Autumn Amelia

Hello everyone!

Happy Valentine's week!

When I think of Valentine flavors I immediately think of chocolate and strawberry.

I thought they would be the perfect flavors for a Valentine cake!

And to really drive the Valentine theme home, let's make it heart-shaped.

I do not have a heart-shaped cake pan so, I created a heart by using a round and square cake.

If you go this route, you will need to double the below recipe.

You will need:

1 and 1/3 Cups of Flour

2/3 Cups of Cocoa Powder

1 and 1/2 Teaspoons of Baking Soda

1 Teaspoon of Baking Powder

1/2 a Teaspoon of Cinnamon

1/2 Teaspoon of Salt

1 and 1/3 Cups of Sugar

2/3 Cups of Brown Sugar

4 Eggs

1/3 Cup of Water

2 Teaspoons of Vanilla

1 Cup of Sour Cream

1/4 Cup of Vegetable Oil
Fresh Strawberries For Filling

Preheat oven to 325o.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.

Add both the sugars and whisk until evenly combined.

Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, water and vanilla.

Whisk in the sour cream and vegetable oil.

Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the sour cream mixture.

Stir until there are no dry streaks of flour remaining, being careful not to overmix.

Grease an 8X8 square metal baking pan.

Line the bottom with parchment paper and dust with cocoa powder.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.

Tap the pan on your work surface to get rid of any bubbles.

Bake until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean, around 35-40 minutes.
Repeat the recipe and bake in an 8 inch round metal baking pan.

Let cool.

Prepare the strawberry frosting.

You will need:

8 Cups of Powdered Sugar

4 Sticks of Salted Butter, Softened

1/2 a Cup of Pureed Strawberries

Beat the powdered sugar and butter until light and fluffy, around 3-5 minutes.

Slowly add the strawberry puree until you reach your desired consistency.

Add a dot of frosting to your serving tray and add the cooled square cake on top placed on its side to resemble a diamond.

Cut the circle cake in half vertically.

Add one of the halves of the circle cake on the left side of the top point of the square cake, and the other half of the circle cake on the right side of the top point of the square cake.  

Now you have a heart!

Add a thin layer of the strawberry frosting to the bottom half of the cake.
Cut fresh strawberries into thin slices and place on top of the frosting.

Add the top halves to the cake and frost the entire thing.

Let the first layer of frosting set in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Add another layer of frosting and let set once more.

Serve.

Enjoy!

This is the perfect dessert to help you and your loved ones celebrate this week.

The heart shape alone makes it festive enough for the Valentines but, add in the classic flavor pairing of chocolate and strawberries and you can't lose!

What are your Valentine's plans this year?

All my love,

Autumn

Hello everyone!

Last year I shared an inexpensive Valentine's gift guide for the ladies.

It contained 10 gifts under $30.

This year I am going to share 10 more gifts for the ladies in your life that range in a variety of prices.

That way you will have all your bases covered for your lover, your best friend or even yourself!

Frank Body Glow Getters Kit $50

Shop Friday Apparel Love Yourself Tee $30

I am a huge fan of Friday Apparel!

I have several of their tees and sweatshirts, including this love yourself tee.

It's the perfect shirt to rock for Valentine's AND year-round.

Because in the words of my girl Lizzo, "True love finally happens when you by yourself!"

Did I mention a part of the proceeds from this tee go to a charity to support women and children?

Win, win!
Also, use code "AUTUMN20" and save 20% on your entire purchase.
I got you!

Lauren Conrad Heart Crossbody Bag $27

What's more fun than a novelty bag to add some flair to an outfit?

Nothing!
Anything that is heart-shaped is perfect for Valentine's Day.

But, this bag would also be an amazing everyday accessory.
And it's currently on sale!

Essie Nail Polish $9



Essie nail polish gives you an award-winning formula at a steal of a price.
They come in a variety of colors with clever names.
Gift a shade of classic red or pink.
 Or get a bit more creative...
Clothing optional, anyone?

Nike Tangun Shoes In Coral $65

Letterfolk Poet Board In Blush $70 

I am sure you have all seen the letterboards that are EVERYWHERE!

Letterfolk is the original company that took these old school boards and fashioned them into home decor.

Their blush boards are perfect for Valentine's in either size!

Set up a heartfelt note or saying on the board before gifting and you are sure to win the holiday.

Kristen Ess Shampoo and Conditioner $20

I received the smaller versions of this shampoo and conditioner for Christmas and instantly fell in love.

It has made my hair look and feel so much healthier and I always have the "just left the salon" hair scent.

Kristen Ess just released these larger sized bottles with pumps that are perfect for your Valentine.

Also, pink packaging!

Crumbl Cookies $10-25

If you have never had a Crumbl cookie, you are missing out...

This Utah based company offers large delicious cookies and changes its creative flavors weekly.

They offer individual cookie, 4 cookie and 12 cookie packs. 

These shops are popping up all over the United States but, they also offer shipping!

Woot! Woot!

Made By Mary Heart Disc Necklace $36

Another Utah based company (gotta represent!), Made By Mary offers beautiful hand-stamped jewelry.

The heart stamp is perfect for Valentine's and is simple enough to represent any relationship in your life.
You can get it in gold, silver, or rose gold.
But, rose gold really speaks Valentine's Day in my opinion... 

Fujifilm Instax Mini Instant Camera In Flamingo $50

A fun gift that is perfect for almost any age.
This easy to use camera will help you document memories for years to come.
It prints small polaroids instantly that are easy to display any and everywhere.
The flamingo color is a great choice for the holiday but, the camera comes in a variety of colors to satisfy any person on your list.

I hope this list was able to help you get a few ideas for the loved ones in your life.
Don't forget to check out my inexpensive gift guide from last year if you are looking for more budget-friendly gift ideas.
What do you hope to get for Valentine's Day this year?

All my love,
Autumn

Hello everyone!

Valentine's is slowly creeping into our lives and I love it...

No pun intended!

I have always enjoyed Valentine's Day and the opportunity it brings to shower the people in my life with love.

Today I am going to show you how to make simple Cupid's arrow gift boxes to help you give some love.

You will need:

Heart-Shaped Gift Boxes

Scissors

Wood Dowels, I used 3/8 Inch

Assorted Feathers

Hot Glue Gun

Glue Sticks

Fillers

Remove the lids from the heartshaped boxes.

I used pre-colored boxes but, you can get plain papier mache boxes and decorate them individually if your people aren't fans of classic Valentine's colors. 

With the scissors, poke a small hole towards the bottom of each of the boxes.

You will want the hole towards the bottom so the lid will be able to still fit comfortably on the box.

Start small, you can always go bigger but not smaller. 

Work the wooden dowels through the holes until they are just barely through.

Secure the dowels into place with the hot glue.

On the opposite end of the dowels, hot glue feathers on top of one another until you reach your desired fullness.

Add your fillers into the boxes.

I used three-inch boxes for my arrows but, you can use larger if needed.

The three-inch boxes are perfect for holding candy, jewelry, and small toys.

Gift.

Enjoy!

These boxes take no time to create and turn out so fun.

The feathers, the colors, a functional heart-shaped box.

What's not to love?

They are perfect to give smaller gifts in, to decorate a larger gift with or even as just a decoration in your home.
How would you use these fun boxes in your life?

All my love,

Autumn

Hello everyone!

Last week was a long one for me.

It started with a mom hunting me down in a store on Monday and screaming at me for not accepting her son's apology after he ran into me, I hope you know me well enough to know that is not true, and ended with me waking up to an earthquake on Friday morning.

Halfway through the week I was feeling pretty overwhelmed.

I have mentioned previously that I have anxiety but I don't think I have mentioned that it keeps me from sleeping.

A get a few hours a night if I am lucky.

Wednesday evening I was feeling really down and facing a night of no sleep was something I was not looking forward to. 

Erik could tell something was wrong, so he asked what was bothering me.

I told him what was on my mind and he immediately leapt into action.

He got me my night time necessities, a nice cold glass of water and my heating pad.

He gave me a foot rub, stayed awake and talked with me until way past his bedtime.

We were laying in bed talking and I watched as the clock ticked past midnight turning into Valentine's Day and thought how lucky I was that he was my valentine.

I knew that Erik would give me an amazing Valentine's Day in a few hours but it couldn't compare to that moment.

Roses and chocolate are amazing gifts but, having him take care of my needs meant so much more.

I am so grateful for Erik and his patience.
He is an amazing man and I am very lucky that I was able to snatch him up.
If I could give you one piece of advice, it would be to marry someone like him.
I hope you all had an amazing Valentine's Day.
And here is to a better week!

All my love,
Autumn

Hello everyone!

Valentine's Day is less than a week away!

I have always loved Valentine's Day and the opportunity it provides to show love to those around me.

There can be a lot of pressure associated with Valentine's Day to buy this and that. 

But, I believe that you don't have to drop a lot of cash to make it a good day.
It's about being with each other.

And making breakfast together is a great low cost option.

To make it even more festive I am sharing this delicious homemade red velvet heart shaped pancake recipe.

You will need:

2 Cups of Flour

3 Tablespoons of Cocoa Powder 

2 Teaspoons of Baking Powder 

1/2 a Teaspoon of Baking Soda

1/2 a Teaspoon of Salt

2 Cups of Milk

2 Tablespoons of White Vinegar

1/2 a Cup of Sugar

2 Large Eggs

1 and 1/2 Tablespoons of Red Food Coloring

2 Teaspoons of Vanilla Extract

1/3 a Cup of Salted Butter, Melted

Cream Cheese Glaze

6 Ounces of Cream Cheese, Softened

6 Tablespoons of Butter, Softened

2 Cups of Powdered Sugar

1/2 a Cup of Milk

1/2 a Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract

Preheat griddle to 300o.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt until well combined and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl whisk the milk and white vinegar together and let rest for 2 minutes.

Add the sugar, eggs, red food coloring, vanilla and melted butter to the milk mixture and whisk until well combined.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients slowly, while continuing to whisk, until just combined.

Grease the preheated griddle.

Grease your heart shaped cookie cutter with cooking spray and place flat on the griddle.

Fill the cookie cutter a fourth way full with the batter.
Use a toothpick to help spread the batter, if needed. 

Let cook for three to four minutes on the first side.
The pancake should rise half way up the cookie cutter.

Using an oven mitt, remove the cookie cutter from the griddle raising it straight up.
Be careful it will be HOT!

The pancake should keep its shape on its own.

Flip the pancake over and cook for one to two more minutes on the opposite side. 

Repeat with the rest of the batter.


Prepare the glaze.

In a mixing bowl, blend together cream cheese and butter until fluffy.

Add in the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla and mix until well combined.

Add more milk to thin or more powdered sugar to thicken, if needed.

Drizzle the glaze on top of the pancakes.

Enjoy!

To make these pancakes even more festive I used a small heart shaped cookie cutter to cut the butter into heart shapes as well.

Using cookie cutters to make festive pancakes is a great option for any holiday.

Erik and I have done it since we were first married.

Making red velvet pancakes for Valentine's Day just seemed fitting.

And I am a huge fan of red velvet so you know I loved these!
What do you do to celebrate Valentine's Day?

All my love,

Autumn

Hello everyone!

If you did not know, each year I do the Fourteen Days of Valentines, a present each day from February 1st to February 14th, for Erik.

I have done this each year since we have been married.

Last year was the fifth year and I thought it would be a good stopping point and allow me to try something new.

I mentioned this to Erik a few weeks ago and he was pretty bummed out.

A lot more than I expected...

I always said I would continue to do it if I could find new treats and new sayings so, here we are with another Fourteen Days of Valentine's.

Lucky for me Erik isn't a picky eater and is always finding new things he likes.

I missed putting a few years on the blog but, check out 2015, 2017 and 2018 here.

Almond Joy

It is a "joy" being your wife!

Razor Heads

You are "sharp!"

M&M's

I "melt" in your hands!

Nacho Cheese Dorito's 

You are "nacho" average husband!

Apple Slicer

Anyway you "slice" it, you are the best!

Barbecue Sauce

You are awesome "sauce!"

Coffee Grounds

Where you "bean" all my life?

Outshine Bars

You are one "cool" guy!

Star Wars Lego Set

"Yoda" one for me!

You could do any Lego set and say we "click" or  never "Lego."

I just can't pass up a good Star Wars pun...

Torani Cherry Syrup
I love you "cherry" much!

S'mores Cereal

I love you "S'more" than anything!

Coke Zero

I would  be "nothing" without you!

Donut Pans

You drive me "glazy!"

I did a donut pun a few years ago with a bag of donuts that said, "Donut" know what I would do without you!

Since this wasn't edible and I used a different pun I am saying it doesn't count as a repeat.

Nike Running Shoes

Are your "feet" tired? 

Cause you've been "running" through my mind all day!


I am very excited to start gifting these to Erik.
It makes me so happy to be able to show him some love with a little goodie for fourteen days in a row.
Also, I am a huge fan of puns...
What has been your favorite Valentine pun?


All my love,
Autumn