Best of September

I cannot believe it is the end of September already. This month has flown by, but I love October, so I can't complain! I'm hoping the weather finally starts to cool down here (it was like 100 today!) so it can actually fee like fall. 

In case you missed anything from this month or maybe you're new here (welcome!), I've put together the best posts from this past month. I've really had a great time growing this blog over the past few weeks. Thanks to everyone for stopping by. I really appreciate it and hope you'll come back and see what I have in store for October!

1. Homemade Chalk Paint Dresser

2. Autumn Printable

3. Pink Velvet Cocktail Recipe

4. Fall Tablescape

5. Almond Joy Cookies Recipe

What was your favorite post of the month?

What else would you like to see on The Pink Flour?

Autumn Printable

Happy Friday everyone! 

I'm so glad this week is drawing to a close. It's been a tough and busy one, but I'm hoping I can take a little time to catch my breath this weekend! 

Today, I have a little freebie to help you get into the fall mood - an autumn printable. I love printables! They are a quick and easy way to instantly decorate for a season or holiday. All you have to do is print and then put in an 8 x 10 frame. I suggest printing at like Costco or Target, so you don't waste your printer ink and you'll get  better quality. I like using the matte finish, but glossy works too :)

Just click on the image you want to download (and if anyone wants a different color just let me know!)

Hope you enjoy decorating with this printable!

Here's my printable on our entry table.

I'll be sharing this over at Sarah's Easy Fall Decor Link Party.

And at these other parties as well - Something Swanky, The Shabby Creek Cottage, The 36th Avenue, The Frugal Girls,Tatertots & Jello, Whipperberry, Serenity Now, Thirty Handmade Days, Positively Splendid, Fox Hallow Creek, Skip to my Lou and Sugar Bee Crafts.

Recipe - Pink Velvet Cocktail

Today, I'm sharing one of my new favorite cocktails. This recipe is super, duper easy, but more importantly it is delicious! This drink uses whipped cream flavored vodka. If you haven't tried whipped vodka yet...you are in for a treat. We like it with orange juice - tastes like a 50/50 bar :) 

It seems like flavored vodka is all the rage right now. I just saw that they even have cookie dough flavored vodka. I'm not sure what kind of drink you can make with it, but I will have to try it soon...maybe with some hot chocolate??

Here's a printable recipe - just click on the image to download. 

I'm sharing this recipe over at the following link parties this week:  Something Swanky, The Shabby Creek Cottage, The 36th Avenue, Sweet Bella Roos, The Frugal Girls,Tatertots & Jello, Whipperberry, Serenity Now, Thirty Handmade Days, Positively Splendid, Skip to my Lou, Crazy for Crust and Sugar Bee Crafts.

Wishlist Wednesday - Macaron Love!

As an amateur baker, I've always wanted to learn how to master the more advanced baking techniques. One of those items on my list are French macarons (not to be confused with those coconut ones with 2 o's). Those light, airy, cookies sandwiched around a creamy filling. There are endless combinations for flavors and colors. From what I've heard/read it can be difficult to the get consistency of the dough just right and even if you do, you still need to contend with your oven. 

One of these days I'll get around to practicing how to make them, but until then I'll make do with a little eye candy. Enjoy this week's wishlist wednesday....and try not to drool on the keyboard ;)

Pistachio Macarons from Love and Olive Oil

Basic French Macaron from Yum Sugar

Passion Fruit Macaron from One Vanilla Bean

French Chocolate Macaron with Chocolate Ganache from Chow

Snickers Macarons from 6 Bittersweets

Salted Caramel Macaron from Honey & Soy

Pumpkin Pie Spice Macarons from Cupcake Project

Beary Cute Macarons from Bakerella

And if you don't want to hassle with backing these are perfect!

Macaron Trinket Boxes from Waiting on Martha

Do you have any tips on making macarons?

What are your favorite flavor combinations?

Don't forget to follow me on Facebook and Twitter!

In Memory

I try to make this blog upbeat and full of fun ideas, but today I need to take the time to do some reflection. We found out yesterday that my grandfather passed away. For the past several years, he has lived in the Philippines, where he was born and raised. Last June, my husband, sister and I were lucky enough to take a trip to visit him (and my Uncle and his family). I have been meaning to share our trip on the blog for awhile now, but I now know I was meant to wait and share it now. 

After landing in Manila, we went straight to Hizon's bakery (which is my maiden name).

Having lunch with my grandpa in Antipolo...this restaurant had a beautiful view of all of Manila. 

We took a trip to Boracay. It is one of the prettiest beaches I've ever been too. 

 Every night at sunset there are tons of sailboats that fill the beach and you can take a ride on. Beautiful!

 White sand and crystal blue water. 

 My uncle, aunt, cousins, with my sister & husband.

My husband and I with my grandpa. 

We were so lucky to have the opportunity to go on this trip. We have memories that will last a lifetime. My grandpa was an amazing man and I was blessed to have had him in my life. He will be missed immensely, but  we know his spirit will be with us forever. 

And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.

~"On Eagle's Wings" lyrcis

Fall Decor for a Dining Table

I feel so bad that this is my first post of the week. It's been crazy busy at work this week, so I had to put some things on the back burner and that included the blog :( I've wanted to post everyday, but there just haven't been enough hours in the day! This may be the only post of this week too because I'm a bridesmaid in a wedding this weekend :) I hope to be back to posting normal next week. 

So without further adieu, I bring you my fall decorating ideas for a dining room table.

Everything I used were things I already had. My mom had bought the mini apples last year for our wedding that I didn't end up using, but they worked perfectly in the glass vase. 

I had bought some fall leaves garland a few years back and just draped it around the candles. 

I bought the table runner at Target a few months ago. It adds some nice texture and color to the table. 

This picture is for my husband who picked out our silverware when we were registering for wedding gifts. The knives sit perpendicular to the table :) 

I had also picked up some fall colored leaves at the dollar store a few weeks ago and put those around the candles on either end of the table. 

I usually don't like having centerpieces that are too high (I hate when you can't see the person across from you), but since these were clear it worked out fine. 

Now I just need to find the time to have a dinner party and use our fall decorate table :)

What is your favorite way to decorate a table for a fall dinner?

I'm linking this up over at The Lettered Cottage this week as part of the Autumn Link Party.

DIY - Homemade Chalk Paint Dresser

Happy Friday everyone! This week as been really busy for me, so I'm looking forward to the weekend!

Today, I have a little furniture makeover I did a few months back. I saw this dresser in the garage of my husband's parents. It must have been painted years ago, but definitely had seen better days. I decided it would work in our master bedroom and I have been dying to try chalk paint. I had seen all sorts of blog posts and pins on Pinterest about chalk paint. I decided I would go the homemade route and mix up some chalk paint myself.

After researching, I decided I would try using this method for making your own chalk paint. If you haven't heard about chalk paint before, it is different than other types of paint because you don't have to sand or prime the furniture if you don't want. How awesome is that! I was a little apprehensive of this paint - thought it would be too good to be true.

The recipe calls for calcium carbonate & latex paint. I bought the calcium carbonate through Calcium Carbonate (make sure it is powder form). I used 2 parts paint to 1 part calcium carbonate. I mixed the calcium carbonate with a little bit of water before mixing it with the paint (probably a few tablespoons). I bought a quart of the paint, but the dresser only took about half the quart and I did 2 coats.

After the paint was thoroughly dry (I waited a few days), and then did a clear coat of furniture wax. I used a cheese cloth to apply the wax and then buffed off with a clean rag. It was a pretty easy process that should help protect the piece for everyday use.

To finish off the piece, I gave the existing hardware a new look with just some silver spray paint.

I'm really happy with the way the piece turned out and the color is exactly the shade I was going for. This paint went on very smooth and I didn't need to sand or prime. I still can't get over that, but I'm for anything that will save me time! I didn't try to age the paint at all, but I read that chalk paint is great if you want that distressed look. Can't wait to use this technique again on another piece soon!

Have you tried using chalk paint before?

I would really like to try Annie Sloan Chalk Paint & Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint and see how they compare to the homemade kind.

Have you tried either one?

I will be sharing this recipe at the following link-up parties this week and next:  Miss Mustard Seed, Something Swanky, The Shabby Creek Cottage, The 36th Avenue, The Frugal Girls,Tatertots & Jello, Whipperberry, Serenity Now, Thirty Handmade Days, Positively Splendid, and Sugar Bee Crafts.

Wishlist Wednesday - Fall Decor

I'm spending the week in Santa Barbara for work right now and it got chilly and overcast this evening. With this kind of weather I actually feel like it's legal to think about fall decorations now. I love fall - it means football season, cooler temps, crock pot recipes, and lots of holidays around the corner (including my birthday...well not technically a holiday, but it should be :) 

For this week's wishlist, I've put together a few of the items I would love to decorate with the get in the fall mood! It's a variety of store bough and homemade. Enjoy!

Ceramic Pumpkins from Pottery Barn

Fall Monogram Wreath from Two Twenty One

Harvest Canvas Print from Kirkland's

3D Pumpkin Art from Tatertots and Jello

Washi Tape Pumpkins from Good Housekeeping

Pumpkin Wine Glass Candle Holders from Etsy 

Painted Pumpkins from Better Homes & Gardens

Owl Pillow from Pier 1 Imports

What helps put you in the fall mood?

Do you have any fall traditions?