My motivation is my son. I have to keep up with him as he is a super active toddler and I want to be able to share that fun energy with him! I also want to model healthy eating/exercise habits for him to grow into a healthy young man.

I love long gloves!

Sorry, danelle, but it's a trade secret since I sell them in my Etsy Shop:(

I need yoda ears for my little man:)

I'd love to make and play with a pinhole camera, must get on that!

Corners of the tables/chairs in my little guy's playroom!

What cheese should you use to hide a horse? Mascarpone.

Tie dying tees outside is fun in the heat!

I make a stew with cranberry beans and kale that is awesome!

I'm a cupcake junkie! I just made chocolate gingerbread cupcakes with toasted marshmallow frosting:)

Bree, you add the water, vanilla, and vinegar mix to the dry ingredients that you sifted together in step 3. Enjoy!

Leigh A.- Please post yours; I'd love to see it!

Becsta, once the bread stick was cool, I just attached a small bunch of fennel fronds with a slice of onion skin. Wet the onion skin slightly to help it stick. It is really just for the photo, as it won't hold together if you move it around. I'm sure a bit of trial and error would help you come up with another idea if you want it to be sturdy!

For anyone interested, I just posted a new recipe for grilling artichokes on my blog! http://jojobean26.blogspot.com/2010/05/vampires-beware.html

I like adding glitz and glam into my personal style in subtle ways, like nail polish or hair accessories, but with crafting it's no holds barred! My craft studio generally looks like a fairy exploded in it.

The butter is in the frosting. That's your last step of this recipe!

To answer some of your queestions (sorry, it took me ages to see some of the comments!):
1. You can find little jars anywhere: thrift shops, gift shops, etc. I got these at my grocery store

2. Most oils will not effect the scent as they are pretty neutral. Almond oil has a light fragrance which works well with many essential oils like lavender or anything floral or sweet. You can always use a really neutral oil like veggie oil if you are worried about the smell conflicting with your essential oils.

3. You can keep these practically forever. I've had some for over a year before.

And yeah, they make an awesome and inexpensive gift!

Mi.ezekatze: Cooking spray (like the name brand Pam) is commonly found in grocery stores in the US. It prevents baked goods from sticking to pans. If you don't want to use anything with chemicals, there are several commercials brands that are all natural. You can also just butter and flour a pan instead, or use parchment paper.

You may also use any traditional "from scratch" brownie recipe to make these if you prefer not to use a boxed mix. I also prefer baking from scratch, but not everyone always has the time or the means to do so. I appreciate your "no offense" statement, but it is so obviously negated by the harsh remarks that follow that you needn't have bothered.

Thanks to everyone else for your comments and I hope you try the recipe!

I'm glad you liked the recipe! Using the Cookies and Cream bars was a great idea!

My bag always holds:
Wallet
Cell Phone
Keys
An Old School Organizer with note paper, calendar and address book
A paperback book
Pens
A small zippered pouch that holds:
Lipgloss
A little Mirror
Nail File
Blotting Sheets
Tampons/pads
Hand sanitizer
Ibuprofen
Dental Floss
Band aid
Gum

Today it also has my sunglasses, several old store receipts, two pieces of mail, a granola bar wrapper, my resume and references, 2 clothes hangers, a tank top and shorts, a camera, a yoyo and nail polish. Geez.

Looks great! I like the little corked bottle you used!

I just got that book, too! I can't wait to try some of the ideas! Your version is very cute and colorful.

Ooh, I just got the Hello, Cupcake cookbook (http://www.hellocupcakebook.com/) and this cake is in it. It is the best cupcake book, full of so many cute ideas! Have you tried any of the other designs?

Andy - to substitute for 3/4 cup brown sugar, replace it with 3/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 Tbls. of molasses. No molasses on hand? Try maple syrup or honey. The cookies won't be exactly the same, but it is worth trying!

Freshman year of college a friend and I interviewed Lisa Loeb before a gig for the school paper. She was honestly a bit of a tool. Walking out from backstage afterward, a big black lab bounded down the hallway and jumped at us to play. His owner, a sweaty Sarah Mclachlan in a tee and sneaks, had been out running with him, and she had to drag him off. She was so sweet and apologetic, and made up for the lame interview in leaps and bounds.

I also got a set of handmade eye patches from Todd Oldham when I was sick with an eye injury a few years ago. That was from a friend with connections though, and I never got to meet him in person. Sadly our correspondence was only in writing, sigh...

Patsy B: Table salt is far too fine, and it will just turn to mush when you blend it with oil. It also lacks the real exfoliating quality that the bigger grains of kosher or epsom salts have.

camilaustral - Just a little FYI, boiling veggies can actually leech many of their vitamins and minerals, which go straight down the drain with the water. Steaming makes sure all of the good-for-you bits stay inside. It retains flavor, too! Just another one of my motherly tips :)

mamachka - I used pink embroidery floss for the blanket stitch, which I will now add to the list of needed items. Thanks for all of the compliments!

This is genius. You did such a great job!

I'm so glad you liked it!

What a great idea for an addition!

Hi Munster! I live in Michigan, but I'm a Rhode Islander originally.

Thanks for the add!

Thanks for the add!

Just because the paper I had is only 12 by 12 inches square, and the canvas is 12 by 16 inches square. One sheet wouldn't cover it, so I had to trim a small piece of a second sheet of paper.

Thanks for choosing my cupcakes as one of the Sex and the City Contest winners! I'm so excited!

Vicky Ninja, the trick is definitely in the kneading. My first batch was disastrous as well, so don't fret! What I do is flour my counter space really well and then dump the crumbly dough onto it. I knead it like mad until it is a really smooth ball that holds together well.

Keep in mind that shortbreads are crumbly by definition, so a little of that is a good thing! You can even try freezing them once they've cooled. They'll keep for up to two months frozen, and I think they actually taste better that way! We pop ours in the microwave and eat them warm...

Thanks for making these cookies today's featured project! I hope some of you bake them and let me know how you like the recipe!

These are adorable! And don't fret, I have those same hands!

I'm glad you tried these! If you aren't a fan of cream cheese frosting, you could try buttercream instead!

1 lb. confectioners' sugar
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 tbsp. milk
Food coloring (optional)

In large bowl, beat together sugar, butter, vanilla and milk until smooth. If necessary add more milk until frosting is spreading consistency. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring. Mix everything well.

Thank you for the compliments!