focaccia bread art & holiday baking with eBay!

This post is sponsored by eBay and ShopStyle. All opinions are my own.

Thank you for supporting the brands that support this blog.

Has the baking bug of 2020 bitten you yet? I feel like EVERYONE was baking back in March and April. At the time I was plenty happy just keeping my local bakery in business (seemingly single handed - yikes!) and I wasn't much into baking at home. Truth is, I've never been great at baking at home. My daughter is much more skilled and inspired in the baking department than I am.  But as the holiday season started getting closer I have to admit... the urge to bake has been STRONG. And I can't resist. Baking can be so intimidating! Kneading, rolling, get the measurements JUST right. I'm much better at throwing some salt and pepper, meat and veggies together for dinner. But I am bound and determined to make this baking thing work. I can see why people turn to it during stressful times... the process itself is VERY satisfying and of course, the end product is always such a treat!

I've long viewed a KitchenAid stand mixer as the ultimate in kitchen goals and finally splurged on one for myself this year. I've already used it a few times and it's an absolute dream to use! Especially for a beginner like me... with simple dials and a super sturdy base I can see why everyone raves about the KitchenAid mixer. I got mine for a great price from eBay's selection of Certified Refurbished kitchen tools and I'm very impressed with it! It's just like brand new!

Our family has an obsession with focaccia bread right now. Our local bakery makes it a few days a week but it always sells out. And one night recently I went down a rabbit hole on the internet about focaccia bread artwork. (Google it! You will be delighted and amazed... and instantly hungry!) Armed with my new KitchenAid stand mixer I had to give focaccia - and maybe a little bread artwork - a try! I never imagined bread could be so easy to make. I just threw all the ingredients in the bowl with the bread hook attachment and the KitchenAid did all the work. I won't say I'm a pro yet... but I will say this one single loaf disappeared from my kitchen counter in less than 5 minutes. In fact, someone ripped a piece off before I could even photograph it - haha!  I'll post the general recipe I used below and I highly recommend having some fun with the artwork part on your own, or with your kids. It truly was a fun recipe, start to finish!

eBay is your one stop shop for all things Certified Refurbished for the kitchen - I'm not sure I will ever pay full price for a new kitchen gadget again. These deals are so great! Plus, all Certified Refurbished products are recycled and kept out of the landfills, so it's a true win-win. Right now so many Certified Refurbished items are on sale and with eBay's Fast N'Free shipping your purchase will arrive fast and on-time. I chose the 3.5 quart stand mixer (since I'm a beginner and don't have a lot of storage for it), but there is also a slightly larger 5 quart option as well.  These make great gifts for the baker (or baker wannabe) on your holiday list this year. Other great giftables are this electric tea kettle, this food processor (I own this and love!) and my husband has an air fryer on his wishlist this year. There are some great deals on other Certified Refurbished home goods like this Roomba vacuum, a cordless Dyson (we are obsessed with ours!) or tons of Certified Refurbished tools for the handy-man (or woman) in your life. 

You can also use code: PURCHASECR15 for 15% off select Certified Refurbished products up to $100, expiring on December 18 at 11:59pm. So make sure to take advantage of that extra discount. You can find more information here.

Focaccia Recipe I used... (loosely based on this recipe, with a few tweaks)

3 1/4 cup flour

1 packet of yeast (1/4 ounce)

2 teaspoons of honey

2 pinches of sea salt (+ more for sprinkling the top)

1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil (+ more for brushing on top before baking)

1 1/4 cup of warm water

cherry tomatoes and fresh rosemary for decorating the top

~~

1. Preheat the oven to 425.

2. Pour ALL ingredients (minus the tomatoes and rosemary for the top) into the KitchenAid stand mixer bowl. Attach the bread hook attachment and start on low. Slowly increase the speed until all the ingredients come together in one well mixed dough ball (it's like magic how it perfectly forms a ball right in front of your eyes!)

3. Remove the bowl with the dough inside from the stand. Pour 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil over the dough ball and turn the dough ball to evenly coat with the oil. Replace the dough ball to the bowl and cover with a towel to rise for 2-3 hours.

4. Using a baking sheet covered in parchment paper spread the dough evenly on the surface (I just used my hands to work it).  Then poke your fingers into the bread in an even pattern (about every inch) to make small wells for the olive oil to stand. 

(At this point I ran out of time and had to pop it in the fridge overnight - poor planning on my part - then when I took it out I let it come to room temp before decorating and baking. I would not recommend this as I think I lost some of the potential rise on the dough)

5. Decorate your bread however you like! You can also leave it plain (our local bakery does and it's amazing as a side dish or bread for sandwiches). I did tomatoes and rosemary to look like Christmas holly.

6. Before baking it brush on about another 1/4 of olive to the entire surface making sure to coat the decorations thoroughly so they don't burn. Sprinkle on 3-4 pinches of sea salt.

7. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes. You can also drizzle MORE olive oil on straight out of the oven and let it absorb too.

ENJOY!

This makes a great side dish or undecorated makes great sandwich bread. Or if you are savage like my family you just eat it straight out of the oven for an afternoon snack ;)

eBay's Green Monday!

 This post is sponsored by eBay and ShopStyle. All opinions are my own.

Thank you for supporting the brands that support this blog.

Need a "perfect" gift for the difficult to buy for teens on your shopping list this year? Don't want to completely break the bank? I feel you! My teens can be really tough to shop for and often times their wish lists are so expensive. I always like to try and find a few gifts that they not only want, but that will really go to good use as well. It's not an easy balance to strike - but I think I found the perfect gift!

Enter eBay's Green Monday promotion! What is Green Monday? Green Monday is a new shopping event by eBay this holiday season that focuses solely on Certified Refurbished products, aka previously loved but made new again, and you can find all the deals here. I love the idea of keeping unnecessary waste out of landfills while also crossing off a few items on my kids' wish lists at HUGE savings. This savings event runs for one day only where you can get some really great deals on Certified Refurbished items from premium brands.

I found these Certified Refurbished Bose wireless headphones (similar or similar) for my kids at an amazing price recently. I love that they will have quality headphones for at-home learning, gaming and their endless Tik Tok binging. They love that they have the best in sound performance from a top name brand - plus, they are super comfortable. I've never purchased Certified Refurbished items before, so I was pleasantly surprised that they 100% live up to expectations.  The product and the packaging were in pristine condition when they arrived. Plus, it's a huge bonus that we are keeping items from the landfill too. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Bose sent a limited 2-year warranty via email within a day of the item being delivered so that I have 100% peace of mind on my purchase. 

When it comes to holiday gifting be sure to keep eBay's vast selection of Certified Refurbished in mind. I  love this deal on a robotic vacuum, this is a great price on a Surface laptop, any DIY guy or gal would love this tool kit or this Acer laptop that is perfect for at home school are all Certified Refurbished and available for a great price while supplies last. With over a billion listings and eBay Guaranteed Delivery, you will be sure to find something you can't resist gifting with the promise of it arriving in time for the holidays. Keep in mind, these Green Monday sales launch today and won't last long... when they are gone, they are gone! So shop now!

You can also use code: PURCHASECR15 for 15% off select Certified Refurbished products up to $100, expiring on December 18 at 11:59pm. So make sure to take advantage of that extra discount. You can find more information here.

Certified Refurbished Bose wireless headphones (similar or similar)

6 slam dunk holiday gifts!

 This is about the time of the holiday season where I start freaking out about gifts a little - anyone else? I'm trying to remember what I even bought because all the boxes are stashed where the kids can't find them and likewise, where it's near impossible for me to find them too. Plus, there are a few gifts I've been putting off buying and I just need to make a decision but I feel frozen.  Can anyone else relate? 

Today I pulled together 6 slam dunk gifts for anyone and everyone on your list. These are the items that everyone always loves, so if you still have a few difficult to buy for people on your list read on to see who all these gifts are perfect for with lots more links to other options too!

top row, from left:

candle, a gorgeous candle can be a great gift for teachers, babysitters, bffs, sisters, mother-in-laws, new moms... you name it! Any lady on your list would love a gorgeous new candle that looks great and smells great too. This one is a favorite in our house. I also love this one for a holiday scent and this one is great for girly girls. This one is probably my all time favorite and this fresh citrus scent is a great kitchen scent.

legos, this lego advent calendar is really fun for all ages. The little ones will like it and I guarantee my teens would love feeling like a kid again building this. These lego storybook kits are compact and easy to organize and such a fun idea for girls. I love this Frozen themed storybook or the Mulan version looks really cool for young girls. The lego architecture kits are great for teens or even grown ups - all featuring architectural monuments from around the world.

PBteen, my daughter loves EVERYTHING from this store. Fun and whimsical pieces abound for girls and teens and even college gals. These sherpa lounge pillows would be a huge hit in our house both for my son and my daughter. Makeup organizers or a rainbow twinkle light sets are so popular with teens right now - my daughter would love these.

bottom row, from left:

camp socks, my husband and I are obsessed with these and the kids are always stealing them too. From teens to your grandparents... everyone loves a thick and soft sock in the winter! They work great in winter boots or just around the house. Shop men's here.

yeti, Yeti ANYTHING is popular in our house and also very practical. Our dishwasher is always full of them. For keeping drinks cold or hot or just a great cup with a lid for the kids' rooms while they are studying, these are the best insulated mug out there. We use them in the winter for hot drinks and the summer for cold drinks. The coolers are a super practical splurge - they definitely live up to the hype and these kids water bottles are super durable for kids' school water bottles.

barefoot dreams, I never got the hype and then I bought one of these blankets. They truly are SO good and such a great gift for the discerning or the difficult to buy for gal on your list. They sell out quickly but I found more blankets here and the socks are great too! This waffle knit blanket just hopped in my cart too!

9 items I own and love that would make great gifts!

Today I thought I would round up some of my favorite items that I own and love that would also make great gift ideas... if you haven't already checked out my HOLIDAY SHOP page (here) for tons more gift ideas I highly recommend that too!

If you need a gift idea for a aunt, sister, bff, or even a few gifts to hint to your husband... these are all items I own and love and use frequently and they will make great gifts. I've got budget friendly buys and a few splurgy luxe items here too... so there is truly something for everyone!

Truffle Cases (above)

These leather & clear plastic clutches and pouches are super durable and beautiful. I've owned mine for a few years (check their website for great cleaning tips to keep them looking brand new!) and I love them. I use the larger clutch for to keep small items organized when I carry a big tote and the smaller clutch when I carry a smaller tote. The bottom zip pouch carries all my chargers and cables and my kindle when I travel. They are all 25% off right now!

Or I also found these & these that are similar and less expensive!

My Favorite Christmas Candle (above)

This scent is beloved by the entire family and it makes for a cozy Christmas setting at home. I had one from last year that is almost gone so I just reordered a few - plus they are 30% off right now! You can shop minis of the candle here too! They make great hostess gifts, teacher gift or even the perfect gift for that hard to shop for gal.

Hats & Scarves (above)

Hats and scarves always make a great gift for any lady on your list young or old.  From teens to your sweet grandmother, who doesn't love a warm hug in the winter in the form of a cozy scarf or warm hat. These are all 50% off right now and make a great budget friendly gift!

plaid scarf, leopard scarf, hats

Beautycounter (above)

I love giving the gift of safe beauty and Beautycounter has so many gorgeous holiday gift sets. This bath set with a brush, body scrub & body oil is super indulgent and a great item for any lady on your list (or this set is similar and less expensive). Lip gloss is always an easy gift for teens, tweens or bffs. And you can put this gentle Overnight Peel and Face Oil on your own wishlist this holiday season. You can enjoy sitewide 15% off right now!

Cashmere (above)

Cashmere sweaters are the ultimate luxe gift this holiday season. I love this $100 option and have it in two colors. It's a gorgeous gift for any lady on your list. If your budget is lower, this cashmere scarf is super soft and beautiful and ON SALE right now.

Jewelry (above)

These items make simple and beautiful stocking stuffers at a great price! This set of gold colored beaded bracelets is under $15 and so pretty in person. Or this initial necklace is currently 30% off! These are great for bffs, teens, tweens and sisters.

Golden Goose Sneakers (above)

Yes they are a splurge but they are honestly my favorite shoe (maybe of all time!?). They are super comfortable, so fun to wear and make any outfit instantly chic! I got my first pair for Christmas 2 (or 3?) years ago. They are a great way to splurge this holiday season. 

Shop them here or here or this pair is less expensive and very cute!

Barefoot Dreams Blankets (above)

These are another splurge-y item but this blanket is SO heavenly! I bought one for myself this fall and seriously I use it all the time. It's perfect for working in bed (my permanent office these days!) or Netflix binges or lazy Saturday mornings. You can shop them here or on sale here - they sell out quickly so snag one if you want one! And pairing this beautiful room spray with it would be an incredible gift! This blanket is also super soft and cozy and budget friendly!

PJs & Slippers (above)

Pjs and slippers are always a go-to gift in our house to give and receive. You just can't go wrong with them! I love these striped pj pants and have owned them for years. They are currently 50% off! And these slippers are super warm and available in tons of colors. This is another gift combo that is great for women young and old!

CYBER WEEK DEALS & STEALS: winter boots!

Cyber week sales continue and today I am rounding up BOOTS! Winter boots are a necessity here in the Midwest and usually end up being my most worn shoe in the cold months. But they can be quite an investment to get a good waterproof pair. I'm partial to UGG and SOREL and have been wearing those brands for years and there are some really amazing deals on both those brands right now. I also included some hiking boot styles since those are so popular right now too! 

I own and love these sorel wedge in black. They are perfect for everyday wear while keeping your feet warm and dry. I have these buckle wedge boots on my wishlist. Those buckles are so chic! I also own a similar pair to these grey wedge sorel with red laces that I've had for like 5 years - they are super comfortable and great for walking in snow and ice. I've always loved UGGS and so does my daughter, these grey ugg boots would be a great gift for any teen. She also loves these Sperry saltwater boots - they look so cute with leggings and jeans.

Sizes and styles will sell super quick at these prices, so be sure to snag them before they sell out!

top row, from left: ugg fur boots, buckle wedge boot, sorel wedge in brown

second row, from left: black wedge fur lace ups, camel/grey sorel lace up wedge, taupe sorel wedge lace ups

third row, from left: brown lace up hiking boots, white hiking boot,  grey ugg boots

fourth row, from left: sorel wedge in black, grey wedge sorel with red laces

bottom row, from left: ugg wedge, white Sperry saltwater boot, black hiking boots

Cyber Week Deals & Steals: Nordstrom

Cyber Week deals have already launched at most retailers and one of my favorite sales of the season is already live at Nordstrom! This is their biggest sale next to the Nordstrom Anniversary sale and there are SO many good finds! This snake skin crossbody bag is gorgeous and I already have this v-neck sweater in my cart. My favorite find from the Anniversary sale both this leopard barefoot dreams blanket (splurge!) or this tassel blanket (a great budget find!) are back and will likely sell out again, just like they did in August. It's always a great time to snag some ugg boots on sale and other practical items like these leggings too! A pair of slippers are the perfect gift for all the ladies on your list, both young and old. Or snagging this gorgeous Clare v striped backpack or pair of sneakers to gift yourself is a great idea too... wink wink!

 

ugg boots, moto leggings, slippers, camel sweater, v-neck sweater, green crossbody bag, Clare v striped backpack, sneakers, snake skin crossbody bag, leopard barefoot dreams blanket, tassel blanket

Holiday pjs have landed!

What holiday tradition is more wholesome and cozy than family pjs? I've always loved getting pjs as a gift each holiday season and they are a great gift to give as well. I usually don't start wearing my holiday pjs until December but I definitely start buying them to have ready for gifting much earlier! Whatever I wear in December is usually a vestige of holidays past... but the entire family gets new pjs on Christmas Eve so we can wake up with them on Christmas morning. Sometimes we do holiday themes, sometimes we match, sometimes we don't match. Really, it's different every year depending on what Santa (wink, wink) finds for everyone that year. 

Today my daughter and I are showing off a really fun set that we both love (so soft!) and I've got a round up with tons of options for the whole family.  Whether you like plaids or stripes, matching or just the perfect pair for each family member - there are no rules here!  My daughter and I are wearing this set here which is available in a few really fun colors. I suggest going with your usual size.

shop the pieces: fair isle pjs, stripe pjs, merry everything pillow, pom pom pillow, Santa mugs

Here is a huge round up of tons of family pajamas for the holidays... sweet dreams!

Limited Edition Fresh Fall Sets by Beautycounter

I am SO excited to bring you today's post because it's the lead up to the MOST wonderful time of the year and the excitement is building! The holiday collection from Beautycounter is always one of the most anticipated beauty events of the year and this year is no different! Today they are launching their Fall Fresh beauty sets that are not only great for gifting later this year, but perfect for trying Beautycounter now! It's a great time to try safe beauty and splurge a little on yourself as the leaves change.  

There are 10 (ten!) new limited edition sets launching TODAY! And then a variety of additional sets will launch through out the rest of the fall and holiday season building up to the holidays. I've been lucky enough to get my hands on many of the sets and I am SO excited to share them with you today. From skincare samplers to try out a new routine this fall, to freshening up your lip gloss selection for fall, to some indulgent bath products for the perfect at home spa night (much needed these days!) there is something here for everyone!

Also not pictured here is the Special Edition Cleansing Balm... I JUST bought a new cleansing balm, so I won't be snagging this one, but it's a GREAT price and this will last you forever!

Bright Side Duo (above)

These are two of my favorite products - making this a must buy! They are both about half the size of the full size so they would be perfect for travel or to try both products. Plus the glass bottles are refillable and reusable! The Overnight Resurfacing Peel is a gentle overnight exfoliator. You will see instant AND long last smoothness and it fights the signs of aging and acne too. The Vitamin C serum is a potent anti-aging serum to be used in the morning. It also fights signs of aging and helps protect the skin against sun damage. They are the DYNAMIC duo in my opinion!

Lip Jellies in Shimmer (above)

Last year the Lip Jellies were one of the most popular holiday launch products! This year they are back with some gorgeous new scents: Cocoa, Honey, Mint, Caramel and Sorbet. These are great for holiday gifting and stocking stuffers (I gave them to friends last year for Christmas) but let's not get TOO ahead of ourselves! They make fantastic fall lip colors and they are perfectly casual with a slight bit of color and shimmer! 

Countertime Radiant Skin Set (above)

This is my FAVORITE serum - I use it morning and night. It contains Bakuchiol which is a natural retinol. You get the benefits of retinol like anti-aging and exfoliation without the harsh side effects that sometimes come with retinol.  PLUS! This set also comes with a gorgeous new Facial Roller. You use the gold tip to roll in the product for better results or to decrease puffiness around the eyes. I've tried it and it's amazing!

Beyond Gloss Trio (above)

This gorgeous set of fall and winter colors is perfect for this time of year and they are scented a delicate citrus scent. I personally love the bright red! It's really flattering and perfect for zoom calls or holiday gatherings later this season.

Polish & Protect Lip Duo (above)

Goodbye chapped winter lips! This set contains a minty lip scrub to exfoliate lips and a very nice lip balm to follow up  with. I love doing this two step process before bed! It's so indulgent! This makes great gifts for the ladies on your list too from teens and up!

Golden Hour all-in-one palette (above)

I have not worn eye makeup in so long, but I tried this set on the other day and it's GORGEOUS! It's the perfect fall color for the fall and holiday seasons. Four eye shadows, one blush and one highlighter will definitely be inspiring you this season!

Good Glow Body Duo (above)

Who's ready for a little at home glow up? This sugar scrub and body lotion duo are perfect for a little at home indulgence. I love this sugar scrub on dry skin... I use it in the shower to exfoliate and moisturize in one step. Then you can follow up with this NEW Illuminating Lotion - in person it has a slight pink tint to it but it goes on clear for a full body glow!

Good Scents Body Butter Trio (above)

These are a perennial favorite each year! This trio of body butters is the PERFECT gifting set for teens, tweens, sisters and friends. But make sure to snag one for yourself too! The scents are NEW this year and they smell great!

Good Scents Hand Cream Trio (above)

Another yearly favorite these hand creams keep me stocked all year! I purchase a set for myself every year and keep them in my purse, car and wherever else I can stash them. They also make great gifts to stash away and have on hand for gift exchanges, hostess gifts or teacher gifts!

Ultimate Bath Renewal Set (above)

This is probably one of my favorite sets AND our most indulgent set. It's perfect for moms, sisters, mother in laws and be sure to grab one for yourself too! It's got a brand new body brush for dry brushing, a sugar scrub for banishing winter skin (and it feels like a trip to the spa!) and a brand new body oil that is pure indulgence. I've been using the brush and oil almost everyday. I'm obsessed!