The Perfect Homemade Winter Candies with Coconut Buttercream Filling

This post contains affiliate links, regardless all opinions are my own.

It's been a crazy couple of weeks lately, so instead of sulking around I decided to make something delicious and adorable to cheer myself up. These candies are absolutely one of the cutest you'll ever eat and they are actually fairly simple to make, with such a delicious coconut filling!

Whether you want to surprise your sweetie with homemade Valentine's candy or make these adorable snowman candies for your kiddos, you're going to love this simple coconut filled candy recipe!

The Perfect Winter Candies with Coconut Buttercream Filling

Ingredients:

Time: 2 hours Yields: 12 Candies Ingredients
1 cup Wilton White Candy Melts
Blue Coloring Paste
1½ cup Powdered Sugar
1 stick Unsalted Butter (room temperature)
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 tbsp. Milk
½ cup Shredded Coconut
Icing Decorations
1 Wilton Stack-N-Melt Candy Mold   (also sold at Michaels Online)
Instructions:

A Wilton Candy Melt Pot is recommended to heat candy melts, but it's okay if you don't own a candy melt pot! You can still make this recipe super simply, just microwave candy melts at 50% for 30 seconds. Stir. Heat at 50% for 30 seconds. Stir. Heat at 50% in 15-second intervals and stir until completely smooth. Do not over heat, otherwise the texture is all wrong! Add blue coloring paste to white candy melts until desired blue is achieved. If candy melts become too thick simply add a touch of coconut oil to thin.

Using a spoon, slowly pour candy melts into each rectangular cavity. Rotate the mold from side to side, ensuring all sides are coated. It’s best to focus on one rectangle at a time. Dip out any excess candy melt. The goal is to create a thin layer. Gently tap mold onto counter top to remove air bubbles. Place mold in freezer for 30 minutes.

In medium mixing bowl, cream butter with electric mixer until smooth. Slowly add powdered sugar while mixing on slow speed. Add vanilla extract and milk until combined.

To finish the filling, you'll add the shredded coconut to the mix and continue to mix.

Remove candy mold from freezer and add coconut buttercream filling into each circular cavity. Leave enough room for the filling to be covered by the other half of the candy shell.

Now, pour a thin layer of blue candy melts on top of each cavity, creating an enclosure. Wipe any excess from the side. Place candy mold in freezer for an additional 30 minutes.

Remove candy from freezer and gently pop each candy from the mold.

Add a drop of blue candy melt to icing decoration pieces and place on each candy. Place candies in freezer for 15 minutes, one last time. Remove from freezer & ENJOY!


Now that I've shared this super yummy candy recipe, I'd love to know what your favorite homemade candy flavor is? Are you a fan of strawberry filling or a gooey chocolate center? Tell me all about your candy love in the comments below!

A Florida Snowman: DIY Simple Snowman Mobile Project!

While I wasn't paid for this post, it does contain affiliate links.

So this may shock some of you, but after a little bit of a cold front here in Florida, I'm kind of missing the snow. While I love the beach and the warm weather most of the time, sometimes I just want a day of cold snowy weather and a cup of hot cocoa while watching my hubby build the most beautiful snowman... I guess that's the midwestern-er in me.

While I can't exactly make actual snow here in Florida, I can at least bring a little bit of the cold weather vibe to our house with a super fun snowman mobile project... and that's where today's super simple DIY project came into play. For this project you will need:

2 white pieces of cardstock (or printer paper)

Scissors
Markers in Orange & Black
A piece of string
Tape

Washi Tape (optional)

This little snowman is SO easy to build and the perfect indoor project if you are trying to avoid the cold... or reminiscing of cool weather memories, like I am. You'll begin by cutting out a large circle in the first piece of paper with your scissors.

Once you have your circle, start on an edge and slowly cut a spiral into the paper, leaving a fairly decent sized full circle in the middle (this will be your snowman's head).

Draw a carrot nose, eyes & a mouth made of "buttons" on the inner circle and set this part of the project aside.

Take the other piece of paper and draw a circle with a square in the middle and color the entire thing black. This will be your snowman's hat! I added a piece of gold washi tape I cut into a "scarf" with washi tape berries and a leaf I cut out as well... but this is totally optional.

Now tape the hat onto your snowman and attach a piece of string from the piece of tape. Your little guy is ready to hang out anywhere and bring a little bit of winter cheer to all that are near!

So tell me, what's your favorite part of the cold weather lately? Do you love the chill in the air or the chance to play hooky on snow days? I can't wait to hear all about it in the comments below!

New You in The New Year!

Maybe it's a little silly that a girl's hair color can change how she feels about herself, but I'm living proof that a confidence boost can most definitely come from a trip to a salon. After going from purple, to a faded purple, to a funky violet, and then eventually an odd mixture of red and blonde that resembled mustard and ketchup, I finally decided it was time to give my do an upgrade!

With a heavy all over highlight, I'm nearly blonde now and I love it. I'm not saying everyone should run to their stylist and get highlights, but I do have a few tips to help you feel like a new you in the new year:

1. The first one is obvious, try a new look! Whether you want a new cut for your luscious long locks or you want to add some fashion colors into your hair, go ahead and make the appointment with your stylist ASAP! It's the best thing I've done for myself in a long time and I love the way I feel now that my stylist has given me this rockin' head of hair!

2. While your home isn't YOU, it is where you reside. I suggest starting the new year off with some clean digs! Invest in the best of the best when it comes to a vacuum and go ahead and buy an extra duster or two for safe measure! In 2016, you'll have the house you've always dreamed of... especially if you stick to a cleaning schedule like this one:

3. Keep things healthy! Whether you decide to start a strict juicing-only diet or you want to take a more mild approach to eating healthy, the New Year is a great time to start pampering yourself and making sure you are providing your body with what it really needs!

4. Start a new hobby! Nothing is better than enjoying your time doing something you love, so allow yourself the free time to get super eccentric and creative with some paint or head out into the wilderness and hike for a bit! Keep yourself happy and healthy by enjoying your hobbies through out 2016!

5. Start saving! Put a $1 in a jar everyday or follow a money saving plan like saving $1 on week 1 of 2016, $2 on week 2, and so on...  You'll soon realize you start racking in the dough, even though it's your own money, you'll be amazed at how quickly the dollars add up and what you can afford with that little stash of money tucked away!

6. Stop procrastinating and get organized! Spend the time to fill out a planner each week, know what's on your agenda and never miss an important event again!

7.Get well! While you may feel healthy already, in 2016, take the time to get a check up with your regular doc & treat your body to a healthy routine each day! Go to bed at a healthy time, eat breakfast everyday, and maybe even practice yoga & meditation. Make sure your mind and your body are healthy.

This post contains affiliate links, regardless all opinions are my own.

Hickory Farms & Traditions That Help The Hungry!

Disclaimer: Compensation and products for review were provided by Hickory Farms via MomTrends. I received a free sample of the product for the purpose of this review and to facilitate a giveaway.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Hickory Farms.

Traditions matter to everyone, especially around the holidays! From making special recipes with your favorite grandparent to spending time decorating tree with your brothers and sisters - most of us have traditions we follow around the holidays and those traditions are so very dear to our hearts!

As I mentioned last month, we started a new tradition with Hickory Farms this year...  and with such a wide variety of gift ideas and delicious little sets, I have a feeling this will be a tradition we carry on for years! Maybe it'll even become a tradition for our friends and family too.

We've always been fans of Hickory Farms, maybe it's because they carry the #1 Summer Sausage in America? Regardless, Hickory Farms will always be one of our favorite ways to treat ourselves and our loved ones and this year we opted to try out something different, we ordered the tea & biscuits and it was delicious and everything a girl could ever want for a tea party!

But that's no surprise because everything from Hickory Farms is delicious, made with the extra love that goes into each item because of their charitable hearts; it's just that much more enjoyable when I get the chance to indulge in my holiday favorites. Hickory Farms is proud to support No Kid Hungry®. No Kid Hungry is working to end childhood hunger in America by ensuring all children get the healthy food they need every day - a cause I totally want to help in any way possible.

Want some amazing news? Hickory Farms has contributed more than $4 million to No Kid Hungry since 2008 and for every Signature Party Planner purchased this holiday season, Hickory Farms will donate $5 to No Kid Hungry.

So check out the selection Hickory Farms has to offer and maybe buy a special treat for yourself and your favorite coworker, your best friend, or maybe even your mail delivery person! Tell me who you would want to send one of these awesome gift boxes to in the comments below!

The Best QUICK Party Food: Delicious Savory Mini Cheese Balls

Sponsored post by Lunchbox

The holidays are here and that means it's time to be a total cheese ball. I'm not talking about imitating your goofy uncle that tells jokes that no one understands! I'm all about the most delicious thing served at any holiday party, the actual cheese ball!

While I'm usually the type to stick with just one delicious big ol' cheese ball per party, I saw this Kraft recipe and knew I had to try it, so I decided to make savory mini cheese balls for everyone to enjoy! I think I like things better this way, with a variety of flavors I'm sure this will be a dish that truly everyone can enjoy!

I was so shocked at how simple this recipe is and how absolutely delicious it tastes... minimal effort with maximum taste, this is my kind of recipe! Plus, I was able to put it all together in literally a matter of minutes...

Maybe you have a holiday party coming up and can't decide what to bring... or maybe you want to show off for Santa this year? Show up with these delicious Mini Savory Cheese Balls and everyone will be asking for your recipe!

This recipe is super simple to prepare and you can find the original from Kraft here and everything you'll need at Walmart! I wanted to share the details with you though, so they are listed below as well!

You will need:

1-1/2 pkg. PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese (12oz total)
2 Tbsp. toasted sesame seed
1 tsp. poppy seed
2 cloves garlic, minced, divided
2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley
2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 tsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary
1/4 cup finely chopped dried cranberries
2 Tbsp. finely chopped PLANTERS Pecans

So lets get this party started, you'll begin by cutting the cream cheese into 6 pieces; rolling each piece into a ball.    

Combine sesame seed, poppy seed and half the garlic in small bowl. Mix herbs and remaining garlic in separate small bowl. Combine cranberries and nuts in a third bowl.    

Roll 2 cheese balls in sesame seed mixture, 2 cheese balls in herb mixture and remaining 2 cheese balls in nut mixture. Serve & ENJOY!

I'm totally obsessed with this recipe, with no baking time necessary and minimum work put into preparation, it's easy to see why I plan on making and taking this to the next handful of parties we are invited to... So tell me, what will your holiday spread include this year? Hopefully a handful of cheese balls and a whole lot of love! Find more recipes here so you can make every day delicious!

Add a DIY Beach Wood Wall to ANY Room in Minutes!

Thanks WallPops for sending over the gorgeous samples of NuWallpaper, my wall has never looked better - regardless, all opinions expressed below are my own.

Although we moved into our "new place" all the way back in June, we are just now finally settling in completely. From hanging pictures to rearranging furniture, I've been giving the entire house an overhaul, simply because I want it to feel cozy and comfortable, all the time, in every room.

Once I realized that our living room wasn't giving off the vibe I wanted I started trying to find a way to complete the look/vibe I wanted for the room. We're actually renters so my dream idea of knocking down the wall between the living room and the kitchen isn't an option.

So when I heard about NuWallpaper from WallPops, I knew the Beach Wood wallpaper was the answer to making our living room finally have the vibe I wanted. While it's beautiful in my eyes and I'm so happy we can have the beautiful "wallpaper" on the walls while we are here, I'm also pretty excited about how easy it is to remove... the second we decide to move out, we simply pull off the paper and the house is ready for it's next owners!

I love how easy it would be to personalize your space in every single room with NuWallpaper! I'm dreaming of adding a beautiful little back splash detail to our kitchen next... and really, with so many gorgeous options, I can't wait to add my own touch in each room of our house! Each NuWallpaper roll measures 20.5 inches x 18 ft and retails for approximately $49.99, so adding an accent wall is totally an affordable upgrade for any room!

Applying this beachy wallpaper was fairly easy, with the help of my husband we had the project completed fairly quickly. It's just a matter of cutting, lining things up, and then sticking the gorgeous new addition to the wall.

Are you wanting to add a fun feature wall to a room in your house? Check out all the gorgeous options from WallPops & let me know which one is your favorite!