Mini Mummy Pizzas

It's the topping that cannot be topped, at least in my world of pizza preferences, that is. I love pepperoni (and sausage) on thin crust...my husband and I have been doing "pizza Friday" with his Family for as long as I've known him...we typically order from the same place, one of our favorites, but it is nice to mix it up every now and then.  On a recent trip to the lake house, we kept to the Friday schedule but this time, I incorporated two of my favorite little helpers (the cutest niece and nephew in the world...not that I'm biased!) to help me with an easy homemade, mummified recipe. Let's not lie, pancakes still taste best in the shape of Mickey Mouse and this is no different... ;)
4 easy ingredients:
English muffins (or bagels, I prefer whole wheat in both)
 Pizza sauce (I used Nature's Promise Organic)
Mozzarella cheese sticks
Green Olives and Turkey Pepperoni Mini's

This may be the perfect snack to make with the kids but I'll be honest, I think I enjoyed it the most ;)

If you're looking for a dessert option to match, I'm loving these mummy Oreos..how cute are they?

What are your favorite Halloween treats?

Favorite Halloween Candy (+ a Recipe!)

I have many fond memories of trick or treating as a child (okay, into my late college years…sorry neighbors, just could not give up the dream). My two best friends from elementary school and I were so excited to fill up our pillow cases in various neighborhoods (but made note to skip the house on my block that gave out tooth brushes…really?) 

I always looked most forward to Reese's PB Cups (in the pumpkin shape, please), Whoppers and Nestle Crunch Bars. Give me an Almond Joy or a Mounds and it was time for a trade! 

(source)

Now that I’m a (semi) adult with my own house, I look forward to being the candy giver instead of receiver. Like most, I am typically left with much more candy than can be (or SHOULD be) consumer by my husband and I so here is a great recipe from Lauren Conrad for putting that extra candy to good use and sharing with my co-workers.

Tricks & Treats Bars

Ingredients

·         2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

·         1 teaspoon baking soda

·         ½ teaspoon of sea salt (plus more for sprinkling on top)

·         2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter

·         1 ¼ cup packed dark brown sugar

·         ¼ cup granulated sugar

·         1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk

·         2 teaspoons vanilla extract

·         1 ½ cup roughly chopped leftover Halloween candy of your choice

Instructions

1.   Whisk dry ingredients together in a medium sized bowl.

2.   Then, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk butter and remove from heat as soon as the butter begins to brown. Transfer the butter to a bowl to prevent burning. Set aside to cool for a few minutes.

3.   Beat the butter and sugars until thoroughly blended, for about 2 minutes. Beat in the egg, yolk, and vanilla until combined. Add the dry ingredients slowly and beat on low-speed just until combined.

4.   Press your dough into a greased and parchment lined 9’ x 13’ pan. Add the chopped candy on top and bake until lightly golden on top, about 20 minutes.

5.   Let cool and cut into bars.

What was your favorite treat to get as a kid?

From Costume to Closet...

Now that Halloween has come and gone, it's time to figure out what to do with your child's adorable costume that got all those likes on Facebook yesterday. 

Start a closet on Because They Grow Too Fast and upload the costume in the "Dress Up" Category so another tiny face can enjoy something brand "new" for half the price. And while you're there, pick up an adorable Cars costume for the little man in your life or the purr-fect jacket for your pink lady…

Every day is dress up day when you're a kid :)

Questions about starting a closet? Email us at info@btgtf.com.

Happy Halloween: DIY Costume Style

My husband put it best: "Nobody has as much fun around the holidays as you do." And he's right. I love celebrating everything to the fullest no matter how much time it takes or planning it involves and Halloween is no exception. 

As my second favorite holiday, I take it very seriously ;) The hubby and I tried to agreed on a couples costume for weeks (sadly, he wasn't as fond as my Gatsby + Daisy idea as I was). But when he mentioned Calvin + Hobbes, I smiled at the thought of it -- it was cute & clever so I got right to work on my costume...

The stenciling took way more time than I planned on, but I was pretty happy with it in the end -- there were plenty of "tiger" costumes that I saw online which would have made it easier, but I wasn't sweet on the idea of turning Hobbes into a Lover's Lane sex symbol (really guys?) 

Top: TJ Maxx // Tights: D+K Seamless Leggings // Felt: Hobby Lobby // Boots: c/o Just Fab

Presenting...a modern female version of Hobbes!

 

And of course, my partner in crime: Calvin (trust us, the can of hair dye SAID yellow). So, we'll go with punk rock Calvin?

Shirt: Haggar // Jeans: Wrangler // Shoes: Vans

Calvin's thought bubble (conveniently left behind) was the starter to our conversation. Don't worry, I still shared mine proudly ;) 

Though there were a few hiccups on our presentation, it was fun to pay homage to one of the greatest comic strips (and to another pair of best friends)

What do you think of our costume? Did you dress up this year?

Happy Halloween: Costume Edition

No matter how old I get, there is still a part of me that wishes I was spending October 31st in an adorable (not skanky!) costume, heading from house to house with my friends and filling our pillowcases with candy. Finding the subdivision that handed out the king size Snickers was the #1 on the list...and the house that handed out toothbrushes was last.

Here are some of my favorite Halloween looks from the past. Happy Hauntings!

Clockwise: Deal or No Deal, Clue, Party Animals, Nerds 

Clever group & couple costumes are so much fun - What is your favorite costume from the past?

#Kaitlyn