DIY

exploring a Home Design Store

| kristencastillo

I write often about home decor and design so it was inspiring to go to a Home Depot Design center,  here in San Diego.  There are only three The Home Depot Design Centers — one stop shops for kitchen and bath design — in the country.  

They recently invited me to attend their “festive fete” and it was a dream for anyone who loves decor and design. There were so many colors and options for household appliances from stoves and pizza ovens to washing machines and refrigerators, to cabinetry, and draw pulls, bathroom hardware, and more. 

One of my faves? The working wall display of shower heads demonstrating water pressure for various models. So visual and fun!

How many times have been shopping for household items and wonder how well they actually work!? This lets shoppers test the household items before buying.

The celebration included getting a custom wreath, made right in front of me.

A monster of a good time

| kristencastillo

This Halloween, we made a dessert that’s all treats, no tricks! 

My kids and I had fun making Monster Chocolate Pops from tinyB Chocolate. The San Francisco based company gifted me the family friendly kit.

We made the chocolate pops at home in our kitchen using everything that was included in the kits: white and dark chocolate for the outside of the pops, two types of brigadeiro (Brazilian truffle filling) one in dark chocolate and the other pumpkin spice; popsicle sticks; and fun toppings including bright sprinkles, googly eyes and mini marshmallows. 

We heated and tempered the chocolate before filling the popsicle mold shell, which is included in the kit. The kids decided to make two vanilla, one chocolate, and one marble pop.

We decorated them with the toppings and placed the pops in the freezer for 30 minutes to set. Then they were ready to eat. 

This was a fun and tasty activity for the kids and it wasn’t very messy. A win-win! Order the pops by October 26 so you can make them for Halloween.