juliavalley

The Best of Bunny Baubles August 2017

Published on September 7, 2017September 6, 2017 by juliavalley1 Comment

Where do you begin with a month like this one? From the exciting moments that I anticipated, to the disasters that no one could have foreseen, I’m coming out of the month just simply exhausted.

This August, Houston saw the worst flooding, and possibly the worst hurricane it has ever endured. Though there wasn’t a lot of wind, we saw over 50″ of rain that caused devastating flooding throughout the city. Though I was blessed enough to have no loss, it was one of the most emotional times I’ve had in a long while. It was almost unbearable to watch the news seeing people lose everything, or even hold back tears seeing people coming out to save their neighbors. There was a lot of pain, but also a lot of love. At a time where this country is being threatened all around, as well as within, it was a light to see people being so kind. It was inspiring and overwhelming. If you’re looking for ways to help, I wrote about it here.

Before things went awry, I really did have a wonderful start to the month. I went on an amazing trip with my girlfriends to Austin where we laughed, relaxed, and had an honestly stress free and wonderful time. We stayed in this stunning AirBnB… someone buy it for me, please?

I also moved! I’m feeling totally settled into my little one bedroom, and I truly love it. Once I moved in, everything I owned felt like new again, so I didn’t end up buying as much new decor as I had planned, but I feel some home decor projects coming – don’t you worry! I promise I will be sharing it in it’s entirety this month. I had planned to show you some photos, but I felt that it might be insensitive to do so in the wake of such a disaster where many people’s homes had flooded.

In September I will be celebrating my 27th birthday. EEEK. That seems rather old and terrifying, so I’m sort of avoiding it and will probably celebrate in a less themed way than usual. May let a restaurant do all of the work (I told you I was tired). As I had suggested in my last recap post, I want to focus on getting better at certain skills, so I am going to work on drafting a sloper which can be used to create a fitted bodice for a dress or shirt that is the perfect size for your body. I’ll be sure to share my trials over on Instagram stories!

I don’t have much planned for the month, but I’m planning to share with you my new apartment, some home decor DIY’s (Fall themed!), and at least one sewing project!

Check out the posts below from August, which was your favorite?

Hurricane Harvey Volunteering, Donating, and Updates

Published on August 31, 2017September 1, 2017 by juliavalley3 Comments

Buffalo Bayou, just a few miles from my apartment. PC: Aaron Cohan, https://www.wired.com/2017/08/photos-capture-devastating-flooding-houston/,

Words cannot express what Houston and the Texas surrounding areas have gone through in the past 7 days. Only a week ago I was leaving work to fight the crowds at the grocery store that was already out of most water, bread, and canned food. We all buzzed about where our homes were located, how they might be affected by the storm, and generally complained about how awful it would be to lose power and AC in the Houston summer. Little did we know what the city was in for. Continue reading →

Cream Cheese Stuffed Banana Bread with Crumble Topping

Published on August 27, 2017January 26, 2018 by juliavalley10 Comments

This recipe post is coming to you from a time where comfort food means a lot. We have been huddled inside all weekend as Hurricane Harvey wreaks havoc over all of the Texas coast line. Places like Rockport, Corpus, and Victoria have seen the worst of the wind, while Houston is currently being devastated by floods. So far, most people I know are in the clear and their homes are dry, but many have not been so fortunate. Highways are underwater, cars are trapped in the streets, and no one is going anywhere for a few days. All I can think to do is pray and bake and drink tea and hope for the best.

Continue reading “Cream Cheese Stuffed Banana Bread with Crumble Topping” →

Pom Pom Trimmed Sheer Curtain DIY

Published on August 22, 2017November 21, 2019 by juliavalley7 Comments

I’m finally moved into my new apartment and getting to decorate it DIY style! Well… the style is more of a mid-century meets California meets bachelorette pad, but I love when people can come in, ask where I got something, and I can tell them I made it! Having DIY home decor pieces really makes a home feel unique and give it a personal flair. Most of the time people think of home decor DIY’s as something that looks really homemade and crafty, but these pom pom trimmed sheer curtains are totally chic!

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Chocolate Candy Vanilla Layer Cake for Two

Published on August 17, 2017September 11, 2017 by juliavalley5 Comments

You know when you’re sitting at home on the couch and a craving just comes over you for cake? Like a good piece of layer cake stacked tall with frosting and sprinkles and everything? This happens to me all the time, and since I don’t have an army to feed, I really just need one piece. The solution to this issue is simply to make one piece instead of an entire cake!

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Chocolate Frosting Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies

Published on August 8, 2017January 26, 2018 by juliavalley12 Comments

Sometimes you have a dream that becomes a reality. Sometimes you have a dream that doesn’t. And sometimes you have a dream about a cookie stuffed with frosting that goes into the oven and does not remain stuffed with frosting, but instead becomes the gooiest, most delicious cookie swirled with frosting that you could never have even dreamed up. This is the story about the best cookie I’ve possibly ever made.

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The Best of Bunny Baubles July 2017

Published on August 3, 2017September 6, 2017 by juliavalley2 Comments

Why yes, it is August, isn’t it? July flew by, but was well enjoyed. Having spent the first week on vacation with some of my closest friends, and then the rest celebrating more wedding festivities and friends visiting in town, I feel like I really made the most of it.

If you haven’t noticed, I’ve started posting only once a week sometimes. After being on vacation and spending time away from my phone, I realized how much I was always thinking about Instagram and what I was going to make next that I could post. All that time spent on MY blog meant less time thinking about other people. Not that I don’t consider my readers unimportant – I love you all so much and really appreciate how much time you spend reading along, commenting, and trying out the projects – but I wasn’t giving myself enough time to do things for my close friends. Birthday cards, fixing buttons on shirts, baking cookies for helping me move… all things I used to love doing for my friends but now find myself only doing for blogging purposes.

In order to get back to what I love and honestly give y’all thoughtful recipes that have been tested, posts with better instructions, and true passion in my writing, they may be coming less often. This doesn’t mean there isn’t a ton of exciting stuff coming, though!

In August I am moving (!!!) so you will be seeing some sneak peeks over on Instagram and then a full post once I’m finally all decorated. Might be September by then, we will have to see how dedicated I am! I’m also going on a girl’s weekend to Austin this weekend with four close friends that I can’t wait for! Posting wise, I have:

some adorable curtains that will be making their debut in my new living space
honestly the best cookies I’ve ever made (REALLY)
hopefully some entertaining tips once I get a few friends over to my new space

In July my favorite project that had a lot of love put into it was this chocolate cake with strawberry filling that was for my friend’s rehearsal dinner. I practiced it four times so I could be really confident. That’s how you know it’s really a surefire recipe! I was also so excited that I was able to get the stains out of my favorite blush sandals. What was your favorite post?

What We Wore

A Before and After of How I Removed Dark Stains from My Blush Shoes

What We Ate/Drank

The Best Chocolate Cake with Strawberry Filling

Watermelon Rose Snow Cones

How We Decorated

Inspiration for My New Apartment

Where We Traveled

An Oahu Hawaii Complete Travel Guide

How to Remove Tough Stains from Shoes

Published on July 31, 2017November 21, 2019 by juliavalley9 Comments

As it so happens, tragedy struck on my Hawaiian adventure, and it went a little something like this:

Book a spectacular kayaking adventure.
Be smart and put shoes into a bag so that they don’t get lost if our kayak gets flooded in the ocean.
Remove soaked shoes post kayak adventure to find that a pair of Rainbows* has completely stained my glorious blush slip on’s.

Continue reading “How to Remove Tough Stains from Shoes” →