DIY // construction site kids activity tray

February 23, 2013

This winter is proving to be a long one, and while we would like to be hanging out at the park in the sunshine, and playing in the sand, well the sand is currently covered in snow.  
We’ve been trying to be creative to keep ourselves entertained over at our house, so we decided to pull out the activity tray we made.
We filled it with a few of our favorite construction site toys.  And, it has kept my kids entertained for hours and hours.  (Totally worth the quick vacuum clean up at the end!)
For the full tutorial and step by step instructions on how to make your own construction site activity tray, head on over to my latest post over on Hellobee.
{All photos by me, Caroline Armelle Drake}

babbles top 50 mom craft blogs …

February 22, 2013

I was so excited to see Armelle Blog picked as one of Babbles Top 50 Mom Craft Blogs of 2013!

It is such an honor to be among such amazingly talented women, many of which are friends of mine, and people that inspire me everyday!

To see the complete list, and to read more about some of these amazing bloggers, head on over to babble!

Recipe // strawberry mozzarella balsamic salad

February 21, 2013

I am craving summer with all this cold weather, but for now, I am going to just take advantage of some of the strawberries I am starting to see at the market!  I love unexpected salads with amazing ingredients that blend well together!  The combination of strawberries, basil, mozzarella, and balsamic vinaigrette is amazing, and it makes for the perfect light lunch or an addition to your dinner!
{Strawberry Mozzarella Balsamic Salad}
Mixed greens (spinach or romaine also works well!)
Sliced Fresh Strawberries
Fresh Mozzarella cut into cubes
Chopped Pecans
Fresh Basil chopped
Simple Balsamic Dressing (makes 3/4 cup)
2 tablespoons balsamic vinaigrette
1 teaspoons agave nectar
1/4 sea salt
1/4 fresh ground pepper
1/4 cup olive oil

Whisk together all of the ingredients except for the olive oil.  Slowly whisk in the olive oil.

Arrange the salad with the greens first, then sliced strawberries, mozzarella, chopped pecans, then top with fresh basil and drizzle with balsamic dressing and serve. 
Enjoy!