All posts by Alix

Vintage Target Back in the Day.

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I love Target. But I didn’t realize they had been around since the sixties! The first store opened its doors on May 1, 1962 in Roseville, Minnesota. These photos are like the Target of my dreams.

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In 1968 they revamped the logo (down there on the right) to be a little more bold and iconic. It’s the logo as it stands today. I wish I could track down even more photos….it’s pretty fascinating to see, no?

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Next up? Track down the story behind this lil beauty!

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images: here, @targetstyle on instagram and the target archives

TASTY BITES // brownie cookies

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As far as we are concerned, when it comes to sweets, it doesn’t get much better than a good old fashioned cookie. A well executed cookie is a beautiful thing. It has to have just the right amount of sweetness, a touch of salt, a little crunch, and a perfectly chewy center. The best of the best are deceptively simple creations. These are the ones that have been tweaked 100’s of times until there is just the right amount of everything, while at the same time not being overly complicated. Because no one likes a fussy cookie! Often times, they are family recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation, and are closely guarded secrets. Mmmmmm, secrets.

Aside from being extremely well-balanced and very tasty, this recipe is barely any of the other things mentioned above. Heck, it’s barely even a cookie. Because honestly, for as much as we love cookies, we are also pretty fond of brownies. When we couldn’t decide between the two, a recipe was born.

Not a family secret. Not the culmination of 100’s attempts at perfection. Not really a cookie. Not exactly a brownie. Just chocolatey, chewy, sweet, salty, and delicious. So, if any of these things sound good to you, we think these might be just your thing! Enjoy.

 brownie cookies

  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 stick butter, divided
  •  3 eggs
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup cocoa
  • 12 oz bag choc chips, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

In a large bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, melt half of the chocolate chips with half of a stick of butter, stirring a few times, until smooth, about 7 minutes.Set aside to cool.

Meanwhile, combine other half stick of butter and sugar in bowl of stand mixer (fitted with paddle attachment) and cream for about a minute.  Add eggs, one at a time and beat on medium-high speed for about five minutes. Add vanilla. Beat on low to combine.

Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, soda, and salt. Whisk well to combine.

Fold in chocolate mixture into egg mixture.

Fold in flour mixture. Fold in remaining chocolate chips.

Place dough in freezer for one hour, or alternately chill dough in the fridge overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.  Drop cookie dough by tablespoon onto cookie sheet, leaving two inches between each cookie.

Repeat with remaining dough.  Place in freezer for 5-10 minutes before baking.

Bake for eight minutes.  Let cool slightly on cookie sheet.  Enjoy!


Want more Tasty Bites? Go here. Also, if you are on instagram, be sure to follow@birdandclever for more stunning photos.

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widdle wednesday // cowboys + indians

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Hello friends, it’s Ashley here with our last Widdle Wednesday of the summer. Is it me or did the summer just fly by?? As we giddy up into fall, we’re feeling inspired by the wild wild west. Fringe, feathers and dusty brights…. yee haw!

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SHOP IT OVER HERE: ONE + TWO + THREE + FOUR + FIVE + SIX + SEVEN + EIGHT + NINE + TEN + ELEVEN

Thanks everyone… see you next week!

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For more of Ashley’s life with her sweet family, visit her over here!

First Day of School // Kinder Cones

The first day of elementary school is full of excitement, butterflies in the tummy and just a little bit of anxiety. This is why I find the German “Schultüte” custom so especially charming! Maybe you’ve seen these awesome cones in older photos? Here is the story behind them!

The Schultüte tradition dates back to the early 19th century in Germany. Parents give their little first grade students a colorful, oversized cone to celebrate starting school for the very first time. The cone is typically filled with little treats like chocolates, candy and small gifts. So fun! My mother has a terrific photo of her and her Schultüte as a little girl that I’ll have to track down and share.

The name Schultüte loosely translates  to “school cone” (technically, Schule= school and Tüte=bag….sometimes you’ll see it spelled Schultuete when an umlaut isn’t available!). I remember we talked about getting one for Wolfie when he started first grade, but alas we never did! It looks so fun! Check out the grins on these kiddos…

images: barb lawrence


images: janwillemsen

I love these stylish little girls from 1969! Although she wasn’t ready for school yet, mama made the younger sister her own mini Schultüte so she wouldn’t feel left out. Aw!


image: Boxwoodcottage

I don’t know about you but everything seems better served in a cone! German parents and grandparents know this too and since around 1810 they have been helping ease those first day of school jitters by giving them Schultüten. Today, this charming tradition lives on as a celebration for children all over the country. In addition to slightly more modern designs, the cones are now filled with cool school supplies (like colored pencils and crayons) and little toys, in addition to the classic sweets!


image: linda6769


image: meehara

I think this tradition is so wonderful….would you try something like this for your little one when they enter elementary school? I think I would bend the rules and actually make one for 2nd or 3rd grade too! We just started school this week. Has your school begun yet??

PS: Here is a cute tutorial to make one yourself, or you can order one from Kinder Cone!