Wednesday, February 29, 2012

a little insight into Abby Ann Designs


Happy Wednesday lovelies! I am feeling incredibly refreshed and inspired about my jewelry business today. For the past week I have been really stressing about marketing, advertising, and making sales. I recently (last night) found a website that has a TON of helpful hints and I am so thankful I found it! To see this awesome website click here.

I thought I would share with you a few things about my business today.  First off I would like to tell you why my line of jewelry is unique. Obviously it is handmade which makes it one of a kind. I put a lot of thought and effort into each piece and I love what I do. When you love every minute of making a piece I think it is already a higher quality accessory than any old piece you find at the store. To top off why my jewelry is unique, I use a variety of high quality material (sterling silver, freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals, semi-precious gemstones, + more) and they are placed together in ways to make irresistible jewelry.

See for yourself! www.abbyanndesigns.com

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

spring break preview

pic from here


Spring break.... only two weeks away!! I am so excited because I am going to San Diego! A dream come true. I have always wanted to go to California. I am going on a week trip to San Diego where I will be spending two hours a day learning to surf! Another dream come true. Cross that one off my bucket list ;) Then the rest of my time will be spent on the beach or doing adventurous things! I just thought I would give you all a heads up on where my life is taking me in the next few weeks. I would love to hear about any of your trips you may be taking!

Monday, February 27, 2012

Oreo Cheesecake

Happy Monday! Here is a little treat for you on this sunny day.

Oreo Cheesecakes! :) These are delicious! 

Head on over to Desperate Chefwife to read my guest post and learn how to make these wonderful treats!

Friday, February 24, 2012

blog-to-blog



"blog hopping" - the act of starting on a blog and jumping to others through their sponsor list.

I have become an avid blog hopper. At least this is what I call it! I have become addicted to going to a blog and then going from blog to blog via buttons. I have found so many neat inspiring blogs. The reason I started doing this was to find ways to promote my business, which is a very time consuming task. I have made a lot of new online friends, as you witnessed from the guest post by Shannon from Desperate Chefwife.

I would just like to take a moment and thank all of the bloggers who I have recently contacted for being so awesome about wanting to help me advertise my business and swapping buttons with me! You all are great :)

I would highly recommend that you all go to the bottom right hand of my page and where you see all those neat little pictures with names on them, well... click on one and see where you go. Those are called buttons (for those of you who are new to this) and they link to different sites. Once you start you won't want to stop! There are so many inspiring and creative people in this world. Go see for yourself!



(pic from http://annamaemarquez.blogspot.com)

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Give Away


Today, Meg, from The Happy Hour is hosting a give away for a pair of earrings from my jewelry collection. Make sure to head on over and enter to be in the drawing! Who doesn't love free stuff?? To see more of my collection click abby//Ann

earrings that are featured in the give away

Monday, February 20, 2012

Weekend Highlights

Holding Kai :) 
 My best friend's Birthday Party!
 Abby enjoying a cupcake
 Abby and her nephew
 So excited about prezzies
 My other brother
 Adorable Caitlin
 Delicious Cupcakes :)
Sista Sista 

What a great weekend I had with great people!

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Guest Post // Desperate Chefwife

Hi my lovely followers! Happy Saturday :) Today Shannon, the lovely lady from Desperate Chefwife, will be guest posting about a delicious dessert recipe!



Hey guys I’m Shannon Thomas from Desperate Chefwife! I am super excited about posting on Infinite Illumination today! Abby and I met through some twists of online fate, and I am so glad we did! She is so cute, and talented and I love this site!
Today I have a treat for all of you, and would only ask for one teensy thing in return. Take the link to my blog and become a follower, and if you REALLY wanted to help me out, go like” me on facebook. I would appreciate it so much I might even hunt you down and give you one of these.
That’s just one.

 











This is 3…





















I’ll just let that sink in for a few more seconds while I describe what this is.
Triple
Layer
Cookies
&
Cream
Nutella
Crunch
Bars.
After making these and taking and editing the pictures I panicked, and immediately had to email Abby and ask if she was a “healthy recipes only” person, because this wasn’t going to fit that bill.
She said she liked the “bad stuff”
A girl after my own heart I tell ya.
So what are these things?
A layer of gooooeeyy brownies filled with oreos (look how cute!)














Covered with crushed oreos and chocolate chips

  














All married together with a blissful mixture of nutella and melted chocolate. I love the term marriage in cooking and in life, because really, what is better than marriage? Or nutella mixed with melted chocolate? Absolutely nothing.

  

















So here’s the recipe. Really. Try it. I dare you. You will wow everyone. Then make sure you tell me how it goes, and come to me again and again for other fantastic recipes.
Enjoy!

Triple Layer Cookies & Cream Nutella Crunch Bars
½ cup butter, at room temperature
1 ½ cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 ¼ cup flour
¼ tsp salt
3 TBL cocoa powder
1 ½ cups chocolate chips
½ cup Nutella
20 oreo cookies

Preheat oven to 350
Butter and flour an 8x8 pan
Mix the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (really, we are going for whipped here, so it might take like 5-7 minutes)
Mix in 1 egg at a time, then add the vanilla
Add Cocoa powder and stir until well combined
Throw in the flour and salt, and mix until just combined.
Pour batter into the pan, and sink 9 oreos into the batter and press them down (like the picture above)
Bake for 25-30 min
While the brownie layer is cooking add the remaining 11 oreos (seriously, when I did it, it took me like 5 minutes to figure out how many oreos to crush “20-9 is….hmmm….”)
Don’t crush them to a powder, just to little chunks, then add ½ cup of the chocolate chips.
When the brownie layer is finished cooking, sprinkle the oreo/chocolate chip mixture over the whole thing and cook for another 2-3 minutes
Melt the remaining 1 cup of chocolate chips in the microwave (if you do that, PLEASE be careful, 30 second increments, and stir between every time, so you don’t burn them!) or in a double boiler. Add the nutella and stir until smooth.
When the oreo/chocolate chip layer is done, dump the chocolate/nutella mixture on top, and spread very carefully so it’s all even. Then shake the pan like you are panning for gold. You want to get the chocolate in the crevices of all the oreos so it sticks to the brownie layer.
Put in the fridge for at least 2 hours, then pull out and serve at room temperature with a fat glass of milk. Really you will need it.
Then go “follow” Desperate Chefwife because she brought these pieces of heaven into your life.
Thanks guys!

  













 Adapted from How Sweet it is


Thursday, February 16, 2012

I'm ready to Par-tay!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
to my best friend!! 

Today is my best friends 21st birthday and I am doing a little blog shout out for her because she is just that awesome!

Seriously though, this girl is my best best friend and I don't know what I would do with out her. And so for that I thank you Abby :) xoxo
(yep, we have the same name pretty sweet)
I hope your birthday is splendid :) 



Wednesday, February 15, 2012

jewelry shoot + gorgeous girl!

This gorgeous afternoon I had the opportunity to do a jewelry shoot with one of my lovely friends, Moriah. Here are the highlights of today's shoot.

bridesmaid jewelry

bridesmaid jewelry from New Year's Eve Wedding




customized initial sterling silver necklace

beautiful girl!


soooo happy!

don't forget to look up!

abby//Ann



Happy Wednesday everyone! I am pleased to announce my new and improved jewelry business name. I am taking on a whole new look! The new name is abby//Ann jewelry designs. I have launched my new website and online shop!

"like" me on Facebook as well!





Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day!




 I hope everyone has a day filled with love and joyous things! 


Today I will be spending my day in a school in Des Moines. I start my practicum experience and will be spending Tuesdays and Thursdays for the next four weeks with this class. I am very excited to be out in the school doing what I love. Tonight I will be seeing my love and making an extremely delicious dinner for him. Can't tell you what because it is a surprise and he might read this ;)  



This is the guy I LOVE