into my teens. Actually, I must admit that as I type this, I'm reminding myself to put apples on the shopping list so that I can make an apple pie.

Apple pies are my favorite, there's not even a close second and I know there are plenty of you brides-to-be that just love yourself some pies too. So I say, what's wrong with serving pie, instead cake, at your wedding! Who'll complain about forking through that delicious goodness and you don't even have to make them yourself. At my local supermarkets, I can buy 8" freshly baked pies for just $2.99. So 10 pies would be just $29.99! So I ask again, what's wrong with serving up some pie? Nothing....I say.... not a thing.

Just a look at those at all the delicious pies I've posted from HostessBlog.com and tell me you are not thinking of changing your mind right now about that wedding cake... go on, take a look, they'll make your mouth water, (hehe).

This is one of the most beautiful hairstyles I've ever seen. I am not sure of the source but I just had to share this photo with all of you!!

I am starting to be convinced that with some creative thinking almost anything can be recycled into something beautiful and this Coffee Can Lantern project is a prime example.



Who know that empty coffee cans could make for such a stunning display. I didn't before but I'm so glad that I do now and they can be made simply by filling cans with water, allowing the water to freeze then you poke holes into the cans using  a nail and a hammer.

If you are making them for an outdoor party, I would spray paint the cans after the holes are nailed into each one.

You can find another method for making these Coffee Can Lanterns here at Design Sponge right now.

When I saw this on Food Network earlier this week it made me go weak in the knees. I can't even explain why but it's just so darn cute. I wish I could convince hubby to buy this for me as a birthday present but he would think I am crazy since we have so many other things we need to buy as we'll be moving into our new house soon.

It could be the gorgeous, blue color that gets me but it has a five out of five star rating from people who have purchased it here so I know it's a quality product which makes me want it all the more.

It is a 9x9 inch, Stoneware, Covered, Square, 3 Quart, Casserole Dish and it's called Caribbean by Le Creuset! If I was getting married, I would put this on my Wedding Registry if I could or email it to friends who are trying to figure out what to buy.

Up for grabs, today only, on Bronze Budget Bride on Facebook page are these Ballerina Girl Earrings from My Lemonade Dreams! Aren't they beautiful?

To enter to win:

Go here to our Bronze Budget Bride fanpage and just leave a comment on the post for the giveaway! That's it!

Want more entries?

1. Share the giveaway on your page by clicking the "Share" button...

and/or...

2. Get your friends to "Like" your comment. Each "Like" is yet another chance to win so increase your chances and ask for some "Likes" by the end of the day.

The winner will be announce tomorrow, December 13th, at 1/12c.

Good luck!!

T'is the season for making fab treats like these Candy Cane Macarons for your wedding party. I've posted the recipe for you below...

Ingredients:

For the macarons:
110 grams almonds, blanched
90 grams egg whites (aged 3-5 days in the fridge)
25 grams granulated sugar
200 grams powdered sugar

Start by putting the almonds in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add in the powdered sugar and give it a few pulses to combine. Set aside.

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer (or you can use an electric mixer), beat egg whites to a foam. It should resemble bubble bath at this point. With the mixer still running, slowly add the granulated sugar and continue beating just until smooth and stiff peaks have formed. Check it often so you don’t over mix. You want to stop right at the beginning of the stiff peak stage.

Add the almond mixture to egg whites and carefully incorporate with a spatula. You want the mixture to be thick enough to pipe, but thin enough that it won’t form peaks when piped. I suggest testing the batter by spooning out a small amount on a plate and checking that the batter “melts” into itself. If it doesn’t, give it a few more strokes and try it again.

Place macaron batter into a piping bag fit with a large, round tip and pipe small circles (about 1 inch to 1 ½ inches in diameter) onto your prepared baking sheets. Let macarons rest for at least 45 minutes to an hour, or until a hard shell has developed on the top. You can test this by carefully brushing your finger over a macaron. If it feels dry, you’re ready to go. If not, give it another 15 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 300F. Bake for 9-11 minutes, one baking sheet at a time. Let cool completely before filling.

For the filling:
2 egg whites
1/2 cup sugar
12 Tbs butter, at room temperature
1/8 tsp peppermint extra

For garnish:
crushed candy canes

Whisk together egg whites, sugar and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Set bowl over a small pot of simmering water and whisk constantly until the sugar dissolves. You know it’s ready with the you cannot feel the sugar when you rub a small amount of mixture between your finger.

Transfer the bowl to the stand mixer and use the whisk attachment to beat the egg whites into stiff peaks, about 10 minutes. The bowl should be cool to the touch before you move on.

Switch over to the paddle attachment and set the mixer to medium speed. Add the butter one Tbs at a time, letting it incorporate before adding another piece. Turn the mixer up to medium-high speed and beat until the buttercream comes together. This will take a while, so don’t worry if it looks soupy or curdled at any point. I find that it helps (if it’s not cooperating) to briefly chill in the fridge for a few minutes and then remixing. Once the buttercream is smooth and together, add peppermint extract and mix on low speed until combined. Place buttercream into a piping bag and pipe a small circle onto one macaron shell. Top it with a similar sized shell and squeeze together carefully. Roll the macaron in candy cane pieces for garnish.

Find this recipe here at Cake and Dallie!

If you are interested in making jarred favors like Pancake Mix In A Jar or these Homemade Super Chunky Cookie Mix then start getting excited because you can now find canning jars at here at DollarTree.com. :D

These Moroccan-inspired Jar Lanterns are so cute and if you are having a Moroccan theme bridal shower or wedding, they are inexpensive decorations. Perhaps you may not want to use them as centerpieces but they would be beautiful hanging from some trees or lining the path to your reception. 

Materials:

• old glass jars (spaghetti jars, jam jars or any plain glass jar will work)
• gold dimensional puff paint
• glass paint (Delta or Pebeo Vitrea glass paint are great options)
• paintbrush
• wire (optional, for hanging lanterns)

Instructions:

1. Remove labels and any glue residue from the glass jars and allow them to dry completely.
2. Apply the gold dimensional paint in various patterns. You can use the applicator tip to create small stud-like dots, draw various decorative patterns or push around the paint to create solid areas of gold. Let dry.



3. Pour a small amount of glass paint inside the jar and use your paintbrush to drag the paint up the sides of the jar, coating all of the jar’s interior. Let dry.
4. Your lanterns are now ready to enjoy indoors or out! Simply fill them with candles or add loops of fine-gauge wire to the tops for easy hanging.

Find this project with more photos here on Design Sponge.