Everyday Occasions DIY Vanilla Sugar & Syrup

Over at Everyday Occasions Jenny Steffens Hobick which I mentioned in my last blog post- She came up with a simple DIY project on how to make vanilla sugar, and vanilla syrup. Wayne actually made the vanilla sugar on his own a few months back. Ours is of course organic raw sugar, and organic Tahitian vanilla beans. We have yet to make the syrup, but both sound like a great coffee solution. My dilemma with coffee is I found a creamer I like.. It tastes good, only has 4 ingredient (and I can pronounce all of them), But it isn't organic, and it costs anywhere from $2.50-$4.00 a pop! The price isn't bad, but I drink quite a bit of coffee so it does add up quick.

For her vanilla sugar recipe see here, for vanilla syrup see here! I hope you are inspired to make some yourself, and consider ways to save money where ever possible with simple coffee fixes like this one.

Special Moments of 'Thanks'

The idea of giving 'Thanks' when ever possible is something I am completely inspired by. I want to tell all of you thanks for following my blog. I am almost to my one year mark of blogging. I plan to have a little giveaway of some sort as a gesture of thanks. Check back for updates. My one year mark is May 24th!

Now on with some inspirational ways of saying thanks. I found 3 beautiful ways of giving that have beautiful presentation, and scream homemade!

On the left and center are two homemade gifts made by Jenny Steffens Hobick. She runs the blog 'Everyday Occasions'. The name of the blog says it all. I love the idea of making everyday special!

On the left she planted a paper white bulb in an Anthropologie bowl filled it with soil and covered it with moss. She then wrapped it in a cellophane bag and added a tag and natural twine. See that post here! Also how she made the hostess breakfast gift basket in the center here. Last but not least- On the right, Country Living covered how to make your own gift baskets. The photo on the right is on the cover of that guide. See their suggestions and how-to here.