Easter Monograms

Easter will be here before we know it.  All of our Easter monograms are available on t-shirts, buckets and cups.  As mentioned in a previous post, all Easter buckets are available with any of our traditional monogram options, which also makes them great for year round use.  However, if you would like an Easter specific design, we have great options for boys and girls!

All buckets are available in white, pink and light blue like last year and this year we are adding red and navy.  Here are some samples on t-shirts:

And here are some bucket designs:

Also, here are previous buckets using simple monograms, which also make a great gift all year!

FLASH SALE!!

All Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day t-shirts are 15% off!  This includes women's and children's sizes.  Comment here or email creationsforeleanor@gmail.com with the following information:  PayPal address, shirt size, monogram style and monogram letters in order first LAST middle.  Feel free to message any questions!  All invoices must be paid today, January 25th, by midnight when the sale ends!

Healthier Desserts

One of my biggest downfalls in eating healthy is dessert.  I love dessert, love anything sweet (I am eating a fabulous ice cream sandwich while writing this - fortunately it is a Skinny Cow).  I am always on the hunt for healthier desserts.  Here are some of my favorites (again, pictures are from the linked site - my food pictures are awful)

Skinnytaste Peanut Butter Pie

Black and White Chocolate Chip Clouds

Grasshopper Ice Cream Pie

Pink Lemonade Ice Cream Pie

I cheat on this recipe, instead of making the crust and using the springform pan, I buy a graham cracker crust and just mix the filling and pour in there.  It is just as good and in my opinion so much easier.  Obviously it is not as pretty as the one pictured and if I am ever out to impress, then I will make the crust:)

Glorious Treats Cherry on a Cloud

If you have never visited the Glorious Treats site you are missing out.  If you need a dessert recipe, she has it.  Her cupcakes and icing recipes are phenomenal and so easy to execute.  You cannot go wrong with her recipes.  For this recipe, I used 1/3 less fat cream cheese and the fat free cool whip.  It is such an easy dessert to prep in advance and you can do it at any time with any fruit.  

I mess with dessert recipes all the time to make them healthier.  I am not kidding myself to think they are healthy - but I am usually able to make them a bit better.  The one tip I have is don't ever use fat free cream cheese in lieu of full fat.  I have better luck switching to 1/3 less fat cream cheese.  That may not be the case for all, but it is for me.  

Monogram Placement

One of the most common questions I get is regarding monogram styles.  The old rule of first LAST middle still stands.  For example, my last name is Smith.  So, for the correct placement of a monogram for me is cSm such as here:

Times have changed however.  Not all names follow the basic guidelines.  What if you, or the recipient, have a double name such as Mary Grace or a hyphenated last name.  This is where so many questions come from.  The "rules" for this can be debated, however here are some examples of what can be done.  The only sticking point with these examples, is that not all fonts can be used - however there are numerous options available so that won't be an issue.

Remember though, any monogrammed item you buy is custom - it can be done how YOU want it.  If the item is a gift, and you just aren't sure what the middle initial is then use the first initial.  A single initial monogram can be very creative. 

Healthy Crock Pot Dinners

Like so many people, I am obsessed with using my crockpots year round.  There are so many things I love about them but the two most important things are 1.  I can put frozen chicken in and 2.  I can know it will be ready at a specific time.  Unfortunately, many crockpot recipes I have found are not healthy.  Here is a list of my 5 favorite crock pot meals.  You will see many are from SkinnyTaste - her site is my go to for great meals (the pictures aren't mine, I cannot take good pictures of food).

Crock Pot Turkey Meatballs

Crock Pot Minestrone Soup 

Crock Pot Turkey White Bean Chili

fabulous with shredded monterey jack

Crock Pot Baked Potatoes

maybe I was the last person that ever thought of this

Crock Pot Balsamic Pork Roast

These recipes are my favorites for the slow cooker.  The minestrone makes a ton so I can have it for lunch for a few days after - perfect on a cold day.  

Easter Buckets

I cannot believe it is time again to talk about Easter buckets.  These 5 quart metal buckets have a powder coating and are a nice heavy bucket.  In addition to the colors shown, we are adding red and navy this year.  They are all available in the shop here 

Here are some samples 

In addition to the samples above, we are adding a few more options this year

And last, if you would like an Easter specific design we have these options.

All these options, along with color selections, are listed in the shop

Styling Boots

Winter brings with it many delightful things such as snow, flannel PJs, cozy sweaters and one of my favorites...BOOTS!  When I was in junior high and high school, my favorites were the classic LL Bean Boots.

They remain popular today...so popular in fact that when I ordered a new pair in December I found out they will arrive in April - worth the wait!  One of my favorite sites, Glitter Guide,  recently had a great article How To Style Duck Boots.  The third picture is my favorite, and one of these years I will get the Sorel boots I want before they sell out.  Here are some of my favorite boots

LL Bean Carrabassett Boot 

warm and comfortable, great in the snow

UGG Classic Short Boots

still my favorites, so warm and comfy

Just Fab is another site that is a favorite of mine.  I love that I can get boots for $39.99 and I am on my second season for all of mine and they are holding up great.   And of course Zappos although the downfall there, is I get on for 1 pair of shoes and suddenly I have 5 pairs in my cart for my daughter and 5 pairs for me.  Zappos is like the online version of a quick trip to Target for me!

Jackets for Now, Jackets for Later

It seems like most of the country is engulfed in frigid cold temperatures, and will be for quite some time.  As I have been working on new items for the spring and summer, I have decided to update some of our outerwear also.  Over the next week or so, I will be showcasing some great new items that will be listed in the shop.

One of my favorites, this lightweight puffer jacket.  

Fleece lined raincoats, perfect for cold, rainy days.  

Ladies Raincoat

Children's Windbreaker

Girls Monogrammed Softshell Jacket

Ladies Softshell Vest