Monthly Archives: January 2018

8 Edible Valentines

Whether you love it or hate it, there’s no denying that Valentine’s Day is on the way.

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While I’m sure everyone loves getting little Valentine cards from friends, sometimes you just want nothing more than to indulge in some sweet, sweet, sugar…and what better way to do that than with edible valentines?

edible-valentines

A fun treat to bring in for coworkers or classmates, these edible valentines are sure to make even the biggest Valentine’s Day haters just a little cheery!

8 Edible Valentines

Valentine’s Day Cupcakes

cupcakes

Love Stinks Valentines

love stinks

Love Macarons

loveu

Valentine Marshmallow Pops

marshmallows

Teddy Bear Pretzel Pops

bears

Perfect Match Valentine Boxes

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Valentine’s Day Cheesecakes

cheesecake

Valentine’s Day Omelet

pancake

Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.

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The Human World

the human world

“The human world…it’s a mess.”
–The Little Mermaid

Come back every Tuesday for “The Bees Knees”, where I post the best quotes from my favorite movies, TV shows, songs, and books.

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10 No-Fail Nutella Recipes

Let’s talk about Nutella.

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Not only is it amazing for spreading on basically everything (or just eating out of the jar), you can use it to jazz up your favorite desserts.

From cookies to bread rolls, here are 10 No-Fail Nutella Recipes you’re going to love!

10 No-Fail Nutella Recipes

nutella-recipes

  1. Nutella Filled Red Velvet Truffles
  2. Soft Cream Cheese Cookies with Nutella Glaze
  3. Nutella Brioche Knots
  4. Hot Nutella Chocolate
  5. Chocolate Sugar Cookies
  6. Nutella Meringue Cookies
  7. Nutella Pecan Rugelach
  8. Nutella Churros
  9. Chocolate Nutella Donuts
  10. Nutella Tarts

Every Monday is a “Reci-bee” post, where I share my favorite recipes, recipe collections, and cooking and baking hints and tips. 

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14 Inspiring Journals and Doodle Books

I never thought I would be the type of person who loved writing in books. I keep my books in the best condition I can…I never fold down pages or remove jacket covers…my dad would make fun of me, saying I should “live in the books” like he did (his were always filled with food crumbs and had water damage from reading in the tub), but I couldn’t do it.

But it wasn’t until I tried actually doodling and journaling in a book that I found that I actually loved it. It’s a great way to keep your brain active and is sure to be a fun memento for my kids and grandkids to find!

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If you’re looking for a way to relax and recenter, here are 14 awesome journals that are great motivators for getting more creative in your down time.

14 Inspiring Journals and Doodle Books

Wreck This Journal: Now in Color

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Rip it! Write it! Draw it!

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Doodle Diary: Art Journaling for Girls

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You’re Weird: A Creative Journal for Misfits, Oddballs and Anyone Else Who’s Uniquely Awesome

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Create This Book!

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My Life in Color: Inspirational Coloring Journal

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Write it Down, Let it Go

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Finish this Book

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Listography Journal

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642 Things to Write About

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Start Where You Are

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Good Days Start with Gratitude

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It’s Gonna Be Okay

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Present, Not Perfect

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Looking for a new book to read? Check in every Friday for a “Bee Happy” post, where I share reviews of books I’ve read or other book-themed lists.

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16 Fun Facts about Mary Tyler Moore

She could turn the world on with her smile…and with that simple beret toss and can-do attitude, Mary Tyler Moore paved the way for women in Hollywood like no other lady has done before.

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It was one year ago today that the world lost this powerhouse activist. Not only was she sweet as cherry pie, but she was a pioneer in Hollywood, creating a show that was revolutionary in its time, motivating women the world over to put on their slim, sexy pants and start ruling the world.

She made it possible for shows like Sex in the City, Girls, New Girl and 30 Rock to succeed with a female-dominated platform. The Mary Tyler Moore Show hired more women writers than any other show at that time, and won so many awards (29 Emmys alone!) that it’s often considered one of the best TV shows ever.

In an era when women are fighting to be heard and take a stand for what’s right, it’s more important than ever to look down and see the shoulders we’re all standing on for support. Without question, Mary is there. To celebrate this amazing woman and all she’s done for today’s working girls, here are 16 Fun Facts about Mary Tyler Moore!

BONUS FACT: You can binge watch The Mary Tyler Moore Show on Hulu right now!

16 Fun Facts About Mary Tyler Moore

Originally, the character of Mary Richards on The Mary Tyler Moore Show was supposed to be a divorcee; however, CBS network researchers shut down the idea as viewers didn’t want “divorced women” in their living rooms.

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Moore got her start acting in TV commercials. She was the mascot for Hotpoint Appliances when she was just 17 years old. She filmed 39 commercials for them in just 5 days.

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For one of her big TV roles, Moore played a receptionist in six episodes of Richard Diamond, Private Detective. The show only featured her voice and legs.

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Moore was also a model for various LP covers.

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When Moore was cast as Laura Petrie in The Dick Van Dyke Show, producers wanted her to be the next June Cleaver. However, Moore insisted on wearing comfortable capri pants because she felt that it was a more realistic representation of the modern housewife.

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The Mary Tyler Moore Show was one of the first shows ever to celebrate an independent career woman. It won 29 Emmy Awards throughout its run.

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After seven seasons, The Mary Tyler Moore Show decided to end while it was still performing strongly in the ratings. It was one of the rare series finales that allowed the characters to break character and bid farewell to one another in the context of the show. Moore also introduced each of her cast mates to the audience for a final curtain call before the end credits rolled.

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To play homage to her character, there is a statue of Mary Richards tossing her cap into the air on Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis, the site of her series’ iconic opening credits sequence.

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The Mary Tyler Moore Show had an unprecedented number of female writers. Of the 75 contributing writers that made up the staff, 25 were women.

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The costume designer for The Mary Tyler Moore Show also built Mary’s wardrobe with clothes that women could actually buy. She sourced clothes from one retailer, that way Mary could mix and match separates that any woman could actually go out and purchase.

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Tina Fey’s comedy 30 Rock is said to be somewhat of a reboot of The Mary Tyler Moore Show. The characters in 30 Rock are uncanny parallels of the cast of Moore’s show: Liz Lemon (Mary Richards), Jack Donaghy (Lou Grant), Tracy Jordan (Ted Baxter), Pete Hornberger (Murray Slaughter, and Jenna Maroney (Sue Ann Nivens).

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The series finale of Friends also borrowed the same format as the ending of The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

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Moore was a strong advocate against Diabetes. She was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 33 and testified before Congress to promote stem-cell research as a way of curing the illness.

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The beret that Moore tosses in the opening credits of The Mary Tyler Moore Show was actually a gift from Moore’s aunt. She wore it to the shoot (it was super cold that day) and one of the writers told her to “take the hat, the beret, and throw it in the air.”

Mary Tyler Moore Hooray GIF

In 1980, Moore’s son Richie Meeker accidentally shot himself and died. That same year, Moore starred in the movie, Ordinary People, as a woman whose son almost kills himself and another who dies in an accident. She said she took the role as a way to deal with the real life tragedy of her own son, Richie.

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Because The Mary Tyler Moore Show was so successful in promoting women’s rights, First Lady Betty Food actually appeared on one episode of the show.

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Sometimes you just need a little fun in your life! Check back every week for a new “Just Bee-cause” post, where I discuss everything from celebrity news to favorite videos and websites!

 

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12 Beginner Craft Projects

Is it your New Year’s resolution to craft more? Do you finally want to learn how to crochet, knit or sew? Maybe you’re a crafter looking to finally try something totally different, like mixed media or quilting? If you are curious to explore new creative endeavors, this is the post for you!

Below you will find 12 beginner projects covering a wide range of crafting techniques. Knit a shawl, crochet a pillow, or make your own kumihimo knot bracelet.

Challenge yourself this year and try your hand at these 12 Beginner Craft Projects!

12 Beginner Craft Projects

beginner crafts

CROCHET: Chunky Crochet Pillow

crochet pillow

KNITTING: Top Notched Knitted Shawl

knit shawl

PAINTING: LOVE Painted Canvas

painting canvas

QUILTING: Patchwork Quilted Ball

quillted ball

BEADING: Kumihimo Knot Bracelet

bracelet

MIXED MEDIA: Mixed Media Floral Hair Pins

hair pins

SCRAPBOOKING: It’s Everything Scrapbook Layout

scrapbooking

SEWING: Sewn Gift Bags

pouch

JOURNALING: Adulting Bites Doodle Page

journaling

CROSS STITCH: Watermelon Cross Stitch Coaster

cross stitch

PAPER CRAFTING: Paper Page Corner Bookmark

bookmark

EMBROIDERY: Pumpkin Spice Embroidery Art

psl

Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.

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Michael Scott as Queen B

beyonce

“I am Beyonce always.”
The Office

Come back every Tuesday for “The Bees Knees”, where I post the best quotes from my favorite movies, TV shows, songs, and books.

 

Photo Credit:  http://www.miosallanto.se/journal/2016/2/9/queen-b

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12 Decadent Brownie Recipes

If I had my choice between cookies, cake, or a brownie, I’d pick a brownie every time.

Whether they’re topped with icing, peanut butter, or just a dusting of confectioners’ sugar, I’m a sweet sucker for a chewy brownie.

These delicious brownie recipes are perfect for serving with ice cream and a binge of your favorite TV show. Make them for a party or just for yourself on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

12 Decadent Brownie Recipes

decadent-brownie-recipes

  1. Chocolate Coconut Brownies
  2. Black Bean Brownies
  3. Rocky Road Brownies
  4. Cream Cheese Brownies
  5. No-Bake Brownies
  6. Ganache Brownies
  7. French Silk Brownies
  8. Peanut Butter Brownies
  9. Coffee and Pretzel Brownies
  10. Oreo Brownies
  11. Chocolate Cherry Brownies
  12. Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies

Every Monday is a “Reci-bee” post, where I share my favorite recipes, recipe collections, and cooking and baking hints and tips. 

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13 Ways to Read More in 2018

Most people who love reading want to make time to read more every year. With more and more books hitting the shelves, it’s become near impossible to keep up with all the must-read titles; however, you can make it easier to read more this year…and more of what you like…with this helpful list of 13 ways to read more in 2018. From starting a journal to joining a book club, this list of ideas will turn you into an adorkable bookworm in no time!

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Set a realistic number of how many books you want to read this year.

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Sure we’d all like to read all the best-sellers this year, but many of us just don’t have the time. Start with a goal of 12 (one a month) and see how it goes. You also know yourself best, so if you’re more likely to take longer to finish a book, set a goal of 6. Best case you exceed it!

Make reading part of your daily routine.

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Whether you read before bed or on your lunch break, work it into your schedule. Set aside a certain amount of time or commit to reading a certain amount of pages every day to help you power through.

Create a cozy reading environment at home.

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Take some time to create a cozy reading nook. Arrange your bookshelves or get a comfy chair and blanket to help make reading more comfortable.

Get a freaking library card.

Read Beauty And The Beast GIF by Disney

Take a walk through any Barnes and Nobel and you’ll realize how expensive a new book can be…why fork out 30 bucks for a book you could get for free?! If your local library doesn’t carry the title you’re looking for, most will order it for you from another library…FOR FREE. In most states, you can also use your library card at any library state-wide. Some libraries even give perks to their members, like renting eBooks for free and discounted tickets to other events in the area.

Throw a book in your bag.

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Sometimes it’s those little moments when you can get the most reading done…while you’re waiting for your train or your lunch to be made. If you buy your book online, you can often get a digital version as well, so even if you can’t carry the physical book, you can keep up with your reading on your phone or eReader.

AUDIOBOOKS.

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This is a no-brainer. Listening to audiobooks is a great way to keep up with your reading. You can listen in the car, when you work out, even when you’re working (if you can handle someone talking in your ear!). There are several subscription sites where you can listen to eBooks online, and libraries often have a great selection of books on CD if your car has a CD player.

Join a book club.

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Or start one of your own! Chances are after you finish a book, you’re going to want to talk about it, so why not do it among friends and food? You can give your book club a theme (reading only female authors or re-reading the classics) or you can all just throw your favorite book titles in a hat and draw one out every month. It’s a great way to explore titles you may never have even thought to read before.

Host a book swap.

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These parties are so fun! Get some wine and cheese and gather up your favorite used books. Tell your friends to come with their favorites and have fun exchanging titles.

Read a book with a movie counterpart.

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Sometimes the inspiration you need to start or finish a book lies in the ability to watch the movie version when you’re done. Read a book before its movie hits screens in 2018 (you can see a list of those here) and have fun telling your friends how the book was waaaaay better.

If you don’t like it, stop reading it.

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This is a hard lesson for readers to learn, but one worth mentioning. There are so many good books in the world and there’s no use wasting time trying to read a book you don’t like. I usually give a book one chapter or 20 pages, whatever comes first, to grab my attention. If I’m not interested, I move on. No shame, no guilt. You’ve got to find what you like!

Join Goodreads.

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Goodreads is the best social media site for readers. You can log books you’ve read, books you want to read, and can rate those books to get better recommendations of what you might like. You can see what your friends are reading and send and receive recommendations of books to read. You can join my Goodreads friend group here!

Participate in a Reading Challenge.

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There are several reading challenges online (I actually published one here) that help outline types of books to read. Find one that suits your interests or make your own based on what you want to read.

Start a journal.

How I keep track of what I'm currently reading in my Bullet Journal!

More specifically, a reading journal. Illustrate books you’ve read, books you want to read, jot down your favorite quotes, or illustrate literary worlds you love. I just started doing this and I love it. It’s great motivation to keep reading and exploring new titles.

Looking for a new book to read? Check in every Friday for a “Bee Happy” post, where I share reviews of books I’ve read or other book-themed lists.

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23 Fun Facts about Zooey Deschanel

Who’s that girl? It’s Zooey!

Zooey Deschanel GIF

This brown-haired, blue-eyed beauty just celebrated her 38th birthday and is loving life more than ever. About to wrap up the final season of her hit show, New Girl, Zooey Deschanel is no stranger to acting (it’s very firmly cemented in her bloodline, as a matter of fact). She is a gifted actress, singer, musician, and dancer…and is just as adorkable and nerdy as you think she is!

fun-facts-about-zooey-deschanel

Whether you know her as Jessica Day, Summer Finn, or that sarcastic girl from Elf, Zooey has done a lot in her career thus far. In celebration of her recent birthday, here are 23 Fun Facts about Zooey Deschanel!

23 Fun Facts about Zooey Deschanel

Zooey Claire Deschanel was named after Zooey Glass, the male protagonist of J.D. Salinger’s 1961 novella, Franny and Zooey.

Zooey’s father is an Academy Award-nominated cinematographer Caleb Deschanel and her mother is the actress Mary Jo Deschanel, who starred in Twin Peaks. Her older sister, Emily Deschanel, also starred in Bones.

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She attended Crossroads prep school, along with fellow actors Jake Gyllenhaal and Kate Hudson.

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Don’t let Jessica Day fool you…She’s also a very talented tap dancer. She took lessons for 6 years.

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Her first acting role was as a model on the TV show, Veronica’s Closet, which also starred Kirstie Alley.

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She also attended Northwestern University for nine months before dropping out to become an actress.

But it wasn’t until Almost Famous that Zooey became, well, famous. She was cast alongside her pal, Kate Hudson, as Anita Miller, the protagonist’s rebellious older sister.

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Then Elf happened. After her part as a deadpan department store worker, Zooey was in hot demand. Everyone wanted her to play the sarcastic “best friend”, a typecast she didn’t feel she owned since she’d stay home from school all the time and didn’t have many friends growing up.

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Speaking of Elf, Zooey does all her own singing in the film.

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She’s also a very talented musician and can play a multitude of instruments, including piano, guitar, and ukulele. She is also in a band called She & Him alongside Mathew Ward.

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One of her favorite singers of all time is Ella Fitzgerald, which shows with her trademark raspy voice.

For her role as Jessica Day on New Girl, Zooey has received one Emmy and three Golden Globe nominations.

She also jokes that she’s “…the worst person to ever eat with…” because she’s allergic to eggs, dairy, and wheat gluten.

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She loves coffee, baking, and crafting…so basically my soul mate.

new girl GIF by Fox TV

She’s also very into nail art and often shares her painted digits on her Instagram account.

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Even though her counterpart, Jessica Day, loves to guzzle pink wine, Zooey doesn’t drink, smoke, or do drugs.

In May 2011, Zooey launched “HelloGiggles” an entertainment website that targets female audiences. She runs the blog alongside Sophia Rossi and Molly McAleer.

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She’s real-life BFF’s with her 500 Days of Summer co-star, Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The two play instruments together and are basically the cutest thing in the history of the universe.

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Zooey and Jake Johnson, her love interest in New Girl, also had to have as little human contact as possible during the first season of the show because their chemistry was too strong.

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She has a daughter with producer Jacob Pechenik named Elsie Otter.  STOP IT WITH YOUR CUTENESS, ZOOEY.

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For one of her more recent birthdays, Zooey hosted a birthday party at the American Girl store.

She knows This is Spinal Tap by heart.

She’s also a very competitive board game player.

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Sometimes you just need a little fun in your life! Check back every week for a new “Just Bee-cause” post, where I discuss everything from celebrity news to favorite videos and websites!

 

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