Cascarones: Spanish for Awesome Easter Craft

Actually, Cascarones means "Shells" in Spanish. Learning something new everyday...

Cascarones (colorful confetti eggs) are made by first emptying the egg contents out through a hole at one end. The empty shell is then thoroughly washed and dried. The clean shell is filled with confetti, sealed with tissue paper, and dyed fun colors. Then, the best part, you get to crack it over someone's head! Good times! 

And since we are on a learning kick, here is the history of the Cascarone: (via here.)
The origin of cascarones is a little muddled. The cascarone stems from the Italian Renaissance when Italian gentlemen would fill emptied eggs with beautiful perfumes and scented powder to give to their beloved. As with the pinata, the Italians allegedly got the practice, via Marco Polo, from the Chinese, who filled the eggs with powder. The practice of making hollowed-out, surprise-filled eggs moved from Italy, into Austria, France and then to Spain. 

Learn how to make them here and get crackin! (Get it? Crackin? HAHAHA!!! Ok, nevermind...)

Image via ehow.com

Spring Cleaning Goodies

Happy Tuesday all! Feeling much more awake today than yesterday- YAY! Its going to be 80 degrees in Dallas today, spring is finally rearing its sweet little head. I gotta say, it is long overdue. I am one of those blessed with seasonal depression-I swear, too many gray days are enough to drive me bonkers. But when spring finally shows up, I am so ready to shuck off the coats and start reorganizing and cleaning-out. Like my own little rebirth. This spring, however, I happen to be smack-dab in the middle of wedding planning. So I am going to squeeze in organizing and crafting in wherever I can. What better way to start off our married life together?! An organized home is a happy home, right? Right.

So, here are the crafts I'm dying to tackle once I get a few spare moments...

XO
-L

ADORABLE Chalkboard Paint Jar Labels via The Inadvertant Farmer.
Love the idea of all my ingredients labeled and easy to find!

This is the perfect way to store our winter clothes and shoes!
Closet on Wheels under-bed storage from The Craft Queen (aka Martha)

Craft Material Organizer from (who else) Martha. I am DETERMINED to organize my boatloads of craft supplies. SERIOUSLY- I can't find anything when I need it. I'm dreaming of turning our office closet into a super organized crafts and wrapping hub. Wish me luck. 

Love this cute way to green up your grocery shopping (this would also make a fun gym bag).
Plus, I can use it to display my new last initial!
Canvas Doily Tote via Ashley Anne Photography, via Design Sponge.

One more from the goddess of goodness herself. I can see these all over our house: Organizing pet items, in the laundry room, in the living room armoire, in the craft closet, for bill filing, and in the bathroom organizing all my beauty paraphernalia. Stylish Storage Boxes with Labels via Martha.

An Orangy Sort of Morning

Still asleep. Thought these bright pops of wedding orangy goodness might wake me up...
That and the double espresso I'm about to slam.

XO
-L 

 All images via Project Wedding

Cookin up some Curry!

Geoff and I looooooove us some curry. Its so warm and comforting and perfect after a long week, you know? When G and I were first dating he would make me his "Chicken Curry in a Hurry" which I totally love. So I am always trying to find new twists on our old fave. I was tickled pink to find this version from Cooking Light. Its healthy, chock full of veggies and vitamins, and soooooooo good. I think I saw G licking his bowl. Give it a try- you won't be sorry (get the recipe here.)
Happy Friday all!!

XO
-L 

Curried Chicken Penne with Fresh Mango Chutney

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: about 1 1/3 cups)

Ingredients

• CHUTNEY:
• 2  cups  diced peeled ripe mango (about 2 mangoes)
• 1  cup  finely chopped onion
• 1/2  cup  water
• 2  tablespoons  brown sugar
• 1  tablespoon  curry powder
• 1  tablespoon  fresh lime juice
• 1/2  teaspoon  black pepper
• 1/2  teaspoon  chopped peeled fresh ginger
• 1/4  teaspoon  salt
• CHICKEN:
• 1  teaspoon  olive oil
• 2  garlic cloves, minced
• 1  pound  skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1  cup  light coconut milk
• 2  tablespoons  sugar
• 1  teaspoon  salt
• 1 1/2  teaspoons  red curry paste
• 1  to 2 teaspoons Thai fish sauce
• 2  cups  broccoli florets
• 2  cups  cauliflower florets
• 4  cups  hot cooked penne rigate (about 2 cups uncooked tube-shaped pasta)
• 2  tablespoons  chopped green onions (optional)

Preparation
To prepare chutney, combine first 9 ingredients in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until most of liquid evaporates and mixture is thick, stirring occasionally.

To prepare chicken, heat oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and chicken; sauté 5 minutes. Combine coconut milk and next 4 ingredients (coconut milk through fish sauce), stirring with a whisk. Add coconut mixture to pan; bring to a simmer. Add broccoli and cauliflower; cover and cook 7 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in chutney and pasta; toss well to combine. Sprinkle with green onions, if desired.

Nutritional Information
Calories: 216, Fat: 4.3g, Protein: 20g, Carbohydrate: 25.9g, Fiber: 3.6g, 

Recipe Courtesy of Cooking Light

There once was a paper bride...

who tried and tried and tried,
to design her perfect day,
and keep jitters at bay,
and enjoy this crazy joyride!

Haha! I totally crack myself up with my terrible limericks! No one else thinks they're funny, but that's not really important, right? Hmmmm...

Anywho...back to today's post featuring The Paper Bride by Esther K. Smith. The title immediately caught my eye at the bookstore the other day: "I love paper! I'm a Bride!" This book is chock-full of cute ideas for personalizing your wedding with crafty goodness. Want to line your invitation envelopes? The Paper Bride will show you how. Feeling super crafty? Try your hand at pop-up maps, guest book garland, or hand-stitched photo albums. Paper is definitely playing a big part in our wedding-and I can't wait to scour this book for great ideas.

XO
-L 

Check out this free free download of Save-The-Date Self Mailer project from The Paper Bride here.
All images from The Paper Bride.