Bunny Chow

I've always had a weakness for Easter candy (an addiction I'm certain I share with the majority of the population), but until now, I'd never included it in any recipes. It's not that I haven't seen recipes that I want to try, because I have, but I have a hard time keeping the candy around long enough to actually incorporate it into anything. This weekend I showed major restraint when I picked up two bags of Cadbury Mini Eggs, a favorite of mine since I was a kid, to make this Bunny Chow snack mix, and I'm so glad I did! It was so simple and the coconut was a nice accompaniment to the chocolatey eggs. I might even throw in some pretzel pieces or almonds next time for even more crunch--because there will be a next time. 

Bunny Chow

6 cups Rice Chex cereal

8 oz white chocolate candy melts

1 ½ - 2 cups shredded coconut, depending on your preference

2 cups Cadbury Mini Eggs

Pour cereal into a large bowl. Melt white chocolate according to package directions and gently fold into cereal.  While it's still warm, pour into a large sealable bag with coconut and gently toss and shake to mix it up (you want as much of the coconut as possible to stick to the cereal). 

Spread cereal-coconut mixture on a baking sheet to cool completely. When it's completely cool, pour into a large bowl, mix in Cadbury Mini Eggs, and enjoy!

Monday

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Friday Favorites

I'm always excited for the weekend, but this weekend is especially delicious because it's the kickoff to my daughter's first-ever spring break. I want to make it a full week of fun for my sweet girl, so I've been busy dreaming up ways to surprise her. I'm thinking it might be cool to unpack my ice cream maker and let her do some experimenting, Cold Stone Creamery style, or we might try the donut ice cream sandwiches below. How are you spending your spring break? I hope you have fun! God bless!

A girly spin on a classic Tic Tac Toe game. 

This genius little collaboration: donut ice cream sandwiches! (Surely a sugar overload, but still gonna try it.)

A beauty serving size guide. I've been using way too much of everything.

This bright and colorful work space. 

And a laundry room that makes me actually want to do laundry. Plus a cute puppy.

Best Beachy Fragrances

One of my high school besties is getting married in Hawaii this summer and I am beyond thrilled that I'll get to celebrate her nuptials with her. Obviously, I've already started  mentally packing (as one does when they've got roughly three months before a trip)--everything from breezy maxi dresses to glittery sandals and even the perfect perfume. I'd like something light and summery, something evocative of the warm island weather, lush tropical flowers, and white, sandy shores.  These fragrances perfectly capture the essence of a dreamy, beach vacation. 

Tom Ford Neroli Portofino 
"Perfectly captures the cool breezes, sparkling clear water, and lush foliage of the Italian Riviera..."

Tocca Beauty Simone
"a fragrance that evokes waves cresting along the white sand of Sydney’s Bondi Beach, as the sea fills with surfers and swimmers alike. With sunkissed hair and bronzed skin, the fearless young beauty dives into the spray..."

Memoire Liquide Vacances Liquide
"The memory of a vacation on an idyllic tropical beach with warm, white sand and azure waves lapping the shoreline..."

Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt
"Escape the every day along the windswept shore. Waves breaking white, the air fresh with sea salt and spray. Alive with the mineral scent of the rugged cliffs..."


Always a favorite: 

Bobbi Brown Beach
"A light, happy, and nostalgic scent that evokes warm sunshine and the sea breeze...."

And for my man:

John Varvatos Limited Edition Artisan Acqua
"Inspired by the Mediterranean and long walks along the coast, Artisan Acqua is a lighter fragrance than its antecedent, the summer version inspired by beaches and seaside charm..."

Shop more of my favorite beachy fragrances here:

3 Tips to Help You Drink More Water

We all know how important it is to stay hydrated, especially now that the weather is heating up. But we also know that drinking the recommended 8 glasses of water every day isn't always so easy to do. If you find it hard to down so much water on a daily basis, these ideas might help.

Infuse it.
If the taste of plain water bores you, infusing it with fresh fruits and/or herbs is a great way to give it a little flavor and make you want to drink more of it. Think juicy berries or refreshing cucumbers with sweet basil, or a combination of citrus fruits with fresh mint--there is virtually no end to the possible combinations. BONUS: It'll be like drinking spa water all day.

Eat it.
You don't always have to drink water to get water into your body. If you eat fruits and veggies that have a high water content throughout the day you'll stay hydrated and refreshed, as if you drank an actual glass of water, plus you'll be getting nutrients that you just can't get with plain old H2o. Cucumbers have the highest water content of any other solid food, but you can also snack on iceberg lettuce, celery, tomatoes, watermelon, grapefruit, and strawberries.

Chug it.
The easiest way to do it might be to just do it. Buy a 1-liter portable water bottle and commit to refilling it at least 3 times a day. To keep myself on track, I've set a rule that I have to drink a full liter of water before every meal. So when I wake up ravenous in the morning, I have to drink a full liter before even touching a piece of fruit or slice of toast. This tends to help me drink it up more quickly so I can get to each meal faster.

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Pasta with Bacon and Wilted Greens

This pasta dish is perfect for weeknights--it comes together in under thirty minutes, uses simple ingredients that require little prep work, and it's super tasty. And since you likely already have everything you need on hand, it eliminates the stress of making the dreaded trip to a crowded grocery store. 

Pasta with Bacon and Wilted Greens
1 12-oz package whole wheat capellini or angel hair pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
5 or 6 slices of turkey bacon, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced 
1 small shallot, chopped

½ cup cherry tomatoes, quartered

3 large handfuls of fresh greens, such as baby spinach, kale, or chard, rinsed thoroughly and torn into bite-sized pieces
¼ cup Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
red pepper flakes (optional)
salt and pepper to taste

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain, but reserve the pasta water. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon in it until browned and crisp. Add the garlic and shallots and cook for another minute, then add the tomatoes and cook until heated through. Add greens and pasta to the skillet, toss gently to combine, then add Parmesan cheese and about a quarter cup of the hot pasta water to help melt the cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste, sprinkle with red pepper flakes, and serve.

10 Beautiful Spring Desserts

I doubt that anyone would argue the fact that one of the best things about this time of year is the desserts--cute bunny cakes, colorful egg shaped truffles, and an abundance of pastel-hued candies. While most desserts have an Easter theme, it's not too hard to find beautiful treats that aren't holiday-centric. Here are ten positively stunning desserts that could just as easily work for a wedding or baby shower, a springtime brunch, or an afternoon tea as they would for an Easter celebration.  

Chocolate-covered Oreos 

Hydrangea cupcakes  

Spring meringues

Rainbow layered cookies

Springtime macarons filled with buttercream, marshmallow fluff, or Nutella 

Polka dot cake 

Strawberry wonton cups 

Lavender shortbread with flowers, fruit, and herbs

Almond petit fours

Chocolate-espresso pots de creme 

Monday

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Friday Favorites

Happy spring! I'm so excited for this time of year--all the beautiful flowers in bloom, gorgeous produce at the farmer's market, sunshine on my face! It also means Cadbury Creme Eggs and my little girl's first ever spring break (not to mention the week-long reprieve from taking her to school). The first weekend of spring should be an exciting one; we're going to see Cinderella and my husband will no doubt be firing up the grill at some point. Enjoy your weekend, be safe, and God bless!

These adorable flower pot cookies.

DIY bouffant Easter eggs. Aren't they fabulous?

Lovely cocktails that are perfect for spring. 

The prettiest shade of peachy-pink.

A little perspective. 

image via Pinterest

Drink Station Ideas for a Spring Brunch

The arrival of spring brings with it plenty of reasons to break bread with family and friends--there's Easter, Mother's Day, bridal showers, baby showers--and a beautiful brunch has become synonymous with the season. Drink stations are a lovely addition to a springtime brunch (or any celebration), allowing your guests to create custom beverages and giving you, the host, a chance to relax and enjoy the occasion rather than walking around refilling glasses. Here are six gorgeous beverage bars that offer serious inspiration.

Set up a mimosa bar with an assortment of juices and fresh fruit slices to mix with the bubbly.

Keep guests refreshed with an iced tea bar offering a variety of brews and flavors.

A well-stocked Bloody Mary bar, with everything from sriracha to shrimp, is a brunch essential.

Let brunchers customize their own hot or iced java at a coffee station.

A variety of infused waters is inexpensive and easy to make, and perfect if you'd prefer not to serve alcohol.

Fresh herbs elevate a sangria bar and make for a beautiful, springtime presentation.

Whipped Honey Ricotta

We're really into strawberries here in the Golden household. We eat them whole, sliced on top of yogurt or waffles, chopped into salads with fresh herbs, and on any random night we might dip them in chocolate (because there's no point waiting until Valentine's Day). I recently made this cool, creamy dip as a slightly healthier and certainly less messy alternative to chocolate, and it was a total hit with my little ones. It's not overly sweet, and has sort of a cheesecake flavor that works well with fresh berries (and Annie's Chocolate Chip Graham Bunnies, as it turns out). I'm thinking it'll also be nice in stuffed French toast, spread on sugar cookies, and of course, as a dip for every kind of fresh fruit we have in the kitchen. 

Whipped Honey Ricotta
2 cups whole-milk ricotta
4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
4 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp honey
¾ tsp vanilla extract

Whip all ingredients together in a food processor or with a hand-held mixer until smooth and creamy.  I recommend you chill for at least an hour before serving, as it tastes much better when it's really cold.

Monday

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Friday Favorites

The weather in SoCal is heating up at an alarmingly fast rate--it isn't even officially spring yet and the temperature is already reaching into the 80s and 90s. This week alone I treated my littles to frozen yogurt twice, and I suspect we'll be making a third trip to the yogurt shop before the weekend is over. Have an awesome weekend, and God bless! 

Derek Zoolander and Hansel at Paris Fashion Week. They had a walk-off at the Valentino show! (This might actually be my favorite thing ever, in the history of, like, ever.)

DIY glittery vases with beautiful, colorful blooms.

Flourless chocolate cookies. I have nothing against flour(full?) cookies but these just look amazing.

These so cute earrings.

Her hair.