#ItsBakingSeason Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Muffins

Posted on October 20, 2016 by Bhanu Misra Marya

So a few weeks ago, I finally made these bad boys.
They are so tasty (and filling – hello pumpkin). Buuuuuuuttttt kind of a pain to make….meaning I am definitely on the lookout for something easier for a baking novice like me.

Why I journal (and why you should too!)

Posted on July 20, 2016 by Bhanu Misra Marya

I’ve had a “paper and pen” journal for about 6-7 years. I have used a journal different things:

To Do lists (or just lists of things in general)
Trip Planning
Photo/Post ideas
Bucket Lists
Gratitude/Affirmations
Goals/Dreams

There are other things you can use a journal for:

“Dear Diary” type of journaling
Sketching
Scheduling your day/week/month (love love when you can customize a blank page journal to the planner of your dreams!)
Recipes

…obviously the options are endless…

Since I started journaling, I’ve research a lot about journaling and became kind of obsessed with the moleskin journal. I love moleskin because it has so many different types of journals but also the simple blank page or lined page journal perfect for sketching or free-thought-writing.

For me personally, I’ve found that journaling has helped me:

Be more creative
Organize my thoughts
Be mindful
Brainstorm

I believe in journaling so much (good old fashion “paper to pen”) that when Miss S was a few months old, I got her her own moleskin (8×11, blank page). We do all sorts of art projects (seasonal or just something fun) and I usually write a little note about what’s going on that day. I hope one day she’ll see the benefits of it too.

#CookieMonster + Recipe

Posted on May 18, 2016 by Bhanu Misra Marya

Despite the weather, we had a great weekend.

We took Miss for her first hair cut on Saturday which was quite pleasurable experience. She looked like a doll during the entire process and her hair no longer resembles a mullet. Later in the day, we met some friends and went to Fantasy Fair. I haven’t been there since I was a kid (maybe 9-10 years old). I remember it being a huge magical place full of midway rides and indoor play area which had THE-BEST slides and ball pit. It was all that and more. Just to see the sparkle in her eyes as she saw all the fun she was about to have. Of course every ride came with a lesson in patience because we didn’t do what my parents used to do (aka one parent waits in line while the other has the kid at another attraction).

Speaking of when I was a kid, since as long as I can remember… I’ve always been a cookie monster. But it wasn’t until recently that I thought I should start making them from scratch. I’ve got a handle on a few recipes and wanted to share them :)

This first one is perfect for the mid-week (or mid-day) pick me up. When it only requires 3 ingredients who’s is going to complain!

½ Cup of peanut butter

1 tablespoon of honey
1 Egg

Optional:

Chocolate Chips

Walnuts

Raisons

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees
Mix 3 ingredients together in a bowl (mixture will be gooey and shiny)
Place a heaping table spoon of cookie mixture on a wax paper covered cookie sheet, continue placing heaping tablespoons of the cookie mixture 2 inches apart
Bake for 15 minutes, remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes before eating ~~scoffing down a dozen LOL~~

Sidebar: If you want to add the optional items, do so after the 3 ingredients are mixed well! (as you can see I added chocolate chips)

Cookies taste even better the day after (I stored them in the fridge and they were soo soft!)

The long weekend is almost here!

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Bhanu Misra Marya

I literally have been so busy at work that some days I come home and put Miss S to bed and fall asleep on the couch by 8:30pm!!! Data Conversion projects will do that to you I suppose.

We are all looking forward to a long weekend over here. Lots of festive activities planned including an easter egg hunt, day time beverages (for us at least), brunching’ and maybe a little date action. Happy Easter!

Eggs | Vase

4 Steps to Master & Enjoy Your First Art Sale LearnWithTLY

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Bhanu Misra Marya

I am starting my blog series with 4 tips on how to MASTER & ENJOY your first Art Sale.

I was planning on writing a debrief of my experiences at the #VaughanOfAKindShow but that happened over 4 months ago and I figured I could post something more helpful! I’d love to hear your thoughts on how you prepared for your first art show or community craft sale so leave me some comments down below and come #LearnWithTLY!!

Get a handled on your product offering and prices: This is one area I am definitely going to improve on when I do another show. It’s best to have your products and pricing completed 1.5-2 weeks in advance. If not, you’ll feel flustered when your prints are not ready at the photo-lab *points at self*
Start advertising early: Blog, Email, Twitter or Facebook post about your upcoming event (including all the details of time and location) a few weeks leading up to the event. You may think you are bombarding people but your friends and family can be your test customers (think A/B testing) so giving them the details they need so they can come visit and support you (no pressure!)
Design your booth to be inviting to your customers: Design a booth that will invite your customers to be able to really see your product (even pick up and inspect. I used clear plastic envelopes so I didn’t cringe when people picked up a product. Local fairs and sales are really about the community so everyone who comes by your booth is both a potential customer and a neighbour :)
Be ready to make sales: Be friendly, have a credit card payment device + money box with cash on hand, offer a show discount, have bags for your product after it’s been purchased, come with plenty of business cards (including your email and social media accounts), bring water and snacks

I hope my tips help – I know I’ll be reviewing them when the next fair and sales comes around!

Energy Bites

Posted on January 24, 2016 by Bhanu Misra Marya

The other day I had some bananas rotting away on the counter so I decided to make some banana bread. And in attempt to not eat the banana bread I whipped up these quick #NoBake energy bites.

Mix together all of the ingredients in a large bowl until combined well.
Refrigerate the mixture for about 30 minutes (be sure to cover the bowl).
Roll the mixture into balls (about 1.5 inches in diameter). I froze my bites for about an hour to solidify them. But they can be stored in the refrigerator for a week. (I ate them all within 2 days #Oops)