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Must-Try Valentine’s Day Recipes

Recipes

Tuesday
Jan / 28 / 2020
Comments 3

These Must-Try Valentine’s Day recipes are a delicious, festive, and fun way to celebrate the holiday.

Valentine’s Day Recipes:

Due to a busy January and early February, I’m not planning to go all out for Valentine’s Day this year. However, I do think it’s a wonderful holiday for creating unique and homemade treats to celebrate the ones you love. That’s why I put together this list of Must-Try Valentine’s Day recipes.

In the past, I’ve shared several Valentine’s Day recipes here on IBC. Today, I thought it would be fun to bring all of those recipes together to give you a one-stop-spot for your Valentine’s Day planning.

So, whether you’re celebrating with that special someone, hanging out with friends, or watching your favorite romantic comedy at home on your couch (that’s what I’ll be doing), give one of these delicious ideas a try for a sweet handmade Valentine’s Day.

Must-Try Valentine’s Day Recipes:

Sweater Cookies
If you’re looking to impress, get creative with frosting by whipping up some of these Valentine-themed Sweater Cookies.

Red Velvet Waffle Cookies
Speaking of creative cookies, try “baking” cookies in your waffle iron with this recipe for Red Velvet Waffle Cookies.

Peanut Butter Cup Rice Krispies Treats
If you’re tight on time, a few Valentine sprinkles go a long way in making these Peanut Butter Cup Rice Krispies Treats a must-have for the holiday.

Mixed Berry Pot Pies
Give your heart away this Valentine’s Day in the form of these heart-shaped mini Mixed Berry Pot Pies. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for best results.

Chocolate Chips
If you’ve never had potato chips drizzled with chocolate, you’re missing out. These Chocolate Chips are so easy and crazy delicious.

White Chocolate Chex Mix
This recipe for White Chocolate Chex Mix is so simple and yields a really delicious treat. It’s great for packing up in in little baggies and sharing as a gift for Valentine’s Day. Here, I packed mine with little shovels and a tag that reads “I dig you.” Too cute!

Side note: While this color combination is ideal for Valentine’s Day, you can simply change the color of the M&Ms to match any occasion or holiday.

White Texas Sheet Cake
If you need dessert for a crowd, this White Texas Sheet Cake is it! You can also throw it together in a pinch because it’s really quick and simple to make.

Skillet Cookie Cake
In my Year of Skillet Series, I had fun creating this large cookie cake complete with Valentine M&Ms for a new spin on a classic treat.

More Must-Try Valentine’s Day Recipes:

No-Bake Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecakes
Valentine’s Day recipes don’t need to be complicated. Whip up these No-Bake Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecakes for an easy, but delicious way to celebrate the day.

Sour Patch Kids Valentine’s Day Cookies

These Sour Patch Kids Valentine’s Day Cookies are a fun, unique, and tasty treat to bake for Valentine’s Day.

Red Velvet Popcorn
Make your own flavored popcorn to enjoy and share with this Red Velvet Popcorn recipe. It’s made with real red velvet cake crumbles!

Heart Sugar Cookies wth Cotton Candy Frosting
These classic sugar cookies get a flavor upgrade thanks to a delicious cotton candy-flavored frosting. A heart cookie cutter and festive sprinkles complete the look.

Mini Skillet Brownies
If baking isn’t your in your skill-house, you can jazz up boxed brownies like I did here. These Mini Skills Brownies are all about presentation. A little peanut butter frosting and color coated candies don’t hurt either.

Spiked Chocolate Dipped Cherries
It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without something dipped in chocolate, right? I have to recommend these alcohol soaked cherries dipped AND drizzled with chocolate for the ultimate treat.

Raspberry Cheesecake Martini
Speaking of libations, how about a martini? This Raspberry Cheesecake Martini complete with a graham cracker rim is one of my favorites. (If you need a nonalcoholic treat, try this Strawberry Shortcake Smoothie!)

Sweetie Martini
If you’re looking to go all out with your Valentine’s Day drink, then look no further than this Sweetie Martini. It’s an original recipe I created a few years ago that has become one of my most popular cocktails on Pinterest!

BONUS: Valentine’s Treat Bags
Once you have your treats all prepared, you’re probably going to want a beautiful way to present them. Try whipping up a few of these Valentine’s Treat Bags for that extra special touch.

I certainly hope you are feeling inspired to create something sweet and delicious for Valentine’s Day with these must-try Valentine’s Day recipes. No matter how you celebrate, I’m wishing you a happy, sweet, and love-filled day!

Which one of these Valentine’s Day recipe is your favorite?

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Cinnamon Nut Quick Bread

Recipes

Thursday
Jan / 23 / 2020
Comments 15

Lots of folks love a good quick bread recipe. Today I’m sharing a delicious and easy Cinnamon Nut Quick Bread. Whether you serve it for breakfast, an afternoon coffee/tea break, or dessert, I know you’ll enjoy it!

Cinnamon Nut Quick Bread

The other day I spent time in the kitchen whipping up several new recipes for the blog. Among them was this Cinnamon Nut Quick Bread. Even though I botched a couple of the recipes and had to remake them, I had a blast.

Other than daily meals, it was the first day in several weeks that I’ve spent cooking, baking, and creating non-stop. I greatly needed this work-playtime in the kitchen, and I so enjoyed it. It was a good reminder of how much pleasure it is to be in the kitchen. (Especially now that I have a kitchen that looks and functions better than I ever dreamed it could!)

I will also be the first to admit that I adore quick bread recipes. They are great because you can prepare them in under 10 minutes (that excludes baking time), and they typically don’t require you to drag out a mixer or any fancy tools, which makes clean up a lot easier, too.

This Cinnamon Nut Quick Bread is everything I love about quick bread. Whipping it up takes practically no time, and it’s loaded with flavor. Here’s how to make it:

How to Make Cinnamon Nut Quick Bread:

Start by spraying the baking pan (find mine here) with baking spray to prevent sticking. You could line the pan with parchment paper, but I found that removing the loaf was easy just using the baking spray.

One of my favorite things about this bread is the cinnamon and nut filling/topping. This is prepared by mixing cinnamon, sugar, and walnuts. The walnuts are wonderful in this recipe, but you could use pecans instead if you wish. If you’re not a fan of nuts, feel free to omit them.

Once the topping is prepared, it’s time to make the batter. First, mix the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet in another. Then, combine them. (You can find the full ingredient list and recipe instructions in the printable recipe card below.)

Now pour half of the batter in the prepared pan. Sprinkle that with half of the cinnamon, sugar, and nut mixture. Then pour in the other half of the batter and sprinkle the top with the remaining cinnamon, sugar, and nut mixture.

For a final flourish, I like to run a butter knife through the batter. All you need is one quick swirl to give the interior of the quick bread a little interest.

This quick bread needs about an hour in the oven, and it’s done!

As with most quick bread recipes, I let this cool completely before slicing. The bread can be hard to resist, but I promise the texture will be better once it cools.

In case you’re looking for more quick bread recipes, try these:

After the Cinnamon Nut Quick Bread has cooled, it’s ready to serve. I love this bread for breakfast or brunch, but it also makes a tasty afternoon treat when paired with a cup of coffee or tea.

No matter how or when you eat it, I hope you love it as much as I do!

Happy Baking!

Cinnamon Nut Quick Bread Recipe:

Cinnamon Nut Quick Bread

Servings: 10 slices | Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 1 hr

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!

5 from 2 votes

Lots of folks love a good quick bread recipe. Today I'm sharing a delicious and easy Cinnamon Nut Quick Bread. Whether you serve it for breakfast, an afternoon coffee/tea break, or dessert, I know you'll enjoy it!

Ingredients

1 1/3 cups sugar divided
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F. Then spray the inside of a 9x5-inch loaf pan with baking spray. Set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup of sugar, chopped walnuts, and the cinnamon. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, the remaining 1 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, vegetable oil, sour cream, and vanilla extract.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until just combined. (The batter may be slightly lumpy. This is okay.)
Add half of the batter to your prepared pan. Sprinkle that batter with about half of the cinnamon, sugar, and nut mixture. Top that with the remaining batter and then top with the rest of the cinnamon, sugar, and nut mixture.
Use a butterknife to make one quick swirl through the batter to give your bread a marbled look.
Bake for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing to serve.

Recipe Notes

You can use pecans instead of walnuts or leave out the nuts if you prefer.

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Broccoli and Chicken Pasta Salad

Recipes

Wednesday
Jan / 22 / 2020
Comments 4

This Broccoli and Chicken Pasta Salad combines two of my favorite sides, broccoli salad and pasta salad, into one flavorful accompaniment that goes with almost any main dish.

Broccoli and Chicken Pasta Salad

During January everyone is making and sharing healthy recipes, and I’m over here still making pasta salad. New year, same me! Ha. Dieting or not, in my opinion, there’s always room for pasta salad. Especially if it’s this Broccoli and Chicken Pasta Salad.

I have posted lots of Pasta Salad recipes here on Inspired by Charm. You can find them all here. You will find classic recipes and a wide array of creative variations. There is something to suit your every craving and event.

What I especially like about the pasta salad recipe in this post is that it pairs everything we love about broccoli salad with all the wonderfulness of pasta salad. In case you’re not familiar with it, broccoli salad is typically made of broccoli, raisins, red onion, bacon, almonds, and a sweet and sour creamy dressing. (The ingredients vary from recipe to recipe, but you get the idea.)

What Goes into This Broccoli and Chicken Pasta Salad?

This recipe includes many of the ingredients I just mentioned along with a few others. Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:

pasta
chicken
broccoli
raisins
celery
red onion
almonds
dressing

For the dressing, I used mayonnaise and sour cream for the base and added flavor with dijon mustard, sugar, garlic, Italian seasonings, salt, and pepper. The dressing is delicious, and it goes great with the ingredients in this pasta salad.

How Do You Make This Broccoli and Chicken Pasta Salad?

To make this recipe, first prep all of the ingredients. (The complete list of ingredients and instructions are in the printable recipe card below.) I started by cooking the chicken. I like it best when it’s roasted in the oven with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper.

While the chicken roasts, cook the pasta and dice or chop the rest of the ingredients.

Once the pasta and chicken are cooled, toss everything into a large bowl.

Then, mix the dressing ingredients in a separate bowl and whisk until smooth. It might look like a lot of dressing, but you will need it. As the pasta sits, it absorbs some of the dressing.

Once the dressing is prepared, toss it into the pasta salad ingredients. Your Broccoli and Chicken Pasta Salad is now ready to serve. If you prefer, you can also prepare the salad a day ahead. It will be equally delicious when you serve it. My only recommendation is to wait to add the almonds until right before serving. That will keep them crunchy.

Want more pasta salad recipes? Try these:

So if you’re looking for a unique and tasty pasta salad recipe, give this Broccoli and Chicken Pasta Salad recipe a try!

Broccoli and Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe:

Broccoli and Chicken Pasta Salad

Servings: 14 | Prep Time: 30 mins

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!

5 from 1 vote

This Broccoli and Chicken Pasta Salad combines two of my favorite sides, broccoli salad and pasta salad, into one flavorful accompaniment that goes with almost any main dish.

Ingredients

1 pound pasta cooked al dente according to package directions (I used mini bowties.)
1.5 pounds cooked chicken breast diced into small cubes (about 3 cups)
3 cups broccoli florets about 1/2- to 1-inch pieces
3/4 cup golden raisins*
3/4 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup diced celery
1/4 cup diced red onion

Dressing:

1 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
3 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

Instructions

In a large bowl, toss together the pasta, diced chicken, broccoli, raisins, almonds*, celery, and red onion.
In a small bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the dressing. Whisk until smooth.
Pour the dressing onto the pasta salad and toss with a large spoon to evenly coat the pasta. Add more salt and pepper to taste.
You can enjoy this salad right away or store it covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.

Recipe Notes

*If you make this salad in advance, add the almonds just before serving. This will ensure they stay crunchy.

Because I love the golden raisins in this salad, I add closer to 1 cup of them.

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The Ultimate Game-Winning Appetizer Recipes (Super Bowl Food)

Recipes

Saturday
Jan / 18 / 2020
Comments 13

One of the biggest sporting events of the year is coming up on Sunday February 2nd, and I’m here to help you celebrate with a roundup of Super Bowl Food recipes for appetizers worthy of a touchdown. As you probably know, appetizers are among my favorite things to make and to eat, so creating this list for you was lots of fun.

All of the Super Bowl food recipes below are ones I’ve made many times and have shared here on IBC. If you’re hosting or attending a party for the big game and need a recipe or two that’s guaranteed to be a success, IBC is the place to find it. Let’s take a look at this collection of The Ultimate Game-Winning Appetizer Recipes.

The BEST Appetizer Recipes (Super Bowl Food):

Really Good Chip Dip
This Really Good Chip Dip is a delicious and fresh alternative to store-bought dip. In under 10 minutes, you can stir up a flavorful dip that pairs perfectly with chips but also veggies!

Parmesan Garlic Roasted Shrimp
I made this Parmesan Garlic Roasted Shrimp for my mom’s 60th birthday party a couple years ago, and everyone went crazy over it. I’ve also made it for other gatherings since then, and it’s always a hit.

Out-of-this-World Corn Dip
Of all the recipes on IBC, this Out-of-this-World Corn Dip is one I make multiple times a year. It makes a generous portion and is a total crowd pleaser. I’m confident you’ll love it, too.

Cranberry Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
I make this recipe every year for our family’s Christmas Eve celebration at my mom’s house, but these Cranberry Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts are great any time of the year. In case you don’t like cranberries, don’t worry. You can leave them out.

Loaded Potato Dip
erved with freshly baked waffles fries, this Loaded Potato Dip is a flavorful recipe that you can whip up for any occasion.

Skillet Reuben Dip
A good dip is a must for watching the Super Bowl. And since Reuben sandwiches are a favorite of mine, it’s not surprising that I love and highly recommend this Skillet Reuben Dip. It tastes so much like the actual sandwich!

Tortilla Roll-ups
I originally made these Tortilla Roll-ups for Christmas, however these tasty little bites would be delicious served any time of the year. I like to serve them with my favorite salsa for an extra special treat!

Fried Raviolis
Something fried is a must. Might I suggest these Fried Raviolis with Three Dipping Sauces? They are surprisingly easy to make and will be a slam dunk (literally) with your guests!

What are the best appetizers to serve?:

Pizza Bread
I think many families have a pizza bread recipe they love. This is mine. With tiny bits of toppings in every bite, you can change the ingredients to suit your personal preference. Top it off with your favorite pizza sauce for dipping, and you’ve got a winner.

The Ultimate Sausage Pizza Dip
Speaking of pizza, you MUST try this Ultimate Sausage Pizza Dip. Seriously one of the best pizza dips I have ever had or made. The flavors are so good. This appetizer recipe is guaranteed to be a hit at your party.

Bacon Wrapped Cream Cheese Jalapeños
This recipe for Bacon Wrapped Jalapeños only requires four ingredients and is another crowd favorite.- If you’re like me, it’s hard to resist anything wrapped in bacon.

More Super Bowl Food Ideas:

Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon
With fall in the air and football season well underway, it’s the perfect time for this Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon. Made in a slow cooker, this dip is rich with flavor and likely to become your new favorite appetizer recipe.

Pulled Pork Sliders
Who doesn’t like miniature-sized food? That’s why these pulled pork sliders are the bomb. I especially like the homemade red cabbage coleslaw as a topping. It’s the perfect complement to the pork.

Buffalo and Blue Cheese Li’l Smokies
What’s a Super Bowl party without Li’l Smokies? I gave these crescent roll wrapped Li’l Smokies a flavor upgrade with a blue cheese stuffing and buffalo-style dripping sauce. They are such a tasty appetizer recipe!

Loaded Veggie Ranch Dip
This Loaded Veggie Ranch Dip will become your new go-to party appetizer recipe. You’ve got the corn, peppers, cream cheese, sour cream, ranch, and a few other goodies. As you can imagine, it’s really good! It’s quick to make and loaded with great flavor.

Veggie Pizza Roll-ups
These Veggie Pizza Roll-Ups combine two of my favorite appetizer ideas into one easy and delicious recipe everyone is going to love. I think I like these so much because they are very simple to make and are packed with flavor. I also find it hard to resist any appetizer that involves cream cheese and / or ranch flavoring.

Bonus Game Day / Super Bowl Ideas:

Now that you have some delicious Super Bowl food to consider, you might be thinking about your party decor. Check out these four DIY football-themed entertaining ideas: graphic napkins, helmet drink stirrers, painted servers, and a FREE printable football garland. Any one of these will add a personal touch to your Super Bowl celebration.

I hope you find this collection of The Ultimate Game-Winning Appetizer Recipes and Super Bowl Foods helpful and inspiring. Whether you’re celebrating the big game or hosting another sort of celebration, these recipes work wonderfully all year round. Enjoy!

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IBC’s Top 10 Posts of 2019

Life

Wednesday
Jan / 15 / 2020
Comments 9

IBC's Top 10 Posts of 2019 #blog #best #top #ideas #creative #recipe

For me, January is a month of rest, reflection, cleaning, and planning for the year ahead.

As I thought about the past year on Inspired by Charm and began planning content for this new year, I thought it might be interesting to look back at the most viewed posts of 2019.

I looked through my blog analytics and determined the following posts to be IBC’sTop 10 Posts of 2019 based on pageviews. The number of pageviews indicates how many times a page was loaded during the year. It’s the only factor I used to determine these results.

With 11 years of blogging under my belt and 2,000+ blog posts, there are posts from previous years that continue to hold the top spots. However, I narrowed the search down to only posts from 2019 and here is what I found. (The posts are listed in no particular order.)

Trader Joe’s Pancake Bread Copycat Recipe
I developed this recipe after sampling Trader Joe’s Pancake Bread and noticing that it tasted very similar to my mom’s Cinnamon Sour Cream Bread. With a few adjustments to Mom’s recipe, including the addition of a crumb topping, my copycat version was born. It sure is delicious!

My Favorite Peanut Butter Desserts
Peanut butter desserts are among my favorites. They must be some of yours, too. In this post, I shared many of my favorite peanut butter-inspired recipes, from cheesecake to cookies and everything in-between. If you’re craving peanut butter, this post is for you!

Kitchen Remodel Reveal
As I started looking through the top posts from the past year, I had hoped this particular post would show up on the list. After six months of work (and a true test of my nerves and patience), I was thrilled to share this kitchen remodel reveal with you. I couldn’t be more pleased with the results, and judging from your comments, you also seemed to enjoy it.

Really Good Chip Dip
I think that a classic recipe can be just as yummy as something new and different. This Really Good Chip Dip is a go-to whenever I’m serving chips and want a dip to accompany them. It’s packed with fresh herbs, which enhance the savory flavor.

How to Choose Paint Colors
If you’ve ever picked paint colors, you know it can be a daunting task. That’s why I created this post. As I planned my master bedroom makeover, I showed you how I selected the paint colors for the space. I hope it provided a little insight into my process and ultimately helps you with your next painting project.

Olive Wreath Appetizer
I wasn’t surprised to see this recipe among the top posts. Once I posted it, I saw how quickly it got repinned on Pinterest and shared on Facebook. And for good reason! I love an appetizer like this one that’s simple to make, looks chic (and festive), and is made with delicious ingredients. Even though this olive wreath appetizer does have a festive feel, you could serve it year-round simply by switching up the herbs: thyme for spring and parsley for summer.

Maple Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail
This cocktail (or a variation of it) has been my go-to cocktail during the holiday season for the past 3 or 4 years. I’ve become a big fan of bourbon recently, and for me, this might be the best way to drink it. The combination of flavors in this Maple Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail is perfection! While it’s a great holiday party cocktail, it can also be enjoyed ’til springtime.

Delicious & Easy Hors D’oeuvres
Right behind all-things-sweet, hors d’oeuvres and appetizers are my favorite things to eat. Over the years I’ve posted a few collections of appetizer recipes, but I especially wanted to share this one because it includes ideas for single bites. They are beautifully presented, simple to make, and can be polished off in a bite (or two).

Master Bedroom Makeover Reveal
This was another post I was giddy to see make the list. This past spring I was a featured designer in the One Room Challenge. I chose to redo my bedroom, and this was the reveal of the four-week project. I’m still so pleased with the design, and I get to enjoy it every morning and evening.

Aunt Maybe’s Apple Strudel
Friends, if you only try one recipe or idea on this list, let this Apple Strudel be it. This is easily my favorite recipe in this Top 10. I know you’re going to love it, too. Although it looks a bit intimidating, it’s not hard to make, and the results speak for themselves. It’s a classic all-American dessert perfected! (My Aunt Maybe just made it again for us this past Christmas Eve. Yum!)

And there you have it, my friends, IBC’s Top 10 Posts of 2019. If you’ve been following the blog this past year, did the analytics identify all of your favorites? Just in case any are missing, please let us know in the comments below.

Also, I’d love to hear your suggestions for 2020! What do YOU want to see on Inspired by Charm? The more specific you are, the better. I create this space for YOU so I’m always interested in learning what you want to see.

Cheers to another beautiful, creative, and delicious year!

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Southwest Pasta Salad

Recipes

Tuesday
Jan / 14 / 2020
Comments 9

This Southwest Pasta Salad is a twist on the classic. Wagon wheel pasta tossed with corn, beans, roasted red peppers, and creamy ranch dressing creates a flavor combination you and your guests will love. This Southwest Pasta Salad recipe is a delicious side dish for any get-together.

Southwest Pasta Salad:

Summer is the season of pasta salad, which is why I whipped up another fun pasta salad recipe to share with you today! You’re going to love this Southwest Pasta Salad.

As much as I enjoy classic pasta salad (You can find my go-to recipe here.), you know I also like to put my spin on it. To me, it’s always exciting to serve something a bit different at a party, picnic, or barbecue. I’ve noticed it’s the unexpected that gets conversations going among guests, including requests for the recipe.

This Southwest Pasta Salad recipe likewise reminded me of how wonderfully designed wagon wheel (a.k.a. rotelle) pasta is. The little openings in the pasta have a way of holding onto lots of that delicious dressing and even some beans and corn.

Ingredients for Southwest Pasta Salad:

In addition to the wagon wheel pasta, you might be wondering what else goes into this pasta salad recipe that makes it so delicious. Here’s a full list of ingredients:

wagon wheel (rotelle) pasta
fire-roasted corn
roasted red peppers
black-eyed pease
pinto beans
black beans
jalapeños
Monterey Jack cheese
homemade ranch-style dressing

It’s perfect! Almost too perfect, I’m still trying to drop a few pounds before summer, and this pasta salad didn’t help. (Totally worth it though!)

How do you make Southwest Pasta Salad?

It’s simple!

Prepare the ingredients and toss them into a bowl.
Mix up the homemade ranch dressing.
Add the dressing to the pasta mixture.
Then mix it all together!

Voila! Your pasta salad is ready! I’m really loving this combination of ingredients, not only do they taste delicious when combined, but they also make for a really colorful and beautiful looking pasta salad.

I like to let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour, however, you can serve it right away. At first, it may seem like a lot of dressing, but I recommend using all of it. The pasta will soak it up.

No matter when or where you serve it, this salad is a winner!

Want more pasta salad recipes? Try these:

Southwest Pasta Salad Recipe:

Southwest Pasta Salad

Servings: 12 people | Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 10 mins | Total Time: 20 mins

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!

4.5 from 4 votes

Ingredients

1 pound wagon wheel rotelle pasta, cooked al dente
1 cup frozen fire-roasted corn thawed
1 cup chopped roasted red peppers
2/3 cup canned black-eyed peas rinsed
2/3 cup canned pinto beans rinsed
2/3 cup canned black beans rinsed
2 jalapeños thinly sliced
4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese cut into small cubes
Salt and pepper to taste

Dressing:

1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1 packet dry ranch dressing mix
1/2 cup milk

Instructions

In a large bowl, toss together the pasta, corn, red peppers, beans, jalapeños, and cheese.
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, dry ranch dressing, and milk.
Pour the dressing on the pasta salad mixture. Toss gently to evenly combine. Add salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until you're ready to serve.

This Southwest Pasta Salad was originally published on May 25, 2018.

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2020 Bayberry House Projects

Interiors

Monday
Jan / 13 / 2020
Comments 17

Happy 2020, friends!

Per usual, I decided to take time off before diving into the new year. I mostly just enjoyed the downtime, but I did also manage to pack away all of my holiday decor, take a work trip to Hilton Head, and start planning for 2020. At this point, I’m feeling inspired and ready to tackle my 12th year of blogging. (Can you believe it’s been that long? I sure can’t.)

As I was thinking about what to write to begin this new year and decade, I decided to look back at the list of 2019 Bayberry House projects I shared with you. (You can find that post here.) Today I thought it’d be fun to see what I was able to complete last year and then tell you about my 2020 Bayberry House Projects.

2019 BAYBERRY HOUSE PROJECTS:

Kitchen Renovation:
COMPLETED! What a project that was! It also included a few of the other projects listed below and took six months from start to finish. You can see my new kitchen here. I also shared several in-process posts here.

Powder Room Renovation:
COMPLETED! This was done as part of the kitchen renovation. You can see the finished room here. I couldn’t be more pleased with how much style this small space now has.

Dining Room Windows and Door Replacement:
COMPLETED! Again, it made sense to tie this project into my kitchen renovation. These might be some of my favorite changes. The view and extra sunlight are exactly what I had hoped for. You can see more of this space here.

Refinish First Floor Hardwood Floors:
COMPLETED! New hardwood floors were installed as part of the kitchen renovation, so I used the opportunity to refinish the floors throughout my first floor.

Remove Entryway Closet:
COMPLETED! This was the final major project that happened as a result of the kitchen renovation. I had the built-in closet removed and have plans to add wood cabinetry and a bench down the road. You can see the updated entryway here.

Create a Garden:
COMPLETED! If you don’t follow me on Instagram, you might be surprised to hear this, but I put in a small garden in my backyard last year. I had intentions of sharing it here on the blog but just never did. It’s nothing fancy as it was my first experience with a larger garden. I plan to plant it again in 2020 and tell you all about it on IBC.

Paint and Decorate Bedrooms and Office:
STARTED, but NOT COMPLETED: My house has five bedrooms. Three are used for sleeping (One is the master and two are for guests.). A fourth bedroom serves as my office, and the fifth one is my home gym. You may remember I completed a master bedroom makeover as part of the One Room Challenge. Click here to see that completed space. I also gave my home gym a mini-makeover with the help of Sherwin-Williams 2020 Color of the Year. You can view that space here.

Fix Exterior Chimney
STARTED, but NOT COMPLETED: My exterior chimney needs repair and a fresh coat of paint. I did have the bottom half of the chimney fixed during the kitchen remodel. I wanted to do the entire chimney, but the additional cost would not fit into my budget. The goal is to finish the project this year.

Create a Molding Plan
COMPLETED-ish!: Upon reflection, this was a weird goal. I did, however, select new molding for the kitchen, pantry, dining room and powder room. Moving forward, I will use this same style of molding when updating the rest of Bayberry House. I assume I’ll need to make additions to this molding plan as needed.

Landscaping Projects
STARTED, but NOT COMPLETED: I began this project in 2018 with the removal of a grove of trees in my front yard and the installation of new landscaping where the trees had been. Unfortunately, the landscaper that I used was a nightmare. So while I did make some progress here, more work is needed.

And that’s it for my 2019 Bayberry House Projects. I feel pretty good about what was accomplished. I did have a few other projects in mind, but since I didn’t get to those, they have been added to my 2020 list.

Let me walk you through what I have planned for this year!

2020 BAYBERRY HOUSE PROJECTS:

Turn Basement into a Studio
Yes, I have a basement. Which, surprisingly enough, I have never shown on IBC or anywhere on social media. About 1/3 of my basement is taken up by my garage, and the other 2/3 is a semi-finished room, plus a laundry room. I will do a full post on the latter areas so you can see how they look now and get an idea of my plans for them. In the meantime, here’s a little teaser.

The space is currently clad in wood paneling. The room also has linoleum/vinyl floors and lacks closed storage. I hope to replace the warped/damaged paneling, paint everything (ceiling and walls), replace the floors, and create lots of storage. Once that is complete, I want to set up a small studio where I can craft, paint, lounge, and so forth.

I think it’s going to be a super fun project. I can’t wait to share it with you!

Paint Upstairs Bedrooms / Office
Because I spent a lot of time and money last year updating the first floor of my home, the second floor has been a bit neglected. Most of it is still painted “builder beige.” At the very least, I would like to give each of my two guest bedrooms and my office a fresh coat of paint. I also want to start decorating these spaces At the moment, they look pretty basic.

Style/Paint Dining Room
As you know, my dining room is still a bit empty. In addition to possibly adding a bit of color on the walls, I’d like to purchase a new rug, find a vintage buffet, and style everything to complement what’s already in the space.

Entryway Built-in
Since having the entryway closet ripped out last year, I have had no closets on the first floor of my home. This is a bummer because I do not have a place to put coats, the vacuum, and other sundry items. My goal is to get a custom cabinetry closet built along with a bench for seating.

Living Room Fireplace Built-in
When I have the custom entryway closet built, I would like to also beef up the mantel and upgrade the existing bookcases in my living room. I want to give the space more style. At the time these changes are made, I will likewise be converting the fireplace from wood-burning to gas.

Find New Landscaper
I want to continue to work on the landscaping around my house. Even though I have a vision for the exterior, my knowledge is limited so I’d like to find a landscaper who can help me achieve my vision.

Research and Price Backyard Leveling
This may tie into “Find New Landscaper,” but I’d like to gather information on creating a more level backyard. I don’t know what’s possible or how much it would all cost, but I’d like to start developing a plan. Even though I have 2 acres of land, my backyard is small. My goal is to find out what might be done to maximize the space that I do have, create more level areas, and possibly increase the size of the backyard overall.

Tree Maintenance
I have a dozen or so trees that need to be cut down. Many of those are dead or dying, plus there are a couple I’d like to have removed for aesthetic reasons. Since the trees are rather large, this is going to be an expensive endeavor. I plan to tackle this project a little each year until it is complete.

Finish Chimney Repairs
And finally, I’d like to finish the chimney repairs that were started last year. This will include having a mason replace missing or crumbling brick and then adding a fresh coat of paint.

Other Possible Projects:
Guest Bath Cosmetic Update – paint, replace fixtures, etc.
Garage Clean / Organization – clean, paint, install storage solutions, etc.
Outdoor Shed – add an outdoor storage shed

I’m sure other projects will crop up in 2020, however, these are the ones on the list of 2020 Bayberry House Projects as we start the year! Needless to say, I think this list will keep me busy for most of the year.

As always, I am thrilled to take you along on my adventures and share the progress as it’s happening. I hope you enjoyed this look at my plans for the coming year. If you have questions or would like to continue the conversation, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.

I hope 2020 is off to a great start for each of you. Have fun creating the happy place of your dreams!

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115+ Creative Christmas Ideas

Holidays

Friday
Dec / 20 / 2019
Comments 19

Welcome to the Ultimate list of 115+ creative Christmas ideas, recipes, crafts, DIY projects, entertaining inspiration, and so much more! This list of Christmas and holiday inspiration will become your new go-to for festive ideas and loads of Christmas cheer!

100+ Creative Christmas Ideas:

If you can believe it, this January will mark 10 years of blogging for me! I recently got a magazine in the mail, and a headline on it was “100+ ways to Holiday.” That made me think: With 10 years of blogging under my belt, I wonder if I could create a post of 100 Christmas Ideas based on things I’ve created and shared here on Inspired by Charm. So I sat down and started brainstorming and typing . . . and I came pretty close.

Below I’m sharing 115+ Christmas Ideas. For the most part, all of these ideas are inspired by things I’ve created here on IBC. When applicable, I shared a link (in the mint green font color) so you can click for more information. Because I didn’t have 100 things I could link, I did add a few other festive ideas to help put a little more jingle in your step this holiday season.

My goal with this post is to update it year after year so that it becomes one epic list of creative Christmas ideas you can use to help celebrate the holidays.

I hope you enjoy this list not only as a collection of Inspired by Charm’s content but more importantly as an inspiring source of ideas for a magical, memorable, and joy-filled Christmas!

My Favorite Creative Christmas Ideas:

1. Serve up a cocktail in a Christmas ornament.

2. Set up a hot cocoa bar for impromptu treats.

3. Make homemade hot cocoa mix to have and share.

4. Bake the best Christmas cookies.

5. Host a holiday cookie swap with friends and family.

6. Make a yule log for a legendary holiday dessert.

7. Make theses frosted and soft eggnog cookies.

8. Creatively wrap presents for friends and family.

9. Host a gift wrapping party.

10. Print festive gift tags for your holiday wrapping.

11. Decorate a rainbow inspired tree.

12. Make homemade White Chocolate Chex Mix with red and green M&Ms to have and share.

13. Make an epic appetizer by crafting a Christmas tree out of cheese.

14. Set a vintage modern Christmas table for your and your friends!

15. Print out adorable Christmas recipe cards to share with friends.

16. Decorate a Christmas tree (or two).

17. Make this easy and crazy delicious three-ingredient holiday punch.

Get the RECIPE: https://inspiredbycharm.com/jingle-juice-holiday-punch/

18. Listen to a Christmas music playlist.

19. Create lottery ticket Christmas ornaments as gifts.

20. Build and paint colorful wood Christmas trees.

21. DIY these wood stockings for your mantel.

22. Add a Christmas tree to your bedroom.

23. Make a wreath out of cookie cutters.

24. String a wood bead garland.

25. Make a wreath from vintage ornaments.

26. Craft adorable and clever bags for Christmas cookies.

27. Style a festive bar cart… or two.

28. Put together a beautiful and creative holiday place setting.

29. Make the creamiest fudge with only three ingredients.

30. Learn how to add ribbon to your Christmas tree.

31. Make seasoned pretzels for snacking during Hallmark movies.

32. Enjoy White Russians while watching a Christmas parade.

32. Shake up a White Chocolate Peppermint Martini.

34. Bake classic cookies using clothespins.

35. Make homemade bath bombs to give as gifts.

36. Serve cranberry French toast for a holiday breakfast.

37. Bake a cake that looks like a gingerbread house.

38. Make a gingerbread cake in the shape of a tree.

39. Toss up some sugared cranberries for a festive garnish.

40. Make this Apple Pie Moonshine to serve or give as a gift.

41. Turn a chocolate chip cookie into an edible shot glass.

42. Create a beautiful holiday centerpiece for your table.

43. Add cranberries to pecan pie for a flavor upgrade.

44. Up your holiday entertaining with these festive touches.

45. Warm up with a Slow Cooker Sangria.

46. Craft festive ornaments out of concrete.

47. Roll out cute and tasty little cheeseballs.

48. Whip up some homemade eggnog.

49. Make the best candy using a slow cooker.

50. Spike some cherries, then dip them into chocolate.

Well my friends, we made it halfway! Are you ready for more Christmas inspiration? I hope these creative Christmas ideas are giving you a little inspiration to celebrate the holiday season. I also want to mention that you can do one or one hundred of these ideas. This list of festive Christmas ideas is meant to inspire, not to make you feel overwhelmed. Set aside moments to celebrate and do what makes you happy this Christmas season.

Ready for more Christmas ideas? Let’s do this!!

More Festive Christmas Ideas:

51. Set up a Bloody Mary Bar.

52. Jazz up plain ornaments with a paint pen.

53. Print Christmas bottle tags to make gift wrapping fun and easy.

54. Enjoy the twinkle of Christmas lights at night.

55. Whip up an easy breakfast casserole for Christmas morning.

56. Add a creative chalkboard holiday label to your serveware.

57. Make a garland or a wreath out of marshmallows.

58. Stir up a holiday sangria mocktail.

59. Wow ‘em with Peanut Butter and Jelly Cheesecake Bars.

60. Dazzle friends and family with Braided Nutella Bread.

61. Tickle taste buds with Cranberry Orange Walnut Tassies.

62. Bake these festive Christmas sprinkle cookie cups.

63. Make red pepper jelly to give as a gift or serve as an appetizer.

64. Make mini cheesecakes in mason jars.

65. Build a tortilla roll-up tree as a tasty holiday appetizer.

66. Decorate your mantel with rustic charm.

67. Bake mini skillet cookie cakes.

68. Make your own mulling spices.

69. Bake a gorgeous Christmas Cake to share with friends and family.

70. Decorate a flocked Christmas tree.

72. Serve a classic quiche to start the day.

71. Whip up this homemade pancake mix for a delicious breakfast or tasty gift idea.

73. Host a White Christmas Celebration.

74. Make Cinnamon Roll Skillet Bread.

75. Decorate a tree in green (or your favorite color).

76. Prepare overnight oats for guests.

77. String popcorn or cranberry garland for the tree.

78. Create a holiday dessert spread with a bar cart.

79. Create a delicious monkey bread in a slow cooker.

80. Add seasonal flavor to a classic old fashioned with cranberries.

81. Bake ugly sweater Christmas cookies.

82. Style a very merry entry table with chalkboard paint.

83. Create easy holiday artwork with washi tape.

84. Craft colorful coasters for a gift.

85. Decorate a tree entirely with vintage ornaments.

86. Or decorate a tree entirely inspired by memories of Christmases past.

87. Make a favorite holiday side dish: Cheesy Cauliflower Gratin.

88. Set up the ultimate holiday beverage cabinet.

89. Serve Berry Stuffed French Toast on Christmas morning.

90. Drive around the neighborhood to look at holiday lights as you enjoy hot cocoa and popcorn.

91. Heat up a batch of mulled wine to serve when company arrives.

92. Gift homemade herb butter and gourmet bread.

93. Shop the thrift stores and antique shops for unique and vintage holiday decorations.

94. Prepare a cheeseball or two in advance for unexpected holiday visitors.

95. Serve cranberry meatballs on Christmas Eve.

96. Attend a holiday concert or musical with a friend.

97. Make THE BEST veggie dip for your holiday crudite.

98. Assemble an array of the BEST Christmas appetizers.

99. Add a gradient rainbow wreath to your front door to welcome guests.

100. Whip up this red and green jalapeño dip in minutes.

101. Wrap something in bacon like these water chestnuts or these stuffed jalapeños.

102. Incorporate a little festive flare to your kitchen for the holidays.

103. Make this pizza bread for an unforgettable holiday appetizer.

104. Add a little festive flare to your mantel for the holidays.

105. Style this olive wreath holiday appetizer to pair with an epic cheese board.

106. Whip up one of my favorite cranberry recipes! (There are 12+ to choose from.)

107. Go antiquing / thrifting to start a collection of vintage Christmas decorations.

108. Create this adorable tree out of vintage ornaments to decorate your wall.

109. Add a string of colorful lights to your mantel for a nostalgic Christmas look.

110. Bake my favorite Christmas cookies: Cream wafers.

111. Craft vintage-inspired gift tags (free printable) with German glass glitter.

112. Whip up a batch of these colorful and delicious Peppermint Kiss Cookies.

113. Take time to craft a handmade holiday gift with these creative ideas.

114. Make classic gingerbread cookies to eat AND decorate your holiday home.

115. Make my FAVORITE pie: Graham Cracker Cream Pie!

116. Shake up these flavorful Chai Spiced White Russians for a holiday treat.

117. Add a little touch of “Merry & Bright” to your fireplace mantel.

118. Create a snow globe-inspired Christmas centerpiece for your table.

119. More ideas…

120. …coming soon!

115+ Creative Christmas Ideas Continued…

And that’s a wrap! 115+ Christmas ideas, recipes, decorating inspiration, entertaining ideas, and lots of holiday cheer! Did I miss anything? Feel free to add you favorite Christmas ideas and holiday traditions in the comments below.

Be sure to save this post like or add one of the images to your Pinterest board. I originally shared this list of Christmas Ideas in 2018, but will continue to add new ideas every year. I hope this list of holiday inspiration becomes a go-to source of inspiration for you.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours!

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Simple Christmas Centerpiece

Interiors

Thursday
Dec / 19 / 2019
Comments 5

Inspired by a vintage tablecloth and glass ornament houses, I created an easy-to-put-together Christmas centerpiece to add holiday style and sparkle to my dining room.

Simple Christmas Centerpiece

You might remember that about a month ago I posted about my vintage modern Christmas table decor. I set the table with glassware, plates, flatware, and even a special cake. (You can see that here if you missed it.)

As much as I LOVED that tablescape, I noticed that I wasn’t using my table much because of how it was set. Normally, I would have my morning coffee at the table while scrolling through blog post comments on my laptop. With the table set, I couldn’t do that because there wasn’t space. I realized I needed to clear everything off and only have a simple Christmas centerpiece.

I didn’t want to spend a lot of money, so I mostly used things I already had. I did, however, go to a fave local antique store (Diamond Antiques in Tarentum, PA, in case you’re local) where I found a vintage tablecloth and a glass cake dish and cover. The former turned out to be part of my inspiration!

With those goodies in hand, and a few things from around my home, here’s what I came up with!

Pretty cute, huh?

I was immensely pleased with how it turned out, mainly because it took very little effort or planning. Usually, I stress over these things, but this centerpiece came together easily.

How To: Simple Christmas Centerpiece

For this Christmas centerpiece, I started with the vintage plaid tablecloth. It was a deal for only $10. Instead of laying it straight or “correctly” on the table, I decided to spread it out at an angle. This just seemed more interesting given all the straight lines in the room – the window panes, doors, flooring, and molding.

Next, I placed the cake stand in the center of the table. (I found this one at HomeGoods a couple of years ago.) Then I put my new-to-me glass cake plate on the stand. I sprinkled faux snow on the plate and tucked in four glass ornament houses I had recently picked up at a local shop. I bought them because I thought they were pretty. And as luck would have it, they fit perfectly here. With the houses in place, there was even room for a couple of mini faux pine trees.

Once the mini snow village was complete, I placed a glass dome on the cake plate.

On each side of the cake stand, I positioned a set of black taper candle holders. (You might remember that I also used them in my previous tablescape.) Their clean design looks wonderful with my chandelier.

I also recommend these white taper candles. They burn really nicely!

To tie everything together, I added a few more mini trees between the candleholders.

And with that, my simple Christmas centerpiece was complete!

As I said, I am so pleased with how it turned out. I hadn’t planned on sharing the centerpiece with all of you, but when it was done, I couldn’t resist showing it to the world.

Oh, and if you like my vintage ornament tree hung on the wall , you can see how I made that here.

This Christmas centerpiece is also a super easy look to recreate. I hope it inspires you to add something (similar) to your holiday table.

Happy last-minute decorating, everyone!

Simple Christmas Centerpiece Sources:

Candlesticks: Black Taper Candle Holders
Candles: White Taper Candles
Small Trees: Faux Mini Trees
Faux Snow: 9.2 ounce Artificial Snow
Cakestand: HomeGoods
Glass Plate and Dome: Vintage
Glass House Ornaments: Altar’d State (not listed online)
Tablecloth: Vintage
Wreathes: Sewickley Creek Greenhouse (sourced locally)
Wreath Hanger: Clear Command Hooks
Chandelier: Radcliffe 30″ Round Oil-Rubbed Bronze
Dining Table: Vintage
Chairs: At Home (not longer sold)
Wall Paint: Sherwin-Williams Snowbound SW 7004 (Emerald Interior – Satin)
Trim Color: Sherwin-Williams Extra White SW 7006 (ProClassic Semi-Gloss)

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Living Room Christmas Decor

Interiors

Wednesday
Dec / 18 / 2019
Comments 26

Today I’m excited to share my Living Room Christmas Decor. Styled with blues, greens, and metallics, it’s a festive and welcoming space for the Christmas season. I hope this tour helps to inspire your holiday home decor.

Living Room Christmas Decor

I can hardly believe that Christmas is less than a week away. It’s been a joy to share my holiday decorating ideas, seasonal recipes, and decked-out home with all of you again this year. I hope you’ve enjoyed this special season on Inspired by Charm and taken away some things to make your home and holiday even merrier.

For even more holiday inspiration, check out my 100+ Creative Christmas Ideas post. It’s my greatest collection of Christmas inspiration.

As I start to wrap up the holiday season here on IBC, I wanted to give you a tour of my “formal” living room dressed for Christmas. A couple of days ago, I shared my Green and Navy Tree. This tree inspired the decor for the space. Let’s take a look around.

Living Room Christmas Decor: Mantel

We’ll start over at the fireplace where I strung evergreen garland across the mantel. To dress it up, I added blue ribbon on each end, a delicate gold bead garland, and a banner that reads “Merry & Bright.” (Unfortunately, I don’t have sources for these items because they are no longer for sale. However, I will link things when I can and include a full source list at the end of this post.)

To give the garland a bit more flare, I hung two mismatched chunky white knit stockings on each side. I also added a couple of my gingerbread cookies to both sides. I love how those cookies turned out! You can get the recipe here.

Above the garland is my vintage mirror. On it, I used a Command Hook to hang a snow pinecone wreath I found at JOANN’s. I then placed a matching blue ribbon behind the wreath. The ribbon appears to be holding the wreath up, but it’s just for show. Plus, it coordinates with the ribbon in the garland.

My collection of vintage deer is on display in front of the mirror. This collection, which started with three deer from my grandparents, seems to grow every year. The deer are among my favorite Christmas decorations.

I also added a few festive touches to the bookshelves that flank the fireplace. I especially love this brass village that I picked up at Target this year. (Cityscape and Cityscape Scenery) It looks fabulous here.

Even though this picture (below) isn’t too exciting, I wanted to point out that I still use the painted wooden trees I made a few years back. They remain a popular holiday craft project on IBC. You can find the tutorial here.

(Did you also notice my Sonos speaker? I have four of them and love them. They’ve been pumping out all of my Christmas music playlists for the past two months.)

I even spiffed up my bar cart to match the rest of the room. The green and white wood garland is a Kirklands’ find. I don’t usually have much luck at Kirklands, but this garland was a winner.

A lot of you love this bar cart. You can find it here.

Living Room Christmas Decor: Christmas Tree

And in case you missed it, here’s another look at my Navy and Green Christmas tree.

I so love the combination of navy, green, and metallics. I think the blue adds something special to this room.

In front of the tree on the ottoman is a new vintage treasure-a five-pillar candle brass tree. I found the candle holder on Etsy and love the glow it gives.

I also have a few presents under the tree. If you like the vintage-inspired gift tags that I used, you’re in luck. They are available as a free printable. You can find and download them here.

Now let’s pause for a minute to take in the view. I love this angle because you can see two of my Christmas trees. Double the Christmas glow! (You can see more of my Cozy Lodge tree here. Also, don’t miss my third Christmas tree, Woodland Glam, which you can find here.)

On the opposite wall of the room, I upped the sparkle of my vintage cabinets with my mercury glass tree collection. This year I only picked up two new trees (at HomeGoods) as my collection is already pretty large.

Similar to what I did last year, I put a few of the trees on my dry sink and filled the top of the tall cabinet with the rest. This is one of my favorite little moments in this room.

Speaking of little moments, I also have a nativity scene this year. This was a gift from my mom last Christmas. The stable belonged to my grandma. I’m honored to have it and use it in my home. It’s pieces like this that will be special for years to come.

Well, that’s the 2019 tour of my living room Christmas decor!

I’m pleased with how everything came together. I hope you enjoyed the tour and found some inspiration. I know it might be a little late for this year, but feel free to pin an image or two for next year.

Merry Christmas, dear friends!

Navy and Green Christmas Tree

Wall Color: Agreeable Gray Sherwin-Wiliams
Sofa: Carlisle Upholstered Sofa (more details here)
Green Chairs: Anthropolgie (no longer sold)
Ottoman: La-Z-boy
Rug: Distressed Foliage RugModern Abstract Art: Lindsay Letter Peppermint Moss
Tall Wood Hutch: Nadeau (vintage)
Lamp: Modern Acrylic Accent Lamp
Wreath: Pinecone – from JOANN’s
“Merry & Bright” Banner – Etsy (shop closed)
Brass Village – Cityscape and Cityscape Scenery
Bar Cart: Gold Mid-Century Bar Cart
Glasses on Bar Cart: French Wine Glass
Modern Abstract Art: Lindsay Letter Peppermint Moss
Sonos Speakers: Sonos Play:1
Mercury Glass Trees: HomeGoods, Michael’s, Walmart, etc.
Brass Tree Candleholder: Vintage Etsy Find
Large Fabric Print Art: HomeGoods
Plaid Throw: HomeGoods
Chair Pillows: Cable Knit Throw Pillow
Sofa Pillows: HomeGoods
Small Art: Vintage
Dry Sink: Vintage
Mantel Mirror: Vintage

Christmas Tree Sources:
Christmas Tree: Lowe’s (no longer sold)
Green Ornaments
Navy Ornaments
Light Blue Ornaments
All other ornaments: No longer sold or unable to source
Tree Topper: Gold Metal Star
Gift Tag: Vintage-Inspired Free Printable
Garland: Crystal and Pearl Garland

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Graham Cracker Cream Pie

Recipes

Tuesday
Dec / 17 / 2019
Comments 14

Learn how to make this delicious Graham Cracker Cream Pie. #grahamcracker #cream #pie #dessert #recipe #creampie

With a graham cracker crust, vanilla custard filling, and fluffy meringue topping, this Graham Cracker Cream Pie is a family favorite recipe that I’m sure you’re going to love as much as I do.

Based on my recent Instagram poll, about 70% of you had never heard of Graham Cracker Cream Pie. (Approximately 10% of that 70% knew of the pie but by a different name.) This didn’t surprise me because I’ve never seen Graham Cracker Cream Pie anywhere besides my family’s gatherings. I don’t want folks to miss out on all the deliciousness, so I’m here today to share the recipe with you.

What is Graham Cracker Cream Pie?

Graham Cracker Cream Pie is a simple cream pie recipe. It consists of a graham cracker crust, vanilla pudding (custard), and meringue topping. That’s it.

And while I realize that may sound sort of boring, there are times when basic is best. This classic recipe came into our family via my maternal side. My grandma, who got the recipe from her mother, made it throughout my childhood. My mom and aunt took over after that, and now I suppose it’s my turn. (My mom and aunt still make it, too.)

How Do You Make Graham Cracker Cream Pie?

The recipe is fairly straightforward, but it helps to have some pie baking skills and experience. If you’re a novice baker, the pudding and meringue can be tricky. That’s what kept me from trying this recipe for so long. However, as you can see, I managed with no issues.

The first step is preparing the graham cracker crust, which is a combination of graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter. The mixture gets pressed into a 9-inch pie dish and baked for 10 minutes. After it cools, the pudding is added.

To make the vanilla custard pudding, mix and heat the milk, eggs, sugar, and corn starch. Once the pudding thickens, remove it from the heat and whisk in butter and vanilla extract. (The full ingredient list and instructions are in the printable recipe card below.)

Pour the pudding into the graham cracker crust.

Now, it’s time to make the meringue. I find this easiest to do in a stand mixer with a whisk attachment. For best results, the egg whites should be at room temperature. Beat the egg whites with a bit of cream of tartar and slowly add the sugar. Continue beating until stiff.

Next, put the meringue on the hot pudding. (The pudding needs to be hot to prevent the meringue from “weeping.“) I found it’s easy to spread the meringue with a small offset spatula.

If desired, use a regular spatula to create peaks in the meringue. Do this by slightly pressing the spatula into the meringue and then pulling up quickly.

When the meringue is nicely peaked, return the pie to the oven for 15-20 minutes or until the meringue is lightly browned.

That’s it! You’ve made a Graham Cracker Cream Pie.

You’ll want to give your pie plenty of time to cool and set before serving.

As I mentioned above, this pie is one of my family’s favorites. We have it at almost every family gathering and holiday meal, especially during the holiday season.

Looking for more delicious pie recipes? Try these:

Give this Graham Cracker Cream Pie recipe a try. I think you’ll enjoy it as much as we do!

Happy baking!

Graham Cracker Cream Pie

Servings: 8 people | Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 30 mins

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!

5 from 1 vote

With a graham cracker crust, vanilla custard filling, and fluffy meringue topping, this Graham Cracker Cream Pie is a family favorite recipe that I'm sure you're going to love as much as I do.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup sugar
6 tablespoons melted butter
2 2/3 cups whole milk
4 egg yolks
1 cup sugar
4 tablespoons corn starch
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons butter
5 eggs whites room temperature
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Instructions

Begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs with the sugar. Stir in the butter until the mixture resembles wet sand. Press the mixture into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie dish to create an even layer. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
In a medium saucepan, add the milk, egg yolks, sugar, and corn starch. While whisking frequently to prevent the mixture from burning, cook on medium heat until the mixture thickens and just starts to boil. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and butter. Whisk to combine. Pour this mixture into the cooled pie crust.
Add the egg whites to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Beat on high until the egg whites start to foam. Add the cream of tartar. Then slowly pour the sugar into the egg whites while mixing. Continue beating until stiff peaks form.
Spread the meringue over the hot custard pudding. If desired, use a spatula to create "peaks" in the meringue by slightly pressing the spatula into the meringue and pulling it out quickly. Repeat across the top of the pie.
Place the pie back into the 350-degree-F oven. Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the meringue is golden brown.
Allow the pie to cool and set before serving.

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Navy and Green Christmas Tree

Holidays

Monday
Dec / 16 / 2019
Comments 42

Green and Navy Christmas Tree Decor Ideas #christmas #tree #decor #navy #green #ornaments #decorating #holiday #christmastree

Today I’m excited to show you my third and final Christmas tree of 2019. Inspired by a vintage plaid wool blanket, this is my Navy and Green Christmas Tree.

Yes, friends, I’m finally sharing the last of my Christmas decor this week. Today it’s the tree in my living room. If you want to see the rest of my living room, I’m sharing a full tour HERE.

Navy and Green Christmas Tree

If you were following me a year ago around this time, this tree might look familiar. The reason: I took inspiration from last year’s emerald city tree and simply switched things up a bit with more color and flair. In times past, I’ve started from scratch with most of my trees. However, I didn’t want to have to redecorate my living room, so I decided to work with what I had (my green velvet chairs and navy ottoman, for example) and just spice things up.

I had considered two different color schemes for this tree. My first thought was to incorporate pink. However, when I considered the rest of my Christmas decor as well as the general decor of Bayberry House, navy blue seemed like a better choice. Here’s what I came up with:

I think the tree turned out well. What do you think?

Navy proved to be a smart choice for this tree and room. I even mixed it up a bit by adding icy blue ornaments in both a matte and a shiny finish. I think this made everything come to life.

Per usual, I first put on the ribbon. (You can find my Christmas Tree Ribbon Tutorial here.) My original plan was to use this navy and green plaid ribbon I found at Michaels. Unfortunately, on the tree, the pattern was dark, and the ribbon appeared cheap and almost see-thru. It needed something else. Fortunately, I had also picked up this green ribbon with a fair isle-inspired design at JOANN Fabrics and Crafts. I decided to add that to the tree as a secondary ribbon. This was the pop it needed! This was the first time putting two types of ribbon on a tree, but it’s a good look.

Once all the ribbon was in place, I began filling the tree with ornaments I already had. I have totes and totes of ornaments, so I wasn’t intending to buy lots more. However, to create the look I was after, I had to purchase navy blue and icy blue ones. (I thought I owned every color of ornament imaginable.)

I was so excited to use ornaments that hadn’t made an appearance on my trees in several years. One example is the glass clip-on candle ornaments I got from Crate and Barrel several years ago. (No longer sold.) Using them again made me happy.

I also have a set of gold sequin ornaments from Target that I have collected over the years. I have unicorns, lions, and (new this year) elephants! It’s fun to add a quirky touch to my trees, and these ornaments do just that. (I could not find a link for these online. I purchased mine in-store.)

Last Christmas my mom bought me a “First Christmas at Bayberry House” so I was delighted to hang that on my tree this year. It’s so cute! Because it’s somewhat neutral, it’s likely to match any future tree as well.

I’m in love with this vintage deer ornament. if it looks familiar that’s because I found two of them this year and used the other as the “trunk” of my vintage ornament tree wall decor. It was the perfect trunk and looks fabulous on my tree, too!

As you can see, I tucked a few presents under the tree. I even attached my new vintage-inspired printable gift tags. I’m loving how they look. In case you missed them, I shared a free download for them here.

Last year I had big mirrored stars on my tree. I decided to leave those off this time. Since the tree topper matched them, I opted to buy a new one. I found this gold star at Target and thought it fit this tree beautifully.

Finally, because I’m crazy about it, I decided to reuse this gold, crystal, and pearl garland I purchased from Balsam Hill in 2018. It might be my favorite beaded garland, so it simply had to be on the tree again.

And that, my friends, is my Navy and Green Christmas Tree! What do you think?

A part of me wishes I had created an entirely new tree, but since I had two other brand new trees this year, I’m cutting myself some slack. In case you missed those, you can see my Cozy Lodge Christmas Tree here and my Woodland Glam Christmas Tree here.

If you want to see even more of my trees, I have a huge collection of all of my Christmas Trees in this post here.

As it stands, I’m so happy I decided to incorporate blue into my previous green tree. It inspired pops of blue in the Christmas decor throughout my living room. A win-win I’d say! Here’s a sneak peek! As promised, I also shared a full tour of my living room. You can see the rest of this colorful space here.

I’ll meet you back here tomorrow for more seasonal inspiration. I hope you’ve enjoyed this tree!

Navy and Green Christmas Tree

To be honest, I don’t have many sources for this tree as many of the items are no longer sold. However, I did link up whatever I could below.

Christmas Tree: Lowe’s (no longer sold)
Green Ornaments
Navy Ornaments
Light Blue Ornaments
All other ornaments: No longer sold or unable to source
Tree Topper: Gold Metal Star
Gift Tag: Vintage-Inspired Free Printable
Garland: Crystal and Pearl Garland
Wall Color: Agreeable Gray Sherwin-Wiliams
Sofa: Carlisle Upholstered Sofa (more details here)
Green Chairs: Anthropolgie (no longer sold)
Ottoman: La-Z-boy
Rug: Distressed Foliage RugModern Abstract Art: Lindsay Letter Peppermint Moss

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Vintage-Inspired Christmas Gift Tags (Free Printable)

Holidays

Saturday
Dec / 14 / 2019
Comments 24

Inspired by and made with vintage graphics, these Christmas gift tags will add a touch of nostalgia to your holiday gift wrapping. A little gift from me to you, these Vintage-Inspired Christmas Gifts Tags are free to download.

Vintage-Inspired Christmas Gift Tags

I may be a bit late in getting these out (I’m sure some of you already have your gifts wrapped.), but I couldn’t let this year end without sharing free and festive tags for your Christmas gifts.

As you may know, over the past couple of years, my holiday decorating has included a nod to Christmases past. (That reminds me, I need to put together a post about vintage Christmas decor ideas.) While I was antiquing and thrifting this past summer, I came across lots of old Christmas cards and postcards. Looking at the designs stirred up that special feeling that only Christmas can bring.

I kept those vintage designs in the back of my mind, knowing that I wanted to do something special during the holidays this year. I even purchased a couple of those cards for inspiration.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago when I found some old Christmas gift tags. My first thought: Wouldn’t it’d be fun to combine the two ideas and make Vintage-Inspired Christmas Gift Tags? I’m overjoyed with how the tags turned out. Let me show you.

These Christmas gift tags are available as a free printable to you. (Details are below.) There are 16 unique gift tag designs on two sheets. I’ve also included an optional backside that has a place to fill in “to and from”.

All of the designs are actual vintage Christmas graphics. I sourced them from rawpixel and The Graphics Fairy. If you’re interested in a particular design, you can search for it there.

To use these Christmas gift tags, just download the free printable, save it to your computer, and print out the tags. If you’re using the “to and from” on the backside, you will need to flip over the paper or use the double-sided option (if available) on your printer to print the back. I do recommend using card stock paper. I will link the kind I like HERE.

Once the tags are printed, cut them out. I use a paper cutter like this one to get nice straight lines. However, scissors will work. You also will need a hole punch to make the hole at the end.

At this point, the gift tags are ready to go. If you prefer a little sparkle, you can put glitter around the edge of the tags. That’s what I did.

Adding glitter is easy and seems to enhance the vintage look. I used tacky glue and two colors of German glass glitter: gold and silver. German glass glitter is probably my favorite type of glitter. It looks so sparkly and rich.

To put on the glitter, I first put a line of tacky glue on a piece of card stock paper. I very lightly dipped each edge of the tag into the glue and then into the glitter. I wanted a fairly thin line of glitter for a more delicate look, but you can go as heavy as you like.

Once all the edges have glue on them, dip them in the glitter. Set the tag aside to dry.

Because there is quite a variety in the gift tags, I found that some look better with silver glitter and others look better with gold. However, if you only want to buy one type of German glass glitter, (It is a bit pricey.) that would still work. I’ve linked my favorite here.

Once the glitter was dry, I ran a piece of twine through the hole in each tag. This will allow me to tie the tags onto my packages. I especially like this twine from The Container Store. It comes in a range of colors: pink, charcoal, taupe, and sage. They had sold some with a silver strand, but I noticed that it no longer seems to be available. You can also find twine like this at Target, HomeGoods, and other stores.

And with that, my Vintage-Inspired Christmas Gift Tags were complete! I think they turned out beautifully. They just might be among the favorite gift tags I’ve ever made.

Vintage-Inspired Christmas Gift Tags Sources:

Paper: White 110lb Card Stock
Paper Cutter: Fiskars 12-inch Paper Cutter
Glue: Aleene’s Tacky Glue
German glass glitter: gold and silver
Twine: pink, charcoal, taupe, and sage
Hole Punch: standard 1/4-inch round or smaller 1/8-inch round

You can download these Vintage-Inspired Gift Tags here:

You can also access the download in the IBC Printable Library, which can be found HERE.

If you’re new to Inspired by Charm, you can get instant access to this library by SUBSCRIBING HERE. Once you’ve subscribed, you will instantly receive an email that contains a link to this download.

Already on the IBC Mailing list? You can find the password to access the library at the bottom of the latest email from Inspired by Charm. Look for a box towards the end of the email that says, “Don’t Forget…”!

And if you use any of my free printables, of course, I would love to see what you do! Please share your photos on Instagram and tag @inspiredbycharm.

Looking for more printable gifts tags? Try these:

These latest tag designs are nostalgic and festive, and a few are even slightly weird. I think that’s the perfect combination for a memorable Christmas gift tag.

Please feel free to get creative with these tags. Hang them as ornaments on your tree, make a wreath out of them, tie them on a garland,… I can’t wait to hear and see the many fun ways you use these Vintage-Inspired Christmas Gift Tags!

I hope these Christmas Gift Tags help stir up the holiday magic. It was a pleasure to create and share them here on IBC. Peace, love, and joy!

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Chai Spiced White Russians

Recipes

Thursday
Dec / 12 / 2019
Comments 1

How to Make Chai Spiced White Russians #chai #tea #whiterussian #cocktail #holiday #christmas #cocktail #recipe

Cheers to the holidays! Today I’m serving up these Chai Spiced White Russians. This is a classic cocktail recipe with a seasonal flavor twist you’re going to love!

This is a sponsored post written by me on half of The Hangar 1 Distillery. All ideas and opinions are my own.

Chai Spiced White Russians:

I hope you’re ready for another holiday cocktail recipe. As I mentioned above, today’s post features my recipe for delicious Chai Spiced White Russians. They are so-o-o good!

I’ve teamed up with The Hanger 1 Distillery to create and share this recipe. The Hanger 1 Distillery produces inspired spirits with fresh, local ingredients in Alameda, California. I’ve been a big fan of their products for quite some time. You might remember their delicious Honeycomb Vodka making an appearance in my fall living room tour.

For this recipe, I’ve used Hanger 1 Straight Vodka. It’s made from a blend of California grapes and Midwestern grain. It’s wonderfully smooth with a slightly floral nose. The balanced profile makes it a perfect base for both sweet and savory cocktails. Recently, it’s become my go-to vodka. In today’s recipe, it works exceptionally well with all the spices in the chai.

As regular readers of IBC probably know, I enjoy White Russians. On Thanksgiving morning, they’ve become a tradition for my family when we watch the Macy’s parade at my brother’s house. I’ve also shared a couple of variations, including Salted Caramel and Peppermint. It’s a thrill to add these Chai Spiced White Russians to the collection.

How to Make Chai Spiced White Russians:

Traditionally, White Russians are made of vodka, coffee-flavored liqueur, and half-and-half. To make this version of the cocktail, you incorporate the fabulous flavors of chai. I found that the best way to do this is to infuse the Hanger 1 Straight Vodka with chai tea bags.

All you need to do is put the vodka and tea bags in a large pitcher and allow it to sit for at least 2 hours. That’s it! Now you have Chai Vodka!

Once the vodka is thoroughly infused, remove the tea bags, and you’re ready to mix the cocktails.

Below I’ve shared the ingredients and instructions for putting together a batch of these Chai Spiced White Russians. This particular recipe will serve four.

To your chai-infused vodka, add the coffee-flavored liqueur and half-and-half. Stir to combine. You’ll want to keep this mixture chilled until it’s time to serve.

To serve, fill four rocks glasses with ice. Then, divide the Chai Spiced White Russian mixture evenly among the glasses.

For a festive garnish, I used cinnamon sticks and star anise – you know how much I love to garnish a cocktail. It’s all in the details.

Your Chai Spiced White Russians are now ready to be enjoyed!

This cocktail is perfect for the holidays and the entire winter season. In case you’re not familiar with it, chai spice is made of cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and pepper – all wonderful flavors for cold weather.

Cheers to friends, family, and a happy holiday! Don’t forget to enjoy Hangar 1 in this or any festive cocktail you make this season. Pair it with good company and fresh, seasonal eats for the ultimate treat!

Chai Spiced White Russian Recipe:

Chai Spiced White Russians

Servings: 4 cocktails | Prep Time: 10 mins

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!

Cheers to the holidays! Today I'm serving up these Chai Spiced White Russians. This is a classic cocktail recipe with a seasonal flavor twist you're going to love!

Ingredients

8 ounces Hangar 1 Straight Vodka
4 chai tea bags
4 ounces coffee-flavored liqueur
4 ounces half-and-half
Cinnamon
Ice
Cinnamon sticks and star anise for garnish

Instructions

Add the vodka and tea to a large pitcher and allow it to sit for at least 2 hours. Remove the tea bags and add the coffee-flavored liqueur and half-and-half. Stir to combine. Keep the mixture chilled until ready to serve.
To serve, fill four rocks glass with ice. Divide the Chai Spice White Russian mixture evenly among the glasses. Garnish with cinnamon sticks, and star anise.

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Gingerbread Cookies

Recipes

Wednesday
Dec / 11 / 2019
Comments 8

Delicious and festive Gingerbread Cookies! #christmas #cookies #gingerbread

You’re in for a treat today! I’m sharing my Gingerbread Cookie recipe. This Gingerbread Cookie recipe makes a delicious holiday treat that can double as festive Christmas decor.

It’s hard to believe that after years of blogging and dozens and dozens of Christmas posts, I haven’t yet posted a recipe for Gingerbread Cookies. Well, the time has come! The gingerbread cookies are here.

I decided to share this recipe after partnering with my friends at BISSELL who challenged me to a 2-in-1 holiday hack inspired by their new CrossWave® Cordless Max, which also has 2-in-1 capabilities. It’s an all-in-one tool that vacuums and washes my floors at the same time. What a gift this is during the holidays! It saves time, energy, and stress while leaving my house mess-free. In a minute, I’ll give you the rundown on how the BISSELL CrossWave works and why I’m loving it for my home.

Before we get to that, I want to share how these gingerbread cookies can be a 2-in-1 holiday hack. As I mentioned above, this recipe makes super delicious cookies that can also serve as lovely decor if you let them sit out for a couple of days. Now you may be wondering…

How Do You Make Gingerbread Cookies:

If you’ve ever made cut-out sugar cookies, the process for these is similar. It’s the molasses and spices in gingerbread cookie dough that make them special.

As with any dough you’re using for cut-outs, you will want the dough to be cold when you’re working with it. Therefore, I recommend whipping up this dough the day before you plan to bake.

I also want to mention that this kind of dough can be a bit tricky for beginner cookie bakers. It does take a bit of experience to know how the dough should “feel” for the best results. Generally speaking, if the dough feels sticky, you need a tad more flour, and if the dough is crumbly, you need a little more liquid.

Once the dough is made (The ingredient list and instructions are in the printable recipe card below.), roll it out onto a floured surface and cut out the cookies. You can use any cookie cutter you like. I have been picking up tree-shaped cookie cutters at antique shops for the past couple of months, so I opted for those.

If you intend to hang your cookies as decor, I also recommend putting a hole in the top of each cookie before baking. This will give you a place to add twine or ribbon once the cookie is baked and decorated. I have found that the end of a straw creates the perfect-size hole.

Once the cookies are cut out, they are ready to bake. After they are cool, it’s time to decorate.

I like using royal icing for gingerbread cookies. It gives a classic look and is easy to work with. Also, in case you use these gingerbread cookies as decor, royal icing is perfect because it hardens beautifully. My recipe for royal icing is below.

You can spread the icing on with a knife, piping bag, or plastic bag with a corner snipped off. Here, I decided to use small plastic bottles. They made decorating the cookies very easy.

Now, you have two options for your cookies.

Here are the cookies I made. (I wish there was such a thing as smell-o-vision.). The first option is to simply enjoy them as a tasty holiday treat. Store them in an airtight container, and they’ll stay fresh for a week or two. The flavor is so good, and they’re a pretty addition to any cookie tray.

The other option for these beauties is to use them around your home as decor. You don’t have to worry about them totting or getting moldy; they will just dry up into a wonderfully fragrant decor accent. (I’d leave them on your counter for at least 24 hours before hanging to ensure they’re sufficiently dried out.)

If you’re looking for more of my favorite Christmas Cookie recipes, you’re in luck! I have an entire post dedicated to them here.

Gingerbread Cookie Decor:

Here are a few examples:

Mantel Decor: I added twine to the cookies to tie them into my mantel decor. It’s all in the details, and these make such a sweet addition.

Ornaments: I also love the look of these gingerbread cookies on a tree. You can hang them with twine, ribbon, or even an ornament hook.

Gift Wrapping: And finally, how about tying them on your packages? They look cute and festive with almost any wrapping paper. And if you’re feeling especially ambitious, you might even use contrasting royal icing to write the recipient’s name on the cookie.

These are just a few gingerbread cookie-inspired decorating ideas. As you can imagine, you’re only limited by your creativity. You could also make a wreath, create a little scene under a cloche, set cookies amid your Christmas village, etc.

Once my cookies were made, I had a bit of a mess to clean up in my kitchen. Enter the BISSELL CrossWave® Cordless Max.

BISSELL CrossWave® Cordless Max:

As I mentioned earlier, I love this system because it vacuums and washes floors at the same time. Ultimately, this means less time cleaning and more time enjoying the holidays. The BISSELL CrossWave® Cordless Max is a multi-surface cleaner, so it’s safe to use on tile, laminate, linoleum, rubber floor mats, pressed wood, and sealed hardwood. (I have the latter kind of floors throughout my home.)

My favorite feature of the BISSELL CrossWave® Cordless Max: it’s cordless. There is a docking station, where the machine is charged and stored between uses. I love not struggling with a cord or having a dirty cord run over freshly cleaned floors.

I’m also pleased that the machine has two tanks. One tank stores the BISSELL cleaning formula and water, while the other tank holds dirty water and debris. This means you’re always using clean solution to wash your floors. You’re never putting dirty water back on your floors.

Pretty impressive, right?

It’s truly a joy to have this tool in my home, especially during the holidays. It makes keeping my floors clean easy and stress-free.

And that’s it, my friends. We not only made delicious Gingerbread Cookies, but we also created some festive holiday decorations and cleaned our floors. I’d call that a win-win-win!

I hope you enjoyed this gingerbread cookie recipe. And, if you’re looking for more information on the BISSEL CrossWave® Cordless Max, you can visit their website at www.bissellcrosswave.com

Gingerbread Cookie Recipe:

Gingerbread Cookies

Servings: 4 dozen | Prep Time: 1 hr | Cook Time: 10 mins

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!

5 from 2 votes

You're in for a treat today! I'm sharing my Gingerbread Cookie recipe. This Gingerbread Cookie recipe makes a delicious holiday treat that can double as festive Christmas decor.

Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
3/4 cup molasses
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Royal Icing:

3 egg whites (about 3 ounces*)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners' sugar

Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
In the large bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the butter and brown sugar for 3-4 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla. Mix to combine.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet. Mix to combine. Cover and refrigerate the dough overnight or for at least 4 hours.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Divide the dough in two. On a lightly floured surface, roll out half of the dough so it is about 1/8-inch thick. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters. Place the shapes about 1-inch apart on a cookie sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough. If desired, use the end of a straw to create a hole at the top of each cookie for hanging.
Bake 8-10 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are firm. Transfer the cookies to cooling racks to cool completely.
While the cookies cool, prepare royal icing.
Add the egg whites and vanilla to the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat until frothy.
Next, add the confectioners' sugar, one cup at a time while mixing. When the sugar is incorporated, turn the mixer speed to high and beat the icing until stiff, glossy peaks form. (This will take 5-7 minutes.) Transfer the icing to piping bags or piping bottles.
Use the royal icing to decorate the gingerbread cookies as you like.
Allow the icing to set before storing the cookies in airtight containers.

Recipe Notes

*Eggs and egg whites should be pasteurized. Please note that the consumption of raw or undercooked eggs may increase the risk of foodborne illness.

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Handmade Gift Ideas

Holidays

Tuesday
Dec / 10 / 2019
Comments 5

A Collection of my favorite Handmade Gift Ideas #gifts #homemade #handmade #holiday #christmas #gifting #gift

Do you prefer to make your gifts for family and friends? Are you still looking for something unique to give someone on your holiday list? If so, this post is for you. It’s brimming with Handmade Gift Ideas from Inspired by Charm.

Today, I’ve gathered more than 12 ideas for handmade gifts. They range from décor to food and drink to what I call feel-good items. Although these gifts are perfect for Christmas, many of them would be appropriate and appreciated at any time of the year.

Handmade Gifts – Décor:

Cookie Cutter Wreath
I made this wreath several years ago during a 12 Days of Christmas series on IBC. I probably wouldn’t be considered a minimalist, but I adore the simplicity of this wreath. You can customize it for any season or event by using different colored ribbon and different cookie cutters. This is a handmade gift you will enjoy designing, crafting, and giving!

DIY Cookie Cutter Wreath

Wood Bead Garland
Garlands are a wonderful finishing touch when decorating for the winter holidays or any special occasion. This wood garland is easy to paint and put together with a sturdy string or leather cord. I love it so much that I’ve made several versions. What bead shapes and paint colors will you use?

DIY Wood Bead Christmas Garland

Colorful Wood Trees
I’m crazy about these trees and I predict the people who receive this handmade gift from you will be as well. Paint the trees various shades of green or whatever colors will complement the recipient’s décor. These colorful trees look gorgeous on a mantel or shelf or nestled among miniature houses and ribbon in a table centerpiece.

DIY Colorful Wood Christmas Tree Decorations

Handmade Gifts – Food and Drink:

Homemade Pancake Mix
This has been my go-to pancake mix for years, but I only recently got around to posting it on the blog. For a practical and pretty gift, mix up the dry ingredients and put a jar of the mix in a basket along with my homemade pancakes recipe, a bottle of pure maple syrup, and a whisk. For holiday appeal, add a bright bow, a couple of candy canes, and a cheery tea towel or two.

Homemade Pancake Mix

Hot Cocoa Mix
It’s that time of year…for handmade gifts and hand- and heart-warming drinks. Why not combine the two by tucking a container of this homemade hot cocoa mix in a gift box with a fun Christmas mug, peppermint candies, and marshmallows? The mix is so easy to make. There are also white chocolate and spiced chocolate versions.

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

Red Pepper Jelly

Did you know that you can make the classic red pepper jelly rather than buying it at the store? It’s quite simple to do, plus you decide on the level of heat. I should warn you, though – you will probably get requests for this handmade gift every year. It’s that good!

Red Pepper Jelly

Cookie Tray

Like many folks, you probably bake a lot during the holidays. Share some of the goodness (and calories!) with family and friends by putting together trays of favorite cookies and confections. Here are a few of mine: Cream Wafer Cookies, Three-Ingredient Fudge, and Sweater Weather Sugar Cookies. (Lots more cookie recipes are linked in the post.)

14+ of My Best Christmas Cookies

Apple Pie Moonshine
This handmade gift is as dangerous as it is delicious! Made from 190 proof grain alcohol, apple cider, apple juice, and seasonal spices, this drink is best enjoyed in moderation. To reinforce this, you might present a small bottle of it with a couple of cute shot glasses and a friendly reminder about drinking responsibly.

Apple Pie Moonshine

Handmade Gifts – Feel-Good Items:

Cookie/Gift Card Bags
These gift bags are an alternative to the pricey ones that are commercially available. Don’t worry – no sewing is required. Just iron the free printable transfer on ready-made cotton bags that can be purchased online. The bags are also a clever way to package other handmade gifts or even gift cards.

DIY Christmas Cookie Bags

Clear Glass Ornament Gift Ideas
I like to make these for stocking stuffers or as accompaniments to year-end cash presents for the wonderful people whose services I rely on. I fill clear glass ornaments with something I think each person will like. Examples: sprinkles for baking, bath salts, loose leaf tea, lottery tickets, hot cocoa mix with mini-marshmallows, colorful small candies.

Holiday Gifting with Clear Glass Ornaments

Terrarium
A terrarium is a beautiful handmade gift that allows you to bring the natural world inside. Once you choose a glass jar and gather the supplies, it won’t take long to set up the terrarium. Your family and friends will love tending their little indoor gardens. A green thumb is optional.

How To Make a Terrarium

DIY Beeswax Candles
This is a handmade gift that can be completed in an evening. Even though candle making sounds difficult, it’s not. For me, the most challenging part is selecting the vessel and making sure I have all of the necessary supplies. As for the scents, I went with lavender and sandalwood.

DIY Beeswax Candles

Bath Bombs
Yes, you can make bath bombs. Stay with traditional holiday colors or go with the recipient’s favorite hues. The fragrance is also up to you. I prefer essential oils that relax and reenergize. (You might pair several bath bombs with a couple of the DIY beeswax candles for an extra special handmade gift.)

DIY Bath Bombs

Bonus Gifting Ideas:

Christmas Gift Tags
These North Pole Express Delivery Service tags are so much fun. They are another free download from IBC and available in blue and red. Seeing one on a package from you is sure to bring a smile to your dear one’s face!

Christmas Gift Tags (Free Printable)

Plaid Gift Tags
I’ve been mad for plaid wrapping paper for a while now, and it is my pleasure to offer free printables such as these on Inspired by Charm. As one of the gift tags says, “Plaid Tidings of Joy” (from me to you). Which of your handmade gifts will you top with a plaid tag?

Plaid-Inspired Printable Christmas Gift Tags

Christmas Bottle Hang Tags
If you’re giving someone wine or spirits this season, may I suggest adding one of these clever and festive tags? The printable can be downloaded from IBC for free. As with all of my tags, I recommend printing on cardstock.

Printable Christmas Bottle Hang Tags

I hope these Handmade Gift Ideas inspire you to make life a little merrier for others at Christmas and throughout the year.

Happy DIYing and Giving!

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Peppermint Kiss Cookies

Recipes

Monday
Dec / 9 / 2019
Comments 12

Peppermint Kiss Christmas Cookies #peppermint #blossom #peppermintkiss #christmas #holiday #cookie #recipe

These Peppermint Kiss Cookies are a new must-make for my Christmas Cookie tray. They have a sugar cookie base that’s topped with a peppermint kiss. In essence, they’re a peppermint-twist on peanut butter blossoms.

Peppermint Kiss Cookies

If it were possible for me to just wrap presents and bake cookies for the next two weeks, I would be in a state of absolute bliss. I realize many people dislike these activities, but they are two of my favorites during the holiday season. That’s why today I’m super excited to be teaming up with some of my blogger friends (a.k.a. the #ChristmasCookieSquad) for our annual Christmas Cookie Swap. In addition to my Peppermint Kiss Cookies, there are seven more cookie recipes to help you on your holiday baking adventures. You can visit all the participating bloggers here:

Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Linzer Cookies – Freutcake
Reindeer Truffle Cookies – Pizzazzerie
Chai Spice Sugar Cookies with Vanilla Bean Drizzle – Lovely Indeed
Christmas Sugar Cookies – Paper & Stitch
Bobho Rainbow Gingerbread Cookies – The Proper Blog
Rudolph Nose Dough Balls – Julie Blanner
Chocolate Cherry Chunk Cookies – Sugar and Charm
Peppermint Kiss Cookies – Inspired by Charm (you are here)

I decided to make these Peppermint Kiss Cookies because of my current love affair with peppermint kisses. (I think their real name is Candy Cane Kisses.) My mom mentioned them to me a few years ago. I haven’t always been a peppermint fan, so I turned my nose up back then. However, my tastes seem to have changed, and now I can get enough of these creamy, peppermint and white chocolate kisses. Yum! (You may have noticed there’s a bowl of them on the coffee table in my family room.)

Naturally, yours truly HAD to turn them into a cookie!

Please know that I’m not the creator of this smart cookie idea. I’ve seen this cookie floating around on the internet for the past couple of years. I thought you might appreciate my take on it, or you might even be seeing this cookie for the first time.

Whatever the case may be, let me show you how to make these Peppermint Kiss Cookies.

How to Make Peppermint Kiss Cookies

Before we begin, you need to know that these cookies are simple to make.

Start by preparing a classic sugar cookie dough with butter, sugar, flour, eggs, and vanilla. (I’ve shared the full ingredient list and instructions in the printable recipe card below.)

Once the dough is ready, the fun can begin. I got creative and split my dough into two. I knew I wanted red cookies and green ones. You can make as many colors as you like or just one color or leave the dough plain. The choice is yours.

To “dye” my dough, I added coarse green sugar to one half and coarse red sugar to the other half. It’s that easy.

The dough is then rolled into 1-inch balls. Before baking, the balls are rolled in more sugar. To make the color pop and give the cookies a little sparkle, I added some of the coordinating green and red sugars. While this step isn’t essential, it does brighten the cookies.

Before baking, slightly flatten each ball of dough using your finger. This is an important step. You probably can tell that some of my cookies don’t look as flat as the others. That’s because I forgot to flatten that batch. (Oops!) While they still look and taste delicious, I prefer the flatter ones. – I make the mistakes so you don’t have to. You’re welcome.

Now, you’re ready to bake!

Once the cookies are baked, remove them from the oven and transfer them to a cooling rack. Because the peppermint kisses will melt more readily than standard chocolate kisses, you’ll want to allow your cookies to cool for 2-3 minutes before adding the kisses. Once you’ve put on the kisses, don’t touch or move the cookies. If you do, you run the risk of losing that classic kiss shape.

When the Peppermint Kiss Cookies are completely cooled, you can pack and store them in an airtight container.

And just like that, your Peppermint Kiss Cookies are complete and ready for your cookie tray! (Or insert one or more directly into your mouth. I won’t tell. Besides, this is a judgment-free zone.)

This is an exceptionally delicious and colorful cookie recipe. With pops of red, green, and the candy cane stripe on the kiss, these cookies are perfectly festive!

If you’re looking for more of my Christmas cookie recipes, you’re in luck because I have a round-up post of my favorites. You can find all of my go-to Christmas cookie recipes here.

Want to see what my #ChristmasCookieSquads blogger friends have made? (Of course, you do!) I will link them all again here:

This is an incredibly talented group of bloggers. Their cookie recipes are not only delectable but beautiful and creative, too. I know you’ll enjoy them!

I hope you’ll give some of those recipes a try along with my recipe for Peppermint Kiss Cookies. Happy holidays, and happy baking, my friends!

Peppermint Kiss Cookie Recipe:

Peppermint Kiss Cookies

Servings: 3 dozen | Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 10 mins

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!

5 from 5 votes

These Peppermint Kiss Cookies are a new must-make for my Christmas Cookie tray. They have a sugar cookie base that's topped with a peppermint kiss. In essence, they're a peppermint-twist on peanut butter blossoms.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
3/4 cup sugar, plus 1/2 cup for garnish
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon coarse green sugar*
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon coarse red sugar*
36 Peppermint Kisses unwrapped

Instructions

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F.
In a bowl, whisk together the four, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
With an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This will take 2-3 minutes. Then, mix in the eggs, one at a time. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Add the prepared dry ingredients to the wet mix until just combined. Divide the dough in half and put each half in a separate bowl.* Add one tablespoon of green sugar to one bowl of dough and mix with a spoon to combine the dough and sugar. Then add one tablespoon of red sugar to the other bowl of dough and mix to combine.
Divide the remaining 1/2 cup sugar into two shallow bowls. To one bowl, add 1 teaspoon green sugar; to the other bowl, add 1 teaspoon red sugar.
Use a spoon, cookie scoop, or your fingers to spoon out 1-inch dough balls. Roll the dough in the palm of your hand to form a ball. Then roll the dough ball in the coordinating colored sugar. (That is, green dough in green and red in red.) Place the sugared dough ball on the cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining dough.
Before baking, use your finger to gently press each dough ball to slightly flatten it. Bake for 8-10 minutes.
Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack. Wait 2-3 minutes; then place a peppermint kiss on each cookie, slightly pressing it into the cookie. The peppermint kisses melt easily, so do not touch or move the cookies until they are completely cool. Pack and store the cookies in an air-tight container.
*You can use as many colored sugars as you'd like. Divide the dough accordingly.

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Homemade Pancake Mix

Recipes

Friday
Dec / 6 / 2019
Comments 16

One of my go-to’s for breakfast is pancakes. And today I’m sharing my Homemade Pancake Mix recipe with you. Just whip up a batch of this dry mix every couple of months, and you’ll be ready to make pancakes whenever your heart desires.

Homemade Pancake Mix

Yes, my friends, we’re talking about breakfast food (namely pancakes) today on the blog. I love making breakfast! (You may remember I owned and operated a Bed and Breakfast in St. Marys from 2008 to 2013.) I have been intending to share this Homemade Pancake Mix recipe with you for YEARS. I’m not sure what’s taken me so long.

When I ran the B&B, pancakes were on the breakfast rotation. Having a homemade dry pancake mix to use made those mornings just a little bit easier. This is that pancake mix recipe. – I guess you could say it’s been Bed & Breakfast tested and approved.

What I love about this recipe is that you can mix up a big batch, and then you only need to mix it into your wet ingredients whenever the craving for pancakes strikes.

Once the batter is prepared, you can customize it any way you like. Toss in blueberries, add chocolate chips, stir in peanut butter,…. The possibilities are almost endless.

What is Pancake Mix Made of?

If you’ve never made pancake mix, you might be surprised to learn that you probably already have all the ingredients. Pancake Mix is made with pantry staples and can be put together in minutes.

To make this dry pancake mix, you will need:

all-purpose flour
sugar
baking powder
baking soda
salt

Yes. It’s that simple.

How to Make Homemade Pancake Mix:

Just grab a big jar, toss in these ingredients, whisk to combine, and your pancake mix is ready! (You will find the full ingredient list and amounts in the printable recipe card below.)

That’s it. Really. This mixture can be stored in an airtight container on your counter or in a cabinet for up to three months.

How to Make Pancakes from Pancake Mix:

Once the dry mix is prepared, you’ll need to add a few wet ingredients to make a batter. For this, you will need:

buttermilk
milk
egg
butter
vanilla extract

Exact amounts are listed below. Other than the buttermilk, it’s likely you also have most of these items in your refrigerator or pantry. (Side note: You can make buttermilk at home. Just add 1 tablespoon white vinegar OR 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice to 1 cup of milk. Stir to combine.)

To make the batter, whisk together all the wet ingredients and then add the prepared dry ingredients. It’s that simple. Your pancake batter is ready to go.

When I make pancakes, I like to use a cast iron griddle on my stovetop. (This is the one I have.) However, an electric griddle or even a nonstick pan works equally well.

I add a little butter to the griddle and then remove any excess with a paper towel. Once the griddle is hot, it’s time to make the pancakes.

Tip: After pouring the batter on the hot griddle, I let the pancake cook for 4-5 minutes before flipping it. I know it’s time to flip the pancake when I see lots of bubbles on the top of it.

How to Serve Pancakes:

This pancake mix will give you delicious, fluffy pancakes. To finish them off, I highly recommend a pat of butter and a generous amount of pure maple syrup. (Avoid the “maple-flavored” syrup you find at the grocery store.)

Voila! Your homemade pancakes are ready to be enjoyed!

This Homemade Pancake Mix recipe also makes an excellent holiday gift. Make a batch of the mix and pair it with high-quality pure maple syrup. As you probably know, my favorite is Finding Home Farms. It’s the only maple syrup I buy. I keep an ample supply of it on hand so I don’t run out. Yes, it’s that good!

I hope you’ll give this recipe a try. Enjoy!

Looking for more of my go-to breakfast recipes? Try these:

Pancake Mix Recipe:

Homemade Pancake Mix

| Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 10 mins

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!

5 from 5 votes

One of my go-to's for breakfast is pancakes. And today I'm sharing my Homemade Pancake Mix recipe with you. Just whip up a batch of this dry mix every couple of months, and you'll be ready to make pancakes whenever your heart desires.

Ingredients

Dry Mix:

3 1/2 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Wet Mix:

1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1 tablespoon melted butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

To prepare the pancake mix, add the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to a large jar or container. Use a whisk to thoroughly combine all the ingredients. This pancake mix can be stored for up to three months.
To prepare the pancake batter, add the buttermilk, milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract to a medium bowl. Whisk together to combine. Add 1 cup of the prepared dry mix. Stir until just combined. Let the mixture sit for1-2 minutes before cooking.
Set your griddle on medium-low heat. Brush with butter. Allow the butter to melt. (Optional: Remove any excess butter with a paper towel.)
Pour 1/4 cup* of the batter onto the hot buttered griddle. Cook the pancake until bubbles form on the top and the bottom is golden. (This will take bout 4-5 minutes.) Flip the pancakes and cook about 2 more minutes until golden.
Serve with butter and pure maple syrup.
This recipe will make 10 pancakes with dry mix left over.

Recipe Notes

*1/4 cup of batter makes a 3-inch pancake. You can create a larger or smaller pancake by adjusting the amount of batter you use.

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A Smart Upgrade For My Front Door

Interiors

Thursday
Dec / 5 / 2019
Comments 4

A Smart Upgrade for my Front Door #smarthome #schlage #encode #smartlock #frontdoor

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Schlage. All opinions are 100% mine.

Today I’m excited to share how I gave my front door a much needed and smart upgrade!

First, a bit of backstory. I bought my current home a little over a year ago. All of the exterior doors on my house required a key to lock them. Nothing strange about that, right? Wrong. They also needed the key to lock them from the inside. Dealing with this has been a mini-nightmare. I can’t begin to count the number of times someone has come to my front door, but the door is locked, and I can’t find my keys.

After replacing two sets of doors during my kitchen remodel this past summer, there was one exterior door left to tackle. The front door. So, when my friends over at Schlage reached out and asked if I wanted to try the Schlage Encode™ Smart WiFi Deadbolt, I jumped at the chance. I knew this would be the perfect opportunity to fix this problem and at the same time upgrade my door with cool new smart home features!

The Schlage Encode Smart WiFi deadbolt is a smart lock that enables remote access from anywhere. Yep, you can lock and unlock your door even when you’re not home. You can also unlock the door physically with a key or a code.

While I was familiar with smart locks, I had no idea of their capabilities until I had this opportunity to install one. You can read about the many features of this particular lock here on the Schlage website, but I thought I’d share a few of my favorite features as well.

First, I was able to install the deadbolt lock myself. I did have to drill some larger holes, but once that was done, the system was a breeze to install. I also downloaded the Schlage Home app to manage my new Schlage Encode. It was simple to set up, and I found the app intuitive and easy to use.

When I installed my new smart deadbolt, I also took the opportunity to install a matching door handle. Both the deadbolt and door handle are available in matte black or satin nickel. You can also choose between a modern style called “Century” or a more traditional style called “Camelot.” Since my door is black and my home has a colonial look, I opted for the Camelot in satin nickel. I think this was a great choice. The new door handle looks beautiful on my front door.

Here’s what it looked like before …

… and now.

That’s quite an upgrade, isn’t it?

Another wonderful feature of this particular Schlage smart lock is that it also includes a key. The lock runs on batteries, and while the app will give you notice when the batteries are running low, it’s reassuring to have a manual back-up

Still, another feature that I especially like about my new smart lock is the ability to create up to 100 unique codes for recurring, temporary, or permanent access. This means you can give a different code to your pet sitter, house cleaner, contractor, delivery person, and so on. This allows you to monitor when the lock has been accessed and based on the code use, by whom. I will soon be setting up a code for my cat sitters.

Although I don’t currently use voice assist in my home, you can pair this lock with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Amazon Alex ;allows you to lock and unlock your door with the sound of your voice. This smart lock even works with the Ring Video Doorbell so you can see who’s at your door.

And finally, the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt also includes an auto-lock feature which is super handy. I have lost count of how many times I have had to run back home to check if I locked the door. With the app, you can set an auto-lock that allows you to select a delay time range from 15 seconds to 4 minutes. You never need to worry about locking your door again.

All-in-all, I’d say this lock is an incredible upgrade. And while I’m obsessed with all of the smart features, I’m probably most excited about finally being able to lock my door from the inside without a key. It’s the little things in life, my friends!

I hope you find this review helpful. If you’re looking for a smart lock deadbolt, I heartily recommend the Schlage Encode™ Smart WiFi Deadbolt. I think you’ll like it as much as I do!

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Woodland Glam Christmas Tree

Holidays

Wednesday
Dec / 4 / 2019
Comments 42

It’s time to share another of my 2019 Christmas trees. Today I’m thrilled to show you how I decorated the Woodland Glam inspired Christmas tree in my entryway!

Woodland Glam Christmas Tree

When I bought my house, I never thought I’d be able to fit anything other than a tabletop Christmas tree in my entryway. However, because of my kitchen remodel this year (which ended up affecting my entryway), I now have a full-size Christmas tree in here.

And I have all of you to thank for it. Back in October, I shared my updated entryway. After I removed the closet (I have plans to replace it this coming year.), many of you mentioned that the newly opened space would be ideal for a tree. Two months later, allow me to introduce my Woodland Glam Entryway Christmas Tree!

I’m smitten with this tree. I will tell you all about it, but first, here’s a bit about how the design idea came to be. I was flipping through magazines and happened upon this tree in Southern Living. The credit indicated it had been styled by Lindsey Ellis Beatty. (Thank you, Lindsey, for the inspiration!)

What attracted me most to the tree was the gorgeous pheasant ornaments. Once I was able to track them down online, I ordered one to see it in person. When it arrived, I was in love and ordered a handful more. From there, I sought out inspiration from my other favorite holiday sources, and this tree is the result!

I couldn’t be more pleased with it. Now for the details:

Woodland Glam Christmas Tree Decor:

(I will include a source list at the end of this post. I will try to link up everything I can for you.)

Let’s start with the tree. I sourced it from Balsam Hill, my favorite place for trees. This is their 6.5 ft Nantucket Blue Narrow Tree with Micro Lights. It’s such a pretty tree, and it makes the perfect base for my ornaments.

First, I put on the ribbon. (If you’re curious about how I did that, I have a full blog post and video tutorial on the subject. You can find that here.)

Once the ribbon was in place, I added solid glass ball ornaments. The large gold and silver balls are from the Balsam Hill Essential Metallics collection. They are stunning and such a great size.

I also decided to bring in a pop of color: turquoise! This was inspired by the shades of green and turquoise in the pheasant ornaments. The color works so well on this tree and looks lovely with my navy walls.

Since this is a woodland-themed tree, I needed a few other animals to join the party. Have you spotted them all?

There are whitetail deer (bucks and fawns), owls, and squirrels.

While I adore all the ornaments, I can’t get over the squirrels. They are just the cutest things, I found them at HomeGoods.

From there, I filled in with a couple of other ornament sets from Balsam Hill. This Silver and Gold Ornament Set added the perfect amount of bling. This is Woodland GLAM after-all.

Icicle ornaments were a must as well. I think of icicles as Mother Nature’s wintertime jewelry. This set, also from Balsam Hill, was a fabulous addition.

Near the top center of the tree is an extra special and unusual ornament – a cuckoo clock! When I spotted it on one of my local shopping adventures, I knew I had to have it. It is large and was rather pricey, so I only bought one. However, I think its uniqueness adds to its appeal.

My final additions were a bunch of glass pinecone ornaments I found at Walmart. I had been hunting for weeks and weeks and couldn’t’ find them anywhere. Then, lo and behold, on a random trip to Walmart, I spotted them. Serendipity!

For the tree topper, I used this beautiful antique snowflake I got two years ago form Balsam Hill. While I think it works perfectly, and I love the twinkle from the jewels, I had had my heart set on this Starry Crown from Terrain. However, It’s been on backorder and is expected to be in stock again by 12/9. I’m still on the fence about whether to order it.

I tucked a cable-knit tree skirt around the base and filled in with presents. I also displayed this little Glowing Winter Village for even more interest and sparkle.

I don’t believe I showed you the vintage wood bench I found for my entryway. While I eventually plan to build in a closet and bench in the entryway, I wanted some sort of seating in the meantime, and this bench fits wonderfully. A throw and extra presents make it feel festive.

I also put garland and a few other festive touches on the banister. I’ll share those in my full Christmas Home Tour which I’m hoping to get live late next week.

And there you have it: my Woodland Glam Christmas Tree! Isn’t she a beauty?

This year I have three Christmas trees. I posted about my Cozy Lodge Christmas Tree a couple of weeks ago. (You can find that here if you missed it.) I’ll be showing you my third tree sometime next week. Stay tuned for that!

Thank YOU for joining me on the blog today for a look at my Woodland Glam Christmas Tree. If you’re wanting more Christmas tree decorating ideas, check out this post here. It features most of my Christmas trees. There’s a lot of inspiration to be had.

Happy decorating, friends!

Woodland Glam Christmas Tree Sources:

Christmas Tree: 6.5ft Nantucket Blue Narrow Tree with Micro LED Lights
Christmas Ornaments:

Tree Topper: Antique Snowflake
Metallic Houses: Glowing Winter Village
Tree Skirt: HomeGoods
Bench: Antique
Throw: Thrifted
Paint Colors: Details HERE

*Balsam Hill was kind enough to offer IBC readers a coupon code. Enter code: IBC10OFF at checkout. This will save you 10% off your order of any amount. This can be used on sale items and regular-priced items on the site. It’s a great deal. The coupon is valid now through December 15, 2019.

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Linzer Cookies

Recipes

Tuesday
Dec / 3 / 2019
Comments 10

Delicious Recipe for Christmas Linzer Cookies #linzer #cookies #raspberry #recipe #christmas #holiday #cookie #holidaybaking

Grab your baking supplies, because today we are making Linzer Cookies. Filled with raspberry jam, these classic butter cookies make a beautiful and delicious holiday treat.

How to Make Linzer Cookies:

I think it’s safe to say we have officially entered the Christmas season. Thanksgiving has passed, trees are being decorated, and now we’re baking cookies. Today I’m excited to add this recipe for Linzer Cookies to my Christmas Cookie Collection.

I’m also tickled because I’ve once again teamed up with my Tastes of the Seasons 24+ blogger friends. Each blogger is sharing a delightful holiday cookie recipe. If you’re looking to add new cookies to your holiday baking repertoire, this is the post for you. All the cookie recipes will be linked at the end of this post. We’d also love to have you join in on the fun. Share a picture of your favorite Christmas Cookie on Instagram. Tag me @inspiredbycharm and use the hashtag #BestChristmasCookieRecipes. I can’t wait to discover YOUR favorite!

Before we get to that, let’s talk about these Linzer Cookies.

How to Make Linzer Cookies:

You may have never heard of them, but for many folks, Linzer Cookies are a holiday classic. Linzer Cookies are crispy, but flakey, buttery sandwich cookies with a jam filling. Raspberry jam is typical, but you could use whatever flavor you like best.

What makes these cookies special is that the top cookie in the cookie sandwich has the center cut out to reveal the delicious jam inside.

You can get as creative as you want with the cookie cutters you use for this recipe. I selected a round scalloped cutter for the base of the cookie and then used different holiday shapes for the cutouts. Small cookie cutters can be tricky to find, so if you like what I used, I will link to them here. I do not have a source for the round cookie cutter because it is vintage. However, it’s pretty standard, so finding it shouldn’t be difficult.

With your cookie cutters chosen, you’ll whip up a batch of dough in your stand mixer. The dough is quick and easy to make. Just in case you have trouble with the dough holding together, a little milk (or even water) will help the process along.

The dough needs to be chilled before it is rolled out, so be sure to plan your cookie-making schedule accordingly or make the dough a day ahead.

Roll out your dough on a floured surface and cut out your cookies. Remember, you’ll need one cookie for the bottom without the center cut out, and one cookie for the top that has the center cut out.

The cookies get baked on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Remove them from the oven before they start to brown. This will result in a pale and pretty cookie.

While your cookies are still a bit warm, spoon a bit of jam on the bottom cookie. Like I said above, I prefer raspberry. (Bonne Maman is my personal favorite, but homemade would be extra delicious!) Then, put on the cookie top. (The top has the cutout.) Lightly press the top and bottom together to seal the deal.

Once the cookies have cooled, sprinkle them with confectioners’ sugar for the perfect finishing touch.

As you can see, the result is a beautiful cookie that’s ready to be served to your holiday guests.

You’ll notice that I also baked the little cut-out shapes from the tops. I thought the tiny cookies were a fun and cute addition to my cookie plate.

I also brought out my adorable DIY Christmas Cookie Bags. Aren’t they sweet? I made them last year and even shared the free printable with all of you! Click here for the printable and tutorial.

I may be partial to the “Elf” version, but both are so cute. They’d also make lovely bags for gift cards too!

Want more Christmas Cookie Recipes? You’ll love these:

All-in-all, I’d say these Linzer Cookies are a lovely and sweet cookie I’m proud to add to my cookie tray.

Below the printable Linzer Cookie recipe, you’ll find links to all my blogger friends’ cookie creations. They’ve made delicious holiday cookie recipes I know you’re going to love. We’d also love to have you join in on the fun. Share your favorite Christmas Cookie on Instagram. Tag me @inspiredbycharm and use the hashtag #BestChristmasCookieRecipes. I can’t wait to discover YOUR favorite!

Happy baking!

Linzer Cookie Recipe:

Linzer Cookies

Servings: 40 cookies | Prep Time: 1 hr | Cook Time: 12 mins | Cooling Time: 1 hr

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!

5 from 3 votes

Grab your baking supplies, because today we are making Linzer Cookies. Filled with raspberry jam, these classic butter cookies make a beautiful and delicious holiday treat.

Ingredients

5 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups cold unsalted butter cubed
1 large egg
1-2 tablespoons cold milk if needed
1 jar (13 ounce) raspberry jam
Confectioners' sugar for garnish

Instructions

Add the flour, sugar, and salt to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on low for 10-15 seconds to combine.
Next, add the cold butter and beat until crumbly. Add the egg and then beat at medium speed until the dough starts to form. If the mixture is not coming together well, add 1-2 tablespoons of cold milk until the dough begins to form.
Turn out the dough on a floured surface and knead by hand to form a smooth dough. Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate about 1 hour until firm.
Once the dough has chilled, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a couple of cookie sheets with parchment paper (or silicone mats). Set aside.
On a floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Use a round cutter to cut out the cookie; then use a smaller shaped cutter to cut out the center of half the cookies. (Remember, you'll need one cookie for the bottom without the center cut out, and one cookie for the top with the center cut out.)
Transfer the cut-out cookies to your prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes. The cookies should be baked, but not browned.
(Repeat this process with the remaining dough.)
Remove the cookies from the pans and let the cookies cool on a wire rack. Before they are completely cooled, add about 1 teaspoon of raspberry jam onto the bottom side of the cookies without the cutout. Then, place the cookies with the cutout on each jam-topped cookie. Gently press the two cookies together. Allow the sandwich cookies to cool completely; then dust with confectioners' sugar.
The cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Tastes of the Season Christmas Cookie Recipes:

Double Chocolate Junior Mint Cookies by Ella Claire & Co. | Snowball Cookies with Pecans by Live Laugh Rowe | Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies by Boxwood Avenue | Chocolate Covered Peppermint Cookies by Rooms for Rent.

Pie Cookies by Handmade Farmhouse | Linzer Cookies by Inspired by Charm | Pistachio Cardamom Butter Cookies by The Chronicles of Home | Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies by Anderson + Grant

Chocolate Peppermint Sandwich Cookies by Jenna Kate at Home | Iced Peanut Butter Cookies by Maison de Pax | Caramel Thumbprint Snickerdoodles by Summer Adams | Peanut Butter Cookie Cups by Town and Country Living

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies by French Country Cottage | Reindeer Cookies by Shabbyfufu | Chocolate Chip Cookies by Happy Happy Nester | Gluten/Dairy Free Spritz Christmas Cookies by Zevy Joy

Pecan Tassies by On Sutton Place | Snowball Cookies by Julie Blanner | Braided Sugar Cookie Stick by Tidbits | Sugar Cookie Trees by My 100 Year Old Home

Gooey Butter Christmas Cookies by Tidy Mom | Toasted Coconut Einkron Cookies by Farmhouse on Boone | Christmas Candy (M&M) Cookies by Nina Hendrick | White Chocolate Peppermint Oreos by My Sweet Savannah

Praline Snickerdoodles by So Much Better with Age erdoodles/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>Praline Snickerdoodles by So Much Better with Age

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Bloody Mary Bar

Entertaining

Monday
Dec / 2 / 2019
Comments 3

I love having a well-stocked bar cart and changing it to fit the current season or an event I’m hosting. In this post, I want to share the Bloody Mary Bar I created. With its red, green, and gold colors, it would be perfect for the holidays.

Bloody Mary Bar:

Bar carts have been popular in recent years and continue to be common home accessories. These beverage carts are especially useful when entertaining. Since many are on wheels, you can roll them where ever your guests are. Plus, you can outfit the cart with supplies and accessories that fit the theme of your celebration.

I always enjoy styling a bar cart. In case you haven’t seen it, I have a post on IBC in which I share creative holiday bar cart ideas. You can find that here.

How to Style a Bloody Mary Bar:

On my Bloody Mary Bar, I started with the basics – ice, hot sauce, spices, Bloody Mary mix, and vodka. Use your favorite brands. You can also create your own homemade Bloody Mary mix if you’d like. I have yet to perfect my recipe, but once I do, I’ll be sure to share!

Alos, if you’re interested this this particular bar cart, you can find it here.

Although I didn’t have any on hand, I think it would be nice to also include black pepper vodka or jalapeño vodka for people who like things extra spicy.

Next came the garnishes – olives, pickles, celery, peppers, lemon wedges, and asparagus, I could have included lots more – everything from cooked bacon to shrimp to fried mozzarella sticks. (Yes, I’ve seen each of those served in a Bloody Mary.) However, I decided to keep things simple on my cart.

On one of my shopping trips, I purchased modern highball glasses for serving the Bloody Marys. And I found a beautiful gold cocktail shaker set and brass cocktail picks. All of these items perfectly suited my setup!

To finish things off, I set out small bowls of a few favorite nibbles – pistachios, peanuts, and wasabi peas. My goal was to offer a variety of savory snacks that complement a Bloody Mary. I also made sure they were things my family members and friends like.

Finally, I styled everything on my small gold bar cart and placed plates, napkins, and seasonal décor along with a few extra glasses and supplies on the second shelf.

As you can see, the Bloody Mary add-ins (olives, pickles, peppers) are in white serving dishes that set off their colors. I love having simple pieces like these because they always come in handy for entertaining.

And with that, my Bloody Mary Bar was complete and ready for enjoying with my guests!

You can certainly set up a Bloody Mary Bar any way you want. If you don’t have a bar cart, use a cabinet or counter. I hope seeing what I did inspires you to have fun with your own choices and styling.

Cheers, my friends!

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DIY Vintage Ornament Wall Decor Tree

DIY

Friday
Nov / 29 / 2019
Comments 17

Learn how to make this DIY Vintage Ornament Wall Decor Tree #christmas #holiday #vintage #ornament #tree #walldecor #decorating

Want to add color and vintage style to your home this Christmas? Today I’m showing you how to make this fun and festive DIY Vintage Ornament Wall Decor Tree.

If you’ve been a follower of IBC for some time, you know I can’t get enough of vintage Christmas decor. Inspired by my stash of vintage ornaments, I made this DIY Vintage Ornament Wall Tree. Check it out!

How to Make a DIY Vintage Ornament Wall Decor Tree:

I wish I could take credit for this genius idea, but I can’t. It’s my understanding that the concept originated when someone hung ornaments on a screen. If you’ve seen trees like this, you’re probably familiar with that method. You just hook the ornaments on an old wood window screen in the shape of a tree or any design you prefer. Simple!

I love that look, and it was my first thought when I decided to make one for my home. However, since I’d be hanging the ornament tree in my dining room, I realized I needed something a little more refined. I continued searching online and saw that folks had made similar versions on bulletin boards using straight pins. I loved that idea and thought it would be perfect in my space. (If you’d like you can get a full look at my Christmas dining room here.)

I searched a few stores for just-the-right bulletin board and found a winner at HomeGoods. I had a feeling HomeGoods wouldn’t let me down. It took me a couple of weeks of hunting and going to a few different stores, but I finally found THE board for my project.

While I did pick up a few new ornaments to make this wall tree, I had a pretty good collection to start. I used about 65 small- and medium-size ornaments for this project. I also ordered a set of these 1 1/4-inch pearl top straight pins. They turned out to be the ideal length.

With all my supplies on hand, I got started on my project!

If you like DIY and vintage ornaments, you will also want to check out the DIY Vintage Christmas Ornament Wreath that I made last year. It’s one of my favorite holiday creations! You can find it here.

How to Make a DIY Vintage Ornament Wall Decor Tree:

You will need:
-bulletin board (Mine is 18×30-inches.)
-ornaments (I used about 65 small- and medium-size ornaments.)
–pearl top straight pins

Begin by hanging your bulletin board on the wall.

Next, start at the bottom of your tree shape. (Don’t forget to leave room for a “trunk”.) Add an ornament and secure it in place with a pin. Continue across the bottom row, adding ornaments to fill the entire row.

Move up to the next row and continue adding ornaments to fit. Continue this method, going up the bulletin board. As you move up, your rows should get shorter and shorter to form a tree shape. (You can make this a more permanent decor project by hot gluing the ornaments to the bulletin board.)

If you’re using a variety of sizes and shapes of ornaments, it may take a bit of trial and error to figure out which ornaments fit best where.

Finish off the top of the tree with a star ornament and use one or more uniquely shaped ornaments for the trunk.

And with that, your DIY Vintage Ornament Wall Tree is complete!

Other than the time it took to go through my ornament collection and hunt down some additional ornaments at a local antique store, this project came together quickly!

I did end up using a few new ornaments, but I think they fit in with the look. I also stuck with all glass ornaments for a more cohesive look.

Like this project? See more of my holiday DIYs here:

Isn’t this a great piece for this space? I love that it adds a little sparkle and a bold pop of color. Plus, since it’s mostly comprised of vintage ornaments, there’s a touch of nostalgia.

I hope you enjoyed this easy DIY Vintage Ornament Wall Tree. With a few simple modifications, this would even be a fun craft activity for a holiday get-together with friends.

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Vintage Christmas Cupboard

Holidays

Tuesday
Nov / 26 / 2019
Comments 17

Vintage Christmas Cabinet Decorating Ideas #christmas #vintage #putz #holiday #decor #ideas

Inspired by the vintage cardboard Christmas houses I found, I put together this little Vintage Christmas Cupboard in my dining room. I’m excited to show you how it came together.

Can you believe it’s already the week of Thanksgiving? This year has flown by, but it seems that November has gone even faster. I had a long list of ideas for the blog, and even though I worked constantly, I was hoping to get more done. Many of you have told me how much you enjoy the holiday content here on IBC, so I’m doing my best to give you all I can.

Having said that, I must confess that my creativity and mental fuel tank are just about tapped out. Although I had intended to fill your feeds with a new post every day this week, I’ve decided to take the rest of the week off and return to blogging on Monday. I’m heading home for a few days to celebrate Thanksgiving, and then it’s back to work on Sunday. It’s not a long break, but I’m hoping a couple of days in the bosom of my family will give me the recharge I need. I hope you also get a little break this week to reenergize and fortify yourself for the month ahead.

Now that I’ve shared my plans, let me show you my vintage Christmas cupboard.

Vintage Christmas Cupboard:

I debated whether to post this. I think it’s super cute, but it has issues, and in some ways, doesn’t feel “good enough” for the blog. Still, I think there’s beauty in the imperfect, so I’m sharing it and hoping you enjoy it.

I picked up this cabinet this past summer. I found it thanks to my blogger friend Bre of brepurposed. She lives in Ohio and spotted it at an antique shop that happens to be only an hour or so from me. Bre wasn’t planning to purchase the cabinet, so I decided to go check it out. As you can see, it came home with me. It’s just the right size for this corner of my dining room.

If you’re interested, you can see more of my dining room Christmas decor here.

The cupboard’s been collecting junk for the past few months so I decided to give it a mini-makeover. The interior was previously painted brown to match the wood, so I painted over the brown with a brighter paint color. I also replaced the shelves since the old ones were falling apart. As you can see, I did a terrible job matching the stain color of the new shelves to the color of the cabinet. In my defense, the stain color on the can looked like the perfect match. I will likely end up staining some new shelves, but this works well enough for now. Perfectly imperfect!

A couple of weekends ago I spotted these little Putz paper Christmas houses on sale at a local antique store. I thought that when paired with some of my white serving pieces, this little village would make the cutest vintage-inspired Christmas cupboard.

So I filled and styled the shelves, and the cupboard was complete.

I’ve been wanting a collection of little paper houses like this for years, so I’m thrilled to finally have them. I did mix in a couple of new houses that are meant to look like the old ones. It doesn’t bother me to combine new with old as long as the items look good together.

I also added a few other antique finds, including a bowl of vintage cookie cutters. I’ve been collecting cutters with red or green handles as well as pine tree-shaped ones. Why? I’m not sure. I suppose I get overwhelmed looking through piles of cookies cutters. Having a few favorites in mind helps to narrow my focus when I’m out antiquing.

I also found wood-handled kitchen tools on my antique adventures, so I tucked those in, too. They are nestled in my favorite baking pans from Staub. I often get questions about these pans when I share my recipes. I have them linked on my shop page if you’re interested.

And that’s it. My little cupboard is dressed for Christmas. As I said, it’s not perfect. But sometimes good enough is good enough. Right?

I hope you enjoyed this look at more of my Christmas decor. I’ll meet you back here next week with more recipes, peeks into my home, and Christmas decoration ideas!

Have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving. May you be filled with love, gratitude, and turkey!

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