homemade larabars ..

my friend shelby introduced me to homemade larabars, and i've been hooked ever since.

these high energy bars are so easy to make, and they contain a few simple ingredients.  nothing artificial here!

i love to pack some around as i am running around town.  i am one to get super grumpy when hungry, so when the blood sugar is running low, they really keep me from losing it!  and, my kids love them too!  they think they are getting a real treat!  and, it is all healthy ingredients!

there are endless combinations you could come up with, but my current favorite is almond, oat, and coconut!  you can put these together in no time, and pack them up for your next summer hike!

check out the full recipe over on my zupas post this week.  click here!

{photo by caroline armelle drake}

diy: duct tape bag

i am in love with all of the fun duct tape colors and patterns that you can find these days!

i made this fun handbag for my little norah to carry around her treasures, and she just loves it!

duct tape is so much fun to play with!  and, there are so many things you can create!

you only need a few supplies to make this darling bag!

be sure to check out my full step by step pictures along with instructions over on the hellobee blog today!

it doesn't take long to create a new little bag!  i'm even thinking of doing a bigger version for my summer swim bag, wouldn't that be awesome?!

have fun creating!

{all photos by me, caroline armelle drake}

banana almond and oat smoothie ...

i have a hard time remembering to eat breakfast.  but, i found if i make this tasty banana, almond, and oat smoothie i can sip it while on the go!  and, it is packed with all i need and more for an energizing breakfast!

check out my latest post over on the zupas blog for the recipe!  click here!

{photo by, caroline armelle drake}

*i am a contributor to the zupas blog, a local restaurant with a blog all about food, with tips and recipes!

quick and easy trail mix ...

some find it difficult to eat healthy when we are all so busy and constantly on the go.  well, with a little preparation, it isn't difficult at all.   and, last time i checked fruits like bananas, and apples are very portable and have zero prep time!

trail mix is a great option to pack around, and it packs all sorts of great vitamins, and healthy oils!

check out some great tips on how to make your own trail mix over on my zupas post today!  click here!

* i am a contributor to the zupas blog.  zupas is a local restaurant with a blog all about food!  great recipes and tips, all shared on the blog! be sure to check it out!

armelle jewelry mother's day sale ...

can you believe that mother's day is may 13th!  that's only a week from this sunday!

if you are wondering what to get your mother, then i'll help you out a bit!

i am offering 15% off of your entire purchase in the armelle jewelry shop, now through sunday may 6th!

be sure to enter MOM15 in the coupon section at checkout to receive your discount!

happy shopping!!

veggie tacos for cinco de mayo ...

do you need a fun dish to share for cinco de mayo coming up this weekend?

i love these veggie tacos!  they are a great spin on the boring old taco, and so fresh and tasty!

the roasted butternut squash really gives it a nice little sweetness, and amazing flavor!

check out the full recipe over on my zupas post this week!  click, here.

{photo by me, caroline armelle drake}

*i am a contributor to the zupas blog.  it is a local restaurant with a blog about all things food, be sure to check it out!

how to: make homemade bubble solution and blowers ...

the weather is finally warming up, and i have a feeling we will be spending all of our time outdoors from now on!

my children love to blow bubbles, so we pulled out some items we already had in our house, and we made our own homemade bubble solution, along with some bubble blowers and wands!

it is so easy to make, and you can be blowing bubbles in no time!

you can check out the full tutorial on how to make homemade bubble solution, as well as homemade wands and blowers over on my post for the hellobee blog today.  click, here.

now, get out there, and blow some bubbles!

{all photos by me, caroline armelle drake}

quinoa with black beans and vegetables ...

quinoa is quickly becoming the favorite "super food" these days.

it is packed with vitamins and nutrients, and it is also gluten free!  it is a nice substitute for rice, and it makes a nice light dinner paired with some veggies!

check out my zupas post this week, i am sharing the recipe for quinoa with black beans and vegetables.
click, here!

{photo by me, caroline drake}

* i am a contributor to the zupas blog.  zupas is a local restaurant that has a blog about all things food, great recipes, and tips! be sure to check it out!

welcome sponsor: alice lane home collection + a giveaway ...

i am excited to introduce you to armelle blog's latest sponsor, alice lane home!

alice lane isn't a stranger to the blog world.  items from their amazing store, and their beautiful design work have made the blogging rounds time and time again!

owner jessica bennett named the store alice lane, after the street she built and designed her first beautiful home on.    her store showcases beautiful pieces available to purchase from, sofas to rugs to mirrors, to jewelry.  alice lane offers a large collection of high quality pieces for your home.

alice lane also has a talented team of designers that offer custom design services for your home.

they also have a wonderful blog where they showcase their latest client projects, new arrivals in their store, and home decor tips.  be sure to check it out, here!

and, exciting news for my readers!

alice lane is giving one of you this darling elephant pillow (shown front and back of the pillow side by side) that retails at $150!  here is what you have to do to for a chance to win!

congratulations to Jenn Kirk!!  Comment #36!  you are the winner of the elephant pillow!!

here are the rules for the giveaway:  (GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!!!)
1. you have until thursday, may 3rd, 2012  to enter this giveaway {the giveaway closes at midnight}
2. check out the alice lane blog.
3. then, make 1 comment on this post to enter. *opportunities for more entries, see below for details!
4. no anonymous comments please
5. usa residents only
6. winner will be chosen via random.org and announced friday, may 4th

*for more entries you can: {one entry per option! giving you up to five extra entries, please make a comment for each additional entry to be considered}
1. become a follower/subscribe to the armelle blog.
2. become a follower/subscribe to the alice lane blog. (comment and tell me you subscribe)
3. blog/tweet/facebook about this giveaway on your blog and put the link in your comment/entry.

4. become a fan of armelle on Facebook.

5. follow me on twitter.  @carolinearmelle.

**be sure to put one comment for each extra entry.

GOOD LUCK!!!

* this is a sponsored post.  all thoughts and opinions are my own.  if you are interested in becoming a sponsor on the armelle blog, please email me for current rates. carolinearmelle@gmail.com

{top photo by: allyssa vincent,  all other photos by nicole hill gerulat}

snap peas ...

i love spring!  so many wonderful vegetables are staring to come into season!

one of my favorite spring vegetables are snap peas, or sugar snap peas!  they are naturally sweet, and so easy to eat raw as a snack, or cooked up along side your dinner!

today i am sharing a recipe for snap peas with shallots and pine nuts over on the my post for zupas today.

be sure to check it out here!

{photo by me, caroline armelle drake}

DIY: custom printed paper bags ...

did you know that you can design and print your own custom paper bags with your own printer?

it is so nice to be able to customize some party favors with any wording you would like!  really, the options are endless!

i am sharing the full tutorial over on hellobee today!  click here to check it out!

{all photos by me, caroline armelle drake}

*i am a DIY contributor to the hellobee blog, a wonderful blog full of parenting tips, and DIY's.  be sure to check it out!

fox inspired party favors ...

i  am excited to share with you my last little details of thomas' fox inspired party today!
i love to throw together fun goodie bags for parties!

i put together these fox inspired goodie bags for thomas' little cousins that attended the party!

i love to use the party colors as inspiration while i am out shopping for the favors.  it is fun to buy goodies and toys that go with the theme and colors!

the party favors included: (sources included)
goodie favor bags- zurchers party store (you can also print your own bags!  see the DIY tutorial, here)
green party blower- zurchers party store
black and white japanese masking tape- etsy
a fox sticker- found at the down peach tree lane etsy shop
rock candy sucker- zurchers party store
fox plastic toy- by safari ltd.  michaels craft
vending machine capsule filled with jelly bellies-  wholesale vending products
dylan's candy bar-  jc penny
brown and white chocolate candies- ikea
green gumball- zurchers party store
orange kazoo- zurchers party store

the little fox toy was hard to find.  there aren't many little fox related toys out there.  but, i am glad i came across this little guy!

and, did you know that you can print your own custom paper bags?
well, i figured out how!  it can take a little trial and error.. but, how fun is it to customize your paper bags?

click here to check it out!

see more of the fox inspired birthday party, here. (the party, inspiration, and invitations!)

{all photos by me, caroline armelle drake}

mom's best network ..

happy monday dear readers!

i am excited to let you know about a brand new site that launched recently called mom's best network!

i love this site because it helps empower women, and helps them to become the best mother's they can be!

and, guess what?  i've been ask to be a contributor to this amazing site!  little 'ol me!  there is quite the line up of talented mom's, so i am over the moon excited to be a part of this amazing network of mom's!

there are so many great resources on the site including -  recipes, DIY's, entertaining, fashion, and so much more!  i love the h.o.t. products list that are mom approved!  so helpful!

be sure to click on over and check it out!   so many pretty things to peruse!

the fox inspired birthday party ...

i'm excited to finally share with you the fox inspired party that i threw for my son thomas' first birthday!

i decided that i wanted to do a brunch for the party!  there are so many fun options food wise, and it was fun to put together the menu!

 i served milk, chocolate milk, and sparkling clementine juice for the drinks.

i bought some mini cinnamon rolls from costco, and put them on tall cookie pop sticks.  i also made a fun donut hole tree.  i hung the donut holes on a styrofoam cone painted with chocolate.  they are attached with toothpicks.

amazing ham and cheese sliders, (with shirley's bakery rolls!) and individual yogurt parfaits.

my favorite part about the yogurt parfaits was using japanese masking tape to hold on the darling little spoons i found at ikea.

fresh fruit with whipped cream fruit dip.

i thought about making a cake, but ran out of time.  since it was a brunch, i thought it would be appropriate to serve a "donut cake" using my favorite chocolate cake donuts from dunford bakeries.  i added some fun flags using skewers in the top, and i cut the flags with die cuts from lifestyle crafts.

and, of course there was a candy table.

it was fun to gather candies with the colors of the party.  i found most of the candy in the bulk bins at winco, and at zurchers party store.

i always end up getting too much candy, but the kids love it, of course!

i played around with the decor using colors from the theme.  i played around with crepe paper fringe, and this is what i came up with!  i loved the out come!  basically i used jordan's paper fringe tutorial, then twisted the fringe stripes and taped them to a embroider hoop and hung them from fishing wire.  

after figuring out how to make them, they didn't take long to make three of them!  and, they really made the table pop!

we also taped balloons along the banister using the party colors.

this fox print by olive lake was the inspiration behind the party!  so, i displayed it on the entry table along with some flowers and the goodie bags.

i found the cutest little flowers in pots at harmons, a local grocery store.  the orange color was perfect for the party, and so darn cute!  the succulents and woven pot are from ikea.

and, the goodie bag table!  [i'll be sharing more about the goodie bags soon!]

the birthday boy!  i can't believe he's one!

me and my sweet youngest child.

we just love our little thomas, and had such a great time celebrating his birthday!  

source list:

tablecloth- ikea black and white sofia fabric

white serveware- walmart, target

cake stand- martha stewart for mace's

green trays/tubs- target

chalkboard cardstock- hobby lobby.  cut out with lifestyle crafts die cuts.

chalkboard markers- ben franklin crafts

food label holders- sur la table

thomas' high chair- ikea

balloons- zurchers party store

green and white striped straws- zurchers party store

milk glasses- starbucks frappecino glasses, washed and labels taken off with goo gone.

goodie bags- zurchers party store, (will have a tutorial on how to print these soon!)

tiny spoons- ikea dragon spoons

yogurt parfait plastic cups- orson gygi 

goodie bag basket- ben franklin craft store

succulents- ikea 

bees in succulents- hobby lobby

glass drink containers- ikea

milk glass- thrifted 

glass candy containers- hobby lobby

white candy three bowl tray- tai pan trading

small scoops for candy- sur la table

styrofoam cone for donut tree- hobby lobby

black and white striped tape- etsy

for more on the fox party (invitations, etc) click here!

{all photos by me}