Friday Finds

Social media can be such a time suck. I won’t say how many times I found myself staring pointlessly at a computer screen while my daughter’s napping – ignoring all the other productive things I could be doing – and that’s mostly because there are too many to count. On the more positive side, social media and networking can also open up a whole new world to you, filled with people, things and food that you were unaware that even existed. As a stay-at-home mom, I don’t get to venture out to find new things like I used to, and I rely primarily on my social feeds to deliver them right to me via my phone or computer.

Such is the case with all the finds I have for this week:

Image from Sacramento Flea Market

Sacramento is getting a Flea Market! Opening in January 2015, there is over 16,000 square feet of indoor and over 20,000 square feet of outside vending. There will be new and used stuff, produce, food and drinks and even live music on the weekends! Triple score! Oh, and the entrance, parking and even the concerts are all free. Yes. I’m so excited to see how this progresses and I’ve already got my list ready.

Image from Hops and Dots

I am really digging how the craft beer scene in Sacramento is expanding, and this also includes craft beer bloggers. Hops and Dots is a beer blog run by Nat, who covers breweries in Sacramento and beyond. I was introduced to her blog by Beers in Sac by way of Facebook, and I’m so happy that I found it.

Image from NellieBellie

I spent a good while looking up sugar free cakes on Pinterest yesterday. Not because I’m on a sugar-free kick – that would mean I would have to give up the pints of ice cream and cookies I’ve been devouring lately – but because my brother can’t have sugar. And it happens to be his birthday next weekend, so I’ve decided to make him a cake. This might be the first nice thing I’ve done for him. I love this recipe from NellieBellie because I can use pumpkin (it calls for butternut squash or pumpkin – and pumpkin wins all, for me) and it’s all real ingredients – no fake sugar stuff over here! It looks super delicious.

What are your favorite finds of the week? Share them in the comments and connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google + and Pinterest!

Friday Finds

I love finding new things almost as much as I love making them. At this point, probably equally as much I as love making them. And as I’ve said before, I’m lucky that I don’t have to go much further than my Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest feed to find something that excites and inspires me.

So, today I’m going to try something a little different and share a new DIY, handmade/small business and food find. Be it a new DIY project or blog; a new handmade item/shop or small business;  recipe or a new spot to check out – I want to share it with you. It might not be new, or new to you even, but it’s new to me, so it must be new to someone else too, right?

DIY Find:

Image from Delightfully Tacky

DIY Hand Painted Travel Mug from Delightfully Tacky – Around Christmas time last year, we had just thrown a huge extravaganza for our daughter’s first birthday (because, you know, she’ll totally remember it) and didn’t have a major budget for gifts. I made a few personalized coffee mugs with Sharpies, and while they are permanent on just about everything, coffee mugs are an exclusion. She used a thrifted coffee mug and Pebeo Porcelaine paint markers, which I’m sure work better for this project than Sharpie. I’m excited to try this out again, and if it works…it looks like I’ll be making some more mugs this year!

If you enjoy DIY as much as I do, you can also check out Design*Sponge’s 10 DIY Instagram Accounts to Follow

Handmade/Small Business Find:

Image from Nell and Mary

I have been following the Renegade Craft Fair on Instagram for some time now, just in case I actually get a chance to attend one. I love when they have makers take over their Instagram account for a day to give people an inside look at how they run their business. Yesterday was Nell and Mary‘s turn and I loved all of their photos. They are a design studio in Portland that makes totes, pouches, tea towels, napkins, aprons and pillows. They also have a clothing line called Make it Good that is equally lovely. Another stop to put on my Portland Bucket List.

Food Find:

If there is one thing I can say about Sacramento, there is never a shortage of places to eat. And it feels like new restaurants are popping up every time I turn around. I visit Midtown at least once I week and I swear every time I do, there’s a new spot. That could be a slight exaggeration.

Photo from Sactown Magazine

I’m not a huge seafood fan, aside from sushi. And even then, I like it either tempura-fried or filled with cream cheese. My boyfriend, however, loves seafood and is constantly on the hunt for some good fish tacos. So when I saw someone post about Wahoo’s, I needed to find out more. According to the article in Sactown Magazine, its 18th and L location is the first in the Sacramento area. Wahoo’s features an eclectic menu with influences from Mexico, Brazil and Asia, and has plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. I’m in!

Image from The Parlor Ice Cream Puffs

And because my sweet tooth just cannot be tamed, there is The Parlor Ice Cream Puffs. Yes, you read that right – they put ice cream in the middle of puff pastries. The one in the photo is an apple fritter ice cream puff with Midnight in Paris ice cream (coffee and nutella). My mom and I already have plans to visit this weekend.

Have something you want to share? Post in the comments and connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google + and Pinterest!

Recipe finds

I made a goal this week to make at least one thing completely from scratch. Then, I saw Greatist‘s Monday prompt to make a recipe I’ve never done before, or to try a new ingredient. So, I set out to find a recipe that would fit both challenges. Where else would I go but Pinterest?

Recipe I tried:

I found this recipe all over when I searched for “healthy cookies,” but it’s super mysterious and elusive so I couldn’t figure out who originally wrote it. So if anyone knows, please pass it on to me! I used this photo from the batch I made today and then I added the recipe. I was a little worried to try them out but they ended up surprisingly good! I suppose I fibbed a little on my goal since I didn’t make my own almond milk or apple sauce, but they are as close as I’m going to get for now.

Recipe I want to try:

Photo from MJ and the Hungryman

Now, this is something I am pretty excited about! This sweet potato lasagna from MJ and the Hungryman looks absolutely delicious, and not too bad for you, either. All real, whole ingredients and I love anything that has the word lasagna in it. If I can get this past my family, I can do anything!

Are there any recipes you look forward to experimenting with? I dare you to find a new recipe online from a site you haven’t used before and see what you get out of it. Share your experience and the link in the comments and on social media with the hashtag #makestuff.