Your Weekend

-image by jen ramos

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Food: ChickPea Fries

Hi MadeByGirl readers! Its Teann from Teann Ingram Photography. Whenever I go to a restaurant, I always walk in thinking, I'll try a new item on the menu. But when the waitress comes to take the order, I panic and go with something classic instead. Last week, I actually tried a new item! Chickpea Fries, which I fell in LOVE with. 

They are somewhat healthier than regular potato fries, though they are normally deep-fried so I think that might cancel out the "health" factor. Luckily, you can bake these fries too!

 

You can buy chickpea flour from a specialty store (I've heard Whole Foods has it in bulk) or grind dried chickpeas in a coffee/spice grinder, like I did here.

Remember to slowly sprinkle in the flour mixture while whisking constantly to avoid clumps. Switch to a wooden spoon and continue stirring until the mixture starts to separate from the walls of the pot.

While the chickpea mixture is cooling in the fridge, make the curry aioli. Make sure to SLOWLY add the oil to the egg yolk. This is the most crucial part.

Oh yum, look at the colour of those fries!

Now enjoy!

Chickpea Fries

1 cup chickpea flour, sifted 1 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 1/4 tsp turmeric 2 cups water 2 tbsp olive oil Favourite oil for frying (I use peanut)

Curry Aioli *Note: This aioli contains raw egg yolks.

3 egg yolks pinch of salt pinch of pepper 1/2 lemon 3/4 cup lightly flavoured oil (I use safflower) 3/4 tsp turmeric 1/4 tsp cumin 1/4 tsp coriander

1. Grease an 8x8 square dish, set aside. Mix water with olive oil in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, whisk together chickpea flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and turmeric in a large bowl. Once the water is boiling, gradually add the flour mixture, whisking frequently to avoid lumps. Switch to a wooden spoon and continue to stir for about 5 - 7 minutes, or until the mixture separates from the sides of the pan. Pour mixture into the greased dish. Smooth and level with a wooden spoon. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes before placing in the refrigerator.

2. *If using the oven method, preheat oven to 425˚F. While the chickpeas' are cooling, its time to make the aioli. You can certainly whisk by hand, but its takes quite an effort. Instead, I use my KitchenAid mixer. (You can also use a blender or a food processor). Place the eggs in the bowl with the whisk attachment. With the mixer on high speed, SLOWLY add the oil to the eggs, one drop at a time. Wait for the oil to be mixed with the eggs before adding the next drop of oil. Continue this process until the eggs lighten in colour and the texture starts to thicken slightly. Once you have hit this stage, you can start pour the oil in a thin steady stream until all of the oil has been added. Add the rest of the spices and mix well. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.

3. Heat 1 inch of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cut the chickpea mixture into strips, about 4 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. Fry strips on both sides until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels. Place fries in a warm oven, while frying the next batch. Serve immediately with curry aioli.

*4. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and place chickpea strips, leaving 1 inch space between. Bake for 18 - 20 minutes or until crispy. Serve immediately with curry aioli.

-post by teann ingram

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BOZ + LOVE

Graphic tees have been a huge trend lately, and I came across this Australian brand, Boz+Love, and are obsessed with their line! They use words to remind us of the things that are really important in life! And how cute are the handwritten fonts? 

Oh and let me tell you, these are the softest t-shirts I've ever owned, thanks to the super Eco-friendly fiber, Tencel. Here are a few of my favorite tops, but they also carry dresses & totes! Take a look here!

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Fashion: Festival Fashion

Hi lovelies! Its Carlinn here from Superficialgirls and I am getting ready for the festival season! Get out your cut-offs and maxi dresses, your boots and flower crowns and be ready for some seriously chic music festival style. Its your chance to be quirky and let your personal style show so be creative!

I love the mix of floaty feminine dresses paired with utility jackets and boots and if you always wanted to wear tie dye, now is your chance. Online you will find loads of stores with dedicated festival wear sections so you don't have an excuse not to go wild.

Here are some festival outfit essentials:

1. Funky sunglasses like these round ones from Asos

2. Denim shorts are always a go to when the weather is hot, we love ones with a bit of color from J Brand

3. Pile your arms with bracelets and let them jingle while you dance for a festival feel

4. Floral headbands make a statement and people might even mistake you for Lana del Rey

5. Flat booties are essential for dancing in the dirt!

 

Images via Pinterest

-post by carlinn


 

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Design: Office Inspiration

Hello, hello!  It's Sam from The Peak of Très Chic, back with another lovely dose of decor.  I recently participated in the One Room Challenge with 20 other design bloggers across the country.  We were each given the task of designing a room within a tight 6 week timeline, and sharing our gradual progress with readers each week.  

I chose to design a home office, and in the process of research became quite inspired by chic desktops and desktop accessories:

Although the office I designed for the challenge was quite bold and textured, I've recently become more drawn to streamlined, less-cluttered offices, with just a few pops of color:

Shop This Office:

Colored Pencil Set with Brass Holder $82/Lola Donahue Fashion Illustration $30/Gem Lamp in Steel Blue $165/Z-Gallerie Lacquer Desk $499/Clayton Home Lucite Chair $380/Green Leopard Lumbar $165

I've been eyeing that leopard lumbar for weeks now.  It would be such a fun pop of color when paired with a lacquered desk and lucite chair, don't you think?

{All office images above via Lonny Magazine}

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Maldives Rangali Islands: Underwater Hotel Rooms

Newlyweds tend to go somewhere tropical or at least somewhere where they're surrounded by incredible views for their honeymoon, but have you ever thought of spending your honeymoon below the Indian Ocean??

The Maldives Rangali Island Resort makes it possible. The glass domed aquarium is actually a restaurant, but they turn it into a luxurious suite for honeymoon bookings!

This is now on the top of my bucket list, definitely a once in a lifetime experience. 

Would you sleep in a hotel room that was underwater?

 

-images by: Maldives Rangali Islands

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Fashion: Stripes

Hi guys - Kat here!  I found this street style picture on tumblr and it inspired me to write today's post. I love how classic and cool this girl looks.  Stripes are timeless and can be worn so many different ways. You can wear a striped top with a basic pair of jeans or with a bold pair of floral pants.  

If you don't love striped clothing you can wear striped accessories like the ones below.  I need to get my hands on those striped espadrilles - they're only $36 and perfect to run around the city in!  

1.  Grand Bazaar scarf

2.  Vince sweater

3.  Clare Vivier clutch

4.  Kiel James Patrick bracelet

5.  J.Crew shorts

6.  Mar Y Sol tote

7.  Soludos espadrilles

-post by kat tanita

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New Paris Prints

Welcome back to Monday! Hope you had a great few days off! Is a vacation on your mind lately? I've always wanted to visit Paris. What about you??  So much so, that I was inspired to create a few French prints. Oui.  These are truly the smallest prints MadeByGirl has ever done, and we love them! Each print is 5"x7" and the background is a bright CORAL with metallic GOLD letters. If this isn't a gorgeous color combo I don't know what is! 

So, if you want to spice up the walls in your home or office or even in your closet, these will fit pretty much anywhere! You can buy one, two or all four as a set! If you buy 4 - you save $6. I highly recommend getting them framed in the gold metal frame.

 

Tip - to really see the gold, make sure you face the prints directly toward the natural light.

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Your Weekend

Enjoy your weekend! 

-images by jen ramos

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Darla

I haven't had much time to enjoy the Mark 2 camera I bought earlier this year. In fact I've only used it for work purposes. I finally decided to play with it today & Darla (my pretty boxer) was the subject.

She played it cool the entire time - posing while looking out the window, then away from the cam & then looking a bit tired. She's 9 years old & still healthy, so grateful to God! My favorite moments with her are when I get up in the morning & look over as she glances up at me. I also love entering our apt after a walk, she sits & waits for me to wipe her feet. (Yes, we wipe them every time) The look in her eyes as she glances up at me while I clean her little paws, so in love.

I can't even imagine what it's like to be without her.

Do you have a pet? What is your most cherished moment with them?

 -images by jen ramos

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My Home, My Space

Are you into beautiful decor?? Would you like a chance to be featured on MadeByGirl blog?? Keep reading..

MadeByGirl is holding a short series called:
My Home, My Space. 

As a lover of gorgeous interiors, we started this series hoping to find beautiful spaces to feature on the blog in hopes to inspire you!! So, I'm calling for submissions.

HOW TO SUBMIT:  

Email me - (2-3) good quality images of your fave space. Must be no smaller than 490 wide. No flash. The space can be anywhere in your home! Submissions are ongoing. With your submission tell me a little bit about your space & why you LOVE it! Subject of your email should say "My Home, My Space".

As a thank you for your participation, we will offer you a 20% off discount code to MadeByGirl shop! (code will be given out to those chosen, after receiving your content)

*please note, not everyone who submits will be chosen to be featured.

image source: StyleMePretty

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Flutter Magazine

I totally want to thank Flutter Mag for featuring my custom name wedding print in their latest issue! For those of you who don't know, Flutter Mag is a digital wedding & lifestyle magazine! 

This issue has 100 pages of Wedding Inspiration, Spring Style, DIY Tutorials, Recipes and more! Below were some of my favorite pages - and since I don't want to give it all away, check it out for yourself here. It's lovely!!  Au Revoir!

 

Enjoy!

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Cocoa & Hearts News

I normally don't announce it here - but NEW Cocoa & Hearts paintings will be added to the gallery sometime today!! Stay tuned!!! 

It will be announced on my twitter when they are live!! Exciting!

(sun & rain)

UPDATE:

Thank you so much for your overwhelming support of my work! I'm more than flattered, in fact I am so grateful. I will also continue to thank God for the gift to create art.

  Below is a sample of some of the pieces (10 paintings) that were posted, all were sold!

-image by jen ramos

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DIY: Trim Wrap Bracelet

Hi, it's Stephanie from Henry Happened back with another DIY. I did tell you I loved bracelets, right? Well, I wasn't lying! Read on for the tutorial on how to make the easiest wrap bracelet ever. These DIY bracelets are great for teenagers!

  

 Have you ever roamed the trim section at JoAnns? No?! Well, you might be surprised at the selection of ribbon, lace, and even fur trim you can find. The bright colors of this trim called to me (yes, it even has studs!) so naturally I found a way to make it into a simple wrapped bracelet. 

 

What you'll need for your own wrap bracelet:

• About 1/2 a yard of whatever trim you like. Go with a neon studded one or try a Greek key, floral or Baroque pattern. I'm telling ya - there's a ton to choose from!
• Sticky back Velcro
• Scissors

 

First, measure your wrist with the trim. I like a 3 wrap bracelet but position it how you like it on your arm and then cut the length. 

 

Then take the Velcro and cut a piece to fit the size of your trim. 

  

Attach the sticky side to each end of the trim, and, voila!, you are done. The Velcro closure is a bit of a miracle because I can never manage to get my bracelets on with one hand. Please tell me I'm not the only one? 

 

Wear the bracelets on their own or make a couple and stack them together.

  

What kind of bracelet stack are you planning to wear this spring?

-post and images by stephanie gerber

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